Chapter 438: The Princess Consort's Mission

A group led by the Prince of Wu and his consort entered the royal mansion. Their first order of business was naturally to inspect the detention facility provided by the Prince of Wu, as Zu An’s situation was critical. Even Prince Liang and General Liu Yao, eager to begin their banquet, dared not be negligent in this matter.

The Prince of Wu had prepared an independent courtyard with an open perimeter. It would be difficult for any enemy to approach without being spotted by the guards.

Inside the courtyard were several separate rooms, spaced far enough apart to facilitate guard placement.

Crucially, this courtyard was not far from the dinner banquet location, allowing Prince Liang and General Liu Yao to arrive swiftly should any unforeseen incident occur.

Huang Huihong nodded repeatedly, clearly satisfied with the temporary detention facility.

Prince Liang stroked his beard and smiled, "Prince of Wu, you've truly gone to great lengths. This courtyard is perfectly suitable."

The Prince of Wu chuckled, "It wasn't specially prepared; I simply repurposed one of the mansion's annexes. I'm glad it meets your requirements."

"Excellent, excellent. Commander Huang, you'll have a tough task ahead," Prince Liang said to Huang Huihong.

Huang Huihong cupped his hands and replied, "It's my duty; no hardship at all."

The Prince of Wu smiled slightly. "My mansion guards will secure the outer perimeter. Commander, if you have any needs, simply instruct them."

Huang Huihong said, "Thank you, Your Highness. However, it would be best if they did not approach the courtyard, to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings."

The Prince of Wu replied, "Naturally. Unless Commander Huang gives the order, they will not set foot in this courtyard."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Huang Huihong bowed. His greatest concern had been ill-intentioned individuals disguised as mansion guards getting close to the area to launch a surprise attack. Now, with the Prince's promise, if anyone foolishly dared to approach, they could be summarily executed. After all, the Embroidered Uniform Guards had the authority to act on behalf of the Emperor, allowing them to kill first and report later, even if the culprits were not just a few mansion guards but high-ranking officials of the royal household.

The Prince of Wu nodded to him, maintaining his gentle, affable smile. He then addressed the others, "Prince Liang, General Liu, please come this way. I have prepared some unique songs, dances, and dishes characteristic of Jibei City to welcome you."

Liu Yao laughed heartily. "Excellent! Today, we shall experience the local customs and culture of your Jibei City."

Prince Liang also smiled, stroking his beard. He was most interested in Jibei City's unique songs and dances, wondering about the local maidens.

Suddenly, his gaze caught the Prince of Wu's consort beside him. Her pure face held a subtle smile. As night fell, faint moonlight illuminated her, adding a radiant glow to her already fair and captivating features, giving her an aura of sacred beauty.

Prince Liang quickly composed himself, adopting a solemn expression, deeply afraid that even a hint of a frivolous smile would mar this sense of sanctity.

"Confound it," he thought. "I've been a connoisseur of beauties for so many years, yet today I feel so constrained in front of a junior."

Just as he felt this flicker of doubt, the Prince of Wu began asking him about affairs in the capital, and he quickly answered each question, diverting his thoughts.

"Ah, it's been almost ten years since I left the capital; many memories from back then have faded," the Prince of Wu said with a self-deprecating chuckle. "By the way, how has Father been lately?"

"His Majesty's cultivation is unparalleled, so his health is naturally good," Prince Liang replied. "However, with age and old injuries from earlier campaigns against foreign tribes, his current state is, after all, not what it was in his youth."

In truth, all factions were aware that the Emperor was nearing the 'Five Declines of Heaven and Man' and that his end was likely within the next few years. But such a sensitive topic could not be spoken aloud, so he strained his mind to find appropriate phrasing.

The Prince of Wu immediately looked on the verge of tears. "It's a great regret in my heart that I cannot attend to my Imperial Father."

Prince Liang quickly said, "After I return to the capital this time, I will certainly convey your filial piety to His Majesty. If the Emperor knows of your devotion, he will undoubtedly be delighted."

The Great Zhou Dynasty governed with filial piety as a core principle. Thus, from high officials to common folk, everyone demonstrated their filial devotion to their parents in various ways, making it difficult to distinguish genuine affection from feigned sincerity.

Regardless of what they truly thought, no one would dare challenge this rule; instead, they would cooperate fully, lest they become a target of public criticism.

General Liu Yao, standing nearby, immediately expressed his displeasure. "The Great Zhou Dynasty has its laws. Feudal princes must leave the capital to assume their posts in their fiefdoms upon reaching adulthood. The Crown Prince is in the capital to serve His Majesty; there is no need for the Prince of Wu to trouble himself."

What if the Emperor, in a moment of weakness, were to recall him to the capital? Prince Qi was already troublesome enough; adding another Prince of Wu would make the Crown Prince's position even more difficult.

The Prince of Wu immediately apologized, "I misspoke, Your Highness. My longing for my Imperial Father and Mother made me forget the court's rules. I hope General Liu will not take offense."

Prince Liang quickly intervened to smooth things over. "We were just having a casual chat. Why be so serious? Let's only talk about pleasantries today, and nothing else."

Seeing the Prince of Wu's humble attitude, Liu Yao felt a little embarrassed, especially since the Prince was their host today. He then went along with it, saying, "Prince Liang is absolutely right; I was too rigid."

Yun Yuqing, standing nearby, cast a worried glance at her husband. Only she caught the fleeting flash of resentment in his eyes.

Meanwhile, in the annex courtyard, Huang Huihong was personally leading his subordinates in a thorough inspection. Earlier, out of respect for the Prince of Wu, he hadn't conducted such a detailed check. But now it was imperative to verify everything, as any hidden mechanisms or secret passages could cause significant trouble.

Zu An and Zheng Dan were called out of the carriage and sat in the courtyard with the Sang father and son. The group stared at each other.

"You, Zu, did you do anything to Dan'er?" Sang Qian's eyes nearly popped out of his head.

"You should ask Miss Zheng that," Zu An said with a slight smile. "If you ask me, I'd just say I did everything, both what I should have and what I shouldn't have. If you want details, I don't mind telling you."

"You scoundrel!" Sang Qian exploded in rage and lunged forward, but he was immediately restrained and pushed back into his seat by an Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Rage points from Sang Qian +999!

Zheng Dan glared at Zu An, annoyed. "Can you stop spouting nonsense!"

She knew he wouldn't actually say anything inappropriate; he just wanted to provoke Sang Qian. But his teasing still made her extremely awkward.

Zu An shrugged, smiling without a word.

Sang Hong, nearby, cleared his throat. "Zu An, I'm somewhat impressed by your move. Announcing the Phoenix Nirvana Sutra to the world seems to bring you more danger, but in reality, it transforms a situation of certain death into a slim chance of survival."

He deliberately changed the subject to prevent his son from being led astray.

"You flatter me, Mr. Sang. I didn't think that far ahead; I simply acted on impulse. That's just how I am: if someone doesn't let me have peace, I won't let them have peace either," Zu An said, cupping his hands. "By the way, I still haven't thanked you for your help last time."

His escape from the Sang residence last time was entirely due to Sang Hong briefly delaying Prince Liang.

Sang Hong glanced at the Embroidered Uniform Guard nearby and chuckled, "I wouldn't dare claim that. My existing offenses are heavy enough; I don't want to add another."

"Understood, understood. But I'll keep this favor in mind, and I'll repay you if the opportunity arises," Zu An also laughed.

"If I had known you were so capable, I never would have antagonized the Chu family from the start," Sang Hong sighed.

Zu An chuckled. "More likely, you'd have gotten rid of me immediately."

Sang Hong burst into laughter. "Exactly! Little brother, you truly understand me best."

Sang Qian, standing by, snorted, thoroughly displeased to see his father chatting and laughing so freely with Zu An.

"However, there's one thing I don't quite understand," Sang Hong couldn't help but ask. "Given what I know of you, you would never undertake a suicidal act. What are your plans going forward?"

Zu An yawned. "Mr. Sang, you make me sound like an old fox. I don't think that much."

Seeing his reluctance to speak, Sang Hong was not surprised. "Then I shall wait and see what astonishing maneuvers you have in store, young man."

"Stop chatting, everyone into your rooms," Huang Huihong ordered. He had finished his inspection and was displeased to see the group conversing so amicably, as communication among prisoners was strictly forbidden.

Conveniently, there were many rooms available, so he ordered them to be taken to separate ones.

Meanwhile, the Prince of Wu, while continuously toasting Prince Liang and General Liu Yao, secretly transmitted a message to his wife beside him. "The rest is up to you. You must complete the task I've given you."