Chapter 96

On the way, through casual conversation with Zhen Jiang, he had already managed to pry the truth out of her.

The Zhen family was currently having a difficult time in Zhongshan State.

They certainly weren't lacking in wealth; in fact, they were richer than most families in the entire Great Han.

But precisely because of that, their troubles were great.

Without sufficient strength to protect this wealth, they were nothing more than a piece of fat meat in the eyes of others, ready to be bitten into at any time.

Earlier, in her words, Zhen Jiang had also shown an inclination for the Zhen family to defect to Su Xuan.

Unfortunately, she could not make the final decision herself.

Plus, with the admiring gaze Zhen Jiang gave him, Su Xuan was not blind; he naturally saw it all.

He also quite liked this daring, straightforward, and business-savvy woman.

Su Xuan was naturally willing to give her a hand and see if the Zhen family’s subsequent reaction would satisfy him.

"Eh?"

Zhen Jiang was stunned at first, then nodded with a look of surprise and joy: "I am willing! Many thanks, General!"

At this moment, she felt very moved.

She knew that Su Xuan was doing this to help her on purpose.

"Good!"

Su Xuan smiled knowingly, then looked at Zhang Zou Qian and said, "Administrator Zhang shouldn't mind adding one more person, right?"

"Naturally! Naturally!"

Zhang Zou Qian was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly nodded and smiled apologetically.

At the same time, he thought to himself: "Oh no! It seems this Zhen Jiang has climbed the high branch of Su Xuan; she has caught his eye!"

"With this, the Zhen clan has a backer and cannot be moved against easily!"

"I must quickly have my subordinates handle this matter properly."

"Also, I must notify the Prince."

In an instant, Zhang Zou Qian had his plan.

Moreover, he was extremely decisive in preparing to give up on trying to take a bite out of the Zhen clan.

His main approach was to know when to advance or retreat and to be sensible.

Afterward, Su Xuan and his party enjoyed a hearty lunch under Zhang Zou Qian’s hospitality.

Later, under Zhang Zou Qian’s arrangements, they settled into a temporary residence in the city and began to make arrangements for the main army.

This time, he did not run around personally; instead, he sent Huang Zhong, Zhang He, Zhao Yun, Old Dian Wei, and others to lead troops out to investigate the situation in the various counties of Zhongshan State.

If there were rebels, they would suppress them; if there were no rebels, they would return.

At the same time,

After attending the banquet, Zhen Jiang returned home.

At this time, Zhen Yi and Mother Zhen (Lady Zhang), having received the news from their guards, were already waiting in the main hall.

Seeing Zhen Jiang return, they immediately stood up with joy and went to greet her.

Zhen Yi asked, "Jiang'er! I heard you were saved by General Su Xuan on the road? And that you were invited by him to attend the Administrator’s welcome banquet?"

"Yes!"

Zhen Jiang nodded, then looked at her parents with a solemn expression: "Father, Mother! Let’s go to the study to talk! I have important matters to discuss with you."

"Alright!"

Zhen Yi and Mother Zhen were slightly taken aback, but seeing their daughter so serious, they nodded in agreement.

Soon, the three of them arrived in the study.

After her parents were seated, Zhen Jiang detailed the entire sequence of events to them.

Then, she bowed to her parents and said, "Father! Mother! Your daughter intends to marry General Su Xuan as a concubine; I ask for your permission."

"What?"

Zhen Yi and Mother Zhen were shocked at first. Had their eldest daughter gone mad? To actually want to be someone’s concubine?

But the next moment, hearing that the object was Su Xuan, they immediately calmed down.

If the person was Su Xuan, it didn't seem like it was out of the question, right?

Zhen Yi frowned slightly, but looked at Zhen Jiang with anticipation and asked, "Is this your intention or General Su Xuan’s?"

"Are you sure he is interested in you? Will he come to propose?"

He was now wishing he could confirm this matter immediately.

Because this was a tremendous piece of good news for the Zhen clan.

It was only one daughter, after all.

Although Zhen Jiang had high business talent and strong capabilities,

She was a daughter, and would have to marry sooner or later.

If she could marry Su Xuan, even as a concubine, it would basically resolve the Zhen clan’s current awkward and dangerous situation.

Mother Zhen, however, glared at Zhen Yi, then looked at Zhen Jiang with concern: "Jiang'er! Did he force you, or do you truly have feelings for him?"

"Or are you choosing this simply to resolve our family’s predicament?"

As a mother, if possible, she still hoped for her daughter’s happiness.

Zhen Jiang smiled lightly and shook her head: "Father, Mother, rest assured. This matter is my own wish. General Su is very outstanding; he is the best I have ever seen."

"Furthermore, although the General did not state it explicitly, I can feel that General Su is interested in me."

"He also said he would come to visit personally tomorrow."

"However, regarding the proposal, I still hope Father can bring it up to the General yourself, to avoid any accidents."

"After all, this is all just my own speculation and feeling; it cannot be taken as certain."

The Zhen clan could not miss out on Su Xuan.

She also did not want to miss out on Su Xuan.

"Good!"

Zhen Yi nodded in understanding: "Father understands! Leave this matter to me!"

As long as there was a high chance, that was enough.

He didn't believe that a young man like Su Xuan could remain unmoved by his daughter.

His daughters, apart from Zhen Mi who was still young, were all extremely outstanding in appearance.

Even if Su Xuan wasn't satisfied with Zhen Jiang, he could try letting his other daughters interact with Su Xuan.

There would surely be one that Su Xuan would be satisfied with.

The next morning,

After handling military affairs and sending off Huang Zhong’s men,

Su Xuan had Jia San prepare a gift for a first visit and arrived at the Zhen residence.

The Zhen family had received the visiting card early on, and the whole family was respectfully waiting at the gate.

This even attracted the attention of many people nearby.

When they saw Su Xuan arrive, Zhen Yi ran forward with small, enthusiastic, and respectful steps to hold the horse for Su Xuan: "I am Zhen Yi, welcoming General Su’s arrival."

"Uncle, there is no need for such courtesy!"

Seeing this, Su Xuan did not intentionally put on airs; he immediately dismounted, helped Zhen Yi up, and said with a smile, "Today, I am just here as a friend of Miss Zhen Jiang to sit for a while; there is no need for this!"

"Not at all! Not at all! Please, General!"

Zhen Yi wouldn't take those words at face value and still respectfully and enthusiastically welcomed Su Xuan and his party inside.

This scene was seen by interested parties nearby, who all rushed back to their respective masters to report the news.

"It seems what Administrator Zhang said is true; the Zhen clan has really latched onto Su Xuan’s thigh!"

"They really got lucky! With this, it won't be easy to move against the Zhen clan, at least for the short term."

"Damn it! Why did this Su Xuan have to come at this time?"

"Should we still make a move on the Zhen clan?"

"Make a move? How? Tell me how! Don't you know Su Xuan’s prestige? That was all earned through killing; do you want to test if his halberd is sharp?"

"..."

For a time, many of the gentry in Lu Nu secretly suppressed their covetous hearts toward the Zhen clan and buried this desire deep within.

They prepared to wait and see.

If the Zhen clan really established a solid relationship with Su Xuan this time, then so be it.