Keyboard Immortal - Chapter 2958

Chapter 1471 A True God Who Shouldn’t Have Appeared

Zu An smiled slightly: “Commander Xia, don’t talk nonsense. So many officials are watching. It was clearly you who took a fake warrant. What does it have to do with me?”

It turned out that when Yuan Wei handed the warrant back, he had secretly used his teleportation ability to switch it.

The surrounding court officials nodded in agreement: “That’s right, don’t make false accusations.”

Qiao Xuan, Cai Yong, Wang Yun, and others looked at Zu An. Earlier, Lu Zhi had solemnly introduced this prized disciple to them, and they had assumed the young man was merely grateful for his escort along the way. Now it seemed this kid really had some skill.

Xia Mou’s face flushed red and then paled. He knew that if he stayed

any longer, he would likely be accused of forging an imperial edict. He glared hatefully at Zu An, as if trying to memorize his appearance.

Xia Mou’s anger level increased by 499…

“Let’s go!”

He then turned his horse around and led his soldiers away in a disheveled state.

Yuan Shao dismounted and bowed to the crowd.

Everyone flattered him, saying, “Benchu, it’s fortunate you arrived in time with your troops, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable.”

Yuan Shao looked pleased, but still humbly replied, “We also owe a debt to this brother; otherwise, Xia Mou probably wouldn’t have retreated so easily.”

Yuan Wei introduced, “This is Zigan’s prized disciple, Liu Bei, Liu Xuande.”

“So this is the Liu Xuande who abandoned his official position to escort his teacher thousands of miles! Truly a man of great righteousness!” Yuan Shao’s expression turned solemn, and he respectfully bowed to him.

Zu An had been in this world for some time and was used to their custom of mutual flattery and praise, so he quickly returned the greeting, praising the other party as well.

At the same time, he was secretly curious; this Yuan Shao didn’t seem to possess the aura of a true god. Was he a pure native of this world?

However, just a simple glance was enough to sense his extraordinary fortune, and he couldn’t afford to be careless.

Next, the group took Lu Zhi to the Tingwei’s prison, which was more like a sanatorium.

Since the Tingwei handled high-ranking officials, the conditions were certainly not lacking.

Concerned for Lu Zhi’s safety, Zu An also stayed by the prison cell to prevent him from being assassinated.

Many elders grew increasingly fond of this young man; he was handsome, brave, resourceful, and loyal.

Coupled with Zu An’s previously awakened talent for “reputation,” his deeds quickly spread throughout Luoyang, especially among the major families, who all spoke highly of Liu Bei, Liu Xuande.

In the prison cell, Lu Zhi looked at Zu An with satisfaction: “Xuan De, I knew I hadn’t misjudged you.”

Zu An said in a deep voice: “Teacher, you flatter me. This is what I should do.”

Lu Zhi waved his hand: “That’s not what I meant. I know your character. I was originally thinking about how to introduce you to those old guys in the capital, but you gained their approval through your own abilities, which saved me a lot of trouble.”

Zu An was taken aback: “What trouble?”

“Of course, it’s the trouble of persuading those old guys to marry their daughters to you. They have very high standards. Ordinary young talents wouldn’t even catch their eye, but you performed very well before, and now they all highly approve of you. It will be much easier for me to arrange the marriage.” Lu Zhi smiled with satisfaction.

“Ah, Father, you’re going to arrange a marriage for him?” Ji Xiaoxi, who was also by her father’s side, was immediately surprised upon hearing this.

Lu Zhi hummed in agreement: “Qiao Xuan had two young daughters late in life, both of whom were exceptionally beautiful; Cai Yong’s daughter, Wenji, was learned and talented; Wang Yun’s daughter, Diaochan, was breathtakingly beautiful. Xuande, which one do you prefer?”

(Note: Historically, the Qiao sisters were not Qiao Xuan’s daughters; for convenience, we’ll follow the common stereotype here.)

Zu An: “…”

Although he was curious about which noblewoman Lu Zhi was referring to, he hadn’t expected such a lavish package.

None of them were historically famous women.

He secretly sighed; he had originally intended to use Lu Zhi as a connection to infiltrate the capital’s high-ranking circles and gain an advantage. He

hadn’t expected the results to be so overwhelming.

Seeing his silence, Lu Zhi smiled: “That’s right, you’ve only met them a few times, so it’s normal that it’s difficult to make a decision. Besides, they might not agree; I need to communicate and negotiate with them more…”

Zu An thought to himself, “It’s not that I can’t make a decision, but that I can have them all?”

Of course, he dared not say this aloud, otherwise Lu Zhi would probably expel him from the sect.

Ji Xiaoxi hesitated, then lowered her head, looking somewhat dejected.

Lu Zhi didn’t notice his daughter’s thoughts, but how could someone like Zu An not understand a daughter’s heart?

Although he had already maxed out Lu Zhi’s favorability, the marginal benefit of marrying his daughter was minimal, far less than a marriage alliance with another family.

But seeing her expression, his heart melted: “Teacher, may I ask for your hand in marriage…”

Ji Xiaoxi was startled and quickly waved her hand to interrupt: “No!”

As intelligent as she was, how could she not sense Zu An’s thoughts? She was worried about ruining Zu An’s plans and was willing to suffer some grievances herself; after all, being able to reunite with him was enough for her.

Lu Zhi exclaimed, “Hmm? You’ve taken a fancy to Qiao Xiaoqiao from the Qiao family…”

Then he looked at Ji Xiaoxi with suspicion: “Why do you say no?”

Ji Xiaoxi’s face flushed red, and for a moment she didn’t know how to explain.

Just then, a eunuch led several guards over: “The Emperor has decreed that Liu Bei be summoned to the palace for an audience!”

The guards were startled and lost all interest in their previous conversation.

Lu Zhi hurriedly asked, “What does the Emperor want with him?”

“That’s not something we servants would know,” the young eunuch said indifferently, then turned to Zu An and said, “Let’s go.”

Zu An had no choice but to bid farewell to Lu Zhi and his daughter and leave with them.

Ji Xiaoxi was extremely anxious: “Father, could it be that he offended Xia Mou before, and those eunuchs are jealous of him and deliberately tricked him into the palace?”

Lu Zhi shook his head slightly: “Although those eunuchs like Jian Shuo and Zhang Rang are despicable, they wouldn’t be so audacious as to forge an imperial edict.” Ji

Xiaoxi became even more nervous: “Then what does the Emperor want with him? Could it be that those eunuchs complained to the Emperor and want to punish him?”

She had stayed in the Lu family for quite some time and knew that those eunuchs were highly trusted by the Emperor.

“With Xuande’s abilities, I believe he can adapt to any situation.” Lu Zhi said with some doubt, “Why are you and your senior brother so close?”

Ji Xiaoxi blushed and quickly replied, “He saved Father, so as his daughter, I naturally feel extremely grateful and admiring towards him.”

…

As Zu An entered the palace, he was momentarily lost in thought, looking at the eunuchs before him, recalling his first time entering the palace after his transmigration.

This palace was noticeably more solemn, and the oppressive aura was far stronger. It seemed as if the entire palace possessed a special grand formation, capable of obliterating any unruly individuals once activated.

He was led to the imperial study, where a eunuch reported, “Your Majesty, Liu Bei has arrived.”

He then withdrew.

A man in a dragon robe was standing with his back to the door, browsing through books on a shelf. Zu An’s expression instantly changed, for he sensed the aura of a true god emanating from the man—the aura of a true god that shouldn’t be present.