Chapter 2257: 恩与仇

After Bi Linglong had finished dealing with various matters, she realized it was already late, and the moon was high in the trees.

She couldn't help but rub her temples. Too many things had happened today; any one of them would have been earth-shattering on an ordinary day, yet so many momentous events had occurred all at once.

She not only had to handle affairs in the imperial palace but also those concerning the Bi family. Her father had been killed by demons, and many members of the Bi family were implicated in the previous coup. Fortunately, the Empress Dowager had been lenient; otherwise, if accountability had been strictly pursued, more than half of the Bi family would likely have suffered grave consequences. Even with her leniency, half of the family members still faced punishment. The memory of her return to the Bi family earlier, and how many of her clansmen had cursed at her, made her immensely irritable.

"Mo Mo, tell me, did I do something wrong?" Bi Linglong asked, feeling a bewilderment she had never experienced before.

Rong Mo, of course, understood why she asked. Indignantly, she replied, "Miss, what wrong have you done? It was clearly the Master and some of the clan elders who were bewitched by demons and committed those wrongs. If it hadn't been for you this time, the entire Bi family would likely have been completely eradicated. Those people are not only ungrateful but also curse you—how perfidious!"

Bi Linglong sighed softly. "They believe these misfortunes occurred because I allied myself with Ah Zu."

In truth, the Bi family's logic was straightforward: she was already the Empress, a position of unparalleled dignity. She should have worked hand-in-hand with Zhao Ruizhi as husband and wife, sharing both honor and disgrace. Now that she was with Zu An, what could she possibly gain? Her status as Empress was clearly gone. Zu An already had his own wife, so how could it be her turn? Although she was still permitted to oversee state affairs for the time being, what about the future? Historically, no new monarch had ever made another's empress their own. Often, being admitted to the imperial harem as a concubine was considered the best possible outcome. After half a day of intense activity, she had not only demoted her own status, position, and power but also almost led the entire Bi family to ruin. Consequently, her clansmen did not understand her actions.

Rong Mo said indignantly, "What does this have to do with you, Miss? The Regent King's cultivation is now unrivaled in the world; who in this world can stop him from doing what he wants? Furthermore, the Regent King even helped avenge the Master today. In my opinion, it's fortunate that you had a connection with him, or else the Bi family truly would have been doomed today. Those people only care about their own power and status; they don't care at all what you like or if you're happy."

Hearing her chatter on her behalf, Bi Linglong's mood eased considerably. She couldn't help but smile slightly and say, "Didn't you used to dislike Ah Zu quite a bit? You argued with him every time. Now, why do you speak of him with such reverence?"

Rong Mo's small face flushed. "The Regent King is so powerful now; how could I dare?" Images of Zu An suppressing the Bi family back then, and then striking down those demons today, flashed through her mind. He was truly so handsome.

"Alright, I should go talk to Ah Zu now." Bi Linglong stood up, and Rong Mo followed behind her, a little eagerly.

As they arrived outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Zhang Zitong quickly noticed them. "Greetings, Empress!" she said. Unlike newcomers like Yun Yuqing, Bi Linglong had been in charge of palace affairs for years, so virtually all palace staff knew her, and Zhang Zitong had always admired her. Especially today, even before the Regent King returned, she had already sensed that something was amiss with the Emperor. She truly was a clever woman.

"Oh, why are you here?" Bi Linglong asked, a little surprised.

Zhang Zitong replied, "His Lordship ordered me to take charge of the palace guards."

Noticing her use of "His Lordship," Bi Linglong's eyebrows slightly raised. She thought to herself that Zhang Zitong actually knew Ah Zu was Golden Eleven, confirming her status as his confidante. Yet, that man was quite the philanderer. Appointing such a beautiful woman with long legs as the captain of the guards—did he truly have no other intentions?

"Indeed, no one is more suitable than you," Bi Linglong said with a smile, taking the opportunity to offer a few words of encouragement.

Zhang Zitong was also very pleased. "Is Your Ladyship here to see His Lordship? I'll go announce you right away."

"Thank you," Bi Linglong said, nodding slightly. She could feel Zhang Zitong's goodwill.

Zhang Zitong walked with a light step, a slight smile playing on her lips. Firstly, she genuinely liked Bi Linglong, and secondly, it was the perfect opportunity to "disturb" Yun Yuqing's private moment. Hmph, coming to see His Lordship in the dead of night—what were her intentions?

Hearing Zhang Zitong's knock on the door, Zu An's mind went blank. Was fate truly toying with him? Sister Yun was just here, and now another?

Yun Yuqing, however, began to tremble violently. She was already in a fragile state, and this sudden interruption almost made her heart leap from her chest.

Zu An took a deep breath, barely managing to compose himself. "Cough, cough," he said. "Please invite her in."

Yun Yuqing's eyes widened. Given their current predicament, it would be utterly scandalous if Bi Linglong walked in and saw them.

Zu An said somewhat apologetically, "So many drastic changes have occurred today. Linglong is likely quite distressed and sensitive right now; I cannot avoid seeing her." After saying it, he himself paused, a strange sense of familiarity washing over him.

Yun Yuqing realized he was right. Bi Linglong's "husband" had also died, and even her father was gone. In some ways, she seemed to be in an even more tragic situation than herself. With this thought, she snapped back to reality and quickly pushed Zu An away.

Hearing a sound like champagne being uncorked, Yun Yuqing wished the ground would swallow her whole. Frantically, she began to straighten her clothes. In her haste, however, a wave of dizziness and weakness swept over her. Her body went limp, and she nearly fell from the windowsill. Fortunately, Zu An was there to steady her.

Just as she hopped down from the windowsill, Bi Linglong pushed the door open and walked in. Upon seeing her, Bi Linglong paused slightly. "So Yuqing is here too," she remarked.

"Sister Linglong," Yun Yuqing responded, feeling a surge of gratitude that Bi Linglong had not addressed her as the Princess of Wu. Truly, she possessed an exquisite mind. However, what had just transpired was too embarrassing. Unsure how to face the situation, she quickly said with a flushed face, "I've just finished speaking with Ah Zu. I won't disturb you two." With that, she fled.

Watching Yun Yuqing's retreating figure, Bi Linglong gave Zu An an annoyed look. "Ah Zu, did you just bully her?" she asked.

Zu An's face flushed. "What nonsense are you imagining? She gave up a great deal today and was feeling lost, so she came to me to talk." With a casual wave of his hand, using his current control over water elements, the room was already clean and spotless, leaving no trace of anything amiss.

Bi Linglong thought to herself that Yun Yuqing's neck had been flushed, and her walking posture was clearly different from her usual gait. It would be truly strange if nothing had happened. However, she didn't expose him. "It seems she and I share a similar plight," she commented.

"Come and sit," Zu An said, pushing her gently towards the dragon throne and helping her sit down. "I'll give you a massage to ease your fatigue."

"Let's just talk," Bi Linglong said, thinking to herself, 'Goodness knows what your hand just touched.' Nevertheless, she felt his concern, which was akin to that between a loving couple.

"Are the Bi family's matters settled?" Zu An asked, sitting beside her and taking her hand to transmit a stream of vital energy.

Feeling the warm current, Bi Linglong instantly felt refreshed, and all the day's exhaustion vanished. "Yes," she affirmed. "The Empress Dowager was lenient; I imagine it was out of consideration for you."

"That's good to hear. I'm truly sorry about your father. Please accept my condolences," Zu An said with a sigh.

"Ah Zu..." Hearing his gentle voice, Bi Linglong's usual composure shattered in an instant. She instinctively threw herself into his arms and began to sob. Zu An gently stroked her soft, long hair, comforting her. The world called her a natural politician, mature and even cold-blooded in her methods, but it seemed everyone had forgotten that she was still just a young girl in her teens.

Meanwhile, in the Palace of Benevolent Peace, Liu Ning was chatting casually with two beautiful young women. "Qianqian, Dandan," she said, "I'm truly so grateful for your help earlier." Those two were none other than Sang Qian and Zheng Dan. Liu Ning had always remembered their kindness, so as soon as palace affairs were settled, she sent someone to invite them. In a secluded corner of the Palace of Benevolent Peace, a dark figure lurked. Its sinister eyes, fixed on the direction of the Empress Dowager's bedchamber, suddenly burned with intense heat.