Zhao Zhi’s eyes lit up. “What kind of magnificent move do you have in mind, Father?”

King Qi snorted. When he stood up again, there was a mysterious grandeur to his presence. “I will teach you one more lesson today. More often than not, it is better not to charge forward rashly. Even the strongest and smartest person is nothing more than a chess piece. You have to leap out of the chessboard and become the chess player.”

“The chess player?” Zhao Zhi was taken aback, and began to ponder over this.

King Qi laughed and said, “Why do you need to make a move yourself if you want to take care of Zu An? There are others who want him dead more than you do. As long as you use that chess piece well, wouldn’t it be far better than doing the deed yourself?”

Zhao Zhi’s eyes lit up. “Are you talking about the Shi clan?”

He had reached the eighth rank before the age of forty. Even though he had had the resources of King Qi’s Estate behind him, it was still a reflection of his own talent and intelligence. He wasn’t stupid.

King Qi nodded. “Shi Kun lost his life a few days ago in the Eastern Palace. It’s rumored that the crown princess accidentally wounded him, so the Shi clan had to keep a handle on their rage. Even if it had been intentional, they would have been powerless to act. However, just because they cannot get their revenge on the crown princess doesn’t mean that they cannot take their anger out on anyone else. Zu An was the reason why Shi Kun met his fate. The  Shi clan hasn’t made a move yet, either because they haven’t realized this, or they may still have some misgivings. All you need to do is give them a push.”

Zhao Zhi grew excited. “As expected, Father, your plan is brilliant! Not only will this force the Shi clan to target Zu An, we can even drag the Shi clan, who is currently neutral, into our camp. After all, Shi Kun was the son that the Minister of War doted on the most. He died at the crown princess’ hands. If the crown prince rises to the throne, he will never be able to have his revenge. Only by cooperating with us will he have that opportunity.”

King Qi finally smiled. “Indeed. You haven’t let me down.”

Zhao Zhi replied to his father humbly, but his expression was vicious. “Zu An, let’s see what you’ll do now!”

The best way to take revenge on a man was to beat him up, then seize his women and make him hear them weeping.

Hmph, I need to find a chance to get my hands on Chu Chuyan, and then I’ll toy with her right in front of him. I want to see just what sort of expression he will show me when that happens.

…

“Achoo!” Inside the carriage, Zu An sneezed. He subconsciously rubbed his nose. “Hm? It seems quite a few people are thinking about me.”

Yu Yanluo covered her mouth and said with a smile, “I reckon they probably want you dead. You’re quite good at making enemies.”

Zu An shrugged his shoulders. “What can I say? I’m too outstanding. As the saying goes, the tallest tree in the forest is the one that gets blown over.”

Yu Yanluo was speechless.

How could this guy make shamelessness seem so refined and justified?

Zu An put away his smile. “At least now I know that His Majesty let me live because of you. Thank you, Madam.”

He’d still felt lingering fears over the matter. He assumed that it had all been because of the Hat of Forgiveness, but it was actually because of her help.

No wonder the emperor said that someone had spoken up for him. Back then, he’d suspected that it might have been Qin Wanru.

“You saved my life outside Brightmoon City. I was only repaying a debt.” Yu Yanluo said with an ambiguous smile. “I hope that no one continues to harbor the misconception that I’m someone who doesn’t repay their debts.”

Zu An laughed in embarrassment. He remembered criticizing her about that just a moment ago. He quickly changed the topic and said, “By the way, you have such a formidable bodyguard with you this time. How were you almost done in by the Blackwind Stockade previously?”

Yu Yanluo sighed, her eyes filled with great distress. “Too many things happened back then…”

Zu An was anticipating a long and complex story, but she didn’t say anything more than that.

In a moment, Yu Yanluo snapped out of her daze. “Sorry, I’ve shown you a poor side of myself.”

Zu An said with a chuckle, “Who knows how many men in this world wish to see this side of you, Madam, but will never be able to. Any smile on my face will be one of happiness. Why would I ever mock you?”

Yu Yanluo couldn’t help but laugh. “Your tongue is formidable after all.” 

Zu An let his eyes rest on hers. “Even though I do not know why you are worried, Madam, all things will pass, and there will always be people who will show you understanding. I wish you peace.”

“All things will pass…” Yu Yanluo muttered to herself. Her eyes lit up. “I thought that you only knew how to tease others, but you’re pretty good at consoling them as well. These so-called people who will understand, are you talking about yourself?”

Zu An shook his head. “I know myself, at the very least. I fear that I do not have the right to discuss these things with you now. As for the future, that’s hard to say.”

“Didn’t you say I was too old for you?” Yu Yanluo asked with a grin, which seemed to harbor some ambiguity.

Zu An’s cheeks warmed. “I only said that to trick that brat Zhao Zhi, so please don’t take that to heart, Madam. You’re so beautiful that it isn’t absurd for someone to believe that you’re actually my little sister.”

Yu Yanluo’s face reddened. Everyone else behaved properly when they met her, fearful of leaving her with a bad impression of them, yet this fellow was always so natural with his jokes that she didn’t find them that offensive.

She snorted. “You’re only good at joking around. Return that pendant, please. I don’t want to hear any malicious rumors flying around anymore.”

Zu An took out the jade pendant and handed it to her. Her hand was so much more beautiful than that intricate piece of jade.

Yu Yanluo was surprised. She had expected him not to return it to her, but he’d actually given it up right away.

Her admiration for him went up a notch. “Now that you’ve offended King Qi’s heir, what are you going to do?”

Zu An smiled. “Don’t worry. They won’t be able to do anything to me for quite some time.”

Ever since the moment King Qi’s faction sent assassins after him while he was being transported to the capital, there was no chance of the two being on the same side. With the missions that the emperor had entrusted him with, and then the friendships he made in the Eastern Palace, there was no way that he would get along with King Qi. To put it bluntly, with these powers backing him, it wouldn’t be easy for King Qi to touch him.

Yu Yanluo said, “If anyone else had told me this, I might have thought that they were arrogant, but you’re different. Ever since I met you, you seem to be creating miracles, one after another. I believe that you will turn misfortunes into blessings. If you are truly faced with an insurmountable obstacle, you can seek me out. Even though I might not be able to protect you, I can still offer you some help.”

“Thank you, Madam!” Zu An was overjoyed. Her status, as well as the resources at her disposal, made her a great ally. This promise was basically a get-out-of-jail-free card.

After chatting a while longer, Yu Yanluo bid him farewell. She’d made this trip back to the capital in secret, so she didn’t wish to linger.

When Zu An left the carriage, the driver with the missing tooth sized him up with a strange expression, then sniffed him. He didn’t detect anything strange, and relaxed. “Kid, you’re pretty good. I have high expectations for you. Hahaha…”

With a flick of his whip, the carriage moved off.

“What the heck is up with that driver? Why is his smile so perverted?” Chu Youzhao ran over. She was clearly unhappy that she wasn’t allowed to get closer earlier. “Brother-in-law, are you okay? Did that vixen… ahem, did anything happen between the two of you?”

“What could have possibly happened to me?” Zu An was rather confused by her question.

Chu Youzhao’s face turned red. She quickly said, “Who is that woman in the carriage?”

“She’s a beautiful woman.” Zu An was still in awe of Yu Yanluo’s beauty. Why would the heavens bless a single woman with so much? It was almost as if it did everything to make her the most perfect beauty possible.

Hm, this woman is a perfect match for me.

Chu Youzhao grew worried when he didn’t say anything else. “Come on, who was she?”

Murong Qinghe’s eyes widened as well. She too was extremely curious. Just what kind of woman could make such a powerful expert willingly serve as her driver?

Zu An was getting annoyed. “Why are you kids asking about all of this? She’s a special person, so I can’t just reveal her identity like that.”

“You can’t even tell me?” Chu Youzhao grinded her teeth.

Zu An rolled his eyes. “You’re not even my wife.”

“You!” Chu Youzhao wanted to bite him.

Murong Qinghe was confused. Is this fellow into men? My big brother Chu is so pretty, I need to protect him!

A sudden rumbling caught their attention. The three of them turned around and saw a large contingent of horses galloping in their direction.