Chapter 799: You Still Dare?

Though countless thoughts raced through Zu An’s mind, he showed no outward emotion. “The Grand Examination for the Crown Prince involves King Qi, a matter far beyond my humble station,” he said. “However, I am deeply ashamed and fearful that I cannot assist His Majesty in this predicament. I beg your Majesty to punish me.”

He, being well-versed in the intricate ways of emperors, naturally understood that the emperor had no true intention of punishing him. This was merely an opportunity to subtly pressure him, motivating him to complete the upcoming tasks. Therefore, he cooperated exceptionally well.

The emperor believed he had Zu An completely under his control, yet in reality, Zu An was subtly leading him. The feeling was remarkably peculiar.

The emperor was taken aback, surprised by Zu An's quick understanding. The lengthy speech he had prepared suddenly became irrelevant; Zu An's response had completely disarmed him.

After a moment, the emperor collected himself. “Since you have confessed your fault, and I am not an unreasonable man, I shall grant you an opportunity to atone for your actions.”

Zu An inwardly sneered, but maintained a respectful expression. “Please speak, Your Majesty,” he said. “Your humble servant will go through fire and water, facing any peril without hesitation.”

The emperor was pleased with his attitude, and his expression softened. “I presume you are already aware of the Crown Prince’s Grand Examination?”

Zu An nodded. “I heard some news about it just now at the Eastern Palace.”

“The Crown Princess must have told you, then,” the emperor said with a half-smile.

Zu An’s heart tightened. He quickly replied, “The Crown Princess is concerned about His Royal Highness’s future, so she wished to gather us ministers and brainstorm for solutions.”

It seemed the emperor was wary of his daughter-in-law getting too close to others. Zu An recalled how, when he saved the Crown Princess, he had accidentally embraced her and nearly had his hands chopped off. Therefore, he dared not be ambiguous on this matter, immediately clarifying his relationship with Bi Linglong.

Fortunately, the emperor did not press the issue. He approved, saying, “Linglong is indeed a dutiful child. Her concerns are not unfounded; even I do not believe Zhao Jing will remain idle this time.”

Zu An keenly noticed that the emperor no longer referred to him as King Qi, but openly called him Zhao Jing without reservation. This indicated that the emperor was gradually beginning to consider him an insider.

In a way, they were kindred spirits, and perhaps already “insiders” to each other’s ways.

The emperor continued, “I am truly uneasy, so I plan to send someone to accompany the Crown Prince into the secret realm to investigate. Firstly, it will ensure the Crown Prince’s safety, and secondly, it will allow us to guard against any unusual moves from King Qi’s side. As a Golden Medallion Embroidered Uniform Envoy and an important minister of the Eastern Palace, after much consideration, you are the most suitable candidate.”

Zu An was greatly shocked. He simply could not understand why the emperor would trust him so much. This could be considered a preliminary showdown between the emperor’s faction and King Qi’s, and neither side could afford to lose. Why would the emperor place such trust in someone who had only recently arrived in the capital?

He hastily said, “I know my abilities are meager. My own demise would be of no consequence, but if I were to implicate the Crown Prince, I would be deserving of ten thousand deaths. In my humble opinion, the most suitable candidate is Grand Commander Zhuxie. His cultivation is high, and he is fiercely loyal to Your Majesty—”

He was interrupted before he could finish. “Hmph,” the emperor scoffed. “Do you think I don’t wish to send him? However, both sides have reached an understanding: those entering the secret realm cannot exceed the seventh rank in cultivation. Zhuxie Chixin is a well-known quasi-Grandmaster, so how could Zhao Jing’s side possibly agree to his entry?”

Zu An gave a wry smile. “But my cultivation also exceeds that limit.”

The emperor narrowed his eyes slightly. “Speaking of which, your strength has grown rather quickly. When you first arrived in the capital, you were only around the sixth or seventh rank, correct? How long has it been, and you’ve already reached this level? That doesn’t seem right. I’ve reviewed the Phoenix Nirvana Scripture you presented to me; its cultivation should be slower than that of ordinary people.”

Zu An’s heart tightened, knowing the emperor was suspicious. However, he had already prepared a response. “My cultivation has advanced so quickly primarily because Old Man Mi attempted to seize my body, transferring all of his cultivation into me. I have gradually been assimilating his power these past days, leading to this sudden rapid progress.”

The emperor nodded, his suspicions dispelled. With his vast knowledge, he was well aware that while such a power transfer could lead to rapid advancements in the short term, it was detrimental to long-term cultivation, potentially damaging one’s foundation and making it impossible to reach higher realms.

However, he did not warn Zu An. After all, Zu An’s current cultivation was precisely what he needed to serve him, and any long-term hidden problems were Zu An’s own concern.

“It doesn’t matter that your cultivation exceeds the limit,” the emperor said. “After all, in most people’s eyes, you appear to be only around the seventh rank. Later, I will bestow upon you a magical artifact that conceals your cultivation aura, and you will naturally pass unnoticed.”

If everyone weren’t so clearly aware of Zhuxie Chixin’s cultivation, he likely would have already bestowed this item upon him.

Zu An was startled. “There’s such a miraculous artifact in the world? Wouldn’t that make this Grand Examination incredibly simple? We could just send in a few more experts, and completion would be effortless!”

The emperor snorted. “You think too simply. While there are many items that can conceal one’s aura in this world, those capable of fooling the eyes of all civil and military officials in broad daylight are exceedingly rare. Even with all the empire’s resources at my command, I possess only one such item. Do not betray my trust in you.”

“Thank you for your immense favor, Your Majesty!” Zu An easily feigned a look of extreme excitement, while secretly admiring his own acting skills.

He wondered if, continuing this act for too long, he might eventually suffer from schizophrenia.

The emperor then instructed him on several precautions for entering the secret realm and reiterated that protecting the Crown Prince must be his foremost objective.

Afterward, the emperor said, “You may withdraw. Go to Concubine Bai’s palace later and have her give you the item.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Zu An calmly exited the Imperial Study as usual, but his mind was in turmoil. He had never imagined that the magical artifact the emperor mentioned, capable of concealing one’s cultivation aura, would be with Concubine Bai.

In an instant, many conjectures flooded his mind. What was the true relationship between the emperor and Concubine Bai?

Why was such an important artifact with Concubine Bai?

Wasn’t Concubine Bai Yun Jianyue’s junior sister? Did the emperor not know she was a member of the Demonic Cult?

Unconsciously, he arrived at the entrance of the Hundred Flowers Palace. Although he could faintly see the beautiful blossoming flowers within, Zu An felt a chill creep up his spine.

This woman truly hid herself too deeply.

Recalling how he had intentionally teased her, and her seemingly embarrassed, exasperated expression, he now suspected it was mostly an act.

Wait, did the emperor also know I had privately flirted with the Crown Prince’s concubine?

He thought a great deal in that instant, but quickly took a deep breath and calmed himself. So what if the emperor knew? Since he hadn’t exposed him, it meant he still needed Zu An, which gave him room to maneuver.

A palace maid led him inside. Concubine Bai was leisurely swinging on a swing in the flower garden, holding a baby in swaddling clothes.

Seeing Zu An’s arrival, she showed no surprise whatsoever. She casually waved her hand, signaling for her attendants to withdraw.

“Did Your Ladyship deliberately send your attendants away, perhaps hinting that I should continue as I did last time?” Zu An teased.

Concubine Bai showed no trace of fear. Instead, she looked at him with a half-smile. “Now, do you still dare?”

Zu An snorted, took a large stride forward, and directly sat on the swing. As he did so, he scooped her into his arms.

Concubine Bai was both startled and enraged. After a brief moment of stunned silence, she began to struggle. “What are you doing? Let me go!”

Rage points from Bai Rou Xue: 343434…

Zu An sighed. “So, don’t provoke a man so casually.”

Concubine Bai also stopped struggling, realizing that her wriggling only seemed to benefit him. She forced herself to calm down and said in a low voice, “Do you know what you are doing? If I tell the emperor, even nine lives wouldn’t be enough to spare you.”

Zu An embraced her slender waist, feeling her peach-like buttocks, and said with a relaxed expression, “But you won’t tell the emperor, will you?”

His mindset was different now; he preferred to take the initiative.

Feeling his relentless pressure, Concubine Bai’s expression flickered. “Don’t think you can threaten me just because you know about my connection to the Sacred Cult.”

“But it’s quite effective, isn’t it?” Zu An said, though he didn’t press any further. His teasing was merely a means to break down her defenses and gain information, not to truly take advantage of her.

Concubine Bai took a deep breath, and then her expression became somewhat playful. “What if I told you right now that I am the emperor’s woman? Would you still dare to touch me?”