The First Lackey Under The Empress

“Having… having a meal?”

Zhu Kui was stunned. It took him a full three breaths to come back to his senses before he excitedly asked:

“So, my lord is alright?!”

The eunuch smiled and said:

“We wouldn't know the specifics, but since His Majesty has made such arrangements, it seems that Lord Zhao is unharmed.”

He couldn't speak definitively, but the signal he conveyed was clear enough.

The lord is alright… I'm alright too… Zhu Kui's dark face flushed red, and an uncontrollable smile spread across his lips.

His ice-cold body, like spring thawing, began to warm up again.

At this moment, he had the leisure to notice Zhang Changshuo's dispirited appearance as he left, which further proved that what the eunuch said was true.

What methods did the lord use? He actually managed to turn things around?

Or was I mistaken before? Were the lord's series of actions these past two days really His Majesty's intention?

Amidst the joy of surviving the ordeal, Zhu Kui couldn't help but speculate wildly, even beginning to doubt himself.

… …

White Horse Bureau.

The atmosphere in the office today was quite strange. The envoys, who were usually scattered outside, had all gathered in their posts as if by agreement.

They clustered in twos and threes, discussing in low voices. It was almost noon, but none of them had moved, frequently craning their necks towards the entrance of the office, eagerly waiting.

Clearly, they were hoping to be the first to learn the outcome of Zhao Du'an's punishment.

Since ancient times, watching important figures fall from grace has been a popular form of entertainment.

“It's this hour already, it should be over, right?”

“Calculating the journey, I reckon he should be back soon. Tsk, what do you think will be Zhao…'s fate?”

“Heh… I'm afraid he'll be skinned alive even if he doesn't die. Haven't you heard the rumors in the capital? This time, the court officials are putting pressure on him. Even the Saint's favor should have its limits.”

“Alas, if only I had known…”

Someone shook his head and was about to launch into a long speech when he suddenly caught sight of a figure walking out of the inner office. He quickly stood up and saluted:

“Director.”

The other envoys also stood up, looking embarrassed.

The old man, with temples streaked with white hair, deep-set eyes, and wearing the official robe of the White Horse Bureau's director, looked displeased. He glanced at everyone and said:

“Don't you all have anything to do? Gathering here to gossip?”

A middle-aged envoy tried to ease the tension:

“The Director is right to scold us. We're just concerned about our colleague…”

Heh… The old director chuckled and didn't bother to expose them.

Another person bluntly said:

“Zhao Du'an has caused so much trouble for the office in the past. Now, he's just reaping what he sowed. Director, you've been quite accommodating to him, but what about him? He doesn't know how to be grateful, and instead…”

“That's right, I think he deserved it long ago.”

Everyone chimed in, united in their animosity.

The old director sighed. He wanted to say something, but ultimately gave up.

His feelings towards Zhao Du'an were complicated, as contradictory as the two comments on that memorial.

Perhaps it was because old age made him soft-hearted. When Zhao Du'an was arrogant and overbearing, the old man couldn't wait to strip him of his official status and cast him down to the mortal world.

But now, seeing that he was about to face a major crime and perhaps even lose his life, he couldn't help but feel sympathy.

At this moment, the sound of horse hooves came from outside the office, and then Zhang Changshuo walked in.

“Envoy Zhang, you're back,” a group of people excitedly stood up to greet him. Knowing that the former had entered the palace to meet the Saint with Zhao Du'an, they couldn't help but look around:

“That Zhao… didn't come back with you?”

Zhang Changshuo was expressionless: “Only I have returned.”

The crowd exchanged glances, not surprised, but rather feeling a sense of "just as expected."

The old director sighed softly and couldn't help but close his eyes, asking:

“So, was he taken to the Imperial Prison? Or the Prefectural Office? Or the Court of Judicial Review for trial?”

Involving a rebellious party, it would definitely be handed over to the Three Judicial Offices for interrogation.

“He wasn't imprisoned,” Zhang Changshuo's voice was devoid of emotion. He dropped this sentence, then cupped his hands:

“This official is feeling unwell. I request a three-day leave to return home and recuperate.”

After saying that, he turned and left directly.

The crowd was stunned, and the old director also opened his eyes, realizing that the situation seemed wrong.

Given their relationship, if something had happened to Zhao Du'an, Zhang Changshuo should have been overjoyed.

What on earth happened?

In their confusion, the crowd turned their attention to the officials who had accompanied Zhang Changshuo into the palace.

The latter had no choice but to explain:

“This humble servant doesn't know the specifics of the process, only that Envoy Zhao presented a memorial, and His Majesty said that the matter should not be mentioned again… Censor Lü was reprimanded, and Envoy Zhang was… sentenced to three days of confinement…”

What?

A memorial turned around His Majesty's intentions?

The censor representing the civil and military officials was silenced?

Zhang Changshuo was sentenced to confinement for reflection?

Wasn't it said that His Majesty had withdrawn his favor and that Zhao Du'an was the one who should have been thrown into prison?

How could it be completely reversed?

“Then what about Zhao Du'an? Wasn't he punished? Why didn't he come back?”

“This… Lord Zhao was kept by His Majesty to have a meal in the palace.”

In the courtyard.

For a time, it was silent, and every face was filled with disbelief.

Even the old director was stunned, and an incredible expression appeared on his weathered old face.

That kid… a mere fake gigolo… an insignificant pawn… how on earth did he do it?

… …

… …

At this moment.

Zhao Du'an, who was in the palace, did not know what kind of ripples the news had caused in the officialdom of the capital after it spread.

Nor would he know what kind of astonishment and disappointment those countless eyes that were focused on this matter, expecting him to fall, would show after successively learning the outcome of the incident.

Or rather, he had no time to care at all.

Because after waiting alone in the flower hall for about an hour, he finally received the news of the Empress's summons.

… …

“His Majesty does not like others serving her during meals. Lord Envoy, please go in.”

Outside the Empress's bedroom.

The elderly female official stopped and said softly to Zhao Du'an, who was following behind.

The Emperor's meals did not have a fixed location, but the bedroom was the most common.

Because after lunch, she would often take a nap, mainly for convenience.

As a "male favorite," this was the first time Zhao Du'an had stepped into the Empress's bedroom.

Upon entering, he saw carved beams and painted rafters, and the central courtyard was filled with flowers, colorful and vibrant, with many rare flowers and trees growing.

In the corridors connected by red lacquer wooden pillars, several female officials dressed in Tang Dynasty palace attire stood serving.

And in the only half-open door, a huge round table could be vaguely seen, filled with delicacies. Eunuchs from the Imperial Kitchen and Imperial Tea Workshop were carrying lacquerware away in small steps.

Beside the table, a moon-white thick silk dress was faintly discernible.

“Your subject, Zhao Du'an, is here at your summons.” Zhao Du'an stood outside the threshold, took a deep breath, and said with his head lowered.

“Come in.” The same cold voice as always.

Having received permission, Zhao Du'an then stepped over the threshold, raised his head, and finally saw Xu Zhenguan, who was holding a spoon with her slender jade hand, her delicate mouth slightly open, slowly drinking soup, beside the dining table.

Golden sunlight shone down from the cracked clouds, penetrated the window lattice, and shone on her beautiful, flawless face, like a crystal jade artwork.

Dazzling white.

Zhao Du'an couldn't help but be a little dazed.

“Sit down and talk.”

The Great Yu Empress Xu Zhenguan raised her head, looked at his somewhat silly appearance, and the corners of her mouth were slightly raised, with a hidden smile.

And so, the summer wind also stirred up ripples of light.

Thank you to book friend Luminas for the 500 coin reward support~