"Brother-in-law (Brother Zu)! Don't go to the palace, it's too dangerous." Chu Youzhao and Murong Qinghe each tugged at one of his sleeves, saying worriedly.
"It's alright." Zu An smiled. "I know what I'm doing. Nothing will happen. Don't wander around. Staying here is the best way to help me. If you need anything in your daily life, just ask Sister Xie."
Then he said to Jiang Luofu, "I'd appreciate it if you could take care of them for me these next few days."
Jiang Luofu nodded, then glanced at the two Eastern Palace guards waiting to the side and asked in a low voice, "Do you need any help?"
"It's alright, I can handle it." Zu An cupped his hands in farewell to the teachers, then followed Pu Duandiao and Jiao Sigun down Yuquan Mountain.
“Lord Zu, why don’t you skip the palace and run away? We can just say we were outmatched when we get back, and we won’t be in trouble,” Park Duan-diao couldn’t help but say on the way.
"What do you mean by fighting valiantly but being no match for him? We should say we didn't even see Lord Zu," Jiao Sigun corrected.
Sensing the worry in their voices, Zu An felt a warmth in his heart and patted them on the shoulders: "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
They arrived at the palace, where Eunuch Lü was already waiting at the gate. Upon seeing Zu An, he said directly, "Lord Zu, let's go to Kunning Palace. Everyone is here."
Pu Duandiao and Jiao Sigun couldn't help but say, "We received orders from the Crown Princess to take Lord Zu to the East Palace."
Eunuch Lü's face turned cold: "Trying to intimidate me with the Crown Princess? The Crown Princess herself is in Kunning Palace right now."
Pu Duandiao and Jiao Sigun, intimidated by Eunuch Lü's power, could only give Zu An a look of "good luck" before hurriedly running off to the East Palace to inform him.
Zu An followed Eunuch Lü to Kunning Palace. On the way, Eunuch Lü sighed, "Lord Zu, why were you so impulsive?"
Zu'an knew that the matter of killing the Prince of Jin had already been made public, and said calmly, "I only ask that my thoughts be clear."
Grandpa Lü glanced at him in surprise, watched his retreating figure, and after a long while said enviously, "Youth is wonderful, impulsive, passionate, and capable."
When Zu'an entered the main hall of Kunning Palace, he found it crowded with people, noisy like a market, clearly indicating that the two sides were arguing about something.
When they saw Zuan arrive, the entire room suddenly fell silent, and everyone turned to look at him strangely.
Zuan noticed that Bi Linglong was also there, with officials from the Eastern Palace gathered around her, almost on par with the Empress at the head of the table.
The empress wore a long black robe embroidered with golden phoenixes, and she looked extremely solemn.
Bi Linglong wore a plain palace dress, and her delicate face was filled with a solemn expression.
One was a mature and graceful young woman, and the other was a vibrant and beautiful young girl. Despite their special status, the ministers in the room couldn't help but steal glances at them, for each of them possessed their own unique beauty.
"Zu An, you actually dare to come here! Men, seize this scoundrel!" Meng Yi was the first to come to his senses and pointed at Zu An, shouting.
Zu An looked at Bi Linglong, wanting to see what choice she would make. Deep down, he even had a faint expectation that if she completely gave up on him, he wouldn't have to be torn between two options.
Just then, a soldier rushed in upon hearing the news. Bi Linglong frowned and said, "Lord Meng, this is Kunning Palace. The Empress has not yet given her orders. Aren't you overstepping your bounds by doing this?"
Meng Yi's expression changed slightly before he bowed to the Empress: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I was too agitated just now and lost my manners. However, Zu An actually murdered a prince in the street, which is an unforgivable crime. I beg Your Majesty to do justice for Prince Jin!"
Many ministers, including members of the royal family, knelt on the ground, pleading, "Your Majesty, please make the decision!"
Seeing this, Liu Ning had a terrible headache. She gave Zu An a resentful look. That brat! Last time I specifically reminded him not to mess around. I told him to tell me if he ever did anything wrong and I would stand up for him. But he turned around and killed the Prince of Jin!
She was furious inside, but her face remained impassive: "Linglong, Prince Jin is the Crown Prince's younger brother. What do you think should be done about this?"
Bi Linglong secretly exclaimed how clever the Empress had been. Helping Zu An had set a huge trap for her, but Prince Jin was the Crown Prince's younger brother. This would alienate the royal family and the ministers, leaving her all alone.
If they don't help Zu'an, it will cause the Donggong Group to become disloyal. If they can't even protect a general like Zu'an, who will dare to work with them in the future?
Bi Linglong glared fiercely at Zu An with her phoenix eyes. If it were anything else, she would always have a way to protect him, but this guy has caused such a big mess, what am I supposed to do now?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
