The First Lackey Under The Empress

Early morning, the Zhao household.

“Hoo—” Zhao Du’an stretched his limbs, opened his eyes, and lay in bed looking at the canopy above, unwilling to get up.

After returning from the Cultivation Hall last night, he only felt exhausted upon arriving home. He didn't even meditate.

“How can moving my lips be more tiring than fighting with someone… I get it, office meeting syndrome.” Silently complaining, Zhao Du’an turned over and got up.

After a simple wash.

This book is first published on 𝕥 𝕨 𝕜 𝕒 𝕟 . 𝕔 𝕠 𝕞 on the entire network.

Walking to the dining room, he found his beautiful stepmother arranging a vase, filling it with water.

Her jade hand held a lotus stem with remarkable roots, and above it was a large, blooming pink lotus head.

She seemed to be hesitating whether to put it in the vase.

“Where did the lotus flower come from?” Zhao Du’an asked, surprised.

You Jinhua was startled, patted her chest, turned her head, and when she saw it was her stepson, she revealed a smile and happily shared:

“The neighbor brought it early in the morning, saying it was obtained from the Shenlong Temple and can pray for blessings and protect the peace of the family.”

Behind Zhao Du’an, Zhao Pan walked in lazily.

The girl had her hair braided into braids today, coiled into two rings behind her head, puffed up her cheeks, and said crisply:

“Mother, do you also believe those ghost stories? They are all means for those monks to collect money. They are sold every year before the Ghost Festival and have long been exposed.”

You Jinhua glared at her daughter and said:

“You can’t say that about Buddhist monks.”

Zhao Pan sighed and didn't want to explain, feeling tired.

“Ghost Festival?” Zhao Du’an was stunned for a moment before he remembered that the Great Yu’s Ghost Festival was different from the one in his previous life.

It was a little later in time and was a “god-worshipping” festival.

Because gods exist in Great Yu, there are god-worshipping activities and traditions every year during the Ghost Festival, making it an exceptionally lively festival.

The monks of Shenlong Temple have a high presence during the Ghost Festival, and it is said that there are also celebration activities.

High-ranking Dharma masters will appear and invite some “celebrities” with status in the capital to gather.

However, Zhao Du’an had risen in power for a short time and did not know much about the activities of the upper class, nor had he ever been invited.

His stepmother was a believer in gods, but she was very practical.

She vaguely believed in every god, just in case they were effective?

If it doesn’t work, there’s no loss…

“Brother, you came back very late last night.” At the dinner table, the girl suddenly asked.

She suspected that her brother had gone out fooling around again.

You Jinhua also remembered the matter of her stepson being picked up by a carriage last night, and her eyes also looked over softly: “Is there anything wrong?”

She was a little worried that her stepson had antagonized another court official.

Don’t I have any positive image in your hearts… Where did the trust go?… Zhao Du’an put down his chopsticks, picked up the air of the head of the family, and threatened:

“Do your own thing at home, don’t ask what you shouldn’t.”

So the mother and daughter stopped talking.

…

…

The mansion of Li Yanfu, the current Prime Minister, is located in the best area of the capital, not far from the imperial palace.

It is a rather grand mansion, and the entire street around it is also the residence of influential figures in the court. Ordinary people dare not approach.

Early morning.

A sedan chair arrived outside the Prime Minister's residence.

“Young Master, you’ve arrived.” The servant guarding the gate hurried down the steps and respectfully saluted.

Li Yinglong, the “Little Grand Secretary” who was nearly forty years old, with a feminine appearance, a high nose bridge, and deep-set eye sockets, grunted and stepped out of the sedan chair, saying as he walked:

“Has Father gotten up yet?”

At this age, the father and son had already separated, but the house was not far away, and they moved around frequently.

Li Yanfu was getting old, and many things were beyond his ability. Li Yinglong, as his most trusted son, shouldered many affairs in the “Li Party.”

If the Prime Minister is the “leader” of the Li Party, then Li Yinglong is the leader's hand.

“The master got up early and has already eaten.”

The servant said.

Recently, the Empress was in seclusion, and the courtiers did not have to attend the early morning court.

However, the Prime Minister, who was used to getting up early, still woke up before dawn.

Li Yinglong nodded, passed through the front yard, and walked to the garden courtyard full of rockeries, ponds, pavilions and terraces.

From a distance, he saw the maid standing beside him.

The current Prime Minister, Li Yanfu, who held great power and whose roots spread throughout the Great Yu Dynasty, was playing pitch-pot in loose casual clothes.

On the bluestone ground, there was a thin-necked bronze pot with three ears.

About two zhang away, Li Yanfu was holding an arrow with tail feathers in his hand, aiming.

Although he was old, the old man, whose temples were like hedgehog skin and whose eyebrows were like amethyst edges, with messy stubble spreading along both sides of his cheeks and intersecting with his temples, still had restrained ferocity in his eyes.

“Father.”

Li Yinglong respectfully approached, stood aside, glanced at the maid beside him holding the arrow bag, and took it over proactively.

The maid sensibly left quickly, and the servants also dispersed, so they would not hear the distance of the two people talking.

Li Yanfu seemed not to see the arrival of his son, and focused on aiming.

Suddenly, he threw it hard, and the arrow drew an arc, but hit the edge of the bronze pot.

“I’m old…” Li Yanfu sighed softly, but he was not disappointed.

Li Yinglong flattered:

“Father is getting stronger as he gets older. At this distance, it is difficult for military men to hit.”

Li Yanfu ignored his flattery, reached out and took a new arrow from the quiver, did not look at him, and was still aiming:

“Early in the morning, are you here for something?”

Li Yinglong respectfully said:

“Yesterday was the first opening of the Cultivation Hall. Your son waited for a day. I went to inquire about the situation at night. Because it was too late, I was afraid of delaying your rest, so I came early in the morning.”

Li Yanfu paused, turned his head, looked down at him expressionlessly, and said coldly:

“What are you meddling in?”

Li Yinglong, who was secretly inquiring behind his old father's back, hurriedly said:

“Father, the Cultivation Hall has just opened, and the new policies are probably going to be put on the agenda. Your son is also very worried, that's why… Moreover, there are many people who went to inquire, not just our family.”

Li Yanfu was a little displeased, but he didn't say anything, and picked up the arrow again:

“Continue.”

“Yes,” Li Yinglong vividly said:

"My son went to block Wang You, the son of the Minister of Personnel, intending to inquire. However, that Wang fellow was extremely tight-lipped, unwilling to engage with my son, and even retorted mockingly before quickly leaving."

"..." Li Yanfu lowered his arrow for the third time, looking at him:

"So, you gleaned absolutely nothing."

The atmosphere turned slightly stiff.

Li Yinglong quickly said:

"Father, the more they refuse to speak, the more it proves something significant is afoot. Moreover, that Wang You's complexion was terrible, and he returned from the Xiuwen Hall late at night. On the first day the hall opened, he called for discussions twice. This is highly unusual!

In my view, it's likely a storm is brewing. If the new policies are to be implemented, the first to be affected will undoubtedly be the Ministry of Personnel under your command.

Over the past year, His Majesty has frequently targeted us. Especially in the last six months, Pei Kai Zhi and Zhou Cheng have both been brought down by that Zhao Du'an.

Clearly, all of this is His Majesty's intention, clearing obstacles for the Xiuwen Hall... Previously, the Grand Secretariat was disbanded, stripping us of our power.

Now, with a combination of suppression and strikes, a new Grand Secretariat has been established, completely excluding us... We cannot sit idly by and await our doom."

These words had clearly been bottled up for a long time.

Li Yanfu listened quietly until he finished, then said calmly:

"Are you finished? If you're finished, go back."

Li Yinglong was stunned, anxiously saying:

"Father, how can you still remain so calm? It's a matter of life and death! Before, when His Majesty reprimanded us, you said to endure it. Later, when Pei Kai Zhi fell, you still said nothing. Now, Zhou Cheng has also fallen... Within our Li faction, morale is wavering.

You may not be aware of it because you don't concern yourself with these matters, but I, your son, am acutely aware.

Some time ago, that Zhao Du'an was rampant, arresting people left and right, causing widespread outrage, which I managed to suppress.

In the few days since Zhou Cheng's downfall, countless people have come to me, expressing their dissatisfaction, everyone fearing for their safety. I've been bearing all that pressure, comforting them one by one... But there has to be an end to this."

Li Yanfu seemed oblivious, still focused on playing pitch-pot.

Seeing this, Li Yinglong took a deep breath and earnestly said:

"Father, won't you think of your son, and think of yourself? If new policies are implemented, the governance of officials will surely be investigated. Will His Majesty hold you accountable then? Don't you feel wronged?

Yes! The governance of officials in the nine provinces and eighteen prefectures of the Great Yu is utterly corrupt, but you shouldn't be the one to bear the blame.

Wasn't it the late Emperor who didn't care about things, and was afraid that those below him would become too powerful, so he insisted on splitting one official position into two? Leading to redundant officials?

The late Emperor wanted money to build palaces, refine elixirs, and put on grand displays. A single ceremony to Heaven would cost countless silvers. What could be done?

Wasn't it you who figured out how to get the money? As a result, we bore the blame, and now the new Emperor resents us. You say this..."

"Clang!"

Suddenly, Li Yanfu threw the arrow in his hand, accurately hitting the copper pot, making a crisp metallic sound.

Immediately, this Chancellor who had served two dynasties looked over coldly.

Li Yinglong immediately stopped speaking, not daring to utter a word.

Li Yanfu seemed to sigh softly, as if disappointed in his son, and slowly said:

"Since you know all this, you should understand that the reason your father has been able to稳坐相国 (sit firmly in the position of Chancellor) all these years, and not someone else, is because I can handle matters for the late Emperor and take the blame.

Now that the new Emperor has ascended the throne and is wary of me, she will naturally suppress and strike. If His Majesty is angry, let her strike.

The more she strikes, the more her anger will dissipate. Only then will our losses be minimized. Retreating to advance—how can you not understand this principle after being with me for so long?"

Li Yinglong said:

"Father, I understand the principle. But when will there be an end to this?

Moreover, morale is wavering among those below. So many high-ranking officials are being manipulated by a mere favorite, a lowly sixth-rank military officer, making their days uneasy. We won't contend with His Majesty, but we can't allow a pretty boy to ride on our heads."

Li Yanfu coldly snorted:

"Your vision is limited to bickering with a sixth-rank official all day? A mere pawn. If it's not someone named Zhao, there will be someone named Wang, someone named Li. His Majesty is the key to issuing orders."

His voice was clearly displeased.

In the eyes of this current Chancellor, even though Zhao Du'an had recently brought down two of their generals and was riding high, Li Yanfu had never given him a second glance.

Because he was very clear that Zhao Du'an was not the key. The Empress was the master behind the dog.

Without resolving the Empress, it was meaningless to argue with the dog.

"Father..."

"Get out."

"...Alas!"

Shortly after.

Li Yinglong angrily walked out of the Chancellor's residence, returning to his sedan, still feeling resentful.

"Young Master, the Master's meaning is..." The trusted confidant cautiously inquired.

Li Yinglong shook his head irritably, pondered briefly, and said coldly:

"My father is muddled, he has long lost his edge, thinking that by shrinking back and letting others hit him, he can get through it... We cannot sit idly by and await our doom. We must do something, otherwise the hearts of those below will scatter."

"Young Master, you are planning to..."

Li Yinglong's eyes flickered, his face sinister:

"That Zhao Du'an has been causing trouble repeatedly. Now that His Majesty is in seclusion and cannot protect him, it is the best opportunity.

I heard that Grand Tutor Dong is extremely disgusted with this person, and so are those scholars in the capital...

We can make some waves. If we can use some means to instigate the scholars in the Xiuwen Hall and cause a conflict with that Zhao Du'an...

In this way, we can both quell the anger of those below, letting them know that we are not just sitting idly by waiting for our doom.

And we can also cause His Majesty and those scholars in the Xiuwen Hall to harbor suspicion and distrust... Hindering the implementation of the new policies would be a two-birds-with-one-stone plan."

Saying this, this "Little Grand Secretary" seemed to already see the scene after success.

And Li Yanfu would never know that the reason Li Yinglong frequently mentioned Zhao Du'an today was because last night, Wang You, annoyed by his questioning, retorted mockingly, ridiculing the Li family for being useless, allowing Zhao Du'an, a pretty boy, to ride on their faces without daring to utter a word.

... I'm stuck on the plot, the update is late.

Thank you 凰儿 for the 500 coin reward~