Chen Ping'an didn't want to get involved in Fang Rui's matter, which concerned the struggle for interests among the Wei River families. However, since Fang Rui was detained in Nancheng Prison, he had no choice but to get involved.
After leaving Mu Wanjun, Chen Ping'an returned directly to his small courtyard. When he got home, Chen Er'ya was diligently studying.
Since attending school, Xiao Yatou has spent most of her time buried in books.
Although she hasn't fully matured, she already subtly possesses the aura of a talented scholar.
Chen Ping'an felt quite pleased about this.
It's great that Xiao Yatou found a hobby she enjoys! As her older brother, he was happy to see it.
"Brother, you're back!"
Seeing Chen Ping'an return home from his duties, Xiao Yatou put down her book and greeted him with a smile.
"Young Master."
Shaoyao also curtsied slightly, greeting Chen Ping'an.
Chen Ping'an nodded in response and said with a smile, "Reading, are we!"
Chen Er'ya stood up, "Yes, I've been reading some miscellaneous notes recently, and I find them quite interesting."
Chen Ping'an glanced down and saw that Xiao Yatou was reading a book called "Notable Figures of Canglong Province."
Hmm, not bad!
After they chatted for a while, Chen Ping'an stretched his body and walked into the courtyard, beginning to practice his martial arts.
"Young Master, you are truly diligent in your martial arts practice!"
Shaoyao couldn't help but exclaim.
Chen Er'ya looked at Chen Ping'an's agile movements and nodded in agreement, "Yes, he is. Brother is so hardworking, I must also work hard!"
...
Fang Rui's matter continued to escalate, showing no signs of ending.
The Fang Family, behind Fang Rui, had been using various connections and relationships, hoping to quickly complete the Outer Town Envoyship's procedures to release Fang Rui.
The Mu Family, however, was exerting completely opposite force, trying to prolong this process as much as possible.
During this process, in addition to Fang Rui's incident, the two major families' confrontations unfolded in various Domains. This was the so-called Family cold war of interests. In terms of Family strength, the Mu Family had a slight edge over the Fang Family. But overall, the two families were of the same magnitude. For a time, it was difficult to determine a winner.
This was reflected in reality by Fang Rui remaining imprisoned in Nancheng Prison.
Chen Ping'an didn't pay much attention to it.
Two days had passed since he learned the truth of this incident from Mu Wanjun that day.
The Fang Family had sent another representative, instructing Chen Ping'an to take good care of Fang Rui in Nancheng Prison, with veiled threats in their words.
Chen Ping'an showed absolutely no Face to this so-called Fang Family representative.
"Heh, aristocratic families..."
"They're used to being condescending, they don't know how to handle things at all!"
If the other party had spoken kindly and offered a generous gift, Chen Ping'an might have indeed taken good care of Fang Rui. But for them to come before his subordinates, flaunting the Fang Family's name, speaking impolitely, and even threatening him – just like that? And they expect him to yield?
It's simply a pipe dream!
Do they really think they're something special?
Chen Ping'an glanced at this so-called Fang Family representative, sneered twice, and turned to close the gate.
"Go, for the next few days, cut off Fang Rui's food and water!"
Chen Ping'an instructed the Yamen Runner by his side.
"Yes."
The Yamen Runner responded and left.
The Yamen Runner who heard Chen Ping'an's words couldn't help but look at him with awe.
Lord Chen, a true man! He's truly tough!
He didn't even give the Fang Family any Face!
In reality, Chen Ping'an understood clearly. In this situation of Family struggle, even if he, as the head of Nancheng Prison, did nothing, the Fang Family would still see him as having the Mu Family's label.
Even if he tried to curry favor with the Fang Family now and took care of Fang Rui, not to mention how the Mu Family would react, even the Fang Family, when a suitable opportunity arose to settle accounts with him, would not consider his good intentions in the slightest.
When it's time to choose a side, being two-faced may not lead to a good outcome!
However...
After ordering the Yamen Runner below to cut off Fang Rui's food and water, Chen Ping'an went to the Nancheng Suppression Office to find Mu Wanjun.
"Greetings, Lord Chen!"
The Squad Leader guarding the gate respectfully greeted Chen Ping'an.
"Mm."
Chen Ping'an nodded slightly.
Under the respectful gazes of the Squad Leader, he walked through the gate of the Nancheng Suppression Office.
For these Squad Leader, the Total Affairs Office Candidate was already an extremely high position. It was worth their fawning and flattery, worth their admiration.
But in the Face of some truly powerful families, merely being a Total Affairs Office Candidate is far from enough!
In the struggle between families, the so-called Total Affairs Office Candidate is merely a chess piece.
In the struggle between families of the Mu Family and Fang Family's magnitude, even the Commander of the Outer Town Envoyship would probably be just a small boat in a storm, swaying with the wind, drifting with the current!
Chen Ping'an found Mu Wanjun and explained the situation to her, even simply repeating the threats contained in the so-called Fang Family representative's words.
Mu Wanjun expressed support for Chen Ping'an's subsequent actions.
"Ping'an, you don't need to have too many concerns about this matter. Even if the sky falls, the Mu Family will bear the brunt. Next time you encounter something like this, just do what you need to do! If they dare to speak arrogantly again, just slap them!"
Uh!
Chen Ping'an didn't expect Mu Wanjun's approach to be even more aggressive than his own!
Slap them, huh...
Chen Ping'an recalled the mockery and scorn on the Face of the so-called Fang Family representative just now. Then he recalled the threatening intent in the other party's words.
He imagined, right then and there, slapping them back!
Hmm!
That feeling, it truly would be satisfying!
What a pity...
As the direct daughter of the Mu Family, if she really did that, he believed the Mu Family would definitely protect her!
As for him, he wouldn't dare to be so blindly confident. Perhaps Mu Wanjun would definitely support him! But the Mu Family behind her might not! When things truly became irreversible, they would sell him out.
He dared not trust human nature!
A person can borrow power, but ultimately, they still have to rely on themselves!
Mu Wanjun looked at Chen Ping'an and comforted him with a few more words.
"Ping'an, don't worry, just boldly choose your side. If anything truly happens, I will protect you to the death!"
"Yes, thank you, Lord."
Chen Ping'an smiled and cupped his fists.
Mu Wanjun rolled her eyes at him.
...
Inside the small courtyard.
Swish, swish, swish!
Saber light flickered, like moonlight pouring down.
+1!
A flash of cultivation experience appeared before Chen Ping'an's eyes.
"Enough!"
Chen Ping'an's eyes lit up.
Accumulated until now, the experience value for Swift Wind Saber Technique had finally reached Perfection.
Exhaling deeply, Chen Ping'an didn't hesitate in the slightest; his spirit moved abruptly.
Whoosh~
Floating in the Void Realm, the experience value on the panel began to churn wildly.
The changing experience transformed into specks of starlight entering his body, and a large amount of experiential insight was born out of thin air.
Within his Dantian Qi Sea, Internal Energy surged wildly, rising like the great waves of the Yangtze River, directly reaching the Heavenly Gate.
The next moment, where Chen Ping'an's Heavenly Gate was located, it seemed as if something had been broken open, and a feeling of sudden enlightenment surged from his heart!
Inner Qi Third Level, broken through!
Tianlin Descends Peak, achieved!