Zu An shook his head. “How can I, as a man, hide behind another’s protection forever? Even though the capital is dangerous, it is also full of opportunities.”

Chu Chuyan looked sad. “I know. You’re still blaming us for abandoning you back then. However, I wasn’t in Brightmoon City when it happened. If I had been, I would definitely have stopped this from happening!”

Zu An pulled her closer to himself, feeling the softness of her body. “You’re overthinking things. Your father and mother treated me very well. They only made that choice because there was no other way. Besides, they secretly aided in my escape. Why would I hate them?”

Chu Chuyan was taken aback. “I can understand if you don’t hate my father, But I thought you and my mother never got along?”

Zu An sighed. “Your mother and I went through a lot together after you left. All the grudges we bore to one another are nothing but water under the bridge.”

“What happened between the two of you?” asked Chu Chuyan, confused. Why do these words sound so strange? “Also, my mother keeps asking me about you from time to time. She never cared much about what happened to you before.”

Zu An felt his cheeks warm. “It's nothing much. Your amazing husband helped her stop the Chu clan’s rebellion and saved your father. Her opinion of me naturally improved after that.”

Chu Chuyan smiled and pressed her cheek gently against his chest. “You’re right.”

However, worry still creased her face. “King Qi is at the grandmaster rank, and the forces he commands are even more terrifying. He has more than half of the court under him, and not even the emperor can do much to him. Now that you’ve offended him, it’s extremely dangerous for you to be in the capital.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not alone. I still have the emperor backing me. Furthermore, with the support of the crown prince and crown princess, he cannot act openly against me. He can only scheme in the shadows. However, I’ve acquired some strength of my own. What can they do against me?”

When it comes to scheming, who can triumph against me?

Chu Chuyan remembered how not even Han Fengqiu, who was at the peak of the ninth rank, could take him out. He clearly had enough strength to protect himself. This calmed her slightly. However, another problem soon struck her. “The crown princess? Why would the crown princess help you? Could it be that you and her…”

Zu An couldn’t help but chuckle. “My Chuyan is jealous. How in the world did you come to that conclusion? Have you forgotten who the crown princess is? How could you suspect that something is going on between me and her?”

Chu Chuyan’s face reddened with shame. She sensed the ridiculousness of it as soon as the question left her mouth. This was the crown princess, the future mother of the nation! Why would she fool around with another man?

She sniffed disdainfully to cover up her embarrassment. “It’s all your fault for messing around with Yu Yanluo. Who would’ve guessed that you would be connected to the capital’s number-one beauty?”

Zu An laughed. “What can I say? I’m just too charming.”

Chu Chuyan was left speechless.

Even though what he said was to a certain extent the truth, he still deserved a good beating.

Zu An’s expression suddenly grew serious. “Oh, right. From what you said earlier, I take it that you’re heading back to Brightmoon City?”

Chu Chuyan nodded, biting her lip. “That’s right. The issue with the account book kept me in the capital for too long. After that, I was running all about the place because of you. I haven’t had the opportunity to return to Brightmoon City. The Chu clan has made it through the worst of this crisis, but neither the emperor nor King Qi will stop here. These series of tribulations have also severely weakened the Chu clan. There are too many things that need to be taken care of. If I don’t return and calm things down, the Chu clan may collapse.”

Chu Zhongtian had already gradually transferred most of the authority over the Chu clan’s assets into her hands over the years. She was the one who managed the operations of the Chu clan. It would be dangerous for her to be missing at such a crucial time.

Zu An sighed. “Even you are leaving me. Everyone is leaving…”

These confidantes of his were leaving, one after another. He had already experienced enough of this pain.

If Chu Chuyan left as well, then the capital, although bustling with activity, would seem nothing more than a lonely prison.

Chu Chuyan pursed her lips when she sensed his sadness. “Ah Zu, even though I’ve decided to return to Brightmoon City, I’m not leaving immediately. I’ll stay in the capital with you a while longer.”

Zu An’s mood lightened immediately. With a laugh, he hugged her and said, “My wife is still the best.”

Chu Chuyan hit him in the chest playfully. “You’re making it sound like you know other people’s wives.”

Zu An laughed and said, “Why would I love and pamper anyone else’s wife?”

Chu Chuyan sensed a strangeness in his words. Before she could question him further, her expression suddenly changed, because he was on the offensive once more. “Ah Zu, stop…”

She still hadn’t fully recovered from their last session.

Zu An couldn’t hold back at the sight of his cold, distant goddess begging for mercy. He carried her over to the window.

“Where do you come up with all of this…?” Chu Chuyan said, her voice quivering with nervous embarrassment. This fellow seemed just a little too experienced.

Of course, there was no way Zu An would reply to such a deadly question. His honeyed words might have gotten him out of other situations, but right now, actions were much more useful.

At first, Chu Chuyan wore a tight frown, as though enduring a difficult ordeal. However, the tension between her brows quickly loosened, and a blissful expression came over her…

…

The next morning, Chu Chuyan tenderly helped Zu An to get dressed. She was the perfect example of a young, gentle wife.

Chu Youzhao stood off to the side, dark circles around her eyes. She watched the two of them acting lovingly around each other under a cloud of gloom.

It’s all big sis’ fault that I had to stay out all night. Thank goodness I was out with big sis. If not, my grandfather and granduncle would have already sent people out to look for me.

The whole thing seemed strange to her, though. Although the two of them had tossed and turned all night, they both looked extremely energetic, while she was the one feeling haggard.

Her big sister in particular, was practically glowing! Even she, as a girl, was staring blankly in awe.

She was well-acquainted with her eldest sister’s beauty. However, she had lost all of her usual coldness, and seemed extremely seductive instead. Was this still the same big sister of hers?

…

After Zu An had left to report for the morning roll call, Chu Chuyan brought her younger sister back to the Qin clan.

Along the way, Chu Youzhao fixed her eyes on her big sister. Chu Chuyan was confused. “What are you doing?”

Chu Youzhao had a strange look on her face. “Big sis, aren’t you walking kind of weirdly?”

Chu Chuyan was stunned. “Am I?”

“Yes, you are.” Chu Youzhao nodded, a serious expression on her face. She gestured with her fingers. “Your legs used to be like this, but now, they’re like this. There seems to be a little bit more space between them, compared to before.”

Chu Chuyan’s face became entirely red. “You’re seeing things!” Of course there’s more space between them! She’d gotten used to the feeling of Zu An, after being tormented by him for an entire night. That guy is just a bit too…

Chu Youzhao lowered her voice. “By the way, big sis, can you guys not do it beside the window? You’ll end up disturbing other people’s rest, you know?”

She took off after saying this.

Chu Chuyan finally couldn’t stand it anymore. “You brat, stop right there!”

…

While the two sisters were bickering with each other, Zu An arrived at the imperial palace.

He was just about to head inside when a young official stopped him. “Your uniform is not in order. Step back!”

Zu An was stunned. “Who the hell are you?”

What the hell? Chu Chuyan helped me sort out my clothes today, and I’ve never been more well-dressed. How dare you claim that my clothes are messy?

He had never seen this person in front of him before. He looked to be in his early thirties. He had a rather decent appearance, and his mustache gave him a rather scholarly air.

“This official is the Assistant Minister of the Huang gate. Our posts have been rotated today, and I am in charge of observing the bearing of all officials,” the official intoned proudly.

Zu An was baffled. Was King Qi already out to take revenge on him so quickly?

Not wanting to offer his opponent any possible advantage, he tamped down on his dissatisfaction and asked, “My Lord, may I ask which part of my uniform is not in order?”

The official with the mustache replied indifferently, “If I say that your clothes are not in order, then they are not in order. Go over there and sort them out by yourself. Stop loitering around here. You’re only obstructing other officials from entering.”