The disgraced official I took care of was actually Zhu Houcong's childhood friend.

Chapter 161

After settling things off, Zhou Chu had some free time. He rode his black horse through the streets of Suzhou, followed by Shen Lian and Fang Hong. Dozens of Imperial Guards were secretly keeping watch around them. There was no other way; this wasn't the capital, and Zhou Chu had to be on high alert.

Zhou Chu had been in Suzhou for several days, but he hadn't had a chance to visit his teachers, Tang Bohu and Wen Zhengming. Tang Bohu and Wen Zhengming were unaware that Zhou Chu had arrived.

Zhou Chu wasn't in a hurry. As he walked toward Tang Bohu's house, he observed the local conditions in Suzhou Prefecture.

Suzhou Prefecture truly lives up to its reputation as a major town in Jiangnan. Its prosperity is no less than that of the capital, and in some aspects, it even surpasses it. However, compared to the capital, it lacks a bit of domineering presence but has a touch more charm.

At this moment, not far in front of Zhou Chu, a woman dressed in a blue robe was being chased by a group of people and was fleeing in panic.

"Miss Dong, your entire Dong family is dead. Where can you run to?"

The group of people behind her all had fierce faces and menacing features; they were the kind of people who didn't look like good people at first glance.

Zhou Chu raised an eyebrow at the sight before him, surprised by their efficiency and how quickly they had used their seduction tactics.

At this moment, the hidden Imperial Guards were all on high alert, ready to show themselves and stop these people, but they were stopped by Zhou Chu's inconspicuous action.

"Fang Hong, Shen Lian, go and help this woman."

Zhou Chu said with a half-smile.

Fang Hong and Shen Lian were already extremely skilled, and these people were just putting on an act, basically going through the motions, uttering threats and then scattering like birds and beasts.

"I am Dong Lian'er, and I thank you for saving my life, young master."

The woman in the green dress originally wanted to thank Shen Lian and the other man, but after their advice, she came to Zhou Chu and said with a face full of gratitude.

Seeing Dong Lian'er's figure and appearance, Zhou Chu immediately understood that the saying "Suzhou and Hangzhou are full of beauties" was not an empty saying. Dong Lian'er's figure and appearance were both top-notch. No wonder her beauty trap was always successful.

The beauties chosen for a honey trap are always top-tier, possessing exceptional figure, looks, and temperament; even their every move captivates the hearts of many men.

But Zhou Chu was not among these many men.

Although Zhou Chu's ambition and will were not as great as Wang Yangming's, they were still far beyond that of ordinary people.

Of course, this doesn't include Shen Lian and Fang Hong. Shen Lian is an anomaly and cannot be judged by common sense. As for Fang Hong, it's even more impossible. She only likes Shen Qing, and in her eyes, other women are no different from men.

"You're too kind, young lady. It was nothing at all."

As Zhou Chu was about to ride away, Dong Lian'er became anxious.

"Young master, Lian'er begs you to take me in. My Dong family was wiped out by those thieves. Now, the world is vast, but there is nowhere for me to go. Once you leave, I will not escape their clutches."

Dong Lian'er, with tears streaming down her face, looked truly pitiful.

Upon hearing this, an ordinary man would probably have agreed immediately, but none of Zhou Chu and the other two were normal. After hearing this, Shen Lian realized that something was wrong with this woman.

Just as Shen Lian was about to speak, Zhou Chu stopped him with a subtle look.

"In that case, you may come with us. However, my horse is rather unruly, so I'm sorry to trouble Miss Dong to ride with my subordinate."

Zhou Chu pointed at Fang Hong and said.

Upon hearing this, Fang Hong looked troubled, but she always followed Zhou Chu's orders to the letter, so she didn't refuse.

Hearing this, Dong Lian'er was very annoyed by Zhou Chu's stubbornness, but she had no choice but to get on Fang Hong's horse first, otherwise she wouldn't even be able to follow Zhou Chu.

Anyway, her task was to get close to Zhou Chu, find out his background, and if she could find an opportunity to assassinate him or poison him, that would be even better.

If they really can't seduce Zhou Chu, then setting their sights on his subordinates isn't a bad option.

After Dong Lian'er mounted her horse, Fang Hong felt that the woman in his arms was constantly twisting her body imperceptibly, like a wriggling maggot, which made him suspicious.

"Is Miss Dong feeling unwell?"

Upon hearing this, Dong Lian'er froze, and for the first time, she began to doubt her own appearance. She had been so proactive, yet this man in front of her didn't seem to feel anything at all.

"No no."

After saying this, Dong Lian'er became much more obedient and stopped moving around recklessly.

Zhou Chu led the group to a deserted alley, dismounted, and Shen Lian and Fang Hong, though puzzled, did not ask any questions and followed suit. Dong Lian'er, of course, could not stay on the horse any longer.

"Miss Dong, you must be a spy sent by the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce."

Zhou Chu approached Dong Lian'er and spoke frankly.

Upon hearing this, alarm bells rang in Dong Lian'er's mind. Only then did she realize that she had been exposed from the very beginning. Although she couldn't understand why the man in front of her knew these things, the situation left her no time to think too much.

Dong Lian'er immediately took out a dagger, pulled it out, and stabbed it into Zhou Chu's throat.

Shen Lian, who had been waiting for his chance, struck first and killed Dong Lian'er with a single blow.

"You scoundrel, what right does she have to kill me? I still have some use for her."

Zhou Chu looked at Shen Lian with a disappointed expression.