Chapter 1554: The Truth Revealed

"Empress?" Rong Mo was initially bewildered, taking a moment to realize the other person was referring to the Empress.

As the Crown Princess's personal maid, she naturally knew that the Crown Princess and the Empress had always had a strained relationship.

It was hardly surprising; good mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships were rare, let alone when the Empress was not the Crown Prince's birth mother yet still put on airs as a senior. Both women had strong personalities, so they naturally disliked each other.

"Excellent!" Rong Mo was delighted. She wanted the Crown Princess to catch that scoundrel, Zu An, in the embarrassing predicament of his double-dealing, to see how he would then curry favor with the Crown Princess.

Soon, Bi Linglong arrived at the Empress's palace with a group of palace maids and eunuchs. They were quickly stopped by the attendants at the outer perimeter. "Greetings, Crown Princess."

"I heard Empress Mother has returned from her villa, so as her junior, I came to visit her," Bi Linglong said in a flat tone.

"Yes, we'll go inform her immediately." The Empress's palace maids exchanged glances. It was well known that the Empress and the Crown Princess had only an average relationship; the Crown Princess usually only came for a few specific occasions, just going through the motions. She had never visited on any other day. Had the sun risen in the west today?

Bi Linglong frowned. "Why are you all standing guard outside?"

The palace maids replied, "Her Majesty is a little tired and needs rest, so she instructed us to guard the outside."

Bi Linglong glanced towards the palace. "No need to bother. I'll just go in with you."

With that, she walked straight in.

The palace maids dared not stop her, so they scurried ahead to give notice.

As the Crown Princess, Bi Linglong maintained her dignity and could not run inside. She could only walk in with small, measured steps.

Upon reaching the Empress's bedchamber, a faint voice came from within: "Oh, it's Linglong. I was just sleeping. Please wait a moment."

Bi Linglong felt a little puzzled. Why did the Empress's voice sound so seductive today?

And her breathing seemed a little shaky?

However, she attributed it to the Empress having just woken up and didn't think much of it. "I apologize for disturbing your rest, Empress Mother."

At the same time, her eyes subtly scanned the room, but she saw no sign of Zu An.

She then gave a wry smile. How could the Empress possibly allow Zu An into her bedchamber?

As this thought crossed her mind, her initial anger gradually subsided. She couldn't help but glare fiercely at Rong Mo. It was all this girl's fault for spreading gossip, which almost made her wrongly accuse an innocent person.

Rong Mo felt very wronged; she had indeed seen Zu An being summoned away by Eunuch Lu just moments ago.

Just then, the Empress emerged, fully dressed. For some reason, Bi Linglong felt that despite not being as elaborately dressed as usual, the Empress looked much more beautiful than on normal days. She was radiant, her skin fair with a rosy glow, like a young maiden's.

Even Bi Linglong had to admit that it was no wonder she could be the mother of a nation; she was indeed a beauty among beauties.

"Linglong, what brings you here today?" The Empress greeted her with a smile. Beneath her clothes, her body trembled uncontrollably as she recalled the lingering pleasure, all while inwardly resenting Bi Linglong's sudden arrival.

Of course, she showed no hint of it on her face.

"Hearing of Empress Mother's return to the palace, I naturally had to come and visit. I recently acquired some rare medicinal herbs, so I brought them for you as well," Bi Linglong said, gesturing to a maid beside her to present the gift. Her words and actions were utterly flawless.

"Linglong, you're too kind..."

The two engaged in a delicate dance of pleasantries, exchanging formal greetings for a while. Eventually, Bi Linglong couldn't help but ask, "Oh, why don't I see Grand Tutor Zu?"

The Empress's heart pounded, but she showed no sign of agitation. "I had summoned Grand Tutor Zu earlier to ask a few questions. He left a short while ago and is likely waiting back at the Imperial Study."

She did not deny it. Since Bi Linglong could ask such a question, she clearly had sources indicating Zu An was with her. A flat denial would only make her seem more suspicious.

"I see," Bi Linglong replied, relieved. She chatted casually for a few more moments before finding an excuse to take her leave.

The Empress made a few insincere attempts to persuade her to stay, and then they parted ways.

Watching Bi Linglong's retreating figure, the Empress's smile faded. She hadn't expected that Bi Linglong would know about Zu An's visit. It seemed she would have to be more careful in the future, otherwise, if Zhao Hao found out, it would be quite troublesome.

Wait a minute, why was she so concerned about a mere minister's affairs?

Could it be...

Was she planning to use this to attack me?

She was well aware of the nature of their relationship. The more she thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. Perhaps Bi Linglong had caught wind of something from Zhao Hao and was trying to find leverage against her and Zu An.

As these thoughts unfolded, cold sweat broke out on her. Under the current circumstances, she should, by all rights, cease all contact with Zu An. Yet, to recover her cultivation, it was unavoidable. She was truly conflicted.

***

Meanwhile, Zu An returned to the vicinity of the Imperial Study, secretly wiping the cold sweat from his forehead. It had been an extreme test of his nerves; he had almost been caught red-handed by Bi Linglong.

The Empress certainly possessed a unique seductive charm, but getting too close to her was simply too dangerous.

Just then, a young eunuch emerged. Seeing Zu An, he seemed surprised. "Grand Tutor Zu, perfect timing. His Majesty is looking for you."

Zu An's expression was strange. He wondered if the Emperor had discovered that he had just 'ridden roughshod' over his wife.

However, since things had come to this, he could only brace himself and go in.

He secretly congratulated himself for having used his water-based cultivation technique to cleanse and evaporate any scent from his body on the way over. Otherwise, if the Emperor smelled the Empress's fragrance clinging to him, he would surely be doomed.

Upon entering, he was startled to find not only Sang Hong but also several other high-ranking court officials: Bi Qi, the Minister of the Left; Liu Guang, the Grand Uncle; Prince Liang, Zhao Yi...

Without exception, they were all core members of the Emperor's faction.

Seeing him enter, the Emperor said, "Take Grand Tutor Sang back for good rest and recuperation. Furthermore, I grant you permission to assign twenty Imperial Guards to protect him personally."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Although injured, Sang Hong still bowed in gratitude.

It was known that the Imperial Guards were the palace's personal guard, primarily responsible for securing the palace and occasionally assigned to imperial envoys.

They were rarely assigned to protect a specific individual.

While twenty Imperial Guards were not a large number, it clearly signified the Emperor's stance. With this, no one would dare to brazenly harm him again.

Zu An was also happy for Sang Hong. His life was now secured. Zu An alone could not constantly guard Sang Hong, but with the Emperor's public protection, Prince Qi's faction could no longer make a move against him.

After the two left, the Emperor frowned. He subconsciously looked up, thinking, *There's nothing on my head, so why did Zu An keep secretly glancing at it just now?*

And his gaze seemed to hold a hint of pity, a feeling that truly irked him.

Just then, Prince Liang, Zhao Yi, interrupted his thoughts. "Your Majesty, Prince Qi brazenly used assassins to commit murder in the Imperial City. This is an unforgivable crime! I implore Your Majesty to punish him!"

Liu Yao also rose and said, "Prince Qi's ambition is like a wolf's; his crimes extend far beyond this. Previously, he secretly plotted rebellion in Yunzhong Commandery. After his plot failed, he ambushed and killed the imperial delegation to destroy evidence. Adding all his actions over the years, his crimes warrant execution!"

The others also rose, enumerating Prince Qi's crimes and urging the Emperor to take action against him. Their faction now held the advantage, making it the opportune moment to deal with Prince Qi.

However, Zhao Hao remained silent, then looked at Bi Qi and Meng Yi. "What are your thoughts?"

Bi Qi and Meng Yi exchanged glances. Finally, Bi Qi spoke, "Your humble servant believes..."

***

"Prince Qi is finished," Sang Hong quietly told Zu An once they were some distance from the Imperial Study.

Zu An was startled. "Is the Emperor finally going to act?"

"Not necessarily," Sang Hong shook his head. "Although Prince Qi's power has significantly declined recently, his foundations are extraordinary. If pushed too hard, even a cornered dog will jump over the wall. The Emperor likely won't resort to overly aggressive measures, but Prince Qi will no longer have a place in the capital."

Unlike ordinary vassal princes, Prince Qi was vying for the throne. Once he left the capital, the center of power, he would be completely out of the succession race, and his subordinates' influence would gradually crumble.

At that moment, in a secret chamber within Prince Qi's residence, a meeting was also taking place. The person leading it was none other than Prince Qi himself.

"Your Highness," one person spoke up, "things have come to this; perhaps we should make our move?"

Half of Prince Qi's face was obscured by shadow. He remained silent for a long moment before slowly saying, "Good!"