Chapter 1704: Unfavorable Premonition

Zu An secretly sighed, thinking how truly ruthless the imperial family was; they showed no mercy when silencing people.

He figured if he didn't have some status and ability now, he would most likely have been silenced as well.

However, according to Zhao Hao's arrangements, Zu An knew that by doing this, he would eventually be silenced himself.

After confirming Eunuch Wen had left, Concubine Bai couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief, her whole body almost collapsing.

Though the time had been short, her heart had been pounding in her throat. Having thought she was surely dead, who wouldn't feel a ripple of emotion when given a chance to live?

However, Zu An's method of rescue was too extraordinary, and she worried it wouldn't deceive the astute Eunuch Wen.

Fortunately, everything had gone smoothly. The feeling of escaping death in such extreme circumstances gave her a sense of rebirth.

Her gaze towards Zu An was filled with admiration, even worship. "What do we do next?" she asked.

"My ability can't last too long," Zu An said gravely. Over time, unless he kept Pinru's wardrobe constantly nearby, she would definitely revert to her original form. While the wardrobe wouldn't arouse suspicion if left in a room, he couldn't exactly carry it around outside. "But we've already set up camp today. There are patrolling soldiers and experts everywhere, so it would be easy to alert others if we tried to leave now. I'll figure out a way to get you out tomorrow when we're on the march."

"Alright," Concubine Bai replied, understanding the situation. Especially since she had just been executed, Eunuch Wen and even the Emperor might still be paying close attention to this area. If they made any noise now, she truly wouldn't know how she died.

"What about her body?" Concubine Bai asked, looking at Nanny Ping on the bed.

Zu An took out the Glazed Pearl and stored the body inside. While the Glazed Pearl couldn't hold living things, dead objects were fine. "Tomorrow, I'll go out under the pretense of disposing of the body. Eunuch Wen and the others shouldn't suspect anything."

Concubine Bai hummed in agreement. "You think of everything."

Next, while the effect of Pinru's wardrobe was still active, Zu An led Concubine Bai away from the tent. This area was originally sparsely populated, and if anyone occasionally saw them, they just assumed it was Nanny Ping, so no one paid much attention.

However, things became a bit awkward at night. Eunuch Wen had arranged a tent for Zu An, and with nowhere else to go, Concubine Bai naturally had to hide there as well.

While on the march, everything was kept simple. The tent contained only a single, very small, makeshift bed.

Concubine Bai's expression was a little troubled when she saw it. At this, Zu An said, "You sleep on the bed. I'll just meditate next to it."

Because of the critical situation, he didn't dare let Concubine Bai leave his sight by going outside, to prevent any accidents for which he wouldn't have time to react.

Concubine Bai shook her head. "You've already saved my life. How could I let you suffer such discomfort? You sleep on the bed; I'll meditate beside it."

Zu An smiled. "Don't be polite when you're so weak. I'm thick-skinned and used to such things."

Concubine Bai's face flushed slightly. "Do you often let women sleep on the bed while you stay beside them?"

Zu An was speechless.

"I meant I'm used to meditating," Zu An said, a line of exasperation on his face. "Anyway, it's just one night, not a long time, and it's common for cultivators."

Concubine Bai understood her condition and no longer refused. After a simple wash, she curled up under the covers. However, it wasn't easy for her to fall asleep now; her large, flickering eyes secretly peeked out from under the covers, observing the man not far away.

The other person had apparently closed his eyes specifically to avoid suspicion while she washed, looking as if he were asleep – truly quite the gentleman.

Oh dear, she had previously said that if he were willing to deliver a message, she would repay him in her next life. Now he had saved her life, a far greater deed than just delivering a message. How was she supposed to repay him now?

"Is there something on my face?" Zu An, who was meditating, suddenly spoke, evidently having noticed her continuous gaze.

Concubine Bai said, a little embarrassed, "I can't quite sleep."

"It's perfectly normal not to be able to sleep after experiencing something like this," Zu An nodded. "By the way, I haven't had a chance to ask you, why did the Emperor want to kill you?"

Concubine Bai hesitated for a moment, then said, "Actually, I'm from the Demonic Cult..."

Zu An nodded. "I know."

Since she was willing to tell him so frankly, it seemed he hadn't saved the wrong person.

Concubine Bai was surprised in turn. "You know?"

Zu An hummed. "I came here this time because Yun Jianyue and the others asked me to rescue you."

Concubine Bai's expression suddenly became very interesting. "You didn't have to tell me all this. I would have been even more grateful to you then."

Zu An chuckled. "Aren't you grateful to me now?"

"Of course, I'm grateful. I just don't know how to repay you," Concubine Bai said with some emotion.

Zu An instinctively blurted out, "There's a joke in my hometown: A woman is saved by a man. If the man is ugly, she'll say, 'This humble one will be a cow or a horse in her next life to repay your kindness.' If the man is handsome and to her liking, she'll say, 'Your great kindness is beyond repayment, this humble girl is willing to offer herself to you...'"

After speaking, he immediately realized his impropriety and hastily said, "I was just thinking of something from the past; I wasn't hinting at anything."

Concubine Bai's cheeks flushed crimson. It was unclear if she believed him or not.

"I didn't realize you and Senior Sister were so close that she'd dare ask you for help with something like this," she finally said after a long pause. Back then, if she hadn't been hidden in the imperial palace, how could Yun Jianyue and the others have entered so easily to attempt the assassination? And later, Yun Jianyue's easy departure from the palace was also due to her secret assistance.

She had always known about the relationship between Yun Jianyue and Zu An, and so over the years, she had provided Zu An with assistance whenever possible, believing she was the one behind the scenes who saw everything clearly. Now, discovering their relationship was even better than she had imagined, for a moment she felt like a clown.

Zu An was reluctant to talk more about Yun Jianyue, worried that her junior sister might infer something. "Even if your identity was exposed, it shouldn't warrant killing you. After all, you are his... ahem, the Imperial Grandson's biological mother, right?"

Concubine Bai's expression also grew serious. "Actually, I've always had a feeling that the Emperor already knew my identity but just let me be. That's why I was so surprised by this incident."

After a moment, she slowly continued, "From my understanding of the Emperor over these years, he seems to have some ominous premonition. It's as if all this is... is him making arrangements for after his death."

"Making arrangements for after his death?" Zu An was startled. Who was Zhao Hao? The continent's foremost powerhouse, capable of anything. Even if there truly was some conspiracy from Mount Zi, how could he be so disheartened as to need to prepare for his demise in advance?

"I find it incredible too," Concubine Bai said. "Perhaps he has some premonition, or perhaps his 'Five Declines of Heavenly Beings' period has arrived early. In any case, he wants to eliminate all unstable factors in advance. And if something were to truly happen to him, my identity as the Imperial Grandson's biological mother could easily be exploited. Coupled with my Demonic Cult background, I might even have a chance to control the court if I were to go against the Crown Princess. He likely wouldn't dare take that risk."

Zu An thought to himself: no wonder Bi Linglong had always disliked Concubine Bai so much. It turned out her political acumen made her realize Concubine Bai had the potential to threaten her status. After all, she and the Crown Prince only had the title of husband and wife, without the marital intimacy, much less children.

However, the conjecture she put forth was very interesting. Could Zhao Hao truly be feeling that death was approaching?