Chapter 564: Jing City

Chu Chuyan's expression changed slightly. "Watch your words!"

She glanced around for a moment. Seeing that no one outside was paying attention, she whispered, "The Embroidered Uniform Guard are the Emperor's eyes and ears. Zhuxie Chixin, especially, is the Emperor's closest confidant. If word gets back to the Emperor, do you still want to live?"

Zu An, however, was unfazed. He shrugged, "My situation is like having so many lice that you don't fear being bitten anymore. If the Emperor knows, then he knows."

Chu Chuyan gently took his hand, comforting him. After a moment, she said, "Actually, there are similar rumors circulating among the common folk, just as you said. But no one has any evidence; it's all just speculation."

Zu An chuckled. "How could anyone have evidence for something like this, except for the people directly involved? By the way, all of the Emperor's other sons are intelligent, so why is the Crown Prince the only one who's foolish?"

Chu Chuyan's delicate brows furrowed slightly. "There are many theories about that. The Demon Race says it's retribution for the Emperor having too much blood on his hands. Among humans, there's a rumor that the Crown Prince might have been tampered with when he was young, which led to his current symptoms... But these are just things you hear; they may not be true."

"Where there's smoke, there's usually fire," Zu An mused, falling into thought.

After discussing business, they began to talk more intimately. Chu Chuyan softly said, "A'Zu, thank you so much for what you did for the Chu clan. If it weren't for you, the Chu clan would probably have been doomed forever. I haven't had a proper chance to thank you."

Zu An chuckled, "You're my wife, who else would I help if not you?"

Chu Chuyan shook her head. "Even among married couples, few would go to such lengths. Haven't we seen enough cases where couples, like birds in the same forest, scatter when disaster strikes? What's more, you put yourself in grave danger for the Chu clan. Looking across the entire land, there are probably few husbands who would do what you did."

Zu An leaned back. "When you put it that way, I do feel a bit great. So, how are you planning to thank me? It can't just be verbal thanks, can it? That would be too insincere."

Chu Chuyan's jade-like cheeks flushed slightly. She suddenly leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.

Just as she was about to pull away, his arm instinctively wrapped around her slender waist, and then a dry, hot pair of lips pressed against hers.

Chu Chuyan's body stiffened, but she quickly relaxed, gently responding to her lover.

Her mind was a little muddled, but after a moment, she suddenly felt a chill. She immediately came to her senses and frantically pushed him away.

She had let him put his hand inside her robe, but he was actually starting to take her clothes off!

The thought of so many people outside the carriage made her normally snow-white cheeks turn a deep crimson.

This scoundrel's techniques were becoming more skillful; he probably practiced them on Manman in the secret realm.

The thought made her teeth itch with irritation, so she leaned in again and bit him hard on the shoulder.

"Hiss!" Zu An gasped, wondering where this woman's little grudge had come from.

Was she upset about his recent actions? But they were clearly an old married couple; how could he have known she was feeling jealous of another woman?

"I'm going out first. Staying in the carriage all the time isn't good," Chu Chuyan huffed. After tidying her clothes, she stepped out of the carriage.

Zu An looked dejected. Bored, he began to check his storage space, using the free time to organize his belongings. He didn't want to forget things again, like how he'd forgotten the *Primal Chaos Scripture's* ability to suppress evil creatures during their last visit to the Yin Ruins secret realm.

Suddenly, he found a secret manual: the *Flaming Blade* sword-art. He hadn't been able to cultivate it before because he hadn't awakened his fire elemental ability. Now, he could use Daji's fire elemental power, so it was a good time to try practicing it.

Zu An even specifically summoned Daji, trying to get her to practice as well, since she was also a fire elemental user. Unfortunately, she had no soul and couldn't cultivate at all. Zu An gave up after many attempts.

"I should have let Manman practice this instead," he thought. However, Zu An immediately recalled the combat techniques Pei Mianman had displayed earlier, forming fire dragons one moment and roses the next. He figured they were no worse than this, which made him sigh in relief.

He quickly calmed down and began to cultivate, mentally simulating the various blade techniques from the *Flaming Blade*. His only regret was not being able to try them out in person.

There were no other unusual incidents along the way. It seemed the attackers knew that Zhuxie Chixin, Prince Liang, Liu Yao, a large number of Embroidered Uniform Guards, and the Imperial Army were present. Unless they openly rebelled and mobilized a large force for a siege, a small group of assassins would be no match for them.

As they got closer and closer to the capital, the worry between Chu Chuyan's brows deepened. She suddenly felt a pang of regret. At a time like this, she had actually been jealous earlier.

Several Imperial Army officers approached her again, trying to curry favor. She felt extremely annoyed, casually brushed them off, and quickly retreated into the carriage to hide.

The officers watched her graceful figure, unable to help but sigh, "She truly is a celestial maiden descended to the mortal world. How can that guy named Zu be so lucky?"

"Lucky? They're almost in the capital. He doesn't have many days left to live."

"Forget a few days. Even if I could only be Miss Chu's husband for a single day, I'd be willing to die tomorrow."

"What a simp."

"Are you saying you wouldn't?"

"Of course not. I'd need at least two days."

...

Inside the carriage, Zu An chuckled. "It seems your charm truly is immense."

Chu Chuyan's cheeks flushed faintly, and she lightly scoffed, "Even you're making fun of me."

She had vaguely overheard their discussions, and while slightly annoyed, she wouldn't actually do anything to them. Slitting someone's tongue for a minor disagreement was the habit of a demoness, not her own nature.

She suddenly wrinkled her delicate nose. "Hmm, what's this strange scent?"

Zu An broke out in a cold sweat. He figured it was Daji's lingering body fragrance from when he had summoned her earlier in the carriage. It was strange, though; Daji currently had no soul, so she couldn't possibly be wearing perfume. He wondered where the scent was coming from.

He also mused that women's noses were truly like dogs', so sensitive to scents that weren't their own. To men, all perfumes smelled pretty much the same anyway, just fragrant.

He certainly didn't dare summon Daji now to introduce her. After all, she had been jealous just a few days ago. Bringing out another woman now would only cause more trouble.

He'd wait until she calmed down.

Zu An quickly changed the subject. "Didn't you say it wasn't convenient? Why are you spending more and more time in the carriage recently?"

Chu Chuyan sighed softly. "A'Zu, we'll be in the capital in three days."

Zu An paused, realizing she was worried about his safety. In her eyes, his trip to the capital was a life-or-death gamble.

Moved, he couldn't help but gently pull her into his embrace. "Don't worry, wife. Although this trip is dangerous, it's not without a chance..."

He didn't finish his sentence, as a soft pair of lips pressed against his.

Startled, he immediately realized that her sudden forwardness might be due to the thought of an imminent separation, possibly even death.

Zu An felt a wave of tenderness and tightly embraced her slender waist.

Suddenly, Chu Chuyan raised her delicate hand, and faint ice and snow seemed to dance around them.

"What's this?" Zu An asked, curious.

Chu Chuyan's face was as radiant as a peach blossom, and her voice was a mere whisper. "This can block out sounds from inside and outside..."

Zu An's heart fluttered. He never expected this usually aloof and reserved woman to be so forward. He couldn't resist any longer and lunged at her.

"Don't... don't tear my clothes, or else... or else if someone comes in later, we won't have time," Chu Chuyan whispered, biting her lip. She never imagined such words would come out of her own mouth.

But thinking of all Zu An had done for her, she gradually calmed down.

Zu An realized she had a point; if they were truly seen later, he would be the one at a disadvantage. So, he no longer insisted, and they tried to cooperate as much as possible.

The newlyweds, forced apart for a long time due to family misfortunes, were now reunited. Their union was truly like the meeting of autumn winds and dewdrops, surpassing countless earthly delights.

Chu Chuyan gritted her teeth and endured. Although she had set up a barrier around them, she subconsciously dared not make a sound. But the more she tried to suppress it, the more her body yielded.

Outside, the Imperial Army officers occasionally glanced toward the carriage:

"Why do I feel like the carriage is shaking a bit? Could it be..."

"Shut up. Miss Chu is like a fairy; she wouldn't be doing what you're thinking."

"Right, hehe... It's just that they are husband and wife, after all. With them hiding inside the carriage, it's hard not to let your imagination run wild."

"You don't need to worry too much. That guy named Zu won't live for many more days anyway. When Miss Chu is single again, we'll all compete fairly."

"I don't aspire for Miss Chu's favor. I'd be content just to exchange a few more words with her."

"Pah, you simp! I'm ashamed to be associated with you."

...

After an unknown amount of time, the unattainable fairy in their minds was now lying in Zu An's arms like a puddle of soft clay. The blush on her face and the sweet delight in her brows showed how immensely happy she had just been.

"A'Zu, I'll go on ahead after we get out. We'll meet again in the capital," Chu Chuyan said, her fingers gently stroking her lover's cheek, her eyes filled with reluctance.

Zu An knew she planned to ask her maternal grandfather to save him. Although he knew there wasn't much hope, he didn't want to dampen her spirits. He lowered his head and kissed her luscious red lips. "Let things take their course; don't force it. You have to believe that I also have a way."

Chu Chuyan hummed in agreement, shifting her position like a small cat. She just wanted to lie there forever and ever...

Unfortunately, they had to part eventually. She rested for a while, and when she felt her strength gradually returning, she left.

For the remainder of the journey, Zu An was completely bored on his own. Fortunately, three days later, they arrived in the capital.

Gazing at the magnificent city gates, Zu An was slightly moved, feeling a faint pressure upon entering the city.

As if sensing his confusion, Zhuxie Chixin said, "The capital has a grand formation that suppresses and deters all sorts of evildoers. Flight is forbidden at all times. Anyone who attempts to fly without permission will be countered by the formation. Don't say I didn't warn you."

Zu An smiled slightly. "Anyway, I won't be living in this capital for many more days, so these restrictions mean nothing to me."

Zhuxie Chixin was surprised. "You're quite open-minded. It's late today. You'll stay in the city for the night, and tomorrow morning, you'll follow me into the palace."

Zu An frowned secretly. *What kind of joke is this?* He possessed the method of immortality that the Emperor specifically requested. Forget about it being late; even if the Emperor was currently "tilling the fields" with his concubine, wouldn't he immediately summon him upon hearing of his arrival?

Why stay outside for another night, just to add unnecessary variables?

Something's fishy!