Chapter 2262: Peak Performance

Women truly are convincing actresses. Bi Linglong's words had seemed so heartfelt that Zu An had genuinely believed her. Little did he know she was merely fishing, and his true thoughts were instantly revealed.

As Bi Linglong continued to playfully tease him, Zu An's expression suddenly changed. "Stop messing around," he whispered. "They're actually coming."

"Who's coming?" Bi Linglong asked, taken aback, thinking he was just trying to stall.

"The Empress Dowager is here," Zu An replied awkwardly, "and she's brought Sang Qian and Zheng Dan with her."

A moment ago, his spirit had tried to subtly deter them, but Liu Ning had insisted on giving Zheng Dan and Sang Qian a tour of the palace. After all, Zheng Dan and Sang Qian had never been to the Imperial Palace before and were unfamiliar with its layout. Seeing the eager anticipation in Zheng Dan and Sang Qian's eyes, he couldn't bring himself to refuse, so he let them have their way. To his surprise, as Liu Ning toured with the two women, they headed directly toward the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Liu Ning's reason was perfectly valid: the Hall of Mental Cultivation was the most important place in the entire palace, so she naturally had to show it to them.

Bi Linglong was stunned.

After staring at him for a few seconds and confirming he wasn't joking, Bi Linglong shrieked and frantically tried to get off him. However, Zu An held her waist tightly, and for a moment, her struggles and twists seemed only to heighten his excitement.

"Let me go!" Bi Linglong cried, her voice soft and shy. She was so flustered she could barely think, let alone be angry with him.

"Don't worry, it'll still be a while before they reach here," Zu An said, smiling as he looked at her. The empress's bashful expression was particularly captivating.

"How much farther?" Bi Linglong asked, finally letting out a slight breath of relief, her body unconsciously cooperating with her lover.

"About a hundred *zhang* or so," Zu An replied, his brow slightly relaxed, wearing a look of profound satisfaction.

Bi Linglong was speechless. She had thought they were still far away, but a mere hundred *zhang* meant they would arrive almost immediately, didn't it? This realization was a significant shock. She struggled violently again. "Put me down quickly!" she pleaded. "If they see me like this, I'll die of shame!"

"Just a moment!" Zu An took a deep breath. Her fierce struggles were truly agonizing. All night, one unexpected event after another had left him hanging in suspense. Only now did he finally reach complete fulfillment. Bi Linglong's eyes glazed over instantly; stimulated by him, she trembled uncontrollably and could only cling tightly to her lover.

Meanwhile, Liu Ning led Sang Qian and Zheng Dan to the entrance of the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Sang Qian still hesitated. "Sister Ning," she began, "isn't this a bit improper? Isn't Brother Zu cultivating? Wouldn't we be disturbing him?"

Liu Ning rolled her eyes. "Silly girl," she retorted, "do you truly believe he's cultivating? Don't worry, his cultivation is quite advanced now; a little less practice won't affect him at all."

"Exactly, Qianqian, you needn't worry. I also want to see what the Hall of Mental Cultivation looks like," Zheng Dan added. She had already guessed part of the truth and seemed to enjoy a little mischief.

"Then... all right," Sang Qian conceded, her small face flushed. Looking at the brightly lit Hall of Mental Cultivation nearby, her heart, too, was filled with curiosity. After all, this had once been the emperor's residence; ordinary people would never get a chance to see it up close in their entire lives.

"Greetings, Empress Dowager!" Zhang Zitong noticed the three women and quickly came forward to bow. At the same time, her eyes subtly assessed the other two, a hint of admiration flashing within them. Where did these beauties come from? Their demeanor was entirely different from that of the palace concubines.

"Oh, are you in charge of the guards outside the hall now?" Liu Ning, having spent many years in the palace, recognized Zhang Zitong's current duty at a glance.

"Yes, the Regent trusts me," Zhang Zitong replied formally. "I will serve diligently until my last breath."

Liu Ning's gaze fell upon Zhang Zitong's long, slender legs, and she thought to herself, *That fellow probably has other ideas than for you to serve until your dying breath.* Collecting herself, she then said:

"I'm taking two of the Regent's friends to see him. Please announce our arrival."

Zhang Zitong thought, *These two women are indeed connected to His Excellency. Why are all the women around him so beautiful? It puts a lot of pressure on me.*

"Reporting to the Empress Dowager, Her Majesty the Empress is currently in the Hall of Mental Cultivation as well."

She decided to offer a reminder. Princess Wu had apparently been there earlier, and now the Empress Dowager was bringing more people in; the scene was unimaginable. *Sigh, His Excellency never gives me a heads-up, so I know how to cover for him.*

Liu Ning's eyebrow slightly arched, confirming her suspicions. "It's fine," she said. "The Regent knows we're coming."

"Then I'll go announce you." Just as Zhang Zitong was about to turn, Zu An's voice echoed from within the Hall of Mental Cultivation:

"Let them in."

"Yes!" Zhang Zitong replied, a little curious. Why did His Excellency's voice suddenly sound so tired and weak? She immediately dismissed the thought, however. *What a joke! His Excellency is so powerful, unrivaled in the world. Who could possibly weaken him?*

When Liu Ning and the two women entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation, they saw Zu An sitting upright in the center, but there was no sign of Bi Linglong.

Liu Ning smiled. "The guard outside said Linglong was here too," she remarked, "but I don't see her."

"I'm here," Bi Linglong said, stepping out from behind a screen. "I accidentally spilled some tea just now and was tidying up. I didn't expect the Empress Dowager to arrive."

"Tea?" Liu Ning questioned, looking at Bi Linglong's usually fair, jade-like cheeks, which were now flushed. *It was likely another kind of "water,"* she thought.

Sang Qian and Zheng Dan looked at Bi Linglong. They had seen her from afar before, but seeing her up close now, they still marveled at her beauty. And the noble aura that emanated from her very being was something the two girls, from ordinary families, knew they could never emulate. Moreover, her current flushed complexion, like peach blossoms, truly brightened the entire room.

"I brought Qianqian and Dandan to see Ah Zu. I hope we haven't disturbed you two?" Liu Ning said with a knowing smile.

Bi Linglong felt as though she had been seen through and quickly replied, "The Regent and I were discussing upcoming personnel appointments. We're almost finished."

Sang Qian and Zheng Dan stifled their laughter. They hadn't expected the empress to be so self-deceptive. Everyone in the capital now knew about her relationship with Ah Zu, yet she deliberately addressed him as "the Regent," seemingly to distance herself from them.

Sensing their peculiar gazes, Bi Linglong dared not meet their eyes. She quickly turned to Zu An and said, "Regarding the position of Central Protector-General we discussed earlier, I think it would be best for Duke Mingyue to take it. He had a strong reputation in the army, and his appointment would also, to some extent, curb the Qin family's influence and prevent them from becoming too powerful. Also, Grandfather Murong should resume his post as Commissioner of the Capital, to maintain order in the vital capital region. The Grand Secretary should still be Pei Zheng. His lineage wasn't overly involved previously, and he is Miss Pei's paternal grandfather. Xie Xiu is incredibly talented; he can serve as Vice Minister of the Secretariat. The Feathered Forest Army served as a crucial pillar previously, and with the palace guards needing a major reshuffle, Wang Bolin can be appointed General of the Left Guard, and Zhang Zijiang, General of the Right Guard. Other officers from the Feathered Forest Army can be placed into the remaining imperial armies. Gao Ying will be the Commander of the Tiger Guards, and Pei You, the Commander of the Elite Cavalry. Jiao Sigun will lead the Feathered Forest Army, and Pu Duandiao will lead the Elite Force Army."

Originally, she had planned to make Jiao Sigun and Pu Duandiao Generals of the Palace, in charge of the Tiger Guards, but since Zu An had already appointed Zhang Zitong, it made sense to assign them as commanders of two imperial armies, thus rewarding their loyalty and bravery during this time.

"If the Regent has no objections, I will have the court formally issue their appointments tomorrow."

Hearing Bi Linglong systematically discuss these appointments, with such clear arrangements for so many individuals, Sang Qian and Zheng Dan were filled with admiration. She was truly worthy of having been empress for so many years; such skill was beyond their grasp. Even Liu Ning couldn't help but glance at her again, wondering, *Could they really have been discussing official matters just now, and I simply got the wrong idea?*

"Hmm, since you and the Empress Dowager have discussed this, I naturally have no objections," Zu An replied. He was somewhat impressed; just a moment ago, she had seemed completely flustered, yet she had managed to bluff Liu Ning and the others in such a short time.

"Since the matters are settled, I shall take my leave and not disturb you further," Bi Linglong said, giving a slight nod to them before hurrying away.

Sang Qian and Zheng Dan exchanged glances, quietly sending each other a qi message: "The empress isn't talking to us. I wonder if she dislikes us."

"Perhaps she thinks we're on the Empress Dowager's side," Zheng Dan replied after a moment's thought. "I hear they've always been at odds."

Sang Qian nodded slightly. "Most likely," she agreed.

As the two speculated, Rong Mo spotted Bi Linglong emerging and quickly stepped forward. "Your Majesty," she greeted.

"Let's return to the palace," Bi Linglong said, taking a deep breath, her body still somewhat tense.

Rong Mo looked confused. "Your Majesty," she asked, "did the Empress Dowager trouble you again? Your voice sounds a little odd." Others might not notice, but having served her mistress daily, Rong Mo couldn't help but sense it.

"It's nothing," Bi Linglong replied, her face straight as she continued walking out.

Rong Mo's face was etched with worry. *She says it's nothing, yet her walk is so strange.* Meanwhile, Bi Linglong's cheeks were flushed, and she bit her lip tightly. "How could there be so many..." she murmured.