The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 283 - 248, Empress Arrives: A Major Crisis, Firearms Bureau Under Attack

Basking in reflected glory... Zhao Douan’s eyelids twitched, and his smile grew broader:

"Lord Ma, what are you saying? No matter where I go or what accomplishments I achieve, they are all thanks to your nurturing.

Today’s so-called celebration is also to give the Imperial Court some face and prevent those rascals from the Capital Camp from snickering behind our backs in every which way."

Ma Yan was momentarily taken aback, and then his expression softened, feeling flattered to his core.

After the two climbed into the carriage one after another, the wheels spun, and the moonlight seeped through the curtain cracks.

Sitting face to face, one on each side, Ma Yan looked at him with a sense of wonder and said:

"I am surprised by what you’ve done in the Divine Mechanism Camp."

Zhao Douan humbly responded.

An expression of awe appeared on Ma Yan’s stern face:

"When you were promoted to fourth-rank, I originally thought that the position of Lord Ma was meant for you, but instead, you took up a post at the Divine Mechanism Camp.

At that time, I guessed you were aiming to sniff out a spy; however, to my surprise, what you’ve done exceeds everyone’s expectations."

"Brother, you flatter me too much—I owe it all to your excellent guidance."

Zhao Douan quickly switched to his demure "Little Zhao" demeanor, remembering not to get carried away.

Ma Yan shook his head and waved his hand self-deprecatingly:

"Don’t worry, I’m not that petty-minded, and I’m well aware of my limitations.

His Majesty entrusted the Imperial Court to me for two reasons: firstly, there was no other suitable candidate, and secondly, I’ve always been a lone servant. As for my skills and talents, I am rather average; my expertise lies solely in physical combat."

But the issue is...your martial prowess could easily overpower me... Zhao Douan silently commented.

Ma Yan looked at him admiringly and advised:

"This evening’s celebration banquet is not only to vindicate you but also the occasion for you to officially secure your standing in the military. Do not neglect it, especially the officials from the Privy Council—are you familiar with them all?"

Zhao Douan nodded:

"Not particularly familiar, but I have done some homework."

In the Privy Council, aside from Xue Shence and Mr. Wang, other significant figures include a Vice Minister of the Privy Council, a Chief of the Privy Council, the chief and deputy heads of the Order Department—five people in total, including one chief and four deputies.

Responsible for drafting documents and reports, the Privy Council’s scholars...following them, there are chiefs, secretaries, and document secretaries...and so on.

All of the above are suspects as Prince Jing Mansion’s internal spies.

Zhao Douan had chosen tonight to make his move, aiming to trap these people in one fell swoop during the celebration banquet.

He would use this event to cut off any opportunity for all the suspects in the Privy Council to communicate with Prince Jing Mansion’s spies.

"That’s good then." Ma Yan, who was oblivious to this, nodded and then lamented:

"It’s a pity that you couldn’t root out the spy; it still isn’t quite perfect."

Zhao Douan sighed:

"After so many people have gone through repeated investigations, how easy could it be to find anything?"

Almost everyone believed Zhao Douan could not find the spy and therefore chose to create new firearms as a way to indirectly complete the Empress’s task.

But unbeknownst to them, tonight, they were all going to be part of the play.

...

Tonight’s banquet was arranged in a mansion under the jurisdiction of the Privy Council, exclusively for generals to wine and dine.

When Zhao Douan arrived, the courtyard was already bustling with people, and the lanterns shone brightly.

In the banquet hall, a group of military officers led by Xue Shence had arrived early.

With a shout announcing "Master Zhao of the Divine Mechanism Camp has arrived," the people who were gathered in twos and threes engaged in conversation stood up and looked towards the entrance.

They greeted him with smiles and eager expressions.

"Master Zhao, Lord Ma, please come in quickly!"

The Commander of Divine Machine Camp, Shi Meng, now dressed in a green robe, greeted them with a hearty laugh:

"We were just waiting for you."

Ma Yan humbly stepped back into a supporting role, allowing the gleaming Zhao Douan, surrounded like the moon by stars, to be welcomed into the banquet hall.

The center of the hall was carpeted, with tables on either side.

Several standing candelabras were among them, diffusing large halos of light.

At the head of the main seat, Xue Shence was seated cross-legged, conversing with Chen Huoshen, who was also invited.

Now standing, he exchanged pleasantries with Zhao Douan and introduced many new faces at the banquet to him.

For example, the Commanders of various guards of the imperial guard...these were important figures Zhao Douan could not have met during his previous service at the imperial guard.

Now they were all on amicable terms.

Words like "young hero" and "pillar of the state," flowed freely, engulfing him.

The atmosphere was harmonious.

Just then, a clear and confident voice rang out from outside:

"Her Majesty has arrived!"

Suddenly, the banquet hall fell silent, and everyone looked surprised.

"Her Majesty?" Xue Shence suddenly looked at Zhao Douan, finding that the latter was also looking at him.

...

Both fell silent for a moment, realizing that Her Majesty’s sudden arrival had nothing to do with the other.

No one mentioned that Zhenbao would come... Lost in thought, Zhao Douan stepped outside, where everyone had already tacitly walked out in unison.

In just a few steps, they saw the end of the courtyard’s stone path beneath the night.

Two strings of red lanterns floated out, carried by eunuchs leading the way.

Then two figures came, one following the other.

The leader was graceful and tall, dressed in a golden Dragon Robe and wearing a simple crown.

Beneath the Dragon Robe was a layer of moon-white silk brocade.

The cold dignity mixed perfectly with the regal splendor; her long, thick black hair was coiled up high, showing off the Empress’s long, fair neck.

She was especially enticing.

And at her side, one step behind, the equally fine-featured "female chancellor" followed closely.

"Your Majesty..."

Once again, everyone was taken aback.

Then, led by Xue Shence, dozens of military officers almost simultaneously bowed and saluted:

"Your servant greets Your Majesty!"

Xu Zhenguan nodded gently and said to stand at ease.

Her eyes, dark as lacquer, looked warmly towards Zhao Douan, who was stunned, and she smiled:

"Mr. Zhao, I’ve heard you are celebrating tonight and have come to join in the festivities. Do you welcome me?"

In the night, under the lights, the Emperor of Great Yu, with her hair coiled up and wearing a little golden crown, had a distinctive charm.

On courtly occasions, she was an imperious Emperor; in the Heavenly Master Mansion, a peerless master of the Kun Dao; when wielding a sword, she was a banished Fairy; and in the imperial study, she was an ancient-dressed leader...

Tonight, the Empress shed much of her imperial austerity, adding an aura of royal grandeur.

Zhao Douan took a deep breath and bowed deeply, saying,

"Your Majesty, your personal visit is the greatest honor for your servant!"

The Empress smiled subtly, capturing the astonishment and surprise on Zhao Douan’s face.

A mischievous pleasure suddenly rose in her heart.

It was like giving him a little scare; though it was unbefitting of an Emperor to indulge in such trivial pranks, she felt an inexplicable delight.

Xu Zhenguan arrived, instantly becoming the center of attention, supplanting Zhao Douan.

After exchanging formalities, the Empress was ushered into the banquet hall, where she naturally took the seat of honor, alone.

The military officers below shuffled in their seats.

The closest seats to the Empress were reserved for Xue Shence, Zhao Douan, Chen Huoshen, and others.

Inquiries about the details of the military training were inevitable next, and Zhao Douan reported with due formality, earning high praise from the Empress.

Throughout, neither the sovereign nor the subject mentioned a word about the "spy within Prince Jing Mansion."

The night grew deeper.

Zhao Douan’s gaze frequently drifted towards the burning candlesticks, and occasionally, he looked up at the moon outside the hall.

He estimated in his mind:

"It’s time for them to make their move."

...

Outside the city.

In a forest near the Firearms Camp,

Several dark figures emerged and crouched down.

Each one was dressed in clothes suitable for night movement, with the two in the lead unveiling their faces to reveal Haitang and Zhang Han.

"The Firearms Bureau is right ahead. Remember what I’ve instructed you: swift action, no killing, but wounding is permissible," Haitang said sternly, commanding a group of elite confidants.

The men nodded in silence, all ready for action.

Zhang Han reopened the map, using the moonlight to confirm the location of the "blueprints" and their plan of attack.

The Firearms Bureau was guarded by the Divine Mechanism Camp’s military officers.

Though Zhao Douan had deliberately arranged for weaker defenses tonight,

Action had to be taken. Only a real attack would look genuine; the drill must be carried out in full... These were Zhao Douan’s words.

"The time is nearly upon us, let’s move!"

With that command from Zhang Han, they all pulled up their masks to reveal only their eyes.

The elite of the Imperial Court moved silently, approaching the building under the full moon that lay like a massive beast on the ground.

However, when they reached the gray-black courtyard of the Firearms Bureau.

They were astonished to find bodies scattered about, either unconscious or dead.

The entire government office was eerily silent, save for the flames burning in a brazier.

"What’s going on? Did Zhao Douan arrange for someone else?" Haitang was bewildered.

Zhang Han crouched down to turn over a body lying on the ground.

He vividly saw that the neck had been sliced by a sharp weapon, blood spurting out.

Under the firelight, the dead man’s eyes were opened wide, as if he had died screaming.

"He’s dead!"

Zhang Han’s complexion darkened as he felt for the body’s temperature,

"The person hasn’t been dead for long!"

At that moment, the scattered elite agents returned one by one.

One of them reported,

"Sir, the entire office has been turned over, particularly the room where the blueprints were stored. The designs for the new weaponry are gone!"

It struck them like a bolt from the blue.

Things had gone terribly wrong!

The expressions on Haitang and Zhang Han’s faces changed abruptly as they realized what had happened.

"Is it a spy from Prince Jing Mansion or is it the rebel from Kuangfu Society..."

The source of this c𝓸ntent is freewebnøvel.coɱ.

They looked at each other, their hearts sinking.

Realizing that a major disaster had occurred, an audacious enemy had snuck in under the cover of night to steal...

"No noise was heard, they must have used some kind of talisman to isolate the inside from the outside."

A cold glint in Zhang Han’s eyes, he urgently said,

"Haitang, you go back to the city and notify Zhao Douan right away! Everyone else, follow me to chase the enemy!"

"Yes!"

The well-trained Jinyi agents sprang into action immediately.

Haitang opened her mouth to speak,

The enemy must have escaped quite a while ago, how are we to catch them on such a night?

But she ultimately swallowed back her words of discouragement.

Biting her lip, Haitang decided she must personally return to the city to ensure the message wasn’t intercepted. Like a wild goose cutting through the night sky, she dashed away.

She found her hidden horse in the woods, whipped it fiercely, and with the animal’s neighing, galloped towards the city.

Panic and urgency showed in her eyes.

As she faced the chilly autumn wind at night, looking anxiously towards the magnificent city in the distance,

"Zhao Douan... a major incident has truly occurred..."

Yet, what the separated group failed to notice was,

In the distance, atop the treetops, a Magician quietly overlooked the scene.

...

Inside the banquet hall.

The feast was more than halfway through!

The Emperor and her officers were enjoying themselves, the hall filled with chatter and laughter.

However, Zhao Douan, who should have been the protagonist of the evening, was unusually quiet.

Suddenly, rapid hoofbeats approached from outside the estate, accompanied by the calls of the Empress’s escort guards.

The keen-eared and eagle-eyed military officers inside all paused their conversations and looked curiously outside.

Xue Shence frowned, glanced at the Empress, and was about to order someone to inquire.

Then Haitang, who had shed her night clothes, came rushing in.

Even before she could see the situation inside clearly, her anxious voice exploded:

"Something terrible has happened! The Firearms Bureau has been attacked, and the blueprints have been stolen!!"

A moment of silence.

Then, the celebratory banquet erupted into chaos!