The First Lackey Under The Empress

"What else do you need? As long as it's within our agreed-upon range, I can grant it to you."

Yuan Li stood before the hall, hands clasped behind his back, and turned his head to speak to him.

Zhao Du'an shook his head: "Lord Yuan's help has already been sufficient."

After a slight pause, he asked curiously: "However, there is still one question I don't understand."

"Speak."

Zhao Du'an asked with doubt:

"Lord Yuan previously said that Zhou Cheng's minor transgressions are difficult to investigate. May I ask, what did you mean by that?"

Yuan Li glanced at him, not surprised, and pondered for a moment:

"Do you know why His Majesty suddenly ordered you to find fault with Zhou Cheng?"

… Wasn't it because he was a member of the 'Chancellor's' faction?

Zhao Du'an subconsciously wanted to say that, but he suddenly remembered the scene when the Empress instructed him by the lake and shook his head:

"This official does not know."

Yuan Li said with emotion:

"Because he is one of the Nine Ministers, and he was also a courtier who entered the Grand Secretariat during the late Emperor's reign. More importantly, before the Xuanmen Coup, he was also one of the 'Regent Ministers' entrusted by the late Emperor."

Regent Minister? Him? Zhao Du'an was taken aback.

Yuan Li recalled:

"That day, the late Emperor suddenly fell critically ill and urgently summoned the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers, as well as the Grand Secretariat ministers, to the palace to make arrangements for the regency. Zhou Cheng was originally slightly unqualified, but due to Wang Zhen's influence, he was able to become one of the eight 'Regent Ministers' to assist the Crown Prince after the late Emperor's death. But…"

But the Crown Prince died… Zhao Du'an silently complained:

"Is there anything special about the Regent Ministers?"

Yuan Li explained: "According to the old system of the Great Yu, Regent Ministers are not subject to investigation unless they commit a serious crime."

So that's how it is!

No wonder he said that his minor transgressions were difficult to investigate… This Regent Minister is a weakened version of an immunity charm… However, in the history of my previous life, the Regent Ministers seemed to have died miserably…

Zhao Du'an suddenly understood and said:

"So, Your Majesty wants to replace the old ministers with new ones and can only order me to find a serious crime to do so?"

Yuan Li sighed softly, glanced at him, and reminded:

"His Majesty has been preparing to form a new Grand Secretariat, which is something that Li Yanfu, Zhou Cheng, and those people do not want to see. Zhou Cheng's opposition is particularly fierce."

A new Grand Secretariat?

Zhao Du'an was overjoyed and habitually offered a compliment:

"When the new Grand Secretariat is established, Lord Yuan will surely enter the cabinet and replace Li Yanfu!"

Yuan Li didn't know whether to laugh or cry and scolded with a smile:

"Stop trying to flatter me. The new Grand Secretariat is different from what you imagine, with mostly young scholar-officials. I won't be able to enter either. Go and do your job. Don't inquire about the affairs of scholars, you martial officer, it has nothing to do with you."

Who are you calling a martial officer? I was a proper secretary in my previous life… I am also a scholar, with a stomach full of poems and articles yet to be copied…

Zhao Du'an became increasingly curious about the so-called "new Grand Secretariat."

…

…

Outside the Court of Judicial Review, in the shade across the street.

"Zhao Du'an has been inside for quite a while, why hasn't he come out yet?"

The heroic and valiant Haitang, with a melon-seed face and a bright beauty mark at the corner of her eye, leaned against the carriage, arms crossed, and muttered.

Her gaze looked towards the gate across the street.

"Lord Yuan is busy with countless affairs, how easy is it to see him? Even with his 'relationship' with His Majesty, Lord Yuan may have agreed to see him, but he will definitely make him wait a long time."

Zhang Han, the workaholic, analyzed calmly, and the coachman, Xiao Wang, nodded frequently.

Haitang sighed. Because the sunlight was dazzling, she raised her hand and made a "sun visor" in front of her forehead, looking expectantly:

"It's almost noon, are we just going to wait here foolishly? If I had known, I should have grabbed him just now. Daydreaming, seeking Lord Yuan's help, he really dares to think, why doesn't he go and ask Li Yanfu for help?"

Zhang Han didn't say anything, but he also didn't hold any hope for this request for help.

To be enemies with Zhou Cheng, even Lord Yuan has to be cautious. Zhao Du'an is accustomed to using his influence to suppress others, but he can't suppress Yuan Li.

"Hey, the lord is out," Coachman Xiao Wang whispered.

The two were immediately energized and saw Zhao Du'an striding out from between the two white jade lions, heading straight back this way.

"How is it? Did you see Lord Yuan?"

Haitang teased, expecting to see the other party's frustrated look.

Zhang Han also looked over and comforted:

"It's normal for Lord Yuan not to help. We can think of other ways."

Xiao Wang also said diligently:

"Lord, I know a good restaurant nearby."

Trying to soothe his superior's empty heart with delicious food.

Zhao Du'an looked at them with a wry smile:

"Do you have so little confidence in me? Lord Yuan has already agreed to help us gather clues and will send them before tomorrow. Delay will lead to changes. Gentlemen, it seems we have to work overtime tonight."

"I knew you wouldn't…" Haitang's teasing words got stuck in her throat, and she stared at him blankly:

"Say that again?"

Zhang Han also showed an unbelievable expression, and Xiao Wang's eyes widened even more.

Lord Yuan… agreed to offer assistance?

Inconceivable.

…

…

The rear yamen of the Court of Judicial Review.

The place where Xia Jianghou and Zhou Cheng had tea and made their deal that day.

"So, you pried open Qin Qiu's mouth and learned of this matter?"

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, wearing a scarlet official robe and a black gauze hat, with a "川"-shaped wrinkle deep between his eyebrows on his square face, lowered his eyes and fixed his slightly cloudy gaze on his subordinate.

He Zheng, who had changed back into his green official robe, said with obsequious flattery, as if seeking credit:

"Lord, that is indeed the case. Qin Qiu has already been thrown into prison and kept in solitary confinement. If you want to see him, you can pull him out for questioning at any time."

"That won't be necessary. I am relieved by your work." The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, who was over sixty years old, smiled and nodded to show his appreciation.

He Zheng was greatly encouraged and eagerly said:

"Since Eunuch Wang's death, Wang Shan has been mingling with the sons and daughters of powerful families in the capital after resigning from his official post. He has been secretly colluding with many people.

Knowing that Zhao Thief is His Majesty's favored male concubine, he still sent women… He must have the intention of controlling him. This humble servant believes that he must have evidence in his hands. If you want it, this humble servant will go and get it."

Zhou Cheng glanced at him but didn't say anything. Instead, he was thinking and weighing the matter.

He slowly played with a pair of precious "Longan" large pearls in his hand.

The large pearls from Bin Haidao, one pure white and one pure black, were large and round, extremely rare, and it was unknown where they had been plundered from.

"Don't rush…"

Zhou Cheng slowly opened his mouth:

"Wang Shan and I can be considered old acquaintances. If you rush over rashly, he will blame me for not being considerate. Like this, I will write a letter, and you will send someone to deliver it secretly…"

…

…

After leaving the Court of Judicial Review, Zhao Du'an and his party went to the restaurant recommended by Xiao Wang to fill their stomachs. When they returned to the Zhao Yamen, it was already afternoon.

"Are we really just waiting? Should we investigate that Wang Shan first, or simply invite him over?"

Haitang leaned back in her chair to relieve the fatigue of half a day's running around and couldn't help but say.

Zhao Du'an made the same movement, slightly loosening his belt to make his slightly full stomach feel more comfortable and said lazily:

"Don't rush. The person is in the capital, he can't run away for a while. Our actions today have already been a bit too much. If we go to investigate him, it will easily startle the snake."

Zhang Han also nodded, expressing his agreement.

At this moment, the three were sitting in the "inner hall" of the Pear Blossom Hall.

On both sides of the large long table, the empty chairs were occupied by the three of them alone.

Qian Kerou, the "confidential secretary" with a round face and clear, foolish eyes, came in carrying a tea tray and poured tea for the three of them in turn. There were also three pears on the tea tray.

"Lord, the pears in the courtyard are ripening one after another, please try them," Qian Kerou said softly.

Zhao Du'an's eyes lit up, and he picked up one and took a bite. The full, slightly sour juice filled his mouth, and his eyes lit up.

Waving his hand, he originally wanted to order the little secretary to leave, but suddenly thought of something and said:

"You stay on duty tonight, and then send someone to find this person, just say I'm looking for him and tell him to get over here."

Zhao Du'an handed over a note with Qin Qiu's name and address written on it.

He did not ignore the memory of Wang Shan that had appeared in his mind during the day.

He was also recalling it on the way back, vaguely remembering that he had gone to Wang Shan's residence with Qin Qiu.

So he prepared to find this lackey to inquire.

After Qian Kerou took the order and left.

Zhao Du'an then looked at his two colleagues:

"When the information that Lord Yuan is helping to investigate is sent, we will have to rely on you two investigation experts to find clues from it."

Haitang, while gnawing on a pear, rolled her eyes:

"Provided that what you said is true."

Although Zhao Du'an said it with certainty, she and Zhang Han were still cautiously skeptical about whether Yuan Li would help.

However, this suspicion was broken that night. The three of them waited quietly in the Pear Blossom Hall until night fell and the lamps were lit. Qian Kerou, who had taken the initiative to stay on duty, ran in:

"Lord, someone is looking for you."

Zhao Du'an was immediately energized and ordered her to invite them in.

After a while, an unfamiliar servant from the Yuan residence cupped his hands:

"Greetings, Investigator Zhao, my master ordered me to bring you what you wanted."

As he spoke, behind him, two other servants each placed a box on the table with a "thud," and when they opened the buckles, they were filled with dossiers and information.

They really sent it?

Haitang and Zhang Han stood up, each holding a box, and quickly flipped through it. Their eyes lit up, it was exactly what they needed.

"Thank you, Lord Yuan," Zhao Du'an said with a smile. "I didn't expect you to gather so much so quickly."

The servant shook his head:

"This is just the first batch, there will be more later. Lord Yuan was worried that you were in a hurry, so he ordered me to send it first."

The first batch? Zhao Du'an was also stunned.

Turning around, he saw in the hall, the "high ponytail" and "poker face" had already lit the candles. One lamp after another was placed in the center of the table, and the lanterns under the eaves swayed.

Outside, the night was quiet, and inside the hall, the lights were bright.

The case involved a great deal and needed to be kept secret. To be cautious, the two did not intend to summon their subordinates to help and immediately rolled up their sleeves and began to search and review the materials.

Zhao Du'an, who acted as a hands-off shopkeeper on the grounds that he did not know how to investigate cases, diligently trimmed the candle wicks for the two.

For a time, the rustling sound of paper turning and the hurried discussions in low voices in the room drowned out the night.

And this was just the beginning.

That night, every hour, a servant from the Yuan residence would bring a batch of information, and the wide table in the Pear Blossom Hall was piled up like a mountain.

As the information was sent in, the details of the case gradually became clear.

It wasn't until dawn that Zhao Du'an, who was sitting back in the large chair, suddenly woke up.

"More information has been sent?"

He lifted the coat covering his face, propped open his sleepy eyes, and asked vaguely.

He vaguely saw that the sky was faintly brightening, and the night had passed.

"There's no more information," Haitang, who had been up all night, looked down at him expressionlessly, her eyes full of disdain for him, the hands-off shopkeeper.

Then, the corners of her mouth turned up slightly:

"We don't need any more information either."

Why… Zhao Du'an was a little confused from sleep and his thinking was slow.

Zhang Han, the workaholic, was refreshed, even more energetic from working overtime all night. He also stood up with a smile and said:

"We've found what we need!"