The First Lackey Under The Empress

Say it again, not because I didn't hear clearly, but because I want to confirm it one more time.

Zhao Du'an was well-versed in this. He remembered that the last time was also in this pavilion. Yuan Li was sitting in his current position back then.

He was only worthy of standing aside, serving them tea and water.

But this time, the one sitting here is himself.

“As you wish…” He said unhurriedly, repeating the original words again.

This time, the Empress confirmed it.

She pursed her lips, subconsciously suppressing all external emotions due to the instinct of an emperor to conceal their feelings.

But the various surprises that arose in her heart could not be faked.

“The eunuch who returned to the palace just now did not mention this matter.”

She steadied her mind and took out the missed chess piece from the chess box again, clenching it in her palm.

Seemingly to gain some sense of control.

Zhao Du'an said:

“Because that eunuch left early. In fact, if it wasn't for a coincidence, the evidence I was waiting for happened to arrive, I wouldn't have been able to do this today.”

Xu Zhenguan said, “I want to know the cause and effect.”

Zhao Du'an had already prepared a draft, and had already explained it in court.

He immediately narrated in detail, starting with the descendants of the Xue family, until he accidentally encountered Zhou Cheng, who was investigating him in reverse, because of the person “Wang Shan”, and then simply went with the flow, completing this series of moves and taking Zhou Cheng down in one fell swoop.

The story was long, and the Empress listened attentively.

When she listened to the story, her crystal earlobes would lean forward almost imperceptibly, and her eyes would not blink.

Occasionally, she would suddenly interrupt and ask for some details.

Even the alternating of placing chess pieces was not delayed.

“That's roughly how it is,”

After a long time, Zhao Du'an finished his narration:

“In this matter, my two colleagues have worked very hard. Yuan Gong has contributed greatly. Without them, I would not have been able to do this by myself.”

He didn't even forget to ask for credit together, it was all a muscular instinct developed from writing drafts in his previous life.

So that's how it is… it can actually be like this… it can actually be done like this…

Thousands of thoughts surged in Xu Zhenguan's heart.

There was both surprise at Zhao Du'an's methods and anger at the crimes Zhou Cheng had committed back then.

Initially, when she gave Zhao Du'an the order, she said to look for evidence of crimes.

But she didn't expect that it would involve such a big old case.

Not only did she not expect Zhao Du'an to start from this angle, feigning one intention while pursuing another, and trick Zhou Cheng into this game.

After all, who would have thought that his initiative to go to jail was still a “game within a game”?

Not to mention Zhou Cheng, even she, who had learned of the situation in advance, thought that the “Su Hongyu” case was already a trap set by Zhao Du'an to complete the task.

This trap was already very clever and enough to satisfy her.

But until now, when everything was revealed, she realized that she thought Zhao Du'an was on the third floor, but in reality, he was on the fifth floor…

The Su Hongyu case was just a feint to cover up the real killing move…

One can only say that Zhou Cheng's loss was not unjust!

In addition, she never expected that the “Nine Ministers” who bore the burden of judicial justice, the ministers entrusted by the late emperor, would dare to commit such a treasonous case!

If Xu Zhenguan initially wanted to deal with Zhou Cheng entirely out of political needs, and there was still some guilt in her heart towards this minister entrusted with state affairs.

Then now, after learning what Zhou Cheng had done back then, there was only anger.

“What a daring dog! What a deception!”

Xu Zhenguan couldn't hide her anger, her face was covered with frost, she stood up, as if in the Golden Luan Hall:

“Such a treacherous official has actually lived well until now, causing Xue Lin and those officials to be unjustly wronged for ten years after their deaths!”

The nearby palace servants were terrified, not knowing why the Emperor was angry.

“Your Majesty, please calm down,” Zhao Du'an got up and advised:

“The late Emperor was blinded by Wang Zhen in the past, which led to this wrongful case. Your Majesty, you have only been on the throne for a short time, and it is not surprising that you did not notice the true face of Zhou Cheng.”

His words were still too euphemistic. In fact, the old emperor was simply昏聩,昏庸 (confused and incompetent).

When he was in power, he relied on eunuchs, and his power was diluted by the cabinet headed by Li Yanfu. He allowed the eight princes outside to grow stronger.

After his death, he also led to two sons fighting each other, brothers killing each other… Even after his daughter ascended the throne, what was left was a pile of mess…

It's amazing.

“Zhao Qing need not say more,” The Empress shook her head, suppressed her anger, and said murderously:

“This time, you have done a good job. Since Zhou Cheng has been captured, presumably Yuan Gong is already rushing to the palace.

The Xue Lin case has been overturned, and the involvement will not be small… Hmph, in朕's (I, the emperor) opinion, those above will affect those below. I'm afraid that the Dali Temple has rotted from top to bottom, and they should all be arrested and investigated!”

Zhao Du'an thought for a while and suddenly said:

“This subject believes that there are also good officials in the Dali Temple. For example, there is a judge named Lu Zhi who seems to be quite good.”

Xu Zhenguan glanced at him, surprised:

“That little official who once submitted a memorial impeaching you?朕 (I, the emperor) remember that when you arrested fifty-eight people last time, he was the only one who did not bribe you.”

The implication: Isn't this your enemy?

Eh, are you so concerned about me? You even know this detail… Zhao Du'an smiled and said:

“To recommend talent without avoiding relatives, since he is an honest and upright official, he should not be implicated.”

“Even if he is your enemy?”

“Heh, this subject still has this amount of tolerance.”

Xu Zhenguan didn't say anything, the look in her beautiful eyes became more and more different, as if she was looking at him with new eyes again:

“朕 (I, the emperor) understand. You stay in the palace first, and after朕 (I, the emperor) have dealt with these matters,朕 (I, the emperor) will… call you to speak.”

As she spoke, perhaps thinking of the last time she left Zhao Du'an in the palace, the scene of the two of them in the Tangquan Palace, with silver needles灌顶 (infusing energy into the head).

When the Empress turned around, a blush seemed to flash across her fair cheeks, fleeting.

……

……

Just as Zhao Du'an entered the palace, full of anticipation, waiting for the Empress to summon him again.

The result of the joint trial by the Three Offices also spread like ripples in the capital.

The Zhao family.

"Madam, Miss, we can't even get into the Dali Temple. Not to mention entering, we'll be driven away if we even get close. That female officer surnamed Qian, didn't she say she'd come home to deliver a message after the trial?"

In the inner courtyard, the old steward was earnestly trying to stop the mistress from going out.

Nearby, the rest of the Zhao family servants were also gathered here, their expressions sad and the atmosphere oppressive.

In just a few days, You Jinhua had become much more haggard.

Her eyes were bloodshot, a sign of sleepless nights.

Beside her, Zhao Pan, who was supporting her, also seemed to have lost some weight in her pointed chin.

The girl's face was also gloomy, and her autumn-like eyes were filled with deep worry. She also advised:

"Mother, the steward is right. If there is any progress, eldest brother's subordinates will definitely come to report."

You Jinhua's bloodless lips moved:

"But I'm really worried. If something really happens to your eldest brother, what will we do…"

Tears welled up in the beautiful woman's eyes, her expression sad and gentle.

A few days ago, after learning that Zhao Du'an had been arrested, You Jinhua mustered up her courage and went to the Pear Blossom Hall of the Imperial Prison.

But she only learned that Zhao Du'an would not be tortured in prison.

As for whether he could get out, and what the outcome would be, no one knew.

As rumors spread and public opinion became increasingly unfavorable, You Jinhua spent her days at home in tears, and Zhao Pan was also depressed, and the entire Zhao family was in a state of panic.

"Mother, it won't happen. He was fine last time, and he will definitely turn misfortune into good fortune this time."

Zhao Pan was referring to the Zhuang Xiaocheng case. The girl took out the sachets sewn by the mother and daughter from her bosom, and forced a smile:

"It will definitely be fine. We haven't even given him the gifts we made…"

At this moment, the sound of horses' hooves came from outside the house. The family quickly looked up. You Jinhua couldn't wait, and led her daughter to trot towards the gate.

She saw Qian Kerou dismount, her round face smiling. Before the mother and daughter could ask, she announced the good news:

"Lord Zhao has been cleared of charges. He was framed. He has now been released without charge!"

You Jinhua widened her beautiful eyes: "Really?"

Zhao Pan's breath tightened, and the girl's whole person brightened up.

Qian Kerou smiled and said:

"Of course. Not only that, but the Lord has also counter-sued the Minister of the Dali Temple who framed him. Now everyone outside is talking about it."

The Zhao family servants looked at each other, their gloom swept away.

… …

… …

East City, in an alley with a large willow tree.

Today, the private school only had classes for half a day. At noon, the children dispersed.

"Miss, the carriage is ready. Let's leave the city now."

Uncle Fu locked the door and said to Xue Xuan, who was sitting in the courtyard.

Today, she was not wearing a female scholar's robe, but a white dress. In the bamboo baskets at her feet were incense, candles, and paper money.

The fallen young lady, full of scholarly air, gentle and weak, with a thin face, was holding a wine jar and returned to reality from her trance.

She "Mmm"ed, and went out with Uncle Fu to get on the donkey cart and head out of the city.

Today is Xue Lin's memorial day.

It is also the memorial day for the wronged souls of the Zhengtong years who went to the autumn execution ground thirteen years ago.

"Miss, this morning, this old servant heard that today seems to be the day Zhao Du'an is being tried."

Uncle Fu said suddenly as he drove the donkey cart.

Xue Xuan was sitting on the flatbed cart in mourning clothes, holding a wine jar—a carriage with a compartment was an expensive thing, she could only borrow a donkey-drawn flatbed cart from her neighbor to go out of the city to the grave in the suburbs.

After Zhao Du'an came to visit that day, she was really nervous for a long time, but after two days, she learned that Zhao Du'an had been imprisoned.

It seemed that the presiding judge was Zhou Cheng, who had framed and wrongly killed her father back then.

Xue Xuan still didn't understand why Zhao Du'an came to ask those things.

But she vaguely felt that it had some secret connection with his imprisonment.

Perhaps it was those dirty court struggles… Xue Xuan thought.

Perhaps it was because they were both joint trials by the Three Offices, and Zhou Cheng was the presiding judge… she inexplicably felt a trace of sympathy for Zhao Du'an, that devil who threatened her to speak with her child's life.

Of course, it was only a trace. Xue Xuan only had disgust and fear for Zhao Du'an, this notorious traitor and villain.

"The outside world says that Zhao Du'an won't survive. In this way, he won't come to trouble the young lady again."

Uncle Fu waved his whip and gently whipped the little donkey.

Xue Xuan held the wine jar and said softly:

"Uncle Fu, do you think the so-called crime of raping and killing a woman that he committed is true or false?"

Uncle Fu was surprised: "Miss thinks it's not true? But the rumors outside are very detailed."

Xue Xuan shook her head and said:

"I don't know either. With that person's bad reputation, it shouldn't be surprising if he did such a thing, but… the presiding judge is Zhou Cheng, so it's hard to say."

Uncle Fu was silent, knowing that she was thinking of the unjust case of that year, and sighed softly.

This was a topic he had tried his best to avoid mentioning over the years, after all, it was already so many years ago.

A few days ago, when Zhao Du'an came to ask, a trace of hope rose in his heart, thinking that perhaps this old unjust case could be redressed one day.

But now… that Zhao Inspector is unable to protect himself, so… forget it.

"Giddy up!" Uncle Fu waved his whip.

Suddenly, on the street, they saw a group of officers rushing towards them from a distance. The two leading ones were very familiar.

The other party went straight to the little donkey cart and forced the master and servant to stop. Then, under Xue Xuan and Uncle Fu's tense and fearful gaze.

Haitang stepped forward, passed Zhang Han, and said to them with a smile:

"We meet again. Well, Zhao Inspector asked me to send his regards to you on his behalf."