Zu An was currently inside the Royal Academy. As it turned out, Jiang Luofu had sent someone to tell him to head over to the academy first. He was initially suspicious, because her clan did have King Qi backing them. He worried that it might be some trap.
However, he quickly gave up on that thought. If he even had to doubt Jiang Luofu, then living in this world really would be too tiring. He knew that Jiang Luofu wouldnât cause him trouble at such a crucial time, so he didnât hesitate and headed straight to the academy first. Either way, the dungeon where the crown princeâs test was going to be held was there, so it wouldnât interfere with official matters.
Jiang Luofu was dressed in a dark blue dress. Her black stockings were visible through the slit in the side of the dress. Zu An sighed in admiration when he saw her. âBig sis, are there really no men who chased after you these past few years?â
âOf course there were,â Jiang Luofu said with a smile. âViolating a woman through force, coercion, or other methods, or forcing them to do sexual acts, counts as rape. The law punishes these actions with three to ten years of prison time.â
Zu An gave her stunning legs a look, and then said, âIâm sure many men wouldnât mind spending three years in prison for you.â
Jiang Luofu said calmly, âDonât forget that according to the Great Zhou Dynasty, the victims have authority over the punishment. Iâve always been a kind person, so I wouldnât go so far as to take their lives. However, the tools used for the crime should be confiscated, no?â
âConfiscate the tools?â Zu An felt a chill run through his legs. This woman had just said something extremely terrifying in a nonchalant manner.
Jiang Luofu continued, âSince Iâm a lawyer, then everything I do is backed by the law. You donât need to wonder if my actions are rational and legal.â
Zu An said with a sigh, âThe law youâre speaking of seems to describe only women as the victims. Then what if a man were⦠humiliated? Then what would happen?â
Jiang Luofu was momentarily distracted. âYouâve stumped me. Even though that would still be rape according to logic, according to the law, thereâs no way to convict the perpetrator of rape⦠Hm, this issue youâve brought up is quite constructive. Iâll find a way to bring it up to the court and have the law amended.â
Zu An was speechless and said, âYou donât have to take my words that seriously, haha. I was just joking around.â
Jiang Luofu shook her head. âIt might be a joke to you, but for legalists, we have the responsibility of making the law more complete so that fewer innocent people will be wronged without any hope of justice.â
Zu An felt great respect when he saw the steadfast expression in her eyes and the dignified look on her face. The bit of frivolousness within him also disappeared. âThen Iâll thank you in place of all of my male compatriots.â
âThis is my job; what is there to thank me for?â Jiang Luofu chuckled. Her expression suddenly became distant. âRight, why did you suddenly think of such a rare situation? Donât tell me that youâ¦â
âScrew that!â Zu An immediately jumped in fright. âHow is that possible? Iâve only bullied others; no one has ever bullied me like this.â
A dangerous glint flashed through Jiang Luofuâs eyes. âI advise you not to break the law in front of me, or else this big sis wonât show mercy just because of our friendship.â
Zu An smiled awkwardly. âIâm an upright person; how could I possibly do those illegal things? By the way, big sis, what did you call me here for today?â
âThere was something I needed to talk to you about.â Jiang Luofu opened the cupboard beside her and took out a roll of silk. There were all sorts of diagrams on it. Some areas had red exclamation marks on them. âThis is a map of the academyâs dungeon. It records the various terrain and vicious beasts in detail.â
Zu An was shocked. âYou guys even have a map?â
Jiang Luofu rolled her eyes. âOf course. This is the academyâs secret dungeon, and it opens up once every few years for the students to train in. The last time it was opened was three years ago⦠As an academy teacher, of course I know about the situation inside. I believe the various powers know the details of the dungeon as well, just that their maps definitely arenât as detailed as this one.â She continued, âYou should stay as far away from these red exclamation marks as possible. You absolutely canât get close to them. These places are too dangerous for you.â
Zu An felt warm inside. âYouâve helped me ever since I was in Brightmoon City, and now youâve prepared all of this for my safety. Thereâs really nothing I can do for you to repay all of the favors⦠How about I pay you with my body?â
Jiang Luofu was pretty moved when she heard what he said at first. But when she heard the last part, she immediately shouted at him, âGet lost! You even dare to flirt with me?!â
After they joked around for a bit, Jiang Luofu suddenly said seriously, âOnce you enter the dungeon, no matter what happens, your first priority should be your own life. Donât try to show off and be brave. You have to remember how many people are waiting for you outside.â
Zu An blurted out, âAre you included among those people?â
Jiang Luofu was stunned. There was a dangerous smile in her eyes. âOh? It seems youâve really grown up now. You dare to even tease this big sis so easily.â
âI was never little anyway.â Zu An harrumphed.
Jiang Luofu didnât catch the other meaning of Zu Anâs words. âYouâre my little brother, so of course I want you to come out safely.â
Zu An looked at her cool and elegant face. She was clearly being serious here, and she was giving off a powerful presence, yet he could only think of those office lady videos. The mood became rather strange for him.
He quickly got rid of those messy thoughts and asked seriously, âBig sis, is there something youâre not telling me?â
Jiang Luofu shook her head. âIâve already told you everything I should tell you. As for the rest, I donât know either. Just remember that your safety is the first priority.â
Seeing that she wasnât willing to say it, Zu An didnât pressure her either. However, many possibilities appeared in his mind.
Jiang Luofu got up and said, âFollow me.â
âWhere to?â Zu An asked.
Jiang Luofu didnât say anything and only led the way. Zu An followed behind her. Even though he was confused, admiring her stunning curves and long legs from behind was still a wonderful thing.
Jiang Luofu suddenly stopped moving. A faint red blush appeared on her neck. She harrumphed and said, âWalk in front of me.â
Zu An was stunned. He said, âI donât even know where weâre going, though.â
âIâll give you directions,â Jiang Luofu replied.
âOhâ¦â Zu Anâs spirits fell. Who are you even on guard against? Who was the one blabbering about how you didnât care if others stared at you, that being looked at was the best praise? Looks like girls are all liars after all.
The two of them went through several turns and quickly arrived at a secluded courtyard. Judging from the alternating black and white tiles on the ground, Zu An could tell that he had arrived at Hei Baiziâs place without even asking.
A handsome man with dark circles under his eyes was holding a game record book and trying to memorize it in a daze. When he saw the two of them, he exclaimed, almost in tears, âMs. Jiang, Ah Zu!â
âWhy do you look like that?â Zu An jumped in fright. Was this still the Xie young master who was even prettier than a girl? His face was wan and sallow, as if his skin had been sucked dry. His hair looked a bit oily and probably hadnât been washed for several days.
âTeacher wants me to play Go with him every day, and Iâm tormented by him day and night. Whenever heâs satisfied, he just goes back and sleeps, while I have to continue to memorize these Go games. Itâs been so many days since Iâve had some proper sleepâ¦â Xie Xiu grumbled. Suddenly, a chess piece smacked the back of his head.
Hei Baiziâs lazy voice called out, âYouâre talking smack behind your teacherâs back again? Then add a hundred Go games as punishment.â
Xie Xiu became depressed, and tears even began to gather in his eyes.
Jiang Luofu said with a consoling smile, âYour teacher is doing this for your sake. In this way, your mind will be tempered and broadened, and your memory and calculative ability will improve. Then, youâll be able to properly cultivate their Go schoolâs technique.â
Xie Xiu was stunned. He clearly hadnât realized that yet.
âEighth sister, why are you telling that to someone like him? I also intended to work on his temperament. This brat has no discipline at all! Telling him that wonât help him.â Hei Baizi walked out and spoke discontentedly.
However, when he saw Zu An, his strict expression immediately became polite. He quickly walked over and exclaimed, âSo it was Sir Zu! Iâm honored by your presence. Come, come inside. Letâs have a chat. I already discovered a way to win against the situation from last time. Little Xie, what are you staring stupidly for? Get us some tea!â
Xie Xiu wanted to cry. He was also a human, yet why was he treated so differently? He really couldnât associate this bootlicker with his usually strict teacher. After all, he had been drinking and chatting merrily with Zu An a day ago. He had even given him some advice! But who would have thought that things would change so quickly?
Zu An immediately said, âI still need to enter the dungeon together with the crown prince, so I fear we wonât have enough time to play a game.â
âWhat crown prince whatever? How can it be more important than chess?â Hei Baizi asked indifferently.
Zu An was completely speechless. The people in the academy donât seem to treat the royal family with much importance at allâ¦
Jiang Luofu coughed and said, âSenior brother, the reason we came today is because we wish to ask for something from you.â