Chapter 2249: Instability and Opportunity

Zhao Ruizhi stood by the window and looked in the direction of the empress’ personal chambers. “I wonder if it’s because I’m currently attached to this guy’s body and being affected by human aesthetics, but that daughter of yours is quite pretty.”

Bi Qi laughed loudly and said, “Beauty is always connected across the endless realms. It's ugly things that come in all sorts of different appearances. The empress is indeed very pretty, so you can't be blamed for your thoughts.”

Even in the worlds of these monsters, even though they took all sorts of different forms when they fought, they all still thought that the human form was the most beautiful. High-level monsters almost always preferred to appear in human form.

“Fine, I guess I’ll just seek out that beautiful empress then,” As he got up, Zhao Ruizhi felt passion fill him.

Bi Qi frowned slightly. “You'll easily be exposed if you seek her out now.”

“Do you think I would avoid being exposed just by not looking for her?” Zhao Ruizhi retorted with a cold snort. “That woman seems to have given up on paying her respects to me too. Even though this emperor is just a puppet, she still used to fulfill those duties properly. But now, she probably already suspects me.”

“She might not suspect you. I don’t think you’ve revealed any mistakes in your behavior as of late.” Bi Qi was a bit confused.

“Judging from the information we have, she seems to be quite smart. She might have sensed that something was off when we swapped out the people around us. No, I must make a trip to see her right now and completely turn her into one of us, or else I just won't feel at ease,” Zhao Ruizhi said as he got up anxiously.

“But according to the rumors, the empress seems to be rather close to the regent. Will we end up exposing ourselves through that?” Bi Qi wondered worriedly.

“Isn’t that even better? If we act right when she and Zu An are in their most intimate moment, we might really be able to kill that bastard.” Zhao Ruizhi sounded a bit excited.

“But I still feel that this is a bit of a risk.” Bi Qi still wanted to advise against the idea. He just felt that this guy was acting purely out of lust, and looking for reasons to rationalize his behavior.

“Don’t worry. That idiot King Wu went to raid the Jiang clan and ran into the regent, which means he’s probably dead. Zhao Quan and Zhao Zhang are both from the royal family, and King Yi apparently brought their men over too. Either Zu An has to submit, or he has to unleash a great slaughter. Regardless of the situation, he won’t be able to remain in the capital for some time. He naturally won’t realize what's happening to the empress.”

Bi Qi couldn't help but smile. “That’s right. These humans really are stupid. Even though they already know that we're invading their world, they’re still busy scrambling for power and profit among themselves. They all feel that they’re the smartest and that they can deal with us once they get rid of everyone else, and yet they have no idea that they're nothing more than chess pieces to us.”

“Let’s go. Follow me to the empress’ side to take a look. She seems to have increased the security around her palace. With you speaking up as her father, it’ll be easier for me to get closer to her,” Zhao Ruizhi said.

“Fine!” After weighing the pros and cons, even though Bi Qi felt that there was some risk, the potential benefits also seemed to be quite large. If they made the empress one of their own, no matter what they did, they wouldn’t have to worry as much anymore.

Soon after, they left for the empress’ personal palace with some servants in tow.

…

Meanwhile, in the Palace of Peace, Rong Mo was combing Bi Linglong’s hair. “Your highness’ hair is like satin; it’s so beautiful and enviable.”

She continued to chatter endlessly for a long time, but she saw that Bi Linglong didn’t reply at all and was staring a bit blankly. She asked, “Your highness, why do I feel as if you've been brooding a great deal?”

After some hesitation, Bi Linglong couldn't help but ask, “Momo, don’t you feel as if his majesty has become a bit strange recently?”

“Weird? Not at all. He still looks as stupid as he always does.” Rong Mo didn’t really understand what she was trying to say. “Why is your highness asking about this? Shouldn’t you be more concerned about the regent?”

Bi Linglong’s face reddened. “Lass, you’re getting more and more out of control these days. You even dare to make fun of me now!”

“It’s not just me! Who knows how many people in the entire capital are privately discussing your involvement with the regent. They’re completely blowing it out of proportion, saying that you already knew each other a long, long time ago, but because of your special identity, you had no choice but to marry the current emperor as your clan decided, marrying that stupid… Later, the regent suffered the painful loss of separating from you and was strongly determined to become great himself, and that was how he gradually reached his current power and status. That way, he could share his destiny with you.”

Bi Linglong was stunned. “Who came up with all of this?” She had to admit that even she was a bit fascinated by this story. Just how great would it be if Ah Zu had really come to the capital because of her?

“I don’t know, but that’s what everyone is saying. Oh, there are also a few other versions that are even more ridiculous. Does your highness want to hear about them?” Rong Mo had a big smile.

Bi Linglong was a bit tempted, but she quickly collected her thoughts. “Forget it, we have more important things to worry about. Did you find the person I had you look for?”

“Yeah, they should be here pretty soon.” Rong Mo glanced outside.

Soon after, people from the palace sent a message about a maid wishing for a meeting. Bi Linglong and Rong Mo exchanged a look. Rong Mo knew what she was implying and quickly escorted the maid in.

Compared to the delicate and petite Rong Mo, this maid had a tall but slender figure. Her long legs were especially eye-catching.

“Embroidered Envoy Zhang Zitong greets your highness the empress!” When the others withdrew, the maid bowed respectfully to Bi Linglong.

“At ease.” Bi Linglong carefully examined this maid in front of her.

This really is quite the beauty. Those legs are so long, I wonder if they’ve tempted Ah Zu at all.

Zhang Zitong relaxed her posture a bit. She was curious why the empress had summoned her here, and had even ordered her to dress up like this.

“Can I trust you?” Bi Linglong suddenly asked.

“This subject is faithful and true to your highness. I will immediately do my utmost to complete any orders you have for me.” Zhang Zitong was confused, but she immediately gave the most proper reply.

“I don’t want to hear these prescribed words.” Bi Linglong shook her head. After thinking for a bit, she said, “Let me ask in a different way. If the orders of his majesty and the Chief Commander clashed, who would you listen to?”

Zhang Zitong was shocked.

This is a question that could get me killed!

In a normal situation, if the empress asked this kind of question, she would naturally have to reply in support of his majesty. But for some reason, when she remembered that man’s tall figure, she didn't want to lie. “I would listen to the Chief Commander’s arrangements. The Chief Commander is also loyal to his majesty.”

Bi Linglong couldn't help but smile. “Look at this woman getting all clever. But I’ve already received the reply I wanted to hear.”

Zhang Zitong was a bit nervous. She didn’t know what Bi Linglong was implying.

Bi Linglong put away her smile and arrived at her side. She said through voice transmission, “The reason I sought you out is because it isn’t hard to summon a woman like you. It’s much harder to have someone like Xiao Jianren come here. Contact Xiao Jianren and find some trustworthy envoys to secretly monitor his majesty.”

“Monitor… his majesty?” Zhang Zitong was horrified. In that instant, she thought of countless possibilities.

Bi Linglong gave her a cold look. “Don’t tell me that the changes that have taken place in the palace are completely unknown to the Embroidered Envoy? If that were the case, this empress would truly be disappointed in your ability.”

“It does seem a bit strange. His majesty has changed out many people recently.” Zhang Zitong also became serious.

“I suspect that his majesty might no longer be his majesty,” Bi Linglong said calmly.

Zhang Zitong felt as if thunder had struck by her ears. “What?!”

“I don’t have any proof, and it is just a suspicion, so I need you to help me investigate. You must be careful, and do not trust anything the other side tells you,” Bi Linglong warned gravely.

“Okay.” Zhang Zitong finally understood why the empress had summoned her in such a secretive manner.

Then, Bi Linglong discussed a few more details with Zhang Zitong.

…

Elsewhere in the palace, a maid with a stunning figure moved rapidly. She was always able to just barely avoid any patrolling soldiers. She darted around the Imperial Palace as if she knew it like the back of her hand.

If Zheng Dan and Sang Qien were here, they would have both been incredibly shocked, because this woman was actually the missing empress!

While Liu Ning was avoiding the guards, she shot the Palace of Peace a look full of hatred. It was because of that woman and the Bi clan behind her that the Liu clan had been left completely ruined.

She was going to repay this debt of blood today!