The First Lackey Under The Empress

Da Lang is out of seclusion!

This news spread like a whirlwind, sweeping through the entire Zhao family, alarming the women who had been worried for many days and sending them running over in joy.

Zhao Du'an didn't mention a word about what he had gained from his seclusion, only saying the four words "some progress."

You Jinhua and her daughter didn't understand cultivation and didn't delve into it deeply. After a quick meal, the family got into the carriage and headed straight for the location of the "battle of techniques."

"Auntie, I've missed the excitement these past few days, tell me about the current situation."

The wheels of the carriage rolled over the wet street, stirring up fallen leaves.

Zhao Du'an rode with his stepmother and stepsister, feeling the damp chill blowing in through the cracks in the curtain, and asked with a smile.

Although the two women hadn't seen it with their own eyes, they had heard a lot of news, and immediately chattered and shared it with him.

It was nothing more than how grand the spectacle was, how many important figures, high-ranking officials, and nobles were watching, as well as the various mysteries of the "battle of immortals" and miscellaneous gossip.

Zhao Du'an listened with a smile, not minding the chatter.

The battle of techniques was not just about fighting, but also a stage for the two factions to take the opportunity to show the world their foundations.

Therefore, the first day was mainly about showing off strength.

For example, the alchemist of the Heavenly Master's Mansion would refine a furnace of pills in public, and the monks of the Shenlong Temple would chant scriptures to show strange phenomena, a dazzling performance.

The second day was the battle of techniques, but it was also a "round system."

One side would pose a question, and the other side would break it, obscure and difficult to understand.

Today, the third day, was the real fight, and the biggest highlight.

Each side would send a warlock who met the requirements to fight, and the victory or defeat would be determined in one battle.

In other words, the first two days were equivalent to an "exhibition match", and the last day was the real battle of techniques.

Zhao Du'an also learned from his stepmother about the information of the young monk "Tianhai" sent by the Shenlong Temple.

"I heard that the little monk has a vertical eye between his eyebrows, which is quite scary."

You Jinhua shared the information she had with a look of fear and excitement.

The young girl Zhao Pan hummed:

"Mother, you haven't seen it before, how do you know it's scary?"

You Jinhua was a dignified mistress at home, but at this moment she was smug and argued with her daughter:

"It's so weird, wouldn't you know if you think about it? If you don't believe me, you can see for yourself later."

Zhao Pan's eyes rolled, and her autumn-like eyes pitifully glanced at her elder brother:

"With elder brother by my side, I won't be afraid."

You Jinhua was inexplicably jealous and retorted:

"Your elder brother is naturally very powerful, but he is just a mortal, and that monk is a divine being, there is a difference."

Zhao Pan said quietly:

"Mother, you weren't like this before."

"… …"

Zhao Du'an was disturbed by the noise, raised his hand to lift the window curtain, let the cold wind pour in, squinted his eyes and looked into the distance, seeing a bustling crowd.

… …

The battle arena was on an open space outside the Heavenly Master's Mansion.

When the Zhao family arrived by car, they heard the noisy sound from afar, as well as the long sea of people in front, with heads moving.

There were also oil-paper umbrellas propped up in the crowd, almost forming a continuous sheet.

Just this corner alone had thousands of people, and one could imagine the frightening number of people gathered around the entire battle arena.

The three of them lifted the carriage curtain and looked up in surprise, seeing several "giant paintings" hanging high in the sky at the end of the crowd.

In Zhao Du'an's eyes, it was a magical light screen similar to a "big screen."

At this moment, all the light screens showed an empty and unmanned arena.

It seemed that the battle had not yet begun.

It even has live broadcast… Zhao Du'an's mouth twitched slightly.

"Good heavens… so many people," the old steward driving the carriage was shocked and said with a headache, "We can't get in."

Zhao Du'an casually pointed to a passage in the distance that had been opened and separated by the imperial guards:

"Leave someone to watch the car, we'll go in from there."

When Zhao Du'an led his family to the "VIP passage."

Before he could show his waist tag, the imperial guard in charge of guarding it lit up his eyes and gave a "please" gesture with a smile:

"General Zhao, this way!"

"You recognize me?" Zhao Du'an glanced at the unfamiliar soldier in surprise.

The latter respectfully said:

"This humble one has had the honor of witnessing the general's true appearance."

So that's how it is… Zhao Du'an patted the young soldier's shoulder without any psychological burden, and said inexplicably:

"Young comrade, not bad, keep up the good work."

Then he strode forward, walking along the passage with crossed spears.

The young soldier's excited face slowly showed a look of doubt.

He didn't quite understand, but then he glanced at his shoulder and thought:

This uniform must be framed when I get back, and I'll tell everyone that this was patted by "Lord Zhao."

… …

"Da Lang is really amazing, he can come in without even using a waist tag."

The stepmother, who had hurriedly dressed up as a noblewoman to watch the excitement, smiled like a flower.

At home, she had repeatedly heard that her stepson's status was not low and that he was like a fish in water in the officialdom.

But hearing is believing, seeing is believing, and no matter how powerful the rumors are, they are not as real as this little scene just now.

Zhao Pan also cast an adoring gaze.

"Didn't you say that there is a special area in front prepared for the female relatives of dignitaries? I'll find someone to take you there later."

Zhao Du'an said with a smile.

With his current status, since he was present, he would definitely sit at the same table with the powerful ministers of the imperial court.

As he spoke, the group arrived at the end of the passage, and it suddenly opened up.

Looking up, the center in front was a huge circular arena.

Around the arena, several temporary stands were built, the three most conspicuous of which belonged to the Buddhist and Taoist families, and the Dayu Dynasty.

On the dynasty's side, the royal nobles, civil servants, and military generals were in order.

"Lord Zhao? You've arrived?"

As soon as he stepped in, an official nearby recognized him, first with surprise, and then with flattery.

Zhao Du'an nodded lightly and ordered someone to take You Jinhua and her daughter to sit in the area for noblewomen.

He turned and walked towards the table of powerful officials.

… …

The viewing platform for the officials of the Great Yu Dynasty was pieced together from tables and chairs.

The tables were laden with delicacies and fruits, attended by servants.

Many distinguished figures gathered, engaging in casual conversation.

Zhao Du'an's eyes swept across, instantly recognizing several familiar faces:

In the cluster of civil officials, Yuan Li, the Censor-in-Chief of the Imperial Censorate, stood out in his green robe, his handsome, weathered face adorned with a faint smile, as he leaned towards the Minister of Rites beside him, conversing amiably.

On the side of the military generals, Xue Shence, the "Great Yu Divine General," known for his stern demeanor and upright posture, sat unsmiling, unmoved by anything, radiating a "no entry" aura.

Beside him were several high-ranking military officials, including Supervisor Ma Yan.

And in the most esteemed position between the civil and military officials was Mo Zhaorong, representing the Empress, her female official robes impeccably ironed, the plum blossom makeup on her brow even more exquisite than usual.

Beside Mo Chou were two other familiar faces: the Qianjin of the Huai'an Prince, whom he had met once, and the recent celebrity of the capital, the Junzhu Xu Junling.

The other was unexpectedly Eunuch Hai, the number one Imperial Guardian in a python robe, who had served three generations of emperors.

At this moment, as Zhao Du'an approached, the high-ranking officials and powerful figures on the platform gradually noticed him, revealing expressions of surprise.

Some even stood up to show their respect:

"Lord Zhao?"

"Envoy, long time no see."

"Investigator Zhao? Haha, you've finally arrived. I thought you were going to miss this spectacle."

The high-ranking officials in the capital, who had been chatting in twos and threes, all turned their attention to Zhao, engaging in conversation with smiles.

In the distance, the common people who saw this scene were greatly surprised, discussing among themselves:

"What important figure has arrived now? Such grandeur."

"It's too far away to see clearly. Maybe it's some nobleman's son."

"Bah, which one on that platform isn't a tremendously powerful figure? How could they be so respectful to some young master?"

… …

Inside the platform.

The little Junzhu, with her sweet face and tender skin, also glanced sideways, surprised by this fellow's influence in the capital's officialdom.

"I heard that Lord Zhao isn't well-liked, but seeing him today, I know that the rumors aren't entirely true," Xu Junling said softly with emotion.

The ice block Mo Chou turned her head to look at her, her eyes full of a "Are you serious?" expression.

Clearly, those who had a bad relationship with him had been taken down by him, and the remaining ones didn't dare to provoke him openly.

She always felt that this cousin of the Emperor looked like a sweet girl from the South, but was actually full of schemes.

After thinking about it, she said meaningfully:

"In my opinion, the Junzhu and Lord Zhao have similarities."

"Oh? Is it beauty?" Xu Junling looked innocent.

No… It's that neither of you are good people… Mo Chou secretly slandered.

Beside them.

Zhao Du'an laughed loudly, exchanged greetings with the ministers for a moment, and casually uttered a sentence, "I've been in seclusion these past few days, not dealing with external affairs," explaining his absence for several days.

Only then did he cup his fist towards Ma Yan:

"Supervisor, I didn't have time to report the previous matter to you in person…"

He was referring to mobilizing troops to capture Chai Keqiao.

Ma Yan sat upright on the platform, waved his hand, indicating that the matter had passed, his slightly gray eyes staring at him:

"You came out so quickly?"

Zhao Du'an smiled: "I couldn't miss such a spectacle."

Ma Yan looked at him again, nodded, and said nothing.

Zhao Du'an casually asked, "Is His Majesty not coming today?"

Ma Yan said faintly:

"His Majesty is simply not here, but it does not mean that he is not watching here. Every move here cannot escape His Majesty's eyes."

The implication was:

Although the Empress was not present, she was watching this contest from afar.

Zhang Tianshi and Xuan Yin's Abbot must also be doing the same.

He added: "As for Grand Tutor Dong, Prime Minister Li, and others, either they are old and unable to bear the fatigue, or they are burdened with official duties, so they only sent people to make up the numbers."

Zhao Du'an nodded. He had just seen Li Yinglong, the "Little Grand Secretary" representing Li Yanfu, and Dong Da, the old acquaintance and grandson of the Grand Tutor, behind the platform.

The former was expressionless, pretending not to see him, while the latter cupped his fist towards him but did not come closer.

"Go sit in the middle. You'll see more clearly," Ma Yan suddenly said.

Zhao Du'an nodded, passed through the seats, and arrived at the center of the platform.

First, he showed a smile to Mo Chou, but the latter moved her gaze away with a straight face, ignoring him.

"Junzhu, we meet again," Zhao Du'an looked at Xu Junling again.

Xu Junling returned a faint smile, as if she wasn't the one who had been verbally teased a few days ago.

Tsk tsk… Her skin is thicker than I thought. I'll find time to break her defense again… Zhao Du'an muttered to himself.

Finally, he stepped forward, walked to the old eunuch in the python robe, grabbed a chair, and sat down.

— Strictly speaking, with his fourth-rank official position, he wasn't qualified to be here.

But no one opened their mouth, tacitly agreeing.

"Eunuch, I've arrived," Zhao Du'an said softly as he sat in the chair.

Since he arrived, the old eunuch in the python robe hadn't revealed any obvious expression. Now, his gaze was also cast towards the arena in front, not looking at him. He only said faintly:

"Did you come just in time?"

Zhao Du'an smiled, also looking at the arena in front, and said:

"The night before yesterday, I crossed the threshold, but I consolidated and accumulated for another day."

The corners of the old eunuch's mouth slowly curved into a smile, and he only uttered two words:

"Not bad."

Thank you Ruo An Kang Bian Shi Qing Tian for the 1000 coin reward and support!