Chapter 717: Rebirth Under the Sun

The adults nearby looked bewildered: “Is that it?”

Murong Tong, the most anxious, instinctively blocked his path: “Lord Libationer, are you finished with your questions?”

“Yes,” the Libationer replied, as if words were precious.

Murong Tong grew anxious: “But isn't this a bit too hasty? Perhaps you could ask a few more detailed questions?”

The Libationer gave him a faint glance: “Are you trying to tell me how to do my job?”

Murong Tong felt a chill run through him, almost breathless. His heart sank, and he quickly apologized, “I wouldn't dare!”

Jiang Boyang, standing by, interceded for him: “Please don't mind him, Lord Libationer. He's just naturally blunt.”

The Libationer nodded slightly: “I have asked all that needed to be asked. The person is innocent. Release him.”

After speaking, he didn't wait for anyone to detain him. He took a few steps, his form dissolving into nothingness, gradually disappearing into the distance.

At this moment, Zu An was also stunned, as he hadn't used his "I have a friend" skill because the questions asked were very peculiar.

The Libationer hadn't asked if he was with the Crown Princess that day, or if they had undressed. Instead, he had used an ambiguous phrasing.

“Are you and the Crown Princess innocent?”

While to most, the question seemed straightforward.

As the person involved, however, he clearly understood the nuance. Everyone's definition of "innocent" was different.

In the eyes of others, he and the Crown Princess would be considered "not innocent" even if they just embraced, let alone being undressed together.

But as a transmigrator, a casual touch between strangers was quite normal. Only reaching third base truly constituted "not innocent."

Therefore, he could answer the question directly without needing to use his skill, and the other party had confirmed his innocence without further probing.

If it were an ordinary person, he might have doubted their professionalism or assumed it was an oversight.

But this was the Libationer, one of the three most powerful cultivators in the entire court, with a supremely transcendent status. How could such a person make such a basic mistake?

Lord Libationer must be secretly helping me!

But why would he help me?

Zu An pondered carefully, certain he had never met the Libationer before. He had only heard his name for the first time recently.

There was no reason for him to help a minor figure like Zu An. Was he overthinking it? Was it all just a coincidence or an accident?

As he wrestled with these thoughts, Guo Zhi ran over, smiling, and said, “Those officials have gone to report the Libationer's interrogation results to His Majesty. I imagine Brother Zu will regain his freedom very soon. Congratulations in advance!”

Zu An returned a faint smile: “I must also thank Brother Guo for your care during this time; otherwise, these past days would have been very difficult for me.”

Guo Zhi, feeling a bit embarrassed, replied, “You're too kind, brother. To be honest, I've felt guilty all this time, almost letting an assassin harm you.”

Zu An said, “It's hard to guard against someone with ill intent when you have none. By the way, was that assassin found later?”

Guo Zhi replied, “Yes, he was found, but unfortunately, he had already committed suicide when they located him. Nothing could be traced from his connections, so it became a cold case.”

“I see…” Zu An mused.

Not long after, someone came to inform him that he could be released from prison.

Zu An emerged from the chilly cell, feeling the sunlight outside, and for a moment, he felt a little unaccustomed to it.

Sigh, in his previous life, he was a model citizen, yet how many times had he been imprisoned since coming to this world?

“Brother Zu!” Pu Duandiao and Jiao Sigun walked over, smiling, accompanied by a few guards. “We heard you were being released, so we came specifically to welcome you.”

A warmth spread through Zu An's heart: “Aren't you on duty today?”

“The Crown Princess gave us the day off,” Jiao Sigun replied.

Zu An paused, realizing that sending them to greet him must have been the Crown Princess's idea. After what happened, she couldn't openly send people, so she resorted to this method.

This little rascal still has some conscience; my effort to save her wasn't in vain.

Pu Duandiao leaned in, winking, and said, “Brother Zu, how about a trip to the Brothel Quarter? You can release all your bad luck on those lovely ladies.”

Ever since he learned the term 'lovely lady' from Zu An, he had been using it with great enthusiasm.

Zu An laughed wryly. This fellow truly lived up to his surname; he had an extraordinary enthusiasm for such matters.

The group walked straight towards the palace gate. Zu An found an opportunity to ask quietly, “Did Lord Libationer go to the Eastern Palace?”

Pu Duandiao shook his head: “No, he didn't.”

Zu An secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had always been worried about a mishap on the Crown Princess's side. Since the Libationer hadn't personally interrogated her, her intelligence would be enough to handle other troubles.

“How has the Crown Princess been recently?” Zu An continued to ask.

Pu Duandiao chuckled: “It's a good thing I understand you. If anyone else heard you ask that, they'd surely start guessing all sorts of things.”

Jiao Sigun retorted, “You don't understand anything! Brother Zu is just being loyal. You're the one with a dirty mind; I wouldn't think such things.”

Pu Duandiao, used to bickering with him, ignored him and continued, “Don't worry, the Crown Princess has been keeping a low profile recently, so there haven't been any major problems. It's just clear she's not in a good mood.”

Zu An thought to himself, it would be strange if she were in a good mood after experiencing something like that.

The group, arms slung over each other's shoulders, walked out of the palace gate, discussing which girl they would choose at the Brothel Quarter later.

Now that Qiu Honglei and Yun Jianyue had left, Zu An actually had no interest in going there anymore.

No matter how fragrant those courtesans were, they paled in comparison to the confidantes by his side.

However, unable to resist their enthusiasm, he found it difficult to refuse.

Just then, a guard suddenly exclaimed, “Wow, look at all those beauties over there!”

“Be careful. Those waiting near the palace gate are no ordinary people.”

“They must be the family members of some high-ranking official. I wonder who is so fortunate.”

Hearing the envious whispers of the guards, Zu An looked up curiously and saw several familiar faces.

“Ah Zu!” A figure in ice-blue robes rushed forward, throwing herself into Zu An's embrace, much to the shock of the many guards accompanying them.

The guards swallowed hard. All this time, the fortunate official they were discussing was right beside them!

“Chuyan, why are you here?” Zu An asked, surprised and delighted.

Chu Chuyan's face flushed slightly. In her excitement, she hadn't noticed, but now realizing so many people were staring, she quickly stepped back from his embrace. “I heard that the Libationer would personally interrogate you today, so I came to wait for news by the palace gate. And sure enough, you were acquitted! Oh, who are they?”

Zu An introduced, “These are my friends, colleagues from the Eastern Palace; and this is my wife.”

Hearing the word “wife,” Chu Chuyan's heart blossomed. She had been troubled by Zu An's expulsion from the Chu family, but now knowing that he still considered her his wife, a radiant smile appeared on her usually cool face. “Hello everyone, where are you planning to go?”

That smile, like melting ice and snow, made everyone's souls melt. When had they ever seen such an exquisite beauty?

Although the Crown Princess was beautiful, she was always majestic. The other imperial concubines were equally aloof. No one smiled so gently at them as Chu Chuyan did.

Pu Duandiao and the others snapped back to reality. “Greetings, sister-in-law. We were... we were just escorting Brother Zu out.”

How could they possibly say they were planning to take her husband to a brothel right in front of his wife?

Chu Chuyan smiled faintly: “Thank you all for your trouble. I have prepared some wine at home; perhaps you would all like to join us?”

“No need, no need, we still have official duties,” Pu Duandiao and the others quickly said. It wouldn't be right to disturb a couple's private time. Besides, since they finally had a day off, they naturally preferred to relax at the Brothel Quarter.

Just then, Chu Youzhao also walked over, smiling sweetly, “Brother-in-law!”

Murong Qinghe, standing by, instinctively said, “Broth... *cough cough*, greetings, Lord Zu.”

The word 'brother-in-law' almost slipped out, making her little face flush crimson with embarrassment.

The surrounding guards' eyes widened. Brother Zu's brother-in-law was even more beautiful than a woman, and that little beauty beside him seemed to be Miss Murong. Looking at her shy expression, did she also have feelings for Brother Zu?

But as a dignified young lady of the Murong family, could she possibly become a concubine?

Brother Zu truly was a 'Brother Zu,' a role model for them all.

At this moment, another carriage slowly approached and stopped nearby. A pair of shapely, straight long legs were the first to emerge, and Pu Duandiao and the others' breathing instantly quickened.