Chapter 2658: Two Kings and Three Respects

Bi Linglong had been at her limit. She'd been planning to do a quick customary check before returning to rest, lest she make a fool of herself.

But as time passed, she felt a warm surge of energy rising from her abdomen before diffusing into her limbs and marrows. Incredibly pure natural ki nourished all her meridians, causing her cells to buzz to life. Her exhaustion faded, and she even felt as if her cultivation had advanced a level. She was initially startled, but she soon realized what had happened and blushed.

Ah Zu, as the world’s master, was worthy of being called a god. The things he had in his body were probably more effective than the treasures and spirit springs that cultivators fought over.

She bit her lips.

Now that there’s such a function to him too, those vixens will be sticking to him all day long.

That made her jealous.

This was the first time the soldiers, who were used to Bi Linglong’s regal air, saw her coy side. Her peachy skin and her vibrant plum blossom mark complemented each other, causing many to stare at her in a daze. Even Zhang Zitong, who had been jealous the entire night, had to concede that Bi Linglong was truly beautiful. Even a woman would be mesmerized by her, let alone that philandering regent.

“Commander Zhang, have you found Concubine Bai’s son?” Bi Linglong suddenly asked while walking on the street.

“Yes. We ambushed one of the Shadow Group’s hideouts in accordance with the regent’s intelligence. The place was heavily guarded by the Shadow Group’s assassins, but the regent provided us with their defense layout. We would be unworthy of being your imperial guards if we still failed at that mission.”

Bi Linglong gestured for others to distance themselves with a wave of her hand. She looked intently at Zhang Zitong before saying, “Commander Zhang, you mentioned the regent several times in your report. I can sense your deep admiration for him. Are you fond of the regent?”

Zhang Zitong’s heart thumped furiously.

Oh no, is the empress jealous? Is she going to eliminate potential rivals now?

It was normal for consorts and concubines to scheme against each other and even poison imperial offspring.

Zhang Zitong reacted fast and replied, “You have misunderstood, Your Majesty. I merely respect the regent a lot.”

“Are you certain you aren’t fond of him?” Bi Linglong assessed Zhang Zitong with an unreadable smile. “I’ll tell the regent to assign you to another post and bestow you with a marriage.”

“No!” Zhang Zitong exclaimed.

Looking at Bi Linglong’s playful gaze, she hesitantly added, “Which woman wouldn’t be fond of an unparalleled hero like the regent?”

Bi Linglong was moved by those words too. “Indeed, which woman wouldn’t be fond of him?”

𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Not only does Ah Zu stand at the peak of power, he is also the strongest man in the world. Most important of all, he’s so suave!

It was not just once or twice she had seen the maids secretly discussing the regent with glowing eyes. Zu An already had enough lovers; the thought of having to deal with more women who approached him with ulterior motives gave her a headache.

“Commander Zhang, I’ll assign you a mission. Make sure to protect the regent well. Don’t let women with ulterior motives get close to him.”

Zhang Zitong was momentarily stunned before her face lit up in delight. “Yes, Your Majesty!”

At the same time, she was perplexed why the empress wasn’t worried about her.

The empress must have entrusted me with this mission because she sees me as one of her own. Maybe she has acknowledged that I’d eventually become one of the regent’s women.

The thought of that made her excited.

Just then, Zu An’s deep, magnetic voice echoed, “Come here, Zitong.”

Zhang Zitong jolted in shock. She looked around her, but Zu An was nowhere to be found.

Am I having auditory hallucinations because I’m missing him too much?

“What are you thinking? Come to the city lord manor right now!” Zu An huffed.

It was only then Zhang Zitong realized that Zu An was talking to her remotely. That awed her.

The regent is truly powerful.

Noticing her astonishment, Bi Linglong asked, “What’s wrong?”

Zhang Zitong replied, “The regent has summoned me over. He probably has something to ask me.”

“It’s likely regarding Concubine Bai. I’ll head there with you.” Bi Linglong was concerned about this matter too.

Zhang Zitong couldn’t turn her down, so the two of them went to meet Zu An together.

Looking at the empress’ silhouette, Zhang Zitong chuckled under her breath.

This must be a one-of-a-kind situation in history—the empress paying a visit to the regent, though I doubt anyone sees a problem in that after the previous capital upheaval and the recent battle at the Phoenix Pass.

They arrived at the city lord manor, where they saw Concubine Bai seated in the main hall, anxiously waiting for them. When she saw the two of them, she hurriedly stood up and greeted, “Paying respects to Your Majesty.” She nervously looked at Zhang Zitong, her fingers clutching tightly onto her skirt.

“You may dispense with the formalities.” Bi Linglong supported Concubine Bai upright. She happened to meet Zu An’s gaze, which instantly reminded her about what had happened last night, prompting her to avert her gaze.

I wonder where Zheng Dan is...

Zu An also remembered the passionate night they'd shared, and his heart tingled. He quickly reined himself in with a cough before asking, “Zitong, how was the mission last night?”

Zhang Zitong had to hold herself back from rolling her eyes.

I was going to report this matter last night, but you were busy messing around in your room.

Even so,

she couldn’t say those words aloud. Instead, she reported what she had just told Bi Linglong in detail.

When she learned her son was safe and sound, Concubine Bai breathed a sigh of relief.

“Take Concubine Bai to meet her child later,” Zu An instructed. “I’ll also entrust you with the concoction of their antidotes. You can go to the Embroidered Envoys and the academies.”

“Thank you, regent!” Concubine Bai was grateful.

“Since Linglong is here too, shall we discuss how we should settle them?” Zu An proposed.

“I am a sinner, so I don’t dare to hope for much. All I ask for is a small courtyard in the capital,” Concubine Bai meekly said.

Bi Linglong’s wariness soared.

She wants a courtyard in the capital? That’s as good as telling Zu An to visit her whenever he can! I’d be a fool to give them a house so they could have a tryst with each other.

So, she replied with a smile, “Sister, I can’t wrong you two. You both have special standing. There are similar precedents in history. For instance, there was a system of ‘two kings and three respects’ in the ancient era. Each dynasty conferred the royalties of the previous two dynasties as nobles and granted them fiefs. Given your stature, you can pick any province of your liking, and I’ll confer it to you.”

It had become paramount to change the dynasty. After consecutive rebellions, Zu An knew better than to give the Zhao clan another chance. His kindness would only bring more conflicts to the world. After just having quelled the Zhao clan’s rebellion, his prestige was at an all-time high; few would dare to oppose him at this juncture. He was determined to clean things up for Bi Linglong before leaving this world.

Concubine Bai’s son was the successor of the previous dynasty. His young age and relationship with Concubine Bai made it easier to deal with him than the others from the Zhao clan. Bi Linglong’s proposal was thorough, having considered different aspects of the issue. Her wealth of experience in governance showed in her decision-making.