Chapter 1913: Collision

**Fantasy Novel**

Seeing her so confident, Zu An had nothing more to say. Jiang Luofu was indeed an expert, a teacher at the academy, and experienced in combat, so he truly didn't need to worry much about her.

Soon, the group hurried towards the Sky Prison. The carriage sped along, and perhaps thinking of their families suffering within, the relaxed and cheerful atmosphere from earlier vanished, leaving everyone with solemn expressions.

Not long after, they arrived outside the Sky Prison. The group decided to visit the Murong family first, as Murong Qinghe was alone now, and they wanted to take better care of her.

Soon, patrolling guards approached, asking about the carriage's origin. Jiang Luofu got out and began negotiating with them.

As the daughter of the Grand Judge and an esteemed teacher from the academy's Rear Mountain, bringing a few people into the Sky Prison for a visit wasn't a major issue.

Inside the carriage, the others peered out through the windows. Chu Huanzhao couldn't help but mutter, "Are all men so lecherous? Those jailers keep staring at Principal Jiang's legs."

"Don't just talk about men, even women would take a few extra glances. Principal Jiang's legs are too beautiful, especially with the black stockings," Qin Wanru said, feeling a slight impulse. She wondered when she could try such an outfit herself.

However, she quickly dismissed the idea. She was already the mother of three daughters and a Duchess; if people gossiped behind her back about her being scandalous, it would be disastrous.

Chu Huanzhao nodded, "Principal Jiang's legs are indeed beautiful. I've never seen anyone with legs as lovely as hers."

Chu Youzhao couldn't help but retort, "How many pairs of legs have you even seen? Qinghe's in our family are no worse than hers."

"Brother Chu..." Murong Qinghe's face instantly flushed. She was self-aware; while her legs were indeed long and slender, for some reason, perhaps her age, they lacked the rounded plumpness of Jiang Luofu's. She felt they were still a bit lacking.

However, hearing her sweetheart praise her so, she couldn't help but feel happy.

Chu Huanzhao paused, "You two have reached this stage already? Let me have a look too?"

As she spoke, she reached out to gesture towards Murong Qinghe's legs. Unfortunately, Murong Qinghe was wearing trousers now, making it difficult to draw a direct conclusion.

Chu Youzhao slapped her hand away and shielded Murong Qinghe behind him, "Don't touch randomly."

Chu Huanzhao shrugged it off, "I'm a girl, what's the big deal? It's not like I'm asking brother-in-law to touch them."

Zu An: "..."

How did I get dragged into this?

Murong Qinghe's small face felt slightly warm, yet she felt a little envious of their family's warm atmosphere. In contrast, the Murong family's upbringing was very strict; she had grown up in a harsh environment since childhood, and it was hard for her to imagine parents and siblings playing and joking with each other like this.

Just then, the crisp sound of high heels approached, followed by the carriage curtain being drawn open. Jiang Luofu gave them a slight smile, "It's all set. You can come in with me now."

Qin Wanru and the other women were overjoyed and quickly alighted, heading into the Sky Prison.

However, Yue Shan and the other guards were stopped from entering, as they clearly looked like capable fighters.

Qin Wanru understood, instructed them to wait outside, and then walked in, holding up her skirt.

It was rare for the Sky Prison to see so many beautiful women at once: mature beauties, vibrant young maidens, and an elegant lady with long legs in black stockings. The jailers' eyes all widened, staring fixedly at them with unusually fervent gazes.

Qin Wanru couldn't help but tighten her collar, a hint of worry flashing across her face. She whispered, "Will they try to harm us?"

The Sky Prison was known as the most sinister and fearsome place in people's eyes. If the doors were to close and the jailers decided to act violently, these few women would be utterly helpless.

"No need to worry," Jiang Luofu calmly explained. "These people have been stationed here for a long time, only interacting with prisoners. It's normal for some to feel pent up and look at women with greedy eyes. Besides, all of you are so beautiful, it would be strange if they didn't stare."

At her words, everyone in the group looked sideways.

They thought, "How can you say that so lightly? And besides, they're staring at your long legs in black stockings more than anyone else's."

Seeming to sense their doubt, Jiang Luofu smiled faintly. "My field of study is law, and the Sky Prison is naturally a key area. I've even written a few papers on the psychological well-being of Sky Prison staff. If you're interested, you can look them up at the academy."

Qin Wanru: "...""Oh, my, excuse us. This woman is too formidable; she's not like us at all."

Seeing the women's apprehensive looks, Jiang Luofu added, "Don't worry, this isn't the end of a dynasty. The court's control over these departments is still quite strong, so the situation you're worried about won't happen. Besides, I'm with you, and protecting your safety isn't difficult. What's more, Ah Zu is here too; he can go anywhere, even a dragon's den or a tiger's lair."

Qin Wanru glanced at Zu An in surprise, thinking, "Jiang Luofu speaks so highly of Ah Zu. Is he really that capable?"

Although Zu An had given her many shocks today, it was hard to reconcile this image with the powerless young man she knew from Brightmoon City back then.

Chu Huanzhao, meanwhile, immediately linked arms with Zu An, "Then I'll stay close to Brother-in-law and let him protect me."

Chu Youzhao's eyebrows shot up upon seeing this, "Second Sister, men and women should not touch. This is a bit improper."

Murong Qinghe couldn't help but glance at him, remembering that Brother Chu seemed to have often held onto Brother-in-law like that in the past.

Chu Huanzhao didn't care at all, "What 'men and women should not touch'? Brother-in-law and I are family, and we have such a good relationship. Why would there be such concerns? Instead, you're the one who keeps thinking strange things all day. If you're jealous, you can come and hold him too!"

Qin Wanru felt a headache watching this. Both her second and third daughters were very impressed with Chuyan, yet they constantly bickered with each other. One showed no care for her younger sister, and the other showed no respect for her older sister; they acted like sworn enemies every time they met.

And Xiaozhao even told Youzhao to go hug her brother-in-law! What kind of talk is that? You've already been so forward yourself, and now you want your sister to be too?

Are you trying to make Zu An take all three of you sisters at once?!

Fortunately, Chu Youzhao didn't dare to be as affectionate with her brother-in-law in front of her mother and sister as she usually was. After all, those two knew she was actually a girl, unlike Murong Qinghe, who was easier to fool.

She could only watch, grinding her teeth, as her second sister clung to her brother-in-law's arm. Her sister, seeing her gaze, even pressed closer, seemingly to deliberately provoke her.

This is infuriating! Next time I see Big Sister, I'm definitely going to tell on her!

Unknowingly, the group, led by a jailer, arrived at a section of cells. In each room, there were people, looking dispirited and huddled in corners, with traces of torture on their bodies.

Murong Qinghe's eyes instantly reddened at the sight. However, she knew what was important and struggled to control her emotions, not showing them outwardly.

Jiang Luofu patted her hand in comfort, then took out a gold ingot and slipped it to the jailer.

The jailer, smiling, tucked the gold into his sleeve. "You can chat freely. I'll stand guard outside."

With that, he discreetly left, giving them space.

Murong Qinghe could no longer hold back and rushed directly to one of the cells, "Father..."

The people in the cell, who had been semi-conscious, jolted awake. One dignified-looking middle-aged man's voice trembled, "Is that Qinghe?"

This was Murong Qinghe's father, Murong Zhan, who had previously served as a Bureau Director in the imperial court.

Murong Qinghe removed the mask from her face, tears streaming down. "Father, it's me."

Murong Zhan was both surprised and delighted, "Qinghe!"

He noticed Qin Wanru beside her. "Wanru, is that you? And this is Huanzhao, she's grown so much! Youzhao is still as handsome and dashing as ever."

The Murong and Qin families were originally related by marriage, both having kinship ties. He had naturally met Qin Wanru before, but after so many years, she had matured, and some changes made him unsure.

"It's me," Qin Wanru wiped her tears. "You've suffered so much."

Through the bars, they could see that everyone had been tortured, and all were in poor condition.

Chu Huanzhao and Chu Youzhao also joined in the reunion, their eyes reddening.

"This bit of suffering is nothing compared to the harsh conditions on the battlefield..." Murong Zhan's voice trailed off, growing somber.

Although he had suffered worse injuries and endured more perilous environments on the battlefield, there was always a sense of conviction and hope back then.

But now, the Murong family had become imperial criminals; what hope was left?

At this thought, his expression suddenly changed, and he hastily warned his daughter, "Why did you come here? It's too dangerous! If your identity is exposed, you'll be arrested too. Leave quickly!"

Zu An then spoke, "Don't worry, Sister Qinghe is safe for now, I can guarantee her safety. Also, please hold on here for a few more days. Various factions in the court are currently vying for power, and I will do my best to find a way to exonerate the Murong family."

Strictly speaking, the Murong family was innocent; they were, in fact, a model of loyalty to the country. Such a loyal and brave family should not suffer such an injustice.

Murong Zhan recognized him and, hearing this, excitedly knelt in a respectful bow, "So it's Master Zu. The Murong family will never forget your kindness!"

The other members of the Murong family were also incredibly moved. They had experienced the full spectrum of human indifference and kindness during this time and had originally despaired, never expecting anyone to offer help at such a moment.

Murong Qinghe was even more overwhelmed with emotion. She had already been deeply grateful when Zu An protected her earlier, but she never imagined he would still be trying to save the Murong family, and she involuntarily knelt down as well.

"There's no need for this, Master Murong," Zu An said, casually extending a hand as if to help them up, a gentle force supporting them and preventing them from kneeling. "The Murong family was wronged to begin with and shouldn't have such an outcome."

His single statement brought tears to the eyes of all the Murong family members.

Jiang Luofu's expression shifted. To lift so many people at once... "This young man's cultivation is higher than I imagined."

Yet there were no elemental energy fluctuations from him, which was truly baffling.

For the Murong family, this period was the most perplexing aspect: they had always been loyal to the emperor and patriotic, so how had they become criminals condemned by everyone?

Just then, an elder in the innermost cell opened his eyes and let out a faint sigh, "Master Zu, you and I were once political opponents. Why would you help us?"

Murong Tong had been feigning sleep from the start, likely not wanting to meet him under such circumstances.

Zu An replied solemnly, "All I do is seek a clear conscience. No normal person could stand by idly in this situation."

"A clear conscience indeed," Murong Tong said, his eyes shining with admiration. "It seems I had misunderstood you before."

"Just different stances, hardly political enemies," Zu An smiled, then focused on the wounds on their bodies. "Why have you all been tortured so much?"

Jiang Luofu's delicate brows also furrowed slightly. "Precisely. I clearly arranged for people to look after you."

"Thank you, Miss Jiang. Indeed, many people secretly looked after us at first," Murong Tong sighed. "However, a few days ago, Prince Jin came here. He blamed the Emperor's death on us and ordered us to be tortured. How could anyone dare disobey him?"

"This Prince Jin is truly ridiculous. What does the Emperor's demise have to do with the Murong family?" Jiang Luofu said, somewhat indignant.

Chu Huanzhao was about to say that her brother-in-law had killed Prince Jin a few days ago, when suddenly the main door swung open. The previous jailer rushed in, flustered, "You need to leave quickly! Someone is here to interrogate the prisoners. Oh no, it's too late! Hurry, hide yourselves nearby!"