The First Lackey Under The Empress

The strongest in this world… The path of cultivation?

Zhao Du'an was stunned, his mind suddenly recalling the legendary inheritance unique to the Great Yu Imperial Family.

It was said that this inheritance was incredibly mysterious and powerful. Xu Zhenguan's ability to achieve such great cultivation at such a young age, and to suppress the rebel army with his own strength during the Xuanmen coup, was not only due to his extremely strong talent for cultivation.

The inheritance he possessed was the more crucial factor.

The original host had also dreamed of having the opportunity to obtain it, but it was only a pipe dream.

He never expected that it would be so easily within his reach.

"Guessed it?" Xu Zhenguan glanced at him, a smile playing on his lips.

Zhao Du'an's mouth felt dry: "May I ask…"

However, his words were interrupted by Xu Zhenguan raising her hand:

"Any doubts about cultivation will be answered by someone who will speak with you specifically later."

After speaking, she turned her head to look at the tightly closed door, which opened silently.

Outside the door, an additional figure appeared.

"Mo Chou, take him there."

… …

… …

Zhao Du'an walked across the clean bluestone square, his gaze involuntarily falling on the graceful figure leading the way in front of him.

Mo Chou. Compared to this name, the people of the capital were more familiar with the title "Mo Zhaorong."

Rumor had it that she had followed the Third Princess in her early years, and Zhaorong was the name of an official position.

Because of her talent and learning, after the Empress ascended the throne, she was promoted to assist the Empress in handling court affairs.

Some unimportant memorials were reviewed by her, hence the title "Female Prime Minister."

Zhao Du'an was not familiar with her, and his few attempts to curry favor had been met with coldness.

It is worth mentioning that, because the other party was unsmiling, the original host made a grand wish:

Once he married the Empress, he would bring Mo Chou, this "ice cube", over to be his bed-warming maidservant…

Absolutely not.

"Mo Zhaorong, may I ask where you are taking me?"

After walking in silence for a long time, Zhao Du'an quickened his pace, came to her side, and tried to ask.

The female official was about twenty-five or six years old, wearing a female official's robe, her slender waist cinched with a jade belt.

She wore a wingless black gauze hat, and an air of scholarly elegance flowed from her movements.

Her appearance was quite outstanding, with a cold and beautiful demeanor, and a vermilion plum blossom design adorning her brow, as beautiful as the rumors said.

It was just a pity that her sharp eyebrows and somewhat androgynous attire diluted her feminine charm.

Mo Chou looked at Zhao Du'an's handsome face, her tone indifferent:

"You'll know when you get there."

She seems to be hostile to me… Have I offended her? Zhao Du'an was intent on dispelling any previous animosity, and smiled:

"I was being presumptuous, but I'm just really curious. Speaking of which, is it possible to walk this path of cultivation even if you're not a member of the royal family? And does Zhaorong…"

Mo Chou suddenly stopped her footsteps.

Zhao Du'an stood opposite her with a smile: "Does Zhaorong have any advice?"

Only two years younger than Xu Zhenguan, the female prime minister, a confidante of the Empress, stared at him with disgust, her pretty face frosty:

"I don't know how you used your glib tongue to deceive Her Majesty, not only did you get away with it, but you were even rewarded. In fact, I don't care.

Your actions outside, your misdeeds and infamous reputation. Her Majesty may not know the details, or may have been swayed by your slander, but you can deceive Her Majesty, but you can't deceive me.

I warn you, if you keep your tail between your legs and behave yourself from now on, then so be it. But if you don't change your bad habits, I will expose your disguise sooner or later, and let Her Majesty see your true colors… Don't say you weren't warned!"

No, how much resentment do you hold against the original host… Was my past image really that unbearable? Zhao Du'an's smile froze as he realized:

This female prime minister had a very deep prejudice against the original host.

He took a deep breath and said sincerely: "Actually, you might have some misunderstandings about me…"

But Mo Zhaorong had already stepped forward, ignoring him.

Zhao Du'an was helpless, knowing that his terrible reputation could not be reversed in a day or two, and he was too lazy to explain, so he stepped forward to follow.

… …

About a quarter of an hour later, Zhao Du'an finally arrived at his destination.

Martial Arts Hall!

According to rumors, it was the area where the imperial guards lived.

After Mo Chou showed the Emperor's edict, she led Zhao Du'an to the outside of a residence, turned around and left, unwilling to stay with him for even a moment longer.

"Hey… At least tell me who I should look for next." Zhao Du'an wanted to cry but had no tears.

With the mentality of 'since I'm here, I might as well settle down', he sorted out his mood and stepped up the stairs.

Straight ahead, on the vermilion lacquered door fixed with thick rivets, a plaque hung high with the four characters "Human Martial Treasury."

"It's quite mysterious…" Zhao Du'an put his hands on the door and pushed hard!

Squeak—

The door opened wide, and he stepped into the courtyard. What came into view was a patio paved with bluestone, surrounded by red walls and black tiles, with trees planted in the courtyard, faintly peeking out.

Empty and deserted.

Zhao Du'an was wondering when he suddenly heard a cough behind him:

"You, are you the newcomer sent by His Majesty?"

Ah— Zhao Du'an was startled and suddenly turned his head, realizing that someone was standing behind him at some unknown time.

It was an old eunuch with a full head of white hair, slightly hunched, with a pale and beardless face, wearing a bright red python robe, extremely eye-catching.

He looked about seventy or eighty years old, but his face had no age spots, and he had a somewhat youthful appearance.

"That's right…" Zhao Du'an hurriedly cupped his hands:

"I am Zhao Du'an, the White Horse Division Supervisor. His Majesty said he wanted me to come…"

The python-robed old eunuch waved his hand, indicating that he already knew and didn't need to say more.

Immediately, he scrutinized him with his gray eyes, and suddenly asked:

"Never been castrated?"

Zhao Du'an's legs went cold, and he subconsciously covered his crotch, his soul almost leaving his body:

"What do you mean by that, Eunuch? His Majesty didn't say that cultivation required…"

At this moment, he even suspected that the imperial inheritance might be called 'Sunflower Manual'…

"Hehe," the old eunuch waved his hand and smiled:

"No need to be nervous, the method of cultivation doesn't require that. This old one is just confirming."

That joke isn't funny at all… Zhao Du'an's mind calmed down slightly:

"How should I address you, Eunuch?"

The python-robed old eunuch smiled and said:

"Just call this old one Eunuch Hai."

Are you called Hai Dafu… Zhao Du'an complained inwardly, when suddenly a flash of inspiration struck his mind, and he blurted out:

"I heard that in the imperial city, there is a martial arts powerhouse named Hai Gongfeng, who has been here since the late Emperor's childhood, and is quite mysterious…"

The python-robed old eunuch nodded: "That's this old one."

Zhao Du'an was filled with reverence. The person in front of him probably had a true lifespan far exceeding a hundred years.

Eunuch Hai said:

"In the Great Yu Imperial Palace, there has been a group of martial artists for generations, guarding the palace. The common people call them imperial guards, but in reality, they are called 'Attendants'. They existed since the founding of the Taizu Emperor. At that time, the strongest ten were called the 'Ten Attendants'…"

"Heh, but passed down to this day, the name has been changed, and they are mostly called 'Imperial Clan Offerings'. This is the origin of this old one's 'Hai Gongfeng'."

Zhao Du'an was confused but impressed:

"The Offerings are all… like you?"

Eunuch Hai understood what he was asking and shook his head:

"The Imperial Clan Offerings all cultivate the Great Yu Imperial Family's inheritance. Those who guard the palace are mostly eunuchs like this old one… But there are also some exceptions who don't need to be castrated and can still be listed as Offerings, in charge of this inheritance, but those Offerings are all outside the palace walls."

Zhao Du'an's heart suddenly dropped.

So, he belongs to the type that doesn't need to be castrated… Thank goodness, thank goodness.

I knew it, the Empress wouldn't be so heartless… Zhao Du'an calmed down and realized:

"So, you're saying that, apart from the Great Yu Imperial Family members, if you want to obtain this inheritance, you must become an Imperial Clan Offering? Wait… Am I already a member of the Offerings?"

Eunuch Hai nodded happily, put his hands behind his back, walked past him, and walked towards the depths of the courtyard:

"Come with me, you are the first Offering hand-picked by His Majesty since she ascended the throne, that's why this old one is personally leading you… Little fellow, if you have anything you want to ask, let's talk as we walk."