Chapter 690: Reverse Blow

Upon hearing the coachman's invitation, the Crown Prince of Qi's breathing quickened.

In this world, only a handful of people could receive an invitation from that lady.

He had always been conceited, yet had never had the opportunity to meet her. He had previously assumed it was normal for her to ignore him, given she was a woman whom even the Emperor, his own father, and all the noble youths in the capital had sought in vain.

But now, she was actually inviting Zu An, whom he despised, to meet her inside the carriage. This was something he wouldn't even dare to dream of!

An intimate guest!

The term even popped into his mind, though he immediately realized it wasn't likely in the way he was thinking.

But now, being invited to share a carriage, which meant passing through the carriage's curtain, could arguably be called 'an intimate guest' to some extent.

His gaze toward Zu An was no longer dismissive; instead, it was filled with envy and jealousy.

Why? Why would the exquisitely beautiful Miss Chu choose this fellow?

Now even Yu Yanluo, the capital's foremost beauty, seemed to favor him?

Rage points from Zhao Zhi +555+555+555...

Crucially, he suddenly realized Yu Yanluo had just witnessed his utterly pathetic state. It was the ultimate social humiliation!

He had initially assumed there were no spectators around; the common people had long since fled and shut their doors. As for Chu Youzhao and Murong Qinghe, they were, after all, part of Prince Qi's faction and wouldn't spread rumors. That carriage over there looked like it belonged to an ordinary family, which could simply be dealt with secretly afterward.

But ironically, this ordinary-looking carriage belonged to Yu Yanluo, the former foremost beauty of the capital.

Killing her was definitely out of the question. If he dared to entertain such a thought, his father would likely be the first to strike him dead.

Besides, he himself couldn't bear to!

He had once seen her from afar and frequently dreamed of her. Her exquisite beauty seemed almost otherworldly. What man could be so cruel as to destroy such a divinely bestowed work of art?

Yet, the more he considered that she had witnessed him being trampled underfoot by Zu An, the more distraught he became.

Damn Zu An!

Rage points from Zhao Zhi +1024+1024+1024...

Zu An, however, was quite perplexed: "Who is your mistress?"

The gap-toothed coachman chuckled: "You'll know when you get there."

Zu An glanced at the Crown Prince of Qi and Han Fengqiu, feeling a touch of doubt. Who could possibly be someone they both held in such awe?

Just then, the woman inside the carriage spoke: "Crown Prince, this young master did just save me. Could you grant me this favor and let us put today's incident behind us for now?"

Her voice was soft and melodious, not overtly sugary, yet hearing it was enough to make one's bones melt.

Murong Qinghe was filled with envy: "Oh, if only my voice sounded that good."

"Your voice is clearly quite pleasant, much better than some people's affected mannerisms," Chu Youzhao said indignantly. For some reason, she instinctively felt hostile towards this mysterious woman, always sensing that she had ulterior motives concerning her brother-in-law.

"Really?" Hearing such praise from the person she admired, Murong Qinghe was both surprised and delighted, her cheeks immediately flushing with a faint blush.

My voice is clearly not as melodious as hers, yet Brother Chu says this. He must truly care for me in his heart. Oh, how embarrassing!

The Crown Prince of Qi was quite excited. Yu Yanluo had actually spoken to him, and she had initiated the conversation!

He was somewhat flattered, instinctively wanting to stand up and straighten his clothes, only to realize his attire had just been incinerated by his own lightning. Fortunately, Han Fengqiu, quick to react, hastily wrapped a robe around him, saving him from utter embarrassment.

He glared fiercely at Zu An, thinking, "If I don't avenge this, may my name, Zhao Zhi, be written backward!"

However, when he looked toward the carriage, his fierce expression was instantly replaced by a smile: "Since the Lady requests it, I must certainly grant this favor. As for you, Zu, there will be someone to formally prosecute you later concerning your assault on a military officer. Let's go!"

Han Fengqiu breathed a sigh of relief. If they had remained there to confront that mysterious master, he genuinely wouldn't have known what to do.

The Crown Prince was indeed worthy of his title, truly having inherited his father's teachings. He managed to leverage the situation and depart so legitimately, ensuring no one would think they were fleeing in panic.

Yet, the Crown Prince of Qi, whom he had just admired so much, was secretly regretting in his heart, "Damn it, why did I try to act so grand?"

He should have hardened his heart and refused Lady Yu. Perhaps that would have attracted her attention even more, or at least allowed him to stay longer and talk to her.

Alas, he had finally encountered her, yet he hadn't even seen her face. Meanwhile, Zu An, that fellow, could be so close to her inside the carriage.

Zu An was indeed a good-for-nothing, only capable of hiding behind women's skirts!

But Lady Yu's skirts... I wish I could hide under them too!

Ahhh, I'm so angry I could burst!

Rage points from Zhao Zhi +924+924+924...

Zu An watched them leave, hesitating for a moment but ultimately not taking action.

A peak ninth-grade master was not easy to deal with, and the Prince of Qi, his father, was also a major problem. Now was not the time for a fight to the death.

"Ahem, our mistress is inviting you over?" The gap-toothed coachman came to his side, his tone somewhat displeased.

What a joke! In this capital, who wouldn't be honored to receive an invitation from my mistress? Everyone rushes to see her eagerly. Yet this fellow, who clearly looks like a womanizer, is now as steady as a rock?

"Haha, I was a bit distracted," Zu An said, snapping back to attention. He quickly walked toward the carriage, eager to know who the person was.

Chu Youzhao and Murong Qinghe subconsciously wanted to follow, as they also wanted to see who the other person was, but they were stopped by the gap-toothed coachman: "Ladies, please wait here for a moment."

Murong Qinghe was fine, but Chu Youzhao was both angry and anxious. Unfortunately, the other party had at least Grandmaster cultivation, leaving her helpless. She could only watch anxiously as her brother-in-law walked toward the carriage, as if he were heading into a succubus's lair.

Zu An approached the carriage, cupped his hands, and said, "Thank you, Madam, for your assistance."

A light chuckle came from within: "You just saved me as well."

From afar, Chu Youzhao pouted. This woman was smiling like a vixen, clearly trying to seduce men. However, she had to admit that the woman's voice was the most pleasant and charming she had ever heard.

Zu An gave a self-deprecating smile: "If I had known Madam had such formidable guards, I wouldn't have interfered. I was almost beaten to death by the Prince of Qi's people."

Seemingly sensing his displeasure, the woman in the carriage softly said, "This only makes you more valuable. Although others may perceive you as frivolous and cynical, I know that deep down, you've always harbored a chivalrous heart. No matter how numerous or powerful your opponents, you would still passionately rush forward to intervene when you saw injustice. It was true then, and it remains true now."

Zu An's face flushed. "Your praise makes me a bit embarrassed... Huh, from what you're saying, it sounds like you know me."

Silence fell within the carriage. After a moment, the woman inside spoke: "Come in."

The gap-toothed coachman, who was watching from afar with a gossipy expression, suddenly widened his eyes. "Did I hear that right? The mistress actually told him to come inside?"

To share such a private and confined space in a carriage?

As the mistress's coachman for so many years, he knew that due to her unparalleled beauty, she had always been very careful about maintaining proper boundaries in her interactions with others, never allowing men to get too close.

Yet she let this young man into the carriage! Considering all the special regard the mistress had shown him earlier, could she have taken a liking to him?

This young man was indeed handsome, but was the mistress someone who valued looks? He couldn't possibly be as beautiful as her reflection, and the mistress didn't seem to care much about appearances anyway.

Or perhaps she appreciated him as a junior? Hmm, that wasn't impossible...

While the gap-toothed coachman was imagining all sorts of things, Zu An had already lifted the curtain and stepped inside. However, before he could even clearly see the other person's appearance, a wave of dizziness swept over him.

Damn, was the backlash from Jian Lai really this strong?

No sooner had this thought arisen than he involuntarily stumbled and fell. Accompanied by the woman's gasp, he landed squarely on a soft body.