Chapter 2253: Ultimate Dream

When An Zu'an asked, the eunuch reported that it was a female Embroidered Envoy, and he instantly knew who it was.

When she entered, it was indeed Zhang Ziyuan, her model-like long legs particularly striking.

"Do you need something?" An Zu'an asked, curious about why she had come to see him.

"'I have a confidential matter to report that only the Regent can hear,' Zhang Ziyuan replied."

An Zu'an waved his hand, signaling for the eunuchs and palace maids to leave.

The attendants bowed and exited the Hall of Mental Cultivation. No one was foolish enough to suggest any danger.

Everyone had witnessed the Regent's immense power today; who in the world could possibly harm him?

After everyone had left, An Zu'an looked at Zhang Ziyuan and said, "You can speak now."

Zhang Ziyuan looked up, her gaze incredibly complex—a mix of admiration, surprise, and shock.

After a moment of hesitation, she bowed in the manner of an Embroidered Envoy. "Your subordinate greets Lord Eleven!"

An Zu'an's expression turned cold: "What are you talking about?"

Zhang Ziyuan sighed softly. "Your Lordship's disguise was truly flawless. However, I always wondered why Lord Xiao would so readily support the Regent in such a critical matter. It wasn't until I witnessed the Demon Sect Leader's close relationship with you that everything became clear."

"'How did it become clear?' An Zu'an asked, his expression calm, revealing nothing of his thoughts."

"'The last time I was with you in Qiu Chi was the most unforgettable adventure of my life; I remember every detail clearly,' Zhang Ziyuan said, gazing at him. 'Back then, the Demon Sect Leader shared an exceptionally close relationship with you, and today, I witnessed her similarly close relationship with the Regent. Given how proud the Demon Sect Leader is—and based on intelligence from the Embroidered Chamber, she never treats men with undue favor—how could she be so intimate with two different men? The only logical conclusion is that these two are, in fact, the same person.'"

"'Given your mastery of disguise, Your Lordship can assume countless forms. Since anyone could be you, why couldn't it be the Regent? Or perhaps this is your true identity, and Lord Eleven is merely one of your many aliases.'"

Zhang Ziyuan was a mix of excitement and nervousness. She had always greatly admired Lord Eleven, paying close attention to his affairs. Once she formed a hypothesis, connecting it with various past events, many details seemed to be confirmed.

Suddenly, her expression changed as she felt a terrifying pressure around her; the air became almost tangible.

It was as if an invisible pair of large hands were clutching her neck, lifting her entirely into the air.

An Zu'an stood on the steps, looking at her coldly. "I recall telling you last time that being too clever isn't always advantageous."

In truth, he felt a certain admiration. She was indeed the most outstanding silver-badge Embroidered Envoy of her time; her deductive reasoning skills far exceeded those of ordinary people. She had seen through his identity twice now.

Feeling the overwhelming presence of death, Zhang Ziyuan's legs instinctively thrashed and struggled in the air, but she couldn't break free in the slightest.

She struggled to claw at the invisible hands with her own, her pretty face turning scarlet. "You won't kill me, because you're a good person."

An Zu'an: "..."

He hadn't expected to be labeled a 'good person' in such a situation.

"'Oh, I just killed quite a few people, if I recall correctly. Many in the capital are secretly calling me a bloodthirsty demon, yet you say I'm a good person?'"

"'Because Your Lordship only kills those who deserve it,' Zhang Ziyuan managed to gasp, feeling increasingly breathless."

"'Then what makes you think you don't deserve to die?' An Zu'an looked at her coldly."

"'Because back then, our Zhang family was slaughtered for trying to save the former dynasty's prince, and only I survived,' Zhang Ziyuan quickly explained. She had no time to think, feeling on the verge of death—which was precisely An Zu'an's intention."

"'So you're counting on that to be so audacious?' An Zu'an snorted, dispelling the terrifying aura."

Zhang Ziyuan dropped from the air, landing on the ground. She rubbed her neck and gasped for breath, yet a smile spread across her face. "Of course not. The key is that Your Lordship is a good person; otherwise, I wouldn't dare court death like this."

An Zu'an: "..."

He walked up to her, looking down. "I don't understand why you would expose my identity. It offers you no benefit at all."

"'Because I wanted to know the real Lord Eleven,' Zhang Ziyuan said, looking up at him, her face seemingly radiant."

"'Didn't you know me before?' An Zu'an asked, annoyed."

"'That's different,' Zhang Ziyuan said, pursing her lips and carefully studying his face. 'The Lord Eleven I knew before was a mere symbol, hidden behind a mask. I didn't even know his appearance, so how could I truly say I knew him?'"

"'So now you've seen?' An Zu'an genuinely couldn't grasp this woman's thought process. Was she willing to take such a massive risk for this reason alone?"

"'Yes,' Zhang Ziyuan murmured, her eyes darting away, a blush spreading across her face."

When she was with Lord Eleven in Qiu Chi before, she had been very curious about his true appearance.

She subconsciously imagined him to be very handsome, but quickly regained her composure, concluding that Lord Eleven was handsome no matter his appearance.

Even his appearance in Qiu Chi had been handsome.

But she never expected Lord Eleven to be even more handsome than she had imagined.

And he was actually the Regent!

"'Although I don't wish to kill you, you know too much. Even if I'm reluctant, I must,' An Zu'an said, his face stern."

"Huh?" Zhang Ziyuan was instantly dumbfounded.

She reacted quickly, immediately saying, "But I'm on your side! From now on, I will follow your every command!"

An Zu'an sneered, "You won't even tell me which organization you're from. How can I trust someone of unknown origin like that?"

Zhang Ziyuan bit her lip, seemingly struggling internally.

But she quickly made up her mind. "For anyone else, I definitely wouldn't say, but since Your Lordship is asking..."

She paused before continuing, "The last time I was imprisoned, Tang Tian'er rescued me, and she was the one who sent me to the Demon Sect's headquarters."

Lord Eleven and the Regent were the two people she admired most in the world, and she was willing to trust his integrity.

"'Tang Tian'er?' An Zu'an was startled, a sweet-smiling face surfacing in his mind. He never expected it to be her. 'The eldest daughter of the Flying Horse Merchant Guild?'"

"'Yes, she is ostensibly the eldest daughter of the Flying Horse Merchant Guild, but in reality, she is an important figure in the Carefree Pavilion,' Zhang Ziyuan replied."

"You are indeed from the Carefree Pavilion." An Zu'an had already made a rough guess before, and it was now confirmed.

He already knew about Tang Tian'er's true identity within the Carefree Pavilion. It seemed her previous role as a courtesan there was merely a cover for her important status.

"'I am no longer with the Carefree Pavilion. My last trip to the Demon Sect in Qiu Chi was the final task I agreed to perform for them, as repayment for their kindness in saving me,' Zhang Ziyuan quickly explained."

"Why did she send you to the Demon Sect?"

"To disrupt the Shadow Pavilion's plans and prevent the Demon Sect from being controlled by them."

Hearing her answer, An Zu'an pondered, "How much do you know about the Shadow Pavilion?"

"'The Shadow Pavilion has always been mysterious; I don't know much.'"

An Zu'an frowned slightly. This organization was truly too mysterious; it made a fleeting appearance in every major incident but never left behind any incriminating evidence or clues.

An organization beyond control was indeed quite unsettling.

"'Then how much do you know about the Carefree Pavilion? Surely you aren't completely ignorant about them either,' An Zu'an said, looking at her."

Zhang Ziyuan replied, "This organization was initially founded by some loyalists and descendants of the Meng Dynasty, with the goal of protecting the Meng imperial bloodline and vowing to overthrow the Zhao family's rule. To raise necessary funds, the Carefree Pavilion began engaging in commerce, utilizing some secret treasures and information from the former imperial family. They indeed flourished in the business world, and their enterprises grew larger and larger."

"'As they grew wealthier, internal opinions seemed to diverge. Some became less concerned with restoring the dynasty, preferring to earn more money and enjoy life, while another group never forgot their original aspirations. Tang Tian'er served as a bridge between these two factions, facilitating communication.'"

At this point, she suddenly laughed. "However, all these people combined are no match for Your Lordship. You single-handedly replaced the Zhao family's dominion, successfully restoring the kingdom."

An Zu'an said blandly, "I have no interest in former dynasty princes or imperial descendants, nor is any vow to restore the kingdom relevant to me. I do all of this not for them, nor for any past grievances. Deliver a message to the Carefree Pavilion: considering their past struggles, they may pledge allegiance to the court, and I will make proper arrangements for them. If they harbor any other notions, tell them to abandon such thoughts immediately, or they will have no one but themselves to blame."

"'Understood!' Zhang Ziyuan seemed unsurprised by this answer. Given the Regent's current power and status, why would he care about such trivialities?"

Then she said with a beaming smile, "I've told Your Lordship all these confidential matters, in full detail. May I stay by your side now?"

Seeing her infinitely hopeful yet fearful gaze, An Zu'an's heart softened. Indeed, the Zhang family had sacrificed far too much back then. Moreover, now that he was in this position, he truly needed a trusted confidant to help him with many matters.

"Alright, you can stay by my side as a secretary."

"What's a secretary?" Zhang Ziyuan was startled.

An Zu'an thought for a moment and explained using the official titles of this world: "It's like a Palace Attendant Censor, someone who helps me handle daily affairs."

Zhang Ziyuan was overjoyed. "Great! From now on, whenever there's work, I, your secretary, will handle it!"

"What about when there's nothing to do?" Seeing her happy expression, An Zu'an's mood couldn't help but improve.

"Even when there's nothing to do, you can still find me to help!" Zhang Ziyuan patted her chest. "I guarantee I'll serve Your Lordship meticulously from now on."

An Zu'an: "???"

Seeing her clear and pure eyes, he then realized he had misunderstood.

Alas, it was the ultimate fantasy of countless otaku and keyboard warriors from his previous life, and he never expected to realize it himself in this alternate world.