Chapter 701: Melon Field and Under the Plum Tree

Zu'an's first reaction was to teach the crown prince a foolproof method to win at Gomoku. After all, this game had been thoroughly studied in his era, and the first player always had a guaranteed win.

He could have the prince challenge the King of Qi's top Go player. If the prince won, it would surely shock everyone, and the King of Qi would have no face left to call the prince foolish.

However, upon second thought, he dismissed this idea.

Although Gomoku was simple, its winning strategy involved dealing with various permutations. If the crown prince could remember so many variations and always choose the correct move, he wouldn't be universally known as a fool.

He pondered and then said, "Given the crown prince's situation, cheating is definitely necessary. What will be tested? We could prepare in advance and let the crown prince know the answers."

The Emperor replied, "The test content hasn't been decided yet, but it will likely be handled by the Royal Academy. The people there are as stubborn and unyielding as rocks in a latrine pit; they certainly won't cooperate with the crown prince to cheat. Your method won't work."

Neither the King of Qi's people nor the Emperor's people would trust the other side to handle this test. Only the National Royal Academy could earn the trust of both parties.

Throughout years of conflict between the two sides, the National Royal Academy had always maintained neutrality, never getting involved, and indeed, they had no need to.

Many excellent cultivators in the world had emerged from the National Royal Academy, their students spread far and wide, giving them an exalted status.

Regardless of who became emperor, it would bring them neither benefit nor harm. The people within were fervent enthusiasts of cultivation, with no interest in power, even believing that power meant busy official duties, which would hinder their practice.

Precisely because of their pure dedication to cultivation, both the Emperor and the King of Qi trusted them to be impartial.

Zu'an frowned. "That makes it difficult. How about we find someone to impersonate the crown prince for the exam? Are there any magical disguise or transformation techniques in this world?"

After all, this was a world of cultivation, so there should be a way to disguise someone as the crown prince.

The Emperor slowly shook his head. "Such methods exist, but they can only fool those who are unfamiliar. The King of Qi's faction will certainly conduct checks, and an impostor would definitely be discovered."

Zu'an spread his hands. "Then I truly have no solution. Your Majesty is wise and mighty; surely you can devise a foolproof plan."

"Stop spouting such grandiloquent nonsense," the Emperor paced irritably around the imperial study. He even swore, clearly in a foul mood due to today's events. When he was displeased, he made sure more people would be. "You have half a month to come up with a solution, or else the crown prince will be deposed, and you, as his attendant, will naturally no longer serve. Instead, you'll be sent to the palace to become a eunuch."

Zu'an: "???"

Damn it, they come to me for everything. Even a production team's donkey wouldn't be worked this hard.

Although he was seething with complaints, he couldn't show the slightest dissatisfaction on the surface. "Yes, Your Majesty!"

Leaving the imperial study, Zu'an felt annoyed and headed straight out of the palace. He didn't care about the crown prince; if he truly couldn't find a solution, he would just leave. The Emperor thought his restrictions would prevent him from escaping, but he didn't know Zu'an had a Grandmaster Cult Leader sister who could remove them. Hmph, wouldn't it be more pleasant to go back and embrace my fragrant Chuuyan? The crown prince can live or die for all I care.

As he grumbled to himself on the way, a young eunuch suddenly ran up to him. "Lord Zu, my master requests your presence."

Zu'an was surprised. This young eunuch looked unfamiliar. "Who is your master?"

"Consort Bai," the young eunuch replied respectfully.

Zu'an looked at the darkening sky. "It's getting late. Isn't it inconvenient to go now?"

Generally, officials were not allowed to wander freely within the imperial palace.

However, a small number of officials could obtain permission to move freely within the palace, mostly from the Department of the Secretariat, such as Imperial Secretaries or Palace Attendants, who served as the Emperor's personal secretaries or assistants.

Zu'an, as a Crown Prince's Attendant, could also move within the palace, but such officials were restricted to daytime hours and had to leave the palace before dusk, or they would be charged with grave disrespect.

If an outside official remained in the palace after nightfall, *cough, cough*, surely no emperor would enjoy being cuckolded.

"It's about the crown prince's upcoming grand examination," the young eunuch said.

"Lead the way!" Zu'an hesitated for a moment but decided to go with him. The Emperor had just given him a death order; while he could escape if absolutely necessary, it was better not to flee if possible.

Consort Bai was also one of the crown prince's consorts; their fates were intertwined. Her concern for the crown prince was genuine, and he thought she must have come up with a solution this time.

They arrived at the Hundred Flowers Palace, where the eunuch bowed to him and left.

Just then, a palace maid emerged from inside. It was none other than Xinrui, Consort Bai's personal attendant.

"Lord Zu, please come this way!" Xinrui slightly turned sideways and gestured for him to enter.

Zu'an couldn't help but say, "If I hadn't seen you, I would have thought that eunuch was setting me up."

Haven't I at least seen a pig run, even if I haven't eaten pork? All those palace intrigue dramas in his past life weren't watched for nothing.

Xinrui pursed her lips and smiled, appearing extremely shy. "Lord Zu is joking. Who in this imperial palace would be so bold as to casually scheme against someone?"

Zu'an thought, "Indeed, the maid resembles her mistress. Consort Bai has a gentle and graceful personality, and Xinrui's temperament is similar, perhaps even a bit more shy."

The Crown Princess was more dignified and assertive, and Rong Mo was like a little firecracker.

Uh, wait, her cultivation wasn't low, and as a maid, she couldn't be someone of extraordinary talent. She must be an old firecracker, then.

He pondered idly along the way and was soon led into the main hall of the Hundred Flowers Palace. Xinrui bowed. "Lord Zu, please come in."

Zu'an nodded and stepped into the hall. He had developed a great fondness for the gentle and beautiful Consort Bai after meeting her last time, and he also missed her brewed Hundred Flowers Tea. He wondered if he would get to drink it today.

From a distance, he saw a graceful figure sitting in the place of honor, her posture dignified, her delicate figure beautifully alluring. He quickly shook his head. "Sin, sin. I must not acquire the tastes of a Cao thief."

However, when he entered the room and clearly saw the person's appearance, he was stunned. Not because the person was ugly; on the contrary, while not as gentle as water, she was more graceful and regal. This was because it wasn't Consort Bai at all.

The woman also looked at him with a startled expression. Both of them, in unison, exclaimed, "Why are you here?"

"Crown Princess, why are you here?" Zu'an asked, surprised.

The Crown Princess huffed displeasedly, "I asked you first."

This servant had no manners at all. She needed to be put in his place sometime.

Hmm, never mind. It's natural for talented people to have some pride. At a time when they lacked capable individuals, it was best not to discourage him.

Zu'an pursed his lips. This woman was always so assertive. "When will I finally strip away all your pretenses and see if you're truly hard or soft inside?" he thought. Then he said aloud, "Consort Bai invited me, saying she wanted to discuss matters concerning the crown prince."

The Crown Princess frowned. "She told me the same thing."

After speaking, she abruptly stood up and walked towards the exit.

Being in the imperial harem, she had a natural keenness. It was getting late, and there was no third party present. Being alone in a room with another man inevitably raised suspicions.

However, as she reached the door, she happened to meet Xinrui, who was carrying tea and walking in. "Oh, Crown Princess, why are you suddenly leaving?"

The Crown Princess huffed, "What does Consort Bai mean by this? Why isn't she coming out yet?"

Normally, as the Crown Princess, there was no reason for her to wait for a secondary consort.

But today, upon hearing Consort Bai's message that there was a solution for the crown prince's grand examination, she patiently waited here.

However, the other party had also invited a man. Although she had become somewhat familiar with Zu'an these past few days, being alone with him privately still made her uncomfortable.

Xinrui explained, "Crown Princess, please calm down. My mistress is preparing something and will be out shortly. She specifically asked me to bring Hundred Flowers Tea as an apology to both of you."

Upon hearing "Hundred Flowers Tea," the Crown Princess unconsciously licked her lips. She, of course, knew Consort Bai's exclusive Hundred Flowers Tea; she had tasted it once by chance and absolutely loved its flavor.

However, she and Consort Bai were rivals and had always been on bad terms. Being strong-willed, she naturally couldn't bring herself to ask for it, leading her to secretly crave it.

Now that the other party had offered it, it would be a waste not to drink it...

*Pfft, pfft*, this consort is here for the crown prince's grand examination, not to drink her awful tea!

"Alright then, I'll wait another half an incense stick's time for her. If she doesn't come by then, I'm leaving immediately." The Crown Princess sat back down and elegantly sipped the fragrant Hundred Flowers Tea, secretly sighing. She wondered how Consort Bai made such delicious tea. She had privately had palace maids try to imitate it, but unfortunately, each time it only had a strong, sweet scent and tasted somewhat gaudy, lacking the subtle elegance and naturalness of the true Hundred Flowers Tea.

After a while, she unconsciously tugged at her collar, looked at Zu'an, and asked, "Don't you feel a little warm today?"