The First Lackey Under The Empress

“Young master… you look unfamiliar. Is this your first time here?” The maidservant, momentarily stunned, invited him to take a seat while inquiring.

“I heard recommendations from a friend,” Zhao Du'an said, readily taking a seat.

“Recommendations?” The maidservant was bewildered.

“Ahem, it means they suggested it.” Zhao Du'an decided to give the people of this other world a small, yet shocking, old internet meme.

Remember the first website domain name 𝕥 𝕨 𝕜 𝕒 𝕟 . 𝕔 𝕠 𝕞

“Oh… oh oh.”

Generally speaking, in such places, newcomers are often introduced by companions, but there are also quite a few solitary customers.

After their initial surprise, the crowd mostly averted their gazes; no one recognized his identity.

This wasn't unexpected. Zhao Du'an had risen to prominence in a year, his fame widespread, but in this era without the internet, the vast majority of people in the capital had only heard of the Empress's male favorite, but never seen him.

“Thank you.” Zhao Du'an said to the maidservant who handed him a fruit plate and wine after he sat down.

The latter was instantly overjoyed, her cheeks flushed, and she leaned in to whisper:

“If our young lady isn't available, this servant can also serve guests overnight… and, I won't charge any money.”

Having said that, she swayed her hips and walked away.

Nearby, a portly, big-eared customer, his eyes lighting up, reached out and grabbed the maidservant's hand, smiling:

“So Pearl is also available to serve guests? Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

The maidservant feigned a smile, withdrew her hand, and gave a graceful curtsy:

“What is this young master saying? Pearl doesn't understand.”

The customer: …

Zhao Du'an: …

Alright, people who are good-looking always have some privileges.

For a moment, the music continued, and the gazes of the guests at the nearby tables were filled with intense jealousy.

Zhao Du'an remained calm and composed, drinking and eating by himself.

The current part of the evening seemed to be the warm-up stage, with the patrons chatting amongst themselves.

Sitting next to him was also a solitary customer, about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, dressed like a typical scholar, but his family background seemed ordinary, and his expression was slightly restrained and awkward.

Hmm, definitely a novice in pleasure quarters.

Perhaps seeing that Zhao Du'an was also a “newbie,” he felt a sense of kinship and took the initiative to cup his fist in greeting:

“I am a student from the capital, named Dong. May I ask what your name is, brother?”

Zhao Du'an raised an eyebrow, returning the gesture with a smile:

“Zhao.”

Neither of them stated their full name, maintaining a touch of appropriate discretion.

Scholar Dong said enviously:

“Brother Zhao has outstanding charm. Entering for the first time, and already Pearl is recommending herself to share your pillow. Truly admirable.”

No… How can you praise such a thing so earnestly… Scholars are indeed perverted deep down… Zhao Du'an felt embarrassed:

“You flatter me… Brother Dong, are you a regular here?”

Scholar Dong shook his head:

“This is my second time. I originally didn’t go near women, but last time a classmate dragged me here, saying that Miss Xiaoya is the daughter of a former official from the Ministry of Personnel, well-versed in poetry and books, and a talented woman in the capital. This humble one fell in love at first sight.”

He paused, looking slightly regretful:

“It’s just a pity that Miss Xiaoya only sees one person at a time, and doesn’t value looks or wealth, only talent.

This humble one's poetry isn't outstanding, and I failed to get her attention last time, spending the night discussing poetry and prose. This time, I've regrouped and intend to try again.”

The implication was:

Although you are good-looking, this is a venue for cultured people. Having money and looks is useless; it’s a competition of talent.

Good heavens… you’re making me excited… Zhao Du'an said with a sincere face:

“Then I wish Brother Dong success.”

Putting aside the fact that his motives tonight were impure, even if he was just here to gather information, he never thought of going to the trouble of competing like these scholars, following some so-called rules of talent.

Although he had countless brilliant writings left by his ancestors in his mind, Zhao Du'an could casually copy a poem that would overshadow the capital and become famous throughout the ages.

But wasting such good things in this kind of situation was unnecessary.

“Even if I use my poems, I’ll use them to flatter the Empress, or at the very least, other important figures, and won’t waste them casually!”

Zhao Du'an had his own integrity.

Seeing that he had no intention of competing, Scholar Dong's smile widened, becoming more amiable. The two clinked glasses and smiled wryly:

“However, winning tonight won’t be easy. Do you see that person across from us? He is a student from the Imperial Academy, quite skilled in poetry. Those who usually associate with him are all talented men like Han Zhou, Wang You, and Zhang Changshuo.

I didn't expect him to come here as well. I'm afraid this humble one will have a hard time tonight.”

A talented person who knows Zhang Changshuo?

Zhao Du'an raised an eyebrow and looked at the young man sitting upright across from them, with a dignified appearance, talking to the person next to him, his face full of confidence.

Seeing Zhao Du'an looking over, he also looked over, nodding slightly to him, but his eyes carried a hint of arrogance.

He didn't seem to think that Zhao Du'an posed any threat.

Quite confident… Zhao Du'an smiled, thinking that he would let him know what reality was like later.

At this time, a piece of music ended, and from behind the screen, a beautiful figure walked out gracefully. She was indeed an outstanding beauty.

With a rosy face and peach cheeks, her fragrant shoulders were half-exposed, and a thin veil covered her chest, vaguely revealing her figure.

Especially her demeanor of a refined lady added several points to her charm.

At this moment, her beautiful eyes swept across the seats, and when she saw Zhao Du'an's appearance, she paused slightly, but quickly looked away.

Now, this is what you call professional.

As the host, she must treat everyone equally, so that the guests don't feel favored or neglected.

If you lose in the competition of talent, you will be convinced and won't feel resentment.

But if there is differential treatment, the venue cannot be maintained.

At this time, Zhao Du'an began to believe what Scholar Dong said, that this Xiaoya, on the surface, indeed didn't value looks and wealth.

At least, she couldn't show it, so as not to displease the guests.

“Thank you, gentlemen, for gracing Qinglian Pavilion tonight…”

Xiaoya began with a light smile, followed by a series of small games.

Drinking games, poetry competitions, couplet contests, flowing wine cups… interspersed with jokes and songs and dances.

Although it was just a small venue, the atmosphere was quite good, with an ambiguous atmosphere that was neither too strong nor too weak, just right.

Even the repressed and nervous Scholar Dong was well taken care of.

She is a talent… Zhao Du'an silently commented, thinking that it was no wonder that the military man Zhang Changji was obsessed with her for half a year; she indeed had some tricks.

It's a pity, it's just playing along, a trick to coax men.

The following development was just as Scholar Dong said. The student from the Imperial Academy quickly stood out, with poetry and couplets flowing from his mouth, and he was familiar with jokes and drinking games, becoming the most dazzling person in the venue.

Scholar Dong tried to challenge him several times, but he was defeated each time and fled in shame.

The difference in strength was too great. It wasn't that Little Dong didn't work hard, but the enemy was too strong!

As for Zhao Du'an, he remained low-key and inconspicuous throughout the process. Gradually, no one paid attention to him anymore, and even the look in Xiaoya's eyes contained a hint of disappointment.

Soon, the night deepened, and it was time for the final stage.

Xiaoya excused herself, saying she was tired and would go to bathe, and the maidservant Pearl said:

“For the last round, please compose a poem on the theme of ‘door,’ and after our young lady judges it, she will invite one of you to stay overnight.”

Then, she began to distribute paper and pens to each person's table.

Scholar Dong looked dejected, holding the pen listlessly. Apart from the talented man, the other guests were also uninterested.

“What's wrong, Brother Dong? Are you exhausted after three attempts?” Zhao Du'an asked.

Scholar Dong shook his head with a wry smile, completely losing his fighting spirit:

“Brother Zhao, why mock me? Tonight’s guest of honor will definitely be him. You, me, and the others are all just green leaves. Alas, how can I help it if my talent is inferior to others?”

Zhao Du'an smiled:

“Now that we're here, we always have to try. What if Brother Dong's poem touches Miss Xiaoya's heart?”

“That's true…” Although Scholar Dong didn't have much confidence, he still picked up the pen and thought hard, since he had already come.

But he saw Zhao Du'an next to him pick up the pen and scribble a few large characters on the paper, then fold it up.

“Uh, Brother Zhao, what did you write? It's not a poem, is it?”

Scholar Dong was stunned. Zhao Du'an moved the pen too quickly. How could there be a poem with so few words?

“Just filling the space.” Zhao Du'an smiled without explaining.

Scholar Dong didn't think much about it. He had already seen that this brother next to him was a good-looking but empty-headed simpleton, so he focused on thinking hard, and finally picked up the pen after a long time.

When the time was up, the maidservants began to collect the poems one by one and sent them to the back house for Xiaoya to choose.

The others sat waiting, the student from the Imperial Academy looking confident, already starting to warm up, while a few who felt hopeless had already gotten up and left.

Scholar Dong, unwilling to give up, was still stubbornly holding on, and looked at Zhao Du'an, who was calm and composed, and couldn't help but be curious:

“Brother Zhao, aren't you leaving yet?”

“Why should I leave?” Zhao Du'an smiled.

Scholar Dong choked, thinking that there was no way you could win. You didn't even write a poem, you probably just wrote your name.

Just then, hurried footsteps rushed in from the back house, and the maidservant Pearl looked anxious. As soon as she entered, her eyes locked onto Zhao Du'an.

“Miss Pearl, is your young lady waiting in the back house? This young master will go there now…” The dignified student from the Imperial Academy stood up.

However, the next second, Pearl said apologetically:

“Young Master Li, please wait. My young lady has invited someone else.”

Young Master Li's smile froze, in disbelief.

He didn't believe that anyone in the venue could write a better poem than him.

The other guests were invigorated, straightening their backs, not expecting such a pleasant surprise.

When Scholar Dong saw Pearl walking straight towards him, his heart pounded like a drum, and he was so excited that he couldn't control himself, thinking he had been chosen.

Indeed! Brother Zhao was right, what if?

However, the next second, he saw Pearl pass by Scholar Dong and walk to Zhao Du'an, respectfully and humbly, even with a hint of fear:

“Young Master Zhao, please follow this servant to the back house.”

The whole place fell silent.

Scholar Dong was dumbfounded, looking blankly at the "Brother Zhao" next to him, his mind full of question marks.

He was very sure that Zhao Du'an hadn't written any poem at all.

Damn it… is this really a world that still values looks?

But Miss Xiaoya has always not cared about appearance… Scholar Dong couldn't understand.

“Thank you,” Zhao Du'an said, having eaten and drunk his fill, and got up leisurely, glanced at Little Dong, and suddenly raised his hand to comfortingly pat him on the shoulder, saying:

“Xiaoya didn't choose me because of my looks.”

Scholar Dong looked blank: “Then why…”

Zhao Du'an smiled meaningfully:

“The theme of the poem is ‘door,’ so how do you get through a closed door?”

Scholar Dong's eyes were eager: “How?”

Zhao Du'an chuckled and turned to leave, leaving behind only a light sentence:

“Brother Dong, you must remember that power is the best pass in this world.”

Heh, who wants to compete with you bookworms in talent?

Isn't it simpler and more effective to use identity to pave the way?

Just as Scholar Dong guessed, he only wrote his name on that piece of paper.

Zhao Du'an.

Three words, enough.

…

ps: Considering the continuity of the plot, today's two chapters are released together.

Thanks to the internal doctor for the reward of 10,000 points! Promoted to the first guardian of this book, mwah.