The First Lackey Under The Empress

Capital City!

As winter approached, the city grew colder and more desolate with each passing day, even the plants and trees in the Imperial Garden gradually withered.

The once vibrant and colorful gardens were now a desolate sight.

Today, Xu Zhenguan, as usual, finished dealing with government affairs and went to the Cultivation Hall to inquire about the progress of several matters.

After Mr. Zhengyang left the capital, the debate over the legitimacy of her ascension to the throne was replaced by the conflict between the School of Mind and the Old School.

The arrest of a group of scholars secretly recorded and implemented by Zhao Douan also thwarted this round of attacks from Prince Mu's Mansion in Yunfu Province.

In addition, the most concerning issue for the imperial court was naturally the opening of the market in Huting, in the south.

Although separated by thousands of miles, the eyes of various influential figures in the court, both openly and secretly, were fixed on Huting in the south.

Waiting for the final result.

"Swish, swish, swish..."

Inside the Imperial Garden.

Just as Zhao Douan shamelessly wrote love poems in his memorial to the throne, the Great Yu Empress Xu Zhenguan stood quietly on a stone bridge over a small stream in the garden.

Without any makeup, her face, as pure and cold as a fairy, was lowered, overlooking the fallen leaves floating down the stream below the bridge.

Occasionally, they would spin around, as if there were great principles of heaven and earth and infinite mysteries in this simple scene.

"Your Majesty."

In the distance, Mo Chou walked over.

After the weather turned cold, although the Empress was not afraid of the cold due to her powerful cultivation and still wore the same attire, the other female officials in the palace had changed into thicker clothes.

Mo Zhaorong was wrapped in a cold-proof jacket, making her look a little "plump." At this moment, perhaps touched by the scene, she softly said:

"After winter came, the entire garden became desolate and unsightly. Your Majesty no longer has a place to enjoy the scenery. Why don't this servant go to the Celestial Master's Mansion and invite a divine official who specializes in 'Spring God' to reverse the seasons in the palace?"

In the last few years before the late Emperor's death, perhaps sensing that his days were numbered, he would be displeased whenever he saw the desolate scene in the palace during the cold winter months.

He would always summon a divine official to summon the "Spring God" to descend upon the palace, causing the Imperial Garden to bloom with flowers and the plants and trees to turn green. Although it did not last long, it was indeed a rare and beautiful sight.

Xu Zhenguan gently shook her head and sighed:

"Reversing the seasons, isn't that also a serious injury to the plants and trees? Plants and trees are like the common people. A single thought from the monarch can affect the fate of countless people. The sages once spoke of governing by inaction and recuperation. Although I don't entirely agree, there is some truth to it."

Mo Chou said seriously:

"Your Majesty is benevolent, which is a blessing for the people of the world. This market opening is a policy that benefits the people. As far as the Great Yu Dynasty is concerned, even if there are some disturbances, it is still good."

How could she not hear the meaning behind the Empress's words just now?

Xu Zhenguan smiled and asked:

"Has any news been sent back from Huting?"

Mo Chou shook her head and said: "Not yet."

Xu Zhenguan was not surprised and softly said:

"Calculating the days, Zhao Douan should have arrived. I wonder if this trip will be smooth. My royal uncle is not an easy person to deal with. And that Xu Jinglong..."

Mentioning this name, a look of disgust appeared in her eyes as she said:

"I wonder what kind of evil wind and waves he will stir up again."

Mo Chou rarely spoke up for Zhao Douan, indignantly saying:

"With Lord Zhao's talent and ability, he will certainly not suffer a loss. It is Xu Jinglong who should be praying for his own good fortune."

As the personal maid of the Third Imperial Princess, how could she not know the vile nature of Xu Jinglong, a hypocrite who disregarded etiquette and actually wanted to marry the Imperial Princess?

"Let's not mention this person," Xu Zhenguan changed the topic and asked with a smile:

"Is there something you came for?"

Mo Chou nodded and took out two memorials from her sleeve, saying:

"The one on top was sent from Xiping Province, saying that the Dharma King of the Western Regions has sent a team to enter the pass, and if there are no accidents, they are heading for Shenlong Temple."

Xu Zhenguan was not surprised.

The last time Prajna Bodhisattva visited the Zhao Mansion at night, it had already exposed the anxiety and tension of the current Buddhist sect.

The conflict between the ancestral court of Buddhism in the Western Regions and this branch of Shenlong Temple in the Great Yu Dynasty has a long history.

From the court's standpoint, the Xu imperial dynasty was actually happy to see the Buddhist sect divided.

"The following one is some internal news from Shenlong Temple, about Dragon Tree Bodhisattva and Great Purity Master."

Mo Chou explained:

"These two are different from Prajna Bodhisattva. They have been presiding over Buddhist temples outside the capital for many years. This time, they should have been affected by the actions of the Dharma King of the Western Regions, and there have been some changes. The Shadow Guards report that both of them have left their respective temples and their whereabouts are unknown."

The so-called "whereabouts unknown" did not mean that they had truly disappeared into thin air.

Rather, the Jianghu Shadow Guards did not have the ability to track these two great powers within Shenlong Temple, second only to the "Celestial Realm" Xuan Yin abbot and on par with the Prajna nun.

"Left?" Xu Zhenguan was thoughtful, but she couldn't figure out the specific movements, so she could only say:

"Continue to keep a close watch."

"This servant obeys."

Xu Zhenguan raised her head, her eyes slightly melancholy as she looked at the huge spire of the Buddhist hall of Shenlong Temple outside the imperial city, and softly said:

"My mind is now focused on the new policies. As long as you don't get involved in worldly affairs, you can fight as you please. But if someone insists on being dishonest, don't blame me for taking sides."

...

...

Huting, Humble Administrator's Garden.

After Zhao Douan finished writing the letter to the Empress, dusk enveloped the area.

The setting sun sank in the west, and then the world gradually darkened.

Zhao Douan walked out of the room, greeted Haitang and the others, and went out together to keep their appointment.

Tonight, he turned down the request of Feng Ju and other officials to host a banquet for him, but instead accepted the invitation of the Princess, who would lead him to appreciate the night scenery of the city as the "host."

A group of people gathered at the entrance of the Humble Administrator's Garden. Xu Junling led a group of people, without even taking a carriage, and walked in plain clothes to go shopping.

Huting is ultimately just a "county town" in size, and the main city is not large.

Just going to the most lively and prosperous areas is enough to do on foot.

"It's so lively. There are more people here at night than in the capital."

Zhao Douan walked on the street, looking at the ancient architectural complex full of lanterns.

The shops on the street were prosperous, with people coming and going, no less than during the day.

Xu Junling said with a smile:

"Although the capital is the most important place in the world, it is ultimately too solemn. There are too many places with night curfews. And this ten-mile Huting is the place where merchants and goods gather the most, so naturally there are more businesses.

Moreover, the merchant ships on the canal don't care about day or night and can dock at any time. However, it hasn't been this lively in the past. The main reason is that the imperial court is about to open the market, and there are too many wealthy people coming to the city recently."

Zhao Douan nodded.

As they walked on the street, although there were guards subtly separating the crowd around them, attracting some people's attention.

But perhaps because there were too many important figures coming to the city recently, coupled with the darkness of the night, the men and women on the street were not surprised by people like them with entourages.

They just thought it was the young master or young lady of some large family coming out to play.

"You said you were going to treat me to dinner, where is it?" Zhao Douan asked with a smile.

Xu Junling raised her hand and pointed to a tall building in the distance, which was also extremely eye-catching in the night and full of lanterns, and said with a smile:

"The most beautiful scenery in Huting is in Smoke-Locked Lake, and the only place in the city that can overlook the beautiful scenery of Smoke-Locked Lake is Dafeng Tower."

...

...

As the highest-standard restaurant in Huting, Dafeng Tower can rank among the top five in many restaurants within the Huai River Waterway.

The restaurant is tower-shaped, with a total of six floors.

Except for the top floor, which is for decoration, the bottom five floors can be used for banquets.

Especially the fifth floor, where you can see the beautiful scenery of Smoke-Locked Lake outside the city.

In addition, the chef in Dafeng Tower is also a well-known figure in the Huai River. He was once an imperial chef in the palace, and his cooking of fresh fish is particularly superb.

However, today, Dafeng Tower hung up the "Closed" sign in the evening, and many burly servants surrounded it.

The manager of Dafeng Tower personally stood at the entrance of the building, refunding and apologizing to the guests who had booked a place one by one.

At this moment, a group of wealthy merchants who had booked a private room two days in advance stood under Dafeng Tower, their faces unhappy.

"Manager," a middle-aged man with an extraordinary demeanor at the head frowned and said:

"Today's battle, we can also see that it must be a big figure who has come to book the place, which has forced Dafeng Tower to break the rules and refuse us entry. We are not ignorant people either.

But this Dafeng Tower has a total of five floors. I have some status in the Huai River Waterway and am the chairman elected by the Chamber of Commerce. I think I have some face. Tell me, who is hosting the banquet here tonight? If I know him, I can also go up to visit him, or maybe ask for a floor."

The other merchants also spoke up one after another, expressing the same meaning.

The manager of Dafeng Tower hesitated for a moment and sighed:

"Chairman Li, don't ask. The person hosting the banquet today, I'm afraid your face is not enough. It is Prince Huai'an who wants to personally entertain distinguished guests. As for who the distinguished guest is... hehe, everyone is well-informed and should know which immortal came to the city today."

The face of the chairman of the Huai River Waterway Chamber of Commerce changed suddenly, and his voice changed:

"Could it be that Zhao..."

"Hush, don't call him by name!"

Chairman Li held his breath, and the other merchants behind him were also silent.

Chairman Li was silent for a moment, respectfully bowed to the Dafeng Tower in front of him, and then turned and left.

His heart was shocked:

Prince Huai'an wants to personally invite Yama Zhao?

What kind of signal is this releasing?

...

...

Second floor of Dafeng Tower.

"Your father wants to see me?"

Zhao Douan, who was halfway up the stairs, looked at the Princess beside him in surprise, extremely surprised.