The guard leader mustered up the courage to ask a question. “If I may ask, My Lord, have you seen an assassin running past?”
Zu An’s voice was stern. “I did not. I don’t believe any assassins have appeared within several zhang of this place.”
The guard felt relieved. “If you say so, My Lord, there is no mistake. We’re leaving!”
With a wave of his hand, he led his group in a different direction.
Zu An and Qiao Xueying both walked towards the entrance. Qiao Xueying was bouncing. “I didn’t expect your status to be so useful!”
Zu An chuckled. “Your lover is extremely capable, you know?”
Qiao Xueying snorted. “Hmph, rascal.” However, there was no trace of annoyance in her voice.
The departing guards also began to discuss amongst themselves. “Leader, something doesn’t seem right with those two. I’ve never heard of two Embroidered Envoy exiting from the same room before.”
That guard snorted. “I know what you are trying to say. I might have suspected something if it was any other Embroidered Envoy, but he had a golden token! Those with golden tokens all have tremendous cultivations. How could an assassin pass off as one of them?”
The others chuckled. “You are right, sir.”
“Although, I have always heard that each embroidered envoy lives alone. It feels weird to see two of them living together.”
“Did you notice that the one next to the golden-token envoy was slightly shorter?”
“Was she a woman? Are there women among the Embroidered Envoy?”
“Even if she isn’t a woman, he has to be the petite and pretty type. Many high-ranking officials love that type. He is a golden-token envoy, so it’s expected that he would pick up a subordinate like that.”
“Leader, why do you sound so excited when you’re discussing this matter? Please don’t have those thoughts about us!”
“Pah! You should take a good look in the mirror first!”
…
Zu An had already led Qiao Xueying to one of the palace entrances. Even though the security around the imperial palace was strict, the golden token of the Embroidered Envoy was too powerful. The guards did not ask a single question when they saw his attire and token, and let them straight through.
“Ah Zu, we have to part ways. I need to bring my clansmen home,” said Qiao Xueying reluctantly.
She had only stayed in the capital, and even worked for the Shi clan, in order to rescue her elven clansmen that had been trapped inside from the previous war.
Later on, she found out that, even though the Shi clan promised to help her rescue her clansmen, they had only used it as a leash around her neck. They did not do much, and even took part in the elven slave trade themselves.
After she turned against them, she used the strength she had accumulated over the years and the strength of the Shadow Group to successfully rescue many of her clansmen.
She had already sent several batches out of the capital. This was the final batch, and she was going along with them. The human world wasn’t her home, after all, and she held special status among her clan. The clan had continuously urged her to return to complete an important ceremony.
Zu An felt a great reluctance. “Snow, I really don’t want to part with you, but I have too many things to take care of. I can’t leave with you.”
Qiao Xueying snorted. “You’re making it sound as if you’re actually willing to leave behind Chu First Miss and the others… I won’t be unreasonable and make you give up everything to return home with me. But if you have a chance, please visit me. I’ll be with the elven clan.”
“I will surely come looking for you,” said Zu An seriously.
Qiao Xueying beamed. She got on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. “Ah Zu, you’re the best!”
Zu An sighed. Separation always hurt the most.
All sorts of conflicting emotions rose up within him. He was about to say something, but his Embroidered Envoy golden token flickered with radiance, transmitting a strand of divine will. “All Embroidered Envoy near the palace are to cease whatever they are doing and render aid to the eastern palace at once!”