The First Lackey Under The Empress

Capital city, Imperial Palace.

There was no morning court session today. Xu Zhenguan, rarely, indulged in a lazy morning. When she woke up in her palace, the daylight was already bright.

While having her morning meal, the Empress clearly felt the rich autumn atmosphere. Even the Imperial Garden seemed somewhat desolate.

“Whoosh—”

The wind blew, and a scarlet maple leaf fell in the garden, caught by the Empress's fair and slender hand. Her fingers closed, slowly clenching it in her palm.

“The maple leaves are turning red. I remember that Linfeng, near the Taicang granary, has the most maple trees. Every late autumn, the scenery is the best. If one wants to appreciate chrysanthemums, one must go further south, to the border of the Huai River. Hmm, I wonder how the preparations for opening the market there are going.”

Xu Zhenguan said softly, even though the sun was high in the sky, there was no warmth of summer.

Behind the Empress, Mo Chou, dressed as a neutral female official, had just arrived. Hearing this, she said:

“The Canal Transport Commissioner is watching over there. Your Majesty, you have also discussed it with the Princess. Presumably, this time the Princess has returned to the Huaishui region to report to the Prince. It is not certain that it will sway his inclination.”

The location of the "opening of the market" in the Great Yu's new policies was chosen within Linfeng and by the Huai River.

Linfeng is close to the capital, and the court has stronger control.

The Huai River has a strong commercial atmosphere and is also a hub of waterways. Choosing it here is the result of careful consideration.

Xu Zhenguan was not optimistic, and only sighed:

“The whip is beyond reach, the whip is beyond reach… The Taizu's Records of Daily Life once said that the power of the emperor is actually very small. Even if one's cultivation is strong, the emperor's power is still only within ten steps around him. If one goes beyond that, doing anything requires relying on others…”

Saying this, she shook her head and proactively changed the subject:

“Junling's return this time, calculating now, I'm afraid he and Zhao Dou'an will be delayed in Taicang.”

What you want to say is this topic, isn't it… Mo Chou muttered softly in her heart, helplessly saying:

“Counting the days, Lord Zhao and the others should have arrived.”

She did not delve into the topic of the Princess.

Xu Junling's mid-journey joining the imperial envoy team was unknown to the officials of Taicang, but the Shadow Guards belonging to the imperial guards had already sent back the information.

Hmm… it was Zhao Dou'an who actively sent back the information.

However, although this is a very good entry point to attack a rival in love, Mo Chou understands even more that it is a great taboo for a subject to discuss the imperial family.

In her words, she deliberately only mentioned Zhao Dou'an.

“Taicang… I always feel that this matter will not be small. Minister Zhao is crossing the river alone, I'm afraid he will be targeted by local officials such as Gao Lian, but I don't know how his progress is.” Xu Zhenguan looked worried.

Mo Chou pinched her nose and said:

“With Lord Zhao's cleverness and skill, presumably it will only take a few days before he can return to the capital in triumph.”

“Hopefully.”

The corners of Xu Zhenguan's mouth slowly curled up, and she turned her head to glance at her:

“Did you come to report something?”

Mo Chou took out two memorials from her sleeve and handed them over:

“Secret reports sent by the Shadow Guards, one about Mr. Zhengyang. It is said that Prince Mu personally climbed the mountain to visit a few days ago and had a long talk with Mr. Zhengyang.

After leaving, according to the disciples of Mr. Zhengyang, he seems to have the intention of leaving Yunfu, and there are even rumors that he has the idea of coming to the capital to lecture, but I don't know if it is true or false.”

Coming to the capital to lecture?

Xu Zhenguan slowly frowned, without expressing her opinion:

“What about the other one?”

Mo Chou said:

“The other one is that the current female head of the Xiao family in Donghu is quietly operating, quite interested in the new policy of opening the market, and may enter the game, or may also come to the capital soon.”

The widow of the Xiao family?

Xu Zhenguan was quite interested, thought for a moment, and smiled:

“You can spread this news. I'm curious if Imperial Uncle, the Prince of Huai'an, will be anxious after learning about it.”

“Yes.” Mo Chou accepted the order and prepared to leave.

“By the way,” the Empress added softly:

“Instruct the Shadow Guards to focus on investigating the recent movements of forces such as the Fashan Sect in the Jianghu. If there are any unusual movements, it will be good to prepare Zhao Dou'an.”

Mo Chou was startled: “Your Majesty is worried…”

Xu Zhenguan gently waved her veil-like sleeves, and the maple leaves in the entire garden rippled like a sea of fire:

“Caution is never a mistake. Zhuang Xiaocheng is not someone who is willing to admit defeat.”

… …

… …

“The number one hermit of the Great Yu?”

Within Song Family Manor.

Zhao Dou'an was stunned for a moment, and then, in his mind, he suddenly remembered that when he first entered the Xiuwen Pavilion, Mo Chou personally sent him there.

On the way, the female prime minister had once mentioned that the Xiuwen Pavilion wanted to invite a powerful figure, but it was unsuccessful.

At that time, the big ice lump didn't explain, but now that I think about it, it should be this Mr. Zhengyang.

“I've heard of him, but he shouldn't be a figure in the officialdom.” He asked curiously.

Xu Junling had an expression of “you also have things you don’t know” and smiled:

“It is said that he is a hermit, so naturally he is not in the officialdom.

This person has a great reputation in the literary world… Well, you don't mingle in the literary world, so it's reasonable not to know.

In short, this Mr. Zhengyang has great talent. He guards the tomb in the Yunfu Taoist mountain, interpreting the scriptures of the sages for thirty years. His analysis of the principles of the sages is unmatched in the world. Even Dong Taishi sighs that he is inferior, and even the answers to the imperial examinations must cite his annotations.

Therefore, although he does not descend the mountain, the scholars who go to worship the mountain for learning are endless.

This Song Licentiate calls himself a disciple, so he has a teacher in the literati, and coupled with the fame of a licentiate, he can support this small clan in the local area, so it is not surprising.”

Learned something…

So, he is the big V, the opinion leader of the Great Yu Dynasty… Zhao Dou'an nodded.

Xu Junling smiled:

“You are coming to the door like this, I'm afraid it will make this Zhengyang disciple unhappy, aren't you afraid that he won't cooperate?”

Zhao Dou'an grinned:

“If he dares not give what this young master wants, I will beat him until he gives it.”

At this time, a large group of people swarmed out of the village in front, obviously the guards protecting the village.

Each of them was burly and round-waisted, holding knives and swords in their hands, with murderous looks on their faces.

It seems that the Princess was right, Song Family Manor really raised a group of Jianghu martial artists as guards.

The one leading the way was unexpectedly “thin”, a middle-aged man wearing only a cyan short shirt.

A sword hung around his waist, but his eyebrows were thick and black. Walking forward, he had an invisible aura, accompanied by the traction and movement of his whole body.

“Oh, there are still ‘experts’ here.” Zhao Dou'an said with a smile.

“Save me, Master… Master… save me…”

On the ground, the sturdy young man whose head was stepped on into the mud by the man's single foot could not move.

His eyes, full of tears, could not see clearly.

But hearing the movement, he didn't know where he got the courage to shout for help.

“Little Five!”

The middle-aged instructor, who also had some reputation in the Jianghu, had a sinking face and fiery eyes.

However, after glancing at this group of people, the martial artist's instinct made him vaguely aware of the crisis.

But thinking of the group of good players behind him, Instructor Xie felt a little more at ease.

Raising his hand and waving, everyone stopped, but the sound of drawing swords had become continuous.

“This young master, may I ask your name? Why are you forcibly breaking into my Song Family Manor? Hitting my manor's children?”

Instructor Xie was expressionless, holding the hilt of his sword with one hand, staring at Zhao Dou'an, and coldly asked.

For a time, swords were drawn and bows were bent.

It seemed that if they didn't agree, they would attack in groups.

Zhao Dou'an turned a deaf ear and was too lazy to answer.

He just swept his eyes over the dozens of faces in front of him, all with hidden anger.

He gently yawned, glanced displeasedly at the princess's guards beside him, and said lightly:

“What are you still standing there for? Are you waiting for this young master to do it himself?”

Lu Qingfeng, the man with the knife, and the sword-holding heroine were slightly stunned.

Then, the latter two grinned at the same time and flew out.