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 womenfolk who had been worried for many days, and they rushed over with joy.

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

You Jinhua and her daughter didn't understand cultivation and didn't delve into it. After a hasty meal, the family piled into the carriage and headed straight for the location of the 'duel'.

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

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

Zhao Du'an rode with his stepmother and stepsister, feeling the damp cold 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, sharing it with him.

It was nothing more than how grand the occasion was, how many important figures, high officials, and nobles were watching, as well as the various mysteries of the 'immortal duel', and miscellaneous gossip.

Zhao Du'an listened with a smile, not finding it long-winded.

The duel wasn't just about fighting, but also a stage for both sides to show their strength to the world.

Therefore, the first day was mainly about showing off.

For example, the alchemist from the Celestial Master's Mansion would refine a furnace of pills in public, and the Dharma masters from the Divine Dragon Temple would chant sutras to show strange phenomena, all sorts of flashy performances.

The second day was the duel, but it was also a 'turn-based' system.

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

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

Each side would send a qualified warlock to fight, one battle to determine the winner.

In other words, the first two days were equivalent to 'exhibition matches', and the last day was the real duel.

Zhao Du'an also learned from his stepmother about the information of the young monk 'Tianhai' sent by the Divine Dragon 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, looking both scared and excited.

The young girl Zhao Pan hummed:

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

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

"It's so strange, you can tell just by thinking about it, right? If you don't believe me, you can see for yourself later."

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

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

You Jinhua inexplicably felt jealous and retorted:

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

Zhao Pan said faintly:

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

"…"

Zhao Du'an was annoyed by the noise, raised his hand to open the window curtain, letting the cold wind blow in, squinting and looking into the distance, seeing the crowds bustling about.

…

The duel venue was on an open space outside the Celestial Master's Mansion.

When the Zhao family arrived by carriage, they heard the noisy sounds from afar, as well as the vast sea of people in front, with heads moving.

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

There were thousands of people in this corner alone, and one could imagine the terrifying number of people gathered around the entire duel venue.

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

In Zhao Du'an's eyes, they were magical light screens similar to "large screens".

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

It seemed that the duel hadn't started yet.

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

"Goodness... There are so many people," the old steward who was driving said in dismay, with a headache, "We can't get in."

Zhao Du'an casually pointed to a passage in the distance that was opened and separated by the Imperial Guards:

"Leave someone to watch the carriage, 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 made 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 officer 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 something that came to him like a divine inspiration:

"Young comrade is good, work hard."

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

The young soldier's excited face slowly showed doubt.

He didn't quite understand, but immediately looked at the shoulder position without much care, thinking:

This clothes must be framed when I get back, and I will tell people in the future that this was patted by 'Lord Zhao'.

…

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

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

At home, although she had heard again and again that her stepson's status was not bad and that he was thriving in the officialdom.

But hearing is believing, seeing is believing, no matter how powerful the rumors are, it's 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 over 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 court.

As he spoke, the group arrived at the end of the passage, and it suddenly became clear.

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

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

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

"Lord Zhao? You've arrived?"

As soon as he stepped in, officials nearby immediately recognized him, first surprised, then flattering and welcoming.

Zhao Du'an nodded lightly, ordering people to take You Jinhua and her daughter to the noblewomen's area to sit down.

He turned around and walked to the table of powerful ministers.

…

The stands for the Great Yu Dynasty's officials were made up of tables and chairs pieced together.

The tables were also filled with delicacies and fruits, with special attendants serving.

A group of highly respected figures gathered together, chatting with each other.

Zhao Du'an glanced over and captured a group of acquaintances:

In the pile of civil officials, Yuan Li, the censor-in-chief of the Censorate, was conspicuous in a green robe, a shallow smile climbing on his handsome and weathered face, turning his head to chat with the Minister of Rites next to him.

On the side of the military generals, Xue Shence, the "Great Yu Divine General" who was unsmiling and sitting upright with an extraordinary appearance, sat still, unapproachable.

Beside him were several high-ranking military officials, and Duke Ma Yan was also among them.

And in the middle of the civil and military officials, the most honorable position was Mo Zhaorong, who represented the Empress, her female official robes ironed and neat, and the plum blossom makeup on her brow was more exquisite than usual.

Beside Mo Chou, there were also two other acquaintances, one was the daughter of the Prince of Huai'an, whom he had met once, the recent celebrity in the capital, Princess Xu Junling.

The other was none other than the Chief Eunuch of the Inner Court, who had accompanied three generations of emperors, Eunuch Hai, wearing a python robe.

At this moment, as Zhao Du'an approached, the high-ranking officials on the stands also noticed him one after another, showing surprised expressions.

Some even stood up to show respect:

"Lord Zhao?"

"Envoy, long time no see."

"Zhao Vice Censor? Haha, you've finally come, I thought you were going to miss this excitement."

The high-ranking officials in the capital, who were originally chatting in twos and threes, all turned their attention to Zhao, laughing and chatting.

In the distance, the people who saw this scene were greatly surprised and discussed:

"What big shot has come again? Such a grand air."

"It's too far away, I can't see clearly, maybe it's some powerful young master."

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

…

Inside the stands.

The little princess with a sweet face and smooth skin also turned her head, surprised at this guy's weight in the officialdom of the capital.

"I heard that Lord Zhao doesn't have good relationships, but after seeing him today, I know that the rumors are not entirely true," Xu Junling said softly with emotion.

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

It was clear that those who had bad relations with him had been overthrown by him, and the rest didn't dare to provoke him on the surface.

She always felt that this cousin of the Emperor looked like a southern sweet girl, but in reality, she was full of scheming.

Thinking about it, she said meaningfully:

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

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

No... Both of you are not good things... Mo Chou muttered secretly.

Next to him.

Zhao Du'an laughed and exchanged greetings with the ministers for a moment, casually saying "I've been in seclusion for the past few days, ignoring external affairs", and explained why he hadn't shown his face for several days.

Then he cupped his hands at Ma Yan:

"Duke, I didn't have time to report to you in person about the previous matter..."

He was referring to dispatching troops to capture Chai Kejiao.

Ma Yan sat upright on the stands, waved his hand, indicating that the matter had passed, and stared at him with his slightly gray eyes:

"You came out so quickly?"

Zhao Du'an smiled: "It's not good to miss such a big excitement."

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

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

Ma Yan said lightly:

"His Majesty is just not here, but it doesn't mean that she is not watching here. Even the slightest disturbance here can't escape His Majesty's eyes."

The implication was:

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

Zhang Tianshi and Abbot Xuan Yin must be 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 busy with official duties, so they only sent people over to make up the numbers."

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

The former was expressionless, pretending not to see him, and the latter cupped his hands at him, but didn't come close.

"Go sit in the middle, you can see more clearly," Ma Yan suddenly said.

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

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

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

Xu Junling returned a shallow smile, as if she wasn't the one who was teased by words a few days ago.

Tsk tsk... Her skin is thicker than I thought, I'll make you break your defenses when I have time... Zhao Du'an muttered in his heart.

Finally, he walked to the side of the python-robed old eunuch and pulled up a chair to sit down.

—Strictly speaking, with his fourth-rank official position, he was not worthy to be here.

But no one opened their mouth, tacitly agreeing.

"Eunuch, I'm here," Zhao Du'an said softly, sitting in the chair.

Since he arrived, the python-robed old eunuch had not shown any obvious expression, and at this moment his eyes were also cast on the arena in front, not looking at him, but said lightly:

"Did you come at the right time?"

Zhao Du'an smiled and looked at the arena in front, saying:

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

The corners of the old eunuch's mouth slowly curved into a smile, only spitting out two words:

"Not bad."