Chapter 1938: Questioned
A cold glint appeared in Bi Linglong's eyes as she snapped, “What are you saying?! Get out!”
Rong Mo sighed and said, “Young miss, we grew up together, so there are many things you can't hide from me.
“At first, I never even thought of something like this, but eventually, I discovered that whenever you met with Sir Zu in private, young miss’ underwear would always disappear for various reasons. That was when I started to pay more attention.
“In the beginning, I even suspected that maybe some maids accidentally ruined your clothes from washing them and were scared of being criticized, so they just secretly hid them instead to cover the matter up. But over time, I discovered that wasn’t the case, and the young miss didn’t give them the clothes you changed out of. Instead, you pretended to have given them to another maid. But I conversed with all of the maids, and I discovered that not a single one of them had received the young miss’ clothes. In the end, it was clear that the young miss exploited the fact that the maids didn’t really share all their information with each other to play such a trick.”
“But why did young miss have to hide your personal clothing? A terrifying suspicion appeared in my mind, but I didn’t dare to believe that it was the truth. After all, I understand young miss’ personality the best. After thinking about it carefully, though, it seemed as if the young miss’ attitude toward Sir Zu had become different ever since you returned from the crown prince’s secret dungeon trial.
“Even though I was shocked, I still carried some belief that it might have just been my own imagination. But after what happened today, I have no choice but to believe it.”
This wasn’t the first time Zu An and Bi Linglong had met in private. When Rong Mo associated that with Bi Linglong’s ‘disappearing’ clothing, it was easy to figure out the truth of the matter.
Rong Mo’s expression was full of worry as she spoke. After all, she had never gotten along with Zu An. She just couldn't understand why the noble crown princess would have such a relationship with that brat. But when she thought about what had happened today in the Meng manor, she also felt relieved. The young miss was the young miss, after all; her insight in judging people really was extraordinary. Perhaps others would have to reassess Zu An’s value after what happened tonight and do their best to express goodwill to him, but how could that compare to the young miss, who had already devoted her body to him before his ‘miracle’?
Bi Linglong silently touched a treasure from beneath her covers and asked with a calm expression, “Who else have you told about this?”
“I haven’t told anyone else,” Rong Mo said, giving her a complicated look before continuing, “Young miss, I know you're already thinking of silencing me. However, I wandered the streets when I was a child. If not for the young miss having saved me, I would have frozen and starved to death on the streets, or I would have been thrown into a brothel and lived a life worse than death. My life belongs to the young miss, so if the young miss wishes to take it back, then please do so.” She closed her eyes and waited for her death after speaking.
Bi Linglong remained silent for a long time. In the end, she lowered the magic weapon in her hand and sighed deeply, saying, “Momo, we grew up together. Even though we are master and servant, we are actually more like sisters. How could I bring myself to kill you?”
Rong Mo hadn’t called her 'crown princess' this time, but rather called her 'young miss'. In the end, the heart was still made of flesh…
“Young miss…” Rong Mo opened her eyes, which were sparkling with tears.
Bi Linglong put on a thin jacket and walked over from the bed, saying, “Momo, this matter is just too important. You can't even tell my father or my older brother.”
“This servant understands,” Rong Mo said as she gave Bi Linglong's enchanting, intoxicatingly pink skin a glance and looked at her wonderful figure. Even as a woman, she had to admit that Bi Linglong was beautiful.
Hmph, that brat Zu An has no idea just how lucky he is to be able to obtain the young miss’ love!
But after recalling the terrifying strength Zu An had displayed in the Meng manor, she felt that it was still the Bi clan that was more fortunate.
After some hesitation, she still summoned the courage to say, “Young miss, that fellow has humiliated you too much! It’s always when the crown prince comes here that he… bullies you. The risks are too great! Even though the crown prince is slow, what if he notices something…”
Bi Linglong’s face turned red. She quickly defended Zu An, saying, “You’ve misunderstood; that wasn’t his request.”
Rong Mo's eyes widened as she said, “Then could it be that it’s the young miss’ fetish…”
Bi Linglong was embarrassed. She gave Rong Mo an annoyed look and replied, “What are you thinking about? Those were just coincidences! How could we know when the crown prince would come over here?”
Rog Mo also had a strange expression. Those situations were indeed quite the coincidence. She wondered if there was some twist of fate at work here.
She thought for a bit and said, “Young miss, I will work together with you in the future, and will definitely stop everyone else. I won’t let them disturb you and Sir Zu’s adult…”
Bi Linglong shot her a look, which made her quickly change her wording, saying, “I won’t let anyone else disturb you two.”
Bi Linglong harrumphed. “Aren’t I still doing just fine even without your help?”
“Then how could I have guessed the truth? There's no lack of intelligent people in the palace, and there are many eyes watching the Eastern Palace. There are surely some people who could find out some things by tracking the clues,” Rong Mo said with a smile. Their conversation had returned to being as carefree as before.
Bi Linglong had to admit that if her personal maid worked with her in various ways, it would become much more convenient. She thought for a bit, then said, “I guess it’s fine. If I ever feel uncomfortable, you can take my place and accompany him.”
Even though the two of them were like sisters, one was a competent and mature politician. She knew that feelings alone were a bit too dangerous, so she could only keep Rong Mo with her on this sinking ship. Only then would she feel at ease.
Rong Mo was stunned, saying, “Young miss, I only said that I would help you… I didn’t say I'd help you with even that!”
Bi Linglong shot her a look, replying, “You're my personal maid; don’t you have to accompany whoever I marry? You grew up in the Bi clan, and yet you don’t even have this level of awareness?”
Rong Mo couldn't help but grumble, “But he isn’t even the crown prince…”
Bi Linglong sneered and said, “In that case, then, you can accompany the crown prince.”
“No way!” Rong Mo cried, immediately shaking her head like a rattle. As someone who had spent so many years in the Eastern Palace, how could she not understand what kind of morality and conduct the crown prince had?
Rather than spending time with that guy, accompanying that Zu guy doesn’t seem completely unbearable…
Bi Linglong said unhappily, “Do you know just how many noble daughters in the capital, how many rich and powerful ladies, wish to get closer to Ah Zu? And yet Ah Zu wouldn’t even give them a single glance. I’m giving you this chance now, and yet you aren’t going to cherish it?”
Rong Mo lowered her head in resignation, saying, “I understand.”
She actually knew that objectively speaking, Zu An was quite the outstanding man. His cultivation was high, and he was handsome. His status was now incredibly distinguished, too. Perhaps it was just because of their conflict when they first met, but she just felt as if doing that with him was a bit strange.
Sigh, if I knew that it would end up like this, I shouldn’t have said so much tonight. Sniff…
…
Meanwhile, Zu An had just left the Eastern Palace and bumped into Eunuch Lu.
Eunuch Lu looked at him with a big smile, saying, “Sir Zu, you seem to be full of smiles, and have a confident and happy appearance. I believe that your interaction with the crown princess must have been a joyous one.”
“It wasn’t just joyous,” Zu An replied. The wonderful experiences he'd just had left a rich aftertaste in his mind.
“Sir Zu, her highness is waiting for you at the Palace of Peace. I ask sir to spare some time for a chat,” Eunuch Lu said. His thoughts were inscrutable, but his breathing became a bit heavier than usual.
Zu An gave him a strange look.
This guy’s cultivation isn’t low, and even if he just fought an intense battle, he wouldn’t be so out of breath, right? Could it be that he ended up like this because he cultivates some strange method and has some kind of unmentionable ailment?
“It’s already a bit late, so I won’t be going over…” Zu An said. After the roleplaying he had just done with Bi Linglong, his mind was full of clarity.
Still, he quickly remembered that Liu Ning had helped him a lot today, so he had to thank her, whether it was out of personal feelings or rationality. Besides, he had gone to the crown princess already. If he didn’t visit her, it could be misconstrued as his having made a certain choice. That would only lead to a series of troubles. Thus, he said, “I guess it’s fine. I’ll head over and pay her highness a visit.”
Eunuch Lu was initially full of disappointment when he heard the first half of what Zu An said. But when he heard the latter half, he beamed widely and said, “Sir Zu, this way, please!”
The two of them arrived at the Palace of Peace. Zu An reflexively walked toward the empress’ palace when Eunuch Lu stopped him, saying, “Sir Zu, this way.”
Zu An was a bit puzzled. Could it be that the empress was still meeting with other important ministers? Normally, that was extremely unlikely. However, what had taken place today at the Meng manor was too important, so it was understandable for her to still be holding a meeting.
He sighed inwardly.
This is for the best. Otherwise, I just left Linglong’s place, so the empress might smell her scent on me.
To his surprise, however, Eunuch Lu didn’t bring him to the discussion hall, but rather continued into a building. Inside, there was a bit of steam in the air. Wisps of faint water vapor lingered amid flowers.
“Her highness is waiting for sir in Aroma Pond. Please go on ahead, sir,” Eunuch Lu said with a big smile.
Her highness really is full of tricks. Sir Zu’s good fortune is truly enviable.
“Aroma Pond?” Zu An repeated in surprise.
After spending so much time in the palace, he naturally knew that this was the outdoor bath that the Imperial Palace had prepared for the wives and princesses. It was heated by geothermal energy, and due to a special formation from the academy, the location was warm in winter and cool in summer. Furthermore, only the most noble and favored few in the palace had the qualifications to enjoy it. The other wives and princesses could only send someone to draw water from the place to bring back and bathe inside a tub back home. That was why people were rarely found here. The empress’ intentions were clear.
After Zu An left Eunuch Lu, he continued inside. He didn’t need anyone to lead the way, because he just had to follow the sound of water and steam.
Soon after, a lovable voice called out, “Are you here~” Liu Ning deliberately dragged out her voice in a childish manner.
Zu An was alarmed. That voice sounded just like a certain female celebrity from ‘Treasure Island’. He made his way around a screen, and what met him was steaming heat. Rose flowers floated on the surface of the pond, and the pond water was a sparkling milky color. Who knew just how much milk had been added to create this precious fragrance?
Still, now that Liu Ning was at the very top of the empire, she indeed had the qualifications to enjoy such a thing.
Zu An raised his head and took a look around. There was blue light swirling faintly outside the pond, created by a partitioning formation that prevented people in the distance from seeing inside. The design of the public bath was very exquisite, and was practically hidden among the clusters of flowers. It was as if one had returned to the fields and mountains.
The whole place was like a beautiful painting. But of course, the most stunning piece of the painting was Liu Ning inside the pond. She was completely immersed in the water, and only her shoulders were exposed. There was only a trace of snow-white skin visible, but the more she teased in such a way, the more enchanting it was. Under the reflection of the water's surface, her skin seemed to be covered in a bewitching glow.
Liu Ning looked at Zu An. There was a conflicted expression on her face as she asked, “Were you the one who killed his majesty?”
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