The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 227 - 202, Reporting back to Your Majesty, the perilous situation in the court has been resolved today.

What is the experience of dealing with one’s own issues only to discover the leaders of the Imperial Faction holding a serious discussion together?

Zhao Douan found it quite extraordinary.

Inside the side hall, the atmosphere was heavy and tense.

Each person here held significant influence aboard the battleship that was the Great Yu Dynasty.

At this moment, their expressions were weary from the continuous Immortal Battles over the days.

"…In any case, the situation has now become extremely urgent. It’s regrettable that this old official failed to detect it in time, allowing the opponents to gather significant forces within the Hanlin Academy right under our noses.

Had it not been for a student who knew about it and passed on the information, the scholars might have risen to attack, tarnishing the new policies, and eve criticizing Your Majesty’s virtue—truly a thorny issue."

Grandmaster Dong sighed deeply, his face weary and full of self-reproach.

Upon his dragon throne, Xu Zhenguan shook his head and said,

"Grandmaster, you need it not blame yourself so. I am aware that you have devoted yourself fully, expending all your energy in the Xiuwen Pavilion. At your age, you haven’t had the time to pay attention to everything; this has given some people an opportunity."

The elegant and handsome Big Qingyi also chimed in,

"The matter at hand is to discuss how to counteract."

The Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Justice said with a headache,

"I’m afraid it’s difficult. Scholars have been involved in politics since ancient times. Nowadays, many scholars in the Capital have family backing; how would they willingly surrender? In my view, we should divide and conquer, identify the leaders among the students, and offer them benefits. That is the proper course."

An official said,

"Your words are rational, but do we have enough time? Moreover, the instigator behind this is Chen Zhengru, surely supported by Li Yanfu. The ’key players’ they’ve picked are likely hard to buy off."

For a moment, the ministers expressed their opinions, yet all were negated.

Zhao Douan listened curiously, realizing this small court meeting truly was conducted behind closed doors, with everyone discussing openly.

Their speech was straightforward. For instance, the idea of bribing the leading students was clearly stated without anyone finding it inappropriate.

Such remarks if made public, would provoke scholars to denounce them, labeling them as villainous examples.

He had an epiphany, realizing that "insiders" fundamentally were a group of people engaging jointly in shady deeds, saying things that should not see the light.

This way, they could truly trust each other.

In his previous life, he had been puzzled as to why, despite advancements in time and those in power having abundant resources potentially satisfying their needs reasonably, they still occasionally got exposed for engaging collectively in perverse acts.

Every such revelation was scandalous.

One explanation is that wealthy individuals have a high threshold for excitement, seeking thrills, or a critique of their flawed humanity.

But there was another explanation:

Even with progressive times, the most effective way to quickly build trust between people was still to jointly commit misdeeds.

…

"What does Minister Xue think?"

Amid the discussion, someone suddenly asked.

The target was, undoubtedly, the source of the imposing gaze Zhao Douan had felt upon entering the hall.

Secretariat Envoy? Xue? Zhao Douan suddenly realized the identity of the other—Xue Shence!

In the Great Yu Dynasty, the highest military government office was the "Privy Council."

Similar to a military hub responsible for mobilizing and commanding troops in battle.

Together with the Ministry of War, which handled logistics, they controlled the millions of soldiers spread across Nine Roads and Eighteen Prefectures.

Currently, the highest official of the Privy Council, the "Secretariat Envoy," was the renowned "Military God" of the Great Yu Dynasty, Xue Shence.

He had held this position since the reign of the late Emperor, renowned not only for his impressive military achievements but also for his unfathomably deep martial arts cultivation.

Previously, Zhao Douan inadvertently solved the "Firearm Artisan Case" and discovered the Privy Council harboring rebels.

That was his first "contact" with this Secretariat Envoy.

Yet it wasn’t until today that he finally saw the man in person.

Dressed in a second-rank military officer’s crimson robe, with a square "lion" embroidery on the chest, his face pale and a short beard under his chin.

Appearing to be in his forties or fifties, one could still see traces of the young and handsome Great Yu "Military God," who had rarely spoken from the beginning to the end.

Now seeing everyone’s anticipation, he calmly spoke,

"As a mere martial artist, I am only adept at deploying troops and handling weaponry. In my opinion, before they make their move, we should find a pretext to capture all the main offenders first. As the saying goes, ’capture the king first when you capture thieves.’ With this, results will be immediately apparent."

Remarkable...great minds think alike...

Zhao Douan was internally amazed, thinking that this was indeed what he had just done.

After all that trouble, it was all about capturing "Li Yanfu," this king.

The ministers looked at each other, and the Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Justice tactfully said,

"General Xue’s method is not without merit, but such abrasiveness might provoke those scholars, which could backfire. If we truly have no better approach, then perhaps we should consider it later."

Internally cursing, anyone can capture someone, but that’s not a sound strategy.

You dare to capture today, and tomorrow the entire Capital’s public opinion will explode, with a group of impassioned young scholars standing up in protest.

Xue Shence calmly closed his eyes, feigning rest:

"Then Xue has no other solutions."

The ministers sighed.

For a time, the meeting fell into a deadlock.

Several strategies were proposed, each with its disadvantages, making it difficult to choose.

Inside the hall, the atmosphere was as gloomy as the ominous clouds outside, incredibly oppressive.

On the principal seat.

Seeing this, Xu Zhenguan sighed lightly, knowing that ultimately she had to make the decision herself. As her beautiful eyes swept over the ministers, her gaze suddenly stopped on the unremarkable figure at the back.

She noticed that the Little Imperial Guard who had sneaked in midway seemed hesitant to speak.

From past experiences, the Empress had long since learned not to underestimate this individual.

Moreover, the new policy was originally proposed by him.

Before, ordering Mo Chou to bring him in, there might also have been the intention to hear his opinion.

"Mr. Zhao, do you have anything to say?"

When the Empress spoke, the ministers inside the hall were first stunned, then a series of surprised gazes all converged on one person.

Zhao Douan seemed to enjoy the spotlight, yet he didn’t show any signs of discomfort, and he bowed slightly:

"I have been listening to the discussions of the esteemed officials and have roughly understood the current situation, but... in my opinion, this topic might no longer be necessary, as the so-called deadlock has already been broken by me. Hmm... My coming here today, is to report this matter to Your Majesty."

His voice was very calm, as if he was talking about a trivial, ordinary matter.

However, it sounded like thunder to the ears of those from the Imperial Faction.

Grandmaster Dong suddenly raised his head, unable to hide his astonishment.

Yuann Li’s eyes lit up, filled with confusion and anticipation.

The Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Justice froze, inexplicably reminded of the scene at the Three Agencies Court.

Mo Zhaorong, who was acting as the recorder, holding a pen, raised her head, her eyes widened, and a familiar feeling surged in her heart... Here he comes again, he has come again...

Even Xue Shence, who was closing his eyes and feigning sleep, opened his eyes.

He has resolved their predicament?

If it were someone else saying this, these people would have scoffed, but if it was Zhao Douan, it momentarily made them doubt.

Suddenly, many people turned their heads, looking towards the Empress on the Dragon Throne, casting probing looks.

Speculating:

Could it be that Her Majesty had made other arrangements beforehand?

Xu Zhenguan’s expression remained calm, her icy complexion and facial features unchanged.

Yet only those extremely close to her, like Mo Chou, noticed that the subtl movements of the Empress’s body revealed the astonishment in her heart.

"Mr. Zhao, come with Us."

Xu Zhenguan slowly stood up, leaving the phrase:

"The rest of you gentlemen, please rest here for a while."

She finished speaking, turned around, and walked straight towards the exit. As she passed the door, she whispered without turning her head:

"Follow."

...

The setting sun slanted westward.

Inside the corridors of the Imperial Palace, Xu Zhenguan, dressed in white surpassing snow, gracefully walked, passing one red lacquered column after another.

Zhao Douan followed closely behind, drawing the unexpected attention of many Palace Attendants, who quickly lowered their gaze.

Xu Zhenguan stepped into a quiet, unoccupied room.

Turning back, her demeanor instantly shifted from an authoritative deity to a vivaciously captivating fairy.

She no longer maintained the solemnity of an emperor; her eyes oddly fixed on him, her tone urgent:

"What have you done behind my back again?"

What does "behind your back" mean... talking as if I’ve been unfaithful... Zhao Douan complained without energy.

He had intended to tease her, but seeing her real urgency.

These days without seeing her, even with Xu Zhenguan’s cultivation, her forehead seemed to have grown tiredness that could not be dissolved; even her nearly perfect cheeks appeared somewhat thinner.

He also gave up on teasing, and said earnestly:

"Reporting to Your Majesty, as I just mentioned, the moves planned by Chen Zhengru will not occur anymore. Not only that, but unless unexpected, tomorrow morning at the early court, the officials of the Li Party will cease their maneuvering."

The more Xu Zhenguan heard, the more incredible she found it, and said faintly:

"Do you know that speaking nonsense is a crime of deceiving the emperor?"

Zhao Douan replied earnestly:

"Before I reported to Your Majesty, I was about to ask for Your Majesty’s forgiveness for my slight oversteps. If Your Majesty does not forgive, I dare not speak."

Xu Zhenguan paused, seemingly surprised that this Little Forbidden Army soldier would actually bargain with her, her courage seemed bolstered...

Rather than being annoyed at the bottom of her heart, she was more curious.

She pondered for a moment, then said:

Foll𝑜w current novℯls on ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm.

"As long as it is not excessive, We may forgive you without blame."

That’s insincere, whether it’s excessive or not, it’s just a matter of what you say... Zhao Douan commented.

Seeing that the Empress was about to urge him, he had no choice but to say:

"This matter is a long story, starting with Li Yinglong..."

Following that, Zhao Douan, unhurriedly, explained how he investigated Li Yinglong, learned about Lady Lin’s case, traced the clues, and uncovered major secrets of the Royal Family.

He also tried to set a trap, staged an "Immortal Jump," seized hold of Li Yinglong’s vulnerability.

Then used it as a bargaining chip, forcing Li Yanfu to nod in agreement through a series of maneuvers, recounting everything in detail.

At the same time, he took out many pieces of evidence he had collected during this period from a storage scroll, presenting them all.

In the end, he bowed deeply:

"...Fearing that any delay might lead to changes and also unsure in my heart, I had not yet received Your Majesty’s permission when I met privately with Li Yanfu to finalize this deal, many of the details I also brazenly settled by myself, truly a crime of overstepping.

However, what I did was all to relieve Your Majesty’s worries, acting expediently with heartfelt loyalty, clear as day and night... Now that it has come to this, I earnestly request Your Majesty to decide, even if it means punishment, I have no complaints!"

He held up the "contract" drafted with Li Yanfu, and spoke loudly.

The woman standing opposite him, celestial in beauty and unparalleled in cold elegance, had already been stunned in place.

With her eyes downcast, she gazed at the respectful Little Forbidden Army soldier in front of her, appeared lost in thought, and remained silent for a long time.

He... unbeknownst to anyone, had done such a great deed for her...