The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 544 - 410, Zhao Douan: How much is Duke Cao’s face worth? (5k)

"Who is the drunkard?" Zhao Douan was momentarily stunned, then blurted out,

"You're talking about Lang Shiba? He was captured? What happened?"

Faced with Zhao Douan's triple-question barrage, the deeply socially anxious female sorcerer opened her mouth, seemingly at a loss for how to respond.

Zhao Douan took a deep breath, noticing the Jinyi guards chasing him from outside the door, his brows slightly furrowed. He got up, pulled her inside, and then shooed away the pursuers outside: "Come in and talk slowly."

Yes, she emerged from a frantic sprint in the biting cold of winter. Her soaking wet gown froze stiff, like a layer of armor.

Ji Yue quietly "oh"ed, her white pupils hidden behind her black hair warily glanced towards Ma Yan, her body hiding behind Zhao Douan...

"...Rest assured and speak."

Zhao Douan had the impulse to facepalm: "After your last return to the capital, didn't you all go back to Hu Ting?"

Ji Yue nodded timidly and briefly described the situation.

After the meeting at Hu Ting, she and Lang Shiba did indeed return to Hu Ting to recuperate.

But today, an unexpected team of exceptional military experts visited Hu Ting. Because of the "New Policies," the Yellow Register Library was being gradually phased out. The guard at Hu Ting had slackened a lot, coupled with Ji Yue sleeping under the icy lake in the deep winter. She was slow to sense them through the layer of ice.

By the time she heard the fighting noises above the lake and burst through the ice, she discovered that the injured Lang Shiba on the island had already been captured.

"Military experts?" Zhao Douan caught the keyword.

Ji Yue meekly nodded, her toes touching as she quietly explained:

"The other party had a military tiger talisman and waist card. The island's storeroom keeper called him Duke An. I did not dare to act rashly. But it felt, not like they were sent by Your Majesty... I didn't know who else to turn to, so I came to find you."

Zhao Douan and Ma Yan exchanged a look, both seeing the seriousness and suspicion in each other's eyes.

"Are you sure it was Duke An? The one stationed in the Northern Jubei City?"

Ma Yan peered at Ji Yue, pressing for an answer with urgency in his tone.

Ji Yue silently curled up, hiding behind Mr. Zhao — she instinctively sensed she could not provoke the other party.

"She doesn't recognize him. But she wouldn't have heard it wrong; it must be him," Zhao Douan defended.

Ma Yan shook his head:

"Duke An, Cao Mao is indeed on his way back to the capital, but according to the itinerary sent back, he should still be a few days out. How could he...?"

Zhao Douan somberly said:

"Duke Tang should have appeared at the West City Gate too, but he took a detour as well. I fear there's something fishy about this affair."

He turned to look at Ji Yue: "Do you know where they took Lang Shiba?"

Ji Yue whispered, "Imperial Palace. I stealthily followed them and saw them heading towards the palace."

Zhao Douan pondered briefly, then said:

"In that case, stay here for now. Don't wander off. Brother, could you please look after her... just leave her in a room by herself without any disturbance; we'll talk when I return."

This matter was too strange; he had to figure it out; otherwise, he couldn't be at ease.

Ma Yan nodded: "Go with ease, I will take good care of her."

No, brother, that line of yours seems a bit off... Zhao Douan could hardly contain the urge to retort, slapped his backside, and left.

...

...

After leaving the Imperial Court, Zhao Douan rode straight to the Imperial Palace. The journey was smooth sailing.

Only when he entered the Imperial City did he express his desire to see the Empress, and a little eunuch went to notify her.

A short while later, an anxious Zhao Douan, waiting in the shelter of the palace walls, was surprised to see a familiar figure walking towards him.

An official robe, a cap without wings, makeup like plum blossoms... that was none other than his old rival, the big ice block.

"What are you doing here looking for Her Majesty?"

Mo Chou approached him with suspicion in her eyes, scanning him up and down as if on alert.

Zhao Douan rolled his eyes and desperately wanted to retort, "What I'm here for with Her Majesty is none of your business, you overstepping handmaiden," but he held back:

"I have urgent matters."

Mo Chou's face went serious, resembling a female clerk from behind a service center window in a past life, devoid of emotion: "Her Majesty is currently meeting with Duke Cao; it's inconvenient."

Ji Yue had spoken the truth... Zhao Douan stared at her: "I have information that Duke An, Cao Mao, has brazenly stormed Hu Ting, leading experts from the military to collectively capture the master Her Majesty was sheltering there."

Mo Chou's complexion shifted. The palace's top handmaiden glanced around and then, tugging on his sleeve, quickly walked a few steps to a more secluded spot by the wall, staring at him:

"You know about it?"

Zhao Douan retorted irritably: "Stop speaking in riddles, what exactly is going on?"

Mo Chou pursed her lips, explaining:

"Duke Cao entered the city suddenly; he must have left the convoy returning to the capital, bringing only a small group of elites to hurry back ahead of schedule.

His unexpected appearance in the palace, reporting to Her Majesty about the successful capture of the Northern Blood Saber, a murderer from Jubei City who had fled and was nowhere to be found... You're a step late; right now, Lang Shiba has been thrown into the Ministry of Justice's imprisonment, prepared for trial. Escaping death will be difficult."

Zhao Douan froze, his mind suddenly recalling the time he dueled with Prince Jing's son on the official ship.

At that time, Eunuch Hai had told him about Lang Shiba's background—

He was an expert from Jubei City, who later became a wanted fugitive fleeing to the South, severely wounded and near death when saved by the Crown Prince; he then changed his name and hid in Hu Ting.

And Cao Mao was the Commander of Jubei City's border army. freēnovelkiss.com

Seeing his confusion, Mo Chou continued:

"Lang Shiba's true identity is a fugitive deserter wanted by Jubei City. Somehow, Duke Cao discovered he was hiding in Hu Ting. This ambush was likely premeditated, meant to catch Lang Shiba by surprise.

After the arrest, he paraded into the palace with much fanfare, giving no time for Her Majesty to react... Duke Cao kept repeating that this wanted fugitive was hiding in Hu Ting, and now must be strictly dealt with by the law... Her Majesty, constrained by national law, could only nod."

No... Something is amiss, if Lang Shiba was hiding in the Royal Hu Ting, even if Duke Cao was foolish, he would realize that this man's concealed identity must be tied to the royal family...