The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 438 - 361, the Empress Comes Calling

You Jinhua's emotional reaction was even more genuine:

"What? That great scholar from the south acknowledged you as his master in public?"

Although You Jinhua, through her son's status, had entered the ranks of the Capital's noble ladies, her worldly experience was still limited.

She didn't grasp the full implications, finding it unbelievable.

Zhao Douan, sitting with one leg crossed in the inner hall, luxuriated in Aunt You Jinhua's shoulder massage, sporting a troubled expression:

"Yeah, it's a troublesome matter, big and small."

Then he smirked and casually said, "Maybe this is just the nuisance of becoming famous."

The mother and daughter, accustomed to staying behind closed doors, exchanged blank looks, not quite understanding.

However, You Jinhua, now used to her stepson achieving great things, was fairly composed.

She simply instructed the kitchen to prepare dishes and to go buy ingredients, planning a lavish dinner to celebrate her stepson's latest achievement.

...

After lunch.

In his own room.

Zhao Douan threw himself onto the bed and stared at the ceiling, gathering his thoughts:

"Right, today's unexpected event, although unexpected, was effectively countered. I guess I've averted this crisis... Just not sure how Zhengyang will face Mu Prince after he returns to Yunfu... Right, what's it to me?"

"Breaking the bandit within the mountains is easy, but breaking the bandit within the heart is hard... What a coincidence that Zhengyang would say such a thing. Tsk tsk, without my intervention, he might have truly developed the heart learning in his lifetime and become Great Yu's version of Wang Yangming..."

"After today, I've surely drawn the ire of more scholars... Right, once Zhengyang leaves, it's time to clean up the Capital's scholars with improper thoughts, according to the list I recorded..."

"Heh, I wonder how Xu Zudi will react when he hears about today's event? And the Eight Princes... especially Prince Jing, he must be paying attention, right?"

"At this time, Zhenbao must have also heard the news, shame she couldn't witness it in person.

But no matter, relationships need to be teased out on occasion. It's not good to always take initiative to report, better to wait for her to summon me to the palace. Then think about it, what benefits should I ask for?"

Mulling over these messy thoughts, Zhao Douan did an inward observation, sensing a slight throbbing in his brow.

He had asked Ma Yan, who said this was a sign he was nearing a breakthrough to the middle domain of the divine chapters.

Absorbing Master Gu Huo certainly significantly shortened his time to level up.

"Can't get cocky, quarreling with scholars is meaningless, I need to strengthen my power."

Zhao Douan closed his eyes and reentered cultivation.

...

When he opened his eyes again, it was already evening.

Zhao Douan ended his cultivation and stepped out of his room, learning that indeed several groups had come knocking in the afternoon. But none were of great importance, so they had all been turned away.

"Has no one from the palace come?" Zhao Douan couldn't help but ask.

He received a negative answer.

It wasn't a surprise to him; he figured Zhenbao would certainly need to handle the aftermath and might only summon him to the palace in the evening.

In the late autumn season, the sun set earlier, and once it dipped below the horizon, the Zhao family hung up lanterns, and Zhao Douan walked into the dining hall.

There he saw a multitude of sumptuous dishes laid out on the table, a celebration for his grand display earlier that day.

You Jinhua and Zhao Pan were already sitting at the table, with his stepmother dressed more conservatively for the autumn, exuding even more of an elegant lady's grace.

With an invitation for the stepson to join them, the three faced the table full of dishes; You Jinhua, with a sentimental look in her eye, sighed:

"Right now, everything at home is good, but we are still a bit short on family members; it's not lively enough."

In the past, as a small household, it wasn't quite as noticeable.

But now, in comparison to other estates, the Zhao family was indeed quieter.

By rights, with Zhao Douan's age and status, it wouldn't be strange for him to marry or even take concubines and have children.

But because of the special rumors about Zhao Douan and the Empress, in the Zhao family, the notion of "pressuring to marry" was non-existent, and no families came to propose marriage for Zhao Douan.

It was quite awkward...

"I actually think it's good; with more people come more distractions, and more trouble." Zhao Douan, who had been an only child in his previous life, chuckled.

Just as You Jinhua was about to say something, a faint sound of horse hooves accompanied by knocking came from outside the courtyard.

The old housekeeper hurriedly ran over along the central courtyard and said:

"Eldest young master, someone from the palace has come."

Finally, she arrived!

Zhao Douan's spirit perked up as he put down his bowl and chopsticks and said, "I'll go take a look."

He then strode toward the gate; at this moment the sky was a dark azure, and only two large lanterns hung at both ends of the Zhao Mansion's plaque.

As Zhao Douan stepped out of the main entrance, he saw a low-key yet luxurious carriage stopped there, accompanied by only three to five plain-clothed guards.

"Could it be Miss Mo?" Zhao Douan asked with a smile, guessing that Mo Chou had come to find him.

However, as the carriage curtain was lifted, a familiar figure stepped down, and Zhao Douan's expression froze with surprise,

"Your... Your Majesty?"

Xu Zhenguan was wrapped in a dark cloak, concealing her beautiful figure, revealing only her head outside, with three thousand strands of black hair tied at the back of her head, secured by a female crown inlaid with jade.

This accentuated the fairness of her face, making her eyebrows and eyes particularly distinct.

She smiled, "What, are you disappointed that it's not Mo Chou?"

It was not... Zhao Douan was taken aback and hastily shook his head, explaining,

"This servant is merely surprised, having not expected Your Majesty, with your august status and precious self, to grace this humble abode..."

Xu Zhenguan watched him with a smile and said, "Since I am here, won't you invite me in to sit?"

Ah... Do you really want to come in?

You're not taking me to the palace?

Zhao Douan's heart thumped furiously, conscious that this was the first time the Empress had crossed the threshold of the Zhao family residence.

She could have plainly summoned him to the palace, but she had chosen to visit the Zhao family instead... The implication was indeed quite different.

"Please..." Zhao Douan took a gentle breath, turned to lead the way, and at the same time signaled to the old housekeeper near the shadow wall inside the gate with a wink and a nod,

"Her Majesty has come, hurry and call everyone in the mansion to welcome her!"

The old housekeeper was stunned, eyes wide, and it took three full breaths before he regained his senses, his old face turning red.

With his status, how could he have expected to witness the Emperor arriving in person?

Moreover, it was an extremely sudden visit without any prior notification!

Before long, the entire Zhao Mansion was abuzz.

You Jinhua and Zhao Pan, leading a few maidservants as well as house servants, hurriedly came out to welcome the guest.

It was only in the courtyard that they clearly saw the woman, though covered in a cloak, whose demeanor and appearance far surpassed anyone they had seen in their lives, following Zhao Douan.

"Your... Your Majesty, this humble girl kneels to welcome you!"

You Jinhua's voice trembled.

This mistress of the Zhao household, newly accustomed to the status of a lady, where had she any mental preparation?

Her legs gave way, and she knelt down.

She didn't forget to pull Zhao Pan, who was still dazed by the Empress's stunning beauty.

As for the rest of the Zhao family's servants, they knelt down en masse, not daring to look up at Xu Zhenguan, lest they offend and be blinded by a dignitary as described in the marketplace pamphlets.

Xu Zhenguan was composed, not surprised by the scene at all, but her smile bloomed like a flower as she quickly bent down and reached out, pulling up You Jinhua and her daughter with a gentle smile,

"There is no need for such formality; it is I who have come unannounced today, disturbing the host family. You must be the aunt and sister Mr. Zhao has mentioned."

You Jinhua had never seen such a scene; her whole body stiff with nerves, she hastily confirmed, her gaze seeking help from Zhao Douan.

Zhao Pan, bolder, stared dumbfounded at Xu Zhenguan's face, perfect as a fairy under the moonlight, and suddenly felt a sense of shame wash over her.

Her cheeks flushed with nervousness.

Not because she had any ulterior motives like Mo Chou, but because not only men like beauties in this world, women are even more fond of them.

Zhao Pan had heard many rumors about the Empress in the palace, but none could compare to seeing her in person today.

"Paner! Do not be disrespectful!" You Jinhua hurriedly said.

Xu Zhenguan's smile was gentle, "No harm done. You are Zhao Pan? Indeed, as fresh as a lotus just out of water."

Zhao Douan stepped forward, coming to the rescue,

"Has Your Majesty had your meal? The humble meal at my home was just served, and we have not yet begun to eat."

Xu Zhenguan smiled and looked at him, nodding her head,

"Then I shall partake in a meal at your Zhao household."

The Empress wants to dine at my home?

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You Jinhua and her daughter, suddenly sobered by realization, loudly instructed the servants to fetch the best and unused bowls and chopsticks from the mansion, and brought new chairs.

The guards accompanying the Empress stayed outside, not entering.

Within the blink of an eye, an extravagant table was set up inside the Zhao Mansion's hall, and the main seat was taken by the Empress, her cloak now shed, dressed in moon-white regular attire, her presence commanding and beauty unparalleled.

"Why are you all standing? Sit down, everyone sit, let's eat together."

Xu Zhenguan, as if she were the host, smiled and beckoned everyone to take their seats.

Zhao Douan felt a strange mix of emotions as he took the seat next to the Empress, smiling at his stepmother and sister,

"The Empress has already said so, let's all sit down and eat together."

You Jinhua and Zhao Pan exchanged glances with odd looks in their eyes, recalling the rumors about a possible intimate relationship between Zhao Douan and the Empress.

So, if there truly was such a relationship between the Empress and their eldest son, wouldn't today's visit to dine together be akin to...

A family banquet?

With that thought, the Zhao mother and daughter found themselves unable to remain seated.