Chapter 1937: Questioning

A cold glint flashed in Bi Linglong's eyes. "What are you talking about? Get out!"

Rong Mo sighed. "Miss, we grew up together. There's not much you can hide from me."

"At first, I truly didn't think in this direction. But then I noticed that almost every time Master Zu and you met in private, your underwear would disappear for various reasons. That's when I started to pay attention."

"Initially, I suspected that some junior palace maids might have accidentally ruined your clothes during washing and, fearing punishment, secretly hid them without reporting it."

"However, after a period of investigation, I found that wasn't the case. Instead, you weren't giving your changed clothes to them at all, but rather claiming to have given them to another maid. But I've spoken to all the palace maids, and not one of them has ever received your clothes."

"Clearly, you were exploiting the lack of communication among them to pull a trick."

"But why would you hide your personal garments like that? A dreadful suspicion formed in my mind, but I couldn't bring myself to believe it was true, especially since I know your character best."

"However, upon reflection, it seems you've been different towards Master Zu ever since the Grand Examination in the Crown Prince's secret realm."

"Though I was shocked, a glimmer of doubt remained. But what happened today forced me to accept the truth."

This wasn't their first private meeting. Comparing it with the timing of Bi Linglong's 'missing' personal garments, the truth was easily pieced together.

Rong Mo's expression was full of sorrow as she said this. After all, she and Zu An had always been at odds, and she couldn't comprehend why the noble Crown Princess would have such a relationship with that young man.

But recalling the events at the Meng family today, she felt a sense of relief. Miss was indeed Miss; her foresight was truly beyond ordinary people.

Others might begin to re-evaluate Zu An's worth after tonight and start trying to curry favor with him. But how could that compare to the effect of Miss, with her noble status as Crown Princess, being with him before he had 'made his fortune'?

Bi Linglong silently gripped a magic artifact beneath the covers and asked calmly, "Who else have you told about this?"

"I haven't told anyone," Rong Mo said, her gaze complex. "Miss, I know you're thinking of silencing me. But when I was a child, I was homeless on the streets. If you hadn't taken me in, I would have either frozen or starved to death, or been sold into a brothel where life would be worse than death. My life has long belonged to you, Miss. Take it back if you wish."

With that, she closed her eyes, awaiting death.

Bi Linglong was silent for a long time. Finally, she put down the artifact in her hand and sighed softly, "Mo Mo, we grew up together. Though nominally mistress and servant, we are truly sisters. How could I bear to kill you?"

Rong Mo had stopped calling her Crown Princess the moment she entered, instead using 'Miss', a testament to their deep bond.

"Miss..." Rong Mo opened her eyes, which were brimming with tears.

Bi Linglong draped a thin robe over herself and stepped out of bed. "Mo Mo, this matter is too important. Even my father and brother cannot be told."

"Your servant understands." Rong Mo glanced at Bi Linglong's skin, which was a captivating peachy hue beneath the thin robe and sheer fabric, and her graceful, exquisite figure. Even as a woman, she couldn't help but marvel at her beauty.

For that young man, Zu An, to gain Miss's favor, his ancestors must have been truly blessed.

However, thinking of the terrifying combat power Zu An displayed at the Meng family today, she felt it was the Bi family's ancestors who were more blessed.

She hesitated, then bravely said, "Miss, that fellow truly humiliates you. Every time it's when the Crown Prince arrives... he takes advantage of you. The risk is simply too great. Although the Crown Prince is somewhat dull-witted, what if he discovers something..."

Bi Linglong's face flushed. She quickly explained on Zu An's behalf, "You misunderstand. That wasn't his demand."

Rong Mo's eyes widened instantly. "Could it be... your preference, Miss?"

Bi Linglong was greatly embarrassed and glared at her in exasperation. "What are you thinking? It's just a coincidence! Who knows why the Crown Prince always happens to come at that exact time."

Rong Mo also had a strange expression. It was indeed quite a coincidence; perhaps it was fate.

She thought for a moment and said, "Miss, from now on, I will cooperate fully with you. I will definitely keep others away and prevent them from disturbing you and Master Zu when you're..."

Bi Linglong glared at her, and she quickly corrected herself, "I'll make sure no one disturbs you two."

Bi Linglong snorted, "I manage perfectly fine without your help."

"Then how did I figure it out?" Rong Mo said with a smile. "There are plenty of smart people in the palace, especially with so many eyes watching the Eastern Palace. Someone is bound to uncover something through clues." Their conversation returned to its usual relaxed tone.

Bi Linglong had to admit that having a personal maid's cooperation made many palace matters much more convenient.

She thought for a moment and said, "Alright, if I ever feel unwell in the future, you can go and accompany him in my place."

Although they were as close as sisters, as a seasoned politician, she knew it was too dangerous to rely on sentiment for such matters. Only by binding Rong Mo to her in this way could she truly rest assured.

Rong Mo was immediately dumbfounded. "Miss, I only said I'd help you, not that I'd help you with *this*!"

Bi Linglong glared at her. "You are my personal maid. Whoever I marry, you must accompany. Having grown up in the Bi family, do you not have that understanding?"

Rong Mo couldn't help but mutter, "But he's not the Crown Prince..."

Bi Linglong sneered, "In that case, you can go and accompany the Crown Prince instead."

"No!" Rong Mo immediately shook her head like a rattle-drum. Having been in the Eastern Palace for so many years, she knew exactly what kind of person the Crown Prince was.

Compared to accompanying *that* guy, accompanying someone named Zu wasn't entirely unacceptable...

Bi Linglong was a little displeased. "Do you know how many young ladies from prestigious families and noblewomen in the capital wish to get close to Ah Zu? He wouldn't even spare them a glance. Yet you're given this opportunity, and you don't cherish it?"

Rong Mo lowered her head, feeling wronged. "I understand."

In truth, she knew perfectly well that, to be fair, Zu An was an exceptionally outstanding man. His cultivation was high, he was handsome, and now his status had become incredibly noble.

But perhaps because of the conflict between them when they first met, she always felt it would be strange to be with him in that way.

Oh, if only she had known, she wouldn't have spoken so much tonight. *Sob*...

Meanwhile, as Zu An emerged from the Eastern Palace, he happened to run into Eunuch Lu.

Eunuch Lu looked at him with a smile. "Master Zu, you're beaming, looking quite pleased with yourself. I imagine your conversation with the Crown Princess was very pleasant."

"Indeed, it was very pleasant." The recent scene flashed in Zu An's mind, leaving a truly lasting impression.

"Master Zu, Her Majesty the Empress is waiting for you at Kuning Palace. Please come and have a word with her." As Eunuch Lu spoke, he seemed to think of something, and his breathing became noticeably heavier than usual.

Zu An gave him a strange look. This fellow's cultivation wasn't weak; logically, his breathing shouldn't be so erratic even after intense fighting. Could his cultivation technique have some hidden flaw, leaving him with an underlying illness?

"It's a bit late tonight, so I won't go..." Having just finished a full role-playing game with Bi Linglong, he had become somewhat more rational.

However, he immediately remembered that Liu Ning had helped him tremendously today. Both out of gratitude and reason, he should thank her in person. Moreover, he had already visited the Crown Princess; if he didn't go to her, it might be misunderstood that he had made a choice, which could lead to a series of troubles.

"Very well, I'll go and see Her Majesty the Empress."

At first, when Eunuch Lu heard the first part of the sentence, his face showed an indescribable look of disappointment. But upon hearing the latter part, his face immediately broke into a wide smile. "Master Zu, this way please."

Soon, they arrived at Kuning Palace. Zu An instinctively walked towards the Empress's bedchamber, but Eunuch Lu stopped him. "Master Zu, please come this way."

Zu An was somewhat puzzled, thinking, *Could the Empress still be summoning other ministers this late?*

Ordinarily, this would be impossible, but the Meng family incident today was truly significant, so a late-night summons made sense.

He secretly breathed a sigh of relief. This was perfect; it would prevent the Empress from smelling Bi Linglong's lingering scent on him, having just come from her.

Surprisingly, however, Eunuch Lu did not lead him to the council hall but continued further back.

A faint warmth permeated the air, and a delicate mist subtly enveloped the flower bushes.

"Her Majesty is waiting for you at the Condensing Fragrance Pool. Please enter, Master Zu." Eunuch Lu said with a smile, thinking, *Her Majesty truly has many tricks up her sleeve. Master Zu is so fortunate, it's enviable.*

"Condensing Fragrance Pool?" Zu An's heart skipped a beat. Having lived in the palace for many years, he naturally knew this was an outdoor bath specially built for empresses, concubines, and princesses. Utilizing underground fire and a special formation from the academy, it remained warm in winter and cool in summer all year round.

Furthermore, only a few of the most noble and favored individuals in the palace were qualified to use it. Other concubines and princesses could at most send people to fetch water from it to pour into their bath barrels for bathing.

No empress, concubine, or minister would meet in such a place. The Empress's intentions were clear.

After bidding farewell to Eunuch Lu, Zu An proceeded inward. He didn't need anyone to guide him; he simply followed the sound of water and the warmth.

Before long, a charming, unprovoked voice echoed from within: "You're here."

The drawn-out syllable at the end of the sentence inexplicably carried a hint of coquettishness.

Zu An was momentarily dazed. The tone of her voice reminded him of a female celebrity from a certain island in his previous life.

Turning past a screen, he saw nothing but rising steam. Rose petals floated on the rippling water, which was almost a translucent milky white, suggesting the use of countless amounts of milk and precious essential oils.

However, as the Empress of a nation, Liu Ning certainly had the right to enjoy all of this.

Zu An looked up and saw a faint blue light circulating around the edge of the pool. These were barrier formations, ensuring that no one from a distance could peek into the interior.

The entire bath area inside was subtly designed, almost completely hidden within the flower bushes, as if it had returned to the natural wilderness.

Everything in sight was like a beautiful painting, but the most vibrant and captivating part of the entire scene was Liu Ning in the pool.

She was submerged in the water, with only her shoulders and head visible. A patch of snowy white skin on her chest was faintly discernible, and the more it was hidden, the more alluring it became. Under the reflection of the water, her skin seemed to be covered in a hazy glow.

Liu Ning looked at Zu An, her expression somewhat inexplicable. "Did you kill the Emperor?"