Chapter 895: Sudden Inspection

Seeing the two young eunuchs' puzzled expressions, Zu An cleared his throat. "I'm still feeling well enough. I'll go visit the Crown Prince... and the Crown Princess."

He needed a legitimate reason to go, so as not to arouse suspicion.

As expected, the two young eunuchs immediately looked at him with admiration. "Lord Zu's unwavering loyalty is truly admirable!"

After showering him with flattery, they naturally didn't dare stop him. They lifted him and carried him towards the Eastern Palace.

Bi Linglong was currently restless in the Eastern Palace. Although she had just managed to handle her own situation, what about Zu An? The Emperor was exceptionally suspicious; if he sensed anything amiss, they would all be ruined.

When she heard her subordinates announce that Zu An requested an audience, she was overjoyed and instinctively stood up, about to go out and greet him.

However, she immediately noticed the surprised look from her maid, Rong Mo. She quickly walked to the side, picked up a cup of tea, and drank it to hide her embarrassment. After calming her emotions, she finally said, "Let him in."

In that moment, she was no longer the maiden from the secret realm who was concerned about her lover. She had once again become the dignified and graceful Crown Princess of old.

Her previously anxious heart gradually calmed down. Zu An's presence here proved that their plan had successfully passed scrutiny.

Zu An was soon carried in. Seeing him lying on the stretcher, Bi Linglong's lips curled into a slight smile; that fellow was quite a good actor.

However, the act had to continue in front of others. She deliberately inquired about his injuries and expressed her and the Crown Prince's gratitude for saving their lives.

At the same time, she instructed her maid to take the two young eunuchs away for tea and snacks, and also to fetch some valuable medicinal herbs from the Eastern Palace to treat his injuries and nourish his body.

After Rong Mo and the two young eunuchs had left, she quietly asked, "You didn't encounter any danger just now at the Imperial Study, did you?"

"Is the Crown Princess concerned about me?" Zu An looked at her with a grin.

"Pah!" Bi Linglong spat, nervously glancing around. Seeing that no one was paying attention, she quietly warned, "Now that we're back in the palace, there are many eyes and ears. Be careful with your words normally, lest someone discover a flaw."

Zu An smiled. "What's there to be afraid of? At worst, I'll elope with you."

Seeing his scoundrel-like demeanor, Bi Linglong felt an itch in her teeth, wishing she could bite him fiercely. She blurted out, "What about Miss Chu?"

Zu An's breath hitched. This was a "death sentence question" where any answer would be wrong. Although he really wanted to say "I want them all" with a flourish, he knew he would surely die a spectacular death.

An eerie silence fell over the room. Zu An quickly changed the subject. "Indeed, something unexpected happened just now at the Imperial Study..."

Bi Linglong also regretted her words as soon as they left her mouth, so she cooperated well and didn't continue the previous topic.

Hearing him mention that Zhao Ruizhi still had a jade pendant capable of recording his final moments, Bi Linglong's face also turned pale with fright.

"But from what it looks like, nothing should have been recorded inside. It's possible that the qi surge during Zhao Ruizhi and Xu Fu's battle was too intense, preventing normal recording." Zu An had been wondering why all along, and this was the most reasonable conjecture he had made.

Bi Linglong hesitated. "Do you think the jade pendant might have actually recorded... our activities, but the Emperor is holding back for some reason, waiting to deal with us later?"

Zu An smiled. "Do you think that's possible?"

Bi Linglong paused, then her expression relaxed. "Indeed, it's unlikely. Given the Emperor's character, he would never tolerate such things if he knew, especially since you and the Empress..."

As she spoke, her body suddenly stiffened, and her gaze towards him became rather dangerous. "I almost forgot about this back in the secret realm. I remember you said you and the Empress..."

Zu An quickly interrupted, "That was just to provoke him, because I thought I was going to die anyway."

"Really?" Bi Linglong was skeptical and wanted to ask more questions, but suddenly the voice of a eunuch came from outside.

"Her Majesty the Empress has arrived!"

Bi Linglong froze for a moment, then immediately realized, "Talk of the devil!"

She quickly stood up, tidied her clothes, and hurried out to greet them. At the doorway, she just happened to encounter the Empress and her entourage.

"Greetings, Your Majesty," Bi Linglong bowed.

"No need for formalities, Linglong," the Empress affectionately helped her up. "Oh my, your hair has turned white. It breaks my heart to see it. Please, sit down and rest. Don't run around..."

She led Bi Linglong inside, but suddenly noticed Zu An on the stretcher nearby, and she froze completely.

Bi Linglong's gaze flickered between her and Zu An, and the suspicion on her face grew stronger.

However, the Empress was also someone who had weathered many storms. She quickly recovered and said with a smile, "So Lord Zu is here too. I heard Lord Zu rendered great service in the secret realm this time, getting severely injured all over to save the Crown Prince and Crown Princess."

Looking at the mature and beautiful noblewoman before him, Zu An couldn't help but recall the intense scene of their passionate encounter that night, and his heart warmed slightly.

However, he immediately noticed Bi Linglong's suspicious gaze. He instantly snapped back to reality and said formally, "Your Majesty flatters me. This is what we, as subjects, ought to do."

The Empress couldn't help but pat Bi Linglong's hand. "Look at this, look! Your Eastern Palace has such loyal subordinates. I am truly envious. I really wish I could take him for my own use."

Bi Linglong's expression became even stranger. If she didn't know about their relationship, these words would mean nothing. But knowing that they might have "that kind of relationship," hearing this felt exceedingly odd.

She suspected the two of them were being suggestive in front of her, but alas, she had no proof.

She also replied with a smile, "Lord Zu is indeed excellent. The Crown Prince also likes him; after spending these days together, he can no longer accept instruction from anyone else."

She brought up the Crown Prince to deflect the Empress's underlying request for Zu An.

"I was just speaking casually; how could I possibly steal your beloved?" The Empress showed no change in expression. "Oh, by the way, my main purpose in coming here was to visit you and the Crown Prince. I heard your lifespan has been affected, so I specifically brought some nourishing spirit herbs for you."

At her signal, palace maids behind her came forward, carrying various brocade boxes. A refreshing medicinal fragrance could be smelled from a distance, clearly indicating that these were all extraordinary items.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your generosity..."