The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 228 - 203. Letter from Maternal Family

The sun gradually sank into the horizon, and the light inside the room also dimmed slowly.

However, in Xu Zhenguan’s eyes, the Little Forbidden Army standing before her with his head bowed seemed to glow.

It was hard to describe her feelings at the moment.

Surprised? Naturally, there was some.

The deadlock of the entire court, the dangerous situation where the high levels of the Imperial Faction were at a loss, was resolved by Zhao Douan in such a dramatic way...

Anyone who had experienced this would rightfully be surprised.

Even though in the past few months, Zhao Douan had repeatedly surprised her.

But at this moment, in Xu Zhenguan’s heart, more than astonishment and shock, there was an indescribable emotion.

What she cared about was not how stunning Zhao Douan’s maneuvers were.

That the Prime Minister would retreat in front of this newly emerged young wolf...

Rather...

These were things he did not need to do, and she had not given him any "tasks."

Yet he still did them.

At a time when all eyes were focused on the battle of immortals in the court and ignored him.

When she had explicitly told him to lay low and not draw fire to himself.

This Little Forbidden Army, who had repeatedly surprised her, took a huge risk and offended the Li Party and even the prestigious families of Great Yu.

Once again, at the time when she needed help the most, he presented her with this significant gift.

Was it to gain merit?

Xu Zhenguan did not think so.

Given the many merits Zhao Douan had previously achieved, it was enough; there was no need to wade into these muddy waters.

Was it for revenge? To vent his personal grievances against Li Yinglong?

Outsiders might think so, assuming he was vengeful.

But the Empress knew that the Little Forbidden Army before her was a truly clever person who did not care about reproach.

Otherwise, he would not have tarnished his own reputation for over a year, and most importantly, if it were really to seek revenge, there were far less risky ways than at this focal point of turmoil.

Thus, eliminating all possibilities.

There was only one answer.

"For me…"

Xu Zhenguan bit her plump lips, her heart thumping inappropriately.

She suddenly remembered the moment when he had boldly "confessed" to her.

Her mood became very subtle.

Zhao Douan also felt very subtle, for he bowed his head and waited a long time without hearing the Empress’s response.

This made him a bit nervous.

...Could it be a disaster... Really going to be punished? Or did something go wrong with my maneuvers? Lost in his wild thoughts, Zhao Douan finally heard the heavenly voice:

"You… are considerate."

Perfect!

Zhao Douan’s heart suddenly settled, and then, his hand felt lighter.

A fragrant breeze brushed past, and the Empress took the paper from his hand.

During the transfer of the object, their fingertips seemed to touch for an instant, or perhaps it was an illusion.

Zhao Douan raised his head and met the eyes of the Empress.

The last rays of the sinking sun reflected in Xu Zhenguan’s phoenix eyes, as if two burning flames, about to pierce through the dark night.

He gazed blankly, and Xu Zhenguan, unusually, did not scold him but instead lowered her head to read the documents.

The air fell into a serene silence.

Only the crisp sound of turning pages and the melting sound of the sunset were audible to the ears.

"Very well."

Xu Zhenguan looked up, having finished reading the items, and took the initiative to break the slightly strange atmosphere in the room.

A smile appeared on her face for the first time in this period.

As if...

As if a great burden had been lifted.

And as if, a difficult battle had finally reached the moment for the final charge.

"The terms you negotiated, I have agreed to all, will arrange them immediately. As for your scheming against Yuan Fei, although it damages the Royal, considering your loyal heart, I will not pursue this matter," Xu Zhenguan said.

Zhao Douan timely offered his flattery:

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Xu Zhenguan’s eyes shifted, suddenly changing her tone:

"However, while the death penalty can be spared, the living penalty is unavoidable. You are punished to go home and rest well tonight and enter the palace tomorrow."

She paused, intentionally stiffening her face, but with a slight upward curve of her lips:

"Last time you presented the new Policies, and I stripped you of your Scholar title. Since you have again achieved this merit, I cannot mistreat a meritorious servant. Tomorrow when you enter the palace, there will be benefits for you."

No need... I already received a "reward" from the Primordial Ancestor Temple last time... Zhao Douan muttered, his expression serious:

"Actually, I can also stay in the palace and accompany you, Your Majesty. That would be the greatest reward."

Xu Zhenguan smiled slyly, her gaze flicking to between his legs:

"Stay by my side? If you want to become a eunuch, that’s not impossible."

Such a vicious woman... Zhao Douan instinctively squeezed his legs together, declaring earnestly:

"I shall take my leave now!"

With that, he ran off as if escaping, as though he really feared being castrated.

The Empress couldn’t help but laugh, watching him flee and murmuring:

"Coward…"

Then, she again gathered her emotions and returned to her calm, imperial demeanor.

The agreement Zhao Douan had reached with Li Yanfu was not just verbal; the Empress had to release some signals, show some performance.

"Summon someone."

Outside, a female officer stood respectfully.

"Call... never mind, call Mo Chou."

...

Inside the side hall.

The Imperial Faction officials sat rigidly in waiting, the atmosphere heavy yet tinged with oddity and impatience.

Your Majesty and Zhao Douan had left a long time ago, and afterwards, Mo Zhaorong was also summoned.

Only they were left, forlornly waiting here on their own.

"Grandmaster, how long are we to wait like this? I fear something might be amiss with His Majesty…" someone asked.

Dong Xuan, however, was quite composed, "Stay calm and be patient."

Another official forced a smile:

"You really are calm. Do you truly believe what Zhao Douan just said?

Even if he does have a method to curb Chen Zhengru, it’s merely treating the symptoms not the root. The fundamental issue is the difficulty of the new policies passing in the royal court, and how to secure another one-third of support..."

At that moment, the hall doors suddenly opened.

The ministers straightened up in their seats, but the Empress was nowhere to be seen.

Only a female officer spoke respectfully:

"His Majesty said it is getting late. Esteemed Officials should return and rest, and we will discuss further in tomorrow’s early court."

The officials looked at each other.

Unsure what urgent matter His Majesty could have.

Was Chen Zhengru’s matter simply being dismissed? Or could it be...

"Did that young man actually succeed?" Yuan Li muttered softly, frowning.

His intuition told him that Zhao Douan’s actions might involve more than just Chen Zhengru.

"Surely he couldn’t have dealt with Li Yanfu as well."

He shook his head, dismissing this absurd idea.

Standing up, he was the first to walk out, with Xue Shence and others following suit.

Yet as they looked towards the direction where Zhao Douan had left, their eyes flickered with indescribable emotions.

...

...

In the evening, at the Zhao family home.

When Zhao Douan returned home from the palace, the sky had already darkened.

Inside the dining room, the lights were bright. His stepmother and sister were waiting to dine with him.

During dinner, his mind was somewhat absent.

Though he had done everything he could, things were still unsettling until everything was definitively concluded.

Would Li Yanfu honor their agreement?

Could this deal actually stand?

All these would only be confirmed in tomorrow’s morning court.

What rewards the Empress might grant him tomorrow in the palace were equally thought-provoking...

Of course, the chances of serving Her Majesty’s bed were minuscule; Zhao Douan felt he was indulging in fanciful thoughts.

"Is big brother preoccupied with something?"

Zhao Pan ate her meal in small bites and, noticing his distraction, asked curiously.

So it seems ... the young lady also had sharp eyes.

"It’s nothing," Zhao Douan replied, regaining his focus and saying at random:

"I just think our house is still too far from the government office. Even with a carriage, commuting every day takes up much time. It would be better if we could move closer."

Moving?

Hearing this, both mother and daughter perked up their ears.

They were currently living in the house left by Mr. Zhao.

Though it was passable, it was admittedly quite far.

"Changing residences requires a lot of money," Zhao Pan said with a wry face. "Even for a smaller one, but moving closer to the Imperial Palace would cost several thousand taels."

Zhao Douan wasn’t much inclined towards corruption, and their biggest savings were still those bits of silver he had previously acquired.

Clearly not enough.

"Let’s talk about it later, I haven’t decided," Zhao Douan said, thinking to himself that in a few days, he might ask Jin Jian for dividends.

Having accumulated for so long, it should amount to a sizable fortune.

At this diversion, he suddenly realized that You Jinhua was unusually quiet tonight, unlike her usual self.

He looked towards his stepmother, only to see her fiddling with her chopsticks, having not eaten much from her bowl.

"Does Aunt have something on her mind too?"

Zhao Douan used Zhao Pan’s question on her.

Caught off guard by the question, You Jinhua stumbled over her words. Her head drooped as she avoided her stepson’s gaze and murmured softly:

"No... nothing..."

You’re not being honest... Zhao Douan’s face stiffened:

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"Speak if there’s something, don’t beat around the bush."

You Jinhua was of a timid demeanor, and hearing his stern tone, she hurriedly raised her head, her expression troubled:

"Aunt... received a letter during the day, from an uncle back home, saying they are coming to the Capital to visit..."

Zhao Douan paused.

You Jinhua’s relatives from her parental home?

To him, they were completely strangers.

Zhao Pan also paused, equally baffled.

She had grown up in the Capital and had no memories of her mother’s family.

"I vaguely remember, Father once mentioned, Aunt hailed from Xiping Road, and also came from a prominent family."

According to Mr. Zhao, a major reason he took in the wife and daughter of a fallen comrade was You Jinhua’s beauty and demeanor.

Though merely a soldier’s wife, she was literate and managed the household skillfully, clearly not a trait developed by common folk.

According to Mr. Zhao, she was also a miss from some local noble family.

Somehow, picked up by a passing comrade through Xiping road and brought back to the Capital, there were obviously stories there.

You Jinhua had come to the Capital as a young girl, and it had been over a decade, with no contact from her family’s side all these years.

But now they suddenly showed up...

Facing her stepson and daughter’s probing gaze, You Jinhua sighed softly, seemingly evoking painful memories, and nodded gently:

"The You family of Xiping, those were my ancestors, a family that has sustained for hundreds of years. However, I do not belong to the main You line, but from a direct descent of a collateral branch."