The First Lackey Under The Empress

“My lord, did you already know that she would choose to become an ‘Imperial Merchant’?”

Walking out of the duty room, the young secretary Qian Kerou tilted her head and asked curiously.

Zhao Du’an chuckled and asked, “Why do you say that?”

The novice female official thought for a moment and said:

“Just a feeling, I just feel like you weren’t surprised at all.”

Zhao Du’an did not deny it:

“A person like Lin Susu would not willingly leave her fate to chance.”

Qian Kerou pondered, then blinked her eyes:

“Then why write her name on the contract? She's not a merchant… Oh, I understand, it's to give her some support.”

Zhao Du’an didn’t say anything, looking at the lanterns hanging in the yamen with his hands behind his back.

Love is always unreliable.

No one knows what attitude the merchant surnamed Hu will have after being released from prison, facing his wife who has been ruined by the Little Grand Secretary.

Although Zhao Du’an fulfilled the transaction, the future of this couple has nothing to do with him.

But as the saying goes, one might as well go all the way when seeing someone to the Buddha, adding a little more bargaining chip for Lady Lin might save a desperate person from seeking death.

“My lord…”

The round-faced, big-eyed female secretary, who was gradually becoming capable, suddenly pursed her lips and said:

“You actually have a very soft heart, don’t you?”

You’re the one who's soft, your whole family is soft… Don’t you know what they say, good people don’t live long, but villains live for a thousand years… Zhao Du’an glared and chased her away.

Qian Kerou giggled and retreated, but the corners of her mouth turned up.

No one really likes to follow a cold-blooded beast.

Zhao Du’an shook his head, his expression helpless, yawned, and prepared to go home.

“I always feel like I’ve forgotten something…”

…

…

After nightfall, at the Xu residence.

Xu Hanlin paced anxiously in place. Ever since he betrayed the Little Grand Secretary yesterday, he had been waiting for news at home as instructed by Pear Blossom Hall.

It was an almost agonizing day.

Until he heard in the early morning court that the “Li Party” had reversed its position, he finally realized that things had settled.

Xu Mingyuan went to Zhao Du’an at the zhao yamen during the day, wanting to curry favor and receive a reward, taking the opportunity to join the Imperial Party.

After all, after this incident, he was completely a double agent and urgently needed a patron.

Unfortunately, he only received the message that “the lord went to the palace and has not returned yet.”

“Dong, dong, dong…” The gatekeeper suddenly came to report:

“Young master, someone is looking for you outside.”

Xu Mingyuan's spirits lifted, his face lit up with joy, and he thought that the promotion from his new patron had arrived. He rushed out of the house and saw a carriage parked.

But the closer he got, the more uneasy he became.

When he saw the person in the carriage in the darkness, he was shocked:

“T-Teacher…”

Chen Zhengru looked at him expressionlessly, holding documents that someone had sent him, about Xu Mingyuan's betrayal of relatives and friends.

“You are very good, really very good.”

The Hanlin Academy Academician said calmly, throwing the paper on him.

Xu Mingyuan took a look and felt his eyes darken, dizzy, realizing that he had been sold by the Zhao fellow, and collapsed to the ground dejectedly.

Double agents never have a good end, he vaguely realized, but it was too late.

…

…

That night, the news about the settlement of the court's new policy spread throughout the capital.

For a time, countless onlookers moved upon hearing the news.

Even more spies hidden in the capital sent the news to major prefectures as quickly as possible.

As the center of the Great Yu Dynasty, the slightest disturbance here would affect countless people's hearts.

However, only a very few people knew that the one who really turned the tide was that notorious Zhao.

…

The capital finally bid farewell to the heat and headed towards early autumn.

This was what Zhao Du’an judged from the slight coolness in the morning air the next morning.

After Zhao Du’an had eaten, he first went to the yamen to clock in and learned that the new policy had entered the implementation stage.

The scholars of the Xiuwen Pavilion were so busy that their feet didn’t touch the ground.

He shook his head, not having the idea of helping, and rode straight to the Celestial Master's Mansion.

He hadn’t been here for many days, and the majesty of the Celestial Master's Mansion remained the same.

Within the square building complex, the towering bell tower was extremely eye-catching.

Zhao Du’an reported his identity, and originally thought that the gatekeeper would go to report.

Unexpectedly, this time the other party smiled and said:

“Envoy Zhao, please come with me. Senior Sister Jin Jian has instructed that if the Envoy comes, we should first receive him and seat him before informing her.”

Eh… Jin Jian's EQ has improved, she would actually arrange in advance to show her goodwill to me?

Or is it… that she knew I would come?

Zhao Du’an was greatly surprised.

Following the Daoist into the door, he saw from afar that the buildings in the Celestial Master's Mansion were densely packed, and the layout was very different from the Taoist temples in his old impressions.

Different small building complexes were scattered all over, and their appearances were different.

The Daoist leading the way explained:

Apart from the standing committee responsible for the operation of the Celestial Master's Mansion, the management of industrial shops, and the operation of some spiritual fields and treasures, which are complicated by dedicated divine officials.

The main building complex of the Celestial Master's Mansion has six parts, which are named after the Old Celestial Master's six disciples… but it’s just in name only, they hardly manage anything.

Zhao Du’an sat in a reception room for a while.

Outside the door.

A petite, pale-skinned, delicate-faced, and distracted-looking young female divine official appeared expressionlessly.

Jin Jian was still wearing the same gold-threaded divine official robe that hadn’t changed for ten thousand years.

At this time, there was a hint of vigilance in her small expression:

“I’ve already given you the painting, is there anything else? I’m very busy.”

Busy sleeping, right… Zhao Du’an complained, smiling noncommittally:

“Divine Official, you have a bad memory. This official has come today to collect the dividends from the ice business.”

Sure enough, he came to ask for money!

When Jin Jian heard this, she clenched her small hands in her sleeves, her body tensed, her eyes scattered, and she said vaguely:

“The weather is really good today, hahaha.”

Damn… this girl won’t be like Old Wang, wanting to freeload, right… Zhao Du’an put on a stern face:

“Don’t change the subject. You don’t want the news of the Celestial Master's Mansion cheating to reach Celestial Master Zhang’s ears, do you?”

Seeing that pretending to be stupid was ineffective, Jin Jian lowered her head dejectedly and sighed softly.

Unwillingly, she used her two small hands to rummage through the pouch in the shape of a Tai Chi fish around her waist:

“Here, here… I was already prepared, but the accounts have not been fully reconciled, and there is still some money that has not been recovered. If you want it now, you can only take a part that has already been accounted for…”

Zhao Du’an smiled then, rubbing his hands in anticipation.

Only when talking about money did the young female divine official have a bit of “humanity”, unlike before, when she seemed like a wandering ghost.

What Jin Jian took out first was not silver, but a small handwritten account book, and said in a serious manner:

“You should look at the account first… You only provided the recipe, and we paid for the money spent on manufacturing and selling, so it must be deducted before calculating the profit… And the taxes to be paid to the court… It’s also charged for me to help you, and for the scroll you used…”

The girl counted on her fingers, looking like a miser.

Finally, she gritted her teeth, took out a stack of silver notes from the pouch, closed her eyes, and reluctantly handed it to him:

“This is yours, more than ten thousand taels…”

As if she wouldn't feel the pain if she couldn't see it.

Zhao Du’an reached out to take it and tugged.

It didn't move.

“…Let go.”

“Oh.”

It still didn't move.

“Let go! Or I'll tell your master…”

“…”

When he finally got the thick stack of silver notes in his hand, Zhao Du’an couldn’t control the corners of his mouth from rising.

A recipe for making ice, and an account split that amounted to a staggering ten thousand taels of silver in just about a month. Such a rate of wealth accumulation was enough to leave people speechless.

Of course, upon closer inspection, it wasn't surprising.

With the Celestial Master's Mansion's capabilities, in this one-month period, they surely didn't limit sales to just the capital.

In fact, after realizing the money-spinning potential of this product,

the Celestial Master's Mansion went all-in, and sales were rolled out comprehensively in the surrounding areas.

This was still because the recipe was too simple, and the large-scale acquisition of saltpeter couldn't be concealed at all. Later on, there were many competitors on the market who imitated it.

This led to a price war.

Otherwise, the profit would have been even higher.

One month, a large villa in the capital... Zhao Du'an's smile widened, thinking that he had the money to buy a house.

Jin Jian, however, felt immense heartache. After handing over the silver notes, she staggered, her small hand grasping emptily, and finally painfully clutched her chest.

The pain made it hard to breathe.

Initially, Zhao Du'an offered eight thousand taels to buy out the recipe, but she didn't agree.

As a result, now, just the first batch of account splits amounted to ten thousand, and that was after deducting a bunch of miscellaneous expenses.

"What's wrong, Divine Official?" Zhao Du'an feigned concern.

"...Nothing. This recipe is already being imitated, and I'm afraid it won't sell for this much next year. My senior brother said that we can take advantage of the recipe not being widespread yet to resell it a few more times and make another fortune, and he asked for your opinion."

Jin Jian turned her head away, saying painfully.

Tsk... Patent licensing, huh... A very sensible judgment... Zhao Du'an smiled:

"I'll leave it entirely to the Divine Official's discretion."

Yes, in that case, at least another one or two thousand taels can be split later... Sure enough, I said, you can make a lot of money without embezzlement...

Jin Jian didn't want to look at him and waved her hand to leave.

Zhao Du'an suddenly asked curiously:

"May I venture to ask, why are the Divine Official's eyes so peculiar?"

He had always been curious about what was wrong with Jin Jian's eyes.

"...It's because I looked at the stars too much at night, and they became like this. I can't see very clearly," Jin Jian explained weakly.

"Can cultivators also be like this? I mean, have eye damage?" Zhao Du'an's expression was strange.

He thought that elixirs and miraculous medicines could solve the problem.

Jin Jian lowered her head dejectedly:

"My cultivation is not high enough... As for elixirs, there aren't many that can treat this."

Zhao Du'an hesitated for a moment, then suddenly said:

"I know something that might help. Well, it's roughly like this..."

Seeing that there were paper and pens in the room, he took them and drew a simple schematic diagram, along with the general principles, and handed it over, saying:

"You can find a craftsman and try to make a pair. Of course, it may not work."

He suspected that the girl in front of him had a bit of astigmatism...

Jin Jian blankly picked up the drawing.

Looking at the words "eyeglasses" and the strange perspective diagram on it, she looked at him strangely and asked cautiously:

"This... How much do you want to sell it for?"

Zhao Du'an pocketed the silver notes, revealing a warm smile: "This is a gift for you, no charge."

Give a blow and then a sweet date... Although eyeglasses are a big industry, but unfortunately, he only understands the general principles, doesn't have finished blueprints, and doesn't have the technology...

Moreover, although this world has crystals, their price is expensive, and not everyone can afford them...

Watching Zhao Du'an's departing figure, Jin Jian held the drawing, tilted her head, and was somewhat absent-minded.

Suddenly, she felt that her heart didn't hurt anymore.

...

...

Deep within the Celestial Master's Mansion.

Inside that secluded courtyard building, under the clear blue sky, a huge banyan tree stretched out its branches, spreading a canopy of shade.

The Old Celestial Master, tall, wearing a black robe, with narrow eyes and a gentle expression, was lying on a bamboo chair, reading a letter.

In the courtyard, there was also a crane with a small package hanging around its neck, gracefully drinking water.

"Eh? A crane."

The semi-transparent Jin Jian passed through the courtyard gate, manifested her form, and looked at the crane in surprise:

"Is someone sending a letter to Master?"

Zhang Yan Yi raised his head, smiling, and handed her the letter:

"Yes."

Jin Jian used magic to correct her vision, focusing her eyes, and said in surprise:

"It's a letter from Fourth Senior Brother."

Fourth Senior Brother was the previous Crimson Dot Child, now traveling abroad, and a gambling addict.

The deity he mainly cultivated was related to luck, and he had a signature treasure called the "Luck Dice."

Each time it was thrown, it randomly granted a period of time to modify one's own luck. When luck was good, everything went smoothly, akin to a Son of Destiny experience card, with opportunities and treasures automatically gathering.

When luck was bad, misfortune followed, akin to a jinx, avoided by everyone.

"Why did Fourth Senior Brother suddenly write back?" Jin Jian asked curiously.

Zhang Yan Yi sighed and said gloomily:

"He rolled out forty-nine days of bad luck, worried about dying outside, and asked his teacher for help."

Jin Jian looked worried:

"Then, Master, are you going to use heavenly means to bear it for him?"

Zhang Yan Yi said "Oh" and said:

"This teacher will pretend that he doesn't have this disciple."

"..."

...

...

Outside the West City Gate of the Capital.

On the official road, a merchant caravan was moving forward.

In the caravan, on a carriage, the curtain was lifted, and a boy of about sixteen or seventeen, as fat as a pig, with acne scars all over his face, and oily skin, poked his head out.

Pointing to the towering city gate ahead, he excitedly shouted:

"The capital is here, the capital is here, hurry up! Someone, hurry and urge the carts in front to go faster! I want to go into the city to rest, stay in the best inn, and eat the best meat! I don't want to suffer on the road! Why is it so slow?"

The boy shouted loudly, bossily urging, and many outsiders entering the city looked sideways.

Inside the carriage.

A middle-aged woman dressed in jeweled finery, but with a dull expression due to the long journey, was bothered by the noise, but didn't stop it.

She just turned her head, her thin lips pursed, and looked at the middle-aged man in the same carriage, complaining:

"We've finally reached the end of this journey. Didn't you send a letter to your niece in advance? Why didn't anyone come out to meet us? Letting us enter the city ourselves?"

Born into a side branch of the You clan in Xiping Province, the current head of the clan, and also the middle-aged man whom You Jinhua called "Second Uncle," was of medium build, with a beard, a wealthy face, and a steady gaze.

He frowned and said:

"Times are different now. My niece has married into the Zhao family and has a backer.

I heard that the one named Zhao Du'an is favored by the Sage... Now, she's benefiting from her son's position. I don't even know if she'll acknowledge me, this Second Uncle, or you, this Aunt."

The woman raised her eyebrows, displeased:

"What benefiting from her son's position? Isn't he just a stepson, and a pretty boy at that..."

"Shut up."

The middle-aged man suddenly spoke, scolding his wife, and pulling back his youngest son.

Looking to the side, at another carriage that had caught up from behind, gradually drawing alongside.

To be precise, he was looking at the man inside the carriage, whom he had accidentally met on the road and had a pleasant conversation with.

Claiming to be from a prominent aristocratic family, he was also visiting friends in the capital this time, with an extraordinary demeanor and a natural air of authority.

He revealed a smile: "My son is naughty, I hope Young Master doesn't mind."

...

ps: My condition is very poor today, so this is the only update. I'll just sort out the subsequent plot.