Chapter 684

Chen Wuji wrote a letter to Zhang Lao.

He spent a long passage inquiring about Zhang Lao's recent situation, almost verbosely asking about his health, and then roughly described what he had accomplished during this time.

In the middle of this letter, Chen Wuji slipped in a bit of private goods.

He inquired whether Zhang Lao knew and understood Lu Jia Village.

Although this was his direct purpose, asking directly would easily invite criticism.

This time, on the expedition, he has not yet written a letter to Zhang Lao.

If not handled, there are countless matters; one careless moment and they're forgotten.

Not only to Zhang Lao, but to Huo Sanniang and the others, he also only wrote a single letter.

In this situation, showing up for no reason at the Three Treasures Hall, the old man is sure to blow his top.

All the information Chen Wuji currently has about Lu Jia Village has come together, all pointing to Lu Jia Village being an extraordinary village, and moreover possessing the capability to threaten the neighboring Qiang people.

If it truly is such a special place, Zhang Lao, this old map of Nan Jun, might know something.

After writing the letter, Chen Wuji took out the battle knife he had picked up on the battlefield, suspected to be a Langdu knife, and handed it together to a personal guard, ordering him to deliver it to Yunan County and give it to Zhang Lao.

Now that the apprentice has acquired skills, the master certainly ought to show off his achievements.

The personal guard had just left when Chen Wuji, through the open window, saw Qin Zhanhong leading a large group of people over. Besides Chen Wuyi, Chen Wushuang, and two other Chen Clan Personal Guards, there was also a tall, thin young man with an arrogant expression.

Just look at his splendid attire and the valuable jade pendant hanging from his belt—his identity needs no guessing.

The qilin son of the Qin Family, Qin Zhanhong's unnamed third brother.

Chen Wuji suddenly discovered that today he has a lot of affinity with the third, having just heard of a seemingly ruthless and highly capable San Shu, and now another Third Brother like a heaven-defying dragon has appeared.

And today just happens to be the thirteenth.

A rather interesting and somewhat special day.

"Husband, I've finally achieved merit, great merit!" Qin Zhanhong strode into the room, leaned against Chen Wuji, and said with a proud face, "I won't say it yet, husband, guess what I've discovered."

"If you don't tell me, how can I guess? However, let's put this matter on hold for now—aren't you going to introduce this honored guest?" Chen Wuji looked toward Qin Zhanhong's Third Brother.

The qilin son of the Qin Family raised his head and tidied his cuffs.

This fellow has come to Chen Wuji's turf and yet didn't even think to pay his respects first?

"Who? My third brother? What's there to introduce, he's family—what kind of honored guest is that!" Qin Zhanhong said disdainfully, glanced at him, and suddenly kicked her third brother in the waist.

"Third Brother, why are you being impolite? Although my husband is your brother-in-law, he is now the Nan Jun Jiedu Guanchasi, and you, an idle official staying at home, don't even bow when you see a Military Governor?"

Hiss—

The qilin son of the Qin Family let out a painful hiss, his waist jerking upright, and shouted angrily, "Qin Zhanhong, I am your third brother! Don't be rude!"

"You say I'm rude?" Qin Zhanhong glared, jumped up, and slapped her third brother on the back of the neck with a crackling sound, "You rude fellow, who are you calling rude? Who's rude?"

"Stop, stop, stop, ow! Stop hitting!" the qilin son of the Qin Family shouted loudly.

Qin Zhanhong refused to let up, put all her strength into the slap and struck again, the sound extremely crisp, the effect quite moving; after a few slaps, the qilin son of the Qin Family's back of the neck seemed swollen.

"Stop, stop, stop, I was wrong, I was wrong! Ancestors, don't hit me anymore, another hit and my head will fall off."

This qilin son of the Qin Family doesn't look like Qin Zhanhong's third brother at all; he looks more like a younger brother.

After a few slaps, the one who was hit had no temper left.

Qin Zhanhong gave a soft hum, then finally let go, "Wrong and still not paying respects? You're truly embarrassing our Qin family; don't ever beg me to take you out again—I tell you, it's impossible!"

The qilin son of the Qin Family sucked in a cold breath, quickly rose, tidied his clothing, and bowed to Chen Wuji, saying, "Qin Family's Qin Huaian greets Commander Chen; brother-in-law, I hope you can properly restrain your wife and concubines so they do not lay hands on guests."

"Huh?" Qin Zhanhong's gaze suddenly turned dangerous.

Qin Huaian's mouth twitched, and he quickly corrected, "Commander Chen, don't take offense; I spoke out of turn. My younger sister has always been like this, Commander Chen, you've suffered."

"Are you itching for a fight?" Qin Zhanhong shouted through gritted teeth.

Qin Huaian darted behind Chen Wuji with a quick step, "Commander Chen truly is a model for our generation; actually our family has no objection to this marriage, we're just worried Commander Chen will suffer, so I was sent to have a look."

Chen Wuji chuckled; this person really is completely unreserved.

But as for what he said, just hearing it and believing it is entirely unnecessary.

Qin Zhanhong's eyes turned cold, she stared icily at Qin Huaian, clenched her fists until they cracked, and then lunged forward.

"Commander Chen, save me!"

As soon as Qin Huaian's words left his mouth, he flew up into the air and then came crashing down heavily to the ground.

Afterward, Qin Zhanhong dragged him out of the room like a dead dog.

"Commander Chen, save me, save me! My younger sister is going to kill someone! Ah… ah… ah! Ah ah… don't, don't hit the face, ancestors, I was wrong, I won't be foul-mouthed anymore, I really won't speak ill of you, ah…"

Chen Wuji rose with great interest and looked outside.

Interesting.

This person is truly interesting.

According to the usual rule, such a person is either genuinely pure-hearted or has a mind as deep as an old dog's.

Furthermore, following the common phenomenon that true aristocratic clans rarely produce true playboys.

Thus it can be deduced—this person must be the latter.

Playboys originally referred to the splendid clothing worn by sons of wealthy families, later extended to mean idle sons of rich families, but this situation generally applies to the wealthy gentry, that is, the sons of merchants, as well as shallow-rooted aristocratic clans, such as suddenly empowered in-laws, etc.

In truly established clans with deep roots and ancient lineage, playboys are extremely rare.

They focus on growing the family and passing down family rules, basically suppressing this type of person in the cradle.

The Qin Family is a typical established aristocratic clan.

And Qin Huaian is still a scion sent out to handle affairs.

So this question is easily solved, with almost no doubt.

The Qin Family could not possibly dispatch a true playboy.

"What have you found along the way? What is the merit the madam just spoke of?" Chen Wuji casually asked, watching the exciting spectacle outside.

Chen Wushuang bowed and clasped his hands, "Family Head, we have captured a Qiang tribe elder and learned some of the Qiang people's military deployment; they intend to use Nan Jun and Zhongqiang Land as a foundation to reestablish the Qiang state."

"Now?" Chen Wuji asked, frowning.

The Langdu have all been crushed by him; do they still have the ability to establish a state?

"Yes, although the Langdu were defeated at Wuyang Mountain, their goal seems not yet abandoned." Wushuang said, "The Langdu have left a contingency at Yingzui Ridge, near Qiang-Pacified County."