Chapter 10

Zuan An calmly replied, "I am fully aware that what I did is worse than that of a beast and truly deserves death. So when Second Miss found me last night, in order to cleanse my sins, I did not resist at all and let her whip me with the Wailing Whip until she had struck me eight times, finally forgiving me."

The people around secretly cursed him for being shameless. Not resisting at all, my ass. If Second Miss really wanted to hit you, you, this good-for-nothing, could you have avoided it by resisting?

Chu Zhongtian and his wife then looked at the stretcher under Zuan An and the bloodstains on his body. Yue Shan reported, "Master, the son-in-law said he was injured by the Wailing Whip and is too severely injured to get out of bed, so I had him carried over."

"Whipped?" Chu's wife was taken aback, thinking of her daughter's temper, and said angrily, "This is sheer nonsense."

A hint of oddity flashed across Chu Zhongtian's face. "Madam, we were originally discussing the matter of retaliation today. Since the retaliation has already personally punished him, perhaps we should just let this matter go?"

Thinking of what his daughter had told him yesterday, he actually understood that there must be a reason for this, and it wasn't Zuan An's fault. However, with the madam still angry and the other branches inciting her, he had to convene this clan meeting to go through the motions.

Zuan An felt a sudden sense of gratitude. What a good father-in-law, hard to find even with a lantern!

Before Chu's wife could respond, a harsh male voice rang out: "Brother, your words are off the mark. Our Chu family is known for its strict family discipline, and we have never had such a scandal. If we trivialize this matter, what will become of our family's reputation? Do you know how many rumors are circulating outside, saying this boy has relations with both sisters? If we don't punish him, aren't we encouraging such immoral behavior?"

The speaker was a middle-aged man with a gloomy face, sitting below Chu Zhongtian, with prominent dark circles under his eyes. He was gently fanning himself. In his memory, this was Chu Tiesheng of the second branch, whom Chu Chuyan should call Uncle.

"Uncle, what are you talking about? That night, he didn't really do anything to me!" At this moment, a beautiful girl ran out from the back hall, her tight leather outfit and fiery demeanor adding a touch of warmth to the cold ancestral hall.

Chu Zhongtian quickly said, "What are you doing here, Chu Huaizhao? Go back inside."

"Don't be so angry, why are you taking it out on a child!" Chu's wife glared at her husband, then turned to her daughter with a smile, "Chu Huaizhao, don't listen to your father. Come to Mother, and tell me what really happened."

Chu Zhongtian smiled awkwardly, and the others did not show any surprise, clearly used to such scenes.

Chu Huaizhao pointed at Zuan An on the ground with her whip, "Mother, I did indeed whip him with the Wailing Whip last night and promised to forgive him for his actions. I don't want to break my word."

Zuan An secretly gave her a thumbs up. This girl, though a bit sadistic, has good character.

"Niece, you are still young and don't understand the dangers of the world. Anyone else can punish Zuan An, but you cannot. If it gets out, people will think you were truly wronged. As an unmarried girl, you can't bear such a bad reputation," said a plump man with a fleshy face, his eyes squinting as if he were smiling, though he wasn't. He was playing with a golden abacus, and it was unclear if it was made of pure gold.

Zuan An recognized this smiling tiger as Chu Yueshe, the third uncle of the Chu family. He couldn't help but feel a bit frustrated. Why do the two branches want to kill him so much? He is just a useless son-in-law, who has he offended?

At this moment, Pei Mianman, the Pei family's daughter, quietly asked Chu Chuyan, "Isn't the Wailing Whip supposed to amplify pain tenfold? Is your husband a hidden expert?"

Though her voice was low, it was loud enough for everyone to hear. Zuan An couldn't help but curse her. This woman looks gentle, but she is so vicious, completely a绿茶婊 (green tea bitch).

Chu Chuyan frowned, but Xue'er, who was behind her, quickly replied, "He isn't even a martial artist, let alone an expert."

At this, Chu Tiesheng's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly said to Chu Zhongtian and his wife, "Brother and Sister, the power of the Wailing Whip is well-known. Even you and I would find it hard to endure eight strikes. How could he, a mere civilian, do so?"

Chu Zhongtian and his wife exchanged glances, and they didn't really believe it. Chu Huaizhao, who was standing nearby, became anxious, "I really did whip him eight times. Am I lying?"

"Report to the head of the family, Second Miss would not lie, but she is kind-hearted and probably didn't use much force when whipping him. So Zuan An's injuries are not as severe as he claims. I was just punched in the nose by him, and he is very strong, not like someone who is injured," said Diaoyang, choosing the right moment to add his two cents.

Many people in the room had strange expressions. Kind-hearted? You can say that with a straight face! Who has ever seen her go easy on the whip?

However, today's events were indeed strange. Could it be that she has some feelings for this brother-in-law?

Chu Tiesheng seized the opportunity, "The facts are clear. Zuan An not only committed a scandal but also tried to escape punishment by taking advantage of Chu Huaizhao's kindness and naivety. I hope the head of the family will punish him severely to set an example."

Chu Zhongtian's face was dark, clearly weighing the situation. Zuan An secretly called it bad and was about to speak when a servant rushed in.

"Report to Master and Madam, a woman outside is making a scene, demanding to see the son-in-law, and has already attracted a crowd."

"Woman?" Chu's wife was taken aback, "Which family's woman?"

Chu Chuyan, who had been silent, also became curious. Does Zuan An know other women?

Zuan An was even more bewildered. Does this guy have a secret lover? But why can't I remember?

Only Xue'er, standing behind her, smiled. She didn't expect him to survive such severe injuries from last night. Fortunately, she had a backup plan.

When asked by the madam, the servant stammered, "From the Yihong Courtesan House."

This statement caused a commotion. Everyone knew what the Yihong Courtesan House was.

"Making a scene outside, what a spectacle. Let her in!" Chu's wife coldly humphed, her anger barely contained.

Soon, a heavily made-up woman swayed in, and upon seeing Zuan An, she rushed over, wailing, "You heartless man, you didn't pay me last time because you said you would take me in as soon as you returned and that I could be sisters with the Chu family's daughters. How could you abandon me after seducing me?"

Xue'er played with a strand of her braid, her eyes crescent-shaped with joy. This time, you're dead for sure.

No one else would know if this was true, so even if you deny it, no one will believe you. Unless you publicly expose your impotence, but that would be an even bigger scandal. Either way, you won't be able to stay as a son-in-law.

Young Master, you will soon get what you wish for.

The ancestral hall fell into a strange silence again. The second and third branches stopped speaking, as there was no need for them to say more.

Chu Zhongtian, who had been secretly speaking up for Zuan An, was now angry. His daughter's status was so high, and now a lowly courtesan was demanding to be her sister. This was a great humiliation!

And the instigator of all this was Zuan An!

"Scoundrel, what do you have to say for yourself?" Chu's wife's eyes were almost spitting fire.

Anger from Chu Zhongtian +78!

Anger from Qin Wanru +300!

Zuan An couldn't help but wonder how this guy had managed to survive so long. How many people have tried to kill him since he came to this world?

This courtesan must have been hired by someone, the second branch, the third branch, or that Pei girl?

It seems that being a freeloader isn't so easy.

He calmly looked at the heavily made-up woman, "What's your name again?"

"Oh, you heartless man, don't pretend you don't know me. You used to call me Chunhua so affectionately, and now you say you've forgotten?" the courtesan sneered.

Zuan An didn't argue but smiled, "Oh, my dear Chunhua, I've been so busy lately that my mind is a bit muddled. Right, how much do I owe you?"

"What do you mean 'owe'? That sounds so crude," Chunhua waved a red handkerchief, "coquettishly" saying, "You stayed with me for over half a month, so it should be at least 20... no, 30 taels of silver."

This statement caused everyone to look at her with disdain. Such a cheap courtesan, and Zuan An is interested in her? Truly desperate.

"30 taels?" Zuan An nodded, "Not expensive at all. How about this, I'll give you 300 taels, and the rest will be a dowry."

This made even the second and third branches gasp. Is this guy courting death? They looked at Chu Zhongtian, whose face had turned green.

The Pei family's daughter watched him with interest, finding him somewhat peculiar.

"Really?" Chunhua's face lit up.

"Of course, really," Zuan An then looked at Chu Chuyan, "Wife, I'm a bit short on cash right now. Can you lend me 300 taels?"

Everyone looked at him as if he were crazy. Paying for a prostitute and then asking his wife to pay for it? Chu Chuyan would probably tear him apart on the spot.

But to everyone's surprise, Chu Chuyan nodded, "Sure, bring 300 taels."

Everyone was stunned. No one expected this. Even Pei Mianman stared at her in shock. Is this the same friend she knows?

Chu's wife was about to explode, but Chu Zhongtian quietly pressed her hand and nodded toward their daughter. Chu's wife frowned, deciding to wait and see.

Zuan An secretly gave a thumbs up. His wife is indeed very smart. She is probably the only one who knows he is innocent, having witnessed his impotence firsthand.

Why do I feel like tears are about to fall?