The First Lackey Under The Empress

“This…” Vice General Ma hesitated, explaining, “Young Duke called them over tonight for an interrogation…”

Zhao Du'an raised his eyebrows, understanding the situation after a moment.

It turned out that during the day, after the firearms drill, the greatly impressed Young Duke, upon returning to the city, thought it over and invited the group of expelled young military officers over in the evening.

In name, it was a small gathering, but in reality, he shared his observations from the day.

He also dug deep, interrogating these people as to why they harbored such great malice towards Zhao Du'an.

And where the rumors they had heard originated.

As a result, just as he was getting somewhere with the interrogation, the Imperial Guards arrived.

“Da da da.”

At this moment, as the troop stopped, a horse following behind bypassed the formation, its hooves striking the blue bricks, creating a crisp sound.

Tang Ping, son of the Duke of Zhenguo, holding the reins, sat on his horse, approached, and looked at Zhao Du'an with a complex expression:

“Inspector Zhao.”

This address lacked the arrogance and anger of the daytime, replaced with regret and frustration.

The usually heroic “Young Duke” now sat on his horse, resembling a defeated dog.

Zhao Du'an teased:

“Why has the Young Duke come along as well?”

He turned his head and put on a stern face towards Vice General Ma:

“You only need to apprehend the suspects, why did you even invite the son of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion?”

The vice general was about to explain, but Tang Ping interrupted him.

He suddenly dismounted, shaking his head and stubbornly saying:

“It has nothing to do with him, I insisted on coming, I have to see the result to be satisfied.”

After a slight pause, Tang Ping, dejectedly leading his horse, spoke in a muffled voice, like a defeated dog, mocking himself:

“I have interrogated them thoroughly, and many of the rumors they told me about Inspector Zhao were unfounded and exaggerated. As a military officer in the camp, I failed to recognize people clearly and deserve to be punished.

I, Tang Ping, am not someone who can't take a loss. You stripped me of my official robe before, and I was unconvinced. Seeing it today, the punishment was not without reason. According to the military rules of the camp, spreading rumors to confuse and shake the morale of the army warrants the deprivation of honor and title, as it should be.

Since we happened to meet tonight, I will take this opportunity to publicly apologize. After today, I will no longer make trouble for you because of this matter.”

He finished speaking in one breath, his face stern.

Tang Ping led his horse and turned to return to the formation.

Clearly, this incident had taught this Young Duke, who had enjoyed smooth sailing for over twenty years, a deep lesson.

However, the face of the Duke's son still made his apology sound stiff.

As if he was broken into pieces on the ground.

“Hold on!”

Zhao Du'an, still on his horse, suddenly spoke.

Tang Ping, who had lost his initial spirit, paused and turned his head with a frown:

“Does Inspector Zhao have anything else to say?”

Zhao Du'an asked curiously:

“This official wants to ask, what are the Young Duke's plans for the future?”

Tang Ping was stunned for a moment, then shook his head and said:

“No plans for now, at worst, I'll go to the border army after a few days.”

Zhao Du'an said:

“Now that the Divine Machine Camp's firearms are being upgraded, it is in need of personnel. This official's subordinates are short of people. If you are still willing to serve the country, report to the camp yourself tomorrow.”

He then glanced at the military officers being held by the Imperial Guards and said indifferently:

“After the investigation here, if there are those who are cleared of suspicion, and you think they are still useful, report them to Shi Meng as well, and restore them to their original positions.”

Tang Ping stood there, stunned.

However, Zhao Du'an had already spurred his horse, da da da, and rode straight away, disappearing into the dark night of the capital.

… …

… …

Imperial Palace, Hall of Mental Cultivation.

“Your Majesty, you have returned.”

Mo Chou, waiting outside the bedroom, respectfully said:

“Chief Secretary Xue has already sent someone with news…”

“Let's talk in the study.” Xu Zhenguan, returning to the bedroom, said faintly.

From the moment she stepped into the Imperial Palace, the emotions stirred up in the Jizhao Nunnery were smoothed out by her.

Inside the Imperial Study.

Mo Chou successively reported the subsequent series of disposal orders after Wang Heng's downfall, as well as the news presented by Xue Shenshe that all relevant traitors had been arrested.

She also said:

“The Taoist priests of the Celestial Master's Mansion have left some survivors, throwing them into the Divine Machine Camp. Now, they have been transferred to the Imperial Prison. How to deal with them, I respectfully request your Majesty's decision.”

Xu Zhenguan leaned against the dragon chair, staring blankly at the lampshade on the desk covered with bright yellow silk, and said casually:

“Interrogate them as usual.”

“Yes.” Mo Chou responded, then cautiously said:

“Your Majesty, how will the subsequent matter be announced to the court officials? Should it be done at the morning court tomorrow…”

“Push it onto Kuang Fu She, then,” Xu Zhenguan said, slightly tired. Then, as if she had made some kind of decision, she said:

“At the same time, draft an official document to be issued to all the yamen up and down the court. Say…”

She paused for a moment, and said softly:

“Say that I know there are people in the court secretly colluding with the rebels, and they have not yet been completely eliminated. Take tomorrow as the boundary.

Before tomorrow, all past deeds, whether it be privately colluding with the rebel party or relying on others, I will no longer pursue.

After tomorrow, anyone who colludes again will be my enemy and unforgivable.”

“Order the樞密院, in addition to these moths exposed today, there is no need to involve anyone else.”

“Order the诏獄, to destroy all the information previously investigated concerning ministers who secretly colluded with the rebels.”

Mo Zhaorong was stunned, as if she hadn't heard clearly, and said in disbelief:

“Your Majesty, are you going to grant a general amnesty?”

She then thought of Wang Heng's words at the banquet.

She guessed that it was because Your Majesty was touched that she granted the court officials a general amnesty.

She was shocked by this great spirit for a while, and couldn't help but say:

“Your Majesty, if you do this, I'm afraid many people may not appreciate it, nor may they be willing to believe it.”

Xu Zhenguan smiled and shook her head, and said:

“Whether they believe it or not, I only seek peace of mind. If it can make the next Wang Heng turn back from his wrong path, what difficulty is there in letting go of some people?”

Water that is too clear has no fish, and people who are too discerning have no followers…

She recalled Zhao Du'an's words in her heart, and all kinds of depression in her chest were swept away.

Vaguely, it seemed that her state of mind was even more clear.

Mo Chou looked up, admiringly gazing at the female emperor, her heart swaying, and whispered:

“Your Majesty has such a spirit, it is the blessing of the people.”

Xu Zhenguan smiled and scolded, waving her hand: “Go and be busy, I'm tired too.”

Mo Chou nodded, and then suddenly remembered something, and said:

“Your Majesty, there is one more thing I want to tell you.”

“Oh?”

“A memorial has been sent from below, the daughter of the Prince of Huai'an, Princess Xu Junling, is about to enter the capital.

It is said that she is coming for the once-in-a-century 'Buddhist-Taoist Battle', and considering the days delayed on the road for this post, it is probably not far from her entering the capital.”

Xu Zhenguan was slightly surprised: “Junling is coming…”

Mo Chou worriedly said:

“Your Majesty, although every Buddhist-Taoist Battle attracts many people to enter the capital to watch, but at this time when the new policy is promulgated and the court is initially stable, the Prince of Huai'an sending this widely renowned princess may not just be to watch the excitement.”

Prince of Huai'an, Xu An.

He is one of the 'Eight Kings' mentioned in the streets, and his palace is stationed in the Huaishui Road, which is the wealthy Jiangnan area.

Although his strength is far inferior to 'Prince Jing', the head of the Eight Kings, he is not a simple character either.

The Prince of Huai'an has a son and a daughter who are most famous, namely the eldest son Xu Qian, and the daughter Xu Junling.

Among the two, this princess is the most famous.

Huaishui Road is wealthy, and the atmosphere of reading is strong. This Princess of Huai'an is extremely talented, proficient in everything from qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and is deeply loved by the prince.

Although she is a woman, she is faintly the Prince of Huai'an's trusted right-hand man.

Even to a certain extent, she can represent her father.

Her noble status can be seen.

“It doesn't matter,” Xu Zhenguan pondered slightly, smiled, and said softly:

“Is my capital of the Great Yu afraid of being looked down upon? Junling's last entry into the capital was several years ago. Now things are different, but I don't know how she has grown up.”

After a pause, she looked out the window and said with some regret:

“It's a pity that my uncle is only willing to send a princess, and is unwilling to let his eldest son enter the capital.”

Mo Chou also looked out the window, thinking:

Not only the Prince of Huai'an, but how dare the other princes easily send their heirs close to the capital?

However… as the Buddhist-Taoist Battle approaches, those who come to the capital to watch this great excitement are probably far more than just the princess.

Shasha sha…

The autumn wind rises and falls, sweeping away the night.

… …

Far outside the capital city, on a certain official road.

Two carriages broke through the autumn wind.

The wheels rolled up the soil road ruts, with two yellowed autumn leaves stained with mud, and the crisp sound of bells revealed a little desolation.

The shaking curtain of the car was lowered.

Xu Junling withdrew her gaze from a forest with rustling falling leaves like rain in the distance by the roadside.

Feeling the slightly rougher cold wind compared to Huaishui Road blowing across her sweet and delicate, supple face.

Her small hand tightened the luxurious fabric on her collar, and whispered:

“Endless autumn trees rustling down… This northerly wind is really different from Jiangnan.”

The maid Lvshui smiled:

“The princess is writing poetry again, but unfortunately only incomplete sentences.”

“Poetry is born from nature, and obtained by chance. If it is vulgar and inferior poetry, it can be made casually, but good ones, even half a sentence, are not easy.” Xu Junling sighed:

“Just this one sentence, perhaps it will never be completed in a lifetime.”

Lvshui giggled:

“The princess is lecturing the maid again, like a teacher lecturing at home.”

The princess, wrapped in a knitted and magnificent garment, did not resemble the Prince of Huai'an, but had seven similarities with the Prince of Huai'an's concubine when she was young.

Her appearance was sweet, especially her face was like a peeled egg, moist and smooth.

It was the skin nurtured by the climate of Huaishui Road, as if water could be squeezed out.

But her temperament was dignified and elegant, and her demeanor was generous.

Even when joking with the maid, she only smiled without showing her teeth.

She feigned anger and picked up the rolled scroll in her hand to hit.

Then she heard the plain-clothed old man driving the car outside the carriage laugh and say:

“Miss came to Beijing a few years ago, it was in the spring season, and returned in the summer, so naturally she doesn't know this autumn wind, but Beijing is still okay, if you go further north, it is really completely opposite to the south.”

Xu Junling did not dare to neglect this old man surnamed Lu, who was invited by her father to protect her, and said seriously:

“I grew up in Huaishui since I was a child and rarely traveled far. I am not as knowledgeable as Master Lu. If I can travel all over the north and south of the Yangtze River in my lifetime, it will be worth it.”

The old man driving the car chuckled:

“The princess's noble body should only be raised by the lake. If you go to a bitterly cold place, I'm afraid it will be ruined. This old man and other martial arts practitioners should be tempered by the world.”

Xu Junling asked curiously:

“In the book, I once saw a record that the Emperor Taizu walked around on foot in the past to temper his martial arts, opening the way for future generations. In the past, the Buddhist and Taoist disputes were still overshadowed by my Xu family's imperial family.”