Chapter 430: An Unexpected Scene

Chatting with Zheng Dan and continuously collecting rage points from Sang Qian, Zu An would have even thought he was on vacation, were it not for the cold prison cart constantly reminding him of his current status.

Not long after, the convoy exited the city gate. Gazing at the majestic city walls slowly receding into the distance, Zu An was momentarily lost in thought.

He had first entered Brightmoon City, slowly through this very gate, in Chu Chuyan's carriage, when he arrived in this new world.

But now he was leaving, and in a prison cart at that.

"What are you thinking about?" Seeing him suddenly quiet, Zheng Dan felt a little unaccustomed to it.

"I wonder if I'll ever have a chance to return in this lifetime," Zu An sighed. Though he had a nascent plan in mind, its ultimate outcome was beyond his control.

Moreover, based on the information he had gathered at school recently, this world was much larger than Earth, and without modern transportation like planes or high-speed trains from his previous life, geographical barriers could easily separate people forever.

Zheng Dan also let out a sigh of resignation: "Most likely, we won't be able to return."

Not to mention Zu An, her own future was also uncertain, unsure what fate awaited her.

Just then, a voice suddenly called out from not far away: "Wait!"

The convoy slowly came to a halt, and a commotion, along with sounds of negotiation and argument, could be heard from the front.

Zu An was startled. He had intentionally leaked information about the Phoenix Nirvana Sutra earlier, expecting it would attract covetous eyes from various factions, but wasn't this person arriving too quickly? They hadn't even left Brightmoon City's vicinity yet.

He craned his neck to look and saw a disheveled middle-aged man and a petite, pretty young girl being blocked by the imperial guards.

Zheng Dan couldn't help but let out a soft snort: "Teacher Zu is indeed exceptionally charming. Even in this situation, he still has a female confidante coming to see him off."

Zu An chuckled: "Don't be jealous, little Dan'er; this only proves you have good taste."

Zheng Dan's heart skipped a beat, and she guiltily glanced towards Sang Qian's prison cart. She saw him with his eyes closed, resting, perhaps afraid he'd be driven mad with anger if he kept listening, and thus deliberately ignored their situation.

"Zu An is an imperial criminal, no visitors allowed!" The imperial guards kept waving them away. If Ji Xiaoxi hadn't looked so soft, cute, and innocent, they would have drawn their weapons on anyone else by now.

"I just want to say one thing to him," Ji Xiaoxi pleaded, blinking her large, watery eyes.

Watching her eyes, which seemed to speak, the hearts of the burly imperial guards almost melted. They couldn't bear to be rough with her, but they certainly dared not grant her request.

"What's going on? Why isn't this handled yet?" Prince Liang asked impatiently, leading his men to investigate.

When he saw Ji Xiaoxi's bright eyes and white teeth, his eyes lit up.

Unlike some younger men who preferred mature women like young wives, at his age, he still preferred fresh and lovely young girls like her.

"Bring her to me... *cough cough*. Since she's looking for an imperial criminal, she's most likely an accomplice; seize them both." Prince Liang, already well-versed in bureaucratic tactics, immediately gave the order.

Anyway, once they were taken away, wouldn't he decide what to do with them?

"*Cough cough!*" Just then, a dissatisfied cough came from nearby. Prince Liang reluctantly pulled his gaze away from Ji Xiaoxi, thinking, *Who's interrupting my pleasure?*

Just as he was about to get angry, he recognized the person's face and was startled: "Divine Physician Ji... Ji?"

Ji Dentu sneered: "It seems His Highness hasn't forgotten a commoner like me."

Prince Liang's face showed resentment. How could he forget? Back then, which family's horses or pets in the capital hadn't been harmed by this fellow?

He called it 'testing medicine,' but after consuming his medicine, they all began to engage in reproductive activities.

"This is my daughter," Ji Dentu chuckled, revealing a set of teeth stained yellow from dry tobacco. "She and that Zu An fellow used to be in the same school, and she has something she wants to discuss with him. Would His Highness make an exception?"

"Oh, it's my niece! Of course, no problem," Prince Liang chuckled awkwardly. He remembered this fellow was famously petty; and though his strength was ordinary, his poisons were impossible to guard against.

Moreover, his poisons were all insidious. He still remembered how the Qin family's famed steed back then, after being poisoned by this fellow, mated with eighteen mares before finally dropping dead.

Prince Liang thought of his own now-flaccid 'little brother'; if he were to be affected by such potent aphrodisiacs, wouldn't he be consumed by inner fire and die?

"Thank you, Your Highness," Ji Xiaoxi rejoiced and quickly ran towards Zu An.

"Wait!" Prince Liang quickly stopped her. "Leave your bag. You cannot bring anything over."

Although he was somewhat wary of Ji Dentu, Zu An was an imperial criminal, and no carelessness could be afforded. Throughout the entire process, others were strictly forbidden from approaching, and no one was allowed to pass anything to or from him, whether giving something to him or taking something from him, all to prevent any mishaps.

Ji Xiaoxi's face flushed slightly, and she quickly took off all her belongings: "Is this alright?"

Prince Liang frowned. Though nothing was visible on the surface now, who knew if she had hidden anything on her person? Unfortunately, it wasn't convenient to search her now. If he had known this, he should have brought two maidservants from Brightmoon City earlier.

"Of course, that's fine," he replied verbally, but secretly transmitted a message to Liu Yao: "General Liu, I'll trouble you to monitor them closely. We absolutely cannot afford any mistakes."

Liu Yao snorted inwardly. *This old fox is pushing responsibility onto me,* he thought. But he had no choice and could only follow Ji Xiaoxi to the prison cart.

Gazing at the approaching girl, Zu An couldn't help but exclaim, "Xiaoxi, thank you for coming to see me."

Ji Xiaoxi bit her lip: "I'm sorry, I couldn't help you with anything."

Zu An smiled: "There's nothing for you to be sorry about. I'm already grateful that you came to see me under these circumstances."

"If I had known this, I wouldn't have been angry with you for so long before," Ji Xiaoxi said, her face flushed slightly, her cheeks like exquisite apples.

Zu An knew she was referring to the time she accidentally consumed 'Eighteen Degrees of Spring Breeze' and couldn't help but laugh. "That incident was my fault, so it's perfectly normal for you to be angry."

Liu Yao and the surrounding imperial guards were speechless. They had thought she had something important to say, causing such a commotion to stop the convoy, but it turned out to be just sweet nothings between a man and a woman?

At the same time, they felt a bit of admiration. This Zu An fellow looked unremarkable, yet he not only had the most beautiful woman as his wife and the city lord's daughter willing to brave danger for him, but now also had such a pure and adorable young beauty utterly devoted to him.

On the other side, Sang Qian was itching with hatred. *Are these women blind? Why are they all throwing themselves at him?*

Rage points from Sang Qian +555!

Liu Yao coughed lightly: "Miss Ji, time's up. Everyone's waiting to get back on the road."

Clearly, he was quite annoyed by having to witness this public display of affection.

"I'll be quick," Ji Xiaoxi said, giving him an apologetic smile. She came to the prison cart and waved at Zu An. "A'Zu, there's something I want to say to you alone."

Zu An was surprised and leaned closer. "What is it?"

Zheng Dan, standing nearby, perked up her ears. Her natural female intuition sensed danger.

On the other side, Liu Yao, and even Prince Liang and Ji Dentu further away, all looked over in this direction, curious about what she wanted to say.

"Come a little closer," Ji Xiaoxi whispered, pursing her lips.

Zu An grew even more puzzled. What on earth did this girl want to say? Didn't she know there were so many masters present that even if she whispered right into his ear, it wouldn't go unnoticed?

Nevertheless, he instinctively leaned in. Just as he was about to speak, a pair of soft lips suddenly pressed against his, and a youthful, sweet scent enveloped him.

Everyone present was stunned. Everyone had been curious about what this cute little girl was going to say, but who knew they'd be served such a public display of affection?

Oh my goodness, a French kiss, no less?

You beast! How could you do that to such a pure and innocent girl?

Rage points from the imperial guards +666 +666 +666...

Zu An also looked wronged, because he hadn't initiated it; rather, a nimble, sweet-scented tongue had actively reached out.

However, his expression suddenly froze, because he felt the other person's tongue push something against his teeth.