Chapter 427: Deadlock

When Zu An remained silent, Mi Li thought he was somewhat disheartened, so she comforted him gently, "Don't worry. With such a divine artifact in your hands, a martial arts manual that everyone dreams of, and a legendary super-tier talent, you don't need to fret over these temporary difficulties."

Zu An looked at her, a little surprised. "Empress Sister, I never realized your voice was so beautiful when you're gentle. I'm still a bit unaccustomed to it."

Mi Li was speechless.

"Do I have to be harsh with you for you to get used to it? Are you a glutton for punishment?"

Zu An chuckled. "No, no, not at all. Of course, I prefer you gentle, but not too gentle, because then you'd lose your majestic queenly charm."

"Get lost!" Mi Li was momentarily speechless and finally couldn't be bothered with him. She quickly faded away, sinking back into slumber.

"Who knows if this woman is truly asleep each time?" Zu An muttered to himself as he walked to the window, looking towards the Chu family residence, his expression thoughtful.

Meanwhile, at the Chu residence, Liu Yao led the imperial guards inside to search everywhere.

Since both the Chu couple and the Crimson-Robed Army had been suppressed by the imperial decree, they were no longer able to resist.

Jiang Luofu, standing nearby, frowned deeply. She had originally come to mediate, but with the Emperor personally intervening to suppress the Chu family, her attempts at reconciliation were meaningless. The only thing she could do was see if she could protect the Chu family.

As for Zu An, she could only hope for the best for him. This fellow, she wondered what he had done to offend the Emperor to bring about such a monumental disaster.

She fell into contemplation: If she reported his super-tier talent to the imperial court, she wondered if the Emperor would pardon his death sentence because of it. After all, such legendary talent was rare, seen only once in a thousand years.

However, jealousy of the talented is human nature. Especially now that the Emperor wanted to apprehend him, if the Emperor knew his potential was so great, would it not solidify the Emperor's resolve to eliminate him?

For a moment, she was deeply conflicted. Her nature had always been firm and decisive; she had never been like this before.

At this moment, Prince Liang stepped forward with a chuckle. "Now, everyone should believe that I wasn't just talking nonsense, right? Principal Jiang, City Lord Xie, do either of you have any objections?"

Jiang Luofu frowned but remained silent.

Xie Yi, standing nearby, quickly offered a conciliatory smile. "No objections, no objections. Everything is at Prince Liang's discretion."

It was no joke; the moment the imperial decree was issued, the overwhelming pressure still made him tremble with lingering fear. For a moment, he couldn't help but doubt his decision to side with Prince Qi. However, things had come to this, and it was impossible to change allegiances. Fortunately, the Emperor's lifespan wasn't long. He should report today's events to Prince Qi as soon as he returned so Prince Qi could make an early decision.

Xie Daoyun, standing beside him, bit her lip tightly. There was nothing she could do about her father's behavior. It was indeed no longer up to the Xie family to decide.

She hoped Azu could escape successfully.

By this time, Liu Yao had already led his men in a thorough search of the entire Chu residence. He came out, shaking his head. "He's not here."

Prince Liang looked at the Chu couple and said, "Duke Mingyue, you heard the imperial decree just now, didn't you? If you don't hand Zu An over within three days, your entire Chu family will be buried with that boy." Thinking of how the other party had made him look pathetic just now by outnumbering him, and now seeing them dispirited, he felt a surge of satisfaction.

Chu Zhongtian and Qin Wanru exchanged a glance, their faces extremely pale.

Qin Wanru couldn't help but say, "You've searched everywhere; Azu isn't here. What do you expect us to hand over?"

Prince Liang said coldly, "That's your problem. I don't care. Whose fault is it that Zu An is your son-in-law, anyway?" After speaking, he left some imperial guards to stand watch near the Chu family residence. He himself returned to rest. Why stand here in the cold when a comfortable rest awaited him?

"Oh, right. I heard that the Immortal's Abode in Brightmoon City is quite good, and it seems there's a courtesan named Qiu Honglei whose beauty is renowned far and wide. I should go experience it today." However, it might look bad if he suggested it himself. Why were the local officials of Brightmoon City so clueless? Shouldn't they take the initiative to entertain him?

As if sensing his displeasure, Xie Yi, who was nearby, seemed to awaken to the situation and quickly approached with an ingratiating smile. "Prince Liang, General Wei, you must be tired from your journey. After traveling such a long distance to Brightmoon City, I, your humble servant, would like to host you and invite both of you to experience the local customs of Brightmoon City."

Prince Liang was secretly delighted, but on his face, he feigned difficulty as he stroked his beard. "Wouldn't that be inappropriate? That would be too much trouble for Lord Xie."

"No trouble at all, no trouble," Xie Yi said with a smile. "Your humble servant also wishes to hear the Prince and General Liu speak of the customs of the capital."

Liu Yao, standing nearby, burst into laughter. "If Lord Xie has the opportunity in the future, I, this general, will certainly take you to experience it, hahaha!"

Seeing her father's somewhat obsequious manner, Xie Daoyun, from a distance, lightly massaged her forehead. She, who had always been refined and upright, disliked such things, but she did not feel any contempt for her father because of it. Born into an official's family, she knew well that such social niceties and exchanges were common in officialdom. While she herself spent her days composing poetry and her younger brother only indulged in frivolous affairs, her father had shouldered everything alone.

After everyone had left, Xie Daoyun walked over to comfort the Chu couple. "Duke Mingyue, Lady Chu, are you alright? Would you like me to ask Divine Doctor Ji to come see you?"

Chu Zhongtian shook his head. "These minor injuries are nothing." Then, thinking of the uncertain future of the Chu family, he couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

Xie Daoyun said, "Uncle, you don't need to worry too much. There will be a solution in the end." Although she said this, in reality, she couldn't think of any actual solution.

Qin Wanru, standing nearby, said, "Thank you very much, Miss Xie, for your earlier help." How could she not see that it was Xie Daoyun who had just invited Xie Yi over? She also knew that Xie Daoyun had previously helped Zu An enter the city. While grateful, she couldn't help but feel a little strange. When had she and Azu become so close? That fellow Azu had no other particular talents, but his luck with women was truly first-rate. Normally, she might worry a bit for her daughter, but now she wished Zu An had as many female confidantes as possible, as they could provide him with assistance. Ideally, one of them would be a princess or someone of similar high standing. That way, perhaps they could get past the Emperor's obstacle.

Huh? Wait a minute. The Emperor kept claiming Azu stole something from him. Could it be that he stole his daughter?

"You're too kind, Lady." Xie Daoyun was worried about what Zu An would do next and clearly had no mind for further conversation. After a few polite words, she left, preoccupied.

Jiang Luofu also came over to the couple and said softly, "Your esteemed daughter has been settled by Azu in the academy's teachers' dormitory. Given the current situation, I've temporarily told her not to return. You don't need to worry. Even if something unexpected happens, I will protect her safety." Her unspoken message was clear: if the Chu family were indeed to fall, she would help protect Chu Huanzhao.

A flicker of gratitude passed through the Chu couple's eyes. "Thank you, Principal!" Even the Emperor had personally intervened. Given the circumstances, they dared not hope for any further turn of events. For someone to help them preserve a trace of their family line at this time was an immense kindness.

Qin Wanru then asked, "By the way, is Azu at the academy?"

Jiang Luofu shook her head. "No one knows where he is right now."

Qin Wanru breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good. If Principal Jiang encounters him, please tell him for me to absolutely not come back. They have set up an inescapable trap here, waiting for him." Although Prince Liang and Liu Yao had left, the ten Embroidered Uniform Guards were still there, and the imperial guards remained. The Chu family no longer had the means to resist them. "Also tell him to find Chu Yan, go to the capital to rescue her brother, and then find a place to live in anonymity and live a good life, and prevent Chu Yan from seeking revenge."

Hearing the despair in her tone, as if she were giving her last wishes, Jiang Luofu frowned slightly but still nodded in agreement. "Alright."

For the next three days, the Chu family spent nearly all their time in meetings, trying to find a way out. Unfortunately, all their proposed solutions were rejected because this situation appeared to be a dead end no matter how they looked at it.

Suddenly, an elder in the family, leaning on his staff, cursed, "It's all that jinx Zu An's fault!" With his opening, more people began to curse Zu An.