Chapter 435: Regret

King Liang, standing nearby, smiled without a word. Liu Yao, being the Empress's uncle, naturally represented the Crown Prince's interests. King Wu, however, was not born of the Empress, and thus was fundamentally at odds with the Liu clan, instinctively wary of them.

Unlike the Liu family, it mattered little to King Liang which prince ascended the throne; his own status would remain unaffected.

He smiled and changed the subject, saying, "Instead of worrying about King Wu, we should consider other factions. While that young man Zu An is annoying, there's some truth to what he said. It won't be long before people hear the news and arrive."

Liu Yao said resentfully, "That brat is truly detestable! He deliberately spread news of the *Phoenix Nirvana Sutra* everywhere. Had I known, I would have ordered Moonfall City sealed off to prevent any leaks."

King Liang gave a bitter laugh. "How could it be sealed off? Many factions possess their own unique communication methods, allowing them to relay messages without anyone leaving the city. Moreover, City Lord Xie Yi is aligned with King Qi. Do you honestly expect him to obediently seal the city for you?"

Liu Yao snorted. "These individuals are all openly defiant. Once the Crown Prince ascends the throne, we'll settle accounts with each and every one of them!"

King Liang gave a light cough. "Brother Liu, mind your words."

Liu Yao was startled, realizing he had spoken out of turn. When could the Crown Prince ascend the throne? Only after the Emperor's demise.

Wasn't he, in effect, cursing the Emperor to die?

It was well known that the Emperor had been exceptionally sensitive about this matter for years. There was once an imperial chef who, while slaughtering a chicken, uttered the word "death." The Emperor happened to overhear it while passing by, and had the chef executed...

"Thank you for the reminder, Your Royal Highness." A trace of gratitude appeared on Liu Yao's face.

King Liang smiled. "Don't mention it. The upcoming period will undoubtedly be challenging. We will need to stand united and work together."

Were it not for his continued reliance on Liu Yao and his imperial guards, King Liang would not have bothered with whether the man was courting disaster.

Liu Yao was somewhat dismissive. "After all, this is an imperial criminal specifically named by the Emperor. We are personally escorting him with the imperial guards, and the Embroidered Uniform Envoys are also accompanying us. Do you think anyone would dare to openly seize him?"

King Liang sighed softly. "Longevity… it's something countless people dream of. Furthermore, who knows how many individuals in this world would prefer the Emperor *not* to live long?"

Liu Yao immediately fell silent. Let alone others, even... likely harbored no wish for the Emperor's prolonged life.

Compared to the troubled atmosphere in the front carriage, the mood in the carriage behind was significantly more cheerful.

Zheng Dan huddled in a corner, her face crimson with embarrassment. "You scoundrel, why did you drag me into this carriage as well?"

Zu An smiled faintly. "What's wrong? Isn't it better to rest comfortably in a carriage than to endure the wind and sun in the prisoner cart?"

As he spoke, he surveyed the carriage's interior. Liu Yao certainly spared no expense; the carriage was as lavishly appointed as a Rolls-Royce.

Hearing his words, Zheng Dan realized he must have seen her attempting to shield herself from the sun just moments before, which was why he had spoken up and demanded a change of carriage. Everyone else assumed he was causing a scene, but only she understood he was doing it for her. A warmth spread through her heart at this realization.

However, being alone with him in an enclosed space, in full view of so many people, made her wonder how she would ever face anyone again.

"Come, massage my legs," Zu An said, placing his legs directly on her lap. "I've been in the prisoner cart for too long; my legs are a bit numb."

Zheng Dan jumped in surprise, quickly pointing outside.

Zu An dismissed her concern. "Don't worry, the prisoner cart is far away. They won't hear anything from in here."

Zheng Dan, both embarrassed and annoyed, quickly pointed to the side of the carriage. Her concerns weren't just about Sang Qian; the Embroidered Uniform Envoys were also guarding the carriage nearby.

Zu An understood. "Ah, I brought you from that miserable prisoner cart into this comfortable carriage. What's wrong with you gratefully massaging my legs? Commander Huang, wouldn't you agree?" He directed the latter part of his sentence to the outside.

A grunt quickly came from Huang Huihong outside the carriage. "Don't go too far. Her husband is still watching from behind."

"Understood. Commander Huang means a little playful teasing is acceptable," Zu An chuckled. "As for Sang Qian, let him look all he wants; he can't see anything anyway."

Huang Huihong was speechless.

*Was that what I meant, dammit?*

But he couldn't be bothered to respond. This man was simply too troublesome. His only task was to safely deliver him to the capital. As for anything else, he couldn't care less, especially since it wasn't *his* wife being made a fool of.

Only then did Zu An smile at Zheng Dan. "See? He has no objections now."

Zheng Dan lightly bit her red lip. With things having come to this, she had no choice but to cast a resentful glance at him before gently beginning to massage his legs.

In truth, they had done these things many times in private, but with so many people outside now, she found herself truly unable to relax.

"Ah, Miss Zheng's delicate hands are as comfortable as ever," Zu An said, smiling as he looked at her. Zheng Dan was already alluring, but in the vibrant red wedding gown, she appeared even more radiant and captivating.

Zheng Dan's heart pounded. Fortunately, there was no unusual activity outside, so they likely hadn't noticed the implied meaning in his words.

Zu An patted his thigh, signaling for her to sit on it.

Zheng Dan jumped in alarm, shaking her head frantically. What kind of joke was this? With so many people outside constantly monitoring the carriage's movements, if she were discovered, how could she ever show her face again?

Zu An mouthed silently, "Don't worry, I won't do anything. I just want to hold you. After all, who knows how many more chances I'll have to hold you."

Zheng Dan's face darkened. Indeed, while she and the Sang family might still have a chance at survival, Zu An had deeply offended the Emperor. This journey to the capital was almost certainly a death sentence for him.

At this thought, she no longer hesitated. She slowly moved closer and embraced him tightly, the two distressed souls clinging to each other for warmth.

Feeling her body tremble slightly, and knowing that she wasn't as strong as she appeared, Zu An gently patted her shoulder, comforting her.

He, at least, had some resources to rely on. But her? A young girl enduring so much.

"Thank you." Feeling his thoughtfulness, a wave of warmth spread through Zheng Dan's heart.

"Do we really need to say such things between us?" With Zheng Dan, a warm and soft beauty, in his arms—especially in her bridal gown today, which made her appear even more enchanting than usual—a surge of heat rose within Zu An.

Just then, soft red lips pressed against his. This kiss truly ignited a tempest, and Zu An could no longer hold back, embracing the beauty in his arms tightly.

Zheng Dan seemed to be using this to release the fear, dread, despair, and other negative emotions that had accumulated in her heart over the past few days, throwing herself into it passionately.

Zu An caressed her voluptuous body, only to suddenly realize something frustrating: the wedding dress, beautiful as it was, was too luxurious and cumbersome. He couldn't find a way to unfasten it.

Zheng Dan held his hand, biting her lip and shaking her head slightly. Her dewy, expressive eyes seemed to remind him that with so many people outside, a secret kiss was one thing, but proceeding further was absolutely out of the question for her.

Zu An's finger gently traced words on her skin: "We just won't make a sound."

Zheng Dan's heart pounded wildly, and her expression betrayed a hint of hesitation.

Seeing her less-than-resolute stance, Zu An seized the opportunity to press his advantage.

Zheng Dan's passion was quickly ignited by him, and she responded by wrapping her arms around his neck.

A moment later, Zheng Dan suddenly offered a shy smile, then reached out and began unbuttoning her dress.

Zu An quickly grabbed her hand, mouthing silently, "Don't take it off. It's more interesting with it on."

Zheng Dan gave him a resentful glare. They were already as intimate as could be; how could she not understand a man's intentions?

Zu An's finger slowly traced words on her palm: "Your wedding lacked a wedding night. To prevent you from having a lifelong regret, I'll make up for it."

Zheng Dan was both embarrassed and annoyed, unable to resist biting him fiercely. Could a wedding night truly be "made up" by someone other than the groom?