Sang Hong didnât want to call him âSir Zu againâ, but he didnât know if he would offend Zu An by calling him a worthy junior. That was why he decided to just call him âAh Zuâ to pull their relationship closer together..
Zu An said with a smile, âI donât understand what Sir Sang is saying. Why would his majesty criticize King Qi?â
Sang Hong chuckled. âI know that you have your misgivings, but youâve shown tremendous favor to our clan. Our Sang clan only has gratitude toward you, and weâve always been wondering how to repay you. Weâre now in the capital where the various powers are twisted and intertwined. People like us without much of a background should be sticking together and looking out for each other.â
Even though he didnât know what exactly had happened in the dungeon, it wasnât hard to guess that King Qi had definitely done something inside. Furthermore, the ones who had come out in the end were Zu An, the crown prince, and the crown princess. That meant King Qiâs plans had failed.
Zu An didnât keep up the act when he saw that Sang Hong was already going so far. âUncle Sang, please donât take offense. The capital is extremely dangerous right now, so I have to be careful with every step I make.â
Zheng Dan couldnât help but roll her eyes when she heard Zu An even call Sang Hong âUncle Sangâ. These two had been at each otherâs throats just a few months ago, and yet they were now like family? This world really was strange.
Sang Hong said, âWe donât have any grudges between us that canât be resolved. On the contrary, there are many areas in which we can work together and combine our strengths.â
He had always followed the emperor as a loyal subject with absolute devotion. Yet in the end, he had lost his only son due to an unforeseen event. In the end, it was because the emperor hadnât hesitated to abandon him. He knew that there was no meaning left in remaining a loyal subject, so that was why he changed his mind.
But he had already offended way too many clans from all the dirty work he had helped the emperor with. There was already practically no place left in the capital for him.
However, Zu An was different. He was a rising star, and he had the Chu clan behind him as well. Furthermore, even his relationship with the Royal Academy didnât seem to be bad. More importantly, the two of them had already shared joys and sorrows on their way to the capital. To a certain degree, they already carried a somewhat sturdy friendship. That was why Zu An was the one most worthy of his investment right now.
Zheng Dan was quite shocked. The other party was already being sincere, and he was playing along even though he had seen her right here. That meant he had already tacitly approved of her relationship with Zu An! She was happy, and yet also apologetic inside. She subconsciously looked toward Zu An, her eyes filled with pleading. She hoped that Zu An and the Sang clan could retain a good relationship.
Zu An thought for a bit, then smiled. âIâve benefited greatly from uncleâs advice about the capitalâs powers on the way to the capital. Iâll definitely need uncleâs help more and more in the future.â
The previously tense Sang Hong sighed in relief. Zu An had already tacitly accepted their alliance. That meant things would become much easier now.
Zu An didnât hold back anymore and said, âThe question uncle raised just now leaves me puzzled as well. Both sides have already fought for so long, and he had a justifiable reason to eliminate King Qi this time. Why would his majesty instead give up such a great opportunity?â
He actually already had his own answer to that question. He wondered if it was because the emperor had lost a portion of his soul, causing his strength to decline greatly and preventing him from winning against King Qi. But he couldnât tell Sang Hong that and discuss it together with him.
As for the threat of Zhuxie Chixin, Zu An didnât really care about him at all anymore.
Sang Hong said, âItâs to be expected. Do you know that the capitalâs situation has always been extremely tense? The armies are all being transferred in private, and the entire capital is like a bucket of gunpowder. With just a single spark, the entire thing will detonate.
âKing Qi has already had many years to plan. His power and influence are great, and almost half of the entire courtâs civil and military officials are on his side. If his majesty decides to break off all relations now, everyone related to King Qi will have no choice but to brace themselves and risk it all. Thatâs a situation his majesty absolutely doesnât wish to see.â
Zu An hadnât expected that the two sides were already on the brink of war!
âBut is he really going to just let it go like this?â he asked. âWith his majestyâs nature, I donât believe heâs willing to suffer such a loss.â
Sang Hong smiled, but didnât reply. Instead, he looked at his daughter with a tense expression and asked, âQienâer, what do you think?â
Sang Qien was caught off guard, but she still replied, âHis majesty obviously wouldnât let things be. If heâs acting according to our predictions, heâs trying to avoid large-scale conflict, but heâll definitely try to break down the core forces of King Qiâs faction first. Then, heâll settle the score when thereâs an opportune moment.â
She gave Zheng Dan a look, then said, âFurthermore, the part of King Qiâs faction that will bear the brunt of this will be precisely the Qin clan. The Qin clanâs forces are deeply rooted in the military. The reason why his majesty isnât willing to make a big fuss is also because of the Qin clan.â
Zheng Dan was confused. Why are you looking at me when youâre talking about the Qin clan? Donât tell me you really think Iâm Chu Chuyan?
Zu An quickly asked, âThen how do you think his majesty will act against the Qin clan?â
The Qin clan was Qin Wanruâs original family after all, and they treated Chu Chuyan and Chu Youzhao well. They would definitely feel bad if something really happened to the clan.
Sang Qien shook her head. âWe donât have enough information right now. However, what I can be sure of is that his majestyâs first target will definitely be the Qin clan. Moreover, it wonât be long before he makes his move.â
âKeep going.â Zu An sat up straight as well. Sang Qienâs analysis was extremely important. He didnât want to miss anything.
âNext will be the Yu clan. If the Qin clan represents military authority, the wealthy Yu clan represents King Qi Manorâs financial power,â Sang Qien continued. âOf course, it might be the Pei clan. After all, the Pei clan has substantial influence in the courtâs governmental affairs.â
Yu Yanluo and Pei Mianman appeared in Zu Anâs head. He felt a bit of a headache. Why did all of these people he was close to have to be in King Qiâs faction? He shared a huge grudge with that clanâs father and son!
As Sang Qien spoke more about her analysis, Zu An felt that he was benefiting greatly from what she said. He sighed in admiration and said, âLittle sister Qienâer really deserves your reputation. You really are a female Zhuge.â[1]
âWho is Zhuge?â Sang Qien was confused. She had already corrected him a few times, and yet Zu AN still called her âlittle sister Qienâerâ. She didnât even feel like commenting on it anymore.
âUmâ¦â Zu An thought for a bit before explaining, âA wickedly intelligent person.â
Sang Qienâs face turned red. She became a bit bashful as she mumbled, âIâm not that greatâ¦â
âLittle sister Qienâer is being too humble.â Zu An suddenly found that teasing this girl was pretty fun. She was incredibly mature when it came to political affairs, and yet she was as shy as a young lady on normal topics.
Sang Hong coughed and cut short Zu Anâs teasing. âAh Zu, my status is special, so his majesty might start suspecting me if I chat with you for too long. Thatâs why, if you have anything you need to talk about, please seek out Qienâer. There are many areas in which she isnât inferior to me.â
âSure,â Zu An said with a smile. Chatting with a young lady was obviously more interesting than talking to an old man.
But he suddenly felt a small hand pinch his waist. Zheng Dan said in his ear through ki transmission, âTsk tsk, that old man is trying to give you two a chance to get together in private.â She was slowly starting to see Sang Hongâs plans. She felt a bit unhappy. She had clearly come here first!
After some hesitation, Sang Hong said, âRight, the Zheng clan started some businesses in the capital, and Zheng Dan has always been busying herself there. Itâs not easy for her all on her own. Ah Zu, if youâre willing, please look after her too.â
Sang Qien looked at her father in shock. Even though sheâd had her suspicions, she hadnât expected her father to actually say that out loud!
Even though nothing had been said openly, everyone present was intelligent. They knew what those words implied.
Zheng Dan lowered her head. She was so embarrassed she wanted to run away and hide forever. And yet, she was happy inside too. The mountain weighing down on her mind could now finally be shifted aside.
Zu An had a strange look on his face. He said, âUm⦠Iâll do what I can to take care of her.â
Sang Hong nodded, then got up, saying, âAlright, I wonât disturb your reunion with your spouse any longer.â
âWhy donât you stay for a bit longer? You can leave after a meal.â Zu An pretended to try to keep them, but how could the father and daughter not know his intentions? They obviously wouldnât stay.
â¦
When the two left, Sang Qien secretly asked her father, âDad, why does Chu First Miss seem a bit strange today?â
Sang Hong nodded. âShe was indeed acting a bit strange, as if she was scared of us.â
âHm? Did you say Chu First Miss?â asked a curious voice from the side.
The two gave each other a look, and saw that a pretty young man was looking at them. Next to him was a tan-skinned young beauty.
âSo it was the Chu clanâs young master! We just visited Sir Zu earlier, and we met your sister inside,â Sang Qien replied with a smile. There was no need to hide it. Because of their relationship with Zu An, their friendly relations naturally extended toward the Chu clan.
âMy big sis came to the capital?â Chu Youzhaoâs eyes lit up. She couldnât be bothered to chat with the two of them anymore and rushed into the house.
Zu An held onto Zheng Danâs hand while saying, âDanâer, your father-in-law already gave you to me in public. You donât have to worry about anything else anymore.â
Zheng Dan harrumphed. âWhat are you saying? He only asked you to look after me. Stop thinking about such random things.â Despite those words, her heart was pounding.
âRight, somethingâs really strange. Why didnât they get upset at all when they saw me? It was almost as if⦠I really was Chu First Miss.â Zheng Dan was confused. This matter was just way too strange.
Zu An was about to reply when an energetic voice suddenly came from the distance. âBig sis? Big sis?â
1. Zhuge Liang was a Chinese statesman and military strategist. â