The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 226 - 201, Nine Visits to the Imperial Palace, Observing Newcomers at the Imperial Faction’s Minor Court Meeting

After a long while.

Under the watchful eyes of the Li family’s servants at Cloud Water Tower’s first floor, Zhao Douan, who had stayed upstairs for quite some time, stepped out.

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"Master is coming out!"

Outside, the people waiting next to the carriage, including Qian Kerou, perked up and hurriedly stood to greet him, "Master..."

"Get in the carriage," Zhao Douan waved his hand and stepped into the carriage.

Then, he finally let out a long sigh, and his tense muscles relaxed.

He felt almost delirious.

Although he had only negotiated with Li Yanfu for a while, the mental exertion seemed even more overwhelming than a physical fight.

Inside the building, from an external viewpoint, it appeared as though he was in control, even aggressively coercing at one point, ultimately forcing the other party to nod in agreement.

But in reality, Zhao Douan was far from feeling relaxed.

Some people’s presence and subtle aura of authority can only be felt from up close.

Such experiences, however, are hard to describe in words.

Even in the end, although Li Yanfu conceded and agreed to his demands,

Zhao Douan didn’t feel much excitement.

He even had a vague sense…

that the other party might have been prepared to compromise from the beginning, and the previous posturing was merely...

"acting" out for his benefit.

"It must be my overthinking, after all, it’s just an old goat, not a ’wolf’ like those princes led by Prince Jing."

"Of course, I cannot be too careless, who knows if this old figure is pretending to be weak on purpose, could someone who has been the chief minister for nearly two decades truly lack fangs and claws?

Does he not have a ruthless side? Damn, he might be trying to make me underestimate him..."

Zhao Douan shook his head, pushing away the muddled thoughts.

He knew, in the end, that it was all because of Li Yanfu’s formidable reputation.

Even he, subtly, had accumulated a lot of wariness towards him.

Thus, even though this strategy had worked, he still did not dare to underestimate his opponent.

"Nevermind, the goal has been achieved at least."

After reaching an initial agreement, the two negotiated the specific content of the deal in the building.

It naturally involved some pulling and tugging.

He also learned from Li Yanfu that Chen Zhengru was about to make a move by launching a media offensive, which made him break out in cold sweat.

Returning favor for favor, Zhao Douan generously sold out Xu Hanlin.

He also didn’t forget to arrange the rescue of Lady Lin and her husband; Li Yanfu did not refuse such trifles.

As for Yuan Fei… since Li Yinglong was unharmed, naturally she would not be implicated.

The late Emperor was gone, and the Empress would not blame this "meritorious official."

Thus, they preliminarily reached an agreement.

"Master, where to next?"

Qian Kerou leaned her round face into the carriage, intending to ask if the matter was settled.

But she wasn’t clear on what exactly her master had managed…

"Next," Zhao Douan slowly exhaled, rubbing his temples and his lips curling up:

"Go to the north gate, into the palace."

This level of transaction was not something Zhao Douan could negotiate personally with Li Yanfu.

So, he needed to report to the Empress, who would issue some commands to complete this "exchange" between sovereign and subject.

"Alas, I too wish to conceal my achievements and name, but circumstances don’t allow it."

Zhao Douan stated, making it clear that he was not looking to take any credit.

…

Cloud Water Tower is closer to the north gate of the Imperial City.

Zhao Douan’s first stop was the Xiuwen Pavilion.

Although he temporarily lost his scholar title to avoid scrutiny, his status remained.

The imperial guards at the gate did not obstruct him, thus allowing this "outsider" to enter the Xiuwen Pavilion.

"Scholar Zhao, you’ve come?"

Inside, in the bustling large "office," several scholars gathered.

One of them exclaimed at the entrance.

Immediately, the scholars who had been engrossed in their work looked up and stood up to greet him.

They indicated that Scholar Zhao had not been there for a long time and even expressed that they missed him.

Guo Jieyuan, of plain appearance and frequently used name, his eyes shining brightly, rushed over to ask him several mathematical problems.

"Is the Grandmaster not here? Is Mo Zhaorong not here either?"

Zhao Douan held back the enthusiastic Guo Jieyuan with one hand, curiously looking towards Han Banshan.

He originally wanted to ask why Her Majesty was not there... wasn’t it said that she was often here recently...

The gentle Han Banshan said:

"She was here not long ago, but was summoned to the palace to discuss some matters."

"In the palace for discussions?" Zhao Douan was puzzled.

Han Banshan "hmm-ed" and said:

"This meeting is different from the usual; it is said that Her Majesty gathered many ’Imperial Faction’ ministers for a meeting, possibly due to some changes concerning new policies. We don’t know the specifics."

Changes?

Imperial Faction leaders gathering?

Zhao Douan’s heart skipped a beat, wondering what had happened; could it be that Li Yanfu, that old fox, set a trap?

Not wanting to delay, he immediately took his leave and went directly to the palace, worried about any mishap.

"Scholar Zhao..." Guo Jieyuan, holding a notebook with a disappointed face, curiously asked:

"Does he have an urgent matter?"

"I’m not sure, but there probably is," Han Cong shook his head.

The roomful of people was puzzled and couldn’t guess the reason.

...

...

The gathering place for the Imperial Faction was set at Yangxin Hall.

Zhao Douan, relying on his identity as White Horse Governor, entered the Imperial Palace and, guided by a servant, took a familiar route to the outside of Yangxin Hall.

"Sir, please wait. I will go and inform Her Majesty," a eunuch said cheerfully.

Zhao Douan patiently waited a while before seeing the person’s return, accompanied by a familiar face.

Mo Chou was still dressed androgynously, her female official’s robes crisp and new. Under her wingless official hat, plum blossom makeup on her brow and an icy face that said ’keep out.’

"What are you doing here? Inside, we are discussing crucial matters."

Mo Zhaorong frowned, emphasizing her point.

I’m also here for a crucial matter... Zhao Douan remained calm, not replying but instead asked,

"Is Her Majesty discussing matters with the Imperial Faction? Has there been some change in the new policies?"

Mo Chou’s eyes drooped slightly as she responded,

"I’ve heard you’ve been quite leisurely these days, spending your days eating, drinking, and wandering. Yet, you seem unusually well-informed."

No, this is not the time to be sarcastically poking at me... Zhao Douan sighed and was about to ask again.

But then he saw Mo Chou turn around and say,

"Come with me. Her Majesty told me to bring you along; it will be good for you to get familiar with some faces. Regarding what you’re here for, if it’s not urgent, wait until we finish our discussions. If it is urgent, tell me, and I’ll inform her."

Can I also sit in on the meeting?

Zhao Douan was intrigued and said,

"It’s not particularly urgent..."

Mo Chou, who had come out to fetch him and was thereby delayed, walked quickly.

Shortly, the two reached the outside of a side hall.

"Remember, don’t speak rashly when inside, observe more..."

Mo Chou habitually advised but then suddenly felt that these words were "overly familiar."

Hmm...

It seemed she had said something similar to him before somewhere.

Mo Chou shook her head, dismissing the distracting thoughts,

"Never mind, you don’t need me to teach you."

Saying so, she gently knocked on the door, then slowly pushed it open.

"Creeak—"

At this moment, the sun had sunk to the horizon. Thick clouds darkened the sky.

The room was unlit and dimly lit; this side hall was modeled after the Golden Throne Hall.

But it was more "approachable."

The Empress of Great Yu, Xu Zhenguan, was dressed in regular attire, lacking the solemn and stern demeanor usually seen during court sessions, nor the usual aloofness of a fairy.

She now sat expressionlessly in the main seat, a bright yellow chair.

To her two sides below, two rows of chairs were arranged with a square table in between.

At this time, a group of ministers dressed in official robes, were seated on either side, heatedly discussing something, seemingly arguing and debating.

As the two entered, several glances were cast their way, each expressing something different.

Zhao Douan, lowering his gaze respectfully as he entered the hall, instantly switched from the assertive "Master Zhao" to "Little Zhao."

Treading lightly behind Mo Chou, his gaze sweeping the room, he first spotted several familiar faces.

The elderly Grandmaster Dong Xuan, his face deeply wrinkled.

The elegant and handsome Chief of Staff Yuann Li, dressed in a Civil Official’s Big Qingyi robe.

One of the chief judges from the Ministry of Justice during the tribunal at the Three Agencies.

Hmm, my nominal senior brother Ma Yan wasn’t there.

It must be due to the special nature of the Imperial Court, unnecessary in such meetings.

Additionally, there were several completely unfamiliar faces, each of varying identities.

One gaze, in particular, caught Zhao Douan’s attention the most. As that gaze was cast his way, his mortal, high-grade warrior instincts reflexively triggered.

His muscles tensed, and his Qi Sea contracted, his body hair standing on end for a moment...

As if, when out in the wild, targeted by a fierce beast.

It was not animosity but rather, as a cultivator, the instinctual response to a strong martial arts presence.

"Apart from Zhenbao, are there other martial arts experts here? Ah, it’s the gathering of the Imperial Faction bigwigs. Not only civil officials but military officers as well..."

Zhao Douan followed that gaze,

and his eyes captured a middle-aged man wearing a Military Officer Robe, fair-skinned with a short beard beneath his jaw.

Noticing his tension, that invisible pressure, like a receding tide, vanished without a trace.

Xu Zhenguan glanced this way but said nothing,

continuing to play the role of a dignified emperor in front of others.

"Sit here."

Mo Chou pointed to a chair temporarily added at the very end, whispering.

Zhao Douan nodded and sat down.

In the hall, the discussion that had slightly paused upon his entry resumed.

And after listening for a while, Zhao Douan’s expression turned peculiar.

Because he realized that these Imperial Faction bigwigs had urgently assembled to discuss the very issue of Chen Zhengru planning a public opinion offensive to counterattack the new policies.

...

More to come, later will format.