The First Lackey Under The Empress

To benefit from… Zhao Du'an's eyelids twitched, and the smile on his lips grew even wider:

What are you saying, Supervisor Ma? No matter where I go or what achievements I make, it's all thanks to your cultivation.

Today's so-called celebration is also to bring glory to our Zhao Office, so as to prevent those bastards in the Jing Camp from always sneering at us, openly and secretly.

Ma Yan was stunned for a moment, his expression softened, feeling comfortable all over from the flattery.

Remember the original website domain name 𝕥𝕨𝕜𝕒𝕟.𝕔𝕠𝕞

After the two of them successively entered the carriage, the wheels rolled, and the faint moonlight shone in through the gap in the curtains.

The two sat facing each other, one on the left and one on the right. Ma Yan looked at him with emotion and said:

I am very surprised by what you did in the Divine Machine Camp.

Zhao Du'an looked humble.

A look of amazement appeared on Ma Yan's stern face:

When you were promoted to the fourth rank, I originally thought that the position of Supervisor would be handed over to you in the future, but I didn't expect you to go to the Divine Machine Camp instead.

At that time, I guessed that you were going after the mole, but I didn't expect that what you did was even bigger than everyone expected.

Brother, you flatter me. It's all thanks to your guidance.

Remembering not to get carried away, Zhao Du'an quickly switched to "Little Zhao" mode.

Ma Yan shook his head and waved his hand, mocking himself:

Don't worry, I'm not that petty, and I know my own limitations even better.

His Majesty entrusted the Zhao Office to me because there was no suitable candidate, and because I am originally a solitary minister. As for my abilities, they are mediocre. What I am good at is nothing more than martial arts.

But the problem is… your martial arts can kill me… Zhao Du'an complained.

Ma Yan looked at him with admiration and reminded him:

Tonight's celebration banquet is not only to clear your name, but also an occasion for you to gain a firm foothold in the military with this achievement. You must not be careless, especially with the officials of the樞密院, do you understand them?

Zhao Du'an nodded and said:

I don't know them well, but I have done some homework.

In the樞密院, in addition to Xue Shence and Wang Zhishi, there are also a Deputy Chief of the樞密院, an Associate Administrator of the樞密院, and the First and Second Chief Scribes of the Secretariat, a total of five people with one chief and four deputies.

There is also the Academician of the樞密院 who is responsible for writing documents and reports… and then there are the Principal, the Clerk, the Document Clerk… and so on.

All of the above are suspects for being a mole for the Jing Prince's Mansion.

Zhao Du'an chose to take action tonight in order to conveniently confine this group of people at the celebration banquet.

He wants to use this occasion to cut off the opportunity for all suspects in the樞密院 to contact the Jing Prince's Mansion's spies.

"That's good." Ma Yan, who knew nothing about this, nodded and said regretfully:

"It's a pity that you didn't ferret out the mole, it's not perfect after all."

Zhao Du'an sighed and said:

"So many people have investigated it repeatedly, how can it be easy to find?"

Almost everyone thought that Zhao Du'an couldn't find the mole, so he chose to create new firearms to complete the Empress's mission in a roundabout way.

But they don't know that tonight, all of them will become a link in the play.

…

Tonight's banquet was arranged in a mansion under the jurisdiction of the樞密院, which was dedicated to banquets for generals.

When Zhao Du'an arrived, the courtyard was already crowded with people and brightly lit.

In the banquet hall, a group of military officials headed by Xue Shence had already arrived in advance.

With a shout of "Zhao Qianshi of the Divine Machine Camp has arrived", the people in the hall who were gathering and chatting stood up and looked outside the hall.

They greeted him with smiles.

Showing enthusiasm.

"Qianshi Zhao, Supervisor Ma, please come in!"

Shi Meng, the commander of the Divine Machine Camp, changed into a green robe and greeted them with a big laugh:

"We've been waiting for you."

Ma Yan consciously retreated to a supporting role, allowing the former to welcome Zhao Du'an, who was like a moon surrounded by stars, into the banquet hall.

The center of the hall was covered with carpets, with tables on the left and right sides.

There were standing candlesticks in between, dyeing large areas of light.

At the main seat in the front, Xue Shence sat cross-legged, chatting with Chen Huoshen, who was also invited.

At this moment, he stood up, exchanged greetings with Zhao Du'an for a while, and introduced him to many new faces at the banquet.

For example, the commanders of the various guards of the Imperial Army… they were big figures that Zhao Du'an could not see when he was working in the Imperial Army.

At this moment, they were all very friendly.

Flattering words such as "young hero" and "pillar of the country" that didn't cost money engulfed him.

The atmosphere was harmonious.

Just at this moment, a clear and loud voice suddenly sounded outside:

"The Emperor has arrived!"

Gah——

In an instant, there was silence in the banquet hall, and everyone's expressions were astonished.

"The Emperor?" Xue Shence suddenly looked at Zhao Du'an, and found that the latter was also looking at him.

"…"

The two were silent for a moment, realizing that the Emperor's sudden arrival had nothing to do with the other party.

It's not… no one said Zhenbao was coming… While Zhao Du'an was in a daze, everyone in the hall had already tacitly walked out.

They had only walked a few steps when they saw the end of the stone road in the courtyard under the night.

Two strings of red lights floated out, those were the eunuchs who were clearing the way with lanterns.

Then, two figures walked in one after the other.

The leading person had a graceful and tall figure, wearing a golden dragon robe and a light crown on her head.

Under the dragon robe, there was a moon-white silk brocade lining.

The coldness, majesty, and magnificence were perfectly intertwined, and the thick black hair that was scattered was tied into a high bun, showing the Empress's slender and fair swan neck.

Especially attractive.

And beside her, one step behind, followed the equally beautiful "female prime minister".

"Your Majesty…"

Everyone's hearts rose with astonishment again.

Then, dozens of military officials headed by Xue Shence bowed and clasped their fists almost at the same time:

"Your Majesty, we pay our respects to you!"

Xu Zhenguan nodded lightly and said, "Rise."

Her bright phoenix eyes smiled and turned to the stunned Zhao, and smiled:

"Zhao Qing, I heard that you are celebrating your achievements tonight, so I came to join in the fun. Are you willing?"

In the night, under the lights, the Great Yu Empress, with her hair in a bun and wearing a small golden crown, had a unique style.

If she was a majestic Emperor at the court meeting, a peerless Taoist nun in the Heavenly Master's Mansion, a banished immortal when dancing with swords, and an ancient costume female leader in the Imperial Study…

Then tonight's Empress had less of the Emperor's majesty and more of the royal nobility.

Zhao Du'an took a deep breath and bowed:

"It is my honor that Your Majesty has come in person!"

The Empress smiled slightly, she caught the astonishment and surprise on Zhao Du'an's face.

A small sense of mischief suddenly arose in her heart.

It was like suddenly scaring him, although with the body of the Emperor, she shouldn't do such a boring scare, but she inexplicably felt happy.

Xu Zhenguan's arrival instantly replaced Zhao Du'an and became the focus of the audience.

After the monarch and ministers met, the Empress was welcomed into the banquet hall, and naturally occupied the main seat alone.

The two rows of military officers below moved their butts at the same time.

Leaving seats for Xue Shence, Zhao Du'an, Chen Huoshen and others in the positions closest to the Empress.

Next, she inevitably asked about the details of the exercise, Zhao Du'an reported respectfully, and the Empress praised her greatly.

The monarch and his ministers did not mention a single word about the "mole in the Jing Prince's Mansion" from beginning to end.

The night grew deeper and deeper.

Zhao Du'an's gaze couldn't help but frequently turn to the burning candlesticks, occasionally raising his head to look at the bright moon outside the hall.

He estimated in his heart:

"They should be taking action too."

…

…

Outside the city.

In a mountain forest near the Firearm Bureau.

Several black shadows walked out of the forest and squatted here.

Each of them was wearing night clothes, and the two leading ones pulled down their masks, revealing themselves as Haitang and Zhang Han.

"The Firearm Bureau is in front. Remember what I told you. Make a quick decision. You must not kill anyone, but it doesn't matter if you injure them."

Haitang said solemnly, instructing a group of elite confidants.

Everyone nodded silently, rubbing their fists.

Zhang Han opened the map again, and with the help of the moonlight, determined the location of the "blueprint" and the attack route.

Next to the Firearm Bureau, there were guards from the Divine Machine Camp.

Although Zhao Du'an had deliberately arranged for the guard force to be weaker tonight.

But it had to be done. Only a real robbery would create a real effect. The exercise had to be a complete set… these were Zhao Du'an's words.

"It's almost time, move!"

Zhang Han gave an order, pulled up his mask, only revealing his eyes.

A group of elite Jinyi silently sneaked towards the building that looked like a giant beast lying on the ground under the distant round moon.

However, when they arrived at the gray and black building courtyard of the Firearm Bureau.

They were surprised to find that there were corpses lying scattered on the ground, either unconscious or dead.

The entire yamen was eerily silent, with only the flames burning in the fire basin.

"What's going on? Could it be that Zhao Du'an has arranged for other people?" Haitang was stunned.

Zhang Han squatted down and turned over a corpse lying on the ground.

He clearly saw that the neck had been cut off by a sharp weapon, and blood was gurgling.

Under the firelight, the corpse's eyes were wide open, making a shouting gesture.

"He's dead!"

Zhang Han's face sank, and he touched the temperature with his hand:

"He hasn't been dead for long!"

At this time, the other elites who had dispersed to search also returned one after another.

One person said:

"Sir, the yamen has been searched, especially the room where the blueprints are kept. The blueprints for the new firearms are also missing!"

It was like a bolt from the blue.

Oh no!

Zhang Han and Haitang's faces changed drastically, and they realized what had happened.

"Is it a spy from the Jing Prince's Mansion, or a rebel from the匡扶社…"

The two looked at each other, their hearts sank!

They realized that something big had happened. The enemy hiding in the dark was so bold that they actually raided and stole tonight…

"They didn't hear any movement. They should have used some kind of talisman to isolate the inside and outside of the yamen."

Zhang Han's eyes flashed with a stern light, and he said urgently:

"Haitang, you personally return to the city and notify Zhao Du'an! The rest of you, follow me to chase the enemy!"

"Yes!"

The well-trained Jinyi immediately took action.

Haitang opened her mouth, she wanted to say:

I'm afraid the enemy has already escaped for a while, how can we catch up at night?

But after all, she swallowed the discouraging words.

Gritting her teeth, Haitang, who could only return to the city herself to prevent the message from being intercepted midway, flew like a wild goose in the night sky.

She found the horse hidden in the dense forest, and whipped it hard, galloping towards the city amidst the neighing of the horse.

Her eyes revealed panic and urgency.

Facing the night autumn wind, she anxiously looked at the magnificent city in the distance:

"Zhao Du'an… this is really a big deal…"

However, the people who acted separately did not notice.

On the treetops in the distance, a warlock figure was calmly overlooking this scene.

…

Inside the banquet hall.

The banquet was more than halfway through!

The monarch and his ministers were enjoying themselves, the atmosphere was harmonious, and the hall was filled with the sound of laughter and conversation.

However, Zhao Du'an, who should have been the protagonist of tonight, was particularly quiet.

Suddenly, the sound of rapid hooves approached outside the mansion, accompanied by the questioning shouts of the Empress's accompanying guards.

The discerning military officers in the hall stopped talking and looked outside in confusion.

Xue Shence frowned, glanced at the Empress, and was about to order someone to inquire.

He saw Haitang, who had taken off her night clothes, rushing in from outside the hall.

From afar, before she could see the situation in the hall, her anxious voice had already exploded:

"Something bad has happened! The Firearm Bureau was attacked and the blueprints were stolen!!"

Brief silence.

Then, at the celebration banquet, there was an uproar!