Zhang Zitong frowned slightly: "This is against the rules..."

Just as she was about to refuse, Qin Wanru interrupted her, saying, "Auntie is so drunk, it would be even more inconvenient for you to take him back. Besides, this place isn't close to the palace, and it would be dangerous if something happened on the way. It would be safer for you to stay here. Besides, Auntie is our Chu family's son-in-law, not an outsider. Do you really think we would harm him?"

Zhang Zitong was naturally aware of the relationship between Zu'an and the Chu family, but she was on duty and dared not neglect it in the slightest.

But then I thought about how Qin Wanru's words made sense; it could indeed be very dangerous if someone attacked us on the way back to the palace...

While hesitating, Zuan mumbled in a daze, "It's fine, let's just... let's rest here for the night."

Seeing that he said that, Zhang Zitong finally breathed a sigh of relief: "Then I'll have to trouble you, Madam."

He immediately dispatched imperial guards to guard key locations throughout the mansion, eliminating any potential threats in advance.

Qin Wanru nodded and instructed the servant to take Chu Zhongtian, who was also too excited and drunk, back to his room.

Then he woke up Chu Youzhao, who was also drunk and slumped on the table: "Wake up, help your brother-in-law to rest."

"Oh, okay." Chu Youzhao rubbed her eyes and groggily raised her head. Unlike Zu An, she didn't want to get drunk, and she hadn't drunk much to begin with, so she quickly woke up when called.

Zhang Zitong, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but glance at her a few more times, thinking to herself that the young master of the Chu family was really handsome, and at certain moments he was even more beautiful than a woman.

If she hadn't received rigorous training as an Embroidered Robe Envoy, she probably would have mistaken the other person for a woman disguised as a man.

Little did she know that the other party had concealed their gender using a special magical artifact.

With the help of Chu Huanzhao and her maid, Chu Youzhao helped Zu An walk towards the inner courtyard.

Zu An was originally the son-in-law of the Chu family, so no one thought it was strange for him to go to the inner quarters.

Zhang Zitong helped her up, and Qin Wanru said with a smile, "Miss Zhang must be tired after a long day. Come and have something to eat and rest, so that people won't say that our Chu family has not been hospitable."

Zhang Zitong shook her head slightly: "I want to protect the prince."

Qin Wanru said with a smile, "Anyway, he's in the Chu family. Do you think we're afraid we'll sell him off? Why don't you ask your grandfather if he's willing to make you go through all this trouble? I remember he's the most tender-hearted man when it comes to women."

Zhang Zitong's face flushed slightly, but she kept her duty in mind and stayed by Zu An's side, unwilling to leave his side even for a moment.

Seeing this, Qin Wanru didn't try to persuade her further, and instead asked the maids to prepare some food for her to take with her.

Zhang Zitong originally wanted to say no, but that guards like them always carried their own rations and wouldn't eat anything from outside, in order to avoid any accidents.

However, considering that the other party was the adult's mother-in-law, and that he had already refused her several times today, refusing again would be a loss of face for her, so he didn't say anything more.

Soon, Chu Youzhao and Chu Huanzhao, along with their sisters, helped Zu An to a courtyard in the back of the mansion.

Zhang Zitong waved her hand, and soon the imperial guards searched the courtyard thoroughly. There was nothing unusual. Of course, given the current special circumstances, it was not appropriate to conduct a thorough search.

She looked at the brightly decorated courtyard behind her, with the character "囍" (double happiness) pasted everywhere and various large red lanterns hanging high.

She was somewhat surprised: "Oh, the new house is in the back."

Qin Wanru smiled and nodded: "Yes, these are the two best courtyards in the Chu family mansion. One is reserved for the newlyweds, and the other is naturally reserved for Grandfather."

Zhang Zitong didn't think there was anything wrong with it. Given Zu An's current status and position, only a house like this was worthy of him.

She quickly helped Zu An into the room, and only after watching the maid clean him up, take off his coat and shoes, and cover him with a quilt did she breathe a sigh of relief.

"My brother-in-law is so drunk, why don't I stay and take care of him?" Chu Huanzhao volunteered.

"Nonsense, how can a young lady like you stay here?" Qin Wanru glared at her, then said to Zhang Zitong, "Thank you for your trouble, Miss Zhang. I will have a few maids waiting outside, ready to serve you at any time."

"Thank you for your trouble, Madam." Zhang Zitong had to admit that Qin Wanru's arrangements were indeed impeccable. Then she smiled at Chu Youzhao and said, "Young Master, don't linger here. The bride is waiting for you to go to the bridal chamber."

Upon hearing this, Chu Youzhao blushed, bowed to her, and then took her leave.

Chu Huanzhao also pouted as her mother led her away, and the whole courtyard fell silent.

Zhang Zitong arranged for guards to patrol and keep watch nearby, while he himself stood guard outside the door, ready to receive Zu An's orders at any time.

In fact, everything she just did was just routine. She was also aware of the relationship between the adults and the Chu family. This place was just like his home, so there was nothing to be wary of.

The only thing we need to guard against is people who might come in from outside.

Moreover, with Zu An's current cultivation level, even though he is drunk, his body is protected by vital energy, so outsiders cannot harm him at all. If anyone has malicious intentions towards him, they will be detected by his powerful spiritual sense, and then his vital energy will circulate, instantly sobering him up.

Thinking about this, Zhang Zitong chuckled to herself, realizing she had indeed been worrying unnecessarily.

After Qin Wanru and the others left, she first told Chu Huanzhao to go to sleep.

Chu Huanzhao had been excited all day and was already quite tired. Plus, without her brother-in-law around, she felt bored and went back to sleep with a pout.

Next, Qin Wanru dismissed the maids and servants, exchanged a glance with Chu Youzhao, and the room fell silent.

"Mother, is this really necessary?" Chu Youzhao asked hesitantly.

Qin Wanru also sighed softly: "I didn't want it to be like this either, but tonight is your wedding night. If you could use magic treasures to conceal your identity as a woman in the past, how can you hide it from your wife tonight?"

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