The First Lackey Under The Empress

The setting sun gradually sank into the horizon, and the light in the room gradually dimmed.

Taiwan Novel Network → 𝓽 𝔀 𝓴 𝓪 𝓷 . 𝓬 𝓸 𝓶

However, in Xu Zhenguan's eyes, the little imperial guard standing in front of her seemed to be glowing.

It's hard to describe her mood at the moment.

Is it surprise? Of course, there is some.

The stalemate between the civil and military officials of the court, the dangerous situation in which the entire high-level imperial party was helpless, was actually resolved by Zhao Douan in such a dramatic way…

Anyone who has personally experienced these things should naturally be surprised.

Even in the past few months, Zhao Douan had given her surprises again and again.

But at this moment, in Xu Zhenguan's heart, compared to shock and surprise, there was more of an unspeakable emotion.

What she cared about was not how amazing Zhao Douan's operation was.

The dignified prime minister actually yielded in front of this newborn wolf cub.

But…

He didn't need to do these things, and she didn't give him any "tasks".

But he still did it.

When all eyes were focused on the battle of the gods in the court, and he was ignored.

When she clearly told him to avoid the limelight and not to get burned.

This little imperial guard, who had repeatedly given her surprises, took a huge risk, and risked completely offending the Li Party, and even the entire Da Yu's aristocratic families.

Once again, when she needed help the most, he presented this heavy gift.

Was it for merit?

Xu Zhenguan didn't think so.

With the many merits Zhao Douan had made before, it was already enough, and there was no need to wade into this muddy water.

Was it for revenge? To vent his personal anger with Li Yinglong?

Outsiders might think so, thinking that he was vindictive.

But the Empress knew that the little imperial guard in front of her was a truly smart person, and even more so, someone who didn't care about being scolded.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have污 himself for more than a year. The most important thing is that even if he really wanted to take revenge, there were completely less risky ways, instead of at this critical moment.

Then, excluding all possibilities.

There was only one answer.

"For me…"

Xu Zhenguan bit her plump lips, and her heart throbbed inappropriately.

She suddenly remembered the scene when the other party boldly "confessed" to her.

Her mood became very subtle.

Zhao Douan was also in a very subtle mood, because he lowered his head and waited for the Empress's answer.

This made him a little nervous.

…Could it be a翻车了…Will I really be punished? Or, is there a problem with my operation? While thinking wildly, Zhao Douan finally heard the fairy-like voice:

"You… have a heart."

That's it!

Zhao Douan's heart suddenly fell to the ground, and then, his hand felt lighter.

A fragrant breeze blew, and the Empress took the paper from his hand.

When the items were handed over, the fingertips of the two seemed to have a momentary intersection, or it was an illusion.

Zhao Douan raised his head and happened to meet the Empress's eyes.

The last afterglow of the setting sun was reflected in Xu Zhenguan's phoenix eyes, like two burning balls of fire, about to burn through the dark night.

He stared blankly, and Xu Zhenguan rarely did not reprimand him, but lowered her head and read the words.

The air fell into a silence.

Only the crisp sound of paper turning and the sound of the setting sun melting could be heard in her ears.

"Very good."

Xu Zhenguan raised her head, finished reading the items, and took the initiative to break the slightly strange atmosphere in the room.

A smile appeared on her face for the first time in recent days.

As if…

A weight had been lifted.

It was as if a difficult battle had finally reached the moment of the final charge.

"I have approved the conditions you negotiated, and I will arrange them immediately. As for your plan to harm Consort Yuan, although it damages the imperial family, I will not pursue it this time because of your loyalty," Xu Zhenguan said.

Zhao Douan offered a flattery in a timely manner:

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness."

Xu Zhenguan rolled her eyes and suddenly changed her tone:

"However, the death penalty can be avoided, but the living penalty is inevitable. I will punish you to go back and rest well tonight, and enter the palace tomorrow."

After a pause, the corners of her deliberately stern face curled up slightly:

"Last time you presented the New Deal, but I stripped you of your title of Academician. This time you have made this contribution again, and I can't treat meritorious officials badly. There will be good things for you when you enter the palace tomorrow."

No need… I already got a "reward" from the Yuan Ancestral Temple last time… Zhao Douan muttered, with a serious expression:

"In fact, I can also stay in the palace and stay by Your Majesty's side. This is the greatest reward."

Xu Zhenguan smiled noncommittally, glanced at his legs:

"Stay by my side? If you want to castrate yourself and become a eunuch, it's not impossible."

What a vicious woman… Zhao Douan subconsciously clamped his legs together and said sternly:

"I'll take my leave now!"

After speaking, he ran away as if he was afraid of being cut off.

The Empress couldn't help but smile, watched him run away, and murmured:

"Coward…"

Then, she restrained her emotions and returned to the calm Empress.

The agreement Zhao Douan reached with Li Yanfu was not just verbal. The Empress had to release some signals and make some gestures.

"Someone."

Outside, a female official stood respectfully.

"Tell… forget it, call Mo Chou here."

…

In the side hall.

A group of imperial officials were sitting and waiting, the atmosphere was solemn and strange and anxious.

His Majesty and Zhao Douan left for a long time, and then Mo Zhaorong was also called away.

Only they were left, waiting here alone.

"Grand Tutor, how long will we wait like this? I'm afraid His Majesty's side…" someone asked.

Dong Xuan was very calm: "Don't be impatient."

Another official smiled bitterly:

"You are calm, do you really believe what Zhao Douan said just now?

Taking a step back, even if he really has a way to contain Chen Zhengru, it is only a temporary solution. The fundamental problem is that the New Deal is difficult to pass in the court, and how to win another third of the people…"

At this time, the hall door suddenly opened.

The officials sat upright, but they did not see the Empress.

Only a female official said respectfully:

"His Majesty said that it is not early, please go back to rest, and the specific details will be discussed in the early court tomorrow."

Everyone looked at each other.

I don't know what urgent matter His Majesty has.

Will Chen Zhengru's matter be ignored? Or…

"Did that kid really do it?" Yuan Li muttered softly, then frowned.

Intuition told him that what Zhao Douan did might not be limited to Chen Zhengru.

"He can't even handle Li Yanfu, right."

He shook his head, dispelling this absurd idea.

He got up and took the lead to walk out. Xue Shence in the seat also stood up and followed the others out.

Just looking in the direction Zhao Douan left before, his eyes flickered with inexplicable emotions.

…

…

At night, the Zhao family.

When Zhao Douan returned home from the palace, it was already dark.

In the dining room, the lights were bright, and his stepmother and sister were waiting for him to eat together.

During dinner, he was a little absent-minded.

Although he had done everything he could, he was still not at ease until things were completely settled.

Will Li Yanfu abide by the agreement?

Can this transaction be established?

These will have to wait until the early court tomorrow to be determined.

As for what reward the Empress will give him when he enters the palace tomorrow, it is also imaginative…

Of course, the chances of accompanying him to bed are very slim. Zhao Douan felt that he was thinking too much.

"Brother, is there something on your mind?"

Zhao Pan ate her meal in small bites, noticed that he was absent-minded, and asked curiously.

So… the girl is also sharp-eyed.

"It's nothing," Zhao Douan came back to his senses and said casually:

"I just think that the house is still a bit far from the yamen. Even with a car, going back and forth every day takes up a lot of time. It would be better if we could move in."

Move?

Hearing this, the mother and daughter pricked up their ears at the same time.

They still live in the house left by Zhao's father.

Although it's okay, the location is still a bit far away.

"Changing houses costs a lot of money," Zhao Pan said with a bitter face, "Even if we change to a smaller one, but if we want to move in, closer to the palace, it will cost several thousand taels."

Zhao Douan is not very enthusiastic about corruption. The biggest savings in the family are still the silver he got before.

Obviously not enough.

"Let's talk about it later, I haven't thought about it yet."

Zhao Douan said, but he thought in his heart that in a few days, he could ask Jin Jian to share the dividends.

After accumulating for so long, it should be a windfall.

At this moment, he suddenly realized that You Jinhua was unusually quiet tonight, unlike usual.

He looked at his stepmother, only to see the plump and beautiful woman holding chopsticks, and she didn't eat much of the food in her bowl.

"Auntie, is there something on your mind too?"

Zhao Douan used Zhao Pan's words to deal with her mother.

You Jinhua was suddenly asked, and was speechless for a while, hesitant to speak, her head lowered, avoiding her stepson's gaze, and said in a low voice:

"No… nothing…"

You are not honest… Zhao Douan put on a stern face:

"If you have something to say, don't hesitate."

You Jinhua is a little woman. Hearing his bad tone, she hurriedly raised her head, looking embarrassed:

"Auntie… received a letter during the day, sent by uncles from her family, saying that they were coming to Beijing to visit…"

Zhao Douan was stunned.

You Jinhua's family?

This was completely unfamiliar to him.

Zhao Pan was also stunned. The girl was also confused.

She grew up in the capital and had no memory of her mother's family.

"I vaguely remember that my father said that Auntie came from Xiping Road and was also from a large family."

Zhao Douan dug up the only sporadic memories.

The reason why Zhao's father took over the wife and daughter of his fallen comrade was largely because he valued You Jinhua's appearance and temperament.

Although You Jinhua was only the wife of a soldier, she was knowledgeable and reasonable, and she was quite good at managing the family. Obviously, she was not something that ordinary civilian daughters could cultivate.

According to Zhao's father, she was also a young lady from a local clan family.

Later, I don't know how, she was picked up by a comrade passing by Xiping Road and brought back to the capital. There was obviously a story in it.

You Jinhua entered Beijing as a girl, and more than ten years have passed, and no family members have contacted her during this period.

Now they suddenly appear…

Facing the inquiring eyes of her stepson and daughter, You Jinhua sighed softly, as if recalling bad memories, and nodded gently:

"The You family of Xiping is my ancestor, and it is also a large family that has been passed down for hundreds of years, but I am not the main line of the You family, but only the eldest daughter of the side family."

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