Chapter 653: Confession

The Crown Princess glared at him. "You said yourself it's been the talk of the town; how could I not know?"

Zu An seized the opportunity to ask, "Do you think Cheng Xiong will be convicted, Your Highness?"

The Crown Princess had been closely following the matter, as it was, in a way, tied to the power struggle between the Crown Prince's faction and Prince Qi. After a moment of thought, she gently shook her head. "Although both the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Capital Superintendent have found him guilty, the Grand Judiciary firmly believes it's a frame-up. The evidence is simply too weak. At most, Cheng Gang can be convicted, but it's highly unlikely to implicate Cheng Xiong."

Prince Qi's faction was not to be trifled with. With the military led by the Qin family, influential figures from the highest decision-making bodies such as Grand Secretariat Left Assistant Yu Xuanzhong, Chancellor Lian Yu, and Imperial Censor Pei Zheng, and even many respected elders within the imperial clan supporting them, there was no way they would allow Cheng Xiong, a member of their own faction, to be unjustly accused.

Even though her father, along with the Liu family, the Meng family, Prince Liang, and various other factions, had been fiercely debating in court recently, they still couldn't secure a definitive conviction for Cheng Xiong.

Prince Qi's faction had already suffered a major setback when Murong Tong was transferred from the critical position of Capital Superintendent under a pretext. How could they now stand by and watch a vital position like General of the Left Imperial Guard change hands again?

Thus, it was already a consensus within the Crown Prince's faction that they could, at most, only deal with Cheng Gang.

This thought filled her with irritation. "Why are you asking all this?" she said brusquely.

Zu An smiled faintly. "Do you, Your Highness, wish for Cheng Xiong to be guilty, or not guilty?"

The Crown Princess's expression darkened. "What are you getting at with all this mystery? Whether a vital court official like General Cheng is guilty or innocent is for imperial law to decide. It has nothing to do with me."

Zu An sighed. "Never mind. I had thought Your Highness wished to see Cheng Xiong convicted, and I have a method for that. But it seems I was merely being wishful."

With that, he turned and headed for the exit.

Watching his retreating back, the Crown Princess's expression fluctuated. Finally, she spoke, "Wait, do you truly have a method?"

Zu An paused, turned, and looked at her. "Do you think I would jest about such a serious matter just to amuse you, Your Highness?"

The Crown Princess furrowed her delicate brows. Although this man could be somewhat eccentric, he was clearly not an idiot like the Crown Prince. It was indeed unlikely he would engage in anything meaningless.

Still, doubts lingered in her mind. "Why would you help me?"

Zu An grinned. "Would you believe me if I said it's because you are beautiful, Your Highness?"

The Crown Princess's face instantly flushed with anger. "Do you realize you've committed an act of grave disrespect?"

[Anger value from Bi Linglong +700!]

Zu An noted that despite her anger, she didn't summon the guards outside, which made him realize she was indeed a woman who understood how to weigh her options. He then continued, "Please don't be angry, Your Highness. My reason for wanting to help you is quite simple. Have you forgotten my current identity?"

"My identity?" The Crown Princess was momentarily puzzled before realizing. He was the Crown Prince's attendant, and as such, he was undeniably aligned with the Crown Prince's faction. For his future prosperity and standing, it was natural for him to assist the Crown Prince's side.

Only then did she relax. "While I believe your motive, I highly doubt you possess such a capability."

Zu An stated gravely, "All I need is for Your Highness to arrange for me to meet the captured assassins in the imperial prison."

He had approached the Crown Princess in this capacity not only out of concern that his identity as Golden Token Eleven might be exposed but also to elevate his standing within the Eastern Palace. He had no desire to remain merely the foolish fat prince's attendant. Only by demonstrating his worth to the Crown Princess and the forces supporting her could he effectively advance his various plans.

"Meet the assassins?" The Crown Princess asked, somewhat perplexed.

Zu An replied, "Your Highness should be able to influence General Guo Zhi of the Right Imperial Guard, correct? Those assassins are currently under his custody, and ordinary people cannot gain access to them."

The General of the Left Imperial Guard was already aligned with Prince Qi's faction; thus, unless the Emperor lost his wits, the General of the Right Imperial Guard could not also be.

The Crown Princess frowned. "What do you intend to do by seeing them?"

Zu An shook his head. "I cannot disclose that now; to do so would compromise my method. When the time comes, Your Highness will naturally understand everything."

The Crown Princess scrutinized him, quickly falling into deep thought. After a prolonged silence, her crimson lips finally parted. "Very well, I can arrange for you to see them. However, if you are deceiving me, I will report your disrespectful conduct towards me to His Majesty. At that point, not even a deity will be able to save you."

Zu An smiled faintly. "I assure Your Highness, you will not be disappointed."

Afterward, the Crown Princess arranged for guards to escort Zu An to the imperial prison. Noticing the dark circles under the eyes and worn-out appearance of the leading guards, Zu An couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, if it isn't Guards Park and Jiao?"

The two junior guard captains were none other than Jiao Sigun and Pu Duandiao.

Pu Duandiao couldn't help but laugh as well. "It's Lord Zu. What an honor to finally meet you."

Jiao Sigun, standing nearby, couldn't resist interjecting, "You've never even heard his name before, so how can you claim to have heard much about him?"

Pu Duandiao's face darkened. "Haven't we met just a few days ago? Stop trying to pick a fight."

Jiao Sigun snorted. "I'm not picking a fight; I just can't stand your hypocrisy."

Pu Duandiao ignored Jiao Sigun and smiled directly at Zu An. "Lord Zu, you are truly enviable. You've only been in the Eastern Palace for a short time, yet you've already earned the Crown Princess's trust. Normally, my brothers and I are never assigned as escorts for ministers."

Noticing Jiao Sigun about to speak again, he immediately shot him a glare. "Shut your mouth, or next time I won't take you to the pleasure district."

Jiao Sigun retorted, "With what happened at the pleasure district recently, who would dare go there anytime soon? Are you an idiot?"

Pu Duandiao was speechless.

Watching the two jesters before him, Zu An couldn't help but smile, wondering how the Crown Princess had tolerated them all these years.

He cleared his throat and said, "Brother Park, you flatter me. I'm merely helping the Crown Princess with some inquiries. The palace has been quite tumultuous recently, so I appreciate your assistance, gentlemen."

"You're too kind," Pu Duandiao said, his chest puffing out slightly at Zu An's seemingly "admiring" gaze.

Upon arriving at the imperial prison, General Guo Zhi of the Right Imperial Guard had clearly been informed and was already waiting. Seeing Zu An, he cupped his hands in greeting. "Lord Zu," he said.

Zu An returned the gesture with some surprise. "General Guo, you truly humble me. And... General, why do you look this way?"

One must remember that the venerable General of the Right Imperial Guard held a significantly higher rank and greater authority than a mere Crown Prince's attendant.

In just a few days, the man before him had developed dark circles as prominent as Pu Duandiao's, and his hair was disheveled and greasy, evidently unwashed for a long time. His face was unshaven, and he appeared to have aged by more than a decade.

Guo Zhi pulled him aside, sighed, and whispered, "These past few days, the Emperor ordered me to investigate the Eastern Palace assassination case, but I haven't found a single lead. All the assassins insist they were acting under Prince Qi's orders, but when pressed for specifics on how Prince Qi instructed them, they claim complete ignorance to every question. This kind of testimony is clearly a frame-up; how can I possibly submit it?"

No one who had risen in the imperial palace could be a fool. He naturally understood that these assassins were framing Prince Qi. If he dared to directly present such testimonies, he would surely be savaged by Prince Qi's faction. Yet, he also understood the Emperor's underlying intentions and dared not declare Prince Qi innocent, leaving him in a profound dilemma.

"I heard the Crown Princess say you have a way to make those assassins talk?" he asked, a hopeful expression on his face.

Zu An generally surmised his thoughts, realizing why Guo Zhi looked at him as if he were a savior. "I can certainly try," he said.

Guo Zhi was overjoyed. "Lord Zu, please come right in."

Watching Guo Zhi eagerly usher Zu An inside, Pu Duandiao and Jiao Sigun, who remained outside the imperial prison, exchanged glances and whispered to each other, "Even the General of the Right Imperial Guard holds him in such high regard. From now on, we must stick close to this influential figure."

"Agreed," Jiao Sigun replied, uncharacteristically not arguing this time.

Zu An followed Guo Zhi deeper into the imperial prison. Once inside, he cupped his hands and said, "General Guo, I would like to speak with those assassins privately."

Guo Zhi nodded. "No problem, the Crown Princess has already given instructions. However, Lord Zu, please be careful. Those assassins are ruthless killers."

Zu An hummed in acknowledgment. As Guo Zhi was about to depart, a panicked and urgent voice suddenly echoed from a nearby cell: "Stop! I'll confess everything! I want to see Lord Guo!"