Chapter 1971: Questioning

Bi Linglong's eyes flashed with a hint of coldness. "What are you saying! Get out!"

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

"Initially, I truly didn't consider this possibility. But later, I noticed that almost every time Master Zu met with you privately, Miss, your undergarments would disappear for various reasons. That's when I started paying attention."

"At first, I even suspected that some young palace maids might have accidentally ruined your clothes during washing and, fearing punishment, secretly hid them, concealing the truth."

"However, after investigating for a while, I discovered that wasn't the case. Instead, Miss didn't hand over her changed clothes to them but falsely claimed she gave them to another maid. Yet, after speaking with all the palace maids, I found that not a single one of them had ever received your clothes, Miss."

"Clearly, Miss was using their lack of communication to play a trick."

"But why would Miss hide her personal garments like that? A terrible suspicion formed in my mind, but I dared not believe it could be true, especially knowing Miss's temperament so well."

"However, thinking back carefully, it seems that ever since the Crown Prince's secret realm examination, Miss's attitude towards Master Zu has been different."

"Although I was shocked, a glimmer of hope remained. Yet, what happened today forced me to believe this was the truth."

This wasn't their first private meeting. By comparing the timing with the "disappearance" of Bi Linglong's personal clothing, the truth of the matter was easily uncovered.

Rong Mo's expression was full of worry as she said this. After all, she and Zu An had never gotten along. She couldn't understand why the dignified Crown Princess would have such a relationship with that young man.

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

Others might start re-evaluating Zu An's worth and seeking his favor after tonight, but how could that compare to the effect of Miss, as the noble Crown Princess, being with him before he had even "made his fortune"?

Bi Linglong silently gripped a magic artifact beneath the covers. Her expression calm, she asked, "Who else have you told about this?"

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

After speaking, she closed her eyes, awaiting death.

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

Rong Mo had stopped calling her "Crown Princess" as soon as she entered, opting for "Miss" instead. Bi Linglong understood; hearts were not made of stone.

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

"Momo, this matter is of great importance. You cannot tell even my father or my brother."

"This servant understands."

However, thinking of Zu An's terrifying combat power displayed at the Meng family today, she felt that the Bi family must have accumulated immense good fortune.

She thought for a moment and said, "Miss, I will cooperate with you well from now on."

Bi Linglong snorted, "I've been doing perfectly fine without your help."

"How else do you think I figured it out? The palace is not short of clever people, especially with so many eyes watching the Eastern Palace. Someone is bound to discover something through subtle clues," Rong Mo said with a smile, and their conversation returned to its usual relaxed tone.

Bi Linglong had to admit that many things in the palace were indeed much more convenient with the cooperation of a personal maid.

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

Although the two were like sisters, as a mature politician, she knew that relying on sentiment for such matters was too risky. Only by tying Rong Mo to herself could she feel completely at ease.

Rong Mo was stunned. "Miss, I only said I'd help you, not that I'd help with *that* too!"

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 even have this awareness?"

Rong Mo couldn't help but mumble, "He's not the Crown Prince..."

Bi Linglong sneered, "In that case, you can go 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, wasn't she well aware of the Crown Prince's character?

Compared to accompanying that fellow, accompanying the one named Zu wasn't entirely unacceptable...

Bi Linglong was somewhat displeased. "Do you know how many noble young ladies and wealthy madams in the capital want to get close to Ah Zu? He wouldn't even spare them a glance. Yet, I'm giving you this opportunity, and you don't cherish it?"

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

She knew full well that, to be fair, Zu An was indeed an exceptionally outstanding man. His cultivation was so high, he was handsome, and now his status had become incredibly noble.

But perhaps because of the conflict that arose 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 shouldn't have spoken so much tonight. *Sob...*

Meanwhile, as Zu An emerged from the Eastern Palace, he happened to encounter Eunuch Lü.

Eunuch Lü looked at him with a smile. "Master Zu, you're beaming with joy, looking as pleased as punch. I presume your conversation with the Crown Princess was very pleasant."

"Indeed, very pleasant." Zu An's mind replayed the recent events, finding them truly unforgettable.

"Master Zu, Her Royal Highness the Empress is waiting for you at Kuning Palace. Please come and have a word with her." As Eunuch Lü spoke, he seemed to be thinking 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, even intense combat wouldn't cause his breathing to become so disordered. Could it be a hidden flaw in his cultivation technique, or some lingering ailment?

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

However, he immediately recalled the immense help Liu Ning had given him today. Both out of gratitude and reason, he ought to thank her in person. Moreover, since he had clearly come to the Crown Princess's residence, not going to the Empress's would lead to misunderstandings, as if he had already made a choice, which would cause a series of troubles.

"Alright, I'll go see Her Royal Highness the Empress."

Originally, Eunuch Lü's face showed an inexpressible disappointment upon hearing the first half of the sentence. But upon hearing the latter half, his face immediately broke into a wide smile: "Master Zu, please come this way."

Soon, the two arrived at Kuning Palace.

Zu An instinctively walked towards the Empress's bedchamber, but Eunuch Lü stopped him. "Master Zu, please come this way."

Zu An was a little confused, wondering if the Empress was still receiving other ministers at such a late hour.

Ordinarily, that would be impossible. However, the matter concerning the Meng family today was indeed very significant, so a late-night summons made sense.

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

To his surprise, however, Eunuch Lü did not lead him to the reception hall but continued walking further back.

"Her Royal Highness is waiting for you, Master, at the Fragrant Pool. Please enter." Eunuch Lü said with a smile, thinking to himself how resourceful the Empress was, and how enviable Master Zu's good fortune truly was.

"The Fragrant Pool?" Zu An's heart skipped a beat. Having spent years in the palace, he naturally knew this was an outdoor bath specially built for empresses, consorts, princesses, and others. It drew warmth from underground fires and, combined with the academy's special formations, remained warm in winter and cool in summer all year round.

Moreover, only a few of the most noble and favored individuals in the palace were qualified to use it. Other consorts and princesses could, at most, send servants to fetch water from it to pour into their own bathtubs.

There was no precedent for an Empress meeting a minister in such a place. The Empress's intention was clear.