Chapter 1567: Life's Partings and Reunions

The empress said indifferently, "Your Majesty exaggerates. Your humble consort is utterly loyal to you; how could I dare harbor any resentment?"

As she spoke, her heart suddenly skipped a beat. She felt that what had just been left inside her seemed about to flow out. Saying such words to Zhao Hao under these circumstances, even with her profound composure, she felt a little awkward.

Zhao Hao snorted, clearly displeased with her attitude. However, noticing her momentary frown, he still asked with concern, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Should I summon the imperial physician?"

"No need. Your humble consort feels perfectly fine now. On the contrary, I feel better than ever," the empress replied. Thinking of the recent scene, she felt a tremor in her very soul.

When she first heard Zhao Hao arrive, she was utterly terrified. But once the danger passed, she found herself savoring the moments that had just transpired. It was truly an unprecedented experience, and perhaps she would never feel happier in her life.

From inside the closet, Zu An's expression was also strange. This woman's words seemed to be deliberately spoken for him to hear. *Sigh*, people in the capital certainly know how to have fun.

Zhao Hao merely took the empress's words as sarcasm and didn't suspect anything. "Soon, I will go to Mount Zi for the Fengshan ceremony. You should come along too."

"Your humble consort has also heard about the Fengshan ceremony," the empress said. "Here, I must congratulate Your Majesty on achieving such a grand accomplishment, unmatched by anyone before or after you." Her tone was humble, but it always seemed to lack a certain sincerity and enthusiasm. "However, your humble consort is already a wreck. I am truly too lazy to move, so I will not get involved in the Mount Zi affair. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

Zhao Hao scrutinized her carefully, as if trying to discern her true thoughts.

The empress had already adjusted her mindset by this point and looked at him calmly. If there was anyone in the world who wasn't afraid of Zhao Hao, it was probably her.

After a long time, Zhao Hao sighed. "Very well. You should rest and recuperate well in the capital. Also, keep an eye on the situation in the capital."

The empress lowered her gaze. "Your humble consort can barely protect herself now. How could I possibly have any spare energy to manage the capital's affairs?"

Zhao Hao's expression darkened. Her words always carried a sting, which was truly infuriating to hear.

After a while, he finally said, "Empress, please divine the fortune of this journey. For some reason, I've been feeling uneasy recently."

Zu An, hidden in the wardrobe, suddenly realized. No wonder the emperor had been unusually good-tempered since just now; he had come with a request.

Speaking of which, even someone as mighty as Zhao Hao actually had to consult the empress about divination and astrology. It seems the empress's mastery in this area is higher than I imagined.

The empress replied, "Naturally, it will be very auspicious!"

Zu An listened with a strange expression. What she said was completely contrary to what she had just told him.

Zhao Hao was indeed somewhat displeased. "You haven't even divined it, and you say it's very auspicious?" The empress replied calmly, "Your Majesty is invincible under heaven. Previously, only the Demon Emperor could barely be considered a worthy opponent. Now that the Demon Emperor is dead, who else in the world is worth mentioning? Even if there are some conspiracies or tricks, they are no match for Your Majesty's absolute power."

"Hahaha, well said," Zhao Hao was instantly overjoyed. This was not only because her words greatly flattered him, but also because they revealed a piece of information: there might be some conspiracies or tricks on this journey.

This proved that the empress had indeed performed a divination, and was not just speaking carelessly.

Since her divination results were similar to his own judgment of the trip, there was nothing to worry about.

"Empress, rest well. I won't disturb you any further." Having achieved his purpose, Zhao Hao naturally had no reason to linger.

"Your humble consort respectfully sees Your Majesty off!" The empress knelt, bowing on the ground.

Looking at her submissive posture and her face as beautiful as a peach blossom, Zhao Hao felt that the empress was exceptionally alluring today. He thought about how he hadn't favored her for so many years and wondered if it was a great waste.

He swallowed and reached out his hand towards her.

The empress noticed his movement, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. She was a woman, and a woman of extreme maturity; how could she not read the meaning in his gaze?

She hadn't expected Zhao Hao, who was usually utterly ruthless, to actually show affection towards her today.

For a moment, she felt a surge of panic, not knowing what to do next.

Resist? Given his cultivation, if he truly insisted, how could she possibly resist?

But if she didn't resist? Then everything would be exposed shortly, and both she and Zu An would suffer a fate worse than death.

Thinking of this, her heart immediately tightened, and her body involuntarily began to tremble again.

Fortunately, at that moment, Zhao Hao lowered his hand again. His dazed eyes regained their resolute look. He had little lifespan left and couldn't waste even a trace of vital essence.

He nodded at the empress, then left without looking back.

After he left, the empress completely collapsed onto the ground.

Zu An came out of the wardrobe and helped her up.

The empress reached out and embraced his neck. "I was truly scared out of my wits just now."

Zu An forced a smile. "So was I."

This was what he had always worried about. To be honest, his entanglement with the empress initially was mainly because Zhao Hao had tormented him so severely in the Western Dog Mound secret realm, leaving a trace of resentment in his heart. It was entirely a form of alternative revenge.

But later, after calming down, he clearly understood that this matter carried too great a risk. He had just walked a tightrope between life and death.

However, upon learning that even Zhao Hao had to consult her, Zu An gradually realized that she was not the resentful woman he had initially imagined, trapped deep within the palace. She still held too many secrets waiting for him to uncover.

Just as he was about to ask about the Mount Zi Fengshan ceremony, the empress seemed to guess his thoughts, reaching out to press his lips. "Don't speak."

Feeling her action, Zu An's expression was strange. This woman was truly crazy; Zhao Hao had just left, hadn't he?

***

When Zu An left the imperial palace, his steps were a bit unsteady.

Recalling the recent enchanting moments, he couldn't help but marvel at how sensually captivating the empress was.

However, he quickly composed himself. He specifically used the Blue Duck technique to attract surrounding water elements and perform a cleansing spell on himself before returning to his marquis residence.

Chu Chuyan, dressed in a white gown, leaned against the railing of the waterside pavilion, gazing absentmindedly at the sky. She and her surroundings formed a beautiful and natural tableau.

At that moment, Zu An felt a sense of tranquility, as if his mind and body had been cleansed.

He couldn't help but feel extremely annoyed. Why had he been so impulsive just now? A feeling of guilt welled up in him.

"Lustful as a demon beforehand, saintly as a Buddha afterward."

"You're back." Seeing Zu An, a faint hint of joy appeared in Chu Chuyan's eyes.

"What are you looking at?" Zu An walked over, stopping a few steps in front of her, afraid that his current self might defile her by getting too close.

"I'm watching these white clouds gather and scatter, scatter and gather," Chu Chuyan sighed softly. "Life's partings and reunions are just the same."

Zu An was startled. He understood the meaning of departure in her words, and ignoring everything else, he grabbed her hand. "You're leaving?"

Chu Chuyan hummed in affirmation. "I've been too happy with you recently," she said, "so much so that I even forgot about my duel with the Demonic Sect's Saintess."

Zu An quickly said, "You haven't set a specific time yet. There's no rush right this moment."

"That was true originally, but..." Chu Chuyan's fair cheeks flushed slightly. "But being with you has made me too happy, which goes against the 'Taishang Scripture of Emotionlessness' that I've been studying. I've even noticed that my cultivation realm seems to have become unstable recently. If I continue to stay here for a while longer, I might even drop in realm. Then I definitely won't be a match for the Demonic Sect's Saintess. Firstly, this matter concerns the reputation of White Jade Capital, and secondly... I don't want to lose to her."

Zu An was somewhat annoyed. "This 'Taishang Scripture of Emotionlessness' is truly flawed," he said. "What kind of nonsense has Yan Xuehen been teaching you?"

Chu Chuyan's delicate brows furrowed slightly. "Don't be disrespectful to Master," she said.

Zu An's expression was strange. He thought to himself, 'You call *that* being disrespectful to her? If you knew what I've done to her, what would your reaction be?'