Volume One: The Youngest Among Three Hundred Chapter Eighteen: Both Virtuous and Defiant

In the grand courtyard of the Su residence, Su Qingtang, Qin Fuluo, and Su Wanqiu fixed their blazing eyes on Chen Chang'an, their gaze full of judgmental intent.

After a round of eye-rolling, the mistress of the house, Su Qingtang, was the first to speak: "Well, well, so you’ve been hiding money."

Qin Fuluo, as if afraid the silver would vanish into the ground, hastily gathered it up, grumbling, "Chen Chang'an, you… five taels, five taels of silver! You’ve hidden so much!"

Su Wanqing snorted, "I knew he was always sneaking around for something—turns out he’s been stealing silver. It’s not easy for us to earn a little!"

"And now that we’re being banished to the outer city, money’s even scarcer. Guarding against thieves day and night, yet it’s hardest to guard against those in your own home."

Just as she spoke, Su Wanqiu stepped from the hall, her voice calm: "The silver was given to him by me."

Everyone was startled. Qin Fuluo’s mouth twitched in disbelief as she weighed the five taels in her hand and pressed, "Wanqiu, where did you get so much money? Why give it to him? Are you even aware that we..."

Su Wanqiu interrupted, "Because I have already divorced Chen Chang'an. From now on, he is no longer the son-in-law of the Su family. But after all, we were married; to give him some money is only proper."

Divorced? At last! Su Wanqing, who had long disliked Chen Chang'an, cried out in delight.

Su Qingtang, her thoughts lagging, mused that her third daughter had always acted on her own, impossible to control. She’d pleaded for her to marry Yuan Yunfei, but Wanqiu refused and instead married a blind man.

Now, with the Su family banished to the outer city and unable to maintain ties with the general’s family, she had divorced her husband as well. He suspected it was all intentional.

Qin Fuluo, meanwhile, was jubilant. She’d been worrying about how they’d live in the outer city, but if her third daughter was now husbandless, they could seek a proper match again—no need to fret about support.

"Oh, so that’s it... I see!"

Muttering, she shoved two taels back into Chen Chang'an’s hands, pocketing the remaining three, and waved her sleeve: "Since you are no longer our esteemed son-in-law, be off now. Five taels is more than enough."

Chen Chang'an, his vision blurred as if through a layer of plastic, looked at Qin Fuluo and spoke clearly: "All five taels are mine!"

"What did you say?"

Qin Fuluo’s brows shot up. "You, as a former son-in-law, ought to leave empty-handed, understand? If it weren’t for Wanqiu’s kindness and your service to the family, you wouldn’t have even gotten two taels!"

Chen Chang'an stepped forward, repeating, "All five taels are mine!"

"You... What are you trying to do?" Qin Fuluo instinctively backed away, momentarily cowed by his imposing aura.

Su Wanqing stomped her foot and looked up to the white-robed figure perched on the beam: "Brother, brother! Chen Chang'an is trying to snatch our money, openly! Stop him!"

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The white-robed swordsman, arms folded across his chest, glanced sideways and replied with disdain: "I am a disciple of the Bashan Sword Sect. How could I use violence over such mundane matters as gold and silver?"

Su Wanqing: "..."

At this moment, Su Wanqiu spoke firmly: "Mother, give Chen Chang'an the remaining three taels as well. He deserves it."

The contract they’d signed dictated so; both she and Chen Chang'an were meticulous about money for this reason.

Qin Fuluo, stubborn in guarding her wealth, thought: what right does my daughter have to dictate her decisions? Unconvinced, she ran to Su Qingtang for support. Though the latter had been terrified enough to wet himself at the prospect of execution, he still had principles.

Indeed, the whole family had survived only thanks to Chen Chang'an. Blind as he was, if he were to go out into the world alone, it would be difficult. So he nodded: "Give it to him!"

"Master!" Qin Fuluo clenched her teeth.

"Give it!" Su Qingtang looked up at Chen Chang'an.

"Hmph!" Qin Fuluo, fuming, flung the three taels onto the ground: "Take it all! From now on, you have nothing to do with the Su family—don't ever come back!"

Chen Chang'an, relying on his weak vision, walked to the silver, kicked it aside instead of picking it up, tightened his bundle, and declared loudly: "I don’t want it!"

Straightening his back, he displayed his most ostentatious bearing, walked to the doorway, and suddenly turned, raising his voice: "Thirty years east of the river, thirty years..."

"Bang!"

Before he could finish his grand exit, the door was pushed open from outside, sending him stumbling forward several steps and tumbling headfirst into the bushes.

At the entrance, led by Princess Changning, stood the Deputy of the Magistrate’s Office Wu Yuanheng, Deputy of the Execution Office Li Shu, and Deputy of the Arresting Office Hua Mulan—all forming an oval around the household.

Su Qingtang hastily tidied his clothes and greeted them: "Greetings, Your Highness!"

The other members of the Su family, slower to react, knelt one by one: "Greetings, Princess Changning. Good morning, Your Highness!"

Su Wanqing and her mother, Qin Fuluo, exchanged glances from behind Su Qingtang, quietly wondering if the princess had come to hold them accountable. After all, the Empress had graciously pardoned them; it did not mean the princess would be as merciful.

Their hearts grew heavier.

Su Dingfeng, standing atop the beam, carefully maintained the ethereal bearing he’d crafted all morning, silently observing, ready at any moment to shout about the foolishness of the court officials and draw his sword in protest.

Su Qingtang, trembling, took the initiative to apologize: "Your Highness, I am but a humble citizen and failed to protect you adequately. I am at fault."

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Princess Changning waved her hand: "The criminals were cunning. It’s not your fault. Where is Chen Chang'an, the Su family’s son-in-law?"

Her first words brought relief to Su Qingtang, but the latter made him frown.

Before he could reply, Qin Fuluo spoke up, waving and shaking her head: "Your Highness, Chen Chang'an now has nothing to do with the Su family. If you have any business, please direct it to him!"

Li Shu responded, "Originally, once the case was solved, Your Highness would petition the Empress to restore the Su family’s inner-city registration as a reward. But since there is no connection, we’ll arrange another reward."

This was discussed in advance between the three officials and Princess Changning. The last time, Chen Chang'an had stepped forward only because his own life was at stake. The matter of Xiao Lian might not move him—they needed to promise him something.

In fact, when Li Shu suggested Chen Chang'an investigate, Hua Mulan objected, Princess Changning was doubtful, and Hua Mulan stubbornly searched for clues at the scene, but found nothing.

Eventually, they subconsciously accepted that only Chen Chang'an could solve the case, though they were reluctant to admit it—thus their visit.

Su Qingtang, confused, lowered his head and asked, "Your Highness, esteemed officials, what... what exactly is going on?"

Hua Mulan replied in a flat tone: "Today, Princess Changning’s maid Xiao Lian was murdered. Based on Chen Chang'an’s previous performance, he seems to possess some investigative ability."

"The court values talent, so we wish to cultivate him. If he can find the murderer before the Empress’s birthday, Your Highness will plead for your inner-city registration to be restored."

Upon hearing this, Qin Fuluo’s beautiful eyes instantly brightened. Restoration of their inner-city registration—a splendid prospect! She called out loudly, "Son-in-law, esteemed son-in-law, Chen, come out quickly!"

Chen Chang'an, crouching in the bushes, brushed off imaginary dust and emerged, green stalks sticking from his hair, facing Qin Fuluo: "What is it, Madam Su?"

His deliberate form of address made Qin Fuluo catch her breath. Now that Chen Chang'an was no longer their son-in-law, he would not take the case merely for the promise of restoring their registration. Even if he agreed under pressure, he would likely demand a different reward.

In any case, the Su family would gain little.

She thought of buying a few yards of new cloth every few months, making pretty dresses, saving up for the occasional beauty meal at Baxian Residence, and watching lanterns fill the streets before the night curfew—the bustle of the inner city, the status of its people, so hard to forsake.

Biting her silver teeth, Qin Fuluo put on her charming, mature smile: "Chang'an, my good son-in-law, the future and glory of the Su family lies in your hands."

Chen Chang'an flicked his sleeve briskly: "I am no longer your son-in-law. If I take the case and find the truth, the reward should go to me personally, not to your household registration!"

"This..." Qin Fuluo’s delicate façade shattered, nearly succumbing to heartbreak. The rebellious son-in-law was determined to take revenge!