Chapter 567: 京城

Chu Chuyan's expression subtly changed. "Watch your words!" She glanced around for a moment, and seeing no one paying attention outside, she whispered, "The Embroidered Uniform Guards are the Emperor's eyes and ears, and Zhu Xie Chixin is among the Emperor's closest confidants. If word of this reaches the Emperor, you'll be risking your life."

Zu An, however, was indifferent. He shrugged. "My situation is already so bad; a few more troubles won't make a difference. If the Emperor finds out, he finds out."

Chu Chuyan gently held his hand, comforting him softly, and after a moment, said, "Actually, there are similar rumors circulating among the people about what you just mentioned, but no one has any evidence; it's all just speculation."

Zu An couldn't help but laugh. "How could anyone other than those involved have evidence for something like that? Speaking of which, all the Emperor's other sons are clever, so why is the Crown Prince the only one who's a fool?"

Chu Chuyan's delicate brows furrowed slightly. "There are many theories about this. The demon race claims it's retribution for the Emperor's extensive blood debt, while among humans, there's a rumor that the Crown Prince might have been manipulated when he was young, leading to his current symptoms... But these are just rumors; they might not be true."

"There's no smoke without fire," Zu An mused, falling into deep thought.

After discussing serious matters, the two began to converse about more personal things. Chu Chuyan softly said, "Ah Zu, thank you so much for what you did for the Chu family. Without your help, the Chu family would truly have been beyond redemption. I haven't had a chance to formally thank you."

Zu An chuckled, "You're my wife; if I don't help you, who will I help?"

Chu Chuyan shook her head. "Even among married couples, few would go to such lengths. Aren't there countless stories of spouses, like birds from the same forest, scattering when disaster strikes? Moreover, you put yourself in grave danger for the Chu family. I doubt there are many husbands in the world who would do what you did."

Zu An leaned back. "When you put it like that, I really do feel a bit great. So, how do you plan to thank me? It can't just be a verbal thank you, that would be far too insincere."

Chu Chuyan's cheeks flushed faintly. She suddenly leaned in and kissed his cheek.

Just as she thought of pulling away, her slender waist was naturally embraced by him, and then a dry, fervent kiss landed on her lips.

Chu Chuyan's body tensed, but she quickly relaxed, gently responding to her lover.

Her mind felt a bit muddled, but after a moment, she suddenly felt a chill on her body. She quickly snapped back to reality and hastily pushed him away.

She had allowed his hand to slip inside her robe, but then he started trying to remove her clothes!

The thought of so many people outside the carriage made her usually pristine, snow-white cheeks turn a deep crimson.

This scoundrel's tactics were becoming increasingly refined; he had likely honed them on Manman in the secret realm.

The thought made her grind her teeth in annoyance, so she leaned in and bit his shoulder hard.

"Hiss!" Zu An hissed, sucking in a sharp breath. Where did this woman's little grievance come from?

Was she upset about his actions just now? But they were clearly an old married couple; how could he have known she was jealous of another woman?

"I'll go out first; it's not good to stay in the carriage constantly," Chu Chuyan huffed. After tidying her clothes, she exited the carriage.

Zu An looked disgruntled. Bored, he began to examine his storage space, using the free time to organize his skills, lest he forget something again, like when he overlooked the Primordial Chaos Sutra's restraining effect on evil spirits in the Yin Ruins secret realm.

He suddenly found a secret manual, the "Flame Blade" saber technique. Previously, he couldn't cultivate it as he hadn't awakened fire elemental abilities. Now, he could utilize Daji's fire elemental power, making it the perfect time to try practicing.

Zu An even specifically summoned Daji, hoping she could practice as well, given her fire elemental abilities. However, without a soul, she was unable to cultivate, so Zu An gave up after many attempts.

"I should have let Manman practice this if I'd known," he mused. However, Zu An immediately recalled the battle techniques Pei Mianman had previously displayed, which could manifest as fire dragons or roses. He figured they were no worse than this technique, and felt a slight sense of relief.

He quickly calmed himself and began to cultivate, mentally simulating the various saber techniques from the "Flame Blade" manual. His only regret was not being able to try them out in person.

There were no further incidents along the way. It seemed word had spread about Zhu Xie Chixin, Prince Liang, Liu Yao, and the significant number of Embroidered Uniform Guards and Imperial Guards accompanying them. Unless an open rebellion was mounted with a large-scale siege, small groups of assassins would be no match for them.

As they drew closer to the capital, the worry on Chu Chuyan's face deepened. She suddenly felt a pang of regret; at a time like this, she had actually allowed herself to be jealous earlier.

When several Imperial Guard officers came over to flirt with her, she felt utterly annoyed. She briefly humored them, then quickly retreated into the carriage to hide.

Those officers watched her graceful figure, unable to help but exclaim, "She truly is a celestial fairy descended to the mortal realm. How can that fellow named Zu be so incredibly lucky?"

"Lucky? We're almost at the capital. He doesn't have many days left to live."

"Forget a few days; if I could be Miss Chu's husband for just one day, I'd gladly die tomorrow."

"What a simp."

"Are you unwilling?"

"Of course not. I'd need at least two days."

Inside the carriage, Zu An chuckled. "It seems your charm truly is immense."

Chu Chuyan's cheeks were faintly flushed, and she lightly scoffed, "Even you're mocking me now."

She had also vaguely overheard their discussions, and while slightly annoyed, she wouldn't actually harm them. Cutting out tongues over a simple disagreement was a habit of demonesses, not her own nature.

She suddenly wrinkled her nose. "Hmm, what's that peculiar scent?"

Zu An broke into a cold sweat. It must have been Daji's lingering scent from when he had summoned her in the carriage earlier. It was peculiar, though; Daji no longer had a soul, so she couldn't possibly wear perfume. He wondered where the scent was coming from.

He also mused that women's noses were truly like a dog's; they were so sensitive to scents that weren't their own, even though to men, they all smelled more or less the same—just fragrant.

He certainly wouldn't dare summon Daji now and introduce her. She had been jealous just a few days ago; bringing out another woman now would only cause more trouble.

He decided to wait until she had calmed down.

Zu An quickly changed the subject. "Didn't you say it was inconvenient? Why have you been spending more and more time in the carriage lately?"

Chu Chuyan sighed softly. "Ah Zu, we'll reach the capital in three days."

Zu An paused, realizing she was worried about his safety. In her view, his journey to the capital was a matter of life or death.

Moved by her concern, he couldn't help but gently pull her into his embrace. "Don't worry, wife. Although this journey is dangerous, there is still hope for survival..."

He didn't continue, as a pair of soft lips pressed against his.

Though startled, he quickly understood; she was likely being so proactive because she believed they might soon face a separation of life and death.

Pity filled Zu An's heart, and he tightly embraced her slender waist.

Suddenly, Chu Chuyan gently raised her hand, and faint ice and snow seemed to swirl around them.

"What's this?" Zu An asked, curious.

Chu Chuyan's cheeks were as radiant as peach blossoms, and her voice was a mere whisper. "This can block sounds from inside and out..."

Zu An's heart skipped a beat. He never expected her, usually so aloof and reserved, to be so proactive. Unable to resist any longer, he immediately embraced her.

"Don't... don't pull at my clothes, otherwise... otherwise, if someone comes in later, there won't be time," Chu Chuyan whispered, biting her lip. She never imagined such words would come from her own mouth.

But recalling how much Zu An had sacrificed for her, she gradually calmed.

Zu An agreed; if they were discovered, he would be the one to suffer the consequences. So he no longer insisted, and the two cooperated as much as they could.

The couple, recently wed, had been forced apart for a long time due to family turmoil. Now, their reunion was truly more precious than countless earthly encounters.

Chu Chuyan gritted her teeth, enduring. Despite having set up a barrier around them, she subconsciously dared not make a sound, yet the more she tried to suppress herself, the more her body became... uncontrollable.

Meanwhile, outside, the Imperial Guard officers occasionally glanced toward the carriage:

"Why does the carriage seem to be shaking a bit? Could it be..."

"Silence! Miss Chu is a fairy-like being; she wouldn't be doing what you're imagining."

"You're right, hehe... But they are husband and wife, after all. With them cooped up in the carriage, it's hard not to imagine things."

"You don't need to worry too much about it. That fellow named Zu won't live for many more days. When Miss Chu becomes single again, everyone can try their luck."

"I don't aspire for Miss Chu's favor. I'd be content just to exchange a few more words with her."

"Pfft, you simp. I'm ashamed to be associated with you."

Who knows how much time passed, but the unattainable fairy in their minds was now lying in Zu An's arms like a pliant mass, the blush on her face and the sweet delight in her expression clearly showing how happy she had just been.

"Ah Zu, when we get out, I'll go on ahead. I'll see you again in the capital," Chu Chuyan said, her fingers gently caressing her lover's cheek, her eyes filled with reluctance to part.

Zu An knew she intended to plead with her grandfather to save him. Though he knew there was little hope, he didn't want to dampen her spirits. He lowered his head and kissed her luscious red lips. "Let everything take its course; there's no need to force it. You must believe that I have my own ways."

Chu Chuyan hummed in assent, shifting her position like a kitten. She simply wished to lie there like that forever and ever...

Alas, they eventually had to part. She rested for a while, feeling her strength gradually return, and then departed.

For the remainder of the journey, Zu An was bored by himself. Fortunately, three days later, they arrived at the capital.

Gazing at the majestic city gates before him, Zu An felt a slight stir of emotion, sensing a subtle pressure on his body as they entered the city.

As if discerning his confusion, Zhu Xie Chixin explained, "The capital is guarded by a grand formation that suppresses and deters all manner of nefarious individuals. Flight is prohibited at all times, and anyone who attempts to fly will be met with a counter-attack from the formation. Don't say I didn't warn you."

Zu An smiled faintly. "Anyway, I won't be alive for many more days in this capital, so these restrictions mean nothing to me."

Zhu Xie Chixin was startled. "You're quite open-minded. It's late today, so you'll stay in the city for the night and accompany me into the palace tomorrow morning."

Zu An's brows furrowed. What a joke. He possessed the method of immortality that the Emperor specifically desired. Forget about it being late; even if the Emperor were with a concubine, he'd surely summon him immediately upon learning of his arrival, wouldn't he?

Why stay outside for another night, merely introducing more variables?

Something is amiss!