Chapter 745: Something to Ask For

Zu An didn't speak. He immediately used his jade cong to control nearby small animals, hoping to scout the surroundings. Unfortunately, a team of riders had just galloped past, scaring away many small creatures. There were still some insects, but he couldn't discern anything useful through their eyes.

He hesitated for a moment, then secretly called out to Mi Li, "Queen Sister, please help me see who's spying on me."

Mi Li's lazy voice replied, "I'm sleeping. I won't help."

Zu An was speechless.

This woman really needed to be taught a lesson.

Although he knew she didn't want him to become dependent on her, which would hinder her cultivation, sometimes he really wanted to chastise her.

What would he use?

Was that even a question?

"Stay alert! Fan out and search the area," Zu An warned, then led the charge himself. Despite his speed, he circled the vicinity but found no trace of anyone.

He only vaguely smelled a faint fragrance, unsure if it was wildflowers from the mountains or something else. The scent felt familiar, yet he couldn't place it at the moment.

"Boss, what's wrong?" Dai Laoqi and Chen Laoba rushed over to ask. They had just searched around and found nothing.

"I seemed to feel someone tracking me just now," Zu An replied, lost in thought.

"That's impossible, isn't it? Who would dare have designs on an Embroidered Uniform Guard, especially right outside the capital?" The two found it hard to believe.

Zu An sneered inwardly. The Embroidered Uniform Guards were probably too accustomed to their authority, always possessing an inexplicable overconfidence. The last time, when Huang Huihong and his group escorted him to the capital, they had the same mindset, and now the grass on their graves was already tall.

However, he said nothing, simply telling the others to stay vigilant before the group returned to the capital.

Although the city gates were closed for the night, the Embroidered Uniform Guards held an extraordinary status. After verifying their waist tokens, the gate soldiers opened a small side door to let them in.

Along the way, he no longer felt that sense of being watched. Zu An shook his head, wondering if he had been under too much mental stress lately, making him overly suspicious.

He first returned to the Embroidery Building to check in, finding Xiao Jianren searching through the vast archives. Knowing there were no new findings yet, he instructed everyone to rest and continue their search the next day.

Xiao Jianren verbally assented, but his eyes unconsciously darted towards the documents on the table, clearly indicating his mind was still completely absorbed in them.

Zu An couldn't help but chuckle. He was truly a workaholic. Capitalists in his previous life, with their "996" work schedules, would surely welcome such an employee.

After leaving the Embroidery Building, Zu An realized he hadn't been home in a long time, so he left the imperial palace and headed straight for his residence.

As he approached a small alley near his home, he suddenly frowned, sensing someone hidden in the shadows ahead.

So, they finally slipped up?

Zu An walked forward calmly, every muscle on high alert. He was also puzzled: could they know about his connection with Gold Medal Eleven? That seemed unlikely. Why else would they ambush him?

When he felt the distance was right, Zu An suddenly moved, grabbing the person's shoulder.

Hmm, this person didn't feel much stronger than an ordinary person.

"Ah!" a sharp, low cry escaped, but the sound abruptly ceased once the person recognized Zu An. "Oh, my Lord Zu, I've finally found you!"

"Xiao Zhuozi?" Zu An was startled, recognizing the person as the young eunuch from Kunning Palace. Many senior eunuchs from Kunning Palace had died during the previous assassin incident, allowing him and Xiao Guizi to rise in rank. "What are you doing here so late?"

The person wasn't wearing eunuch attire but was dressed like an ordinary citizen.

Xiao Zhuozi quickly replied, "I was waiting here for you, Lord Zu. Unfortunately, I waited for so long and couldn't find you."

"What do you want from me?" Zu An asked curiously.

"Her Majesty asked me to convey a message to you, saying she invites you to appraise a treasure," Xiao Zhuozi answered, somewhat bewildered. He didn't understand why the Queen would seek Lord Zu for treasure appraisal, but he wisely refrained from prying. In palace affairs, the less one knew, the better.

Zu An almost burst out laughing. That woman, the Queen, was indeed long deprived, having tasted the forbidden fruit and now wanting more. She was already seeking him out again so quickly.

Mi Li's voice suddenly rang out, "This Liu Ning is truly a disgrace to a Queen. How shameless."

Zu An was amused. He transmitted his voice through vital energy, "Didn't you say she wanted to use me to recover from her injuries? It might not be as indecent as you imagine."

"Healing is part of it, yes, but seeking you out this frequently clearly means she desires it herself," Mi Li snorted. "That man is as energetic as a donkey; no wonder that vixen Liu Ning tried it once and couldn't forget."

Sensing her resentment, Zu An smiled and directly told Xiao Zhuozi, "Please tell Her Majesty that the treasure appraisal won't be necessary. Perhaps another day."

Xiao Zhuozi grew anxious. "When Her Majesty summons, how can we, as her subjects, refuse?"

Zu An smiled. "Don't worry, just convey my message to her. She won't blame you."

Seeing that he couldn't persuade him, Xiao Zhuozi left with a worried expression.

Mi Li was a little curious. "Why didn't you go with him? That vixen might be a bit flirtatious, but one must admit she's quite a stunner. And the sense of conquest from being with her must be unparalleled, right?"

Zu An looked at her gently. "Since you don't like it, then I won't go. I'll stay here and keep you company."

Mi Li's fair, jade-like face visibly flushed. "Get lost! Who wants your company? I need to cultivate now!"

She snorted and vanished into a wisp of smoke. No matter how Zu An called, she didn't answer.

Zu An chuckled. Although she was usually fierce, after spending so much time together, he had found ways to deal with her.

As for why he refused Liu Ning, it was mainly because he didn't want to be treated as a mere tool. He understood the art of playing hard to get. Having read so many online guides about the "self-cultivation" of "green tea" players and "sea kings" in his previous life, there was no way he would let Liu Ning take the initiative.

He also took the opportunity to curry favor with Mi Li. He even felt a little disdain for himself; in his previous life, he had indignantly condemned those "sea kings" and "tea-artist girls" online, but now he was embracing the very tactics he once criticized.

Back home, Zu An found the house brightly lit and was overjoyed. He rushed inside, and sure enough, a beautiful figure in ice-blue robes stood there. Unable to hold back, he rushed over, embraced her, and spontaneously began to kiss her.

Chu Chuyan was startled, but upon seeing it was him, her entire body softened, and she unconsciously responded to him.

They kissed passionately for a while until she suddenly remembered something. Her face flushed, and she gently pushed Zu An away, playfully chiding, "There are others here~"

Zu An looked back and saw Chu Youzhao and Murong Qinghe standing nearby, staring at them dumbfounded.

Chu Youzhao had fair skin with a rosy glow, while Murong Qinghe had a healthy tanned complexion. Standing together, they created an unexpectedly harmonious sight.

Zu An looked at Chu Chuyan with a disgruntled expression. "Why do you always bring these two tag-alongs wherever you go?"

Chu Youzhao, who had initially looked joyful at seeing him, immediately became displeased. "Tag-alongs? And to think I helped you today! Otherwise, my sister would have been taken by another man."

Murong Qinghe, standing beside him, quickly tugged at his sleeve. "It's not that exaggerated. My cousin was just a bit too enthusiastic; he had no other intentions."

Seeing Chu Chuyan's gentle, girlish demeanor in front of Zu An, and comparing it to her usual aloofness when with her cousin, Murong Qinghe secretly sighed. She decided she would have to persuade her cousin to abandon that idea in the future; there was simply no hope.

Zu An naturally knew they were talking about Murong Luo. However, given his current status, he shouldn't know what had transpired on the city wall, so he said nothing. In any case, an insignificant person like Murong Luo could never affect his relationship with Chuyan.

He noticed many gift boxes in the room and couldn't help but be surprised. "Who brought gifts?"

Chu Chuyan glanced at Murong Qinghe. The young girl pursed her lips and stepped forward, saying, "Brother Zu, these humble gifts are from me. I've come this time to ask for a favor."

She then explained her purpose. It turned out that shortly after the Embroidered Uniform Guards left that day, just as Murong Luo breathed a sigh of relief, fierce soldiers arrived and arrested him. He seemed to be implicated in the case of framing the Crown Princess.

Because Gold Medal Eleven had previously mentioned having some acquaintance with Zu An, and considering Zu An's current influential position as the Crown Prince's adjutant in the Eastern Palace, she hoped to use his connections to rescue her cousin.

"So, that's what this is about," Zu An said, looking at the young girl who resembled a female leopard with a sardonic smile. He shook his head. "I won't save him."