Chapter 714: Father-in-law

"Thank you for the reminder, Brother Guo!" Zu An quietly replied. His extensive network of acquaintances usually came in handy; at least some people would help him with small favors within their power.

Guo Zhi gave him a deep look and then silently departed.

Zu An was escorted to a special cell. His movements were restricted by a powerful expert, and he was also bound by an Embroidered Uniform Guard's soul-binding chains. These measures ensured he couldn't escape or commit suicide.

These circumstances were all expected, so Zu An showed no emotional fluctuations.

Many of his abilities could be activated without using his vital energy, so these restrictions had little effect on him.

His main concern now was the upcoming joint interrogation. The thought of it made him wince; he was just a minor Palace Aide to the Crown Prince—did his case really warrant a Three Judicial Offices joint hearing?

This world differed somewhat from ancient China. Here, a Three Judicial Offices joint hearing typically involved the Grand Minister of Justice, the Censorate, and the Colonel Director of Retainers. However, since this case involved the Crown Princess, it was likely that they wanted to avoid widespread publicity. Thus, the Court of the Imperial Clan and the Grand Minister of Ceremonies were substituted for the Censorate and the Colonel Director of Retainers.

The Grand Minister of the Imperial Clan, one of the Nine Ministers, managed affairs related to the imperial family, imperial relatives by marriage, and meritorious nobles. Given the Crown Princess's involvement, it was highly appropriate for him to preside over this case.

He recalled Chu Chuyan mentioning that Zhen Xueyi, the Grand Minister of the Imperial Clan, was married to Princess Changchuan, the Emperor's elder sister. The Emperor likely trusted him as one of his own to oversee this trial.

The Grand Minister of Justice and the Grand Minister of Ceremonies were also among the Nine Ministers. Jiang Boyang, the Grand Minister of Justice, was already in charge of judicial affairs and an expert in handling cases, so his presence in the investigation was essential.

This wasn't his first encounter with Jiang Boyang. In the previous Cheng Xiong case, Jiang Boyang had strongly argued for Cheng Xiong's innocence, yet Zu An still managed to secure his conviction.

*Tsk, tsk, tsk,* what a small world. Now that he was in Jiang Boyang's hands, he was probably doomed.

A melody of "Cool Cool" played in Zu An's mind. But then he reconsidered: last time, he was using the identity of Gold Medal Eleven. What did that have to do with Zu An, the Crown Prince's Palace Aide?

Jiang Boyang might not bear a grudge against him. *Hmm,* he hoped so.

However, the Grand Minister of Ceremonies, Murong Tong, presented a problem. Murong Tong had previously been the influential Colonel Director of Retainers but had been transferred to his current leisurely position because of Zu An. He undoubtedly harbored a great deal of resentment, which Zu An certainly couldn't avoid.

Seriously, what was wrong with the Emperor? Two of the three officials assigned to the trial were from Prince Qi's faction and both held grudges against him. Was this meant to kill him?

If he died, the reputation of the Emperor's daughter-in-law would be ruined too!

Despite his complaints, he had come to understand during his time in the capital that Prince Qi's influence was equally entrenched. How could they let such an excellent opportunity slip by?

Crucially, both Jiang Boyang and Murong Tong were experts in such matters—one a specialist in resolving cases, the other a former Colonel Director of Retainers. It would likely be difficult for the Emperor to refuse their participation.

Time passed unnoticed. Soon, a jailer came to retrieve him: "Lord Zu, please come with us. The Grand Minister of the Imperial Clan and the others wish to question you."

These jailers were indebted to him because of the assassin's escape, so they spoke courteously and didn't subject him to the indignities common prisoners faced.

Zu An was led to a quiet room. The jailers said, "Lord Zu, by custom, we must shackle you. Please forgive us."

"No matter," Zu An replied, his expression calm.

As they shackled his hands and feet to a bench, the jailers praised him, saying, "Lord Zu is truly extraordinary. We've had countless high-ranking officials imprisoned here, and most either weep hysterically or are utterly distraught. Few possess Lord Zu's composure."

Zu An smiled faintly: "If you're innocent, you needn't fear a knock at the door in the middle of the night. I am innocent in this matter, so naturally, I'm not afraid of being questioned like others."

The jailers offered more praise. Just then, the door opened, and several officials in purple robes slowly entered.

The first to enter was an elderly man with a perpetually grim expression. His head of graying hair was loosely tied with a wooden hairpin, with many strands falling untidily. He exuded an inexplicable sense of despondency. At first glance, Zu An thought he was seeing an older version of Ji Dengtu.

However, their appearances bore no resemblance, ruling out the possibility of him being Ji Dengtu's cheap father.

Judging by his official robes and his position at the front, he must be Zhen Xueyi, the Grand Minister of the Imperial Clan.

Speaking of which, since he married the Emperor's sister, he should be roughly the same age as the Emperor. Why did the Emperor appear to be in the prime of his life while this man already looked so decrepit?

The second official was a refined middle-aged man with a complexion like jade. Only his temples showed a touch of gray, which merely added to his debonair charm. One could easily imagine how popular he must have been with women in his youth.

Compared to the Grand Minister of the Imperial Clan, he was much more meticulous. His hair was impeccably combed, and his clothes were perfectly pressed, without a single wrinkle.

Seeing the white tiger emblem on his official robe, he must be Jiang Boyang, the Grand Minister of Justice.

Zu An studied him for a few extra moments. He had dealt with him during the Cheng Xiong case but this was their first actual meeting.

He noticed that Jiang Boyang wasn't looking at him, but rather was staring at the Grand Minister of the Imperial Clan's messy hair with a somewhat contorted, almost constipated expression.

Finally, Jiang Boyang couldn't hold back: "Lord Zhen, as one of the Nine Ministers, we are naturally exemplars for other officials. We should pay attention to our appearance."

Zhen Shouyi chuckled a few times: "Nine Ministers? We've long lost our former glory. We're hardly exemplars for officials. You'd be better off saying that to those in the three departments: the Secretariat, the Chancellery, and the Department of State Affairs."

Jiang Boyang's eyelids twitched. He took a deep breath and said, "But don't you feel uncomfortable with your hair like that? How about I help you tie it?"

Zhen Shouyi quickly dodged aside: "A man's head and a woman's waist are not to be touched unless you're lovers! Besides, I find this more comfortable; it better reflects my unconventional and unrestrained nature."

Murong Tong, who had entered behind them, scoffed: "You've got one foot in the grave and you're still talking about lovers, unconventionality, and unrestraint? Aren't you afraid Princess Changchuan will hear and make you kneel on a washboard again?"

Murong Tong was an old acquaintance; Zu An had already met him several times.

Zhen Shouyi's face fell: "Charcoal Head, don't push it! Believe it or not, I'll expose how you spied on Lord Yu's wedding night back then."

Murong Tong flew into a rage: "Old scoundrel, weren't you watching too back then? And how many times have I told you, my skin tone is a masculine and healthy bronze, not black!"

Zu An was somewhat surprised. Logically, as members of opposing factions, they should be fierce adversaries. Why did they seem like old friends?

However, he quickly realized that many officials in the capital had probably known each other since childhood, growing up and building their careers together before choosing their respective factions later on.

Nevertheless, their old friendships persisted, and many families even had intermarriages. It was a situation where they were intertwined, a struggle of ideologies rather than the irreconcilable animosity he had initially imagined.

Hearing the two quarrel, Jiang Boyang felt a headache coming on. He ignored them and looked at Zu An, then suddenly frowned: "Who put these shackles on you?"

As he spoke, he approached and gave a gentle flick of his hand, and a chain automatically unlocked, clearly demonstrating his profound cultivation.

Zu An was momentarily stunned. This man seemed quite benevolent towards him.

Just then, Jiang Boyang didn't continue to unlock his shackles. Instead, he straightened Zu An's slightly askew collar, then stepped back to appraise him, finally nodding with satisfaction before sitting back down.

Zu An looked utterly bewildered. "Brother, what are you doing? Why did you only unlock one chain and stop? What's the meaning of this?"

He looked down and noticed that the chains on his body were now strictly symmetrical. Recalling Jiang Boyang's contorted expression when looking at the Grand Minister of the Imperial Clan's messy hair, Zu An burst into a helpless laugh. So, he had encountered someone with OCD. He had actually thought it was a gesture of kindness.

"Alright, alright, business first," Jiang Boyang interrupted the two bickering officials.

Zhen Shouyi, with his messy and untamed hair, casually sat in the main seat: "You begin. You're the expert when it comes to judging cases."

Seeing him slouching in the chair, Jiang Boyang's breathing quickened again. He quickly averted his gaze and, slamming the table with a jarring *bang* that echoed in the room, demanded, "Zu An, this official checked the palace gate entry and exit records and found that you did not leave the palace before dusk. What unspeakable business were you conducting by staying inside the palace?"

Zu An found this question difficult to answer. Zhu Xiechixin had strictly warned him not to reveal his identity as an Embroidered Uniform Guard, which made it hard to explain why he remained in the palace.

It was a serious offense for an external official not to leave the palace before dusk, and he would definitely be impeached for corrupting the imperial harem.

However, Zu An was prepared. He replied gravely, "The Emperor assigned me a secret mission, which is why I did not leave the palace."

The officials exchanged glances and couldn't help but ask, "What secret mission?"

Zu An chuckled: "As I said, it's a secret mission. How could I casually tell others?"

Murong Tong was enraged: "Zu, don't be facetious here. We are interrogating you now, and you'd best confess truthfully."

It was this young man who had caused him to fall from the prestigious Colonel Director of Retainers to a mere idler in a leisurely office. The thought ignited a surge of anger within him.

Rage from Murong Tong +491491491...

Zu An sighed: "Lord Murong, do you think I would dare to falsely convey an imperial decree? This matter is easily verifiable. After leaving the Eastern Palace, I was summoned to the Imperial Study."

Murong Tong's breath hitched. In their view, no one would indeed dare to fabricate an imperial decree; that was a capital crime punishable by extermination of the entire clan.

At this moment, Jiang Boyang flipped through the documents in his hand, nodded, and said, "Indeed, this matter is true."

Clearly, he had already conducted various investigations and gathered testimonies before arriving.

He then changed his tone: "However, this only proves that you went to the Imperial Study to receive a secret mission. No one knows where you went or what you did afterward. Yet, many people claim they saw you and the Crown Princess together, disheveled... *cough, cough*, how do you explain this?"

"Nonsense! This is slander!" Zu An's expression grew agitated. "Slandering me is one thing, but to slander the pure and untainted Crown Princess—their intentions are truly heinous! May I ask, Lord Jiang, who exactly are these people slandering us?"

Jiang Boyang cleared his throat: "Whether it's slander, we will investigate ourselves, but we certainly cannot reveal the identities of those people to you."

Zu An said, "I have always been kind and likable, so I truly can't imagine who would frame me..."

"Likable?" Murong Tong sneered repeatedly. Had this fellow's self-perception gone astray?

Zu An suddenly understood: "I remember now! It seems that when I first arrived in the capital, I was attacked by assassins, which caused Lord Murong to be implicated and lose his position. If someone truly wanted to frame me, perhaps..."

Murong Tong's head was practically fuming with anger: "Scoundrel! Are you implying *I* would frame you!"

Rage from Murong Tong +668668668...

Zu An spread his hands: "I didn't say that; you did."

He mused that while Murong Qinghe, that young girl, was somewhat reckless, she was generally far calmer than him.

Jiang Boyang quickly gestured: "Lord Murong, please calm down, calm down."

Then he turned to Zu An: "You're just being unreasonable and disrupting our investigation."

Zu An replied, "Lord Jiang, with all due respect, I'm merely analyzing who might have a motive to harm me. Someone with Lord Murong's straightforward nature clearly couldn't commit such an act."

After his barrage of flattery, Murong Tong's expression softened slightly.

Then Zu An continued: "Oh, I just remembered. This morning when I entered the palace, I offended Vice Minister of the Palace Yellow Gates, Shi Jun. It was because he kept making things difficult for me, and I couldn't tolerate it anymore, so I 'greeted' his cheek with my palm, which also caused him to publicly drop his pants and make a fool of himself. And his brother, Shi Kun, also held a grudge against me. If anyone truly has a motive to harm me, he is definitely the most likely suspect."

Even the Grand Minister of the Imperial Clan, who had been resting with half-closed eyes, couldn't help but open them fully. *Greeted Shi Jun's cheek with his palm?* This boy certainly had a way with words!

Jiang Boyang's eyes narrowed: "I didn't mention Shi Jun's name earlier. How did you immediately guess it was him? Tell me, did you see him when he supposedly saw you and the Crown Princess?"

Zu An looked surprised: "It was really that fellow? I knew from his demeanor that he was a schemer looking to harm people. I can't believe it was him after all!"

Murong Tong snapped: "Don't beat around the bush! Your mention of him is practically a confession."

Zu An sighed: "Lord Murong, you were once the Colonel Director of Retainers, so this should be easily discernible, right?"

"I admit my character isn't the best, and it's understandable if people misunderstand me in that regard. But who is the Crown Princess? She comes from a renowned family, has always conducted herself with grace, and possesses the demeanor of a future empress. Do you honestly believe such a woman would engage in illicit affairs with another man?"

"Therefore, this incident is clearly a frame-up. The person who set this up not only holds a grudge against me but also wishes for the Crown Princess's utter ruin. Thinking it over, the only family I and the Crown Princess share a common enemy with is the Shi family. After all, Shi Kun made a wager with me and then indirectly died by the Crown Princess's hand."

Murong Tong's face darkened: "These are just your speculations. Do you have any evidence?"

"No," Zu An shook his head. "I'm merely providing a line of thought. Whether it's true or not is something you need to verify."

Murong Tong sneered: "Since you have no evidence, you're merely making baseless accusations. The head of the Shi family is one of the Eight Dukes, a super-grade official of the court. Do you realize what a grave crime it is to falsely accuse such a family?"

Zu An's expression also grew cold: "No matter how powerful the Shi family is, are they more powerful than the Crown Princess, or more powerful than the imperial family's reputation? It's clear that the mastermind behind this wants to disgrace the imperial family. If you refuse to investigate and insist that the Crown Princess committed some illicit act, I have reason to question your motives."

Murong Tong erupted in fury: "Insolent boy! Do you really think this official wouldn't dare to beat you to death?"

Rage from Murong Tong +876876876...

Zu An raised his head and declared, "Does Lord Murong intend to extort a confession through torture? I, Zu, possess an unyielding spirit; I cannot be bent by force nor swayed by riches. I will not falsely accuse the Crown Princess of a single word."

"Cannot be bent by force nor swayed by riches?" Murong Tong scoffed, laughing with anger. "Do you, of all people, deserve to say such words? Very well, this official will see how tough your bones are. Guards, apply the torture!"

At this point, Zhen Xueyi, who was nearby, coughed: "Lord Murong, please calm down. What Zu An says may not be entirely unreasonable. Even if he confesses after a beating, we won't be able to silence public gossip."

Hearing his words, Zu An secretly breathed a sigh of relief. His earlier behavior was based on his certainty that the Emperor would not stand idly by. This Grand Minister of the Imperial Clan was undoubtedly from the Emperor's faction and would never allow Prince Qi's people to act recklessly.

Of course, if he guessed wrong, the worst that could happen was a beating. Besides, the Phoenix Nirvana Scripture also relied on taking blows to increase its power.

"I've handled cases for many years. It's useless to argue with such cunning and eloquent fellows; they only understand a beating," Murong Tong snorted, looking at the Grand Minister of Justice. "Boyang, what do you say?"

Jiang Boyang said, "I also agree with the Grand Minister of the Imperial Clan. What Zu An said is not without merit. We can indeed investigate that angle carefully."

A bewildered look crossed Murong Tong's eyes. *Which side are you on?* he wondered.

He knew Jiang Boyang was always upright and rigid. Had his old habits resurfaced at such a critical moment?

Was this a time to be concerned with integrity? If they didn't seize such a good opportunity, Prince Qi would probably weep.

Zu An was also somewhat surprised. He never expected Jiang Boyang to speak up for him; he had thought Jiang Boyang would target him because of the Cheng Xiong case.

With two of the interrogators reaching a consensus, Murong Tong could do nothing. The other two proceeded to ask some innocuous questions, and then they decided to investigate Shi Jun further.

The group rose and left to investigate other leads. Jiang Boyang specifically stayed behind, his gaze on Zu An somewhat peculiar.

Zu An realized that the other man had something to say to him. He wondered why he would help him when they didn't even know each other.

Then Jiang Boyang nodded: "No wonder Luofu has been praising you so much recently and even entrusted me to save you. After meeting you today, though you are a bit glib, your character is not bad, and your courage is extraordinary. She truly didn't misjudge you."

A circle of question marks popped into Zu An's mind. *Who is Luofu? Wait, his surname is Jiang...*

"Beautiful Headmistress, so you're my father-in-l... *cough cough*, you're the Beautiful Headmistress's father?" he blurted out.

"Beautiful Headmistress? Father-in-law..." Jiang Boyang's eyelids twitched, and his gaze towards Zu An became somewhat more dangerous. "Indeed, Luofu is my daughter. Back then, she didn't want to be the Crown Princess, so she ran away in a fit of pique and went to Brightmoon City. Looking back, it was a good thing; otherwise, she would be embroiled in this mess today."

Zu An was instantly shocked. That beautiful-legged, stocking-wearing older woman almost became the Crown Princess?

Wait, no, it must have been that she didn't want the position, which is why she ran. Otherwise, there likely wouldn't have been any role for Bi Linglong.

He quickly collected himself: "So it's you, Uncle. Back in Brightmoon City, Headmistress Sister took great care of me. I never expected to receive your help today as well. It seems it's all fate."

Jiang Boyang snorted: "You don't need to thank me. When you were brought to the capital, the Emperor clearly wanted your method of immortality. Although Luofu asked me to save you, I was unfortunately powerless. I didn't expect you, boy, to actually escape that predicament."

Zu An laughed: "Even so, I'm very grateful for Headmistress Sister's kindness in trying to save me. And didn't you help me this time, Uncle?"

Jiang Boyang said indifferently: "I wasn't helping you. I was merely addressing the facts as they are. This matter indeed has many questionable points."

After speaking, he turned and left. After a few steps, he suddenly frowned and stopped, bending down to smooth out a corner of his robe that had been accidentally wrinkled from sitting. A flicker of satisfaction crossed his face as he saw his clothes perfectly neat, and only then did he continue walking out. Zu An even noticed that the distance of each of his steps was meticulously precise.

Soon, jailers brought Zu An back to his cell. He sat there quietly, his gaze profound.

Things were getting interesting. He had initially thought the Jiang family was a staunch supporter of Prince Qi, but now it seemed that might not be the case.

Perhaps the Jiang family usually leaned towards Prince Qi, but when it came to matters of fundamental right and wrong, Jiang Boyang still chose to handle things fairly. No wonder the Emperor agreed to let him preside over this case.

Furthermore, observing the relationships between the three Nine Ministers today, he realized he had misunderstood something earlier.

To outsiders, the Crown Prince's faction and Prince Qi's faction appeared to be locked in a mortal struggle, but internally, they maintained numerous personal connections, a situation of intertwined interests. This might prove useful in the future...

Time flew by. Unknowingly, it was already dawn the next day. A jailer came and said, "Lord Zu, you have a visitor."

Today's two chapters are combined into one, frightfully long. You have no idea how long I can be!