Chapter 954: Cloudy and Foggy

The Prince of Qi said calmly, "When the time comes, act cautiously. You can also take the opportunity to befriend Zu An; he previously indicated a desire to pledge allegiance. You can use this chance to test his sincerity."

"Befriend him?" Zhao Zhi's voice suddenly rose, his eyes filled with fury. "That brat humiliated me back then! I wish I could tear him limb from limb!"

"A small impatience can ruin a great plan," the Prince of Qi reprimanded. "If you can't even endure this minor inconvenience, how do you expect to accomplish anything great? Now is a time when we need to utilize people, even our enemies. Once the dust settles in the future, it won't be too late for you to settle scores with him."

Seeing that his father did not forbid him from seeking revenge, Zhao Zhi's expression finally softened. "My King, you are right."

"Let me tell you about the specific situation there..." The Prince of Qi then drew Zhao Zhi closer and began explaining the details concerning Yunzhong Commandery.

***

On the peak of Yuquan Mountain, a pair of long legs, clad in silk stockings, ascended the steps and approached the lotus pond. The weather was freezing, and snow had begun to fall, yet the lotuses in the pond bloomed brilliantly. A misty vapor enveloped them, creating a scene like something out of an immortal realm.

Gazing at the figure fishing by the pond, Jiang Luofu couldn't help but ask, "Teacher, these fish are your beloved pets. Why do you fish for them? And I've never seen you catch a single one."

"They must be quite bored, confined to this small world," the Libationer said, lifting his fishing rod. "I just keep them company." She noticed that the fishing hook was not curved, but perfectly straight.

Jiang Luofu truly didn't understand her teacher's peculiar humor. "Teacher, what are your instructions for summoning me today?"

"Did the Prince of Qi's consort ever entrust you to retrieve something from Zu An?" the Libationer asked, his attention fixed on the water, as if it were a casual remark.

Jiang Luofu's heart was, however, stirred with immense shock. She couldn't help but give a wry smile. "Indeed, nothing can be hidden from you, Teacher."

Her brothers had either married daughters from the Pei family or the Yu family, so the Jiang family's relationship with the Prince of Qi's lineage had always been quite good.

She herself also had a good personal relationship with the Prince of Qi's consort, considering them close friends despite their age difference. That was why the consort had entrusted her with such a task.

"Then why didn't you act?" the Libationer asked with a light chuckle.

Jiang Luofu replied in a deep voice, "Zu An is also my friend, and I don't want to betray a friend."

"This matter might not be as serious as you think," the Libationer said meaningfully. "Perhaps someone is even hoping for your betrayal."

"What do you mean, Teacher?" Jiang Luofu asked, startled, quickly looking at the Libationer.

However, the other party did not answer her question, instead saying, "Next, you should go to Yunzhong Commandery."

"Yunzhong Commandery?" Jiang Luofu crossed one arm over her chest and rested her hand on her smooth chin, falling into thought. "Today, the imperial court dispatched Sang Hong and Zu An to Yunzhong Commandery to investigate the disappearance of the Duke of Yunzhong. Could this have something to do with the academy?"

Although the imperial court's official decree was to go to Yunzhong Commandery to appoint a new Duke of Yunzhong, everyone clearly understood that the appointment was a pretext, and the true purpose was to investigate the case.

If it were discovered that the former Duke of Yunzhong's disappearance was not an accident, then the appointment would naturally have to be postponed.

"One could say there's a connection, or one could say there isn't," the Libationer said. As he spoke, ripples spread across the water's surface. He lifted his fishing rod, and a red fish was pulled out of the water.

Jiang Luofu had originally been inwardly complaining that he spoke like a fortune-teller under a bridge, but when she saw this, her eyes widened in disbelief. A perfectly straight hook could actually catch a fish.

The Libationer took the fish off the hook, then spread his palm. The red fish floated and swam in the air above his palm, as if still in water, but it could never swim beyond the small space of his hand.

"Ah, of all the fish in this pond, you are the most gluttonous," the Libationer scolded the red fish. "Sooner or later, you'll die because of that mouth of yours." After scolding it for a moment, he put it back into the pond. He then casually propped his fishing rod aside, stood up, walked to a nearby cliff, and gazing at the mist halfway down the mountain, he slowly said, "A great change is coming."

Jiang Luofu pursed her lips. Her teacher always spoke in riddles like this, and she didn't ask any questions. After so many years, she already knew that unless her teacher volunteered the information, asking was pointless.

She thought to herself, *If only my junior sister were here, she would surely pull his white beard.*

Unfortunately, only her junior sister would dare to do such a thing.

"You may go. When the time is right, you will naturally know what to do," the Libationer said, waving his hand to dismiss her.

"Yes!" Jiang Luofu bowed respectfully, and the crisp, pleasant sound of her high heels on the bluestone slabs gradually faded into the distance.

The Libationer looked down at the entire capital city, a hint of profound and unidentifiable weariness appearing in his eyes.

***

Inside the imperial palace, Zu An looked at the palace maid before him, feeling quite exasperated.

He had just used the pretext of greeting the Crown Princess, hoping to meet Bi Linglong. However, she merely sent a palace maid out to offer a few perfunctory words of comfort and still refused to see him.

"It seems I really angered her last time," Zu An thought, feeling quite vexed. Even knowing he was about to embark on a long journey, she still refused to see him. Was she planning to hold a grudge against him for the rest of her life?

Since Bi Linglong wouldn't see him, there was no point in him staying in the Eastern Palace, so he found an excuse and slipped away.

In any case, he still held the title of Colonel of the Feathered Forest Imperial Guard, which he could conveniently use as a legitimate reason to slack off.

"Crown Princess, look, he increasingly disregards you, just leaving whenever he pleases." Rong Mo naturally wouldn't miss such a good opportunity to speak ill of him.

Bi Linglong remained expressionless. "Lord Zu is busy with official duties now, so naturally he can't stay in the Eastern Palace all the time."

Rong Mo rolled her eyes. "That fellow has become too arrogant and increasingly rude. The Emperor shouldn't have promoted him."

"Slap yourself," Bi Linglong said, her gaze sharpening instantly. "Is the Emperor's decision something you can criticize behind his back?"

Cold sweat immediately broke out on Rong Mo. Realizing her mistake, she said, "This servant knows her mistake and will never dare to do it again."

Bi Linglong said calmly, "How is the investigation I asked you to conduct last time progressing?"

"Zu An doesn't seem to have had any contact with anyone from the Prince of Qi's residence these days," Rong Mo replied. "However, I did hear that the Prince of Qi's heir is also going north."

"What is he going there for?" Bi Linglong's delicate eyebrows furrowed.

"I heard it's to choose a secondary consort for the heir," Rong Mo replied. "He's going there for an on-site inspection, I suppose."

Bi Linglong simply uttered "Oh" and showed no further interest. "What other movements has Lord Zu made these days?"

"Oh, him," Rong Mo said vividly, "he goes to the Sang family every day. He doesn't even return to his own home and sleeps there every night. He's probably taken a fancy to their beautiful daughter-in-law and daughter. Your Highness, you don't know, that widowed daughter-in-law of the Sang family is a rare beauty. Many noble young men in the capital are talking about her."

Bi Linglong was expressionless. "The Sang family is a loyal and honorable household; do not gossip about them behind their backs like this. Furthermore, Sang Hong is being sent as an imperial envoy to Yunzhong Commandery this time, so it's perfectly normal for Zu An to communicate with him frequently."

Even as she said this, she wondered why she still felt a surge of anger in her heart.

"Oh," Rong Mo said, sticking out her tongue. Sensing that the Crown Princess seemed somewhat displeased, she didn't dare to be too presumptuous.

***

When Zu An left the Eastern Palace, he certainly wasn't heading to the Feathered Forest Guards' quarters, but instead walked directly towards Hundred Flowers Palace.

He was considered an old acquaintance of Hundred Flowers Palace. Although the weather was freezing, many fresh flowers were still blooming in the palace, and the air was filled with the sweet fragrance of spring. He wondered how she managed to do it.

After a palace maid announced him, she quickly came to lead him inside. From a distance, he saw Concubine Bai gently swaying on a swing in the courtyard.

"She seems to really like sitting on swings," Zu An mused to himself, but soon his gaze was drawn to her back.

Today, Concubine Bai was wearing a white knitted wool dress, similar to those he had seen in his previous life. The dress was quite form-fitting. Perhaps because she was sitting on the swing, it clung tightly to her waist, making it appear slender enough to be grasped in one hand, as if a slight squeeze might break it.

But what was even more breathtaking were her buttocks, tightly wrapped, truly full and exquisite, inviting contemplation.

"Greetings, Imperial Concubine Bai!" Zu An respectfully bowed in front of the palace maid.

"Lord Zu, what brings you here today?" Concubine Bai naturally possessed a gentle demeanor, and her natural smile gave people a sense of relaxed pleasure.