Chapter 761: Victims and Perpetrators

"Didn't you conspire with the King of Wu to frame the Crown Princess and me?" Zu An eagerly asked.

Shi Jun sneered, "Heh, someone was interrogating me about my relationship with the King of Qi before, and now it's the King of Wu. You Embroidered Envoy agents are certainly adept at fabricating accusations. Moreover, who is that Zu An, and what makes him so important that a prince would specially target him?" Thinking of Zu An made him furious. If it weren't for that guy and his sixth brother's incident, their Shi family wouldn't have fallen to their current state. Especially being slapped by that fellow at the palace gates last time—it was an absolute humiliation. How could he admit that such a petty ruffian held such significance?

Rage points from Shi Jun +411+411+411...

Seeing the rage points in the backend, Zu An was speechless. He picked up a small whip nearby and directly struck Shi Jun with it. "Speak properly!"

"Ah~" Shi Jun shrieked. The torture implements used by the Embroidered Envoys were specially made, almost all of them reduced-power versions of the 'Whip of Wailing,' unbearable when struck against a person. He didn't understand why the other party was hitting him, nor did he dare to ask. He could only glare at him with resentful eyes.

Rage points from Shi Jun +55+55+55...

"Whose idea was it for you to plot to kill Zu An, and why did you think you could pin all the blame on him?" Zu An continued to ask.

"That Zu An fellow is so detestable; everyone wants to kill him," Shi Jun grumbled resentfully. "Given what happened between him and the Crown Princess, he was already a suspect in the case. If he were to die at Xinrui's home, and we spread some rumors, we could naturally shift the blame onto him."

Zu An said sarcastically, "Too bad you not only failed to frame him but also exposed yourselves."

"To save that scoundrel Huabao, we exposed the gambling den owner, then silenced him, and even used Glorious Silk. With your Embroidered Envoy's capabilities, you'd eventually trace it back to us anyway. Taking the initiative was our only slim chance of survival," Shi Jun said with hatred. "It's just unfortunate that Zu An, that guy, has such ridiculously good luck; he always manages to turn danger into fortune."

Rage points from Shi Jun +444+444+444...

Zu An laughed heartily, "He's a favored son of destiny. Of course, everything goes wrong for you when you insist on opposing him."

Shi Jun spat, "Pah! That guy is just a street thug who got lucky and clung to a powerful patron. If he's a favored son of destiny, I'll eat shit upside down right here, right now!"

Rage points from Shi Jun +888+888+888...

Having grown up in a prestigious and wealthy family, he possessed the inherent pride of an aristocratic scion. He utterly despised commoners. He could accept defeat in high-level court struggles, but he absolutely could not accept losing to a commoner whom he had always looked down upon.

Zu An smiled, "So you're thinking of freeloading off us again." He even felt an urge to have the jailers here bring him a few bowls, but then he decided against it, so as not to disgust the guys here.

He asked a few more questions, and Shi Jun was very cooperative, answering almost everything. He probably had been scared senseless. However, if he knew he was facing Zu An, whom he had always despised, yet was being so compliant, he would probably be so enraged he'd vomit blood.

Zu An had obtained the information he wanted from this trip and soon left the Embroidered Tower. As for Shi Jun, he didn't need to lift a finger; he was certainly doomed this time anyway.

He changed back into his East Palace official uniform and, after a moment's thought, headed towards the Palace of A Hundred Flowers. The Crown Princess had previously entrusted him with finding a way to eliminate Consort Bai, so he had to make contact with her.

Consort Bai was already very low-key, and after the incident with Xinrui, the Palace of A Hundred Flowers became even quieter. Consort Bai had always preferred quietness; there were very few eunuchs and palace maids in her palace, almost just enough to meet her basic needs.

After hearing his request for an audience, a palace maid quickly returned and said, "Lord Zu, Her Highness invites you in."

Zu An followed the palace maid into the palace. From a distance, he saw a delicate swing gently swaying not far away, with a beautiful woman in palace attire seated on it. Her skirt outlined a slender, graceful waistline and alluringly rounded hips.

"Greetings, Consort Bai." Zu An bowed, noticing she was holding a swaddled infant, a chubby baby with fair, rosy skin, exceptionally adorable. The baby seemed to have fallen into a deep sleep due to the rhythmic swaying, a contented smile on his face. A trace of moisture lingered at the corner of his lips, and his tiny mouth occasionally twitched, sometimes involuntarily spitting out a little milk stain whenever he pouted, clearly having just finished a satisfying meal.

Zu An instinctively glanced at Consort Bai's front. Because she was holding the child, her chest was noticeably compressed, appearing heavy.

"Lord Zu, what brings you here today?" Consort Bai, who had been gazing lovingly at the child in her arms, smiled and raised her head upon hearing Zu An's greeting.

It had to be admitted, Consort Bai was truly beautiful. Her beauty differed from the Crown Princess's. If the Crown Princess was as grand as a peony and as vibrant as a rose, Consort Bai was as elegant as a chrysanthemum, like the most delicate and soft white flower in the wilderness, or a snow lotus on a high mountain. Seeing her for the first time invoked a feeling of pure perfection and deep compassion. Among the many officials and servants in the East Palace, while they usually obeyed the Crown Princess, it was mainly due to her power and authority. If they were truly asked to choose someone they liked in their hearts, most would probably prefer this gentle and kind Consort Bai.

"The Crown Princess asked me to come and pay my respects to Your Highness," Zu An replied.

"Oh?" Consort Bai was slightly surprised, her delicate eyebrows lifting a little. "It's quite rare that the Crown Princess still remembers me."

Zu An smiled faintly, "Your Highness, what are you saying? The Crown Princess naturally always remembers you. As members of the East Palace, we naturally work together with one heart to serve the Crown Prince."

Consort Bai chuckled softly, "No wonder Lord Zu has been rapidly promoted these days. I hear you've just been appointed as a Palace Attendant to the Crown Prince. Perhaps the Crown Princess also appreciates your eloquent way of speaking." As she spoke, she gestured to a maid nearby, "Go brew some Hundred Flowers tea. This is a favored person in the eyes of Crown Princess sister; we mustn't be remiss."

"Yes~" The maid retreated, a faint hint of displeasure in her eyes, thinking that the Crown Princess was far too overbearing, demanding such cautious treatment for even her subordinates when they visited their own Consort.

Zu An, however, knew that Consort Bai's action was to find a reason to dismiss the maid. He chuckled and said, "To be honest with Your Highness, I now have a stress reaction whenever I hear the words 'Hundred Flowers tea'."

Consort Bai smiled, pursing her lips, knowing he was referring to the last time Xinrui poisoned him and he was framed for having an "affair" with the Crown Princess. "Don't worry, my Hundred Flowers tea is definitely safe."

Zu An's gaze fell upon the child in her swaddling clothes, and he couldn't help but exclaim, "The Imperial Grandson is so adorable! May I hold him?"

Consort Bai was taken aback, her expression a little strange. It was well-known that the Imperial Grandson's status was special; besides her and her close personal maids, who else would dare to touch him? If anything happened, no one would risk that. However, as a mother, she was quite pleased to hear her child praised. "Lord Zu, your words are a little out of line." Although she said this, there was no hint of anger in her tone.

Zu An chuckled, "Your Highness Consort Bai, you are mistaken. As a Palace Attendant to the Crown Prince, I am responsible for managing many affairs, big and small, in the East Palace. The Imperial Grandson is the young master of the East Palace, so caring for him falls within my duties."

Consort Bai let out a wry laugh. "Most people wouldn't dare make such a request." As she spoke, she rose from the swing and, holding the child, approached him. "Lord Zu, please be careful not to wake him. It took me a lot of effort to get him to sleep."

Zu An carefully took the child, feeling as if he were weightless and fragile. "This is the first time I've observed the Imperial Grandson closely. He truly is adorable and handsome."

Consort Bai was a little surprised. Most men in this world weren't very good at holding babies. She had just been on tenterhooks, worrying that Zu An might be clumsy, but unexpectedly, his posture was so skilled. And seeing his careful expression, she could sense his genuine fondness for children, which softened her expression even further. "Lord Zu is truly different from others."

The two stood very close. Zu An could smell the mysterious, faint fragrance emanating from her. Due to holding the child, his elbow even brushed against her soft body unintentionally. He chuckled and said, "Your Highness, aren't you worried about rumors if we stand so close?"

Consort Bai said calmly, "This Palace of A Hundred Flowers is quite deserted anyway, and there aren't many gossips here. Besides, what people are secretly discussing more in the palace now is the matter between you and the Crown Princess, so what do I have to worry about?"

Zu An smiled. "Your Highness's elegant and composed demeanor is truly captivating." Then, as if casually, he remarked, "The Imperial Grandson is so adorable, but he doesn't seem to resemble the Crown Prince much."

Consort Bai's expression changed, and her tone grew cold. "Lord Zu, choose your words carefully. Some remarks can easily lead to execution."

"Your Highness misunderstood," Zu An quickly changed the subject, praising her, "I meant the Imperial Grandson takes after Your Highness more; he's as beautiful as you."

Consort Bai huffed and took the child back from his arms. "Lord Zu, what is your true purpose in coming here? You can't have come just to say these frivolous things."

"Indeed, there's another matter I came for. The case involving Xinrui from last time has reached a conclusion," Zu An said. "Imperial Attendant Shi Jun abused his position to approach and seduce Your Highness's maid, Xinrui. How could an ordinary palace maid like Xinrui resist the pursuit of such a charming and distinguished young master? She quickly fell into a love trap. Unfortunately, she didn't realize she was caught in a conspiracy. The other party approached her solely to use her to frame the Crown Princess, and at the same time, to implicate and blame Consort Bai, causing trouble for both of the Crown Prince's most important consorts simultaneously."

Consort Bai's expression shifted slightly. "The Shi family's scheme was truly vicious. It's all my fault for not paying enough attention to Xinrui on ordinary days and failing to notice she was being deceived."

"Is that so?" Zu An chuckled softly. "Those were the Embroidered Tower's conclusions on the case, but I have a completely different perspective."

"What do you mean?" Consort Bai looked bewildered.

Zu An walked over to the swing nearby and sat on it casually, slowly swaying just as Consort Bai had been. "Everyone believes Shi Jun deliberately approached and seduced Xinrui, and even Shi Jun himself thinks so. However, I carefully investigated the relevant information and discovered something interesting. The one who initiated contact between them was not Shi Jun at all; on the contrary, it was Xinrui."

Consort Bai's delicate brows furrowed. "What do you mean? Xinrui has always been well-behaved; she would never do such a thing."

"Is that so?" Zu An's smile faded. "I've obtained a related transcript through a specific channel. I found that their initial acquaintance was due to a coincidental collision. But if we don't prejudge Xinrui as a victim and instead think from a different angle, we'll discover that Xinrui was the perpetrator from beginning to end. Meeting Shi Jun and allowing him to approach and seduce her—the entire process was actually guided by her. Unfortunately, that idiot Shi Jun believed his own charm was extraordinary, counting money for those who sold him out."

Consort Bai said calmly, "These are just your baseless conjectures. I know Xinrui's character best; she has always been kind and would never do such a thing."

"Your Highness, please hear me out," Zu An continued. "I've always had a question: Why would the mastermind go to such great lengths to send Xinrui out of the palace? Wouldn't it have been better to just silence her directly? I immediately realized there had to be a reason for it, but I couldn't figure out what it was until recently. After learning some things, I finally understood why the mastermind took such painstaking effort to send her out of the palace."