Chapter 764: with translation of chapter title

What about the bad news?

Chen Wuji appeared very calm, as if asking about something completely unrelated to himself.

He had feelings for Zhang Xiuer.

But he dared not easily reveal this feeling.

"The bad news is, Miss Xiu Er just met two Rivers and Lakes people, and they are hiding in Zhuque City." Qin Zhanhong let out a soft, faint sigh.

She didn't like this bad news either.

It's painful when something hoped for is shattered.

As for Zhang Xiuer, she actually very much wanted to accept her as a sister.

Qin Zhanhong then said: "To protect my husband's safety, I have long ordered people to closely watch these Rivers and Lakes individuals in the city. I merely wanted to catch a bigger fish and uncover their background, so I have not moved against them."

Chen Wuji furrowed his brow slightly, "What background do those two Rivers and Lakes people have?"

They are from Bu Yi Alley.

Chen Wuji fell silent, not speaking for a long while.

"Husband, perhaps Miss Xiu Er has another motive; she is not truly involved with the Bu Yi Alley people." Qin Zhanhong put away his teasing demeanor and seriously added.

Chen Wuji shook his head, "Let's see what she will say later."

"Husband, Miss Xiu Er has come looking for you; you definitely have to keep her, right?" Qin Zhanhong asked.

Chen Wuji hummed, "What she is doing behind the scenes cannot be explained for now; we also have no concrete evidence, so naturally things remain as they were before and continue as they are."

We'll talk about what needs to be talked about, and sleep about what needs to be slept.

This bit of acting still needs to be refined.

"Hope Miss Xiu Er doesn't do something foolish." Qin Zhanhong shook his head and muttered.

She is actually quite afraid that Zhang Xiuer is being evasive and has another motive.

Given her understanding of Chen Wuji, once she confirms that Zhang Xiuer truly has ulterior motives, Chen Wuji will indeed sacrifice family for righteousness, and Zhang Xiuer would then have no other chance.

While they were talking, Chen Li appeared again at the doorway, "Family Head, it seems Miss Xiu Er, whom you were just discussing, has arrived and is waiting outside."

Bring her in.

Yes!

Qin Zhanhong gave Lu Wanwan a glance, then said: "Husband, let the two of us step aside."

Chen Wuji nodded.

Qin Zhanhong and Lu Wanwan then turned and went into the inner room.

"Wushuang, boil a pot of tea!" Chen Wuji ordered.

Yes!

Wushuang responded at the doorway, then went back to his highly skilled old trade.

Not long after, Zhang Xiuer entered under Chen Li's guidance.

After such a long time seeing Zhang Xiuer again, Chen Wuji suddenly felt a bit dazed.

Although she had disguised herself, covering her delicate features heavily, she looked much more ordinary, lacking the initial dazzling brilliance and captivating aura.

But she was still that same person.

Gentle, pure, and pitiful to behold.

"'How did you suddenly come?' Chen Wuji rose to his feet, asking with great surprise."

Zhang Xiuer performed a graceful salute, the corners of her lips curling into a gentle, faint smile, her bright eyes full of affectionate light, and she softly called, "Brother Wuji!"

That call instantly transported Chen Wuji back to Yunan County.

"'I have received the Emperor's edict ordering me to come here, so I came. The journey was rushed, and I didn't have time to send word to Brother Wuji; Brother Wuji shouldn't blame me for coming so abruptly, should he?' Zhang Xiuer said with a light smile."

Chen Wuji exclaimed delightedly, "How could I blame you? I'm too happy to even keep up; quickly, have a seat!"

In the inner room, Qin Zhanhong, secretly perched on the antique shelf, curled the corner of his mouth and whispered to Lu Wanwan, "Wanwan, do you think my husband's display is genuine emotion or just an act?"

"'Definitely the latter!' Lu Wanwan said very firmly."

"My husband is not the type who forgets his duties upon seeing a beauty; he surely is doing this to confuse them—he can't just start interrogating them right away, that would be awkward and would easily reveal that we are watching Miss Zhang."

Qin Zhanhong gave a light hum, "You just speak for my husband; I suspect it's the former—don't you want to make a bet with me?"

What are we betting on?

"'Let's bet...' Qin Zhanhong's eyes shifted, a mischievous idea instantly popping up: 'Whoever loses will give my husband oral pleasure all night.'"

"'All night?!' Lu Wanwan's face turned pale with shock, 'Sister, are you trying to get yourself killed? Or me? One time would be enough, why a whole night?'"

"'What I mean by all night is, however many times my husband comes, we use that many times, the whole way through! No substitutes allowed.' Qin Zhanhong said."

"'Fine, I accept the bet!' Lu Wanwan replied very boldly."

She felt sure it was the latter.

Chen Wuji personally brought Zhang Xiuer to sit on the couch, then asked, "In these turbulent times, you came alone—did anything happen on the way? The Songzhou region has lately been extremely unsettled, with all sorts of demons and monsters emerging."

"'Indeed, some things happened, but they weren't major troubles and were all resolved smoothly.' Zhang Xiuer, with a hint of bashfulness in her brows and eyes, shyly glanced at Chen Wuji, 'I have two maidservants by my side; their skills are quite good, enough to handle some not-so-serious troubles.'"

"'If it weren't for them, I wouldn't dare to come to a battlefield at this time!'"

"'I see!' Chen Wuji adopted a slightly relieved expression, 'This little Emperor is also someone who can't gauge propriety—what urgent matter requires you to come to Songzhou at this time?'"

"'The Emperor's edict didn't specify; it merely let me inspect Songzhou to assist Brother Wuji in his work. I think the Emperor's intention is probably to facilitate communication with Brother Wuji—being here allows messages to be transmitted more quickly.' Zhang Xiuer said."

Chen Wuji instantly flared with anger, "Just for this?"

"'That seems to be the case.'"

"'The little Emperor is utterly outrageous; doesn't he know our relationship? Not giving me face like this, what does he want? Is he trying to bully me because I lack courage?' Chen Wuji shouted angrily."

As soon as those words were spoken, the aura shifted dramatically.

The killing intent forged from climbing through mountains of corpses and seas of blood made the room's temperature seem to drop several degrees instantly. Outside, shadows flickered in an instant; the Personal Guard standing plainly in view sharpened their gaze, straightening their already upright waists into an even more upright attacking stance.

Zhang Xiuer was startled, hurriedly speaking softly: "Brother Wuji, don't get angry!"

"His Majesty has always been like this; the more important the matter, the more obscure his words, and he rarely states things clearly beforehand—this is also for safety's sake."

"Our relationship…… I haven't yet reported it to His Majesty; after all, this is a private matter between you and me, and I don't want to bother His Majesty with these private affairs."

Chen Wuji's eyes widened sharply, "How could this be a private matter?"

"Xiu Er, if it were before, this would indeed be a private matter, but now our positions are different."