Chapter 720: Reborn into the Light

The adults standing nearby looked bewildered. "Is that all?"

Murong Tong was the most anxious, instinctively stepping in front of him. "Lord Libationer, are you finished with your questions?"

"Yes," the Libationer replied, as if every word was precious.

Murong Tong grew agitated. "But wouldn't that be a bit too hasty? Perhaps you should ask more thoroughly?"

The Libationer gave him a cold glance. "Are you trying to tell me how to do my job?"

Murong Tong felt a sudden chill, almost unable to breathe. His heart seized, and he quickly apologized, "I wouldn't dare!"

Jiang Boyang, who was standing nearby, interceded for him. "Please don't take offense, Lord Libationer. He's just naturally guileless and straightforward."

The Libationer nodded slightly. "I've asked everything necessary. The person is innocent. Release him."

After speaking, he didn't wait for anyone to stop him. He took a few steps, and his form dissolved into nothingness, gradually fading into the distance.

Zu An, too, was astonished. He hadn't needed to use his "I have a friend" skill because the questions asked by the Libationer were peculiar. The Libationer hadn't asked if he was with the Crown Princess that day, or if they had undressed. Instead, he used an ambiguous line of questioning: "Are you and the Crown Princess innocent?"

While most people wouldn't find anything unusual about this question, as the person involved, he clearly understood the nuance. Everyone's definition of "innocence" varied. In the eyes of others, even a slight embrace between him and the Crown Princess, let alone being unclothed together, would be considered impure. However, as a transmigrator, a casual touch between unfamiliar men and women was quite normal. Only reaching "third base" would truly signify impurity. Therefore, he could answer the question directly without needing to use his skill, and the Libationer confirmed his innocence without further probing.

If it had been anyone else, he might have doubted their professionalism or assumed an oversight. But this was the Libationer, one of the three most powerful cultivators in the entire court, holding the most transcendent status. How could such a person make such a basic error?

*Lord Libationer is secretly helping me!*

*But why would he help me?*

Zu An pondered carefully, certain he had never met the man before; he had only heard of his reputation these past few days. Why would he help someone as insignificant as him? Was he overthinking things? Was it all just a coincidence or an accident?

He was lost in thought when Guo Zhi approached him, smiling. "Those officials have gone to report the Libationer's interrogation results to the Emperor. I imagine it won't be long before Brother Zu is free again. Congratulations in advance!"

Zu An smiled slightly in return. "And thank you, Brother Guo, for your care during this time. Without you, these past few days would have been truly difficult."

Guo Zhi looked a little embarrassed. "You're too kind, brother. Honestly, I still feel guilty that the assassin almost harmed you."

"It's hard to guard against someone who plans malice against the unsuspecting," Zu An replied. "By the way, was that assassin ever found?"

"Yes, he was found," Guo Zhi answered, "but sadly, he had already taken his own life when they reached him. His connections also yielded no clues, leaving it a cold case."

"I see..." Zu An murmured, lost in thought.

Not long after, someone arrived to inform him he could be released.

Zu An stepped out of the damp, cold cell and felt the sunlight on his face, momentarily disoriented. *Sigh.* In his previous life, he was a model citizen. How many times had he been in jail since arriving in this world?

"Brother Zu!" Piao Duandiao and Jiao Sigun, accompanied by several guards, approached with smiles. "We heard you were being released, so we came specifically to welcome you."

Zu An's heart warmed. "Aren't you on duty today?"

"The Crown Princess gave us the day off," Jiao Sigun replied.

Zu An paused. He realized that the Crown Princess had likely sent them to meet him. After the recent incident, she couldn't openly send people, so she had found this discreet way. *That girl still has some conscience. My efforts to save her weren't wasted.*

Piao Duandiao leaned in closer, winking mischievously. "Brother Zu, how about the Pleasure Quarter? You can work out all your bad luck on those lovely ladies." Ever since Zu An taught him the term "lovely ladies," he had taken great pleasure in using it.

Zu An chuckled, rendered speechless. This guy was certainly true to form; his enthusiasm for such matters was extraordinary.

The group headed straight for the palace gates. Zu An found an opportunity to ask quietly, "Did Lord Libationer go to the Eastern Palace?"

Piao Duandiao shook his head. "No, he didn't."

Zu An secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had been worried about potential trouble for the Crown Princess, but since the Libationer hadn't personally questioned her, her intelligence would be more than sufficient to handle any other issues.

"How has the Crown Princess been lately?" Zu An continued.

Piao Duandiao chuckled. "Only I truly understand you, Brother Zu. If anyone else heard you ask that, they'd surely be making assumptions."

Jiao Sigun retorted, "What do you know? Brother Zu is simply loyal. You're the one with a dirty mind. I wouldn't think anything like that."

Piao Duandiao, accustomed to their banter, ignored him and continued, "Don't worry. The Crown Princess has been keeping a low profile lately, and there haven't been any major issues, though it's clear she's not in the best of moods."

*Given what she's been through, it would be strange if she were in a good mood,* Zu An thought.

The group walked out of the palace gates, arms slung over each other's shoulders, discussing which courtesan they would choose at the Pleasure Quarter later. With Qiu Honglei and Yun Jianyue both gone, Zu An actually had little interest in visiting the quarter anymore. No matter how enchanting the courtesans were, they simply couldn't compare to the close female companions he already had. But he couldn't resist the enthusiasm of his friends, and found it difficult to decline.

Just then, a guard exclaimed, "Wow, look at all those beauties over there!"

"Careful," another warned, "anyone waiting near the palace gates isn't just anyone."

"They must be the family members of some high-ranking official, I bet. Tsk, tsk, I wonder who's lucky enough to have them."

Hearing the guards' envious comments, Zu An looked up curiously and saw several familiar faces.

"A'Zu!" A beautiful figure in ice-blue flew toward him, embracing Zu An amidst the shocked stares of the many accompanying guards.

The guards swallowed hard, realizing that the "lucky official" they had been gossiping about was standing right beside them all along.

"Chuyan, what are you doing here?" Zu An asked, a mix of surprise and delight in his voice.

Chu Chuyan's face flushed slightly. In her excitement, she hadn't noticed the crowd, but now realizing so many eyes were on her, she quickly stepped back from his embrace. "I heard that the Libationer would personally interrogate you today, so I came to wait for news at the palace gates, and sure enough, you've been acquitted. Oh, who are they?"

Zu An introduced them. "These are my friends, colleagues from the Eastern Palace. And this," he added, "is my wife."

At the words "my wife," Chu Chuyan's heart swelled with joy. Zu An's expulsion from the Chu clan had been a deep concern for her, and knowing he still considered her his wife brought a radiant smile to her usually serene face. "Hello, everyone," she said. "May I ask where you're headed?"

Her smile, like the first thaw of ice and snow, melted the hearts of everyone present. When had they ever seen such a stunning beauty? While the Crown Princess was breathtakingly beautiful, she was always dignified and distant. Other consorts were equally aloof. No one had ever smiled so gently and warmly at them like Chu Chuyan.

Piao Duandiao and the others snapped back to attention. "Greetings, sister-in-law. We were just... escorting Brother Zu out." How could they possibly tell a man's wife they were planning to take her husband to a brothel?

Chu Chuyan smiled faintly. "Thank you for your trouble, gentlemen. I've prepared a modest amount of wine at home. Perhaps you would all care to join us?"

"Oh, no, no need!" Piao Duandiao and the others quickly interjected. It wouldn't be right to intrude on a couple's private time. Besides, they had finally gotten a day off and naturally preferred to relax at the Pleasure Quarter.

Just then, Chu Youzhao walked over, smiling sweetly. "Brother-in-law!"

Murong Qinghe, standing nearby, instinctively started to say, "Sis... *cough, cough*... Greetings, Lord Zu." The word "brother-in-law" almost escaped her lips, making her cheeks flush with embarrassment.

The surrounding guards' eyes widened. Brother Zu's brother-in-law was more beautiful than a woman, and the young beauty next to them seemed to be Miss Murong. Given her shy expression, could she also have feelings for Brother Zu? But how could a distinguished young lady of the Murong family possibly become a concubine? *Brother Zu truly is 'Brother Zu' — a role model for our generation,* they thought.

Just then, another carriage slowly pulled up and stopped nearby. A pair of long, shapely legs emerged first, and Piao Duandiao and the others immediately found their breath catching.