The First Lackey Under The Empress

After a light rain, the pears in Pear Blossom Hall ripened.

Zhao Du'an discovered this after returning to the yamen.

Because the trees had been planted for many years, they were laden with fruit. Zhao Du'an waved his hand, and the little secretary led a group of government servants to collectively transform into fruit farmers, picking several large baskets of pears.

This morning, Zhao Du'an strode into the dining hall.

He immediately spotted two beauties, one large and one small, circling around a soup bowl at the round table.

"D郎, come and take a look. It's brewed according to your instructions, but I don't know if what you call 'Rock Sugar Pear Soup' is like this?"

You Jinhua's eyes lit up when she saw him, and she said with some trepidation.

"Let me see."

Zhao Du'an walked over and observed the sliced pears, which had changed color in the sugar water.

The sugar industry in Great Yu was quite developed, but the rock sugar had too many impurities, far inferior to later generations, which somewhat affected the appearance.

Zhao Du'an picked up a spoon, scooped up a spoonful, and put it in his mouth.

Beside him, two beautiful faces stared at him, You Jinhua with trepidation mixed with anticipation.

Zhao Pan's autumn-like eyes were full of eagerness.

"How is it?"

"Well, not bad, the heat is just right," Zhao Du'an said with a smile, "You all try it too."

The two women were also very curious about this unheard-of new dish.

The mother and daughter each took a soup spoon, scooped up the pears and soup into their bowls, and carefully ate it.

After tasting it for a moment, the mother and daughter's eyes lit up at the same time, their eyes curved into crescents:

"Oh, it's sweet…"

"Mother, you're talking nonsense, sugar has been added."

"D郎's way of eating is really novel."

"Slurp, slurp…"

Zhao Du'an sat in the main seat, watching the two female relatives eating with gusto, he had a vague sense of feeding cats, and his mood was much brighter.

In You Jinhua's coiled up hair, was the heavy hairpin he had given her, because the shape was a winding "branch" made of gold, Zhao Du'an named it "Golden Branch".

The golden flakes at the end swayed, matched with a dark green long dress and fair skin, showing a bit of nobility.

Ever since he gave it to her on the Qiqiao Festival, she had been wearing it all day, smiling at everyone she met, as if showing off.

As for Zhao Pan, the young girl did not wear the hairpin named "Jade Leaf" because it had pieces of jadeite leaves, which paled in comparison.

"I have important things to do today, where is that basket of pears I asked to be washed?" Zhao Du'an asked.

You Jinhua immediately ordered someone to bring it, a full basket, with just the right amount of fat and lean.

…

After dinner.

Zhao Pan returned to her bedroom, the girl sat in front of the dressing mirror.

She opened the drawer and carefully took out the "Jade Leaf" hairpin, which was well wrapped in red cloth, and then carefully looked at the bronze mirror, inserting the hairpin into her hair.

She held her slightly thin cheeks in her hands due to puberty, looking left and right.

She changed several sets of clothes to match, stood up in the room, and slowly turned around, without the slightest weariness.

"Sure enough, it looks much better." The delicate girl's brows stretched, her snow cheeks were rouged, and her thoughts drifted far away.

She regretted not wearing it in the morning because of shyness, her elder brother frequently looked at her mother, but paid little attention to her.

…

Outside the Zhao family's gate, Zhao Du'an left the house, but today there was no coachman "Little Wang".

He walked straight ahead and waited silently at the street corner.

After a while, a low-key luxurious carriage came from a distance and slowly stopped.

Zhao Du'an bent down, picked up a basket of pears, stepped into the carriage, sat down casually, and smiled:

"Consort Mo, we meet again."

Wearing a female official's robe, a wingless black gauze hat, with a cold and beautiful temperament, and a plum blossom makeup dotted between her eyebrows, the "female prime minister" looked at him calmly.

She nodded lightly, considering it a greeting.

When her gaze fell on the basket of pears, she couldn't help but frown:

"Envoy Zhao should know where we are going today, what are you doing bringing this thing?"

Zhao Du'an smiled and picked out a green pear, handing it to her:

"It's from our own orchard, take it to quench the thirst of the scholars, would Consort like to try it too?"

"Hehe, no need," Mo Chou declined politely, and said lightly:

"The Xiuwen Pavilion is not short of a few pears."

"It's different, it's different, a small gift conveys great affection," Zhao Du'an smiled, "Besides, the pears produced in the imperial yamen are unique in the world."

Mo Chou didn't take the bait, and while ordering the coachman to set off, she said with some displeasure:

"Envoy Zhao's residence is too remote, it wastes too much time to come and go."

Zhao Du'an's residence was bought by his grandfather with saved money, and his father renovated it, but the location was indeed not close to the imperial palace.

After all, the housing prices in the capital are expensive, not everyone can live in the "inner ring", and the thousands of taels in Zhao Du'an's hand are not enough to buy a new house.

"Hehe, living in the capital is not easy, it can't compare to Consort Mo who has lived in the palace since childhood, not knowing the hardships of the people."

Zhao Du'an leaned back opposite her, a little sarcastic.

You lack money? You won't be greedy?

Mo Chou didn't believe a word of his words, and said:

"Let's talk about business, the Xiuwen Pavilion is officially convened today, His Majesty specially ordered me to take you there to see the world. Grand Tutor Dong and His Majesty are both there today, just watch when you get there, don't interrupt and delay important matters."

"Important matters?"

Zhao Du'an, on his own, nibbled on the pear, and asked curiously:

"Isn't the first meeting supposed to be a greeting, getting to know each other? What important matters could there be?"

Mo Chou glanced at him:

"Do you think His Majesty has a lot of time? Would he take precious time to greet and chat with a group of scholars?

Those people, His Majesty has already learned about them to some extent, and Grand Tutor Dong has also summoned them more than once, some of the regulations have already been known.

Today it is said to be the opening of the pavilion, but it is already officially discussing some major dynasty affairs."

"For example?"

"For example, the New Deal." Mo Chou said solemnly:

"During the decades of the late Emperor's reign, the constraints on the court were not strict, therefore, when it fell into His Majesty's hands, it was already riddled with holes, and accumulated malpractices, in this case, a New Deal needs to be introduced.

This is also the most important thing after the opening of the Xiuwen Pavilion, in addition to sharing His Majesty's worries and handling some unimportant memorials, is a major matter.

"Otherwise, what do you think His Majesty was doing when he frequently took action against court officials before?"

It was to pave the way for the New Policies, to clear away obstacles…" Zhao Du'an understood.

He put away some of his playful thoughts.

So, today's opening of the pavilion is more significant than he anticipated. Is it a group of scholars and talents offering suggestions and discussing the formulation of new national policies?

"Understood?"

Mo Chou looked at him and sighed:

"That's why I told you not to interrupt and say things randomly.

I don't understand why His Majesty would allow a martial artist like you to go and listen in.

Involving the New Policies, everyone who enters the pavilion and participates in today's political discussion must keep their mouths shut and maintain secrecy. This is what I want to emphasize to you. Everything that happens in the pavilion today must not be revealed."

Zhao Du'an became a bit more serious and said:

"Then I should at least know who is in the pavilion, right?"

"This is the register of scholars entering the pavilion." Mo Chou handed over a booklet:

"Everyone who enters the pavilion, regardless of their previous status, will be granted the title of 'Academician of Literary Cultivation'. The first group to enter the pavilion has a total of eight people, making it nine with Grand Tutor Dong."

So few?

Zhao Du'an was surprised, but after a moment's thought, he wasn't surprised.

When it comes to decisions involving major matters, unless it's a vote, from ancient times to the present, it's always been the decision of just a few people.

He opened the booklet, and the first name that caught his eye was:

Han Zhou.

The carriage swayed.

Mo Chou explained:

"Among these eight people, the most important are the first three. This Han Zhou is a Number One Scholar from a humble background. He serves as an editor in the Hanlin Academy and has a reputation as the 'Number One Talent'. His poetry and essays are trivial matters; he is quite intelligent.

In recent years, although he has not held an official position, he has repeatedly gone out to various provinces, prefectures, and even fields to observe and visit. His knowledge is deeply appreciated by Grand Tutor Dong."

Number One Talent, huh…

Zhao Du'an turned to the second page and saw a familiar name:

Wang You.

Mo Chou said:

"This is the son of the Minister of Rites. The Wang family is a large clan that has existed for hundreds of years in the Great Yu Dynasty, with a prominent family background. Wang You's talent is needless to say, and his father is a master of calligraphy and painting, but… this person is arrogant, has the temperament of a 'celebrated scholar', is proud, and has extremely deep-rooted prejudices against those of different social classes."

So, I shouldn't offend him? A scion of a major clan?

Sigh, it seems Zhenbao needs to gain the support of some aristocratic families to secure the throne… Zhao Du'an silently noted.

He turned another page and smiled:

"This name is quite strange, Guo Jueyuan? Isn't Jueyuan the title for the first place in the provincial examination?"

Mo Chou cleared her throat and said:

"When his father named him, because he only got second place in the provincial examination that year, he considered it a regret, so he named his son hoping he could become a Jueyuan, and later his wish really came true."

So perfunctory… Zhao Du'an complained:

"Then he should have named him Guo Zhuangyuan, or Guo Prime Minister?"

Mo Chou was silent for a moment and said:

"His father did want to change his name… Okay, that's not important. The point is, this person is smooth and sophisticated, always greets people with a smile, and is a financial expert."

Zhao Du'an silently noted and scanned the resumes of the remaining five young talents.

They came from different backgrounds, but they were all elites among the scholars, the best of the best.

A gathering of heroes… Only I am a big bumpkin… Zhao Du'an sighed.

He thought that in his previous life, these people would either be from the world's top universities or the genius classes of Tsinghua and Peking University…

Mo Chou sighed:

"Originally, there was also a recluse from the Great Yu Dynasty that we wanted to invite, but unfortunately, even Grand Tutor Dong couldn't persuade him to come."

"A recluse?"

"Yes, a famous scholar who lives in seclusion outside the capital… Forget it, it's normal for a rough martial artist like you not to know."

Being looked down upon… Zhao Du'an shrugged indifferently and closed the booklet, seeing the atmosphere was dull.

Mo Chou glanced at this scene and teased:

"Aren't you ashamed of yourself? See, these are the real talents. Even a casual poem they recite is something you couldn't do even if you practiced your sword for a lifetime."

Zhao Du'an suddenly smiled and asked:

"Aren't you jealous of me, jealous that I was invited by His Majesty to the Literary Cultivation Pavilion?"

Mo Chou seemed to have her thoughts exposed and immediately denied:

"Of course not. You're just an observer…"

Zhao Du'an smiled and suddenly said:

"Speaking of which, I heard that you have been by His Majesty's side since you were a child? As a maid? The palace is so full of yin energy. Speaking of which, haven't you ever had proper contact with any men?"

After a slight pause, Zhao Du'an said something shocking:

"I'm saying… you always look at me with displeasure. Could it be that you like His Majesty?"

Mo Chou seemed to be struck by lightning.

She looked away in a panic, her fingers and toes curled up, and her cold and beautiful face instantly became hot:

"You… what nonsense are you talking about? I… I only admire His Majesty."

"Really?" Zhao Du'an looked suspicious and said seriously:

"Actually, if you have this idea but are too embarrassed to say it, I can help you convey your feelings to His Majesty."

"Don't!"

Mo Chou's tone suddenly rose, and her eyes widened.

The eunuch driving the carriage outside was startled and looked sideways, his expression horrified.

He wondered if Zhao Du'an had done something to Miss Mo inside the carriage?

…

"Haha, just kidding with you, have a pear."

Zhao Du'an laughed loudly.

Mo Chou's face was flushed red, and she glared at him angrily, realizing she had been tricked.

She stared for two seconds, snatched the pear, and took a fierce bite, as if she was treating it as Zhao Du'an and wanted to swallow it in one gulp.

At this time, the carriage began to slow down.

The eunuch, pretending not to have heard anything and deciding to bury what he had heard today in his heart, said:

"The Literary Cultivation Pavilion has arrived."

Zhao Du'an's spirits lifted, he opened the curtain and looked at the building in front of him, feeling somewhat expectant.

Negotiating new policies?

He really didn't believe that a group of feudal-era literati could surpass him.