Volume One: The Youngest Among Three Hundred Chapter Sixty-Nine: Before the Report

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Although Su Qingtang, the former captain of the Royal Guard, possessed the strength of a third-rank practitioner, facing the ever-growing number of martial artists, he couldn't help but feel intimidated. Shifting his position to shield Qin Fuluo completely behind him, Su Qingtang cupped his hands and said, “Gentlemen, could there be some misunderstanding?”

The bearded man brandished his tiger-head saber, declaring, “I just heard you insult someone with my own ears. What misunderstanding could there be?”

“I… I didn’t insult anyone!” Su Qingtang waved his hands repeatedly. “I was only talking about my own son-in-law—truly useless, knows nothing at all. He ran off to take the Black Robe Guard’s exam and even claimed he passed.”

“Sigh, if someone like him could pass, then all of you brothers here could join the Guard without even lifting a finger!”

“And you still say you didn’t insult anyone?” The bearded man roared, his thunderous voice booming, saber pointing straight at him.

A swordsman beside him protested, “Chen Chang’an ranked first in both the previous assessments and has already gained the right to formally join the Black Robe Guard. Yet you say such things in front of us—if that’s not an insult, what is?”

“He… he was first?” Su Qingtang stared blankly at Chen Chang’an.

Qin Fuluo’s head peeked out carefully from behind, her mouth opening slightly, unable to utter a word. Though a woman, she knew well what the Black Robe Guard represented, both in Chang'an city and at court—a position of weight, selecting only the elite each year. Countless martial artists trained specially, hoping to pass.

Chen Chang’an, blind for over a decade, had only recently regained his sight—at best, she thought, he was adept at solving cases. How could he possibly stand out among such competition and take first place?

She found herself increasingly unable to see through this son-in-law. Or rather, it was as if he had become someone else entirely.

Su Qingtang cupped Chen Chang’an’s face in his large palms. “Is… is this true?”

Chen Chang’an said nothing, simply nodding.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Su Qingtang’s tone was aggrieved—if it really was true, then his earlier words had indeed been deeply hurtful.

“I did tell you. You just didn’t believe me!” Chen Chang’an replied, full of confidence.

Su Qingtang felt a lump in his throat, unsure how to respond. All he could do was turn to the crowd of martial artists, grinning apologetically and baring his teeth in a plea for forgiveness.

The bearded man, however, showed no sign of relenting.

In desperation, Su Qingtang looked to Chen Chang’an for help.

“Sigh!” Chen Chang’an sighed quietly, stepped forward into the crowd, and bowed. “Gentlemen, my… father-in-law truly didn’t understand the situation—it was entirely unintentional. Please, forgive him.”

“Fine then!” The bearded man relented, “Since Brother Chen has spoken, what else is there to say? Farewell, farewell.”

“Thank you!” Chen Chang’an returned the gesture with cupped fists.

The other martial artists likewise sheathed their hostility, offering departing greetings—after all, Chen Chang’an’s display at Mount Qinghua had left a deep impression, and each harbored a measure of admiration.

Besides, given Chen Chang’an’s performance, regardless of how difficult the third assessment or subsequent trials might be, he would undoubtedly remain. If any of them returned next year, Chen Chang’an would be their senior—a connection to be cherished, not challenged!

As the martial artists who had been spoiling for a fight just moments before now departed with smiles, Qin Fuluo’s wide, sparkling eyes brimmed with girlish admiration for Chen Chang’an.

This son-in-law’s recent conduct was simply too impressive—one couldn’t help but be fond of him.

Su Qingtang coughed awkwardly, “Alright, alright, it’s getting late. Let’s head home.”

“Oh, yes! Yes!” Qin Fuluo withdrew her gaze, lifted her skirt, and turned to leave.

Yet, as the instigator, Su Qingtang clapped both hands on Chen Chang’an’s shoulders, exclaiming, “A worthy son-in-law, truly worthy! The Su family will once again rise in officialdom, ha ha ha!”

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He laughed heartily, unrestrained and wild, his mood exuberant.

Qin Fuluo: “……”

When they returned home, Zhu Jiawen was still squatting in the corner by the steps, buried in his books, while Su Wanqing and Su Wanqiu, the sisters, had already prepared lunch.

As soon as they stepped through the door, Qin Fuluo glanced disapprovingly at Zhu Jiawen and muttered, “Three years of failing the exams, and still reading—he should just go wash dishes at a tavern instead.”

Suddenly, she found the once-admirable second son-in-law, who’d always seemed so diligent and virtuous, somewhat lacking in comparison.

It was the third son-in-law, Chen Chang’an, who was truly unrivaled!

Su Qingtang pretended not to hear.

But Chen Chang’an heard every word.

“Hey, where’s Dingfeng? He didn’t go back to Bashan, did he?” Su Qingtang swept his gaze around the courtyard, not seeing his son.

The second daughter, Su Wanqing, replied, “Eldest brother said it was stuffy at home and went out for a walk.”

“Alright then.”

“Oh, third brother-in-law is back!” Spotting Chen Chang’an, she called out reflexively.

At her words, Su Wanqiu immediately glanced over, but only for a moment before returning her attention to setting the table, her expression unreadable.

“Ahem!” Su Qingtang cleared his throat loudly, gesturing grandly toward his daughters. “I have good news to announce—Chen Chang’an has officially passed the examination and become a member of the Black Robe Guard.”

Qin Fuluo added, “And he ranked first in both assessments.”

“What?” Su Wanqing rushed over, locking eyes with her mother, trying to confirm what she’d heard.

Su Wanqiu, meanwhile, dropped the bowl of rice she’d just served. When Chen Chang’an announced yesterday that he was going to take the Black Robe Guard exam, everyone at home had thought he was joking. Who would have imagined he’d pass—let alone come first? Even those martial artists who had trained specifically for it couldn’t surpass him. How could that be?

They both knew Chen Chang’an had no martial arts foundation whatsoever.

Still stunned, Su Qingtang proclaimed, “From now on, the Su family will once again be a house of officials. Quick, add a few more dishes to celebrate!”

In the corner, Zhu Jiawen gazed at Chen Chang’an with undisguised envy, clutching his book until his knuckles turned white.

“When will my time come… ah, fate, fortune, destiny!”

After lunch, Chen Chang’an excused himself and went to his room to sleep—he hadn’t rested the night before while meditating on the second-rank Soul Cultivation, and running around Black Robe Lane all morning had exhausted him.

At dusk, Su Dingfeng returned from his outing, and Su Wanqing immediately pulled him aside, whispering conspiratorially, “Brother, brother, guess what? Chen Chang’an passed the Black Robe Guard exam—he’s a full member now.”

“He knows nothing, yet managed to outdo all those martial artists!”

Su Qingtang, unruffled, said, “Who says he knows nothing? That night, he broke through to first-rank Body Training.”

“He… he’s at Body Training?” Su Wanqing was stunned.

But Su Dingfeng, recalling the somewhat scandalous method by which Chen had achieved his breakthrough, scoffed, “Hmph. What’s so surprising? It’s all thanks to third sister.”

“Third sister? What does she have to do with it?” Su Wanqing asked, perplexed.

“Ah…” For once, Su Dingfeng was at a loss for words. “Never mind, you don’t need to know the details.”

“Sigh, the standards of the Black Robe Guard really are falling year by year—if even someone who just broke through to Body Training can get in!”

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…

Chen Chang’an slept groggily until late in the night, waking with hunger. As he blinked sleepily and prepared to rise, he was startled to see a slender shadow cast across the floor beside him.

Looking closely, it was Su Wanqiu.

“Wanqiu… Sister Wanqiu, you…” He started to speak, but stopped short.

Without warning, Su Wanqiu pounced, her eyes shining like stars in the night, her words sharp and unyielding. “Tell me, who are you?”

The force of her questioning sent a chill through Chen Chang’an. Of course, he knew exactly what she meant, but he feigned ignorance. “Why ask that in the middle of the night, Sister Wanqiu? I’m Chen Chang’an!”

“The Chen Chang’an who’s betrothed to you.”

“No, you’re not!” Su Wanqiu spoke with absolute certainty. “Though we’re not truly husband and wife, we have lived together for some time. Do you think I wouldn’t know what kind of person he is? From rescuing Princess Changning, to solving the Xiao Lian case, to seeking out Mao Ji for fireworks, and now joining the Black Robe Guard—I’m certain you’re not the same blind Chen Chang’an as before.”

“Though these events haven’t harmed the Su family, but have even benefited us, I must know the truth.”

Chen Chang’an fell silent.

He had never expected that Su Wanqiu, who always seemed indifferent and distant toward him, would be so astute. While the entire family rejoiced at the transformation of their third son-in-law, only she sensed something amiss.

It was, admittedly, a headache.

“Oh, don’t say such useless things in the middle of the night. Go to sleep!” Too lazy to explain, Chen Chang’an activated the Peach Enchantment, a secret Art of Blossoms, directing a faint, sweet fragrance toward her as he spoke.

The moment Su Wanqiu inhaled, she felt a mysterious force overwhelm her consciousness, plunging her into a dazed emptiness. Her thoughts dulled, she numbly climbed into bed and went to sleep like a puppet.

“Well, well!” Chen Chang’an was delighted. “I didn’t expect the Peach Enchantment to be this effective after reaching the Body Training stage. If I’d known, I might have said, ‘Su Wanqiu, come sleep with Chen Chang’an.’”

“Should I try it?”

He touched his waist and, feeling his energy waning, dismissed the thought. “Forget it. Maybe another day—too tired lately. I might just collapse on the spot.”

…

The next morning dawned bright and clear. Needing to report to the Black Robe Guard’s training ground, Chen Chang’an rose early, washed, and, before leaving, cast the Peach Enchantment on the still-sleeping Su Wanqiu again, murmuring, “Live well, don’t wonder why Chen Chang’an has changed!”

With everything settled, he strode into the golden sunlight, laughter ringing out as he made his way toward the Black Robe Guard.

“Damn!” To his surprise, the moment he stepped outside, he saw Ye Lin standing across from the Su family’s courtyard, his face twisted as if he’d eaten bitter melon or stepped in dog droppings.

“Brother Ye, here so early—are you waiting to go report to the Black Robe Guard together?” Chen Chang’an greeted him politely.

“Chen Chang’an, how could you treat me like this!” The next moment, Ye Lin’s heart-wrenching cry echoed through half of Yong’an Lane.