Chapter 1562: New Task

At this moment, Zu An was unaware of everything happening in the palace. He was quite happy, having reunited with old friends and resolved Zheng Dan's cultivation issue, especially since Chu Chuyan had taken the initiative to help.

With his spirits lifted, he chatted even more cheerfully with the Xie siblings.

They reminisced about amusing anecdotes from Brightmoon City and discussed their experiences in cultivation, making the atmosphere increasingly lively.

Only Xie Daoyun seemed preoccupied. On the surface, she smiled brightly, but when no one was paying attention, her expression became exceptionally forlorn.

After Zu An and Chu Chuyan left, Xie Xiu looked at the dazed Xie Daoyun. The usually frivolous Xie Xiu suddenly became serious: "Sister, stop looking. Brother Zu is a good man, but he's definitely not a suitable match for a woman. Don't dwell on him; it's like a moth flying into a flame, only adding to your sorrow."

Someone as outstanding as his sister, with a good family background and connections within the academy, would normally be perfectly qualified to marry into the most prestigious families as a legitimate wife. Yet, she insisted on pursuing Zu An. Every woman around him was so exceptional it made one question life itself. Was his sister truly willing to become a concubine?

Xie Daoyun immediately jumped up like a startled rabbit, her face flushing crimson. "Who said I like him? You, little rascal, have plenty of romantic escapades yourself, yet you have the nerve to lecture others."

As she spoke, she grabbed Xie Xiu's ear, making him beg for mercy. He couldn't understand why his sister's move had become so swift and precise, leaving him no way to dodge.

***

Elsewhere, after leaving the Xie siblings, Zu An visited several other acquaintances, including Shen Xuzi, before finally departing the academy.

On their way back, Chu Chuyan remarked with emotion, "Oh, I realize I truly don't know you well. I never imagined you possessed such vast knowledge that even the academy's masters seek your advice."

Zu An smiled faintly. "Do you feel like you've found a treasure?"

"Yes, I've found a treasure. It seems my luck is quite good." Seeing her beloved respected at the Imperial Academy, Chu Chuyan was genuinely happy, and a few smiles graced her usually icy, serene face.

Zu An was momentarily stunned, then couldn't help but exclaim, "You look truly beautiful when you smile."

A faint blush appeared on Chu Chuyan's fair skin. "Then make me smile more often from now on, and never make me cry."

Zu An paused, feeling that her words seemed to carry a deeper meaning.

As he pondered, Chu Chuyan's cool hand proactively took his, and she began asking him about his experiences and observations concerning the demon race.

Before they knew it, the two arrived at the Sang residence. After visiting the injured Sang Hong, they informed the household that the Chief Instructor had permitted Zheng Dan to become a disciple under Yan Xianggu, his most senior student.

This news astonished everyone in the Sang mansion. Although Sang Hong was an Imperial Envoy and formerly the Minister of Revenue, his reputation and cultivation were far inferior to Yan Xianggu's.

Yan Xianggu was the Chief Instructor's first disciple, rumored to have the highest cultivation among all personal disciples. Furthermore, his mastery of runic formations even surpassed that of his master.

Many runic formations used by the empire's army, government, and even the palace were his creations. To become his disciple meant an incredibly promising future.

Zheng Dan couldn't help but embrace Chu Chuyan, her voice choked with emotion. "Sister, thank you."

She recalled how envious she used to be when she learned that Xie Daoyun could become Yan Xianggu's disciple.

She believed her talent was no less than anyone else's, but she came from a merchant family, whose foundation was far inferior to that of an aristocratic clan like the Xie family.

Moreover, she had married into the Sang family, but before she even formally entered, the Sang family encountered trouble, and her fiancé died. All these misfortunes had left her disheartened. She never expected to be able to advance further in her cultivation now.

Seeing the two so close, Sang Qian couldn't help but feel a touch of jealousy. She thought, "Chu Chuyan has such clever tactics. With just this one move, she's completely won over my sister-in-law and tied her to her own side."

She had worked so hard for so long to form an alliance with her sister-in-law, yet her efforts might not even match Chu Chuyan's swift success.

However, she soon burst into self-deprecating laughter. Chu Chuyan didn't know about her relationship with Zu An, so there was no intention to deliberately use this move to undermine her. She realized she was simply projecting her own petty thoughts onto a noble person.

Chu Chuyan, however, was a little overwhelmed by Zheng Dan's enthusiasm. She gently pulled away from the embrace before saying, "Actually, I'm not the only one who cares. Ah Zu has also been concerned about your future. If I hadn't spoken today, I imagine he would have found a way to approach the Chief Instructor himself, wouldn't you, Ah Zu?"

Zu An gave an awkward smile, surprised that she had seen right through his thoughts.

She was merely a bit reserved in nature, not foolish; she understood many things clearly.

Zheng Dan, on the other hand, felt a little embarrassed. After all, she was still a daughter-in-law of the Sang family. Although the Sang family had long since merged with Zu An's interests, it still felt a bit strange in front of Sang Hong.

"Another day, we'll find time to take you to the academy for the apprenticeship ceremony," Zu An told Zheng Dan. "And Xie Daoyun is also your senior sister; you're all acquaintances, so she'll look after you in the future."

Zheng Dan hummed in acknowledgement, then looked to Sang Hong for approval.

Sang Hong felt a surge of comfort. This Zheng Dan truly possessed a clever mind, even considering his reputation in such a situation. He chuckled, "This is wonderful news; why would I stand in the way? When the time comes, I'll accompany you to pay my respects to Master Yan. I've spent many years in the capital, and while I've made countless enemies, I've also earned a bit of a good name. I've exchanged letters with Master Yan before, so we have some acquaintance. It would be good to visit her and reminisce."

Zheng Dan breathed a sigh of relief. If it were just a casual remark from the Chief Instructor, she wasn't sure if Yan Xianggu would truly care about a sudden transfer student like herself. But with this existing connection, things would clearly be much smoother for her in the future.

Chu Chuyan had originally intended to leave with Zu An for some private time, but the Sang family wouldn't let them go. They insisted on keeping them for a dinner to express their gratitude.

Unable to decline, the two stayed at the Sang residence, and it was already late by the time they headed home.

"Ah Zu, is Miss Sang feeling unwell?" Chu Chuyan recalled Sang Qian leaving the table several times during dinner, seemingly with some vomiting symptoms. She couldn't help but chuckle, "If she weren't unmarried, I'd think she was pregnant."

Zu An immediately broke into a cold sweat. How could he explain this? He certainly couldn't say, "Yes, we have a child," could he?

That would instantly turn the harmonious and warm atmosphere they had painstakingly built over the past few days into a battlefield.

"Perhaps it's because of Sang Hong's accident recently; she was frightened and fell ill," Zu An replied vaguely, then changed the subject.

Fortunately, Chu Chuyan didn't think much of it. After they had washed up, they soon arrived at the eagerly anticipated moment.

Chu Chuyan felt a little bashful. Although they were already married, they had only been nominal spouses early on. Later, when their feelings deepened, they spent little time together. Truth be told, their intimate moments were either spent healing injuries or on the way to heal them; rarely did they have proper marital relations.

A few days prior, they had sat on the balcony, chatting and moon-gazing, and had unknowingly fallen asleep. But today, it was clear there was no escaping.

Like a shy maiden, she silently wrapped herself in the quilt and huddled into the corner, her heart pounding.

Seeing her shy demeanor, Zu An chuckled softly, then swiftly slipped under the covers.

"Stop teasing, it tickles~" Chu Chuyan's voice lost its usual coldness, gaining a touch of earthly warmth.

Zu An did not reply; his mouth was occupied with other matters at the moment.

The sun shone brightly, and the iceberg began to melt.

With a celestial groan that seemed to come from the clouds, they fully recaptured the intimate familiarity they had once shared.

"You're still so warm," Zu An couldn't help but sigh.

Chu Chuyan was overwhelmed with shyness. She playfully slapped the man on top of her, which only brought forth a storm.

***

Over the next few days, the situation in the capital saw new developments. King Qi had originally received an ultimatum from the imperial court to return to his fiefdom and assume his duties. However, on the day of his departure, he suddenly fell ill.

Given his cultivation level, no one believed he had merely caught a cold. However, news soon spread that there seemed to be an issue with his cultivation technique, posing a risk of qi deviation, as he had fainted inexplicably several times.

Thus, it appeared he could not leave for now, and the matter had to be temporarily put on hold. Of course, King Qi could no longer appear in court, and his faction's influence was no longer what it once was. Everyone could see that their disintegration was imminent.

On this day, Zu An was summoned to the imperial palace by the emperor. Zhao Hao spoke directly, "I need you to leave the capital to handle a matter."