The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 559 - 416. Snowflakes all over the sky escort one person (5k)

Such a cheap Duke...

Snowflakes scattered over everyone as Zhao Douan calmly uttered these words, making the entire residence fall silent instantly.

Complete silence.

The hair on Cao Mao's face bristled like a hedgehog, his face briefly stunned, seemingly incredulous, then the anger in his eyes nearly erupted as he squeezed out a sentence through his teeth: "You said... what?"

Zhao Douan feigned ignorance, smiling: "I was praising Duke An's fine sword, did the Duke not hear clearly?"

Cao Mao's chest heaved, his fists clenched inside his sleeves creaked loudly, he closed his eyes, and moments later, opened them again with a calm expression.

He suspected Zhao Douan was deliberately provoking him, especially at this sensitive juncture. If this were Jubei City, anyone daring to speak to him like this wouldn't live past the next moment, unfortunately, this isn't.

So, he chose to endure.

"Fine, very well," Cao Mao said slowly, lifting his right hand, pointing to the large group of government officers in the courtyard, making a half-circle gesture, with an expressionless face: "What is the meaning of this?"

Zhao Douan laughed: "Duke, don't misunderstand, it's just that our Imperial Court received news saying there seems to be someone interfering with the judiciary these days, ordering quite a few government offices in town. The Imperial Court has the duty to supervise all officials, so once I learned of this, I followed the clues, and unexpectedly, they pointed to Duke An's Mansion. I came today just to ask questions but didn't expect my men to misinterpret and cause such commotion."

Interfering with the judiciary... Cao Mao's face twitched, thinking you might as well engrave "nonsense" on your face.

Saying it as if you aren't the one giving private orders to the various government offices.

"This matter has nothing to do with me, Master Zhao, seek elsewhere," Cao Mao said calmly.

Zhao Douan, however, shook his head, saying seriously: "This is not how a case is handled; won't the Duke invite me inside to sit?"

Cao Mao was silent for a moment, then turned to head toward the back hall, with Cao kedid following closely.

"My lord..." Qian Kerou cast an inquiring glance but saw Zhao Douan shake his head gently, looking around at his subordinates, saying: "Stay here and guard; proceed as planned."

Leaving these words behind, he followed the father and son inside, while the rest of the people at the Duke An's Mansion dared not move under the watch of the Jinyi.

...

Back hall.

Cao Mao stepped into the room, sat expressionlessly in the main seat, while Cao kedid stood beside him and did not sit.

The father and son stared at Zhao Douan, who entered alone. After entering, Zhao Douan didn't close the door; snowflakes fluttered outside, and he left the double doors open, casually dragged a chair to the center of the back hall, and boldly sat with his legs crossed.

There was still a smile on his face: "Doesn't the Duke serve tea when entertaining guests?"

Nonsense, your people have controlled all maids, do you expect me to serve you tea? Cao Mao's temples throbbed as he coldly said: "If you have questions, ask them quickly and then get out."

Zhao Douan smiled, unfazed, reaching for the "breast pocket" area, only to recall he was in ancient attire, feeling regretful, thinking such a scene would appear more appropriate with him taking out pen and paper for notes.

Shaking his head, he suddenly stared at the temples of Duke An: "Duke, how old are you this year?"

Cao Mao stared at him: "What does that have to do with you?"

Zhao Douan innocently said: "Don't be so hot-tempered, I have admired Duke An for a long time. I also heard from others that Duke is deeply trusted by the late Emperor, stationed at Jubei City for many years. According to Great Yu's law, military leaders have a service term, yet the Duke hasn't followed it."

The more Cao Mao listened, the more something seemed wrong, he interrupted rudely: "What exactly do you want to say?"

The old Duke with deep lines around his mouth and eyes looked icy: "If you're here about some case, then ask. If you're carrying a message from someone, then convey it. I've been in the military for many years, neither understand nor want to understand the ins and outs of you capital officials' rhetoric, and can't be bothered with roundabout talk. Either speak frankly, or... kedid, prepare to send off the guest!"

Still hot-headed... Zhao Douan helplessly smiled, sighing softly: "I wanted things to be more dignified between us... never mind, I came today, with only one word of advice: when Duke attended court today, you must have seen the court filled with many new faces, as the saying goes, times change, His Majesty, out of consideration for the Duke's old age, intends for you to stay in the capital to enjoy your later years. As for the military command in the north, it should be passed to the younger generation, isn't that so?"

Yield military command!

At this moment, even though he was somewhat prepared internally, the Duke An still shook to the core, sitting in the Taishi Chair.

Finally... it has come!

Cao Mao certainly knew that after the Empress secured her throne, she would gradually reclaim military power, delegating troops to new generals she has promoted.

But this day came much faster than he expected.

Even though he confirmed in the Golden Throne Hall that the Empress intended to move against him, such a straightforward demand for him to hand over command was still brutally simple, making him momentarily dazed.

How... dare she? Where does her confidence come from? How could the Capital have become so unfamiliar in just one year's time?

Cao Mao was a bit puzzled.

Zhao Douan leaned back, resting on the chair back, hands folded, eyes sincere: "I originally didn't want to put it so bluntly, but since the Duke prefers cut-to-the-chase, I have no choice but to comply with your request."

Cao Mao's voice was slightly hoarse, expression unusually calm: "What if I am unwilling?"

Zhao Douan stared at him, saying nothing, moments later gently shaking his head, as if facing a recalcitrant prisoner: