The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 1148 - 622: Shopping with the Empress Again (Part 2)

Chapter 1148: Chapter 622: Shopping with the Empress Again (Part 2)

Ah?!

At this moment, the Empress was also taken aback, her gaze peculiar, "Just like...that time in Baihua Village?"

"Yes!"

"..." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Inside the swaying carriage, the sovereign and their minister exchanged glances, both perceiving the incredulity in each other’s eyes.

Is there really such a coincidence in the world?

The last time, when the sovereign and minister faced hardship in Baihua Village, Zhao Douan unexpectedly discovered Master Gu Huo’s first treasure vault.

This time, as the sovereign and their minister once again traveled the martial world, they unexpectedly encountered the second one...

Even a fictional novel wouldn’t dare write like this, truly truth is stranger than fiction...

"Your Majesty."

"Yes?"

"You truly are my lucky star!" Zhao Douan earnestly declared, his eyes shining.

The final battle with Prince Jing wasn’t far, and now Master Gu Huo delivered assistance once again, it was simply perfect...

However, upon closer thought, this wasn’t entirely a coincidence, because Kuangfu Society was originally rooted in the Marine Road, and Yutou Mountain is a famous mountain with favorable feng shui, picking this location also seemed quite reasonable.

"Find an opportunity to take a look." The Empress’s eyes sparkled too, quite interested in treasure hunting.

After all, with her as the Heavenly Human present, any traps need not be feared.

With the thought arisen, at this moment, the sovereign and minister no longer had the mood for sightseeing, their minds entirely focused on finding the opportunity to retrieve the treasure.

What is meant by the second blossom? This is it.

Meanwhile, the entire carriage convoy had already traveled past the bustling marketplace district, the sovereign and minister oblivious to the corner of a noisy street far away.

A figure with a straw hat, obscuring most of the face, donned in plain robes, carrying a long rod wrapped in cloth diagonally across the back, quietly watched the convoy depart.

The sunlight cast a distorted shadow on Tian Hai as he stood there.

Slowly raising his head, beneath the brim were pitch-black eyes.

"Zhao Douan..."

Tian Hai softly murmured.

Having set out from the Huai River, lacking an intelligence network, he couldn’t find the precise whereabouts of Prince Jing, but learned of Zhao Douan’s majestic eastward campaign.

Thus, he decided to arrive at Daluo Island ahead of them.

"Zhao Douan has arrived, so Prince Jing Xu Wen can’t be far, I just need to wait a bit longer, wait a bit longer..."

Tian Hai whispered to himself, while the nearby shopkeeper scolded him annoyedly, "Are you buying or not? If not, don’t block my customers!"

Baihua Village’s lone survivor broke his composure for a moment, the young monk hastily uttered "oh oh," proclaimed "Amitabha," then lowered his hat brim and swiftly disappeared into the depths of the alley.

...

...

The residence arranged for Zhao Douan and his party by Guo Zhun was quite grand.

A large area of classical architecture with white walls and black tiles, pleasing for anyone to behold.

After Zhao Douan settled down in the house, the servants arranged by Guo Zhun immediately brought exquisite food, and even arranged songs and dances for reception, but Zhao Douan firmly refused them.

In the courtyard, after eating and drinking his fill, Zhao Douan sent everyone away and waited for the hurriedly arriving Song Jinxi.

"Sir!"

Song Jinxi, dressed inconspicuously as a servant, carefully and respectfully saluted.

Standing by the pond, Zhao Douan held a blue and white porcelain fish food jar, as he scattered fish food into the pond, he calmly asked, "How did it go?"

Song Jinxi had set out ahead of him, secretly arriving at Daluo Island days earlier, accompanied by a group of Shadow Guards.

"Reporting, sir, the information you instructed us to investigate has results. Prince Jing’s entourage first went to Qingshan, seemingly gaining the assistance of quite a few martial artists there. Now they have returned east, considering the time, they are not far from Daluo Island. As for Prince Chen, he arrived on Daluo Island several days ago and is currently on the island; his naval fleet is on the northern river. However, since arriving, Prince Chen has done nothing, hasn’t met anyone, and simply stayed in the residence." Song Jinxi reported.

Zhao Douan asked with curiosity, "Did he meet with Prince Jing?"

Song Jinxi said, "No. At least our intelligence network has not discovered that the two have met, although their correspondence has not ceased."

"Hmm," Zhao Douan nodded, unsurprised. In his view, if Prince Huaian was an active fence-sitter, then Prince Chen was passively uncertain.

"What about Princess Chen?" he suddenly asked.

Song Jinxi replied, "Princess Chen lives with Prince Chen and seldom goes out."

Zhao Douan thought for a moment and said, "I made a grand entrance onto the island today, and no response from Prince Chen’s Mansion?"

"None." Song Jinxi shook his head.

"Hmph," Zhao Douan heavily placed the blue-and-white porcelain fish food jar on the artificial mountain rock beside him and said with his hands behind his back, "Yet another one who doesn’t understand."

Song Jinxi’s eyes shifted: "Sir, should we just break in..."

Zhao Douan pondered for a moment but shook his head, saying, "No rush, we just arrived and are exhausted from the journey. If Prince Chen does not show himself, just leave him be. Continue your surveillance. Haha, it’s not us who should be anxious now, but them."

"Yes." Song Jinxi’s figure shifted, turning into a shadow that quickly disappeared.

After he vanished.

Xu Zhenguan came out of the room and lightly said, "It seems Prince Chen does not wish to meet either you or Xu Wenzhong."

Zhao Douan watched the fish in the pond fiercely fighting, his gaze falling on a small goldfish excluded from the group due to its smaller size, thus avoiding the bloody battle, and said, "To benefit from both sides, one needs to weigh their capabilities and intelligence."

He then turned with a smile, "Your Majesty, regardless of this, would you like me to accompany you for a walk in the marketplace?"

...

A walk in the marketplace!

Guo Zhun hadn’t expected this, nor had Jin Jian and the others, given the obviously crucial situation, with countless eyes watching both overtly and covertly.

Zhao Douan had actually slipped out with that mysteriously-originated female Tributor to wander around.

The center of Daluo Island was indeed prosperous. Cultivated over hundreds of years, a large commercial street had been developed right on the island.

In modern terms, it would undoubtedly be a CBD.

It was still early, Zhao Douan casually bought a gray wolf mask and wore it on his head, brazenly entering the most bustling streets on the island with the Empress.

There was a certain air of collusion...

Whether the people here were unaware of the impending turmoil outside, or lacked perception of the war, their reaction was sluggish. The locals still wore everyday expressions and numerous tourists wandered around, it was unexpectedly lively.

"When was the last time we walked like this?" Zhao Douan asked while moving through the crowd, glancing sideways at the Empress. He vaguely remembered the last time was when he first joined Xiuwen Pavilion, suggesting a new policy. After the Empress emerged from seclusion, they wandered similarly through the night market of the Capital.

As he reminisced, the two drew closer amid the crowd, and Zhao Douan suddenly reached out and grabbed the Empress’s soft and smooth little hand.

Xu Zhenguan hesitated for a moment, the white fox mask glancing at him with gentle eyes, allowing him to hold her hand like a lone boat amidst the dense throng.

However, amorous moments are always brief. As they reluctantly left the most crowded area, they mutually released their hands and maintained a certain distance—necessary in the public gaze to prevent anyone from guessing the true identity of the "female Tributor."

But the dazzling array of goods in the shops lining the streets failed to capture their interest. Besides, their real purpose was not sightseeing but taking the opportunity to open a treasure chest at Yutou Mountain.

Nevertheless, there was no rush.

Having come out to relax, they intended to cherish the moment.

Suddenly, the Emperor and Zhao Douan were drawn to a chess society ahead, surrounded by many people. Upon entering, they found gambling on chess matches.

"Honored guests, please take a seat." The sharp-eyed attendant noticed their noble demeanor and hastily led them to a seat.

Zhao Douan glanced around. In the chess hall, two players were locked in a match amidst a crowd placing bets on the victor.

It was akin to a refined "boxing ring."

In the elegant seating area, many guests sipped tea and munched on pastries while playing chess.

The Empress was somewhat intrigued by this scene and observed it for a moment before softly asking, "What do you think of their skills?"

Zhao Douan shot a dismissive glance at the two battling players and curled his lip, "Just..."

Suddenly, he paused, and both he and the Empress looked towards the entrance.

There at the chess society’s door, a luxurious carriage had stopped unnoticed. A servant pushed through the crowd, and the curtain was drawn back: a noblewoman dressed in opulent attire, her face veiled, holding a raccoon pet, gracefully entered.

She surveyed the room before heading straight for Zhao Douan and the Empress.

"May I sit here?" Princess Chen asked, her eyes curving into crescent moons, smiling.