Protect Our Chief-Chapter 570 - 43: Xue’an, save me! Shouzhe, save me!_2

Once upon a time, Qian Jingde was also born as the youngest legitimate son, but as all noble families have it, only the lineage of the eldest son continues downward. The other legitimate offspring and their descendants can only be considered direct lineage.

However, Qian Jingde was ultimately born as a legitimate son and had a rather close relationship with the current legitimate lineage, his status slightly higher than the typical elders born from the direct lineage.

In addition, it was rumored that an excellent young alchemist emerged from Qian Jingde Elder’s line, in the "Xue" generation. However, Qiaan Xue’an had been outside for years and had less interaction with Qiaan Xuefu.

The combination of a spiritual bird flying chariot, the eldest legitimate son, and Elder Qian Jingde’s accompaniment was a high-specification configuration rarely seen, generally available only to long-standing Sixth-Grade noble families. It showed that this time, the Qiaan Elder Council had a strong desire to mend relations with the Wang Family.

Qiaan Xue’an’s mind raced, calculating and surmising many things in an instant, but his actions betrayed no delay.

As Qiaan Xuehan and others disembarked, he had already led the group to greet them: "Qiaan Xue’an meets the Fourteenth Young Master and pays respects to Elder Jingde."

Qiaan Xuehan hurried a few steps forward, supporting Qiaan Xue’an, humbly stating, "Eighth Brother Xue’an, you and I are brothers of the same generation, no need for such formalities."

Though of the same generation, one was the legitimate eldest son, the other a direct lineage son of a concubine; their differences in identity and status were as disparate as heaven and earth.

If not for Qiaan Xue’an managing the Changning Branch exceedingly well, creating substantial wealth for the Qiaan Family, and catching the attention of the Patriarch and even the Ancestor through his outstanding performance, he, as a son of direct lineage, wouldn’t even be regarded by the legitimate eldest son like Qiaan Xuehan, much less by those of direct lineage like Qiaan Xuefu.

Even Elder Qian Jingde nodded in appreciation towards Qiaan Xue’an.

As a member of the Elder Council, he had a very deep impression of Qiaan Xue’an.

When Qiaan Xue’an was originally promoted to oversee the Southern Six Guards Branch, Qian Jingde voted in favor. After all, for a mere son of direct lineage to have such achievements was truly commendable, clearly demonstrating his extraordinary capability.

Subsequently, both parties naturally engaged in the usual pleasantries and hospitality practices.

Until nightfall.

Qiaan Xuehan used an inquiry regarding accounts as a pretext to summon Qiaan Xue’an to the study.

Qiaan Xue’an had anticipated such a scenario ever since he was urgently recalled and was fully prepared. As he entered, he was fully on alert, ready to respond to Qiaan Xuehan’s inquiries.

Unexpectedly, before he could react, Qiaan Xuehan rushed over to him, embraced him, and began to sob, "Eighth Brother Xue’an, save me~~"

Qiaan Xue’an froze, instantly turning to stone.

The calm expression on his face shattered in that moment, leaving only bewilderment in his heart and eyes.

...

Several days later.

On this day, the weather was pleasant with clear skies.

Due to the arrival of distinguished guests, the Changning and Dingpu ferries were closed for half a day. The usually bustling ferries became exceptionally quiet, with only members of the Wang Family permitted within the ferry area.

Qiaan Xuehan, in his mission to the Changning Wang Family, did not arrogantly descend with the flying chariot directly onto Ping’an Town. Instead, he adhered to etiquette, presented a visiting card, and followed the proper protocols.

In kind, the Changning Wang Family, following proper etiquette, had family elder Wang Xiao personally steer the ferry to receive Qiaan Xuehan.

As for Patriarch Wang Shouzhe, he was to receive Qiaan Xuehan in the main hall of the main residence.

If Wang Shouzhe’s legitimate eldest son, Wang Zong’an, were present at the main residence, he would greet at Dingpu Ferry. However, since Zong’an was currently studying at the Purple Mansion Academy, the fifth in the "Shou" generation, Wang Shouyong, was sent to welcome them instead.

Prior to the event, both parties had communicated in writing, jointly finalizing a detailed process, with no dissent from either side.

In principle, with the Qiaan Family being a Fifth-Grade noble family and the Changning Wang Family merely a Seventh-Grade family, the customary approach would involve the patriarch personally going to greet them, humbly lowering themselves to give full face to the Fifth-Grade Purple Mansion Family.

But who was Wang Shouzhe? The Shouda Trading Company he personally crafted had dealt a severe blow to the Qiaan Family, proving that he was indeed qualified to be considered a worthy adversary. Why then would he lower his status in front of the Qiaan Family?

Moreover, since it was the Qiaan Family taking the stance of desiring reconciliation, naturally they would need to lower their posture. Even if Patriarch Qiaan Qinhong himself came, Wang Shouzhe would at most step out of the main residence door to greet him.

This reception process, once leaked, stirred excitement among the noble families and even the commoners within Changning Guard, who felt a sense of shared honor.

The Changning Wang Family was indeed imposing, not only daring to confront a Fifth-Grade noble family directly but also presenting a demeanor of equal standing. This gave all an inexplicable sense of comfort.

Once the ferry picked up the guests, it quickly departed from Changning Ferry, heading toward Dingpu Ferry.

The river was vast and boundless. Even in good weather, the waves continued one after another, the current significantly turbulent.

The elder responsible for reception, Wang Xiao, explained to Qiaan Xuehan, "Fourteenth Young Master, the upper reaches of the Anjiang River connect with the Great Wilderness Marsh. Whenever the waters rise, some of the spirit fish fierce beasts from the Great Wilderness Marsh follow the current downstream, entering the Anjiang River region. Consequently, on this section of the river, we occasionally encounter Tier Three aquatic ferocious beasts."

"You see those faint mountain ridges by the gorge over there, that is ’Broken Dragon Gorge.’ This section of the gorge is narrow and tight, directly causing the Anjiang section downstream at Ping’an Town to have a turbulent current, resulting in frequent dangers. Before the land was reclaimed, the Ping’an Town area often became inundated with water," Wang Xiao explained eloquently, "When my ancestor Zhou Xuan pioneered the development of this land, the first task was to clear the aquatic fierce beasts along the riverbanks and to vigorously construct embankments and dredge the river."