Chapter 636: Placeholder

Qiu Honglei snorted, "I just can't stand her acting like the legitimate wife. It was understandable last time we visited the Chu residence—she *was* your wife then. But now the Chu family has abandoned you for their own protection. How can she still have the nerve?"

Zu An sighed, "It's not quite as you imagine. That was the best choice at the time, and the Chu family has actually been helping me in secret since then."

Qiu Honglei pouted, "Still, they abandoned you."

Zu An fell silent. He understood that a prominent family, when making any decision, must consider the interests of many and never act based solely on personal likes or dislikes. Therefore, he comprehended the Chu family's actions. However, despite his understanding, he still felt a sense of loss, realizing that after transmigrating to this world, he didn't truly have a home.

Seeing his dejected expression, Qiu Honglei took his hand. "Alright," she said, "actually, my motives aren't entirely pure either. I just don't want to see her acting as the legitimate wife."

Zu An smiled, then reached out and pulled her into his embrace. "You're a demonic sect enchantress," he said, "so acting like this is perfectly normal."

Following their recent intimate moment, their relationship progressed by leaps and bounds. Qiu Honglei naturally snuggled into his arms, savoring the tender time that had just been interrupted.

However, Zu An hadn't forgotten his reason for leaving the palace. He first headed to a shop on the street to buy a hammock. Qiu Honglei, who was accompanying him, saw this and asked curiously, "What are you buying that for?"

"It's for your master, of course," Zu An explained. "It's highly inconvenient for a man and a woman to be alone together."

Qiu Honglei's eyes suddenly widened. "So, you and Master slept in the same bed last night?"

Zu An's face flushed. There was no way he would admit to such a loaded question. He quickly retorted, "How could that be? Even if I were willing, would your master agree?"

Qiu Honglei pursed her lips and smiled. "That's true," she conceded. "It's a miracle she didn't just slap you to death."

Zu An thought to himself, *More than a mere slap, the kick she gave me this morning still aches.*

After purchasing the hammock, Zu An headed back to the palace to report for duty at the East Palace. Given the major incident that had occurred there yesterday, it would be highly improper for him, as the Crown Prince's attendant, to be absent.

Meanwhile, Qiu Honglei followed Yun Jianyue's instructions, heading to the sect's branch in the capital to contact the cult members who had escaped the previous night, proceeding according to their initial plan.

The two reluctantly parted ways. Watching his receding figure, Qiu Honglei let out a soft sigh. She wondered why she had been so possessive today; despite her cultivation making intimacy with him impossible for a long time, she had still insisted on confronting Chu Chuyan.

However, remembering her previous visit to the Chu family had always left her feeling disgruntled. After finally confronting Chu Chuyan directly, her mind felt unburdened.

On his way to the Imperial Palace, Zu An's system continuously received intermittent rage points from Chu Chuyan. He mused, *I've really upset her this time. I need to find a way to alleviate her resentment.*

However, he was currently spread too thin and could only proceed into the palace for now.

Upon entering the Imperial Palace, Zu An feigned ignorance as he approached the former site of the East Palace. Gazing at the flattened grounds, he suitably expressed his astonishment.

Just then, a voice from beside him called out, "Isn't that Lord Zu?"

Zu An turned to see a guard with prominent dark circles under his eyes approaching him. He couldn't help but smile. "Ah, it's Lord Piao," he said.

Piao Duandiao was somewhat surprised. As a guard, it was his duty to recognize everyone entering and exiting the East Palace, so his recognition of Zu An was no surprise. However, he hadn't expected this newly appointed Crown Prince's attendant to know his name—a far cry from the haughty Shi Kun who had held the position previously.

Piao Duandiao immediately felt a strong sense of goodwill. "Lord Zu," he explained, "yesterday, assassins attacked the East Palace, and a Grandmaster even arrived. His Majesty personally intervened, and the aftermath of the battle shook this entire area to dust."

Zu An feigned concern as he asked, "Are the Crown Prince and Crown Princess alright?"

"They're fine, just a little shaken," Piao Duandiao replied enthusiastically. "Another palace has been found to serve as the temporary East Palace. I'll take you there."

Those serving in the palace adhered to the principle of never offending anyone unnecessarily. Furthermore, this man was quite to his liking, so Piao Duandiao naturally wished to forge a good connection.

"Thank you, Lord Piao," Zu An said, cupping his hands. After their interaction the previous night, he knew Piao Duandiao was a man who enjoyed showing off and valued his reputation, so he naturally played to those preferences.

The address "Lord Piao" made Piao Duandiao feel entirely at ease, and his gaze towards Zu An became even friendlier.

As they walked, the two chatted casually. Piao Duandiao increasingly found Zu An to be a remarkably talented individual with pleasant conversation. He resolved to introduce him to Jiao Sigun next time.

Soon, they arrived at the new East Palace. Zu An first went to pay his respects to the Crown Prince. Unfortunately, the portly young man had been so frightened last night that he was listless today, with no inclination even to play, and naturally couldn't be bothered to engage with Zu An.

Zu An didn't mind; he was content to be unnoticed, though doing nothing at all was a bit boring.

A little while later, he inquired among those nearby and learned that the Crown Prince's Junior Tutor had also sustained serious injuries the previous night. Given the significant incident, there would be no lessons today.

He wondered if he could seize the opportunity to slip away, eager to boost his favorability with the Cult Leader sister... no, he corrected himself, he was eager to deliver a message to Honglei's master on her behalf.

He reasoned that if he just stepped out for a while and then returned, no one would likely notice his brief absence.

He stealthily made his way to the doorway, only to suddenly collide with a graceful figure entering.

Recognizing the person, Zu An was greatly alarmed and quickly recoiled several steps. "Greetings, Crown Princess!" he exclaimed.

The last time, he had accidentally embraced her while saving her life, and the stingy Emperor had threatened to cut off his hand. If he were to bump into her again today, he couldn't imagine what appendage might be next.

The Crown Princess was equally startled, hastily stepping back before steadying herself. Her abrupt movement caused the jade pendants adorning her gown to clink together, producing a series of clear, melodious sounds.

However, her mood was clearly not so pleasant. She frowned and asked, "Where are you going?"

Zu An, of course, dared not admit he was trying to skip work. After a moment's thought, he explained, "I just need to relieve myself."

The Crown Princess wrinkled her delicate brows with a look of disdain. "You're late today," she stated.

Zu An's face flushed. Having spent time with Qiu Honglei, he had naturally been delayed. "The main reason," he explained, "is that security checks are very strict both inside and outside the palace, with patrolling soldiers everywhere. That's why I was delayed."

This woman had reverted to her imperious and stern demeanor. Her gentle, soft-spoken manner from yesterday was far more appealing.

The Crown Princess hummed in acknowledgment. "Next time, remember to leave earlier. As the Crown Prince's attendant, you not only serve as his companion but also bear the crucial responsibility of ensuring his safety. We didn't see you yesterday when the assassins attacked. Fortunately, Lord Gold Medal Eleven intervened and protected us all. You should learn more from him."

"Yes, yes, I will certainly learn from him," Zu An replied, not bothering to argue that it would have been abnormal for him to remain in the East Palace after his official working hours yesterday. *Hmph, if this woman ever discovers I am Gold Medal Eleven, I wonder what expression she'll wear.*

The Crown Princess's delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she sighed inwardly. *It's truly exasperating how people compare to one another. Lord Eleven is so mature and composed, inspiring a profound sense of security. Yet this fellow before me only grins foolishly. The Crown Prince is surrounded by such incompetent hangers-on; how will they ever contend with Prince Qi's faction in the future?*

She was about to say something more when a tall, thin young eunuch rushed over. "Greetings, Crown Prince and Crown Princess," he announced. "Her Majesty the Empress requests your presence."

Zu An recognized him as Little Gui, one of the Empress's two young eunuchs. With assassins causing chaos in Kunning Palace yesterday and many high-ranking eunuchs killed by the Shadowed Tower, these two had certainly risen swiftly through the ranks.

The Crown Princess nodded. "So much has happened in the past two days," she remarked, "I almost forgot to pay my respects to Her Majesty."

She called out to the portly young man, who was still standing dumbfounded nearby. Just as they were about to head to Kunning Palace, Little Gui said with a smile, "Her Majesty also requests that all East Palace personnel accompany you. She wishes to reward them for their brave protection of their lord last night."

The Crown Princess was somewhat surprised, but the explanation seemed reasonable, so she didn't give it much thought. While the Empress might be suspected of trying to curry favor, there was no need for the Crown Princess to offend her over such a trivial matter. Moreover, if she were to block these rewards, the East Palace staff would resent her, and she would never commit such a foolish act.

Zu An's heart, however, skipped a beat. He instantly realized that the Empress summoning the Crown Prince, the Crown Princess, and even the East Palace staff was merely a pretense; her true intention was to see him!