Chapter 1709: Unsettling Premonition

Zu An secretly sighed, the royal family was truly ruthless, showing no mercy when eliminating witnesses.

If not for his current status and abilities, he would likely have been silenced as well.

However, according to Zhao Hao's plan, having done such a deed, he would eventually be eliminated himself.

After confirming that Eunuch Wen had left, Consort Bai couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief, her whole body nearly collapsing.

Although the time was short, her heart had been pounding in her throat. Who wouldn't feel a ripple of emotion when a seemingly certain death sentence turned into a chance to live?

However, Zu An's method of rescue was too outlandish, and she worried it wouldn't fool the shrewd Eunuch Wen.

Fortunately, everything went smoothly. The feeling of escaping from such an extreme situation gave her a sense of rebirth.

Her gaze towards Zu An was filled with admiration, even worship: "What do we do now?"

"My ability cannot be maintained for too long," Zu An said gravely. "If it lasts too long, unless Pinru's Wardrobe is kept nearby, I'll definitely revert to my original form. While having the wardrobe in the room wouldn't raise suspicion, I can't just carry a wardrobe with me everywhere outside. However, we've already set up camp today, and there are patrolling soldiers and experts everywhere. It would be easy to alert others if we try to leave now. I'll figure out a way to get you out tomorrow during the march."

"Alright," Consort Bai understood the situation. Especially since she had just been executed, Eunuch Wen and even the Emperor might still be paying close attention to this side. If they made any noise now, she truly wouldn't know how she died.

"How should we deal with her body?" Consort Bai looked at Nanny Ping on the bed.

Zu An took out a Glazed Pearl and stored the body inside. While the Glazed Pearl couldn't hold living things, dead objects were fine. "Tomorrow, I'll go out under the pretense of disposing of the body. I don't think Eunuch Wen and the others will suspect anything."

Consort Bai hummed in acknowledgment: "You're still the one who thinks so thoroughly."

Next, while the effect of Pinru's Wardrobe was still active, Zu An led Consort Bai away from the tent. This area was originally sparsely populated, and if anyone occasionally saw them, they just assumed it was Nanny Ping, so no one paid much attention.

However, it became somewhat awkward at night. Eunuch Wen arranged a tent for Zu An, and Consort Bai had nowhere else to go, so she naturally had to hide there.

On campaign, everything was kept simple. The tent contained only a single, very narrow, makeshift bed.

Consort Bai's expression turned awkward upon seeing it. At this, Zu An said, "You sleep on the bed; I'll meditate beside it."

Because the matter was so crucial, he dared not let Consort Bai leave his sight by going outside, to avoid any unexpected incident he wouldn't have time to react to.

Consort Bai shook her head. "You've already saved my life; how could I let you suffer such discomfort? You should sleep on the bed; I'll meditate beside it instead."

Zu An smiled. "Given how weak you are now, don't be so polite. I'm tough and robust; I'm long used to things like this."

Consort Bai's face flushed slightly. "Do you often let women sleep on the bed while you stay by their side?"

Zu An: "..."

"I meant I'm used to meditating," Zu An said, feeling awkward. "Anyway, one night isn't that long; it's quite common for cultivators."

Consort Bai understood her situation and didn't decline. After a quick wash, she tucked herself into the covers. But it wasn't easy for her to fall asleep now; her large, fluttering eyes secretly peered from beneath the blanket, observing the man not far away.

The man had seemingly closed his eyes deliberately to avoid impropriety while she washed up, appearing as if he were asleep. He truly had the demeanor of a gentleman.

Oh, earlier she had said that if he helped deliver a message, she would repay him in her next life. Now he had saved her life, a much greater deed than delivering a message. How could she possibly repay him?

"Do I have something on my face?" Zu An, who was meditating, suddenly spoke, clearly having noticed her constant gaze.

Consort Bai replied somewhat awkwardly, "I'm having trouble sleeping."

"It's normal not to be able to sleep after experiencing something like this," Zu An nodded. "By the way, I haven't had a chance to ask you before: why did the Emperor want to kill you?"

Consort Bai hesitated, then said, "Actually, I am from the Demonic Sect..."

Zu An nodded. "I know."

Since she was willing to tell him so frankly, it seemed he hadn't saved the wrong person.

Consort Bai was surprised in turn. "You know?"

Zu An hummed. "I came this time because Yun Jianyue and the others entrusted me to rescue you."

Consort Bai's expression instantly became very intricate. "You actually didn't have to tell me any of this. I would have been even more grateful to you."

Zu An laughed. "Are you not grateful to me now?"

"Of course I'm grateful. I don't even know how to repay you," Consort Bai said with emotion.

Zu An instinctively blurted out, "There's a joke from my hometown: A woman is saved by a man. If the man is ugly, she says she'll repay the kindness by being a cow or a horse in her next life. If the man is handsome and to her liking, she says such great kindness cannot be repaid, and she wishes to offer herself..."

After speaking, he immediately realized his impropriety and hastily added, "I was just recalling something from the past; I'm not hinting at anything!"

Consort Bai's cheeks flushed crimson, though it was unclear if she believed his explanation.

"I didn't realize you and Senior Sister were already so close that she'd dare ask for your help with something like this," she finally said after a long pause. Back then, if she hadn't been hidden in the palace, how could Yun Jianyue and the others have entered so easily to assassinate? And later, Yun Jianyue's easy departure from the palace was also due to her covert assistance.

She had always known about the relationship between Yun Jianyue and Zu An, and so for years, she had offered Zu An assistance wherever possible, believing she was the one behind the scenes who saw everything clearly. Now, discovering their relationship was even better than she had imagined, for a moment, she felt like a clown.

Zu An didn't want to discuss Yun Jianyue further, worried that her junior sister might infer something. "Even if your identity was exposed, it shouldn't warrant death, after all, you are his... *cough*... the Imperial Grandson's birth mother, aren't you?"

Consort Bai's expression also grew serious. "Actually, I've always had a feeling that the Emperor knew my identity all along but chose to let me be. So this incident surprised me greatly."

After a moment, she slowly said, "Based on my understanding of the Emperor these past years, he seems to have some ominous premonition. It's as if everything is... as if he's making arrangements for his death."

"Making arrangements for his death?" Zu An was startled. Who was Zhao Hao? The continent's foremost powerhouse, capable of shaking heaven and earth! Even if there truly was some conspiracy in the Purple Mountain, how could he be so dispirited as to need to prepare for his death in advance?

"I find it incredible too," Consort Bai said. "Perhaps he has some premonition, or perhaps the period of the Five Decays of Heaven and Man has arrived early for him. In any case, he wants to eliminate all unstable factors in advance. If something truly unexpected happens to him, my identity as the Imperial Grandson's birth mother could easily be exploited. Coupled with my Demonic Sect background, if I were to contend with the Crown Princess, there would be an opportunity to control the imperial court. He likely wouldn't dare take that risk."

Zu An thought to himself, no wonder Bi Linglong had always disliked Consort Bai so much. It turned out to be a politician's keen insight, making her aware that Consort Bai had the potential to threaten her position. After all, she and the Crown Prince only had the title of husband and wife, without the reality, let alone having children.

However, the conjecture she put forth was quite interesting. Could Zhao Hao truly be sensing his approaching death?