The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 549 - 411, Lord, how about our second collaboration? (5k)_3

The two parted ways, and Zhao Douan stood in place leading his horse, watching Duke Tang's carriage wheels roll away in the cold wind until it disappeared.

In the distant carriage, Duke Tang shifted his lame leg to another position and leaned on the cushion, lost in thought. He suddenly said,

"Send someone to find out what Cao Mao is up to."

"Yes," replied the coachman.

"Also, look closely into that Cao Kedid. I've long heard that Cao Mao has raised a formidable adopted son. Quite interesting indeed."

"Yes," the coachman hesitated before asking, "What about the prisoner in the prison?"

"Don't worry about him."

"Alright."

From the start to the end, those who caught the eye of a great personage like Duke Tang were certainly not nameless nobodies like Lang Shiba.

...

Cao Kedid rode away from the imprisonment and headed straight for Duke Cao Mansion.

He left in a rage, seemingly eager to report the matter.

However, once he was out of sight of the government officials, Cao Mao slowed down and leisurely made his way back.

The anger on his face, combined with the frustration of being suppressed by both Zhao Douan and Duke Tang, had also vanished.

Cao Kedid rode on, facing the pale sunlight, holding the reins, his thick and dense eyebrows straight like a line,

like a sword, a sword that could be both rigid and flexible.

His eyes showed a reflective look; suddenly, as he turned a corner, a child sliding on an ice sled came crashing out, startling the warhorse.

"Neigh..."

The warhorse neighed, its hooves flailing, and Cao Kedid furrowed his brows, skillfully subduing the horse that could have easily killed the child with one iron-shod hoof.

Turning back, the child who caused the accident had already run off, leaving only the handmade ice sled.

"Child~" Cao Kedid called out. Seeing that the person had disappeared, he shook his head, dismounted, picked up the ice sled, dusted the snow off it, stood it up, and placed it at the entrance of the alley.

Then he rode away.

After a while, the careless young boy cautiously came out from the alley, surprised to find his sled, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Looking in the direction Cao Kedid left, he thought to himself how lucky he was to have encountered a good-tempered military officer.

...

Zhao Douan returned to the government office where Ma Yan was still waiting for him.

"So, Lang Shiba's identity was exposed? Sent to the prison by Duke Cao? To be executed soon?"

Ma Yan was surprised when he heard what had happened.

Zhao Douan took off his coat, brushed the mud off his boots, and finally sat down:

"It shouldn't be so soon. There has to be a process of trial and handling the case. But if Cao Mao pushes for it, they might condemn him to death before the year's end. Lord Duke won't allow Lang Shiba to live till next year."

In the corner, Ji Yue sat on a small chair with her legs together, her hands on her thighs, holding a cup of hot water, her ears drooping, puffing her cheeks as she gently blew on the water.

Lang Shiba's impending death stirred an indescribable emotion in her heart. Hmm, perhaps what they call feeling sorrow for the demise similar to themselves?

The two had not interacted much by the lake and had been rivals at times. To say there were any deep feelings was untrue.

However, it was saddening to think about the demise of a companion who had been locked up for a long time with her.

If Lang Shiba died, she would be even lonelier.

Ma Yan frowned and asked, "What are you going to do?"

Zhao Douan smiled irreverently:

"What can I do? This matter doesn't concern me."

Ji Yue glanced at him, then lowered her head and continued to blow on her cup.

Ma Yan nodded, "It's good you think this way."

Isn't … am I really that untrustworthy? Vice Minister Huang advised, my senior brother advised... It seems everyone thinks I'll mess things up...

Zhao Douan muttered to himself.

After resolving these matters, Ma Yan left relieved to handle other business, and Ji Yue, knowing she wasn't involved, also quietly slipped away.

Zhao Douan returned to Lihua Hall, browsing through the documents Qian Kerou had submitted to him.

But he couldn't calm his mind.

The day brought one challenge after another, first with Tang Zhao challenging and then Lang Shiba being imprisoned; all things crowded together.

"Sir, are you troubled?"

The round-faced secretary held a folder, observing him cautiously.

Leaning back in his chair, Zhao Douan, holding the document, tossed the book onto the table and suddenly said,

"Ke Rou, tell me, if you dissect everyone in the court, aren't they all corrupt at heart?"

Qian Kerou paused for a moment. The young secretary was flustered by this question, as she tried to guess her superior's thoughts and ventured,

"Not really, there are many good officials, such as..."

She hesitated, then finally said, "For instance, Lu Zhi from the Ministry of Justice?"

"But a dark heart climbs the ranks faster," Zhao Douan remarked,

"Or isn't there a saying, 'Everyone sweeps the snow from their own doorsteps and does not mind the frost on others' tiles'?"

The young secretary was somewhat dizzy and didn't understand how this proverb related to being unscrupulous.

The superior was acting strangely today.

Zhao Douan chuckled, "Consider that I'm just rambling. Yawn, it's getting late; it's time to leave the government office."

Saying this, he stretched and started walking outside.

Nearby, in the office room, Shen Juan and Hou Renmeng looked envious,

"When can I be like the superior, not going to the government office if I don't want to, leaving whenever I wish."

Next to them, holding a tea jar, Zheng Laojiu made a face,

"Don't daydream. The year's end is nearing, and there's a pile of paperworks at the hall. None of you are leaving tonight, you can go once you've finished."

...

Zhao Douan left the government office and rode his horse home.

Winter days darken early. It had been light when he set out, but it grew dark after a while.

When Zhao Douan reached an intersection, he was suddenly stopped by an unassuming yet luxurious carriage in front of him. freewēbnoveℓ.com

He paused, recognizing the spacious carriage he had once ridden in.

"Mr. Zhao, my master requests your presence to have a word." The coachman approached and stated calmly.

Zhao Douan dismounted, handed over the reins to him, and familiarly lifted the carriage curtain, stepping into the roomy carriage.

Inside the carriage, everything was arranged as usual, except it was lined with thick cotton.

A small table featured an exquisitely crafted spherical stove burning bright red coals.

"Mr. Yuan, what a coincidence." Zhao Douan sat down, smiling at the person across him in a Green Robe.

The stove illuminated the entire carriage in an orange hue, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of warming around a campfire on a winter's night.

Imperial Censor Yuann Li, handsome with deep-set eyes, wearing a double-breasted official robe, held a Jade Ruyi, sitting inside.

He smiled, "Is the Lord returning home from the government office?"

Zhao Douan nodded, self-mockingly saying,

"Busy with many things today, even someone as lazy as I am kept busy until now."

Yuann Li looked at him deeply and remarked,

"I've heard that you had a misunderstanding with Duke Tang?"

Zhao Douan chuckled, "It's already cleared up."

"That's good," Yuann Li responded, "but I also heard you went to the Imprisonment today."

Zhao Douan laughed and replied half-heartedly, "Mr. Yuan, are you so well-informed? I can't escape your eye with anything I do."

Yuann Li stared at him and inquired, "The Lang Shiba, who Duke Cao arrested this time, had previously accompanied you to Hu Ting, right?"

Zhao Douan sighed lightly, "Is Mr. Yuan also reminding me to steer clear of things that don't concern me, to make fewer enemies? Rest assured, I understand what's important."

Yuann Li said, "Yet, I heard that you got in a conflict with Duke Cao Mansion's adopted son."

Zhao Douan, feeling an inexplicable irritation, grumbled,

"Just a minor verbal dispute, I know what I'm doing, Mr. Yuan. Thank you for your concern, but if there's nothing else, I shall take my leave."

Saying this, he attempted to leave.

All day, he had been reminded by everyone to only mind his own business, and he was thoroughly annoyed.

Yuann Li remained silent, holding the Jade Ruyi. As Zhao Douan started to lift the thick carriage curtain to leave, Yuann Li suddenly said,

"My Lord, do you still remember the first time we met in this carriage?"

Zhao Douan paused his motion.

Yuann Li softly continued,

"That time, I spoke with you about Vice Minister Pei Kaizhi of the Ministry of Justice, remember? I told you, if you want to achieve merits, why not be audacious, bite a big fish, make a significant move?"

Zhao Douan held his breath.

Under the flickering firelight, Yuann Li's gaze was profound, half of his face shrouded in darkness, and he said solemnly,

"Lord, are you interested in joining hands with me once more to accomplish something significant, to take down someone?"

Zhao Douan abruptly turned his head, staring at Yuann Li, "Who?"

"Duke An, Cao Mao."