Chapter 1596: Stealing the Chicken but Losing the Rice Bowl

Zu An was equally surprised to find Chu Chuyan here. For a moment, he felt both joy and concern. He was joyful about the reunion, but concerned about reuniting with her in the presence of the other two women.

At this moment, the King of Yan saw everyone. He smiled and said, "You've arrived at a good time; please come and take a seat."

Zu An offered a slight smile. He walked directly towards the two women.

A hint of a smile appeared in Chu Chuyan's usually cool eyes. Yan Xuehen, however, was quite flustered. She secretly transmitted a message with her chi, "Don't come over! If you dare expose our relationship in public, I... I..." For a moment, she couldn't even think of a suitable threat.

A faint smile played on Zu An's lips. "What are you going to do?" he asked.

Yan Xuehen felt a surge of indignation. This brat was becoming more and more outrageous. "I'll never forgive you!" she declared.

"To be remembered by you for a lifetime doesn't sound so bad," Zu An replied. Watching her look flustered yet unable to retaliate, Zu An felt a great sense of accomplishment.

As the two exchanged messages across the space, in the eyes of acquaintances like Xie Daoyun, it simply looked like he and Chu Chuyan were flirting. Little did they know he was actually teasing the renowned Abbotess Yan.

Ultimately, Zu An decided against sitting at their table. Instead, he headed directly to the table next to the two women. There were already bowls, chopsticks, and cutlery on it, clearly indicating it was already occupied.

As if he hadn't noticed, Zu An directly instructed a maid nearby, "Please bring me a fresh set of bowls and chopsticks."

The maid looked troubled and glanced at Zhao Huang, the Crown Prince of Yan, who was standing nearby. It was clear this seat was originally meant for him.

Zhao Huang's expression was also displeased, but he couldn't openly object. He could only tactfully remind Zu An, "Abbotess Yan of White Jade Capital doesn't like meeting strangers. She might not be comfortable with unfamiliar people sitting next to her."

Zu An casually replied, "It's fine; I'll just ask her directly." He then turned to Yan Xuehen and asked, "Abbotess Yan, do you mind if I sit here?"

Yan Xuehen's teeth felt itchy, she wished he would just roll away as far as possible. However, she also realized that the King of Yan's mansion seemed to be intentionally embarrassing Zu An. How could she bear to add insult to injury? So, she put on a straight face and said, "This humble one is not so petty."

Zu An looked as if his prediction had come true. He then turned to Zhao Huang and said, "See, Crown Prince? Abbotess Yan doesn't mind."

Zhao Huang was speechless. He felt a suffocating frustration in his heart. He had long heard of Abbotess Yan's ethereal reputation, and this time she was accompanied by a disciple as beautiful as a celestial fairy. He had gone to great lengths to arrange this opportunity to sit next to them. Even if he couldn't get close, just smelling their faint fragrance from nearby would be an invigorating experience.

Yet, just moments ago, he had gone out to greet people, wanting to show his gentlemanly side to the two women. Now, after bringing them back, his seat was gone. What was more exasperating was that having already spoken, it was difficult for him to back out now.

Rage points from Zhao Huang +678,678,678...

Just as he was about to sit down nearby, Zu An waved to Xie Daoyun and said, "Miss Xie, please sit here." In front of so many people, it wouldn't be appropriate to use her nickname, as that was a maiden's privacy. Xie Daoyun's heart sank, thinking, *In front of Chu Chuyan, he's already treating me as a stranger.*

Yan Xuehen and Chu Chuyan simultaneously cast sharp glances at Xie Daoyun. *In this kind of setting, Zu An is afraid of neglecting her,* they thought. *It seems their relationship is unusual.* However, Yan Xuehen quickly realized, *What does that have to do with me?* She quickly turned her head away, resuming her previous detached demeanor. Chu Chuyan, who recognized Xie Daoyun, became pensive for a moment.

In that instant, Zu An felt several surges of killing intent. He couldn't help but inwardly lament. *They say one monk fetches water, two monks carry water, but three monks have no water to drink. It seems I'm in just such an awkward situation right now.*

Watching Xie Daoyun sit down there, and his own seat being pushed to who knows where, Zhao Huang's face twitched. He nearly erupted on the spot.

Rage points from Zhao Huang +699,699,699...

Fortunately, at this moment, the King of Yan spoke, "Huang'er, please arrange seats for Lord Zhang and the others." Zhao Huang took a deep breath, composed himself, and then arranged seats for Zhang Jie and the others in order. He simply found a seat at the end of the table for himself. He hoped to use this to show his extraordinary magnanimity in front of Abbotess Yan and her disciple. But he was still very annoyed.

Rage points from Zhao Huang +555,555...

Zhang Jie and other officials from Yi Commandery observed with cool eyes. They realized they seemed to have underestimated Zu An. He had just been holding back and enduring silently before. He was truly a bit devious. But that only made things more interesting.

Sun Xun frowned slightly. *Had this guy been deliberately putting on an act before?* However, with the King and other important figures present, it wasn't his place to speak.

The King of Yan's laughter rang out: "Lord Zu is indeed a young hero; such courage is truly admirable." Although he was smiling, there was a chilling undertone in his voice.

Zu An was unconcerned: "The King of Yan flatters me."

In fact, Sun Xun's antagonism towards him on the road earlier, Zu An initially thought it was due to grief over his son's death being misdirected at him. But later, he understood. He was representing the imperial court this time. Without the King of Yan's implicit instruction, Sun Xun would never have dared to be so audacious. He presumed it was because the investigation and crackdown on the Flying Horse Chamber of Commerce in Yunzhong Commandery had ruined the King of Yan's plans to extend his influence there, leading the King to hold a grudge against him.

The King of Yan frowned slightly. *This lad seems much tougher to deal with than I imagined.* Just then, a woman's voice rang out: "A young hero? Exceptionally courageous? King of Yan, aren't you overstating things a bit this time?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall fell silent. Because she was clearly picking a fight with Zu An, and she hadn't even shown the King of Yan any respect. Who was this person, daring to be so bold?

Zu An was also surprised. He looked up at the young woman sitting at another table opposite him. She was indeed delicate and beautiful, but an air of arrogance on her face made people instinctively uncomfortable. Overall, she was certainly a beauty. Her purple-and-white clothes were especially unique, and with the special design on the edges of her garment, she looked like a beautiful butterfly.

In any other setting, she would undoubtedly have been the star attraction. But with Abbotess Yan and Chu Chuyan present, she seemed somewhat eclipsed.

At this moment, Yan Xuehen, Chu Chuyan, and even Xie Daoyun cast suspicious glances at Zu An. They wondered if she was a woman he had abandoned, whose love had turned to hatred. After all, everyone was aware of his philandering nature.

Zu An, at this moment, was also doubting his life. *I clearly don't know her,* he thought. *Why are her eyes filled with hatred when she looks at me?*

"Xiao Die, your uncle doesn't quite understand what you mean?" The King of Yan showed no anger at this moment. Instead, he feigned confusion as he asked, clearly intending to watch Zu An be humiliated.

"Uncle?" Zu An's heart skipped a beat. *Could it be...?* At this moment, Zhang Zijiang's chi-transmitted voice reached his ear: "Lord Zu, she is Princess Caidie of Prince Qi's residence. I heard she was sent to an immortal mountain for study years ago, and I didn't expect that sect to be Li Hentian." Having served in the imperial palace for a long time, he was much more familiar with members of the royal family than others. He finally recognized the woman's identity and quickly informed Zu An.

"Prince Qi's daughter?" Zu An understood immediately. *No wonder she's so unfriendly.*

At this, Zhao Xiaodie seized the opportunity to reply, "This person has a lewd gaze and immediately tries to cozy up to ladies. I don't see any young hero with exceptional courage, only unbridled lust."

Yan Xuehen pursed her lips. She nearly burst out laughing. *This young girl really hit the nail on the head,* she thought. *This little scoundrel certainly deserves to be scolded.* Chu Chuyan, however, frowned slightly. She naturally didn't like someone slandering her lover.

Zu An remained unfazed. He picked up his wine cup, took a sip, and then casually remarked, "Since you say I'm a lecher, yet I'm not sitting next to you, perhaps you should reflect on yourself?"

*Pfft!* Someone nearby couldn't help but stifle a laugh, nearly choking on their wine. *Isn't that just a roundabout way of calling her ugly?*

Zhao Xiaodie: "???"

Rage points from Zhao Xiaodie +444,444,444...