Chapter 704: Melon Field and Under the Plum Tree

Zu An's first reaction was to teach the Crown Prince a surefire winning method for Go-Moku (Five-in-a-Row). After all, in his era, this game had been thoroughly studied, and it was a guaranteed win for the player who went first.

He thought about having the Crown Prince play against a Go master from King Qi's side. If the Crown Prince won, it would surely shock everyone, and King Qi would no longer have grounds to call the Crown Prince foolish.

However, he reconsidered and dismissed the idea.

Although Go-Moku was simple, its winning strategy involved responses to various variations. If the Crown Prince could remember so many variations and choose the correct move every time, he wouldn't be known as a fool.

He thought for a moment and said, "Given the Crown Prince's situation, we'll definitely need to cheat. Do you know what subjects will be tested? We could prepare in advance and let the Crown Prince know the answers."

The Emperor replied, "The exam content hasn't been finalized yet, but it will most likely be handled by the Royal Academy. The people there are as stubborn and unyielding as rocks in a latrine; they definitely won't cooperate with the Crown Prince to cheat. Your method won't work."

Neither King Qi's people nor the Emperor's people would trust the exam if it were left to the other side. Only the National Royal Academy could earn the trust of both parties.

Throughout years of conflict between the two factions, the National Royal Academy had always maintained strict neutrality, never getting involved. They had no need to.

Many excellent cultivators in the world had graduated from the National Royal Academy, earning it immense prestige and influence everywhere.

Regardless of who became emperor, it would bring them neither benefit nor harm. The people within were fervent enthusiasts of cultivation, with no interest in power; in fact, they believed power meant busy public affairs that would hinder their practice.

Because of their pure devotion to cultivation, both the Emperor and King Qi trusted them to be impartial.

Zu An frowned. "That makes it difficult. How about finding someone to impersonate the Crown Prince for the exam? Are there any magical disguise or transformation techniques?"

After all, this was a world of cultivation, so there should be a way to disguise someone as the Crown Prince.

The Emperor slowly shook his head. "There are, but they can only fool those who aren't familiar with the person. King Qi's faction will definitely conduct checks, and an impersonation would surely be found out."

Zu An spread his hands. "Then I'm truly out of ideas. Your Majesty is wise and mighty; you'll surely come up with a perfect plan."

"Stop spouting those grand-sounding platitudes," the Emperor said, pacing irritably in the imperial study. He had even cursed, clearly upset by the day's events. When he was unhappy, more people would become unhappy. "You have half a month to come up with a solution. Otherwise, if the Crown Prince can't hold his position, you, as his attendant, won't be needed either. You'll be sent to the palace to be a eunuch."

Zu An: "???"

*Damn it, they're dumping everything on me. Even a donkey from a production team wouldn't be worked this hard.*

Despite his inner complaints, he couldn't show any dissatisfaction on the surface. "Yes!"

Coming out of the imperial study, Zu An felt annoyed. He walked straight towards the palace exit, thinking, *Who cares about the Crown Prince? If there's truly no solution, I'll just leave.* The Emperor thought he had restraints on him, preventing him from escaping, but he didn't know Zu An had a Grandmaster Cult Leader sister who could remove them.

*Hmph, wouldn't it be better to go back and hold my sweet Chu Yan? Let the Crown Prince die or live as he pleases.*

As he grumbled along the way, a young eunuch suddenly ran up to him. "Lord Zu, my mistress requests your presence."

Zu An paused, finding the young eunuch unfamiliar. "Who is your mistress?"

"Consort Bai," the eunuch respectfully replied.

Zu An glanced at the darkening sky. "It's getting late. Isn't it inconvenient to go now?"

Generally, officials were not permitted to move freely within the imperial palace.

However, a small number of officials were granted the privilege of free movement within the palace, mostly from the Department of the Palace Gate, such as Imperial Secretaries and Palace Attendants, who functioned as the Emperor's secretaries or personal assistants.

Zu An, as the Crown Prince's attendant, also had permission to walk within the palace. However, these officials were only allowed in during the day and had to leave before dusk, otherwise, it was considered a grave offense.

If an outside official remained in the palace after nightfall, *ahem*, no emperor would appreciate being cuckolded, presumably.

"It's about the Crown Prince's upcoming major exam," the eunuch said.

"Lead the way!" Zu An hesitated for a moment but decided to follow. The Emperor had just given him a deadline, and while he could flee if absolutely necessary, it was better not to if possible.

Consort Bai was also a consort of the Crown Prince, her fate intertwined with his. Her concern for him was genuine, so she might have thought of a solution this time.

They arrived at the Hundred Flowers Palace, where the eunuch bowed to him and departed.

Just then, a palace maid emerged from inside. It was Xin Rui, Consort Bai's personal attendant.

"Lord Zu, please come this way!" Xin Rui slightly turned and gestured for him to enter.

Zu An couldn't help but say, "If I hadn't seen you, I would have thought that eunuch was plotting against me."

*Even if I haven't eaten pork, I've seen pigs run. All those palace drama TV shows in my previous life weren't for nothing.*

Xin Rui smiled, pressing her lips together, appearing very shy. "Lord Zu, you jest. Who in this imperial palace would be bold enough to casually plot against someone?"

*As expected, the maid resembles her mistress,* Zu An thought. Consort Bai had a gentle and graceful nature, and Xin Rui's personality was similar, though even more shy.

The Crown Princess was more imposing and forceful, and Rong Mo was like a little chili pepper.

*Uh, no, that's not right. Her cultivation level isn't low, and it's unlikely a maid would possess such exceptional talent. She must be an old chili pepper.*

Lost in his thoughts, he was soon led into the main hall of the Hundred Flowers Palace. Xin Rui bowed and said, "Lord Zu, please enter."

Zu An nodded and stepped into the hall. He recalled his last meeting with Consort Bai, a gentle and beautiful woman whom he found very appealing. He also somewhat missed the Hundred Flowers Tea she brewed, wondering if he'd get a chance to drink it today.

From a distance, he saw a graceful figure sitting at the head of the room, her posture elegant, her delicate form beautifully captivating. He quickly shook his head, *What a sin, don't acquire Cao Cao's habits.*

However, when he entered the room and saw the woman clearly, he was stunned. Not because she was ugly; on the contrary, while she wasn't as gentle as Consort Bai, she exuded even more regal elegance. The reason for his surprise was that this was not Consort Bai at all.

The woman also looked at him with an astonished expression. Both of them simultaneously exclaimed, "Why are you here?"

"Crown Princess, why are you here?" Zu An asked, surprised.

The Crown Princess huffed slightly, displeased. "I asked you first."

*This servant has no manners at all. I need to find a chance to discipline him.*

*Hmm, never mind. It's understandable for talented people to have some pride. With staff currently scarce, it's better not to discourage him.*

Zu An pursed his lips. *This woman is always so strong. When will I get to strip away your disguise and see if you're hard or soft inside?* He then said, "Consort Bai invited me here, saying she wanted to discuss matters concerning the Crown Prince."

The Crown Princess frowned. "She told me the same thing."

After saying this, she abruptly stood up and began to walk out.

Being in the imperial harem, she possessed a natural keenness. It was getting late, and there was no third party present. Being alone in a room with another man would inevitably invite suspicion.

However, just as she reached the door, she bumped into Xin Rui, who was coming in with tea. "Oh, Crown Princess, why are you suddenly leaving?"

The Crown Princess snorted. "What is Consort Bai doing? Why isn't she out yet?"

Under normal circumstances, as the Crown Princess, there was no reason for her to wait for a secondary consort.

But today, upon hearing Consort Bai's message that she had a solution for the Crown Prince's major exam, she had patiently waited here.

However, Consort Bai had also invited a man. Although she had become somewhat familiar with Zu An lately, being alone with him privately always felt a bit awkward.

Xin Rui explained, "Crown Princess, please don't be anxious. My mistress is preparing something and will be out shortly. She specifically asked me to bring this Hundred Flowers Tea as an apology to both of you."

Hearing "Hundred Flowers Tea," the Crown Princess instinctively licked her lips. She, of course, knew Consort Bai's unique Hundred Flowers Tea. She had tasted it once before by chance and had greatly loved its flavor.

However, she and Consort Bai were rivals, and their relationship had always been strained. Given her strong personality, she naturally couldn't bring herself to ask for it, so she could only secretly crave it.

Now that it was offered to her, it would be a waste not to drink it...

*Pfft, pfft, this Consort is here for the Crown Prince's exam, not for her lousy tea!*

"Alright then, I'll wait another half an incense stick's time for her. If she doesn't come by then, I'm leaving immediately." The Crown Princess sat back down and elegantly sampled the fragrant Hundred Flowers Tea, secretly sighing to herself. She wondered how Consort Bai managed to make such delicious tea. She had privately asked her maids to imitate it, but unfortunately, each time it only had a strong, sweet scent that tasted rather vulgar, lacking the subtle and natural elegance of the original Hundred Flowers Tea.

A moment later, she unconsciously tugged at her collar, then looked at Zu An and asked, "Do you feel a little warm today?"