Chapter 892: Trust Azor, Gain Eternal Life

Zuan cupped his hands and said, "I am injured, so I shall take my leave now." He simultaneously sent a secret spiritual message to Bi Linglong, comforting her: "Don't panic, I have everything under control."

Although she didn't know what he could possibly do in this situation, Bi Linglong's heart instantly settled, remembering how he had repeatedly turned the impossible into possible in the secret realm. "In that case, we won't keep Sir Zu any longer. Please go back and rest well, Sir Zu." After saying that, she called in the little eunuch from outside and also dispatched a few people to help carry back the medicinal materials and other gifts.

The Empress immediately felt relieved, thinking Bi Linglong was simply shy. While she didn't treat Zuan as an outsider, how could a young lady feel comfortable discussing such matters in front of another man? Zuan, too, was sensible and knew to leave on a pretext.

After Zuan left, the Empress smiled and said to Bi Linglong, "Don't be afraid. Just let the nannies check you; it's just a formality." She didn't believe Bi Linglong would do anything to tarnish the royal reputation. After all, everyone had witnessed her conduct over the years; she was clearly a well-bred lady, a perfect candidate for Crown Princess, and had never put a foot wrong in her daily life. She secretly blamed the Emperor, finding his actions truly perverse and his personality overly suspicious.

"Hmm, it seems I must be extremely careful when interacting with Zuan in the future."

Bi Linglong forced a smile. She naturally dared not refuse again, lest she arouse suspicion, so she said, "Empress, would you like to see the Crown Prince first?" The Empress had just mentioned the purpose of her visit, so delaying a little this way wouldn't make her suspicious.

The Empress nodded. "Yes, I should see him. Was that chubby boy really frightened this time?" He was her biological nephew, so such a way of addressing him was not inappropriate.

Bi Linglong replied, "The Crown Prince was indeed quite frightened and sustained many injuries. He cried out in pain when the imperial physicians applied medicine to him just now." She couldn't help but recall Zuan, covered in blood, fighting Zhao Hao's fragmented soul and then Xu Fu; *that* was a true man, a great hero, utterly unlike the Crown Prince...

"That brat screaming so loudly means it's nothing serious," the Empress chuckled, clearly very familiar with the Crown Prince's disposition.

As they spoke, they arrived at the Crown Prince's bedchamber. He was hunched over, playing with crickets alongside two young eunuchs. But sensing someone approach, he immediately leapt back onto the bed, feigning pain with exaggerated groans.

Bi Linglong: "..."

The Empress: "..."

The Empress was equally speechless at his transparent attempt to deceive. However, it was inappropriate to expose him in front of the servants, so she simply sat by the bed and offered comfort.

"Auntie~" Zhao Ruizhi began to whine. Although he was usually foolish and simple-minded, he still had this instinct.

"No manners," the Empress said. "In the palace, you must address me as Her Imperial Majesty, the Empress." Although she said this, she didn't show the slightest hint of anger.

Bi Linglong, standing nearby, heard the Empress asking a series of desultory questions and immediately understood that she was using the opportunity to probe what had happened in the secret realm. Unfortunately, Zhao Ruizhi was a complete fool, and moreover, his body had been taken over by the Emperor's fragmented soul in the middle of the secret realm. He knew nothing about many things, which only left the Empress completely confused.

Seeing that she couldn't get any answers, the Empress gave up, thinking she would find a time to ask Zuan. After instructing the eunuchs and palace maids to take good care of the Crown Prince, she got up to leave. Once out of the room, the Empress stared intently at Bi Linglong.

Bi Linglong knew there was no escaping, so she said somewhat shyly, "Please, two nannies, come with me into the room." The Empress nodded, signaling the two nannies to follow her in. It was naturally inconvenient for her to go in for such a matter; waiting outside for news was sufficient.

Inside the bedroom, Bi Linglong still tried to stall for time, but she was interrupted by the two nannies: "Crown Princess, please hurry. It'll be easier for us to report once our task is done."

"Take off your clothes."

Bi Linglong cursed inwardly. No wonder the young palace maids and eunuchs feared these old nannies the most; they were all fierce and ill-tempered. Unfortunately, she had no choice but to slowly begin taking off her clothes. Countless thoughts flashed through her mind. Should she pretend to have an internal injury flare up and faint, or simply kill these two old nannies to silence them? Unfortunately, either option would lead to a host of complications, and she would still be cornered.

When she had stripped down to her intimate undergarments, one old nanny chuckled: "Crown Princess, your skin is truly beautiful, so fair and tender like tofu."

"With that slender waist and shapely backside, you'll surely be able to bear a prince in the future."

"Crown Princess, just sit there and spread your legs."

These old nannies, at their age, had very vulgar tastes. Their special status in the palace meant they didn't need to fear the Crown Princess, so they joked back and forth like common market women. Bi Linglong was both ashamed and angry, wishing she could slap them to make them shut up. At the same time, she silently complained about Zuan, who had just told her not to worry. Yet, now that things had come to this, where was he?

As she sat on the bed, the two old nannies bent down and squatted on the floor, moving closer to her. A murderous glint flashed in Bi Linglong's eyes, and she secretly channeled her energy into her palm. At this point, she had no choice but to take a risk.

Just then, the bed board beside her suddenly flipped open, and a dark figure darted out. The two old nannies fell to the ground in response.

"Ah!" Bi Linglong instinctively gasped. She had never expected someone to emerge from under the bed. However, after recognizing that it was Zuan, she immediately covered her mouth. But it was too late. The Empress's puzzled voice came from outside: "What happened?"

"Nothing, just felt a bit of pain just now," Bi Linglong quickly replied.

"Oh~" The Empress harbored no suspicion. Instead, she reprimanded the other two old nannies, "Nanny Du, Nanny Wang, be gentler. Linglong's body is precious and cannot withstand your rough handling."

"Yes, yes, yes~" Zuan said, pinching his voice to respond indistinctly.

Bi Linglong was both surprised and delighted: "Ah Zu, how did you get here?" She then noticed his eyes staring directly at her. Only then did she realize she was only wearing her most intimate undergarments, with large areas of her skin exposed. She quickly grabbed a dress nearby to cover her chest, casting him a reproachful glance: "Haven't you seen enough in the past few days?"

"Like crystal jade, perfectly natural. How could I ever see enough?" Zuan couldn't help but praise. Hearing his heartfelt praise, Bi Linglong was pleased, but her maidenly reserve made her embarrassed to show it, so she just blushed and avoided his gaze.

Zuan then said, "I knew those two nannies were coming to inspect you, so I made an excuse to leave. Then I found a way to circle back. Unfortunately, the Eastern Palace is heavily guarded, so I could only use the secret passage you showed me last time. You don't blame me, do you?"

"Of course not, it's just that..." Bi Linglong's expression became a little unnatural. "But in the future, without my permission, you cannot secretly come into my room from here."

"Don't worry, am I that kind of person?" Zuan said seriously, secretly laughing to himself. *That's how young ladies are; they wholeheartedly agree in their hearts but refuse to admit it verbally.* There's no need to dwell on this. When the time comes, he'll just come directly. Whether she leaves the door open for him will reveal her true decision.

Bi Linglong quickly put on her clothes, then looked at the two nannies lying on the ground. "What do we do now?" These two old nannies were palace veterans, confidantes of the Emperor, and absolutely incorruptible. Did they really have to kill them? But if they killed them, how would they deal with the aftermath?

Zuan smiled. "Don't worry. Trust Ah Zu, and everything will be fine." As he spoke, he summoned Daji. Bi Linglong was assailed by an exotic fragrance and then saw an impossibly beautiful woman in a white dress appear in the room.

Having seen Daji in the secret realm, Bi Linglong wasn't too surprised. However, she couldn't help but take a few extra glances at her. This woman, who seemed indistinguishable from a real person, was she truly just a summoned entity? And being so beautiful, had that lecherous Zuan done anything strange to her on a regular basis?

At this moment, Zuan unbound the two old nannies' acupoints. As they groggily awoke, their eyes immediately met Daji's beautiful, deep gaze, and they quickly became entranced and unable to extricate themselves.