Chapter 437: Cloudy, Rainy, Clear

No wonder King Wu ignored daughters from many prestigious families and insisted on marrying a woman from the third-rate Yun family.

“What’s the use of being beautiful?” Zu An said naturally, unlike everyone else who was stunned. “Anyway, I’m a man she’ll never have in her life.”

King Wu’s Consort turned her head, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, and glanced in their direction, as if she had heard his words.

The surrounding imperial guards all turned to glare angrily, but for a moment, they couldn’t find any words to retort, as it was true that Zu An and the Consort would never have any interaction in their lives.

But would King Wu’s Consort even care for a nobody like you?

Anger Points from the imperial guards: +66, +66, +66, and so on.

“You scoundrel, you’re being offensive to such a beautiful lady,” Zheng Dan said, less politely, letting out an indignant huff. Since everyone already thought she had been bullied throughout the journey, showing some anger at this moment wouldn’t raise any suspicion.

“Is it wrong to speak the truth?” Zu An asked, looking helpless.

“It’s fortunate King Wu is so magnanimous and didn’t blame you. Otherwise, a commoner offending King Wu wouldn’t even know how he died,” Zheng Dan grumbled on the surface, but was secretly reminding him that it was best not to provoke others while on their territory.

To her surprise, Zu An didn’t care at all: “What’s the big deal? I’ve already offended the Emperor to death; do I care about a small King Wu?”

Zheng Dan: “...”

He was a classic case of ‘too many debts to worry about, too many lice to feel itchy’—meaning, once you’re already in deep trouble, a little more trouble doesn’t matter.

However, he did have a point. If he had already offended the Emperor, offending King Wu was no big deal.

At this moment, King Wu apologized to King Liang and the others, saying, “My apologies, I’m feeling a bit unwell, and I’ve made you all laugh.”

He didn’t look towards Zu An at all, as if he hadn’t heard anything he said.

Zheng Dan couldn’t help but discreetly poke Zu An: “See how magnanimous he is?”

“Magnanimous?” Zu An’s expression was playful, as he had just received a message from his system.

Anger Points from Zhao Yan: +458!

“This guy is so cunning, acting one way in front of people and another way behind their backs. Unlike me, who is straightforward both in public and private?”

King Liang said, “Since Xiao Yan isn’t feeling well, you should quickly go back and rest. We can handle things here.”

King Wu shook his head: “An assassination attempt happened here; it’s truly due to my ineffective handling that the assassins found an opportunity. How could I stand idly by?”

Hearing him take responsibility, King Liang and Liu Yao felt embarrassed to blame him further. They both said, “What are you saying? We just found out the assassins were Dark Elves. They intended to infiltrate; even with the strictest precautions, they would be difficult to stop.”

Zu An secretly sneered. Just a moment ago, these guys were constantly shifting blame and criticizing King Wu’s subordinates in every way. Now that the main person was here, they were acting harmoniously like a family. What hypocrites.

The group exchanged pleasantries for a while. King Liang then said, “Since you’re not feeling well, let’s not stand here in the cold any longer. Let’s go back to your residence first.”

“Yes, yes, that was my oversight,” King Wu said with a laugh. “This way, please. Oh, by the way, Yuqing, quickly come and greet your uncles.”

King Wu’s Consort gracefully stepped forward, a gentle smile seemingly always on her lips: “Yuqing greets her two uncles.”

That momentary grace captivated everyone. Not only the hot-blooded imperial guards but even the elderly King Liang and Liu Yao were momentarily stunned.

King Liang was the first to recover, hastily clearing his throat to hide his embarrassment: “I’ve long heard of my grand-nephew’s wife’s outstanding beauty. Seeing her today, she far exceeds the rumors, and she is also so gentle and virtuous. Xiao Yan is truly blessed.”

King Wu’s Consort smiled sweetly: “Uncle, you flatter me.”

Hearing their conversation, Zu An curiously asked Zheng Dan, “By the way, which family did you say King Wu’s Consort comes from?”

“It’s the Yun family from Beidi Commandery. The Yun family isn’t even considered a first-rate prominent family locally, let alone in the entire kingdom,” Zheng Dan’s expression suddenly grew somewhat melancholic. In terms of family background, the Yun family might not even compare to the Zheng family of Brightmoon City.

After all, Brightmoon City was much more prosperous and wealthy than Beidi Commandery. Unfortunately, the Yun family’s status had risen significantly and their future was limitless because of their daughter’s good marriage, while the Zheng family’s survival was precarious. Alas, it was all fate.

Zu An remembered that when he sought tutoring from Shang Liuyu, she had mentioned Beidi Commandery while explaining the geography of the kingdom. It was actually one of the northern frontier commanderies of the Great Zhou Dynasty, a frontline constantly embroiled in war against foreign tribes, and its people were known for their fierce customs. He never expected such a place to produce such a gentle and refined woman.

Wait, surname Yun?

Then her name must be Yun Yuqing? I wonder if there’s a guy named Jia Baoyu in this world.

After the several people chatted for a while, the group soon headed in the direction of King Wu’s residence.

Along the way, King Wu explained the local customs and traditions of Jibei Commandery to King Liang and Liu Yao. As for Huang Huihong, he merely touched upon things.

After all, the Embroidered Uniform Emissaries held a special status as the Emperor’s personal secret force. If King Wu, as a regional prince, were to interact too much with them, it could be seen by observant individuals and be reported as a serious crime of a regional prince colluding with imperial intimates.

From beginning to end, King Wu’s Consort stood by, smiling gently, her gaze fixed on King Wu. The deep affection in her eyes was palpable to anyone.

The imperial guards trailing behind all envied King Wu in their hearts, that he could find such a perfect wife.

Some even imagined how happy they would be if they were King Wu.

Unfortunately, they soon sobered up, realizing that King Wu was royalty while they were mere soldiers. There was no comparison.

“King Wu’s Consort truly loves King Wu,” Zheng Dan sighed, her expression dimming slightly, as if thinking of something.

Zu An disagreed: “What makes you say that?”

“That loving gaze couldn’t be fake,” Zheng Dan replied.

“Not necessarily. Women can perfectly fake such gazes,” Zu An recalled variety shows from his previous life. Female celebrities, whose acting skills might not have been exceptional, could perfectly feign tenderness and affection towards a man, their eyes capable of making you feel completely soft.

So, from then on, he didn’t really believe that love could be discerned from a woman’s eyes.

“Hmph, can’t you stand to see a couple with good feelings for each other!” Zheng Dan said indignantly.

Not just her, but even the surrounding Embroidered Uniform Emissaries subconsciously looked over, their eyes full of displeasure.

“What are you looking at? You’re not their spouses, why are you all so invested?” Zu An snorted, then drew the carriage curtain back down.

Anger Points from Huang Huihong: +220!

Anger Points from the Embroidered Uniform Emissaries: +111, +111, +111, and so on.

If this guy weren’t so important, they would definitely beat him up today!

After the group arrived at King Wu’s residence, the imperial guards were settled in a drill ground next to the mansion, where military camp rooms and other facilities had already been prepared.

King Liang and the others were invited to a banquet inside King Wu’s residence. Huang Huihong and his men were also invited, but they declined, stating they needed to guard Zu An at all times and could not allow any more mishaps.

King Wu smiled: “It’s still a long way to the capital; you can’t keep your guard up so tightly all the time. Commander Huang, do you not trust the security of my King Wu’s residence?”

King Wu’s Consort, standing nearby, also smiled and said to King Liang, “Uncle, please persuade them too. If they guard the imperial prisoner alone outside the residence, and there’s truly an attack, I fear our rescue might be too late.”

King Liang hummed in agreement: “Indeed, come into the residence together. That way, if anything happens, we can respond immediately.”

Huang Huihong thought the same, and coupled with King Wu’s Consort’s charming smile, it was indeed hard to refuse: “Very well then. However, we certainly cannot drink alcohol. We’ll trouble King Wu and the Consort to send us some food later.”

“Of course,” King Wu’s Consort said with a faint smile, then exchanged a look with King Wu, a hint of unspoken meaning in their eyes.