Chapter 2239: Wind and Cloud Converge

Zhao Ruizhi stood by the window, gazing towards the empress's distant palace. "You know, I wonder if inhabiting this person's body for a while has influenced me with human aesthetics. Your so-called daughter is quite beautiful."

Bi Qi chuckled. "Across all realms, beauty is universal, while ugliness takes countless strange forms. The empress is indeed beautiful; it's no surprise she captivates you."

In fact, even in the Demon Realm, although their true forms are often revealed in combat, the human form is still considered the epitome of beauty. Most high-ranking demons prefer to appear in human form.

"Very well, I shall go meet the beautiful empress myself." Zhao Ruizhi felt a surge of excitement and stood up.

Bi Qi's brows furrowed slightly. "Going to her could easily expose your identity."

"Do you think I won't be exposed just by not going to her?" Zhao Ruizhi sneered. "Lately, that woman hasn't come to pay her respects. Even though this emperor is a mere puppet, she used to be meticulous about such formalities. Her current behavior suggests she might be suspicious of me."

"Suspicious of you? That seems unlikely. I don't think you've shown any weaknesses recently," Bi Qi said, sounding puzzled.

"According to previous intelligence, she seems quite intelligent. She might have detected something unusual when we replaced everyone around us. No, I must visit her. I won't feel at ease until she's on our side," Zhao Ruizhi said, rising with a hint of anxiety.

"But according to rumors, the empress seems to have an intimate relationship with the regent. Wouldn't that risk exposure?" Bi Qi asked, a note of worry in his voice.

"Wouldn't that be even better? We can have her strike him when they're intimate. Perhaps we could even kill that Ancestor fellow directly," Zhao Ruizhi said, a hint of excitement in his voice.

"But I still feel this is too risky." Bi Qi tried to dissuade him, suspecting Zhao Ruizhi was acting on lust and merely concocting excuses to justify his actions.

"Don't worry. That foolish Prince Wu will surely face a grim end after raiding the Jiang manor and confronting the regent. Moreover, Zhao Quan and Zhao Zhang are both imperial relatives, and Prince Yi also seems to have brought his people. Either Zu An will yield, or he'll embark on a killing spree. In either scenario, he won't be able to remain in the capital for long, and he certainly won't notice anything unusual about the empress."

Bi Qi couldn't help but chuckle. "Indeed, these humans are truly foolish. Even though they know we're invading their world, they're preoccupied with internal power struggles. Each one believes they're the cleverest, capable of dealing with others before confronting us, yet they're unaware that they've already become pawns in our hands."

"Let's go. Come with me to the empress's palace. She seems to have increased the security around her chambers recently. With you, her father, present, it will be easier for me to approach her," Zhao Ruizhi said.

"Alright!" Bi Qi weighed the pros and cons, concluding that despite a small risk, the potential benefits were significant. Making the empress one of their own would provide both offensive and defensive advantages.

Soon, the two, accompanied by a group of attendants, headed towards the empress's chambers.

Meanwhile, in Kunning Palace, the maidservant Rong Mo was combing Bi Linglong's hair. "Your Majesty's hair is like satin, so beautiful; I'm truly envious."

Rong Mo chattered on for a long time, but received no response. Noticing Bi Linglong seemed lost in thought, she asked, "Your Majesty, why do you seem so preoccupied lately?"

Bi Linglong hesitated, then couldn't help but ask, "Mo Mo, have you noticed the Emperor acting a bit strangely lately?"

"Strange? No, I haven't noticed. He's still his usual foolish self," Rong Mo replied, puzzled. "Why ask about him, Your Majesty? Shouldn't you be more concerned about the regent?"

Bi Linglong's face flushed slightly. "You impudent girl, you're even daring to joke with me now."

"It's not just me anymore; countless people throughout the capital are privately discussing you and the regent. The rumors are fantastical: they say you knew each other long ago, but unfortunately, due to your status, you had to obey your family's arrangements and the late emperor's decree, marrying the current foolish... Later, the regent, heartbroken by his lost love, worked diligently and gradually attained his current power and position, so he could rekindle your old connection."

Bi Linglong was startled. "Who made this up?"

She had to admit, she found herself quite captivated. How wonderful it would be if Ah Zu had truly come to the capital for her.

"I don't know; everyone's saying it. Oh, and there are a few even more outlandish versions. Would Your Majesty like to hear them?" Rong Mo asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Bi Linglong was tempted but quickly composed herself. "Never mind. Business is more important. Have you found the person I asked you to locate?"

"Yes, I've found her. She should be arriving soon," Rong Mo said, glancing outside.

Soon after, a palace attendant arrived to announce that a maidservant requested an audience.

Bi Linglong gave Rong Mo a meaningful glance. Rong Mo understood and quickly led a palace maid inside.

Compared to Rong Mo's petite stature, this palace maid was much taller, with notably long, striking legs.

"Zhang Zitong, Embroidered Uniform Envoy, pays her respects to Your Majesty the Empress!" After the others withdrew, the palace maid bowed to Bi Linglong.

"You may rise." Bi Linglong carefully observed the palace maid before her, thinking, "She truly is a beautiful young woman, and with such long legs. I wonder if Ah Zu was ever smitten."

Zhang Zitong stood by, her mind piqued, wondering why the empress had summoned her and specifically instructed her to dress in such a way.

"Can I trust you?" Bi Linglong suddenly asked.

"Your subordinate is completely loyal to Your Majesty. Whatever your command, I will strive to fulfill it with all my might," Zhang Zitong replied immediately, though she remained puzzled.

"I don't want to hear such platitudes," Bi Linglong said, shaking her head after a moment's thought. "Let me rephrase: If an order from the Emperor conflicts with an order from your Commander, whose do you obey?"

Zhang Zitong's heart jolted. This was a potentially fatal question! Normally, when the empress asked such a question, the expected answer was the Emperor. Yet, for some reason, thinking of the Commander's imposing figure, she found herself unwilling to lie. "I obey the Commander's orders; the Commander is equally loyal to the Emperor."

Bi Linglong couldn't help but smile. "You're quite a clever girl, but I've already received the answer I wanted."

Zhang Zitong felt a pang of unease, unsure what she implied.

Bi Linglong's smile faded. She approached Zhang Zitong and spoke softly, her voice infused with qi: "The reason I summoned you today is that your identity as a woman makes your presence inconspicuous, unlike Xiao Jianren's. Return and inform Xiao Jianren to find some trustworthy Embroidered Uniform Guards to discreetly monitor the Emperor."

"Monitor... the Emperor?" Zhang Zitong's blood ran cold. In that instant, countless possibilities flashed through her mind.

Bi Linglong stared at her coldly. "Don't tell me you Embroidered Uniform Envoys are completely unaware of the recent changes in the palace. If so, I would be truly disappointed in your capabilities."

"There have indeed been some abnormalities. The Emperor's quarters have recently seen a significant change in staff," Zhang Zitong admitted, her expression growing serious.

"I suspect the Emperor is no longer the Emperor," Bi Linglong stated calmly.

To Zhang Zitong, the words were like a clap of thunder. "What?"

"I have no proof, only suspicions, so I need your help to verify them. You must be extremely cautious, and do not believe anything they tell you," Bi Linglong warned solemnly.

"Understood." Zhang Zitong finally understood why she had been summoned with such secrecy.

Bi Linglong and Zhang Zitong then proceeded to discuss the details.

Within the imperial palace, a graceful palace maid moved swiftly, narrowly evading the patrolling soldiers each time, as if she knew the palace like the back of her hand. If Zheng Dan and Sang Qian were present, they would be astonished, for this palace maid was none other than the missing Empress Dowager.

As Liu Ning evaded the guards, she looked towards Kunning Palace, her eyes burning with hatred. It was because of that woman and the Bi family behind her that the Liu family was ruined and annihilated. Today, she would make them pay for their blood debt!