Chapter 796: Emperor's Crown Prince

However, as soon as these words left her lips, her face flushed red, because the man's overwhelming physical reaction had already given her the answer.

Concubine Bai felt a little dizzy. She had thought that her words would immediately intimidate the man into showing utmost respect. After all, the Emperor was the most powerful person in the world; who dared to offend him? Even King Qi, who had opposed him for many years, would never dare to lay a hand on his women. Yet, this fellow was not only unafraid but seemed even more excited because of it?

Was it her perception that was flawed, or was he the one with an issue?

“You are the Emperor's woman?” Zu An was startled at first, but quickly regained his composure. This was, after all, to be expected; there had been many rumors about Concubine Bai and the Emperor before.

“Since you know, why aren't you letting go!” Concubine Bai tried to feign an angry and authoritative demeanor, but unfortunately, her delicate and gentle appearance not only failed to intimidate him but instead fueled even stranger thoughts in the man.

“Why should I let go? Anyway, having touched the Emperor's woman, I'll die whether I let go or not. So I might as well hold you more before I die; at least I'll be a romantic ghost,” Zu An chuckled teasingly.

Concubine Bai was speechless.

The man was not playing by the rules, leaving her at a loss for words.

She took a deep breath and said, “All right, I promise you I won't tell the Emperor about today's incident. Surely you can let go now, can't you?”

Zu An chuckled, “Since you're not planning to tell the Emperor, shouldn't I take this opportunity to hold you more?”

Concubine Bai was dumbfounded. How could this fellow be so shameless?

Just then, the infant in her arms seemed to sense its mother's predicament and began to cry loudly in distress.

Concubine Bai immediately became anxious. Just as she was racking her brain to figure out how to break free, who would have thought that Zu An would simply let go?

She was startled, quickly stood up from his embrace, and then stared at him with a hint of suspicion.

Zu An smiled. He had only been teasing her anyway. Now that he had obtained the information he wanted, he naturally didn't cling to her anymore. “I was just a little hasty earlier. If I've offended Your Highness in any way, please don't mind it. You should soothe the child first.”

Concubine Bai snorted, “You’re not a good person, you rascal.”

Despite saying this, a hint of goodwill involuntarily rose in her heart.

Although this fellow had been a bit handsy, he ultimately hadn't done anything to her.

It goes to show that if one's initial impression is rock bottom, any subsequent actions can more easily earn points.

Zu An didn't bother to defend himself. “The feeling is mutual, Your Highness. You tricked me quite thoroughly.”

Concubine Bai gently patted the body of the infant in the swaddling clothes and softly hummed a lullaby. Her melodious voice quickly calmed the baby, stopping its loud cries and making it gurgle with laughter.

Zu An watched her profile from the side. At this moment, she radiated beauty and maternal radiance, appearing exceptionally gentle, enough to calm any restless heart.

After soothing the infant in her arms, Concubine Bai placed it gently in a nearby cradle and rocked it. Only then did she reply, “What do you mean by 'tricked'? You never asked me any of this.”

Zu An was speechless.

He didn't want to play word games with her. He pressed on, “Does the Emperor know about your relationship with Yun Jianyue?”

“The Emperor is far more formidable than you imagine. He knows everything; he just might not tell you,” Concubine Bai said meaningfully.

Zu An secretly sneered. There was no need to overly deify that man. At least he didn't know about the affair between Zu An and the Empress.

Perhaps he could maintain a calm facade, but he couldn't hide it from Zu An's Rage value system.

“Since he knows your identity, why does he let you be, and even allow you to live such a comfortable life?” Zu An asked curiously.

Concubine Bai's gaze fell upon the child in the nearby cradle, who was chewing on its toes. “What do you think?”

Zu An's heart stirred. “He's indeed not the Imperial Grandson, but an Imperial Prince!”

Concubine Bai smiled without saying anything else. She simply squatted beside the cradle and gently stroked the infant inside. “I just want him to grow up safely. Whether it's the Emperor or the Holy Sect, they have nothing to do with me.”

Zu An frowned. How could she possibly remain aloof when caught between various powers?

“Why did the Emperor make you the Crown Prince's concubine, effectively turning a perfectly good son into a grandson?” Zu An asked.

At this moment, he finally understood why Bi Linglong was so hostile towards her. Having lived with the Crown Prince for so long, she naturally knew that the idiotic man could not possibly father a child. Therefore, the truth about this woman and this child was glaringly obvious.

She worried that this child might one day jeopardize the Crown Prince's position, yet she also needed his identity as the Imperial Grandson. After much thought, she concluded that by eliminating Concubine Bai, she could achieve both objectives.

As for Concubine Bai, she probably had similar thoughts. No wonder she had set up a trap before, nearly killing the Crown Princess.

Concubine Bai shook her head. “I'm not sure, but I suppose the Emperor has his own considerations. I wouldn't dare to question anything he decides.”

Zu An fell into thought. Various possibilities emerged in his mind, but he couldn't quite figure it out.

Just then, Concubine Bai took a sachet from her waist. “This should be what you need. Wearing it can mask your aura, keeping your vital energy fluctuations below rank six.”

Zu An took it. It was a remarkably delicate sachet, its texture unique, neither silk nor fine cloth. The outer surface was embroidered with delicate small flowers, subtly forming the character for 'Bai'.

“This is yours?” Zu An was a little surprised.

“The Emperor bestowed it upon me to conceal my cultivation,” Concubine Bai replied. “I've given you the item. I need to feed the baby now. Surely, Master Zu doesn't intend to stay and watch, does he?”

Zu An subconsciously glanced at her full bosom, his old face flushing red, and quickly averted his gaze. “Aren't there wet nurses in the palace? Why does Your Highness need to feed the baby yourself?”

“Because my breasts are engorged and uncomfortable,” Concubine Bai's pretty face flushed slightly as she looked at him with a faint smile. “Is Master Zu sure he wants to discuss such intimate matters meant for ladies?”

Zu An's old face finally grew hot, and he hastily took the sachet and excused himself.

Concubine Bai picked up the child. Seeing his discomfited figure disappear into the distance, she couldn't help but chuckle, then softly said, “Baby, when you grow up, you must be careful of women. The prettier a woman is, the more likely she is to deceive people.”

Time passed quickly. The day before the grand examination, Bi Linglong summoned Zu An to the Eastern Palace, and then quietly watched him without speaking.

Although gazing into the eyes of such a beautiful young woman was a pleasure, he couldn't help but feel curious. “Why are you looking at me like that, Crown Princess?”

Bi Linglong pursed her lips, and finally said faintly, “Can I trust you?”

Zu An was startled. “Why do you ask that?”

Bi Linglong replied, “This time, I could only secure one spot in the secret realm for someone whose cultivation slightly exceeded the limit. In fact, there were other candidates in the clan, but I went against everyone's objections and chose you. Yet, I'm very anxious and don't know whether I should trust you.”

First, she was unsure if his strength was sufficient to dominate the secret realm. Second, she wasn't sure if he would wholeheartedly help her.

Normally, her words carried a hint of authority, but now she appeared unusually vulnerable. Zu An knew that this grand examination for the Crown Prince not only concerned her own fate but also the honor and disgrace of her clan. This was why she was so apprehensive.

He, too, set aside his usual frivolous attitude, and solemnly replied, “Of course, you can!”

Upon hearing his answer, Bi Linglong's previously somewhat furrowed brows instantly relaxed, and she revealed a blossoming smile. “Good!”

Zu An asked, “Have the participants for tomorrow's entry into the secret realm been decided?”

Bi Linglong hummed in affirmation. “Tomorrow, from the Eastern Palace, it will be you and I, along with Guard Park and Guard Jiao. Additionally, the residences of King Liang, the Bi family, the Liu family, the Meng family, and the Pei family will each send their disciples. Each family is limited to ten people of rank six and below.”

Zu An couldn't help but chuckle, “That's almost a hundred people in total. That should be enough to flatten that flood dragon.”

A hint of a smile also appeared on Bi Linglong's face. “His Highness is the Crown Prince after all; it's not excessive to have so many guards. King Qi won't have much to say about it either.”

Zu An couldn't help but ask, “This time, all the elite young talents from various powerful families are participating. If they suffer any losses in the secret realm, or if King Qi exploits the secret realm, wouldn't the young strength of the Crown Prince's faction be wiped out in one fell swoop?”

Bi Linglong shook her head. “The candidates sent by each family this time are naturally not their respective heirs; this is precisely to guard against such a scenario. However, you don't need to worry. Although those sent are not the strongest heirs, each one has been carefully selected and represents the most outstanding young talent from their respective households.”

Zu An, however, was unimpressed. No matter how outstanding they were, how could they compare to him? “By the way, who will the Pei family send, as you mentioned?”