Chapter 2254: Sisters Pranking Each Other

Upon seeing his reaction, Zhang Zitong was initially startled. She then realized the double meaning in her words and blushed deeply. "Your Excellency, I didn't mean that, please don't misunderstand. Of course, if you actually wanted to... oh dear, I really didn't mean that."

Normally, she handled cases with exceptional clarity and was very articulate, but now her words were disjointed, as if she had forgotten how to speak.

Seeing her flushed and anxious face, Zu'an smiled faintly. "Alright, I know what you meant. I originally intended to train you to be a Gold-Badge Embroidered Envoy, but now it seems a different arrangement is needed."

Zhang Zitong immediately grew anxious. "Oh, I can still continue as an Embroidered Envoy!"

Zu'an looked at her playfully. "Embroidered Envoys never deal with government affairs. Don't you think wanting both is a bit too greedy?"

"Huh? I just don't want to lose contact with Lord Eleven," Zhang Zitong hastily explained, recalling a cherished memory.

"Then you choose for yourself: either continue as an Embroidered Envoy or come work by my side." Zu'an's gaze seemed to pierce into her heart.

"I..." Zhang Zitong instantly became conflicted. She certainly wanted to stay by His Excellency's side, but her experience as an Embroidered Envoy was a cherished bond. For a moment, she didn't know which to choose.

Seeing her so conflicted, Zu'an smiled instead. "Never mind, I'll make an exception for you. You'll resume your Silver-Badge Embroidered Envoy status, but you won't interfere with the specific affairs of the Embroidered Tower. Additionally, you'll join me as a Palace Attendant, handling various daily matters for me, and also serve as a Palace Guard Commander, responsible for leading the palace guards."

Zhang Zitong rubbed her ears in disbelief. After she fully grasped the situation, her eyes reddened slightly. "Thank you, Your Excellency!"

She, of course, understood the immense favor this entailed. She was likely the only Embroidered Envoy to ever hold an official court position since the establishment of the Embroidered Envoys—excluding, of course, Lord Eleven's unique status.

Not only that, but she was also made responsible for leading the palace guards.

Her joy wasn't primarily for the official position, but rather for the trust he placed in her.

Both the secretarial role and the Palace Guard Commander position were roles typically given only to the most trusted and intimate associates.

His Excellency was incredibly good to her.

Could His Excellency... like her?

Thinking this, she became even happier.

Seeing her switch between tears and laughter, Zu'an couldn't help but chuckle.

He had previously heard the story of the Zhang family and was deeply moved.

At that time, when the Zhao imperial family was vigorously hunting down remnants of the previous dynasty and the entire court remained silent, they dared to risk everything to protect the former prince, ultimately suffering the annihilation of their entire family because of it.

Although he didn't endorse the identity of the former imperial descendant, how could he betray the sacrifice of such loyal and righteous individuals like the Zhang family?

Moreover, Zhang Zitong was genuinely likable. His experiences working with her on cases as an Embroidered Envoy had shown him that he greatly admired her abilities and character. Now, with a need for talent, he chose her.

"Alright, stop wiping your tears on my clothes. Tell me in detail about the internal situation of the Carefree Tower, and also tell me everything you know about the Shadow Tower."

"Your Excellency intends to deal with the Carefree Tower?" Zhang Zitong came back to her senses, a hint of worry in her voice.

"What if I do intend to deal with them?" Zu'an asked.

Zhang Zitong gritted her teeth. "If Your Excellency intends to deal with them, I will naturally help you plan."

Given his trust in her, how could she remain indecisive at such a moment? She had to sever all ties with other factions.

Only then did Zu'an nod in satisfaction. "Don't worry, the Carefree Tower has, to some extent, contributed positively. Why would I deal with them? I merely want to ensure that future arrangements allow everyone to fulfill their roles effectively."

Zhang Zitong immediately breathed a sigh of relief. After all, the Carefree Tower had helped her in the past, and she didn't wish to be their enemy.

She then happily continued chatting with him.

Meanwhile, in Yun Yuqing's bedchamber, the two sisters, through an exchange of information, learned of several romantic rivals they hadn't known about before, which made them quite irritated.

That Zu'an fellow was truly too much of a philanderer. What would they do with so many rivals in the future?

Yun Yuqing considered leveraging her elder sister's influence and forming an alliance with her martial niece, Hong Lei, to collectively contend with those "vixen" women in the future.

Yun Jianyue, however, was more composed. Although she was annoyed, she didn't want to get involved in these women's squabbles, as her status dictated that her relationship with Zu'an could never be public.

The only one giving her a headache was Hong Lei; that naive girl might end up rather isolated.

The sisters chatted for a long time, and as they talked, they gradually fell asleep in the same bed.

It was unclear how much time had passed, but both women were breathing steadily, their breaths soft and regular.

Yun Yuqing, whose eyes had been tightly closed, suddenly opened them. She secretly lifted the covers and got out of bed. Afraid of making noise, she carefully held her clothes in one hand and her shoes in the other, walking barefoot on the floor.

When she reached the door, she was still a little uneasy. She looked back at the sleeping woman on the bed and whispered, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz, "Sister?"

She beckoned while calling out.

Seeing no reaction from the other woman, she finally relaxed completely.

She carefully closed the door and then, feeling lighthearted, "flew" out.

As soon as she left, Yun Jianyue, who had been sound asleep, instantly opened her eyes.

Thinking of her sister's little movements just now, she couldn't help but sneer inwardly. That girl truly had good acting skills; on the one hand, she said she was going to sleep, but now she was secretly sneaking off to find Ah Zu.

She would have to remind Hong Lei later to be more vigilant; these women were all cunning.

She turned over, intending to continue sleeping, but for some reason, she couldn't. She just felt an irritation in her heart, as if a breeze had rippled a spring pond.

Images of her earlier time with Zu'an in the palace surfaced in her mind—the awkwardness and shyness of their interrupted moment, the thrilling sensation of the entire encounter.

She tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep, and finally just sat up. Her normally dignified and aloof face now had two patches of red. "I'm just going to see what that girl Yuqing is up to, and incidentally, discuss the highest realms of martial arts with Ah Zu."

Murmuring to herself, she got dressed and soon vanished from the room.

Meanwhile, outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Zhang Zitong stood with an exceptionally straight back.

She was already tall, and now, dressed in a general's uniform, she looked even more valiant and spirited.

Many imperial guards secretly cast glances at her, their eyes filled with admiration.

However, no one dared to harbor any improper thoughts. Everyone now knew that this woman was their future superior, and she used to be an Embroidered Envoy.

Embroidered Envoys were notoriously ruthless, and no one wanted to be captured and taken to the Embroidered Tower.

More importantly, she had been personally appointed by the Regent King, reportedly even as a Palace Attendant, not only to protect the Regent King but also to handle his daily affairs.

Everyone understood what that implied.

Zhang Zitong could sense their gazes, feeling both shy and triumphant. She didn't actually mind being misunderstood in this way; after all, she greatly admired Lord Eleven...

She was still excited thinking about her first long conversation with His Excellency in his true identity.

His Excellency was truly so handsome...

Just then, her heart suddenly tightened, and her gaze sharply turned to a certain spot. "Who's there!"

As she spoke, she lunged toward the spot. What a joke! On her very first day in office, if an assassin managed to approach His Excellency, she might as well buy a block of tofu and commit suicide by smashing her head against it.

The other guards also reacted swiftly and followed suit.

"It's me." Yun Yuqing was also embarrassed. She had intended to sneak in to find Zu'an without alerting anyone, but was this person a cat? How could she have been discovered?

Yun Jianyue, who had followed, subtly curved her lips upward. Her sister was truly an idiot, completely disgracing their demonic lineage.

Without a moment's hesitation, she seized the opportunity while the Hall of Mental Cultivation guards were distracted. She merged with the moonlight and silently slipped into the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

"Princess Consort Wu?" Zhang Zitong recognized the "assassin's" face, and her expression instantly became very strange. She had heard rumors about the day's events.

This woman coming to find His Excellency in the middle of the night was truly like a weasel paying respects to a chicken.