Chapter 913: Sleepiness Hits, Someone Passes a Pillow

That old schemer had clearly thought of a way to deal with Yu Nan but wouldn't say it directly, choosing instead to hint at it indirectly.

However, I understood that as the emperor, he needed to save face. Teaching his subordinates such underhanded tactics would damage his reputation if word got out.

"Damn it, so I don't get a reputation?" Zu An grumbled.

The Crimson Sleeves Pavilion was the capital's most renowned brothel, on par with the Imperial Music Bureau. The difference was that the Imperial Music Bureau was state-run, while the Crimson Sleeves Pavilion was private. Yet, for a private establishment to operate in the capital—a place where one could easily hit several court officials with a thrown brick—and to be as famous as the Imperial Music Bureau, spoke volumes about the influence of its owner.

For years, many had attempted to uncover the true identity of the Crimson Sleeves Pavilion's owner, but none succeeded. Even the Embroidered Uniform Guard had no relevant intelligence.

Zu An couldn't help but pat Xiao Jianren's shoulder. "Not bad, Old Xiao," he said. "I didn't realize you were into this kind of thing, so familiar with information about pleasure quarters."

Xiao Jianren's face flushed. "To answer Your Excellency," he replied, "I'm not into that. I just enjoy sitting in the Embroidered Tower and poring over various pieces of information in the archives on a daily basis; I happened to come across it."

Zu An was taken aback, recalling how Xiao Jianren had been engrossed in a vast pile of documents when he first entered the room. The man was clearly a bookworm.

"You should still get out more often," he advised. "If you just hide indoors reading all the time, your eyes will easily become nearsighted."

"Nearsighted?" Xiao Jianren asked, looking a bit confused.

"It means you can't see things clearly from a distance; you have to get close to them to make them out," Zu An explained. He began to wonder if he could introduce and sell glasses in this world. The Valkyries he was training were all money pits; every improvement required funds.

Xiao Jianren nodded. "Then I might truly have it," he admitted. "Nowadays, I often have to hold books very close to my face to read."

Zu An smiled. No wonder Xiao Jianren's eyes always seemed a bit unfocused; it turned out he was nearsighted.

"By the way, what's that courtesan's name?" The matter of glasses could wait; the immediate priority was to solve his current problem.

"Hold on..." Xiao Jianren closed his eyes, deep in thought. "Her name was something like Nan... Xun. Yes, Nan Xun."

Zu An was stunned. "You don't even check the files? You remember the name of a courtesan just like that?"

Xiao Jianren pointed to his head, smiling sheepishly. "Everything I read is stored in my mind, as if I have a library there," he explained. "When I need it, I simply retrieve it; it's no different from consulting an archive in real life."

Zu An was immediately awestruck. This man had essentially mastered the method of a Memory Palace; he would have been considered a genius in Zu An's previous life as well.

"Well done!" Zu An patted his shoulder in encouragement, thinking to himself that making glasses definitely needed to be put on the agenda. Such a talent was certainly worth cultivating.

***

After leaving the Embroidered Tower, Zu An made another trip to the Eastern Palace, as Bi Linglong was still worried about him.

He first returned to the White Sand Courtyard to change back into his own clothes, then, ensuring he wasn't seen, he took a circuitous route back to the Eastern Palace.

"Ah, playing so many roles is a bit tiring," Zu An mused to himself while recounting his experiences to Bi Linglong.

"Deal with Yu Nan?" Bi Linglong was initially relieved to see him return safely—ever since the events in the secret realm, she worried every time Zu An was summoned by the Emperor, fearing he might be walking into danger. But upon hearing about his new task, her delicate brows furrowed instantly. "Yu Nan is the successor of the Yu family and married to the princess. How can he be dealt with so easily?"

"Even if I can't, I have to try. The Emperor only gave me one month," Zu An replied. He hesitated, deciding not to mention the courtesan from the brothel. He had just managed to soothe her, and he didn't want to ignite another volatile situation.

"I'll also help you think of a way," Bi Linglong said, a hint of indignation in her voice. "At worst, I'll plead with the Emperor. How could someone like Yu Nan possibly be dealt with in just a month?"

Zu An quickly dissuaded her. "Absolutely not. Everyone else can plead on my behalf, but not you. After the secret realm incident, the Emperor already suspects our relationship. Your pleading would only add fuel to the fire."

"Then what should I do?" Bi Linglong pondered for a moment. "I'll see if the Bi family can find a way to remove him from power."

Seeing her so concerned for him, Zu An's heart warmed. "Don't worry," he said. "I've already found a way."

"What way?" Bi Linglong asked, curious.

"Just a preliminary idea, still requiring further verification," Zu An explained vaguely.

Bi Linglong simply said "Oh" and didn't press further.

The two soon chatted about other everyday matters. Unfortunately, in a place like the Eastern Palace, time alone was so scarce that every second was precious.

Although it was difficult to have time alone, Bi Linglong still found an excuse to keep Zu An. After all, he was the Crown Prince's Vice Tutor and was supposed to work in the Eastern Palace.

Of course, the main reason Bi Linglong kept him was their intimate relationship forged in the secret realm; she instinctively wanted to spend more time with him.

***

It was almost evening when he left the imperial palace. Zu An went home to change his clothes, as going to a brothel in official attire would be asking for trouble.

To his surprise, Chu Youzhao and Murong Qinghe were already waiting at his home.

"Brother-in-law, brother-in-law," Chu Youzhao exclaimed excitedly, "My maternal grandfather is going to war soon!"

Zu An couldn't help but remark, "It's one thing that you're not worried about him going to war, but why do you seem so happy about it?"

"Hmph, my grandfather is so powerful anyway," Chu Youzhao said, grinning. "The demon race will surely flee at his mere presence, so what do I have to worry about? Mainly, I've been under my grandfather's strict supervision lately, and it's not easy to go out. Once he's gone, I'll be able to come and play with you more often, brother-in-law."

Zu An felt a headache coming on, thinking, *If I have this tag-along with me all the time, how can I ever have any fun?*

Murong Qinghe, standing nearby, was also a bit puzzled, thinking, *Isn't the relationship between Brother Chu and his brother-in-law a bit too close? Is it because he lacked male playmates his own age growing up?*

"Don't just think about playing every day," Zu An lectured, putting on a stern face. "If you neglect your cultivation and studies, your sister will come looking for me next time." It felt good to be an elder; he didn't want this tag-along, but he could use a high-sounding reason to achieve his goal.

"So annoying! Why are you acting like an old man too?" Chu Youzhao pouted, clearly displeased.

Just then, a faint voice came from the doorway. "Is Master Zu here?"

Zu An turned to see two people standing at the door. The elder man had a serious expression, while the younger one had a gloomy demeanor.

"Ah, it's Brother Gao and Brother Han. Please, come in quickly." Zu An recognized the two: Gao Ying from the Liu family and Pei You from the Pei family. They were truly fortunate to have survived the cataclysm in the secret realm, having found somewhere to hide and preserve their lives.

"You mustn't, you mustn't," the two quickly replied, their previously aloof demeanor gone. "Master Zu is our lifesaver; please just call us by our names."

"Oh, you two usually act so arrogant; what's with the change today?" As famous scions of influential families in the capital, Chu Youzhao and Murong Qinghe naturally knew them.

As they belonged to different factions, there was naturally some animosity between them.

"Master Zu saved our lives, so of course we should show him respect," Gao Ying said calmly. "We came today to invite him out for a drink to express our gratitude."

Chu Youzhao's eyes immediately lit up. "Drinking? I want to go too!"

Pei You frowned. Normally, he wouldn't bother with anyone from Prince Qi's faction, but considering that Murong Qinghe's sister was Zu An's wife, he didn't refuse. "You can come," he said to Chu Youzhao, "but it might not be convenient for Miss Murong."

"Why not?" Murong Qinghe's eyebrows shot up. She was known as a tough, feisty woman in the army and only maintained her quiet demeanor in front of Chu Youzhao.

Pei You snorted and offered no explanation. It was Gao Ying who stepped in. "Because we're going to the Crimson Sleeves Pavilion later, and it's not a suitable place for young ladies."