Chapter Fifty-Eight: Jia Xu Falls Into His Own Trap

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It was deep into the night.

The wine had flowed for three rounds, and the dishes had offered five flavors.

By now, Zhang Xiu had already been thoroughly bested by Chu Feng’s drinking, sprawled out and defeated. As for Chu Feng himself, he feigned drunkenness, though in truth his mind was clear. He was playing at being drunk for one reason: to see what Jia Xu truly intended.

From the way Jia Xu had been urging him to drink, it was obvious something was amiss. The man had been relentless, bent on getting him drunk for some ulterior motive. Sensing this, Chu Feng decided to act the part.

Jia Xu, too, appeared tipsy, raising his cup with a slightly muddled voice. “General Chu, come, let me toast you once more. May you sweep across the lands of Jiang and Huai!”

With that, Jia Xu made a show of drinking.

Across the table, Chu Feng wobbled with his cup but didn’t take a sip, instead collapsing over the wooden table, mumbling incoherently for more wine, and calling for another round.

Jia Xu let out a breath—finally, he’s drunk. If not for the wetness seeping through his sleeve, he might have collapsed himself. The serving maids and attendants had all withdrawn.

Now, it was time for the Zou family’s performance.

With this in mind, Jia Xu waited expectantly in silence.

As for Chu Feng, he too waited quietly, lying there, watching to see what trick Jia Xu would play.

About the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea passed before, in the tranquil night, the sound of soft footsteps drifted in. Chu Feng’s brow furrowed, his peripheral vision fixed on the entrance to the residence, ever vigilant.

Around the corner, Lady Zou entered.

She wore a light green gown, her waist accentuated by a dark green sash, her slender hands folded demurely. Her face remained stunningly beautiful, though now tinged with nervousness.

Chu Feng thought, “Lady Zou? What is she doing here?”

Jia Xu exhaled in relief—at last, she had come. All that remained was for the drama to unfold, at which point he’d have someone rouse Zhang Xiu—then the real show would begin.

Lady Zou hesitated for a moment, then, biting her lip in resolve, stepped forward to help Chu Feng.

She took his arm and, with the help of her personal maid, half-carried, half-dragged Chu Feng toward his room.

Chu Feng was bewildered. “What is the meaning of this? Why would Lady Zou carry me for no reason?”

By now, he was being supported by both women. They seemed to struggle, even though he wasn’t feigning complete insensibility—had he truly been dead drunk, not even two more would have sufficed to lift him.

In the shadows outside the banquet hall, Xu Chu was equally perplexed. He’d been stationed there by Chu Feng’s orders, just in case anything went awry.

But seeing the beautiful matron supporting Chu Feng, Xu Chu was at a loss. He worried, for such beauty could only spell trouble.

Step by step, as they moved, Chu Feng’s inebriation faded, and his mind grew unprecedentedly clear. It had to be Jia Xu—this man had gotten him drunk just to set Lady Zou upon him...

Damn it—murder by another’s hand. Such ruthlessness!

Chu Feng fumed inwardly. Jia Xu was truly going to great lengths to turn him and Zhang Xiu against each other, even going so far as to drag Lady Zou into it.

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No, he couldn’t just sit and wait for disaster.

Jia Xu must be waiting for him to fall into the trap, then stage a scene of catching a thief—thus, even if Zhang Xiu didn’t kill him, he’d certainly loathe him.

With this realization, Chu Feng’s eyes narrowed.

As they approached the steps, Chu Feng deliberately stumbled, dragging Lady Zou and her maid down with him in a sudden tumble.

He immediately glanced toward the shadows where Xu Chu lurked, pointing discretely, then curled his fingers in a signal—time to seize the man.

Then, slurring his words, he called out, “Jia Xu, come, let’s drink some more!”

Xu Chu scratched his head, conflicted. “Does my lord want me to capture Jia Xu? But what about Lady Zou?”

Once more, Chu Feng was lifted up, though this time he offered less resistance, his hand—dangling from his neck—brushing against...

“Congratulations, host, you have triggered the Cao Thief Choice!”

“1. Go along with the scheme and act in the style of the infamous Cao, reward: an improved papermaking technique!”

“2. Take advantage of drunkenness and consummate on the spot, highly in line with the system’s ethos, reward: a set of top-level warship blueprints!”

“3. Avoid danger, refuse outright, reward: 9,999 micro-brothers!”

“Please choose!”

Chu Feng was stunned. “What the hell is this? Just like last time.”

He was exasperated. Now he understood how the system worked: as soon as he took the initiative to touch a beauty—wife or not—a task would be triggered.

No, more precisely, as soon as he touched a top beauty, marital status be damned, the task would appear.

But what could he do in this situation? The first reward, papermaking, was decent, but the second—warship blueprints—was more suited to his needs. Yet the second option...

He was speechless. What kind of nonsense was this?

How was he supposed to choose?

Forget it, he’d take a gamble and create an opportunity.

As the saying goes, fortune favors the bold. The warship blueprints were too important. Once acquired, he could begin building new ships, laying the foundation for future campaigns.

With that thought, Chu Feng began to move, his hand signaling Xu Chu to act immediately. Xu Chu, naturally, caught the cue.

Without delay, Xu Chu emerged from the shadows.

At the table, Jia Xu slowly rose, brushing dust from his robes, a sly smile creeping across his face. Finally, it was done. Now—

“Eh? Xu Chu, what are you doing here?” Jia Xu frowned at Xu Chu’s entrance.

“Heh, Jia Xu, my lord was worried you might not sober up, so he sent me to look after you,” Xu Chu grinned, the picture of harmlessness.

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Jia Xu narrowed his eyes.

Wasn’t Chu Feng drunk?

Could he have sensed something ahead of time?

Impossible—only Lady Zou was in on the plan; there was no way he could have known. Yet, a hint of uncertainty crept into Jia Xu’s thoughts.

For now, though, he had to deal with this lout. Jia Xu waved his hand impatiently. “General, I appreciate your concern, but I haven’t indulged too much—there’s no need to trouble yourself.”

“Appreciate nothing. I’m informing you, not negotiating,” Xu Chu rolled his eyes, then produced a rag and stuffed it into Jia Xu’s mouth.

Just like handling a chicken, he subdued Jia Xu with ease.

Jia Xu was dumbfounded.

He possessed the gentleman’s six arts, yes—but how could he, a scholar, match a brute like this?

Moments later, Xu Chu had Jia Xu trussed up tightly and, with a slight effort, hefted him onto his shoulder, grinning as he departed.

Jia Xu could only moan helplessly; it was no use.

No matter how he shouted, no one would come to his rescue tonight.

The most crucial point—without him, who would rouse Zhang Xiu to catch the “thief”?

It was over, completely over!

Would all his efforts be wasted like this?

He’d already set people to watch Xu Chu and the others—how had Xu Chu slipped in so quietly? Clearly, Chu Feng’s schemes ran deep.

Elsewhere,

In the night beneath the corridor,

The chorus of crickets lent the moonlight a peculiar charm. At this moment, Chu Feng chose to take the greatest risk for the greatest reward.

He would blame it all on drink.

And reflecting on this contest of wits, Chu Feng could only sigh with emotion.

This field... truly excellent!

Second chapter: Lady Zou!

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