Chapter 1705: Guangling King

The two chatted for a while about other things, and Consort Bai gradually felt sleepiness wash over her. After all, she had been subjected to restrictions, and this period had been filled with worry and fear. She had also taken some potent medicine to stimulate her potential, so her body was now quite fatigued.

Unknowingly, she fell asleep. Zu'an, meanwhile, remained composed, continuing his meditation and cultivation.

Throughout the night, no melodramatic romantic incidents occurred. Consort Bai did not invite him to sleep in her bed, and she slept very soundly from beginning to end. Her sleeping posture was also excellent; she remained very quiet the whole time, not kicking off the covers or exposing her legs.

Zu'an's mind was as calm as a tranquil lake. Clearly, he was no longer as naive as he once was, and no longer expected any ambiguous romantic developments.

The next morning, when Consort Bai woke up, she was startled at first. However, seeing Zu'an meditating like a solid rock, a serene smile appeared on her face.

It had been a long time since she had slept so peacefully.

She was a bit surprised herself. She came from the Demonic Cult and had lived for so many years in the palace, a place notorious for its intense scheming and backstabbing. Yet, she could trust a man so completely...

“You're awake?” Zu'an sensed her movement and opened his eyes.

“Mm.” Consort Bai felt a little embarrassed, as this kind of conversation felt a bit like something between a domestic couple.

How many women in this world would reveal such a private side to a man?

“Then let's pack up and prepare to leave,” Zu'an said, standing up. “If all goes well, Eunuch Wen should have already spoken with the nearby guards.” He explained, “Daytime is different from nighttime. At night, patrolling soldiers are on high alert, needing to eliminate all potential threats in advance, and any suspicious activity is easily exaggerated. In the daytime, everyone is up and active, so people aren't as nervous.”

“Are we just going out like this?” Consort Bai asked, standing up and reaching for her outer garment, but Zu'an stopped her.

“It's better to wear Nanny Ping’s clothes, just in case you need to pretend to be her corpse today.”

If someone truly insists on opening the box for inspection, they could handle it.

“Alright.” Consort Bai instinctively felt a bit repulsed by Nanny Ping’s clothes; they were dirty, greasy, and even had a strange smell. However, she understood the gravity of the situation and didn’t refuse in the slightest.

As Zu'an spoke, he took out a small box. “Later, you'll have to squeeze into this,” he said with some hesitation. “I'm not sure if you'll fit. If not, I'll go find a bigger one.”

Although he usually kept many daily necessities in his Glazed Pearl, who would ever prepare a box specifically for a corpse for no reason?

He had only managed to make room for this box with great difficulty.

Consort Bai stared at the box in surprise: “This small box can fit Nanny Ping? Won't others be suspicious?”

“Precisely because it's small, people won't suspect there's a person inside. Even though Nanny Ping was stout, for insiders like Eunuch Wen, it's just a corpse, and by arranging her body strategically, she can just barely fit.”

“What about my body then? Won't they be suspicious?” Consort Bai was a little worried for him. It wouldn't matter once she was gone, but Zu'an could easily be implicated.

Zu'an raised a small bottle in his hand. “Eunuch Wen gave me this yesterday,” he explained. “It's like a body-dissolving powder. After all, you're an imperial consort; even if you die, no man is allowed to touch you casually. So, we'll use this to dissolve your body completely.”

This medicine was quite precious, and the quantity was only enough to dissolve one person.

As for why Eunuch Wen didn't personally supervise him dissolving Consort Bai's body, it's likely he didn't want to get too deeply involved, to avoid being silenced by the emperor in the future. Having been in the palace for so many years, he had long become an old fox, refined through experience.

Consort Bai said with some admiration: “Originally, I thought the situation was hopeless, but with your planning, it seems to be resolved quite logically. It's truly incredible.”

“Stop praising me here,” Zu'an said with some concern. “Can you actually fit inside?”

“There shouldn't be any problem.” Consort Bai's face reddened. Then, under Zu'an's shocked gaze, she first sat in the box. Her body then trembled as she brought her legs over her head and behind her. She wrapped her arms around her entire body, contorting herself into various exaggerated angles, finally shrinking into the shape of a sphere.

Looking at the woman who had transformed into something like a bowling ball before him, Zu'an was momentarily stunned: “Now this is truly incredible.”

Consort Bai was a little shy: “My body has good flexibility, and I learned some body techniques in the Holy Sect, which is why I can do this.”

Zu'an thought to himself, 'Your flexibility isn't just "good"; it's unbelievably boneless!'

Who knows who developed those cultivation methods of the Demonic Cult? They were either charm techniques like those of Yun Jianyue and Qiu Honglei, or heaven-defying body techniques like Consort Bai's. It's as if they're designed to completely ensnare men.

“Did I scare you?” Seeing his dumbfounded expression, Consort Bai was a little worried.

“No, it's very impressive,” Zu'an exclaimed from the bottom of his heart.

Now it was Consort Bai's turn to feel a little embarrassed. With him staring at her like that, she felt as if she had no secrets left.

Fortunately, Zu'an quickly snapped out of it. He took out the suspended animation pill that Ji Xiaoxi had given him back then. “Take this,” he said. “You'll quickly fall into a state of suspended animation, so no one will be able to detect your presence.”

When the emperor traveled, he was surrounded by many skilled individuals and extraordinary people. Auras were being released everywhere, and there were many masters among the imperial guards. If they detected a living person in his box, all their efforts would be in vain.

Consort Bai nodded and swallowed the pill without the slightest hesitation.

She knew that after taking this pill, she would have no control over anything that happened next, but she believed the man before her was worthy of her trust.

Watching her gradually fall into a deep sleep, her heartbeat and breathing seemingly vanishing, Zu'an secretly marveled, 'Xiaoxi's medicine truly is amazing.'

Thinking of that kind and pure young girl, Zu'an couldn't help but touch his lips. The soft sensation when she had given him the medicine was still fresh in his memory. He owed her a great favor, but the world was vast, and he didn't know when they would meet again.

Composing himself, he closed the box and then carried her out.

He had to admit, the woman's body was incredibly light; it felt as if she weighed nothing when he picked her up.

The camp was now bustling with activity as everyone packed up, preparing to set off.

Zu'an's journey out was relatively smooth. He didn't know if Eunuch Wen had given them prior notice, but none of the imperial guards stopped him.

However, when he reached the outermost layer of the camp, he encountered a patrolling group. The leader, clad in golden armor, had sharp, profound eyes, exuding the demeanor of a true master.

Zu'an inwardly cursed. This person was Zhao Yuan, the Prince of Guangling, who commanded one of the most elite divisions of the imperial guards. His rank was significantly higher than Zu'an's own position as a Feathered Forest Guard.

Crucially, he had always been on good terms with the Prince of Qi, and Zu'an and the Prince of Qi's faction were long-standing enemies.

As expected, Zhao Yuan frowned when he saw him: “Stop, what are you doing?”

“General Zhao, do you have any instructions?” Zu'an did not address him by his princely title, to avoid appearing subservient. After all, their official ranks were comparable, and with his position in the Eastern Palace, Zu'an might even be slightly higher.

“Ah, it's Lord Zu,” Zhao Yuan said, pretending to have just recognized him. “May I ask where Lord Zu is heading in such a hurry?”

“I have something that requires me to go out.” Zu'an felt a pang of regret. If he had known this would happen, he would have changed into his Golden Badge Embroidered Uniform; then no one would dare question him. Ah, a miscalculation!

“The army is about to set off. Is Lord Zu's business more important than His Majesty's itinerary?” Zhao Yuan asked, feigning surprise. Then his gaze fell upon the box in Zu'an's hand: “May I ask what Lord Zu has in that box?”

The box was indeed quite conspicuous, impossible to ignore.

“There's no need to use the Emperor to pressure me,” Zu'an said, a little displeased. “I am on a mission for the Emperor, and this contains mission-related items. What, does General Zhao wish to inspect it?”

“If Lord Zu doesn't mind, please open it for our inspection,” Zhao Yuan said with an apologetic expression. “Please don't be offended, Lord Zu. It's the rule these days; everyone and everything entering or leaving must be inspected. It's not just aimed at Lord Zu.”

Although he said this, his eyes clearly indicated that he was indeed targeting Zu'an.