Chapter 2260: Arranged Marriage

Just then, the door suddenly opened and Zu An called out, “You can come in.”

Yun Yuqing sighed in relief. She'd felt as if she would go crazy if these women continued to stare at her.

“Brother-in-law!” Chu Huanzhao was the most innocent out of everyone present. When she saw him, she leaped toward him and immediately grabbed his arm to act spoiled.

Chu Youzhao also wanted to go over, but she was dressed as a man right now and couldn't act like her sister.

Qin Wanru’s eyelids twitched when she saw that.

No wonder everyone always says that daughters hook their elbows with outsiders. Even after all I did, I still have to let Zu An have everyone?

Yun Yuqing saw that Yun Jianyue was in the corner.

Why is she standing there, and why does she have her back to us?

She was a bit confused and gave Zu An a look. However, she saw that he was completely calm, as if nothing had happened.

“Yuqing, what did you want to talk to me about?” Zu An asked as he rubbed Huanzhao’s head. This young woman was always so lively and vigorous. Whenever he saw her, he would always remember the young lady running around with a whip whom he had first seen when he first entered this world.

Yun Yuqing focused her thoughts and said, “Even though the main culprits of the capital’s events are the monsters, there were many clans who took part in it, like the Bi clan and the Pei clan… Big sister Bi said to leave it to the empress dowager, but then the empress dowager sent me to ask you what to do.”

Zu An immediately understood. The Bi clan was Bi Linglong’s home, while the Pei clan was related to Pei Mianman. Bi Linglong couldn't really say much about the matter, while Liu Ning couldn't really punish the Bi clan also because of Bi Linglong’s connection to it. No wonder neither of them could make a decision.

He thought for a moment, and then replied, “Handle the ones who took part in the coup that night according to the law. There's no need to bring further harm to the innocent for those who didn't participate. As for the Pei clan, deal with those involved properly. However, Pei You didn’t know about what happened and tried his best to save Gao Ying, so he's pardoned of any crime.”

The Pei clan members such as Pei Yi who had participated in the coup weren’t from the same side as Pei Mianman, so he didn’t need to have many misgivings about his decision.

“Alright.” Yun Yuqing acknowledged the instruction, then continued, “Big brother Zu, Miss Jiang and the Chu clan’s members wish to meet with you.”

Zu An looked at Jiang Luofu. She had already changed into a different set of clothes and didn’t look as battered as before. But the most eye-catching thing were still her long, black silk stocking-covered legs. These socks had a different lace border that was especially stunning.

Jiang Luofu was about to speak when she suddenly gave Qin Wanru and the others a look. They were a bit hesitant.

“It’s fine, they’re all our own people,” Zu An said with a smile.

Qin Wanru immediately stuck out her chest, feeling relieved.

Jiang Luofu then began, “The reason I’ve come here is firstly to thank the regent for saving the Jiang clan, and secondly…”

Before she even finished, Zu An interrupted her. “Big sis principal, just continue to call me Ah Zu. Why should we act so unfamiliar with each other?”

Jiang Luofu smiled. She had actually been a bit worried that since Zu An had grown so powerful, perhaps they would end up becoming estranged from each other. She sighed in relief and said, “The second reason is that I'm representing my martial brothers and sisters to tell you that we'll stand firmly at your side no matter what decision you make. They're contacting the clans they're close to now.”

Yun Yuqing and Qin Wanru were both surprised. They knew what that kind of attitude meant. After all, the academy had usually abstained from governmental affairs.

Zu An was also happy to hear that. He said gratefully, “I sincerely thank all of you.”

He hadn’t let victory get to his head, and knew that strength could only make one yield on the surface. It wouldn’t allow him to truly convince the masses to obey him. On the contrary, he could end up just like the last Ming emperor, who had clearly held paramount authority, able to kill any official he wanted no matter their rank. And in the end, he had still been no match for the officials underneath him who seemed devoted on the outside, but were opposed in secret. In the end, his rule had still ended prematurely.

With the academy’s teachers taking the lead, however, it would become much easier for the entire empire to accept him.

“Your words are too serious.” Jiang Luofu smiled. “I’ll return first and not take up any more of your time.”

She thus quickly said her goodbyes, knowing that Zu An definitely had a lot of things to take care of. There were also so many women present, making the mood a bit strange. Ji Xiaoxi and Xie Daoyun were initially supposed to have come with her, but Ji Xiaoxi had been held back by her father using some pretext, while Xie Daoyun had also suddenly decided not to come for some reason.

She shook her head slightly.

Ah Zu is good in every other respect; he just has too many women around him.

But how could the women of this world resist the charms of an amazing man like him?

When she recalled how he had descended from the skies as if there were clouds of multicolored brilliance around him right when the Jiang clan was in its greatest moment of despair, then saved her and the entire Jiang clan, her heart couldn't help but pound.

“What is wrong with me?” She clutched her warm cheeks as she hurriedly left the imperial palace. The usually clear rhythm of her high heels even became a bit chaotic.

…

After Jiang Luofu left, Qin Wanru cleared her throat. “The reason we came is roughly for the same reason as Miss Jiang. I represent the Qin, Chu, and Murong clans to express our support for you. The seniors of the clans are also contacting their former colleagues and subordinates about this. At the very least, we can ensure that there won’t be any rebellions in the military.”

“I express my thanks to the elders.” Zu An smiled.These people could be considered his greatest allies. With them here, even if the emperor and the royal family’s important figures had been killed, the empire could still continue to operate smoothly.

“Oh, there is one other matter. Our Youzhao and the Murong clan’s girl are going to announce their wedding. We wish to ask the palace for its blessing,” Qin Wanru said directly.

“Youzhao and Qinghe are getting married?” Zu An was shocked. He looked at Chu Youzhao. She was bashful and had reddened cheeks, looking really embarrassed.

“That’s right. The old master of the Murong clan came to discuss the matter with us, expressing that he feels that Qinghe is already of suitable age. She's also beenf ollowing Youzhao left and right all the time without any concern for anything else, so he wanted to just confirm the wedding.” Qin Wanru stroked Youzhao’s head with an expression of doting love. “Qinghe was going to get married when she returned from the north, but then all the things that happened in the capital delayed the wedding. It won’t be good to delay it any further. Since you’ve returned, I can just ask you to be a wedding witness.”

Zu An wanted to say something, but hesitated. In the end, he said to Yun Yuqing, “Yuqing, please bring big sis Yun back to get some rest first.”

Yun Yuqing looked at them with suspicion, but she didn’t ask anything and went over to Yun Jianyue instead. “Sis, you should just rest in the palace. I’ll arrange a place for you.”

Yun Jianyue had already managed to gradually calm down. She replied, “There’s no need for all that trouble. Just find a room wherever you’re staying.”

She was the infamous Devil Sect Master. If a special palace was prepared for her, it would likely incur harsh criticism from the daoists if they caught wind of it. Of course, there was another, more important reason. She was still feeling guilty after what she'd just done with Zu An. Zu An was now the master of the Imperial Palace, so if she had a palace to herself, wouldn’t that only further suggest that she was one of his women? Then how would she face her little sister, let along Honglei? What she was most scared of was being laughed at for the rest of her life by the stone cold woman.

Yun Yuqing was a bit stunned, but she quickly nodded. “Okay.” She was now almost completely alone, and felt a sense of loneliness. Even though they weren’t that close to each other, they were still sisters. Being able to stay close to ease their relationship wouldn’t be bad either.

When they left, Zu An waved his hand and the door closed on its own.

Qin Wanru was startled.

Why is he closing the door?

When she saw that Zu An and her daughters' expressions were still natural, she sighed in relief.

“Youzhao is a woman, so how do we deal with that once they’re married?” Zu An asked seriously.

Chu Youzhao pursed her lips and looked down at her toes. She looked a bit sad.

Qin Wanru sighed. “We don’t have a choice either. Youzhao was raised as a son ever since she was little. The Chu clan’s noble title and fiefdom can only be passed onto a son, and we also need a proper wife for the clan.”

“But wouldn’t that end up spoiling little sister’s lifetime of happiness?” Zu An was a bit helpless. “How about this? I can ensure that the Chu clan’s noble title and fiefdom can be maintained. You two can tell things properly to the Murong clan.”

He was at the peak of authority right now. This was something he could take care of.

Chu Youzhao was immediately moved. She couldn't help but look at her mother.

Qin Wanru thought for a bit, but then she said with a shake of her head, “Ah Zu, you might not know how many other things are involved in this decision. The system of nobility has existed for tens of thousands of years, and it’s something everyone understands well. If you made an excuse just for us, how would the many clans of the world see it? They would all copy and imitate us. What would we do about them then?

“The court has local officials, but most of the common people are ruled jointly by these noble clans. If something happened to the noble title systems, that could likely shake the foundations of the empire and bring you endless trouble.”

Zu An was a bit surprised. He hadn’t expected Qin Wanru, who usually didn't seem very competent, to be able to give such a clear and concise answer. It seemed she still understood the rules of noble society very well after being a member of it for all of these years. What she said was indeed reasonable. If such an exception was given, it could really bring about a series of troubles.

Qin Wanru said, “Even if we took a thousand steps back and the Chu clan could preserve its position, if Youzhao’s gender was revealed, the duke position would definitely fall into the hands of the second or third branch. I don't wish for everything I’ve worked hard to achieve in this lifetime to end up helping them.”

Zu An remembered that the branch families had brought him quite a bit of trouble in the past. They were indeed a bit annoying.

“Ah Zu, you don’t need to be too worried. What arranged marriages between clans consider is mainly the benefits of both clans. They usually don't base marriages on the love or happiness of the younger generation,” Qin Wanru continued. “This marriage has the Chu clan’s benefits in mind, but it is also what the Murong clan needs. What's even rarer is that Qinghe and Youzhao are both childhood sweethearts and share deep affection for each other, so this is the best choice regardless of which child we're talking about.”