Chapter 1555: Sword Heart's Terrifying Clarity

As Zu An and Sang Hong exited the palace, they noticed a group of guards at the gate pointing into the distance, excitedly discussing something, as if a celebrity had just appeared.

Zu An looked up and couldn't help but chuckle; Chu Chuyan was waiting just outside the palace gates. She stood there in the cold wind, her long hair and skirt fluttering around her. Her exquisite, ethereal beauty, combined with her detached demeanor, gave her an otherworldly presence.

Not only the guards at the palace gate but also passing citizens and even high-ranking officials couldn't help but stop and gaze at her. Some even felt compelled to approach her, but after just a few steps, they were intimidated by her icy aura and dared not intrude.

Even Sang Hong sighed, "Miss Chu truly possesses a fairy-like presence. This scene is only comparable to when Lady Yu first arrived in the capital years ago." Recalling those days, he felt as if he had become years younger. He had originally intended to use the Chu family's severance of ties with Zu An as an opportunity to arrange his daughter's marriage to him, making her his legitimate wife. However, Chu Chuyan's formidable presence instantly made him lose confidence in that plan.

"Ah Zu!" A smile, like melting snow, bloomed on Chu Chuyan's usually cold face when she saw Zu An. She then gave Sang Hong a slight nod.

"Let's go. First, we'll escort Lord Sang back to his residence." Zu An couldn't resist taking her hand; it would be a missed opportunity not to publicly assert his claim over such a beautiful wife. As expected, when Chu Chuyan not only didn't resist but naturally leaned into him, those around them immediately cast envious glances.

"Rage points +110, +110, +110..."

Feeling the continuous influx of rage points, Zu An chuckled to himself, recalling the time in Brightmoon City when he'd led Chu Chuyan to a gambling house just to accumulate more rage points. Perhaps recalling similar past events, a blush appeared on Chu Chuyan's usually cold face.

"Ah Zu, have you done something to displease me?" she suddenly asked via spiritual transmission.

Zu An's heart skipped a beat. "Why do you ask?"

"I just have a feeling you've done something you shouldn't have; you were especially attentive to me just now," Chu Chuyan said, looking at him suspiciously.

"It hurts me that you would accuse me like that." Zu An thought, a woman's sixth sense is truly terrifying. Could this be the 'sword-heart insight' of White Jade City that Yan Xuehen once mentioned? Chu Chuyan was one of the few geniuses to achieve such a state.

Fortunately, an Imperial Guard arrived with a new carriage just then, diverting the conversation. Zu An quickly ushered the two inside, and they set off for the Sang residence.

Along the way, Sang Hong recounted everything that had happened in the palace. "Regarding the annihilation of the envoy team in Can City," he began, "although I strongly suspected Prince Qi was behind it, I lacked concrete evidence. However, in his desperation, he tried to assassinate me right here in the capital, and he failed." He continued, "The capital is unlike a place like Can City. No matter how influential he is, completely concealing his tracks is impossible here. If the Emperor initiates an investigation, it will inevitably lead back to him. Combined with the charges from Yunzhong Commandery, there's now enough evidence to convict Prince Qi. Furthermore, with the two Qin family generals leading large armies on the front lines and unable to return anytime soon, Prince Qi's influence within the military has been significantly curtailed."

Chu Chuyan's eyes flickered; the Qin family was, after all, her mother's side of the family.

"But Uncle, you just said the Emperor wouldn't move against Prince Qi?" Zu An asked, puzzled.

"You're still young and underestimate Prince Qi's capabilities," Sang Hong explained. "To speak candidly, Prince Qi is actually the true inheritor of our dynasty's founding emperor. He inherited the direct line of power from the founding emperor, and with his years of cultivation, his influence at one point even surpassed the Emperor's. Furthermore, rumors suggest that Prince Qi's personal strength is now on par with the Emperor's."

Zu An was startled by this. "Is he an Earth Immortal too?"

"While there's no definitive proof, I'd say it's highly probable. That's the only way he could have garnered such widespread influence in recent years," Sang Hong stated. "Of course, he's likely still not as strong as the Emperor; otherwise, he probably wouldn't have been content to remain a subject for so long."

Zu An nodded inwardly; this explanation clarified many things. Prince Qi might be weaker than the Emperor, but the difference in their power couldn't be significant. For the Emperor to move against him, it would undoubtedly come at a great cost. With the Emperor's lifespan nearing its end, he would certainly be unwilling to deplete even a sliver of his energy, which explains his hesitation in acting against Prince Qi. However, if his life truly reaches its final moments, the Emperor will undoubtedly deal with Prince Qi; otherwise, his foolish son would be no match for the powerful Prince Qi. Prince Qi isn't foolish either; he knows this day will eventually come. Thus, even though time is seemingly on his side, he's taking risks and engaging in rebellious acts, such as the situation in Yunzhong Commandery.

"However, now that Prince Qi has been caught, the Emperor won't miss such a good opportunity. Without completely breaking ties, if I'm not mistaken, this will temporarily conclude with Prince Qi leaving the capital for his fiefdom," Sang Hong stated gravely. "People naturally gravitate towards advantage and away from harm. Once Prince Qi leaves the capital, clearly losing his ability to contend for the succession, many officials within his faction will begin to abandon him. Even the core families of Prince Qi's party will have to consider their own escape routes. There will undoubtedly be significant internal turmoil. Prince Qi's power will gradually diminish, and he will eventually become isolated. When the Emperor finally makes his move against him, the repercussions will be far less significant."

Zu An listened with profound admiration. Though Sang Hong's cultivation wasn't exceptional in the capital, his political acumen was unparalleled. He was able to deduce future events logically and accurately based on the available information.

At this point, Chu Chuyan couldn't help but ask, "What will be the Qin family's fate?"

Sang Hong replied, "Given the Qin family's prestige in the military, as long as they don't ultimately conspire with Prince Qi in rebellion, they should avoid any major repercussions. However, by then, the Qin family will certainly no longer command the extensive power and influence they currently enjoy."

Chu Chuyan nodded. She didn't care for power or influence; it was enough that the Qin family avoid any major upheavals that would distress her mother.

Their conversation made time fly, and before they knew it, they had arrived back at the Sang residence. Sang Qian and Zheng Dan had received word in advance and were already waiting at the entrance.

"Father!" Sang Qian was far more emotional than Zheng Dan. Having already lost her brother, and fearing her father was also dead, she was overwhelmed with joy at his safe return.

"Xiao Qian!" Sang Hong's eyes welled up with tears.

"Brother Zu, thank you..." Sang Qian looked at Zu An gratefully, but then her body stiffened as she noticed Chu Chuyan standing next to him.

"Miss... Miss Chu," Sang Qian stammered, her expression suddenly uneasy.

Sang Hong's aged face flushed, well aware of his daughter's youthful innocence. He quickly intervened to diffuse the awkwardness: "Xiao Qian, it's all thanks to Miss Chu's rescue that I'm still alive."

Sang Qian was stunned. Forgetting any hint of jealousy, she quickly expressed her gratitude.

"You're too kind, Miss Sang," Chu Chuyan replied politely.

The group then entered the house. Sang Qian naturally engaged in heartfelt conversation with her father, while Zu An remained by their side, offering explanations. Meanwhile, Zheng Dan linked arms with Chu Chuyan and pulled her aside to chat idly. "Oh, Elder Sister, you seem even more refined and ethereal than before."

Chu Chuyan, with her quiet and reserved nature, was unaccustomed to such enthusiastic closeness, yet felt awkward pushing her away. "Miss Zheng, it's been a long time." She was naturally aware of the relationship between Zu An and Zheng Dan, and truthfully, she wasn't pleased. However, remembering how Zheng Dan had stayed by Zu An's side during his troubles and how they had all fought formidable enemies together, Chu Chuyan found it difficult to express her true feelings. She sighed softly. Since Zheng Dan had yielded and called her "Elder Sister" as a gesture of goodwill, how could she possibly turn hostile?

She quickly composed herself and began chatting. Seeing Chu Chuyan's cooperation, a great weight lifted from Zheng Dan's heart, indicating that she had, to some extent, been accepted.

As the two women chatted, the atmosphere became much more comfortable. Zheng Dan keenly observed Chu Chuyan glancing towards Zu An multiple times and couldn't help but chuckle, "Elder Sister can't be away from Ah Zu for even a moment, can she?"

A faint blush appeared on Chu Chuyan's fair cheeks. "I wasn't looking at him..." After a moment's hesitation, she whispered, "Does Miss Sang... also like Ah Zu?"

"Pfft!" Zheng Dan, who had been talking until her throat was dry and was just taking a sip of tea, immediately spat it out upon hearing the question.