"No!" Rong Mo immediately shook her head like a rattle drum. After so many years in the Eastern Palace, didn't she know what kind of person the Crown Prince was?

Compared to accompanying that guy, accompanying that Zu fellow isn't entirely unacceptable...

Bi Linglong was somewhat displeased: "Do you know how many young ladies and wealthy women in the capital want to get close to Azu, but Azu won't even give them a second glance? You're giving me this opportunity and you're not even cherishing it?"

Rong Mo lowered her head, looking aggrieved: "I understand."

In fact, she knew very well that, to be fair, Zu An was indeed an exceptionally outstanding man. He had such high cultivation, was handsome, and now his status had become extremely noble.

But perhaps because of the conflict that occurred when they first met, she always felt that being with him in that way was a bit strange.

Ugh, I shouldn't have said anything tonight, sob sob...

...

As Zu'an came out of the East Palace, he happened to run into Eunuch Lü.

Eunuch Lü looked at him with a smile: "Lord Zu is all smiles and looks very pleased with himself. He must have had a very pleasant conversation with the Crown Princess just now."

"It was truly enjoyable." The scene from just now flashed through Zuan's mind, and he found it unforgettable.

"Lord Zu, Her Majesty the Empress is waiting for you in Kunning Palace. Please come in for a chat." As Eunuch Lü spoke, his breathing became heavier than usual, as if he were thinking of something.

Zu An gave him a strange look. This guy's cultivation was not weak. Logically speaking, even in a fierce battle, his aura should not be disordered. Could it be that there was a hidden danger in the cultivation technique he practiced, leaving some kind of hidden injury?

"It's getting late, so I won't go..." After playing a whole role-playing game with Bi Linglong, I've become a bit more rational.

However, he immediately thought that Liu Ning had helped him a lot today, and he should thank her in person, both morally and logically. Moreover, he had come to the Crown Princess's place, and if he didn't go to her, it would be misunderstood that he had made a choice, which would cause a series of troubles.

"Very well, I'll go and see Her Majesty the Empress."

When Eunuch Lü heard the first half of the sentence, his face showed obvious disappointment, but when he heard the second half, his face immediately lit up with a smile: "Lord Zu, this way please."

Soon the two arrived at Kunning Palace. Zu An subconsciously walked towards the Empress's bedroom, but Eunuch Lü stopped him: "Lord Zu, this way please."

Zuan was a little puzzled, wondering if the Empress was still summoning other ministers so late at night?

It would be impossible on ordinary days, but the matter concerning the Meng family today is indeed of great importance, so summoning them overnight makes sense.

He secretly breathed a sigh of relief. This was just right, so that the Empress wouldn't smell the lingering fragrance of Linglong on him after he had just come from her place.

Surprisingly, Eunuch Lü did not take him to the council hall, but continued walking towards the back.

A faint warmth emanated from the air, and wisps of mist lingered among the flowers.

"Her Majesty is waiting for you at Ningxiang Pool. Please come in, Your Majesty," said Eunuch Lü with a smile, thinking to himself that His Majesty was truly full of tricks and that Lord Zu was so fortunate that he was the envy of everyone.

"Fragrant Pool?" Zu An's heart skipped a beat. Having spent many years in the palace, he naturally knew that this was an outdoor bath specially built for the imperial concubines and princesses, drawing on the earth's fire energy. Combined with the academy's special formation, it was always warm in winter and cool in summer.

Moreover, only the most honorable and favored women in the palace were entitled to enjoy this privilege. Other concubines and princesses could only send people to fetch water from inside and pour it into the bathtub for bathing.

It's unthinkable for empresses and ministers to meet in such a place; the empress's intentions are self-evident.

After parting ways with Lü Gonggong, Zu'an headed inwards without needing anyone to lead the way; he simply followed the sound of water and the rising steam.

Not long after, a charming, unexpected voice came from inside: "You're here~"

The drawn-out ending of the syllable inexplicably carries a coquettish quality.

Zuan was momentarily dazed; the voice and tone sounded like a Taiwanese actress from his past life.

Turning past a screen, all that came into view was steaming heat, with rose petals floating on the rippling pool. The pool water was almost a crystal-clear milky white, and one wondered how much milk and expensive aromatherapy had been used.

However, Liu Ning, as the empress of a nation, is indeed entitled to enjoy all of this.

Zuan looked up and saw faint blue light flowing around the outer edge of the bath. These were some barrier formations, preventing people from afar from seeing what was inside.

The entire bath is cleverly designed, almost hidden among the flowers, as if returning to the natural wilderness.

Everything that meets the eye is like a beautiful painting, but the most striking and eye-catching element of the whole painting is the willow tree in the pond.

She was completely submerged in the water, with only her shoulders and above exposed. A patch of snow-white skin was faintly visible on her chest, but the more she was like this, the more alluring she became. Under the reflection of the water, her skin seemed to be shrouded in a hazy glow.

Liu Ning looked at Zu An, her expression somewhat puzzled: "Did you kill the Emperor?"