Chapter 2645: Old Gratitude

Consort Bai suddenly spoke, "But this would imply that the new dynasty inherits the legitimacy of the Zhou Dynasty, which seems a bit unfair to Brother Zu."

"That's true," Bi Linglong surprisingly agreed with her. After all, Zu An had saved the entire world from destruction by extraterrestrial demons and was now universally acknowledged as the co-ruler by all forces under heaven.

In this regard, not to mention the famous sage emperors in human history, even the achievements of various emperors and kings from the Monster and Sea races throughout their history could not compare to his.

He didn't need to inherit the Zhou Dynasty's legitimacy; the Zhou Dynasty wasn't worthy.

Zu An couldn't help but laugh, "Unfair to me? I'm not the emperor."

Bi Linglong rolled her eyes at him good-naturedly. "Who else in this world is fit to be emperor besides you?"

"Aren't you doing a perfectly good job as empress?" Zu An shook his head slightly, clearly uninterested in becoming emperor.

His current goal was the stars and the sea, the myriad realms; being the emperor of a single nation held no meaning for him.

"How am I doing well? Barely two years after you left, beacon fires erupted everywhere." Bi Linglong sighed softly. She was actually a very proud person, full of confidence in her administrative abilities, but too much helplessness over the years had made her realize that many things could not be reversed by individual capability.

"The only reason people acknowledge me is because you stand behind me. Therefore, it would be best for you to become emperor yourself; with your prestige, I believe everyone in the world would be wholeheartedly convinced."

Over the years, she had frequently had the Embroidered Uniform Guard secretly publicize Zu An's great achievements in resisting the demon invasion. Now, Zu An's prestige among the common people was very high; she had been preparing for this day for a long time.

"I have important matters ahead and will be leaving for a long time. How can I be a good emperor if I'm absent for extended periods?" Zu An looked at Bi Linglong. "Linglong, you've done very well these past years. I believe you'll be a good empress. All hidden dangers have now been eliminated by me, so rebellions like this won't happen again in the future."

Bi Linglong also understood that he had a point. With his free-spirited nature, being emperor would indeed only be a confinement for him.

She bit her lip, glanced at Consort Bai and Zhang Zitong nearby, and after a moment of hesitation, she spoke, "Brother Zu, have you considered something? If you make me empress, how will the other sisters manage? Will they be sad or discontent?"

He had so many confidantes by his side, and she was just one of them.

Each of those sisters was exceptionally talented and beautiful; how could they be content with being subordinate to others?

Especially Miss Chu, although divorced, she was still his former legal wife.

There were many other young women whose personal abilities, family backgrounds, and even beauty were in no way inferior to hers.

What virtue or ability did she possess to become empress? Wouldn't she just become a target for everyone, causing unrest in Zu An's household?

Zu An chuckled, "You don't need to worry about that. They are all cultivators, each pursuing different things, and I will help them achieve their respective dreams. Of course, those like Xiaoqian can also assist you in your daily duties."

"But I still feel it's not appropriate..." A few years ago, Bi Linglong would have definitely accepted without hesitation. At that time, everything she did was for her family and to realize her personal ambitions.

Now, however, she felt it was all like passing clouds; it would be better to live together with her beloved.

Zu An interrupted her, "Have you considered that if I were to become emperor, there would be an even more troublesome issue: who would be empress?"

Consort Bai and Zhang Zitong immediately looked at Bi Linglong with peculiar expressions, a look of enjoying gossip on their faces.

Given their identities, they would never entertain such a thought, but Bi Linglong was someone destined to be empress. Would she be content with being a mere concubine?

But if she were to become empress, the other ladies might not be so accommodating.

After all, many might not want to be empress, but the position of empress was Zu An's legal wife, a position others couldn't help but contend for.

Bi Linglong was startled, evidently realizing the risks involved.

She had, after all, been the crown princess of the Zhou Dynasty and the former empress. If Zu An became emperor, she would be at a natural disadvantage in vying for the position of empress.

To be fair, it would be difficult for anyone else to compete with Miss Chu, who was, after all, the legitimate one.

But the thought of her humbling herself and serving tea and water to other women was unbearable.

Seeing her dilemma, Zu An laughed heartily. "Let's not discuss this further. Me being emperor would cause more trouble. You should continue to be empress and benefit the people of the world."

Bi Linglong's lips moved, but in the end, she said nothing more.

She then took Consort Bai to discuss the arrangements for her and her son, while also exploring how to make it lawful without diminishing the Prince Regent's prestige.

After they left, Zu An looked at the long-legged female bodyguard beside him. "Zitong, I saw you trying to speak several times just now. Is there something you want to say?"

Zhang Zitong hesitated for a moment, then steeling herself, she spoke, "Prince Regent, I think what you're doing is unfair."

"Oh, what's unfair about it?" Zu An was somewhat surprised.

"When the Zhou Dynasty was established, how many imperial descendants of the Meng Dynasty were persecuted? Countless loyal officials of the Meng Dynasty sacrificed their lives, shedding blood to protect the Meng imperial lineage, yet you are so lenient towards the Zhao imperial family." As Zhang Zitong spoke, her eyes unconsciously reddened, perhaps recalling something.

Zu An knew she was likely thinking of how her Zhang family had been ruined while protecting the imperial grandson. He couldn't help but feel pity, walking over to her and gently patting her shoulder. "Do you think I haven't killed enough of the Zhao imperial family?"

Although he wasn't acting out of a desire for revenge, he had objectively killed many Zhao princes and royal family members.

Zhang Zitong was startled, then she remembered the several incidents in the capital. It seemed that all the notable Zhao princes had been purged by the Prince Regent, and even some Zhao elders had been suppressed and killed by him. With the suppression of many Zhao kings in the recent rebellion, she suddenly felt much better. "Prince Regent, I misunderstood you."

Zu An smiled. "Consort Bai's son is just a child. For the sake of stability under heaven, there's no need for further slaughter. However, what you just said reminded me: go contact the Carefree Tower and compile a list of all the surviving elders and descendants of the Meng Dynasty. I will make their identities public and grant them a fiefdom so they can live openly."

Zhang Zitong's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Of course it's real. Do you think I'd lie to you?" Zu An retorted playfully.

"Good, I'll do it as soon as possible." After speaking, Zhang Zitong felt a little guilty and stuck out her tongue. "Prince Regent, I haven't contacted them since I started following you. You're not testing me, are you?"

Zu An was speechless.

"Do you think the current me would do something like that?"

Zhang Zitong couldn't help but beam with joy. "That's true. However, Prince Regent, those people would probably prefer you to become emperor and restore the glory of the Meng Dynasty."

Zu An shook his head slightly. "The rise and fall of dynasties is an ancient and unchanging principle. I neither want nor need to get involved in such matters. There's no need to mention it again in the future."

"Yes, this subordinate will not mention it again." Zhang Zitong's tone inevitably carried a hint of disappointment.

Zu An's heart softened. "Zitong, although I don't want to get involved in the Meng Dynasty's affairs, I will not forget the sacrifices your Zhang family made. I will erect monuments and write biographies for the Zhang family, ensuring that their loyal and righteous deeds are remembered even ten thousand years from now. Furthermore, I have never regarded you as a subordinate. You don't need to be so formal in the future; please stop referring to yourself as 'this subordinate'."

Stirred by his words, tears welled up in Zhang Zitong's eyes. She immediately knelt and bowed to him, choking with emotion. "I thank the Prince Regent on their behalf."