The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 632 - 439. Mo Chou’s Advice (5k)_2

As he left the house, Uncle Zhao held the ledger and walked over, suddenly noticing something unusual about the courtyard wall. He went over, slowly bent over, and leaned in.

His vision unexpectedly penetrated through a tiny spy hole in the wall, revealing the scenery on the opposite side.

...

...

Zhao Douan navigated his way into the Imperial Palace without disturbing the Empress, heading directly to the Martial Arts Hall where the Imperial Family’s tributors resided.

The Martial Arts Hall is situated at the front of the "Weapon Vault," a unique area within the Imperial City, where the so-called "Inner Palace Experts" are gathered.

The eunuchs here hold an exceptional status, often perceived by the world as cold, ruthless, appearing and disappearing unpredictably, and killing without hesitation. freewebnøvel_com

However, as Zhao Douan casually strolled and stepped into the courtyard, the Inner Court tributors along the way halted to greet him warmly:

"Junior Guardian, you’ve arrived early today."

"Greetings to the Junior Guardian."

"Perfect timing, Junior Guardian; we’ve just brewed Biluochun for you."

"Your presence is increasingly remarkable, and your cultivation is indeed impressive."

Zhao Douan nodded with a smile, genuinely feeling that the rumors among the populace were obviously false. Where were the cold-blooded tributor assassins?

Clearly, they were a group of passionate, amiable colleagues.

Truly, the misunderstanding from the outside world was profound.

"Has Eunuch Hai risen?" he asked casually as he walked toward the inner hall.

Inside the hall, two early-arrived eunuchs stood up, one of them putting on a flattering smile: "Eunuch Hai has been summoned by His Majesty, he is not present at the moment."

The speaking eunuch had a sharp, monkey-like visage with a cunning appearance, dressed in a pale red round-necked tributor coat, his hair hidden under a wingless black-silk cap, similar in age to Zhao Douan, his eyes moving rapidly, skilled in socializing.

His name was Song Jinxi, a top-grade Divine Chapter, just one step away from the Worldly Realm.

Behind him, another thirty-plus-year-old eunuch who had also stood up to greet, larger in stature, dressed in the same color coat, was calm and composed, an earnest character.

Named Tang Jinzhong, a Worldly Realm tributor, he possessed formidable martial strength.

Recently, Zhao Douan had been practicing martial arts in the Martial Arts Hall, while Eunuch Hai, accustomed to laziness, mostly napped by the Weapon Vault, arranging for the two to look after him.

By rights, Zhao Douan was the least "senior" among these tributors, supposedly a "junior disciple."

But the Imperial Family’s tributors weren’t disciples; although Zhao Douan’s Junior Guardian status wasn’t significant, his hidden identity as the "Imperial Consort" was indeed special.

Tributors serve the Royal Family, and perhaps, in a few years, Zhao Douan would also be part of the Royal Family.

Therefore, the distinction between master and servant must not be confused.

Thus, within the Martial Arts Hall, except for Eunuch Hai, all tributors treated Zhao Douan with respect and humility, with great servitude.

"Summoned by His Majesty?" Zhao Douan raised an eyebrow, entered the inner hall, sat down first, invited the two "senior disciples" to join him, and asked: "Is it because of the matter with the Qingshan disciples?"

Song Jinxi, slick and obsequious, nodded and bowed: "Junior Guardian, your guess is correct. Early this morning, the Qingshan disciples entered the palace to meet with His Majesty and presented a challenge letter."

Tang Jinzhong, who more fits the ruthless tributor image, also nodded, speaking solemnly: "Eunuch Hai, who had previously visited Qingshan, is more familiar with the matter than His Majesty, hence he went."

Zhao Douan took up the Biluochun tea, squinted slightly: "I heard traditionally, when Qingshan disciples come, they will stay in the Imperial City for a while, sparring with the Imperial Family’s tributors and discussing martial arts?"

Song Jinxi nodded, showing a worried expression: "Though it’s said to be a discussion, it’s actually a contest. Although unrelated to His Majesty and Wu Xiankui’s martial arts duel, it is indeed a matter involving the Royal Family’s honor..."

Tang Jinzhong nodded, more solemn and serious than usual.

The Royal Family has always been concerned with honor; although Qingshan’s legacy is long-standing, it is ultimately a martial world power.

The sparring, especially on the Imperial Family’s turf, if dominated, would severely damage the entire Royal Family’s prestige.

Zhao Douan nodded, and just as he was about to inquire about the details, suddenly a voice came from outside the Martial Arts Hall: "Mo Zhaorong..."

He turned his head, and unexpectedly saw the "ice block," dressed in palace official attire, with plum blossom makeup on her brow, a serious expression, walking into the courtyard.

Tang Jinzhong and Song Jinxi stood up again, quite surprised: "Miss Mo, is there a command from His Majesty?"

Mo Chou came alone, waved her hand at the remark, and said indifferently: "I have something to say to Young Master Zhao alone."

The two tributors exchanged glances, then cast a questioning look at Zhao Douan, and awaited his nod before bowing and leaving.

They also drove out the other tributor eunuchs in the courtyard.

...

"Why did Mo Zhaorong suddenly come? What does she have to say to me?"

Zhao Douan smiled, motioned her to sit down, and grabbed a handful of dried fruits from the tray on the tea table: "Would you like some?"

"..." Mo Chou rolled her eyes, sat down opposite him, frowned: "The Qingshan people have arrived, do you know that?"

Zhao Douan returned the dried fruits, crushed a walnut and ate it, lazily said:

"How could I not know? I was just about to probe who’s coming. I heard that Chai Keqiao has come again? And made progress?"

Mo Chou looked disdainfully at Zhao, who appeared nonchalant, teased:

"Indeed, Chai Keqiao has stepped into the Worldly Realm. Well, do you feel pressured?"

Indeed, he has advanced... As expected, this person, being the direct disciple of Wu Xiankui, is a genius like Gongshu Tianyuan... During the Buddhist Tao competition in the past, he was already at the peak of the Divine Chapter...

Zhao Douan remained indifferent: "How many years has he been cultivating? How long have I? Why feel pressured?"

Seeing Zhao wasn’t disheartened, Mo Chou felt bored, continued:

"Aside from him, two other disciples came from Qingshan this time, each a leader among those yet to descend the mountain."

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