Chapter 1895: Left and Right Dilemmas

A Fantasy Novel

Witnessing the scene before them, Chu Youzhao and Murong Qinghe were utterly stunned. It was well-known that Yan Xiangu and the other academy teachers were all prominent figures in the capital; countless families found it difficult just to get an audience with them. Yet, now they were respectfully bowing to Brother Zu, acknowledging him as the new Libationer.

"Brother-in-law (Brother Zu) is amazing!"

The two young girls, whose moods had been heavy due to the events of the past few days, finally felt a slight easing of their spirits. They thought, perhaps they might overcome this hurdle after all.

Zu An quickly helped them up. "There's no need for such formality. From now on, let's keep our roles separate. While I am the Libationer, when we interact privately, let's treat each other as peers."

Yu Yanluo was the sixth disciple of the old Libationer, a painter, so technically they were all peers. Many of the Libationer's disciples were hearing for the first time that Yu Yanluo was the old Libationer's sixth disciple. They were all incredibly astonished and, at the same time, envious of Zu An's good fortune. After all, Yu Yanluo had once been known as the capital's foremost beauty; every man had heard of her captivating reputation.

With this topic, the atmosphere among them grew increasingly relaxed.

Until Yan Xiangu suddenly asked, "Has our teacher passed away?"

A hint of anticipation appeared in everyone's eyes as they looked at Zu An, as if hoping for some good news from him.

"Indeed." Zu An sighed.

Upon confirming the Libationer's death, the atmosphere in the hall instantly became sorrowful. Qi Yaoguang wiped away tears from the corner of her eyes. "Our teacher, a man of such profound knowledge, how did he die?"

Zu An hesitated. Yan Xiangu spoke up, "Please speak freely. We all know about the grievances between our teacher and the Emperor; no one here will speak carelessly outside."

Hearing this, Zu An said, "To a certain extent, the Libationer and the Emperor perished together." This was not entirely false; had the Libationer not gravely wounded Zhao Hao at the cost of his own life, Zu An would never have been able to kill Zhao Hao.

Hearing this news, the disciples showed looks of grief, finally sighing one after another. "We always knew this day would come, but we never expected it so soon." These direct disciples naturally knew the Libationer's true identity and the enmity between the former imperial family and the Zhao clan. They had originally thought the Libationer had resigned himself to fate, but unexpectedly, he had still taken that final step.

Chu Youzhao and Murong Qinghe, however, listened dumbfounded. They never imagined they would hear such a shocking secret—that the Emperor and the Libationer had... At the same time, they secretly thought that since Brother Zu trusted them so much, they must keep this secret for him.

At this point, Zu An took the opportunity to bring the two girls forward and introduce them to the others, asking them to look after them.

Shen Xuzi replied, "Rest assured, Libationer, they will be absolutely safe here. For so many years, no one has dared to come to the academy demanding people." They had naturally heard rumors about the Murong family's affairs and roughly guessed Zu An's intentions. To them, it was a minor matter; the academy possessed enough power to protect anyone.

After expressing his gratitude, Zu An took the opportunity to ask Jiang Luofu, "Sister Principal, has your Jiang family been affected by the battle at Purple Mountain?"

Hearing the familiar address, a hint of softness appeared on Jiang Luofu's usually cold and elegant face. "Thank you for your concern, Libationer. The Jiang family is currently alright. Although there have been some disturbances, the Jiang family's ties with Prince Qi were not deep, and we have intermarried with various other families. Moreover, with me here at the academy, no one truly dares to make trouble for us."

Zu An nodded discreetly. Jiang Boyang's eldest son had married Pei Kai's daughter, who was Pei Mianman's aunt; his second son had married Zhao Hao's daughter, Princess Changrong; and his third son had married a woman from the Yu family... The Jiang family had always been known for producing handsome men and beautiful women, and they had marital ties with various prominent families in the capital. Coupled with Jiang Luofu's support from her fellow disciples at the academy, for a time, no one dared to touch the Jiang family.

It seems having more sons and daughters indeed has its advantages in this society.

"It's good that the Jiang family is safe," Zu An said, taking the opportunity to ask again, "Who are the Second Senior Brother and Ninth Junior Sister you just mentioned?" He knew that the Third Senior Brother was the Sword Immortal Xiao Yao, whom Jiang Luofu had met in Cloud-Mid County, and the Tenth Junior Brother was a military strategist, whom he had never seen as he was always on the border. However, this was the first time he had heard mention of the Second Senior Brother, the Physician, and the Ninth Junior Sister, the Singer.

Jiang Luofu shook her head slightly. "Their identities need to be kept secret. It's best if they tell you themselves in the future. It's not convenient for me to disclose it, but you can rest assured, you have quite a connection with both of them, and you will naturally find out in due course."

Seeing her being so enigmatic, Zu An felt a mischievous itch. He truly wanted to roll down the black stockings on her legs, pull off the elastic bands, and then make them into a slingshot to flick her hard.

Just then, a disciple ran up, panting, "Teachers, there are people asking to see Sir Zu. They say they are his friends."

"Sir Zu? From now on, he is our new Libationer," Yan Xiangu corrected.

The disciple's face showed surprise. He subconsciously glanced at the other teachers, and seeing no objection from them, he realized Yan Xiangu was not joking. He quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Libationer!" At the same time, he thought that such an important piece of news must be shared with his fellow students; he couldn't be the only one surprised.

"Get up. Who exactly is looking for me? Did you ask for their identities?" Zu An asked curiously.

"They said they are guards from the Eastern Palace. One's surname is Pu, and the other's name is Jiao something."

Zu An's heart stirred. "Let them come up."

Before long, Pu Duandiao and Jiao Sigun ran up the mountain, looking anxious. Upon seeing Zu An, they breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Sir Zu, the Crown Princess wants you to return to the palace."

Zu An's heart stirred again, and he nodded slightly. "Understood." Then he said to Chu Youzhao and Murong Qinghe, "For the time being, you two will stay here. With the protection of these teachers, no one will dare to trouble you here."

"Brother-in-law (Brother Zu)! Don't go to the palace, it's too dangerous," Chu Youzhao and Murong Qinghe said, each tugging at one of his sleeves, their faces full of worry.

"It's fine," Zu An smiled. "I know what I'm doing; nothing will happen. Don't run around, staying here properly is how you'll help me. If you need anything in your daily lives, look for Sister Xie." Then he said to Jiang Luofu, "I'll trouble you to look after them for me during these next few days."

Jiang Luofu nodded, then glanced at the two Eastern Palace guards waiting nearby and quietly asked, "Do you need help?"

"No, I can handle it," Zu An said, cupping his hands in farewell to the teachers, and then followed Pu Duandiao and Jiao Sigun down Jade Spring Mountain.

"Sir Zu, perhaps you shouldn't go to the palace. Take this chance to escape. We can just go back and say we were outnumbered in a fierce fight; we won't be troubled for it," Pu Duandiao couldn't help but say on the way.

"What do you mean, 'outnumbered in a fierce fight'?" Jiao Sigun corrected him. "We should say we didn't see Sir Zu at all."

Feeling the worry in their voices, Zu An's heart warmed. He patted their shoulders. "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Thus, they arrived at the imperial palace. Eunuch Lu was already waiting at the palace gates. After seeing Zu An, he immediately said, "Sir Zu, please proceed to Kuning Palace. Everyone is there."

Pu Duandiao and Jiao Sigun couldn't help but say, "We were ordered by the Crown Princess to bring Sir Zu to the Eastern Palace."

Eunuch Lu's face hardened. "Are you trying to use the Crown Princess to intimidate me? The Crown Princess herself is currently in Kuning Palace."

Pu Duandiao and Jiao Sigun, intimidated by Eunuch Lu's authority, could only give Zu An a "good luck" glance before hastily running off to the Eastern Palace to deliver their message.

Zu An followed Eunuch Lu to Kuning Palace. Along the way, Eunuch Lu sighed, "Oh, Sir Zu, why are you so impulsive?"

Zu An knew that the matter of him killing Prince Jin had already come to light. He calmly replied, "I merely sought a clear conscience."

Eunuch Lu looked at him in surprise. Watching his departing back, he envied after a long moment, "Ah, to be young! Impulsive, hot-blooded, and capable."

When Zu An stepped into the main hall of Kuning Palace, he found it packed with people, bustling like a marketplace. Clearly, two factions were arguing about something. When they saw Zu An arrive, the entire room suddenly fell silent, and everyone turned to look at him with strange expressions.

Zu An noticed Bi Linglong was also present, surrounded by Eastern Palace officials, openly challenging the Empress, who was seated at the head. The Empress wore a long black robe embroidered with golden phoenixes, giving her an extremely solemn appearance. Bi Linglong, on the other hand, was dressed in a plain colored palace gown, her delicate face filled with a grave expression.

One was a mature and graceful young woman, the other a vibrant and beautiful young girl. Despite their special statuses, the ministers in the room couldn't help but secretly glance at both of them, as each possessed a unique beauty.

"Zu An, you actually dared to show your face here! Guards, seize this fiend!" Meng Yi was the first to snap back to his senses, pointing at Zu An and roaring.

Zu An looked at Bi Linglong, wanting to see what choice she would make. Deep down, he even harbored a faint hope that if she completely abandoned him, he wouldn't have to be torn.

Just then, soldiers rushed in upon hearing the commotion. Bi Linglong's delicate brows furrowed. "Minister Meng, this is Kuning Palace. Her Majesty the Empress has not yet spoken. Aren't you overstepping your bounds?"

Meng Yi's expression changed slightly, and he immediately bowed to the Empress. "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I was overly agitated just now and lost my composure. However, this Zu An brazenly murdered a Prince in the street; his crime is unforgivable. I beg Your Majesty to bring justice for His Highness Prince Jin!"

Many ministers around them knelt, a good number of whom were imperial clan members. "We beg Your Majesty for justice!"

Witnessing this scene gave Liu Ning a massive headache. She cast a resentful glance at Zu An. *That scoundrel! Last time I specifically reminded him not to act rashly and to tell me if anything happened so I could handle it for him, but he just turned around and killed Prince Jin!*

Angered inwardly, she maintained a calm expression. "Linglong, Prince Jin is the Crown Prince's own brother. How do you think this matter should be handled?"

Bi Linglong inwardly cursed. The Empress had dug a huge pit for her. If she helped Zu An, it would alienate the imperial family and all the ministers, making her an isolated figure. If she didn't help Zu An, it would cause disunity and resentment within the Eastern Palace faction. If she couldn't even protect a major general like Zu An, who would dare to follow her in the future?

Bi Linglong's phoenix eyes likewise glared fiercely at Zu An. *For other matters, I would always find a way to protect him, but this fellow has caused such a huge mess. What am I supposed to do now?*