Chapter 901: Refusal at the Door

As soon as Zu An left the Imperial Study, Eunuch Wen approached him with a beaming smile. "Lord Zu," he said, "I've already gathered the relevant personnel; they're waiting at the palace gate. When would you like to investigate the case of Prince Qi's concubine?"

"Right now, of course," Zu An cursed inwardly. *Darn it, you've got everyone ready and waiting, and you still pretend to ask when I want to start the investigation?*

"Then I wish you a smooth journey, Lord Zu," Eunuch Wen replied, his plump face filled with a benevolent smile.

Zu An cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, then made his way to the Eastern Palace to report his new assignment to Bi Linglong. After all, she was anxious about potential trouble on his side.

Bi Linglong was also puzzled after hearing him out. "Investigate the drowning of Prince Qi's concubine?"

Disregarding any need for discretion, she dismissed her personal maids from the room and then said worriedly, "Prince Qi's years of planning were ruined by you. He must be itching to kill you now. Aren't you just walking into your death by investigating this case at such a time?"

"Alas, if I don't go now, the Emperor might kill me immediately," Zu An said with a smile. "Don't worry. After all, I am currently the investigating minister personally appointed by the Emperor. If Prince Qi doesn't want to openly break ties, he can't openly target me. Although this investigation is fraught with danger, it's also an opportunity. If handled well, I might even be able to establish a connection with Prince Qi."

"Establish a connection with Prince Qi?" Bi Linglong's expression instantly turned wary. As a key figure in the Crown Prince's faction, having opposed Prince Qi's faction for so many years, her first reaction was resistance.

Zu An chuckled. "Don't worry, it's just a means to counterbalance the Emperor. There's no way I'd truly side with Prince Qi. Given our relationship, if I don't help you, then who would I help?"

Hearing him say this, Bi Linglong's expression softened slightly, though she wouldn't admit it aloud. "Hmph, what relationship do I have with you?"

Seeing her feigned aloofness, Zu An wished he could pin her down and spank her, but unfortunately, such thoughts could only remain fantasies within the Imperial Palace.

After leaving the palace, several guards and eunuchs were already waiting. Upon seeing Zu An, they immediately approached him. "Greetings, Lord Zu. Eunuch Wen instructed us to follow your orders."

Zu An was now a renowned figure throughout the capital, making it difficult for ordinary guards not to recognize him.

Seeing them enthusiastically trying to curry favor with him, Zu An politely responded while secretly sighing. *These people are likely too low-ranking to have access to deeper information. They probably think I'm still a rising star, unaware of the dangers that now surround me.*

The group arrived at Prince Qi's Residence. As Zu An surveyed the imposing gate, he became thoughtful. For some reason, compared to his last visit, Prince Qi's Residence seemed much more dilapidated—though there were no obvious changes on the surface. He wondered if it was just his imagination.

Upon seeing visitors, the gatekeepers of Prince Qi's Residence were initially polite. However, their expressions immediately changed when they heard the purpose was to investigate the drowning of Prince Qi's concubine. "Please wait here," one of them said. "I'll go inside and report."

Without waiting for a reply, he slammed the door shut, leaving the others to exchange bewildered glances.

"The people in Prince Qi's Residence are too rude! At least let us wait inside," the guards under Zu An's command complained.

Zu An smiled. "We'll just wait." He then found a nearby pavilion, sat down, and calmly closed his eyes, resting as if he were out for a leisurely excursion.

Seeing him act this way, the others naturally refrained from further comment and waited quietly.

However, they waited for over half an hour, but no one emerged from Prince Qi's Residence. It was clear the intention was to give them the cold shoulder.

"These dog servants of Prince Qi's Residence are going too far!" the guards exclaimed, no longer able to contain their indignation.

As direct subordinates of the Emperor, they harbored a natural animosity towards Prince Qi's Residence.

Zu An frowned. This investigation was ostensibly an inquiry, but in reality, it was a pretext for trouble. It was normal for the people of Prince Qi's Residence to be unwelcoming. However, with so much time having passed and the door still closed, they couldn't just keep waiting outside like fools.

So he sent one of his subordinates to knock on the door again. Soon, the man returned, huffing with anger. "Lord Zu, the people inside said Prince Qi is busy with official duties, and the person sent to report our presence hasn't gotten their turn yet. They told us to wait a bit longer. Hmph, they're clearly playing games with us!"

Zu An smiled; this was all within his expectations. Having already observed the formalities, he had done what was necessary. He then summoned a few of his men and gave them instructions.

Hearing his words, a few guards were startled, their expressions changing. "This... this might not be a good idea."

Zu An rolled his eyes. *Just moments ago, they were boasting about tearing down Prince Qi's Residence, but now they're backing down at the first sign of real action?*

"Don't worry, I'll take responsibility if anything goes wrong."

Hearing his assurance, and feeling truly angered by being left waiting outside, the guards finally made up their minds. They quickly retrieved the necessary items.

They rushed to Prince Qi's main gate and directly affixed two long yellow paper strips across the two doors, forming an 'X'. A large, prominent character "封" (Seal) circled in red ink stood out clearly on them.

The commotion quickly attracted people from the surrounding area. Naturally, the residents around Prince Qi's Residence were not common folk; they were mostly officials from the imperial court.

The servants of these households, and even the officials themselves, came out to watch, whispering among themselves:

"What's happening?"

"Why is Prince Qi's Residence sealed?"

"Heavens, is the Emperor planning to move against Prince Qi definitively?"

The more these people discussed, the more alarmed they became, as many were aware of the overt power struggle between the Emperor and Prince Qi.

The people inside Prince Qi's Residence finally couldn't sit still any longer. The main door burst open with a bang, and a team of guards streamed out. The leader tore off the seal from the door and, upon seeing the characters, flew into a rage. "How dare you, impudent servants, cause trouble at Prince Qi's Residence!"

As he spoke, he swung his hand, aiming a slap at the faces of the two guards who had affixed the seal. The guards tried to dodge, but under his immense power, they seemed to freeze, unable to move even slightly.

Onlookers, even from a distance, could feel the intimidating aura. Those with sharp eyes had already recognized the man as Han Fengqiu, Prince Qi's revered attendant and a ninth-rank master. They thought that if this palm strike landed, even if the victims' heads didn't explode like watermelons, they would certainly lose all their teeth.

But they deserved it, people thought. Anyone who dared to cause trouble at Prince Qi's Residence would die in vain.

Just then, the expected storm of blows did not materialize. A hand appeared in front of the two guards, gripping the incoming hand and preventing it from advancing another inch.

"Hmm?" Han Fengqiu was inexplicably surprised, and his other hand also moved.

In a flash, both sides exchanged two palm strikes before separating.

At this point, some of the surrounding people recognized the owner of the other hand:

"Isn't that Zu An, the newly appointed 'Green Hat' Baron?"

"Last time I heard he fought Han Fengqiu to a standstill, I thought it was just a rumor. I never expected to see it with my own eyes today."

"Han Fengqiu must have lived his life in vain; someone so young has already caught up to him in cultivation."

Han Fengqiu's face twitched. The words of the onlookers cut into his heart like knives. At the same time, he was extremely puzzled: the last time they fought, his opponent was clearly at a disadvantage, so how could he be his equal today?

Zu An's eyebrows also twitched, for the term "green hat" from the onlookers deeply stung his nerves.

Han Fengqiu finally regained his composure and said in an unfriendly tone, "Well, if it isn't Lord Zu. Although Lord Zu has recently rendered great service and is a favorite of the Eastern Palace, causing trouble at a princely residence and defying a superior is a grave act of disrespect, wouldn't you agree?"

Such a charge could be either trivial or severe. For those who didn't care, it might be as light as a feather, but if officially weighed, it could become immensely heavy.

The guards who came with Zu An turned pale. If Prince Qi pursued the matter according to the rules, they might very well be exiled to the army.

At this point, Zu An laughed. "Sir Han, what are you talking about? We are here to handle a case, acting under imperial decree. How can that be considered causing trouble?"

Han Fengqiu threw the torn seal on the ground. "You've come to seal Prince Qi's Residence and still claim it's not causing trouble? Who gave you such audacity? Surely the Emperor wouldn't issue such an order."

Zu An's expression became solemn as he responded clearly, "I am here by imperial decree to investigate the drowning of Prince Qi's concubine. Unfortunately, despite several notifications, Prince Qi's Residence has offered various excuses and even refused to open its doors. I suspect the culprit is involved and is secretly obstructing the investigation. Since that is the case, we will proceed according to standard legal procedure. As Prince Qi's Residence is the scene of the incident, it should, by regulation, be temporarily sealed. No one should be allowed to freely enter or exit or tamper with the scene until the case is thoroughly investigated, to prevent the destruction of evidence."

Han Fengqiu: "..."

They had originally planned to give him the cold shoulder and make him retreat, but they hadn't expected him to be so ruthless. Crucially, he was proceeding strictly according to legal provisions, leaving them no room to find fault.

If he were truly allowed to use this opportunity to seal Prince Qi's Residence, Prince Qi would suffer a great loss of face.

Thinking this, he immediately forced a smile. "Lord Zu, you've misunderstood. Prince Qi was handling official duties earlier, and the gatekeepers hadn't had a chance to report your arrival. As soon as Prince Qi learned you were here, he sent me to escort you to the pond where the concubine drowned. That is the actual scene."