Chapter 741: Qi Princess

Mi Li, floating in mid-air, looked relaxed. "A master has emerged," she said. "You've caused quite a scene; how do you intend to resolve it? I'm warning you now, I won't be doing your dirty work."

Her arrogant demeanor reminded Zu An of the last person who had referred to herself as "this empress" – a person who had just endured countless attacks from him. "Don't worry, you won't need to get involved," he replied. "This person is an acquaintance."

"Oh?" Mi Li was curious. The old man who had just appeared exuded an aura that suggested he was a peak ninth-grade master. While Zu An's current cultivation wasn't entirely incapable of fighting him, he was certainly no match. She wondered where his confidence came from.

At that moment, the old man, a long sword on his back, gazed coldly at Zu An and Hou Wu, who lay at his feet. "You have quite some nerve to cause trouble at Prince Qi's Manor," he stated.

Zu An replied coolly, "That's quite an arrogant statement. We, the Embroidered Uniform Guards, act on behalf of the Emperor. Are we not permitted to enter Prince Qi's Manor?"

This individual was indeed an old acquaintance: Han Fengqiu, the master who had saved Prince Qi's heir during their last encounter. His sword energy was undeniably formidable.

Han Fengqiu momentarily choked. "There's no need to use the Emperor's name to intimidate us," he retorted. "Acting on his behalf doesn't grant you license to break the law. You've come to Prince Qi's Manor and wantonly injured a guard. Bear in mind that they are also officially employed by the court. Even if I were to kill you today, the Emperor would not fault us."

As he spoke, he poised himself to strike. The reputation of the Gold Medal Embroidered Uniform Guards was widespread, and he dared not underestimate them. However, he had never heard of any Gold Medal Guard achieving the Grandmaster realm, so he presumed that in terms of cultivation, none could surpass him.

As for the formations employed by the other Embroidered Uniform Guards, with so many of his own men surrounding them, they wouldn't dare make a move to assist.

With these thoughts solidifying his resolve, he grew more confident. Just as he was about to make his move, his opponent spoke.

"Who said I acted without reason?" Zu An countered, pointing to Hou Wu on the ground. "This fellow just called us lackeys. As is widely known, the Embroidered Uniform Guards act solely upon the Emperor's command. Aren't you, by extension, calling the Emperor a dog?"

"I didn't, I didn't mean that..." Hou Wu, who moments ago had a resentful expression, was now so terrified that his courage nearly shattered.

Han Fengqiu was speechless.

He was utterly dumbfounded, wondering if these guards were habitually so reckless with their words, even daring to insult the Embroidered Uniform Guards.

Zu An pressed on, "And just now, Mr. Han, your words towards the Emperor didn't seem particularly respectful. Is this how everyone in Prince Qi's Manor conducts themselves these days? I wonder if it's a case of subordinates emulating their superiors, or perhaps for some other reason?"

"Stop spouting nonsense!" Han Fengqiu exclaimed, agitated. Everyone spoke of how troublesome the Embroidered Uniform Guards were, and he saw it firsthand today. Once they set their sights on you, you'd be in for a world of pain, even if you survived.

While he wasn't afraid of his opponent's martial prowess, the constant invocation of the Emperor worried him about bringing trouble to Prince Qi, leaving him in a difficult predicament.

This Embroidered Uniform Guard is truly shameless!

Han Fengqiu's rage value increased by 233, 233, 233...

Just then, a dignified female voice echoed, "What exactly is happening here?"

Zu An turned to see a gilded, luxurious carriage parked nearby, surrounded by a detachment of guards.

The manor guards quickly bowed. "Greetings, Princess Consort!"

"The Princess Consort?" Zu An mused. According to his earlier investigations, Princess Consort Bi Fanghua of Qi was the Crown Princess's half-sister. Though they were siblings, there was a considerable age difference between them; Prince Qi's son, Zhao Zhi, was significantly older than the Crown Princess herself.

It appeared Bi Linglong's father, Bi Qi, had "eaten tender grass" (an idiom for an older man marrying a much younger woman) by marrying another young wife, which accounted for such a significant age disparity.

The Crown Princess and Princess Consort Qi, though sisters, did not get along; in fact, their relationship was akin to fire and water in some respects. This was partly because the Crown Prince and Prince Qi were vying for the succession, naturally putting them at odds. Secondly, it was likely influenced by their mothers; Bi Qi's first wife and his subsequent young wife were known to clash fiercely upon meeting.

At this moment, Han Fengqiu hurried to the carriage and quietly reported the recent events. A moment later, Princess Consort Qi's voice was heard: "I thought it was something serious. Prince Qi is indeed not in the manor at the moment. If Lord Eleven has any questions, you may address them to me. Please, Lord Eleven, enter the manor."

Mi Li chuckled softly. "She's a clever woman indeed. Directly addressing the core issue with a swift decision resolves all other minor problems."

Zu An secretly marveled, knowing that Prince Qi's women were not to be underestimated.

He naturally seized the opportunity. "Then I shall trouble Your Royal Highness."

Soon, the gilded carriage door opened, and a pair of perfectly rounded, slender, fair legs emerged. Zu An's eyes widened in surprise. What was this? Wasn't Princess Consort Qi no longer young? Why were her legs still as firm and enticing as a young girl's?

He quickly admonished himself mentally: "Remember that unfortunate fellow, Zhao Zhi. Her son is already grown; don't be so crude."

Immediately afterward, a beautiful figure descended from the carriage: a tall silhouette with a cold, elegant face. Her hair was casually swept up into a bun fastened with a jade hairpin, making her neck appear even longer and fairer. Her entire presence exuded nobility and grace.

Zu An was momentarily stunned, not by the woman's beauty, but by her identity.

This long-legged beauty was an acquaintance: the lovely Principal Jiang Luofu!

Could Jiang Luofu be Princess Consort Qi?

Zu An felt a wave of disorientation wash over him.

However, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief, as another middle-aged woman emerged from the carriage. She was clearly well-preserved and likely a beauty in her youth, though the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes showed that time had still left its mark.

"Please be careful, Princess Consort!" Jiang Luofu cautioned from the side, extending a hand to help her descend the steps.

"Your beautiful principal seems to have quite a good relationship with Prince Qi's Manor, doesn't she?" Mi Li teased, approaching Zu An. She naturally recognized Jiang Luofu and was aware of her connection to Zu An.

Zu An frowned slightly. His current relationship with Prince Qi's faction was tense, and it would be truly disheartening if they were to become adversaries in the future.

As she passed by him, Jiang Luofu also cast a curious glance at Zu An. She had heard of this recently prominent Gold Medal Embroidered Uniform Guard and felt a certain curiosity about him.

For some reason, she typically disliked the Embroidered Uniform Guards, always finding them sinister and ruthless, yet this man inexplicably gave her a sense of familiarity.

She shook her head slightly, banishing this absurd feeling from her mind, and then entered the manor with Princess Consort Qi.

Zu An was then escorted inside by another maid. His accompanying Embroidered Uniform Guards appeared anxious, but Zu An waved them off, signaling that he was fine and instructing them to wait there.

Han Fengqiu, too, felt a measure of admiration. "Lord Eleven certainly has courage!"

He mused that the Gold Medal Embroidered Uniform Guards were indeed extraordinary. With so many talented individuals serving the Emperor, the Prince's grand ambition might prove quite challenging.

"I also admire Prince Qi's Manor's approach to managing its subordinates," Zu An commented, noticing that someone was likewise escorting the injured guard away. Seeing the guard's tearful gratitude, it was evident the Princess Consort had privately offered him some reward or consolation.

Han Fengqiu offered an awkward smile but remained silent.

Soon, Zu An was led into the manor, winding through several paths until he arrived at a pavilion in the courtyard.

Han Fengqiu stood at a distance, clearly to avoid impropriety by not approaching the female members of the Prince's household.

Princess Consort Qi was seated centrally within the pavilion, with Jiang Luofu accompanying her on one side and several young maids attending nearby.

It must be said that Princess Consort Qi was completely overshadowed by her companion. Her only remaining commendable quality was perhaps the noble bearing she had acquired from her long tenure as Princess Consort.

No wonder Bi Qi favored his younger daughter, Bi Linglong, and her mother more; her beauty was indeed far superior to that of her elder sister.

"What business do you have with Prince Qi? You may speak now," Princess Consort Qi said calmly.

Zu An stated his purpose. Princess Consort Qi scoffed, "What a ridiculous claim. A perfectly fine person goes missing after your investigation, and you choose to blame Prince Qi's Manor?"

"It's well-known that Ou Wu was promoted by Prince Qi in the past," Zu An said, his gaze steady on her.

"They are all ministers of the court; there's no partisan distinction," Princess Consort Qi stated calmly. "The Prince has always promoted talent based solely on merit, without any personal bias."

"Yet Ou Wu's family members left the city with a Prince's Manor token," Zu An pressed, carefully observing her expression.

Princess Consort Qi frowned slightly, but quickly retorted, "Do you have any evidence to prove it was a token from *my* Prince Qi's Manor?"

Seeing Zu An remain silent, she chuckled lightly. "There are numerous princes and dukes in the capital, and their manor tokens are largely similar. It's quite normal for the guards at the city gate to mistake one for another."

Zu An fell into thought. At this moment, Princess Consort Qi spoke. "I have answered many of your questions; now it's your turn to answer one of mine."

"Please, Princess Consort."

"You've spent many years in the palace; do you happen to know Zu An, the Crown Prince's attendant from the Eastern Palace?"

Upon hearing that name, a hint of surprise appeared on Jiang Luofu's previously calm face.