Chapter 2251: Cards Revealed

“If the others find out that I helped the government, they might laugh their heads off...

“But if I don’t help, then will that guy end up blaming me in the future?

“Forget it, let’s watch the situation for now.”

The beautiful figure in the shadows muttered to herself before quickly disappearing.

…

Meanwhile, in the Palace of Peace, Zhao Ruizhi left his subordinates outside and entered accompanied only by Bi Qi.

Officer Li Guanshi, who was watching from one side with a cold gazee, couldn't help but frown. “Your majesty, how about I bring some people with me and go in with you?”

He secretly looked down on Zhao Si, but he didn’t dare to show any carelessness when it came to the emperor’s safety. In the past, he wouldn’t have needed to enter at all, but after the political shift that happened recently, the relationship between the emperor and empress had become extremely tense. The rumors involving the empress and regent had also caused a huge disturbance. If something ended up happening to the emperor inside, Li Guanshi knew that he'd likely be the first one to be held responsible and punished.

“Why would I need you to come with me when I’m seeing my own wife? If you go in, everyone else will want to go in too. We’re not holding some temple fair here.” Zhao Ruizhi waved his hand and refused in annoyance.

Bi Qi also said, “Don’t worry, I’ll be going in with his majesty.”

Li Guanshi briefly wondered to himself whether his majesty would be able to do anything if the father and daughter worked together. But his majesty seemed to really favor Sir Bi, and the two seemed to frequently meet in private. It seemed unlikely that Bi Qi would have any untoward motives against the emperor.

However, while he was hesitating, Zhao Ruizhi had already entered the Palace of Peace with Bi Qi. Li Guanshi could only remain outside and monitor the Armed Escort Division and the empress’ guards.

Wang Bolin, Zhang Zijiang, Pu Duandiao and Jiao Sigun were full of worry, but with their status, there was no way they could enter. They could only stay here to hold off the emperor’s guards and hope that the empress could deal with the emperor by herself.

But Sir Bi is there as well, so the empress shouldn’t be in too unfavorable of a situation.

The two sides thus reached a tacit equilibrium.

Just as Zhao Ruizhi and Bi Qi arrived outside the palace, Bi Linglong bowed to them from the entrance and said, “This empress isn’t feeling too well, so I hope that your majesty will excuse me for not coming out to meet you.”

“Not at all, not at all.” Zhao Ruizhi looked at the delicate and beautiful flower makeup on her forehead that made her skin look even fairer. He walked over with a big smile to help her up.

“Father, why are you here?” Bi Linglong stood up on her own and turned around to face Bi Qi, avoiding Zhao Ruizhi without being too obvious about it.

Bi Qi chuckled. “I came to see you, of course.”

He noticed that Zhang Zitong and Rong Mo were both present. He indicated for both of them to leave.

Zhao Ruizhi’s eyes couldn't help but light up.

This maid is so pretty, and those legs really are long and completely different from those of normal women.

“It’s fine. Letting them stay isn’t a big deal.”

Zhang Zitong was dismayed inwardly. The way Zhao Ruizhi looked at her made her feel really uncomfortable.

Bi Linglong said indifferently, “You two should stand watch for me outside.”

Even though she had them leave, they wouldn't be too far away, and could still come in to help her if something did go wrong.

Zhang Zitong understood the order without being told explicitly. After she and Rong Mo left the room, she didn’t go any further.

…

When she saw that it was now just the three in the room, Liu Ning was really happy.

That stupid emperor’s cultivation is negligible, and the father and daughter are both here. It seems that the heavens have taken pity and granted me this great opportunity for revenge!

The closer she was to success, the calmer she got. There were many guards outside; if she failed to kill them in a single strike, not only would she fail her revenge, she would also die here. She planned to wait until Bi Qi was a bit closer to her before making her move, as he was the one with the highest cultivation. As long as she got rid of him, Bi Linglong wouldn’t be a problem.

“There are no outsiders here now. Can you two tell me about your true purpose for coming here?” Bi Linglong continued to maintain a certain distance from Zhao Ruizhi.

“I miss my wife. What other purpose would I have in coming here?” Zhao Ruizhi replied while giggling.

Bi Qi also chimed in, “Exactly. Linglong, you and the emperor are husband and wifen after all. Aren’t the two of you acting a bit too unfamiliar? Furthermore, the rumors involving you and that Zu An have been the talk of the town…”

Bi Linglong retorted with a cold snort, “Isn’t that because of the nonsense he said during the court session?!”

Zhao Ruizhi chuckled a few times in a foolish manner. “That was just because I care too much about you, you know?”

Bi Qi said just then, “If the two of you continue to remain so aloof, this matter might never be settled.”

“What is father proposing?” Bi Linglong frowned slightly.

“You and his majesty should be a bit more intimate, and show that side in all kinds of public gatherings. That way, the rumors will be easily discredited,” Bi Qi said with a chuckle.

Inside the wardrobe, Liu Ning frowned deeply.

Has Bi Qi gone mad?

He clearly knows about his daughter and Zu An’s intimate relationship, and yet he wants his daughter to grow closer to Zhao Ruizhi?

Everyone knew that Zhao Ruizhi was a stupid emperor. Now that Zhao Han had already died and the powerful cultivators in the royal family had also died or were killed off, the Zhao clan was already seriously lacking talents.

Meanwhile, Zu An had the academy behind him, as well as the Qin clan, Yu clan, and other friendly clans who seemed stronger than others. Furthermore, Zu An’s current strength and prestige alone was enough to make him a greater asset to invest in than Zhao Ruizhi.

Bi Linglong also frowned, but her brows quickly eased up. “What father says carries some reason. His majesty and I will publicly attend some events together to get rid of everyone’s misgivings.”

This two-faced woman!

Liu Ning and Bi Linglong had fought openly and covertly for many years, so Liu Ning fully understood the latter's personality. Linglong's manner and tone of speaking sounded sincere, but what she was thinking was entirely different.

But why does she have to use such schemes even in front of her own father?

Bi Qi asked happily, “Why wait a few days? How about we just do it today? There just happen to be a lot of people outside, so you can go out together and show them some intimacy.”

Bi Linglong lowered her head. “I feel unwell today, so let’s change it to another day.”

“I wonder what part of your body is unwell? I happen to know a bit of medicine and can take a look for you.” Bi Qi had a bit of impatience on his face.

Just then, Bi Linglong suddenly raised her head. “Ever since I was designated as the crown princess, I was always raised in an isolated courtyard with only women inside. No male servants were ever allowed near me. Your respected self strictly taught me that as a woman of the royal family, I had to have the awareness of a mother of the world, that it was of utmost importance to distinguish the boundaries between men and women. Not even my father or my own brothers could come too close to me. And yet, you came here to check my illness?”

Her expression grew cold. “You are not my father. Who are you?!”

Liu Ning was shocked. What was going on right now?!

Bi Qi was a bit startled, but Zhao Ruizhi seemed to be really scared. He immediately left Bi Qi's side and exclaimed, “Who are you? Linglong, hurry and protect me!”

But before he even got close to her, Bi Linglong already evaded to one side. She ended up right next to the wardrobe. Liu Ning could take her life with a mere turn of her hand, but she didn’t do anything. She decided to keep watching for now.

“Linglong, what are you doing?” Zhao Ruizhi sounded a bit wronged.

Bi Linglong didn’t reply; instead, she shouted, “Servants!”

But Rong Mo and Zhang Zitong didn’t come in even after she shouted several times. Bi Linglong’s expression changed drastically.

Bi Qi said seriously, “Give up. I have isolated the entire room. No matter what happens inside, no one outside will be able to hear a thing.”

Zhao Ruizhi also said to him with a smile, “You were worried that I would expose myself, but it was still you who exposed yourself first.”

“You two are alien monsters?” Bi Linglong asked, intending to stall for time while quickly trying to think of a way to escape.

Inside the wardrobe, Liu Ning’s expression changed several times.

Thank goodness I brought a magic artifact that conceals my aura, since I came here to assassinate her. Otherwise, these two would probably have already noticed me.

“Sometimes, it isn’t a good thing for a woman to be too smart,” Bi Qi said sinisterly.

“Where is my father?” Bi Linglong quickly asked. As for Zhao Ruizhi’s death, she couldn't care less.

“Your father? Am I not your father right now?” Bi Qi raised his hand. “This is your father’s body! It can actually be just barely considered strong.”

Bi Linglong’s eyes turned red. She knew that her father was most likely already dead. “So was the eradication of the Liu clan actually your plan?”

“That was actually your father’s wish. What we did amounted to nothing more than fanning the flames a bit.” Bi Qi sneered. “Unfortunately, he thought that he was the hunter, and yet he had no idea that everything was within our grasp. All he did amounted to preparing wedding clothes for the celebration of another.”