Chapter 656: Confession

The Crown Princess glared at him. "You said it's been making such a commotion; how could I not know?"

Seizing the moment, Zu An asked, "Does the Crown Princess believe Cheng Xiong can be convicted?"

The Crown Princess had been closely following the matter, as it partly involved the power struggle between the Crown Prince and Prince Qi. After a moment of thought, she gently shook her head. "Although both the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Commander of the Metropolitan Police have judged him guilty, the Grand Judge's office firmly believes it's a setup. The evidence is simply too flimsy. At most, Cheng Gang will be convicted; it's highly unlikely to implicate Cheng Xiong."

Prince Qi's faction was not to be trifled with. With the Qin family heading the military, along with influential figures from the highest decision-making bodies like Left Minister Yu Xuanchong, Central Secretariat Director Lian Yu, and Imperial Advisor Pei Zheng, and even respected elders from the imperial clan offering their support, there was no way they would allow Cheng Xiong, a member of their own camp, to be unjustly condemned.

Despite her father uniting with the Liu and Meng families, Prince Liang, and various other factions, and arguing fiercely in court, they still couldn't secure a definitive conviction for Cheng Xiong.

Prince Qi's faction had already suffered a significant loss when Murong Tong was transferred from his crucial position as Commander of the Metropolitan Police on a pretext. How could they now stand by and watch a vital post like Left Guard General change hands?

Therefore, securing only Cheng Gang's conviction was already the consensus within the Crown Prince's faction.

Feeling a flicker of irritation, she snapped, "Why are you asking all this?"

Zu An smiled slightly. "Does the Crown Princess ultimately wish Cheng Xiong to be guilty or innocent?"

The Crown Princess's expression darkened. "What are you trying to imply with your mysterious talk? Whether a high-ranking court official like General Cheng is guilty or innocent is for the court's laws to decide, and it has nothing to do with me."

Zu An sighed. "Never mind, then. I thought the Crown Princess might wish to see Cheng Xiong punished, and I happen to have a way. But it seems I was merely indulging in wishful thinking."

With that, he turned and walked directly towards the exit.

Watching him leave, the Crown Princess's expression shifted between doubt and interest. Finally, she called out, "Wait, do you truly have a method?"

Zu An stopped, turning to face her. "Does the Crown Princess truly believe I would joke about something like this just to amuse you?"

The Crown Princess furrowed her brow. While he might be somewhat unconventional, he was clearly not an idiot like the Crown Prince. It was indeed unlikely he would engage in meaningless actions.

Still, she harbored doubts. "Why would you want to help me?"

Zu An grinned. "Would you believe me if I said it's because the Crown Princess is so beautiful?"

The Crown Princess's face flushed with anger. "Do you realize you've committed a grave act of disrespect?"

Zu An observed that despite her anger, she didn't summon the guards, and he couldn't help but acknowledge her pragmatism. He then continued, "Please don't be angry, Crown Princess. The reason I wish to help you is quite simple. Have you forgotten my current identity?"

"Your identity?" The Crown Princess paused, then realized. He was the Crown Prince's attendant; undoubtedly, he was now aligned with the Crown Prince's faction. Naturally, he would help the Crown Prince's side for future prosperity and honor.

She relaxed slightly. "While I believe your motive, I highly doubt you possess the ability to achieve this."

Zu An said gravely, "All I need is for the Crown Princess to arrange for me to visit the captured assassins in the imperial prison."

He chose to meet the Crown Princess in this capacity not only to prevent his identity as Gold Medal Eleven from being revealed but also to elevate his standing within the Eastern Palace. He had no desire to remain the silly fat prince's attendant indefinitely. Only by making the Crown Princess and her influential allies recognize his worth would he be able to advance many of his plans.

"Visit the assassins?" The Crown Princess looked puzzled.

Zu An explained, "The Crown Princess should be able to influence Right Guard General Guo Zhi, correct? He's currently in charge of those assassins, and ordinary individuals aren't allowed to see them."

The Left Guard General was already aligned with Prince Qi's faction. Assuming the Emperor retained his wits, there was no way the Right Guard General would also be from Prince Qi's camp.

The Crown Princess frowned. "Why do you want to see them?"

Zu An shook his head. "I can't say now; it would spoil the effect. The Crown Princess will understand everything in due course."

The Crown Princess studied him, quickly falling into contemplation. After a long moment, she finally spoke, her red lips barely parting. "Very well, I can arrange for you to see them. However, if you are deceiving me, I will report your impropriety to His Majesty, and then not even a deity will be able to save you."

Zu An smiled slightly. "I assure the Crown Princess that you will not be disappointed."

The Crown Princess then arranged for guards to escort Zu An to the imperial prison. Seeing the leading guards' dark circles and weary appearance, Zu An couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, if it isn't Guards Piao and Jiao!"

The two junior captains of the guard were none other than Jiao Sigun and Piao Duandiao.

Piao Duandiao couldn't help but laugh as well. "Ah, Master Zu! It's an honor to finally meet you."

Jiao Sigun, standing nearby, couldn't resist interjecting, "You'd never heard his name before this, so how can you say 'it's an honor'?"

Piao Duandiao's face darkened. "Didn't we just meet the other day? Stop contradicting me."

Jiao Sigun snorted. "I'm not contradicting you; I just can't stand your hypocrisy."

Piao Duandiao ignored him, turning to Zu An with a smile. "Master Zu is truly admirable. You've only been at the Eastern Palace for a short time and already have the Crown Princess's trust. Normally, our brothers are never assigned to guard ministers."

Noticing Jiao Sigun about to speak again, he immediately shot him a glare. "You shut up, or next time I won't take you to the pleasure quarters."

Jiao Sigun said, "With what happened at the pleasure quarters recently, who would dare go there anytime soon? Are you an idiot?"

Piao Duandiao was speechless.

Watching the two live wires before him, Zu An struggled to suppress a laugh. He wondered how the Crown Princess had endured them all these years.

He cleared his throat. "Brother Piao, please don't joke. I'm mainly just helping the Crown Princess with some inquiries. The palace hasn't been very peaceful lately, so I appreciate your efforts."

"You're too kind, Master Zu." Seeing Zu An's "admiring" gaze, Piao Duandiao couldn't help but puff out his chest a little.

Upon arriving at the imperial prison, Right Guard General Guo Zhi had clearly already received word and was waiting there early. Upon seeing Zu An, he cupped his hands in greeting. "Master Zu."

Zu An returned the bow, somewhat surprised. "General Guo, you're too kind. But... General, why do you look like this?"

After all, as the esteemed Right Guard General, his rank and authority far exceeded that of a Crown Prince's attendant.

It had only been a few days since their last meeting, yet the man before him had dark circles as pronounced as Piao Duandiao's. His hair was disheveled and greasy, clearly unwashed for a long time, and his face was unshaven. The general looked as if he had aged more than ten years.

Guo Zhi pulled him aside, sighing as he spoke in a low voice. "His Majesty ordered me to investigate the Eastern Palace assassin case, but I haven't found any real leads. The assassins all claim they were acting on Prince Qi's orders, but when pressed for details on how Prince Qi instructed them, they become completely uncooperative. This testimony is clearly a setup, and I don't know how I can submit it."

There were no fools among those navigating the imperial palace. He knew perfectly well that these assassins were framing Prince Qi. If he dared to present these confessions directly, Prince Qi's faction would undoubtedly unleash their fury upon him. However, he also understood the Emperor's intentions and dared not declare Prince Qi innocent, leaving him in a difficult dilemma.

"I heard the Crown Princess say you have a way to make those assassins talk?" he asked excitedly.

Zu An had more or less guessed his thoughts; no wonder the general looked at him as if he were a savior. "It's worth a try," he replied.

Guo Zhi was overjoyed. "Master Zu, please come in at once!"

Watching Guo Zhi enthusiastically usher Zu An inside, Piao Duandiao and Jiao Sigun, left outside the imperial prison, exchanged glances and whispered. "Even the Right Guard General values him so highly. We should stick close to him from now on."

"I agree," Jiao Sigun said, uncharacteristically refraining from argument this time.

Zu An followed Guo Zhi deeper into the imperial prison. Once inside, he cupped his hands and said, "General Guo, I'd like to speak with the assassins privately."

Guo Zhi nodded. "No problem. The Crown Princess has already given instructions. However, Master Zu, please be careful; those assassins are ruthless killers."

Zu An hummed in acknowledgment. Just as Guo Zhi was about to leave, a terrified, urgent voice suddenly echoed from nearby: "Stop hitting me! I'll confess everything! I want to see Master Guo!"