Chapter 634: Relationship Like a Spring

A group of people hurried towards Kunning Palace. While it was usually very difficult for external officials to enter the inner palace, with the Crown Prince and Crown Princess leading the way, and the Empress's personal eunuch accompanying them, their journey was naturally smooth and unimpeded.

On the way, Little Gui Zi subtly winked at Zu An, signaling his friendliness. As he passed by, he lowered his voice and said, "Thank you for saving my life yesterday, Sir." Few people who navigated the palace were truly naive. He naturally understood that he had nearly been silenced yesterday, and it was entirely thanks to Zu An that his life was spared, even leading to his rise in status as the Empress's personal eunuch.

Zu An smiled and said, "You exaggerate, Eunuch. We simply helped each other out."

Little Gui Zi had already been thinking the same thing, and seeing that Zu An didn't take credit or act arrogant, he smiled even more cheerfully. "Let's become closer in the future." In front of so many people, he didn't dare to talk too much. He left with that one remark and went to lead the way.

Zu An also smiled slightly. Having watched so many TV dramas in his previous life, he knew that the most powerful figures in the palace were the eunuchs. It was best not to offend this group if possible; befriending them would be even more perfect. Of course, he also had to be careful to keep it a secret; otherwise, if he were labeled as part of the "Eunuch Faction," he would also be seen as a thorn in the side of court officials.

"Are you very familiar with the eunuchs of Kunning Palace?" Although their conversation was brief, it did not escape the Crown Princess's notice. She came up to Zu An and asked with a frown.

Smelling the faint sweet scent emanating from the Princess, Zu An replied, "The last time the Empress summoned me to Kunning Palace, this eunuch also led the way."

"You're that familiar after just one meeting?" The Crown Princess's delicate brows furrowed tightly, and a sense of unease rose in her heart. Was Kunning Palace planning to plant spies in the Eastern Palace to win over people?

"Perhaps I'm just naturally approachable," Zu An chuckled, inwardly complaining. Seeing the Crown Princess's guarded expression, it seemed that in any world, daughters-in-law and mothers-in-law were natural adversaries. What's more, the current Empress was not the Crown Prince's biological mother, so the Crown Princess naturally had even fewer scruples about her.

The Crown Princess: "..." This guy, approachable? Where did he get such a thick skin? Seeing his flippant, grinning face, she felt a slight displeasure. Her mind conjured up the image of the cold and ruthless Gold Medal Agent Eleven from yesterday. *That* was the demeanor a man should have. Thinking of how that man had held her yesterday, she suddenly felt a warmth on her side. That was where his hand had been yesterday...

The Crown Princess's face flushed. She quickly dispelled the swirling thoughts in her mind and asked, "What exactly did the Empress want with you yesterday?"

"Nothing much," Zu An replied. "Just curious about whether the new Crown Prince's attendant was reliable, and also asked what happened with Shi Kun."

The Crown Princess stared at him. "And what did you say?" As the mistress of the palace, it was natural for the Empress to inquire about such matters, but the Crown Princess felt a bit uneasy, feeling like the Empress was overstepping into her territory.

"Of course, I said he was reliable. As for Shi Kun, I just repeated what you taught us earlier." Zu An, worried that further questions would put him on the defensive, proactively changed the subject. "Hmm, why don't I see that Nanny Rong... *cough, cough*... your personal maid?"

The Crown Princess said with a worried expression, "She was severely wounded in last night's fierce battle, her spirit damaged. Unfortunately, there are no suitable medicines to nourish her, so she will likely need to rest for a while."

Zu An was startled. So the Crown Princess went to the Imperial Hospital yesterday to find medicine for her maid. Why then did she hand it over to me so readily? Rong Mo would probably be devastated if she knew the truth.

Thinking of the Crown Princess's kindness towards his other identity, his heart stirred. He carefully studied the beauty before him: phoenix eyes, a melon-seed shaped face, plump, thin lips. He had to admit, she was truly a great beauty. Standing beside her, he felt they truly deserved the title of a perfect match. His gaze fell on the red *huadian* on her forehead. He didn't know how it was made; sometimes it looked like a plum blossom, sometimes like a clover. It looked quite elegant and refined.

The Crown Princess had intended to say something more, but as soon as she looked up, she noticed his intense gaze fixed on her. Her delicate brows couldn't help but furrow. "Sir Zu, please mind your manners." This fellow dared to stare at her so directly? Was he tired of living? If it had been anyone else, she might have flared up on the spot. But then she remembered that he was just a commoner from Brightmoon City who had only come to the Eastern Palace by chance, so it was normal for him not to know some of the rules. If she made a big fuss, who knew what rumors might spread. Her current status was sensitive, and countless eyes were on her, so it was better to avoid trouble.

Seeing the Crown Princess leave with a stern face, as if avoiding a pervert, Zu An was speechless for a moment. Really? He was just looking at her *huadian*, not coveting her beauty.

Soon, the group arrived at Kunning Palace. The Crown Princess took the Crown Prince inside to pay their respects. The Empress responded with a smile, not even glancing at Zu An, and both parties conversed happily. Zu An, standing to the side, pursed his lips. What a scene of maternal love and filial piety. The Crown Princess clearly harbored many reservations about this Empress, and the Empress's tone yesterday had revealed her dissatisfaction with the Crown Princess. Yet, upon meeting, they behaved like close friends.

Tsk, tsk, women are truly terrifying!

Next, the Empress bestowed rewards upon the other members of the Eastern Palace, commending them for their contributions in protecting the Crown Prince and Crown Princess. The Crown Princess shot Zu An a sidelong glance, thinking to herself, *the others are fine, but this guy left early yesterday. What merit does he have?* *Calm down, calm down,* she reminded herself. *As a lady, how can I use such vulgar words?*

The portly Crown Prince suddenly had a whim and insisted on eating pastries. The Empress, who was looking for an excuse to send them away, smiled faintly and had a palace maid take them to a side room to find some pastries. The Crown Princess naturally had to accompany them. She didn't have to worry about the pastries being poisoned or anything; after all, the Crown Prince was born to the Empress's elder sister, and in their opposition to Prince Qi, they were still on the same side. However, watching her nominal husband wolfing down food, she felt utterly mortified. But unfortunately, she couldn't show any of it; she could only stand by, lost in thought. Involuntarily, she thought of Agent Eleven, who had saved her last night during the crisis, and sighed faintly to herself.

The other members of the Eastern Palace were also led to another side hall and rewarded with pastries. Receiving such appreciation from the Empress, they were all incredibly excited.

Zu An, meanwhile, was secretly led by Little Gui Zi to another palace chamber. The Empress was languidly reclining on a couch, her robes draped around her, outlining her voluptuous and full curves. *Her hips were wider than her shoulders—a truly heavenly figure...* Zu An silently made a mental note, thinking, *the Emperor must be out of his mind to ignore such a beautiful concubine. It's truly a case of some having too much and others having nothing.*

The Empress casually waved her hand, signaling Little Gui Zi to leave. Eunuch Lü, who was standing nearby, also seemed to have received prior instructions and went outside to stand guard.

Zu An couldn't help but chuckle. "The Empress specifically sent everyone else away. Now it's just a man and a woman alone in the room. Could it be that the Empress desires my body?"

The Empress's expression turned cold, and she said in a low voice, "You dog slave, you're getting bolder and bolder. Do you believe I'll have someone drag you out and bludgeon you to death right now?"

Zu An also dropped his smile. "Your Majesty, in public, I show you sufficient respect. But in a private meeting like this, if you still try to threaten me, aren't you mistaken about something?" Seeing his aggressive gaze, the Empress's heart suddenly skipped a beat. For some reason, her heart, long dry, felt as if it had returned to the gentle, continuous spring rain of her youth. She uncomfortably sat upright. Her voice also softened slightly. "I... I summoned you mainly to ask what happened to that assassin yesterday."

Seeing her attitude change so quickly, no longer referring to herself as "this Empress," Zu An was also momentarily stunned. *Do you only act like this if I'm harsh with you? Are you perhaps a masochist?*

He said in a deep voice, "Don't worry, that assassin is under my control and won't go around blabbing."

The Empress's expression changed. "You didn't kill him?"

Zu An smiled slightly. "What if I killed him, and then the Empress secretly had someone kill me too?"

The Empress's expression flickered. She had indeed harbored this thought, intending to find an opportunity to send Eunuch Lü to silence him. Although killing a Crown Prince's attendant would be somewhat troublesome, compared to her reputation, it was a risk worth taking. She certainly didn't want to leave a handle in someone else's hands.

Zu An glanced at her and said, "Rest assured, as long as I'm safe, that person will remain under control. Of course, if anything happens to me, I can't guarantee that rumors won't spread outside."

Rage points from Liu Ning +444!

The Empress was furious, her teeth itching with frustration. She naturally knew he was threatening her, and the key was, she truly had no way out. She said in a deep voice, "Do you know that if anything goes wrong and that assassin escapes, both you and I will be doomed?"

"Everything is arranged properly on my end; there won't be any problems," Zu An said confidently.

"I hope you don't disappoint me. Now, get out." The Empress rubbed her temples, feeling quite annoyed.

Zu An's expression turned cold. He took a step forward and reached out, pinching her cheek. "Woman, don't talk to me like that." He knew that in such a strange relationship, the weaker he appeared, the more trouble she might cause; only by taking the initiative could he stay safe.

The Empress was stunned. She had never expected this fellow to dare to be so disrespectful to her!