Chapter 721: Old-Timers Can Also Lose Their Temper

"Miss Chu, please excuse my behavior." Murong Xiu felt a bit embarrassed. He couldn't bring himself to chat with Chu Chuyan anymore and motioned to a maid, who had come out upon hearing the commotion, to help Murong Qinghe into the mansion.

Chu Chuyan nodded slightly, then turned and left with Chu Youzhao.

Murong Xiu gazed back at her slender and captivating figure, a dazed expression on his face.

"Stop staring," Murong Qinghe couldn't help but say. "They're long gone."

Murong Xiu snorted, "What do kids know about true affection?"

"But Sister Chu is already married," Murong Qinghe said, rolling her eyes. Was this guy really into married women?

"Miss Chu has already divorced that man named Zu," Murong Xiu quickly retorted, as if her words had insulted his goddess. "Besides, with Miss Chu's beauty, character, and capabilities, I wouldn't mind even if she had been married. It's her as a person that I admire; I love her no matter what."

Murong Qinghe stared at him for a long moment before finally saying, "You're truly a devoted simp."

This was a term she had recently learned from Zu An, and it felt perfectly fitting for the current situation.

Murong Xiu frowned, feeling that it wasn't a compliment. "Sincerity can move mountains," he said. "What do you, a mere child, know?"

Murong Qinghe parted her cherry-red lips and looked at her older cousin with a hint of sympathy.

He had no idea what his goddess had just experienced, yet here he was, still talking about sincerity.

It turned out she had woken up midway through the night. Her cultivation was higher than Chu Youzhao's, and due to a family trait, she sobered up much faster than most people, even after drinking a lot.

Upon waking, she felt parched and found some water to drink. As she passed the room next door, she noticed the door was ajar and saw Brother Chu asleep inside.

Seeing his extraordinarily handsome face, she was inexplicably drawn in. As she observed Brother Chu's pale cheeks and red lips up close, her heart began to pound.

Such a beautiful man existed in this world!

After much hesitation, she finally couldn't resist the temptation. She secretly leaned down and gave him a quick kiss on the lips.

Though usually carefree, she was still a girl, and having done something so daring, she was worried he might wake up, making her feel incredibly guilty.

Just then, a sound came from the adjacent room, startling her and causing her to quickly flee. But the sound, like a mournful wail, was so enticing that it made her uneasy.

Unable to suppress her curiosity, she crept over, pushed open the window, and peeked inside. What she saw completely shattered her worldview.

Was that truly the ice-cold Sister Chu she knew?

Thanks to Murong Xiu, she had often seen Chu Chuyan's frosty demeanor. Could the soft, yielding woman inside really be her?

Recalling the scene she had witnessed, her gaze towards her cousin grew even more sympathetic. She felt perhaps she should subtly warn him: his goddess had already become "someone else's shape."

Just then, Murong Xiu said, "Why are you focusing on me? Shouldn't you be helping me? If I can marry Miss Chu and become your Brother Chu's brother-in-law, then I can help you. Wouldn't things with him become much easier for you then?"

Murong Qinghe's eyes lit up. He was right; in that case, she decided not to tell him about what she had seen for now.

Zu An, naturally unaware of the siblings' thoughts, had a very pleasant day. He woke up feeling refreshed, changed into his imperial attendant's attire, and headed to the palace for roll call.

Upon arriving at the East Palace, he saw Piao Duandiao and Jiao Sigun. Smiling, he approached them and asked, "How was your day yesterday?"

To his surprise, they ignored him, instead giving him insistent glances.

Zu An's heart skipped a beat. Had something gone wrong?

Just then, an exasperated voice from inside boomed, "Has that Zu An fellow arrived? Seize him for me!"

Helpless, Piao Duandiao and Jiao Sigun approached to restrain him, whispering, "Just endure whatever happens later. Whatever you do, don't talk back to the Crown Prince, or the consequences will be dire."

Having witnessed many people beaten to death by the Crown Prince during their years in the East Palace, they quickly warned Zu An.

Zu An's brow furrowed. It was that idiotic fat man. Where had he offended him?

The group soon entered the palace. The Crown Prince sat imperiously on his chair, with two young eunuchs beside him, feeding him grapes.

Upon seeing Zu An, he immediately grabbed a nearby plate and hurled it at Zu An's head.

Unfortunately, his aim was terrible; it missed Zu An and instead struck Piao Duandiao in the face.

Piao Duandiao looked utterly bewildered, yet he dared not show any displeasure, maintaining a polite smile instead.

Scattered grapes and juice splattered across Zu An's face. His expression darkened. What was this fat idiot raging about?

"How dare you take liberties with Linglong!" the Crown Prince roared from his seat. "Guards! Beat him! Beat him mercilessly until he's dead!"

[Rage points from Zhao Ruizhi +888 +888 +888...]

Zu An hadn't expected such an immense surge of rage from this simpleton. It seemed that even with a low IQ, a person—even a child—would instinctively protect their favorite toy.

And the Crown Princess, in his eyes, was clearly his most precious and important toy.

He could only explain, "Your Highness, you've misunderstood. There's nothing going on between the Crown Princess and me. Both the Emperor and Prince Qi have already sent people to investigate this matter. Even Grand Master Ji Jiu personally vouched for my innocence. If Your Highness doesn't believe me, you can ask them."

Piao Duandiao and Jiao Sigun quickly chimed in, "Yes, Your Highness, it was all a malicious frame-up. Sir Zu is innocent."

All the colleagues who usually got along with him spoke up, trying to reason with the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince roared, "I don't care! No matter who it is, anyone who offends Linglong will die!"

[Rage points from Zhao Ruizhi +444 +444 +444...]

Seeing the malicious cruelty on his face, Zu An suddenly recalled his early days in the East Palace, when he'd heard rumors of several eunuchs and palace maids who had been tortured to death by this very individual.

For a while now, he had almost been fooled by the Crown Prince's simple-minded facade, forgetting just how truly cruel he could be.

"What? Why aren't any of you moving? Are you all in cahoots with him too?" The Crown Prince grew increasingly enraged, roaring at the others, "If you don't lay a hand on him, you'll be just as guilty!"

The East Palace guards exchanged glances, then quietly told Zu An, "Sir Zu, forgive us, but please bear with it for now."

It was fortunate that Zu An usually maintained good relations with these individuals; otherwise, anyone else would have been beaten to a pulp by now.

Zu An was forced onto the ground, and a group of guards approached, armed with thick wooden planks.

His face was grim. While getting beaten could actually strengthen his cultivation, wasn't the humiliation of it far too great?

He wasn't a masochist; he could tolerate being severely beaten by high-level cultivators in combat, but this kind of beating was something he couldn't quite stomach.

Just as he was contemplating how to extricate himself, a cold, sharp voice rang out: "Stop!"

Everyone in the East Palace collectively breathed a sigh of relief. The Crown Princess had arrived, and only she could control the Crown Prince.

Otherwise, if the Crown Prince truly lost control, they would likely all suffer the consequences.

Seeing the noble and beautiful woman in palace attire approaching, the Crown Prince's face lit up with excitement. "Linglong, you've arrived just in time!" he exclaimed. "Watch how I punish this scoundrel who dared to bully you."

The Crown Princess's phoenix eyes swept across the room, then lingered on Zu An for a brief moment. Having roughly deduced what had transpired, her slender eyebrows arched. "Your Highness, what is the meaning of this?"

"I'm punishing this man who bullied you," the Crown Prince replied.

"The Emperor and Grand Master Ji Jiu have clearly stated that we were framed by malicious individuals, yet you're beating him here," the Crown Princess said, tears welling in her eyes. "What will people think of me when this news spreads? Everyone will simply believe that I truly had an illicit affair with him! How will I ever live with myself? Your Highness, are you trying to elevate Concubine Bai? You don't need to go to such lengths; I'll simply go to the Cold Palace myself. This position of Crown Princess means nothing to me anyway."

The Crown Prince immediately panicked, pacing in agitation, his plump hands flailing aimlessly. "Linglong, don't be angry! That's not what I meant," he stammered. "I just wanted to vent your frustration."

"If Your Highness truly wishes to avenge me, you should seek out the masterminds who framed us, not punish Zu An," the Crown Princess said, tears falling like pearls. "This will not only fail to appease me, but will also ruin me forever! Waaah..."

The Crown Prince immediately panicked. "I won't hit him, then..."

The Crown Princess immediately interrupted him. "Not only must you not harm him, but you must also promote him heavily. Only then can we prove our clear conscience and completely dispel the suspicions of all parties."

Zu An watched in utter astonishment. This woman truly had the Crown Prince completely wrapped around her finger.

[The third update is finally complete.]