Chapter 938

Seeing his respectful demeanor, the emperor felt a little more at ease.

He thought for a moment and said, "Prepare yourself over the next few days. Once everything else is ready, I will send an imperial envoy to Yunzhong Commandery. You will accompany them, and then you can utilize your investigative skills."

Clearly, Zuan had handled all the difficult cases beautifully in recent days, which had earned him the emperor's recognition for his abilities.

Zuan was not surprised that another minister would be sent. After all, his current status and seniority were not enough to command respect. This time, he was investigating a Duke's case, and the officials involved were of high rank. It would actually be more convenient for him to work from behind the scenes.

The emperor continued, "Furthermore, I will publicly announce that a Golden Embroidered Envoy will secretly accompany the mission. Ostensibly, you will be protecting the imperial envoy's party in your capacity as Crown Prince's Household Administrator and Imperial Forest Lieutenant Colonel. But in reality, you will also be that Golden Embroidered Envoy. Do you understand?"

Zuan instantly felt glum. So he was the one protecting them openly, and also the one protecting them secretly. Could he get two salaries for doing two jobs?

He quickly said, "Your Majesty, perhaps you could send another Golden Embroidered Envoy, or some other highly skilled generals as escorts. I suffered severe injuries in the secret realm earlier, and I fear I may not be strong enough alone..."

After all, he now had official backing. It would be a disservice to himself not to fully utilize this advantage. Charge into every battle himself? Was he stupid?

Listening to him babble on and complain, the emperor's eyebrow twitched. This fellow was becoming more and more of a wily old fox.

He snorted, and handed something over directly.

Zuan took it and saw it was an imperial edict scroll. The emperor's voice already echoed in his ears: "If you encounter an insurmountable master or situation in Yunzhong Commandery, you may open this imperial edict to help suppress them. Someone from the Embroidered Chamber will teach you the specifics of how to invoke it."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zuan was delighted. He had witnessed the power of this imperial edict back in Brightmoon City. Indeed, once the edict was revealed, all heroes were rendered helpless. With such a powerful weapon in hand, he could practically strut sideways in Yunzhong Commandery.

Of course, it wasn't without its drawbacks. The edict required a somewhat lengthy incantation beforehand, making it easy to interrupt. He had personally witnessed the tragic fate of Huang, Hui, and Hong when they tried to use it. So, he still had to be careful and not get carried away.

A thought suddenly occurred to him. He tentatively asked, "Does Your Majesty have a candidate in mind for the imperial envoy to Yunzhong Commandery this time?"

"Not yet..." The emperor showed a hint of weariness. This matter was of great importance, and he had to consider all aspects. First, he definitely couldn't use anyone from Prince Qi's faction. Second, even using someone from his own side wasn't entirely safe. One had to remember that these aristocratic families had intricate connections. Two families might be political enemies, but some members within them could be as close as siblings. Not to mention the intermarriages between families. Thus, choosing a suitable person from all perspectives was very difficult.

Suddenly, he looked at Zuan with a hint of vigilance. "Why are you asking this? What, do you have a candidate to recommend?"

"I do indeed have a candidate to recommend," Zuan replied.

"Tell me," the emperor said noncommittally.

Zuan said, "Minister of Revenue, Lord Sang Hong, is politically upright, loyal to Your Majesty, and an able minister. He should be a suitable candidate."

The emperor's eyes narrowed. Sang Hong was indeed one of the candidates he had been considering recently. However, there was a vast difference between a choice he made himself and one recommended by a subject.

He said coldly, "What, have you also learned to form factions now? I hear you've been very close with the Sang family."

"I am terrified, Your Majesty. I assure you I have no selfish motives in recommending Lord Sang," Zuan explained. "No, strictly speaking, there is a partial selfish motive. The main reason is that this trip to Yunzhong Commandery is extremely important. The disappearance of the Duke of Yunzhong Commandery is full of suspicious points. If my suspicions are correct, a massive conspiracy must be involved. If we investigate, the mastermind behind it will surely be restless. They might even resort to desperate measures. If an incompetent person is appointed as the imperial envoy, it would only put us in greater danger upon arrival. Therefore, I naturally hope that the imperial envoy accompanying me is a capable person."

"There are many capable ministers in the capital, but I have offended quite a few people while handling cases here recently... After much thought, only Lord Sang came to mind. Although we had a past conflict in Brightmoon City, I trust his character; he would never let personal grievances interfere with matters of great importance."

"Incompetent teammate..." Hearing this term, the emperor smiled knowingly. The words this fellow invented were quite interesting. Hearing Zuan admit to a selfish motive, and also to a past grievance with Sang Hong, the emperor's stern expression softened slightly, though he showed nothing outwardly. "You don't need to worry about the imperial envoy. I will make my own decision."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Zuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Hearing this, Sang Hong was likely confirmed. His risky recommendation hadn't been in vain.

After leaving the Imperial Study, Eunuch Wen led him to the Imperial Medical Institute. While having the institute prepare some valuable herbs to soothe nerves and replenish vital energy, Eunuch Wen sighed, "Master Zuan, I haven't seen anyone enjoy such imperial favor in so many years."

"His Majesty's grace is boundless..." Zuan responded with a smile, but his heart remained utterly calm. All of this was simply the emperor's way of incentivizing him to work, and something he had to strive for through various means.

However, he was still very pleased, because among the medicinal herbs given by the Imperial Medical Institute, there was Heavenly Crane Ganoderma, a primary ingredient for refining the Energy Gathering Pill.

After seeing Eunuch Wen off, Zuan returned to the Eastern Palace. Bi Linglong still refused to see him, evidently still angry about that day.

Zuan hesitated for a moment, deciding not to tell her about his trip to Yunzhong Commandery for now. Telling her in a few days might have a more surprising effect.

After making a quick appearance at the Eastern Palace to show her he had been to the Imperial Study and was safe, he found an opportunity to leave the palace.

He did not return to his Viscount's Manor, but went to the Sang family residence first.

After listening to his account of what happened in the Imperial Study, Sang Hong sighed, "You've played a risky move there."

Zuan's expression was calm. "Uncle, you wouldn't always be content to remain in the background, would you?" he said. "This trip to Yunzhong Commandery is a good opportunity."

Although Sang Hong had been reinstated as Minister of Revenue, nominally in charge of the nation's financial expenditures, the actual power was still controlled by the powerful figures in the Chancellery. He was merely an executor.

In other words, he did the exhausting daily tasks, while others reaped the merits and benefits.

"My virtuous nephew has given me a great gift," Sang Hong said, feeling a bit grateful. Although he had a good impression of Zuan, he hadn't expected him to return the favor so quickly. "But this time, you took too great a risk."

Sang Qian, standing by, also stared blankly at Zuan. Back when the Sang family was in high favor, they were surrounded by sycophants and flatterers. After the Sang family's misfortune, she had truly witnessed the fickle nature of human relationships.

She finally understood her father's painstaking efforts. An alliance with Zuan was indeed a wise choice.

Zuan smiled. "Uncle, you're being too polite. Although there was some risk this time, His Majesty is currently more focused on the Yu family's affairs. Naturally, he would choose genuinely capable people to go. So it only looked dangerous."

Sang Qian, standing nearby, was filled with emotion. Earlier, Zuan's political actions had been quite naive, but after her father's guidance a few times, he quickly learned to be like an old fox who had been in politics for decades. Such talent was truly enviable.

"However, this matter in Yunzhong Commandery isn't simple." The group chatted for a while longer, and eventually reached a unanimous conclusion.

Of course, it was precisely because it wasn't simple that they had the opportunity to go. They believed that with their abilities, they should be able to handle the matter well, so they weren't overly worried.

After Sang Hong chatted with him for a while, he noticed Zuan glancing around occasionally. So he said to Sang Qian, "Qian'er, take A'Zu to see your sister-in-law. He's well-traveled and knowledgeable; he might have a solution."

Sang Qian had gradually become less resistant to this matter. She readily agreed.

On the way to the inner chambers, Zuan quickly asked, "Qianqian, what happened to your sister-in-law?"

A faint blush flashed across Sang Qian's pretty face. Even after knowing him for so long, she was still a little unaccustomed to his familiar address. "Sister-in-law has been suffering from nightmares every night recently, and her spirit has been dwindling day by day. She's also lost a lot of weight. Many doctors have been called to examine her, but none can diagnose the cause."

Zuan was greatly startled. Cultivators' physiques are much better than ordinary people's; they rarely get sick. When they do get sick, it's usually a serious illness. And for an illness that even doctors couldn't diagnose, who knew if there was a major problem?

He quickly picked up his pace, walking faster than Sang Qian, and rushed straight to push open Zheng Dan's private room.

Sang Qian, behind him, stiffened. The way he acted, so familiar with the place, he must have been in there many times before.

Zuan pushed open the door and saw Zheng Dan sitting absentmindedly on a chair. She had always been vibrant and charming before, but now her face was a weak pallor. Even her full, alluring oval face had thinned considerably, almost becoming a melon seed face.

At this moment, Zheng Dan subconsciously turned her head. Her previously listless eyes sparkled with joy upon seeing Zuan. "A'Zu!"