Chapter 640: Fierce Woman

"Yes!" His loyal guards immediately drew their blades, encircling Zu'an. Knowing he was a Gold Rank Embroidered Envoy, they didn't dare to be careless. However, with General Cheng leading and the other guards forming an attack formation, they were certain this lone man would die.

Zu'an's expression became serious, and he focused intently, ready for their assault.

At that moment, a cold, arrogant voice whispered in his ear, "Do you need my help?"

Zu'an chuckled to himself. So Yun Jianyue had been hiding in the room, keeping an eye on the outside. The thought of her peeking through the door crack was quite amusing.

"No, don't. If you come out, then I'll truly be dead," Zu'an quickly replied through a spiritual energy transmission.

Are you kidding? If Yun Jianyue were exposed here, nine lives wouldn't be enough for him.

"Hmph! If I don't come out, you might die now," Yun Jianyue said, clearly displeased at being considered a burden.

"Don't worry, I have a plan," Zu'an quickly responded, glancing anxiously in another direction. *Why isn't the Crown Princess here yet? Your future man is in danger!*

As if in answer to his silent prayer, a beautifully dressed figure soon appeared in the distance.

Zu'an's eyes darted around, then he sternly rebuked, "Cheng Xiong, is it because I saved the Crown Prince and Crown Princess last night, foiling your plan, that you're now trying every method to get rid of me?"

The Crown Princess, who was hurrying over from a distance, frowned upon hearing this. She had initially been confused by the sight of numerous Imperial Guards surrounding someone in the distance, but upon hearing Zu'an's words, many suspicions immediately arose in her mind.

Given her status, she naturally knew that Cheng Xiong belonged to Prince Qi's faction. Could what Zu'an said about last night truly be the case?

The struggle between the Crown Prince and Prince Qi had already reached a fever pitch, so it was no surprise for either side to employ any means necessary.

Cheng Xiong was about to give the order to attack when he heard this, and he became both shocked and furious. "Bastard, what nonsense are you spouting!"

Rage points from Cheng Xiong: 444444444...

The words spoken by Zu'an were designed to destroy his reputation and career. If such an accusation were proven, it would be a capital crime leading to the confiscation of property and extermination of his entire clan.

Zu'an coldly stated, "What is done in the dark will eventually come to light. If that wasn't your goal, why would you foolishly provoke me? Do you think a Gold Rank Embroidered Envoy is so easily trifled with?"

Even the soldiers under Cheng Xiong's command couldn't help but glance at their general. It did seem a bit strange; normally, everyone avoided Embroidered Envoys, thanking the heavens if they weren't bothered by them. Yet, their general had actively sought trouble with one, and a Gold Rank Envoy at that!

Cheng Xiong was fuming. He had indeed framed others many times in the past, but this time he genuinely found Zu'an suspicious and strongly believed he was connected to the assassins. Now, ironically, he was the one being questioned.

"Bastard, you've slandered my name! Prepare to die!" He drew his sword, and a powerful aura erupted, then he lunged directly at Zu'an.

He also had another intention: to use this opportunity to test Zu'an's combat skills. If Zu'an proved to use fire-elemental techniques and could unleash that flaming long blade from the other night, then everything would be confirmed.

Zu'an snorted and slammed his palm forward, hitting the blade. The Gluttonous Devourer Art immediately absorbed all the elemental energy from the sword.

"What kind of move is this?" Cheng Xiong was bewildered and uncertain. Every time they exchanged blows, his strength vanished without a trace, like a clay ox entering the sea. He knew he might not be able to defeat Zu'an in a one-on-one fight, so he roared, "What are you idiots staring at? Attack him!"

The Imperial Guards were trained in combined attack formations; if they all struck together, Zu'an would surely fall.

The guards had already formed their array and were raising their crossbows to fire. Just then, a commanding voice boomed from the side, "Stop! What are you doing?"

Everyone turned to look and, recognizing the newcomer, quickly bowed, "Greetings, Crown Princess!"

Cheng Xiong's heart skipped a beat. *Why is she here?* he wondered. Still, he didn't dare to be disrespectful and bowed in greeting.

The Crown Princess's phoenix eyes swept coldly over them. "Impressive. When assassins were rampant in the palace yesterday, you weren't nearly this formidable. But now, when it's your own people fighting each other, you're all so energetic?"

Humiliated by the Crown Princess's scorn, the guards hung their heads in shame.

Cheng Xiong composed himself, and quickly explained, "Crown Princess, you misunderstand. We are merely investigating a case."

He then recounted how the palace gate guards had discovered an assassin wearing an Embroidered Envoy's uniform, trying to slip out of the palace.

The Crown Princess scoffed, "If you knew the person was an assassin, why didn't you apprehend them then and there?"

Zu'an almost burst out laughing. *Indeed, she's the woman I chose; even her thought process is just like mine.*

Cheng Xiong's breath hitched, and he quickly clarified, "They only realized it afterward."

The Crown Princess turned to glance at Zu'an, thinking, *Lord Eleven is as aloof and handsome as ever.* A slight smile touched her lips, but her expression hardened when she turned back to Cheng Xiong. "If you didn't realize it at the time, then how can you be sure afterward that the Embroidered Envoy was an assassin? Do you have any evidence?"

"This..." Cheng Xiong was momentarily speechless. These were all his deductions, logical though they might be, but they lacked concrete proof. "We are searching the Embroidered Envoys' uniforms precisely to find evidence. Those who are innocent will have all their uniforms accounted for, while the one who let the assassin escape will surely be missing a set."

Seeing his resolute declaration, the Crown Princess looked at Zu'an as if seeking his opinion.

Zu'an sneered, "As I just said, how can I be expected to prove my innocence based solely on your unilateral claim? If I wanted to deal with you in the future, I could simply concoct a charge against you and turn your residence upside down. Would you accept that, General Cheng?"

The Crown Princess's mind raced. Having just been prompted by Zu'an, she now strongly suspected that Cheng Xiong was likely part of Prince Qi's faction, targeting those loyal to the Crown Prince. "Indeed, General Cheng, your explanation is not convincing enough."

Cheng Xiong suppressed his anger. "Crown Princess, I am not speaking carelessly. Yesterday, a guard passing nearby witnessed two Embroidered Envoys leaving his residence. They are human witnesses. It's well known that Embroidered Envoys typically work alone. Who would invite another into their private quarters? Therefore, the other person must have been an assassin!"

He sneered inwardly. If Zu'an denied it, he would immediately press his advantage, demanding Zu'an reveal the identity of the other Embroidered Envoy and bringing them forward for confrontation. That way, Zu'an would have no escape.

The Crown Princess frowned, looking at Zu'an. "Is this true?"

Zu'an shook his head directly. "That's absolute nonsense. When have I ever emerged with another Embroidered Envoy? Those guards are your subordinates, so of course, they'll say whatever you tell them. General Cheng, you've gone to great lengths to frame me."

Cheng Xiong nearly spat blood. Zu'an was brazenly lying through his teeth! He couldn't believe such a shameless person existed in the world!

In the past, he had mastered the art of framing others, making even innocent people seem guilty. Yet, this time, despite knowing Zu'an was guilty, he felt utterly powerless against him!

Rage points from Cheng Xiong: 999999999...

Cheng Xiong quickly pleaded, "Crown Princess, please don't be deceived by this man. He harbors malicious intentions, colludes with assassins, and is surely plotting some grand conspiracy."

The Crown Princess cut him off directly. "Enough. If Lord Eleven truly colluded with assassins, then why did he save me... *cough cough*... and the Crown Prince from them last night?"

Cheng Xiong instinctively replied, "The assassins who targeted Kuning Palace and the Eastern Palace yesterday might not be from the same group. His collusion with the assassins at Kuning Palace doesn't necessarily mean he's involved with those who attacked the Eastern Palace."

The Crown Princess's face instantly darkened. "Are you implying, General Cheng, that the person who saved the Crown Prince and me is colluding with assassins who attacked Kuning Palace because we want to murder the Empress?"

Cheng Xiong's face went pale with shock. "I wouldn't dare! That's not what I meant..."

He tried to say more, but the Crown Princess cut him off. "Enough. Lord Eleven was personally vetted by His Majesty and Grand Tutor Zhuxie Chixin. If he had problems, General Cheng, are you suggesting that His Majesty and Grand Tutor Zhuxie, with their wisdom, are poor judges of character?"

Cold sweat trickled down Cheng Xiong's face. "I wouldn't dare."

This woman was truly formidable; he couldn't possibly counter all the accusations she was flinging at him.

Knowing the Crown Princess was present, he realized he couldn't deal with Zu'an today. He decisively ordered his guards to retreat, while planning to return when the Crown Princess was absent. Next time, he would be better prepared, wasting no more words with Zu'an and suppressing him with a swift, decisive strike upon sight.