Chapter 1707: Conclusion of the Feud

Zu'an was startled. "This... I'm afraid it's not quite appropriate, is it?" Zhao Hao's tone seemed to be directed at one of his concubines. At the same time, Zu'an quickly pondered who this woman Zhao Hao was referring to could be. Could it be Consort Bai?

"What's inappropriate about it? If I say someone is suitable, then they are suitable," Zhao Hao said indifferently. "Now that Zhu Xie Chixin is not here, you are the highest-ranking Embroidered Uniform Emissary by my side. If you don't go, who will?"

Zu'an's heart skipped a beat. It seemed this matter was unsavory, which was why an Embroidered Uniform Emissary was needed. And Zhao Hao was worried that ordinary Embroidered Uniform Emissaries wouldn't be able to keep the secret, which was why he came to me.

"I will certainly ease His Majesty's worries. May I know who the woman to be executed is?" Zu'an already had a faint suspicion. If this matter fell into his hands, the chances of saving her would be greater than if it fell into someone else's.

"There's a white tent in the camp; the woman inside is your target. Eunuch Wen will take you there later. Handle it cleanly, and don't let anyone else know." After speaking, Zhao Hao closed his eyes again, clearly signaling his desire for Zu'an to leave.

"Yes!" Zu'an replied, calm on the surface, but his mind was in turmoil. He quickly pondered solutions, simultaneously unable to understand why Zhao Hao was speaking in riddles with him.

After he exited the imperial tent, Eunuch Wen was already waiting outside, smiling at Zu'an. "Master Zu, please come this way." He had clearly received the emperor's instructions.

Zu'an couldn't help but ask softly, "Eunuch Wen, when it comes to the Emperor's trust, no one surpasses you. Why didn't His Majesty let you handle this?"

Eunuch Wen said with a smile, "This just proves how deeply Master Zu is trusted by the Emperor." In truth, he was originally meant to do this, but then the young man suddenly returned, perfectly taking over the task. Such matters were never pleasant, so it was naturally better to have someone else do them.

From Eunuch Wen's smiling face, Zu'an could sense his delight. He wondered if Zhao Hao had given him this task with the intention of silencing him later. That's why he was unwilling to let a trusted confidant like Eunuch Wen do it; if Zu'an handled it, he would be silenced sooner or later, so Zhao Hao didn't mind him knowing a few more secrets. This thought made it hard for Zu'an to feel happy.

However, he then reconsidered: the conflict between him and Zhao Hao was irreconcilable anyway, and they would fall out sooner or later, so it didn't really matter.

Along the way, there were patrolling soldiers everywhere. It was clear that this area was heavily guarded, not only to prevent external assassins but also to keep those inside from leaving. After numerous twists and turns, they finally arrived at a white tent. It stood isolated, a considerable distance from the surrounding tents, clearly by design. Distant patrolling guards instinctively moved closer upon noticing someone, but after seeing Eunuch Wen, they respectfully saluted and withdrew.

Eunuch Wen said to Zu'an, "The person is inside. There's also a guarding old woman attendant, and the other person is your target."

Zu'an tentatively asked, "Eunuch Wen, who exactly is the person we need to deal with this time?"

Eunuch Wen gave a half-smile. "When working for the imperial family, don't ask what you shouldn't. Even if you know someone, pretend you don't. That's the key to securing your position."

Zu'an cursed "old fox" inwardly. "Thank you for the reminder, Eunuch Wen."

After speaking, he walked towards the tent. Before he even reached the entrance, he smelled a familiar floral fragrance. He sighed inwardly; it was indeed Consort Bai. This unique scent was something no amount of cosmetics or perfume could imitate. He secretly extended his spiritual sense and discovered that while Eunuch Wen didn't come close, he was quietly observing the situation from a distance. Clearly, the emperor didn't fully trust him and had assigned Eunuch Wen to supervise. Was Zhao Hao trying to test him with this move?

Zu'an's face was grim as he approached the tent entrance. Suddenly, he heard a crude voice from inside: "What are you so arrogant about? Still think you're that golden bough and jade leaf from before?"

At the same time, Consort Bai's soft, aggrieved voice echoed: "I just want some water. I can't move myself right now."

"Such a bother," the crude voice mumbled, followed by a sharp slap, as if someone had been hit. "Bear with it; you don't have much time left to live anyway." Then came soft whimpering. The loud voice scoffed, "Who are you putting on this seductive act for? Maybe men fall for it, but to me, it's just affected and disgusting."

Zu'an frowned, lifted the tent flap, and walked in. Inside, he found a simple cot where Consort Bai lay curled up. A faint handprint was visible on her fair cheek, clearly from the recent slap. Her demeanor was already somewhat delicate, and now, with tears welling in her eyes but bravely held back, she appeared even more pitiable.

On a stool by the cot sat a burly woman, currently feasting greedily on the exquisite pastries on the table. These foods were clearly meant for royalty, concubines, and other nobles. From the looks of it, she had seized Consort Bai's possessions. Zu'an thought to himself that Consort Bai, after all, came from the Demonic Cult; how could she be bullied to this extent? However, after checking her energy state as she lay on the bed, he immediately knew the answer: she must have been placed under a special restriction, her cultivation completely suppressed. Her current condition was probably worse than that of an ordinary woman.

Seeing him enter, a flicker of expectation and joy bloomed on Consort Bai's previously despairing face. After all, their relationship, in all respects, was quite good.

"Who are you?" The fat old woman attendant frowned and glared at him, inadvertently spitting out food crumbs as she spoke.

Zu'an subtly shifted his body to avoid the crumbs and said coolly, "The Emperor sent me to execute the prisoner."

Hearing his words, Consort Bai's initially joyful face instantly turned to shock, but she quickly managed a tragic smile and said no more.

The fat old woman attendant frowned and asked, "Why isn't Eunuch Wen here?"

"Do you think anyone in this camp would dare to falsely convey an imperial decree?" Zu'an retorted, annoyed, remembering what she had just done to Consort Bai. He had little liking for her. "Eunuch Wen is waiting outside. If you don't trust me, go ask him yourself."

"That's true," the fat old woman attendant said, wiping the pastry grease from her hands onto her clothes. "You should have come sooner. You've made me waste so much time here." After saying that, she started to walk out, clearly not intending to watch the next scene unfold. As she reached the doorway, Zu'an delivered a swift hand chop, knocking her unconscious.

Consort Bai, who had been lying numbly on the bed, suddenly widened her eyes at this sight.

Zu'an came to her side and quietly asked, "What exactly happened? How did you end up in such a state?"

Consort Bai gave a bitter smile. "It's a long story."

Zu'an knew time was short and there was no opportunity to listen to her detailed explanation. "We can talk about all this after I rescue you." After saying that, he helped Consort Bai sit up. A pleasant floral scent genuinely emanated from her, subtly mixed with a milky fragrance.

He had originally intended to lift the restriction on her, but he quickly found that he couldn't undo it.

"Don't waste your time," Consort Bai shook her head, her beautiful eyes fixed on Zu'an. "This is a restriction personally imposed by the Emperor; it cannot be undone unless he himself lifts it. I'm already very grateful for your intention to save me, but this matter is too significant. Don't let it implicate you in the end. You should just kill me and report back."

Zu'an shook his head. "How could I possibly kill you?" He had been entrusted by Yun Jianyue and Qiu Honglei, and she had also helped him quite a bit in the imperial palace before. How could he possibly lay a hand on her?

Consort Bai, however, was unaware of this connection. She paused at his words, a faint blush rising on her neck. Her voice softened, and her tone became more sincere: "You really can't save me. Eunuch Wen is guarding outside, and the Emperor is also in this main camp. Any abnormal movement would be suppressed by him instantly. If you truly wish to help me, then please deliver a verbal message for me." She paused again, a hint of shyness and sorrow in her voice. "I understand your intentions, young master. If there is a next life, I will surely repay your kindness."

Zu'an: "..."You understand nothing!