Chapter 659: Head-to-Head Confrontation

"Your Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, and Crown Princess, I pay my respects!" Zu An announced loudly.

The atmosphere in the room was originally extremely strange; even the Crown Prince and Crown Princess were forced to lower their heads. Everyone else in the Eastern Palace was naturally silent, fearing they might get burned.

Suddenly, such a loud voice rang out, instantly drawing everyone's attention in the room.

The eunuchs, Xiao Xuzi and Xiao Hezi, standing by the Crown Prince's side, were dumbfounded, thinking, "This guy is incredibly bold to dare to provoke at a time like this."

His close guards, Pu Duandiao and Jiao Sigun, frantically winked at him from a distance, signaling him not to speak carelessly.

Zu An felt a warmth in his heart, realizing these friendships weren't in vain. However, he had his own agenda and walked directly towards the Crown Prince and Crown Princess. "Oh, besides His Majesty, who else deserves such reverence and tea offerings from the Crown Prince and Crown Princess? Who is this?"

Openly offending Prince Qi was a deliberate decision. He knew that during his journey to the capital, he had faced several assassination attempts, most of them orchestrated by Prince Qi. Why be polite to someone who wants you dead?

Moreover, given all the events that had transpired since his arrival in the capital, the conflict between them was destined to be irreconcilable.

For instance, because of him, Murong Tong, a member of Prince Qi's faction, was removed from a crucial position like the Imperial Censor. Now, General Cheng Xiong of the Left Imperial Guard was also dead. Even if Prince Qi were magnanimous, his loyal followers would undoubtedly despise Zu An to the bone.

Furthermore, he dared not believe Prince Qi could genuinely be so magnanimous, so it was better to openly offend him and, at the very least, secure the Crown Princess's strong support.

As for the Emperor's instruction to give the fake secret manual to Prince Qi, there was no time limit for that anyway, so he didn't care.

As he spoke, he looked towards Prince Qi, who was seated, and secretly sighed, thinking, "In my previous life, such a mature and refined older man would definitely be a heartthrob for young women."

Prince Qi also looked at him at this moment, his eyes showing no discernible emotion.

Not even the system backend registered any rage points from him.

Zu An was secretly alert, realizing that this person was profoundly cunning and would require careful handling in the future.

The Crown Princess, however, looked at him with joyful surprise. She used to find this fellow somewhat annoying, but seeing him today, he seemed exceptionally pleasing to her eyes.

Her heart was full of amusement, but on her face, she feigned a reprimand, saying, "This is the sagacious Prince Qi, praised by all under heaven. Zu An, how can you be so rude?"

She deliberately emphasized the words "sagacious" and "praised," intentionally mocking his reputation as a wise prince while he was deliberately bullying a junior today.

She actually knew why he was intentionally putting on such a display today. It was evidently related to the recent Cheng Xiong case, where an official from the Crown Prince's faction had effectively brought about his death. Losing such a significant general, Prince Qi's frustration was understandable. Whether for himself or for his subordinates, he had to vent his anger.

So, when he intentionally challenged her and the Crown Prince, she just held her nose and endured it. "We've already gained the real benefits," she thought, "so if you want some recognition, take it."

But with Zu An's arrival, she suddenly realized that perhaps Prince Qi wouldn't get that recognition after all.

"Greetings, Prince Qi," Zu An said, bowing respectfully and feigning an appearance of great trepidation.

"You are Zu An?" Prince Qi's expression was complex as he looked at him. One must know that for years, he had held the upper hand in his rivalry with the Emperor. In his mind, his true opponent was never this foolish nephew or his supposedly clever niece; his rival had always been his elder brother on the dragon throne.

The Emperor was indeed unparalleled, but he would ultimately succumb to time. Coupled with the Crown Prince's utter incompetence, the general trend had gradually tilted in Prince Qi's favor.

That was until this fellow Zu An suddenly emerged. First, he produced the "Phoenix Nirvana Scripture," which supposedly granted immortality, catching Prince Qi completely off guard. When he first heard this news, even his mind, which had been calm for many years, became flustered. If the Emperor could truly live forever, then what was the point of his struggle?

As soon as this news broke, even some of the court officials who had secretly sided with him began to waver. These people had supported him not because they genuinely liked him, but because the powerful Emperor was destined to die, and the Crown Prince was utterly useless.

Now that they knew the Emperor might achieve immortality, which of these ministers would risk their lives by betraying him?

Dealing with this series of changes recently had already been overwhelming. Yet, after this guy arrived in the capital, he directly and indirectly caused the Imperial Censor and the General of the Left Imperial Guard — two crucial positions — to fall out of Prince Qi's control. This was arguably the most significant loss the Prince Qi faction had suffered in years.

"Could it be that this fellow is naturally antithetical to me?" This thought arose but was immediately suppressed by him. At his level, he would not allow himself such a helpless idea.

Zu An replied, "I am Zu An, your humble subordinate. I have long admired your great reputation, Prince Qi."

Prince Qi's eyebrows twitched. "He just challenged me, and now he's talking about long-admired reputation. Isn't that clearly sarcasm?"

Rage points from Zhao Jing +99!

Sensing these rage points, Zu An felt quite vexed. "You're a Grandmaster, after all, with incredibly powerful soul energy. You shouldn't be contributing so few rage points! You're Zhao Jing; no wonder you can't compare to the Emperor, Zhao Ritian."

Still, jokes aside, a man who could contend with the world's most powerful Emperor for so many years could hardly be considered weak.

In recent conversations with Yun Jianyue, she had mentioned that there were only two and a half people in the capital whom she truly feared: the Emperor and Prince Qi. As for someone like Zhuxie Chixin, he didn't even count as half; at most, he was a slightly troublesome ant.

Prince Qi took a gentle sip from his teacup before calmly saying, "From what I just heard, Sir Zu, you seem to think it's improper for me to have the Crown Prince offer me tea? It is said that in all learning, a strict teacher is paramount; when the teacher is strict, the Way is respected; when the Way is respected, the people know to revere learning. This is a principle passed down from ancient times. Perhaps Sir Zu, having previously mingled in the markets of Brightmoon City, has not heard of it."

Hearing his subtle jab about his lack of education, Zu An remained unperturbed, chuckling as he replied, "However, the Crown Prince is, after all, the heir apparent to the nation and will one day ascend to the throne. The Crown Princess will also become the Empress. For Prince Qi to act in this manner ultimately goes against the principles of a loyal subject."

As soon as these words were uttered, many in the room gasped. The eunuchs, Xiao Xuzi and Xiao Hezi, turned pale, while Pu Duandiao and Jiao Sigun secretly sighed, thinking, "It's over, it's over. To dare speak to Prince Qi like that, he's definitely doomed."

Even the Crown Princess's maid, Rong Mo, tensed up, wary that Prince Qi's anger might implicate the Crown Prince and Crown Princess. Yet, if he were to strike, even in her prime, she would be no match, let alone now, still recovering from severe injuries.

At this thought, she couldn't help but secretly resent Zu An, thinking he was truly a troublemaker.

Rage points from Rong Mo +233 +233 +233...

Only the Crown Princess felt as refreshed as if she had eaten a chilled watermelon on a hot summer day, feeling utter delight. The more she looked at Zu An, the more pleasing he seemed. She hadn't realized this fellow was so loyal to her. In the future, she resolved to cultivate him diligently.

Prince Qi's eyes narrowed slightly, but he quickly responded, saying, "There are two instances where a monarch does not treat a subject as a subordinate: when the subject acts as a proxy during a sacrifice, and when the subject acts as a teacher. According to the rites of the Great Learning, even the Son of Heaven does not face north [in submission] when being taught by a teacher, for this is to honor the teacher."

Zu An thought to himself, "Good thing I had nine years of compulsory education before I transmigrated, otherwise I wouldn't understand these pretentious classical references."

His meaning was clear: if even a monarch behaved this way, how much more so should a Crown Prince and Crown Princess?

The Crown Princess also blinked her beautiful eyes, looking at Zu An. She had just held her nose and endured it precisely because of this. She was curious how Zu An would respond.

For some reason, she had a feeling this guy wouldn't disappoint her.