And that empress, she was a formidable figure in her early years, and her relationship with her father wasn't very good.
I have no idea what price Brother Zu paid to help me.
Thinking of this, her eyes immediately welled up with tears.
"As long as you don't threaten me with baseless accusations in the future, that's fine," Zu'an said with a smile.
Zhao Xiaodie blushed, knowing he was referring to the time she threatened him with Yan Xuehen and Yun Jianyue: "Brother Zu, I was in dire straits back then and had no choice but to do such a foolish thing. I won't do it again. Actually, I've thought it through these past few days. If I had really encountered a ruthless person, they would have secretly killed me long ago. Only Brother Zu has truly helped me. You're so kind to me. I have no way to repay you, I can only..."
"Stop, stop, stop!" Zu An was sweating profusely. What was this woman up to? She wanted to offer herself to him right away. She was a princess, after all. "I have other important matters to attend to. You'll have to stay here for a couple of days. You should be free soon."
Watching him make his escape, Zhao Xiaodie stroked her face, completely mesmerized: "Even his escape is so handsome... Oh, I wish he could slap me again..."
Thinking back to the time he slapped her, Zhao Xiaodie couldn't help but twist her legs, her face already flushed red.
...
In the prison, Guan Chouhai saw Zu An and couldn't help but sigh: "Lord Zu, are you here to take my life?"
Zu An sat down in front of him: "Sect Leader Guan, why are you so disheartened?"
"They were full of vigor and high spirits on Purple Mountain, but unfortunately too many things happened afterward." Guan Chouhai's heart was filled with turmoil.
So many experts surrounded Zhao Hao back then, but in the end they were easily crushed by him.
Later, he arrived at that magical secret realm and encountered even more powerful beings. Sect leaders like Xuan Bajing, who were usually on par with him, were easily slaughtered like dogs. Now, he was imprisoned and his future was uncertain. It was no wonder that he was disheartened.
"Lord Zu, the matter of Zishan was my sole involvement and has nothing to do with the sect. I hope that Lord Zu will remember our past friendship and help me out."
"It's like you're making your final arrangements." Zu An chuckled. "Don't worry, this matter is over. You'll all be fine. Of course, you'll be spared the death penalty, but you won't escape punishment. The court will likely impose appropriate penalties later, but they should be within your tolerance."
"Really?" Guan Chouhai was dumbfounded. He knew that assassinating the emperor was a serious crime of treason in any dynasty. Now that things had turned out this way, even if there was some punishment, it wouldn't amount to much.
“Of course it’s true,” Zuan said with a smile.
Guan Chouhai hurriedly bowed respectfully to Zu An: "Lord Zu, your kindness and virtue are unparalleled. I, Guan, and the entire Lihentian will never forget them!"
Zu An helped him up gently: "Sect Leader Guan, there's no need for such a grand gesture. Stability is the most important thing for the court right now. We've lost several top experts in recent days, and we can't afford any more turmoil."
Guan Chouhai exclaimed, "Lord Zu bestows kindness without seeking anything in return; his character is truly noble and virtuous. I am completely convinced by such magnanimity."
Zuan was puzzled. Why did both he and his apprentice like to overthink things?
At this moment, Guan Chouhai continued, "There were some jailers whispering among themselves. They thought I couldn't hear them, but they didn't know that I am, after all, a Grandmaster. Even if I have some restrictions on me, how could I be like an ordinary person?"
"They were talking about how the court would deal with us, saying how angry the Crown Princess was that we assassinated the Emperor and that she would kill me to appease the world. At the same time, she would also vigorously rectify the Taoist sect, and Lihentian would most likely cease to exist in the world."
"Later, another group of people mentioned how much the Empress and the Emperor loved each other. We killed her husband, and she was extremely angry. She declared in court that she would make us wish we were dead, and took this opportunity to completely eradicate the Taoist sect."
After saying that, he glanced at Zu An with lingering fear: "Now the Empress and the Crown Princess have the most power in the capital. Only Lord Zu can persuade them. How can I not thank you for such a great favor?"
Zuan: "..."
Judging from his tone, it seems that both Bi Linglong and Liu Ning have sent a group of people to spread rumors among them, creating the illusion that their salvation is entirely due to me.
These two women are so considerate of me, but their mutual smear campaigns are just ridiculous...
At this moment, Guan Chouhai took off a ring from his finger: "This storage ring contains my treasures accumulated over many years. I hope that Lord Zu will accept it, otherwise I will not be at peace with myself. When I return to Lihentian, I will definitely repay you handsomely."
The atmosphere had been built up to this point; if we didn't accept it, we would be letting down the two women's good intentions and arrangements.
...
After being released from the prison and returning to the academy, Zu An had an idea and headed towards Jiang Luofu's courtyard.
He had prepared a set of the Marrow Cleansing Pills he had previously refined for her and Ji Xiaoxi, and he happened to have some free time today to give them to them.
Speaking of which, Ji Dengtu said last time that Xiao Xi went to gather herbs, but she hasn't come back yet after so long. I'll have to ask Jiang Luofu, her aunt, about it later.
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