The First Lackey Under The Empress

The night passed without incident, and the next day arrived in the blink of an eye.

As expected, the news of Zhao Du'an's meeting with the Prince of Huai'an yesterday spread everywhere, attracting countless people's attention.

Feng Ju, the nominal leader of this "market opening," and also known as Secretariat Feng, came to the Humble Administrator's Garden early in the morning.

Upon learning that Zhao Du'an hadn't woken up, he actually led several officials whose stomps could shake the Huai River, and patiently waited outside the bedroom, their butts sticking out.

"Don't be anxious."

After getting up, Zhao Du'an glanced at the group of eagerly waiting officials outside the door, pursed his lips, and remained tight-lipped.

In the following days, Zhao Du'an, as the focal point of the entire Lake Pavilion, was extremely high-profile.

His schedule was packed, and he began to invite or personally meet with those "neutral factions" in Lake Pavilion who were still in a "swing" position.

He appeared to be in a full-fledged campaign.

In everyone's eyes, Zhao Du'an, the Inspector, had a clear goal: to obtain as many "support votes" as possible before the "Lake Pavilion Conference."

In contrast, the "Seven Princes," led by Prince Jing, were constantly exerting pressure in secret.

The city was in turmoil for a time, with the two forces fighting openly and secretly, dazzling the onlookers and making the outcome of the conference in a few days even more unclear.

… …

… …

Five days passed in the blink of an eye.

Inside Prince Jing's residence, a secret meeting was coming to an end.

In the tightly closed room, Prince Jing Xu Wen, exuding nobility, wearing elegant and luxurious clothes, with slightly white temples, held a blue and white teacup, listening to a group of people beside the table reporting on the situation one after another.

"Your Highness, the current situation is roughly like this. Although Zhao Du'an is running around in a high-profile manner, he hasn't thrown out any benefits. How can those neutral clans be willing to rely on the imperial court? They often say they will cooperate, but when we actually contact them, they are still resistant."

A middle-aged man dressed like a steward said seriously.

The other "agents" of similar age and attire also echoed.

Each of them represents a prince and is also the main force in contacting networks and hindering the market opening.

Prince Jing took a sip of hot tea, put down the teacup, raised his steady and majestic eyes, and glanced at everyone, saying: "You all serve your respective masters, and you have worked hard during this period.

This prince shouldn't interfere with you, but the Lake Pavilion matter concerns the honor and disgrace of our seven families. Since the masters behind you have elected this prince to temporarily take charge of the Lake Pavilion, some things should be made clear.

Those neutral factions you are fighting for are naturally important, but they are not the most important.

This prince has said more than once that the most important thing is the attitude of the Prince of Huai'an's mansion!"

One person hesitated and said:

"Your Highness, we are subordinates and shouldn't presumptuously discuss the imperial family, but so many days have passed, and the Prince of Huai'an hasn't revealed any information. We have all gone to pay our respects, but he hasn't seen any of us, except for Zhao Du'an."

Another person also sighed:

"Yes, it's not that we are not trying our best, but it seems that the Prince of Huai'an…"

"Enough," Prince Jing's brows showed undisguised irritability, and he suddenly waved his hand: "You all retreat first, this prince will think carefully."

"…Your Highness, the opening day set by the imperial court is only three days away…"

"This prince told you to retreat, are you deaf?!"

The agents were startled and didn't dare to say anything more.

They stood up, saluted, and left one after another.

Only Prince Jing was left sitting at the head of the wide desk, his face uncertain, as if weighing his options.

The door was open, and the sunlight bypassed the threshold, its color like gold.

Footsteps approached from outside, and Xu Jinglong, dressed as a wealthy young man, walked in respectfully and bowed:

"Father, everyone has been sent away."

Prince Jing didn't say a word.

The young heir hesitated for a moment, took out a letter from his sleeve, and handed it over, saying:

"This is the news from the Humble Administrator's Garden. Zhao Du'an has set his itinerary and will go to Yansuo Lake to play tomorrow, saying it's to relax before the conference the day after tomorrow."

Prince Jing murmured softly: "Tomorrow, is it?"

A trace of anxiety appeared in Xu Jinglong's eyes:

"Father, seeing that the conference is about to open, the Prince of Huai'an has not expressed his position. What do you think this is…"

Prince Jing sneered, glanced at his son, and said coldly:

"Xu An is telling this prince that what we are doing now is not enough.

This old fox wants to see blood flow like a river."

Xu Jinglong was startled and pretended to be nervous: "Is he really going to side with the imperial court?"

Prince Jing was silent, as if he had made some kind of decision, and said in a calm voice that couldn't be heard with any emotion:

"Pass down the order, let's do it tomorrow."

A well-hidden surprise flashed in Xu Jinglong's eyes.

He suddenly raised his head, pretending to be worried:

"Father, have you made up your mind?

Are you going to kill the Zhao fellow in Lake Pavilion?

This… isn't it too… Once the news spreads, the capital will definitely not let it go…"

Prince Jing chuckled:

"If my niece wants to vent her anger, let her go to the Kuangfu Society, to Wudi City, to find… trouble.

We didn't do it, what does it have to do with this prince?"

Xu Jinglong suppressed his excitement: "Yes! Your son will do it now!"

Watching the heir leave quickly, the sunlight spread over the tables and chairs, as if igniting Prince Jing's robe.

This powerful prince, who secretly cultivated more private army strength than he revealed, slowly stroked the "Safe and Sound" plaque in his hand and said softly:

"Give the order to let people go to Yansuo Lake in advance, and remember to solve the worries of the people below."

In the corner of the room, a shadow suddenly wriggled, vaguely hiding a person:

"As you command."

After responding, the shadow wriggled again and slowly seeped into the wall, disappearing.

Prince Jing murmured:

"Jianwen spent many years raising so many death soldiers, am I worse than him?"

He slowly stood up, gently humming a local folk song from Jiancheng Road, walked into the backyard, and said to Princess Lu Yan'er, who was sitting in the courtyard bathing in the sun:

"It's your turn to do it tomorrow."

The outwardly gentle female sorcerer held a silver, strangely shaped mask in her hand, silent.

… …

… …

Xu Jinglong left the mansion and quietly arrived at another small courtyard in the city by carriage.

As he stepped in, he heard a woman's miserable cries coming from the house, accompanied by the creaking of a rocking bed.

Xu Jinglong didn't dare to disturb him, dismissed his subordinates, and waited quietly outside for a while until the screams in the room stopped abruptly.

In the room.

On a bed, the short, stocky, rock-like, square-faced, large-nosed Senior Brother Qingshan was lying on a fair-skinned beauty who was a head taller than himself, perking up his spirits.

After a while, Duan Shuiliu slowly exhaled, glanced at the woman who had passed out.

The emotions in his gray eyes settled and returned to calmness.

He got out of bed, casually put on a robe, and pushed open the double wooden doors, overlooking Prince Jing's heir, who had been standing in the courtyard listening to the wall for a long time, with a smile on his face:

"The Prince's Mansion's treatment is good, I am very satisfied, the promise to your father remains unchanged."

Xu Jinglong smiled and said: "Then I will rely on senior. Tomorrow on Yansuo Lake, hold back that Hai Chunlin."

"Hold back?"

Duan Shuiliu looked at him unhappily, staring at him faintly:

"Do you think I can't beat that old eunuch?"

Xu Jinglong's smile froze: "No… I wouldn't dare…"

Duan Shuiliu slapped out a palm, and Xu Jinglong was pushed back by the palm wind, smashing out of the courtyard gate with a bang.

Although he was not injured, he was in a mess, coughing repeatedly.

He heard the proud voice of Wudi City, this generation's Senior Brother Qingshan, from the courtyard:

"If Zhao Du'an hadn't humiliated Junior Brother Chai in the past, do you think your father could have hired me to be a thug for your Prince's Mansion? Heh, a thug? Are you worthy?"

Anger appeared in Xu Jinglong's eyes, but he didn't dare to show it at all.

"Bang!"

The double courtyard doors slammed shut, and Duan Shuiliu's last voice came from the crack in the door:

"I will do what I promised.

Get lost."

… …

… …

Humble Administrator's Garden.

In early winter, even the plants and trees in the south turned yellow.

Zhao Du'an, as usual, met with several neutral factions in the morning before ordering the doors to be closed for rest.

At this moment, deep in the Jiangnan-style garden, Zhao Du'an was leaning back on a bamboo chair, sitting in the cloister, looking up quietly at a corner of the azure sky.

The pure blue sky was like a pure lake, and when a flying bird swept across, the sky seemed to draw out ripples.

"You little brat, are you looking for this old servant for something?"

Father-in-law Hai, with his hands behind his back, slowly walked over from the end of the cloister supported by red-lacquered wooden pillars.

The sun shone unbridledly on his wrinkled face.

Without that bright red python robe, the old worshipper was no different from an ordinary old man who liked to squat at the base of the wall in the afternoon, basking in the sun and recalling the past after his old age.

Zhao Du'an still looked at the two birds circling and chasing in the distant sky, and said softly:

"Qi Yuchun, is this person powerful?"

Father-in-law Hai was stunned, took a deep look at him, and said:

"There are many people with this name in the world."

Zhao Du'an said calmly: "But as the third-ranked Tiangang in the Kuangfu Society, the rebel party whose position is second only to Zhuang Xiaocheng, there is only one."

Father-in-law Hai showed a look of recollection and said slowly:

"That kid… is okay.

This old servant also taught him some skills back then, but this person didn't cultivate Emperor Taizu's martial god lineage.

The Qi family… is also a family of military merit, and their family's spear technique is extremely domineering, with the reputation of Overlord Spear, and few people in the Jianghu can match it.

Qi Yuchun is also a martial arts disciple with a straight lineage.

Since he was a child, he has been talented in spear skills, and later he went smoothly, entered the realm of the world, and was appointed by the late emperor in the palace as the commander of the Imperial Guards.

The Jinwu Guards, the Imperial Forest Army… all had to listen to his orders, directly obeying the late emperor, and Xue Shence couldn't control him…"

"Hehe, speaking of which, if the Qi family hadn't strongly supported the Second Prince Jianwen, how could the Xuanmen coup have worked?

Without the handwritten order of this commander to mobilize the city defenses, how could Jianwen break through the city defenses of the imperial city?

Rely on the retainers he raised?

That's not enough…"

Zhao Du'an listened quietly.

Of course, he had read the information of the Kuangfu Society rebel party, although he didn't know the details, he still knew a few of the leading figures.

The Tiangang ranking is the ranking of the members of the Kuangfu Society.

Except for the nominal "first," occupied by Xu Jianwen's young son, Zhuang Xiaocheng, who is ranked "second," is the real leader of the Kuangfu Society.

And Qi Yuchun is the number two figure in the Kuangfu Society.

When Wu Ling secretly sent the news that Qi Yuchun was about to arrive in Lake Pavilion to assassinate him, Zhao Du'an was surprised.

But then again, if Prince Jing really wanted to make a move against me, then the Kuangfu Society would undoubtedly be the most suitable, and the most likely candidate to take the blame.

So, it wasn't unexpected after all.

"So, is this Qi Yuchun very powerful? Can you beat him?" Zhao Du'an asked softly.

Grandfather Hai glared at him unhappily:

"This old one is just old, not dead yet. Qi Yuchun... his Overlord Spear is best suited for the army. If he leads a team of elite cavalry, this old one would indeed have a headache, but if it's just him, he's not a concern."

Really? Zhao Du'an didn't dare to completely believe it. Everyone knows that old people's boasting should be taken with a grain of salt.

He turned his head back and tentatively asked, "What about Ji Yue and Lang Shibaba?"

Grandfather Hai said with a straight face, "I can't beat them, but I won't be defeated too badly."

Seeing Zhao Du'an nod, the old servant's expression became serious:

"Could it be that...?"

Zhao Du'an interrupted him with a smile:

"Tomorrow, I've invited the Princess, as well as a large group of talented scholars from Lake Pavilion, to enjoy the scenery at Misty Lake. Prince Jing hasn't bothered me for so many days; I'm afraid he's brewing something big."

Grandfather Hai frowned, somewhat worried, "Do you have to go?"

Zhao Du'an sighed, helplessly saying:

"I don't want to either, but there's no choice. King Huai'an won't release the eagle until he sees the rabbit. The market opens the day after tomorrow. If I hide, it's the same as admitting defeat."

Grandfather Hai was silent for a moment, then turned and walked into the distance:

"This old one will go inform them. You kid, good luck."

Zhao Du'an laughed, but as he laughed, his expression disappeared. He still looked up at the blue sky, but saw that the two entangled birds had already flown away.

...

...

One night passed without incident, and in the blink of an eye, it was the last day leading up to the Lake Pavilion gathering.

The atmosphere in the entire city was already like oil being poured on a raging fire, just waiting for a spark tomorrow to ignite it.

However, at this critical juncture, when Feng Ju and the others were so busy they couldn't sleep or eat, the news came that Lord Zhao was going on an outing with a beauty.

...

The name "Misty Lake" is said to have a long history.

According to ancient legends, a Taoist priest arrived in a small boat. When he reached this place, he saw the vast expanse of misty water and the excellent scenery, so he happily chopped wood to build a house and lived by the desolate lake.

Not only did he live there, but in order to gather the spiritual energy of the mountains and rivers and comprehend the rhythm of heaven and earth, he chose a flat and sharp cliff on the lakeside. With tools, he spent ten years painstakingly carving a huge statue of the Earth God into the mountainside.

According to legend, during the ten years that the Taoist priest was carving, people from nearby villages often came to watch as the statue gradually took shape and the Taoist priest gradually aged.

In the days before the Earth God statue was completed, it rained continuously for seven days, and the water almost overflowed. The entire lake was shrouded in a thick fog.

The villagers nearby faintly heard the sounds of dragons roaring and tigers howling. Braving the drizzle, they came to the shore to watch, but they saw that with a strange roar, the sky cleared, and the bright sun tore through the clouds, also tearing open the misty rain that locked the lake.

The Earth God statue was lifelike, but the Taoist priest had disappeared.

"Therefore, to commemorate that legendary day of misty locks, it got this name."

Xu Junling stood on the second-floor deck of the painted boat, pointing to the lush green mountains in front of her, acting as a guide.

Zhao Du'an, dressed in luxurious silk robes, stood beside her. Behind him were Grandfather Hai, Ji Yue, and Lang Shibaba, three top experts.

And the maid, Lushu. As for the other guards, they were not brought along.

On the lower deck were Hou Renmeng, Shen Juan, and other officers and soldiers, all holding their sword hilts, cautiously scanning their surroundings.

Hai Tang didn't come today, having been deliberately arranged by Zhao Du'an to do other things.

In addition to this boat, there were several other painted boats floating on the Misty Lake.

There were even more tourists on the shore, and at this moment, the sounds of silk and bamboo music and women's laughter could be heard. One could vaguely see scholars and talented men in several boats composing poems and competing with each other.

"That's an interesting story."

After listening, Zhao Du'an smiled and looked at the distant lake surface, at a recessed area in that mountain cliff, which had indeed been carved into a huge Earth God statue.

The Earth God was extremely burly, with a ferocious appearance, holding a stele in one hand and covering the earth with the other, with the aura of swallowing mountains and rivers as he looked towards the distant Grand Canal estuary.

"The last time I saw an Earth God statue was in the bamboo forest in the southern suburbs of the capital," Zhao Du'an said softly.

Xu Junling's eyes flickered, "Oh?"

Zhao Du'an withdrew his gaze and smiled at her:

"That time, I led people to arrest Zhuang Xiaocheng, but I was attacked by a sorcerer from thousands of miles away and almost lost my life. Later, I learned that Zhuang Xiaocheng had deliberately lured me there and set up an ambush."

Today, Xu Junling was wearing an elegant long dress, with a scarlet cloak with white fluff around the edges on the outside.

The cloak tightly wrapped her delicate body to resist the cold wind on the lake in early winter.

A smile appeared on her beautiful oval face, and she joked:

"Then this Princess should pray that there won't be any trouble today, otherwise it will become me luring you here."

"Haha," Zhao Du'an laughed loudly, "Not at all, I invited the Princess here."

The wind was strong today, blowing his hair across his forehead:

"I heard that the literati of the Huai River region like to write poems on the theme of this Misty Lake. Are those people in front all doing that?"

Xu Junling smiled gently:

"Not necessarily all poems, more often some games, such as poem chains or couplet contests. It's early winter, and there are fewer people visiting here. It's only special this year because of the market opening. In this cold winter, there are still so many people on the lake."

"I see."

Zhao Du'an slowly restrained his smile, squinting his eyes and looking at the painted boat that was gradually approaching.

At this distance, the talented men and beautiful women on the boat could see each other clearly.

A glance revealed that many were indeed playing games.

Many eyes were also cast in this direction, discussing and guessing what kind of person this unusually impressive figure was.

Zhao Du'an frowned, displeased:

"Didn't I send word that I was coming to the lake today? Why are there still so many people disturbing me?"

On this boat, an official from the lakeside pier in charge of reception was stunned, and beads of sweat suddenly appeared on his forehead. He stammered an explanation:

"Lord, this humble official didn't know you didn't like being disturbed. This..."

Zhao Du'an sneered:

"Such beautiful scenery is completely ruined by so many noisy people. Old Hou? Raise the flag and tell these people to get lost! Within a quarter of an hour, I don't want to see any other boats on the lake!"

Hou Renmeng on the first deck responded:

"Yes, sir!"

Then, under the astonished gaze of the pier official, a brocade-clad government servant took out a black flag from the imperial government office, raised it, and loudly drove away the boats on the river.

The talented men and beautiful women and foreign merchants who had come together to visit were all stunned, some not even realizing what was happening.

Seeing that these people weren't listening, Hou Renmeng shouted:

"Lord has ordered, drive away all idlers within a quarter of an hour!"

Then, this troublemaker from Pear Blossom Hall sank his knees and suddenly leaped onto the neighboring boat.

Wielding his saber scabbard, he beat them indiscriminately, and even kicked a scholar who came forward to reason into the lake.

With him as an example, the other government servants followed suit, jumping and leaping. Those who were far away simply lowered their boats and chased after them directly.

Ordering the boatmen to leave immediately, so as not to disturb Lord Zhao's viewing of the scenery.

Those who resisted were beaten and kicked. For a time, many handsome and dashing scholars, like dumplings, fell into the icy river, splashing towards the shore.

The boats were in chaos, with screams and cries from the women.

"Ah... someone's hitting people!"

"Officials, please spare us... we'll leave right away... ah... splash!"

"How dare you act so rampantly in broad daylight? Is there still a king...? Ouch!"

"My father is..."

Hou Renmeng drew his saber scabbard and struck a powerful young man, causing him to hold his head and scurry away. He sneered and spat:

"I don't care who your father is. We dare to beat even princes. Get lost, all of you!"

...

On the boat.

The little princess's expression was off as she witnessed this scene. Her sweet and elegant smile froze on her face, her brows furrowed, as she looked at Zhao Du'an, who had a indifferent expression:

"Lord Zhao, I'm afraid such actions will damage the imperial court's reputation if they are spread."

Her words were still euphemistic, but the maid Lushu already had an angry look in her eyes, feeling that Zhao Du'an was too arrogant and domineering.

They already had some understanding of Zhao Du'an's style of doing things, but still felt uncomfortable.

Zhao Du'an only smiled and said quietly:

"Doesn't the Princess find these people an eyesore? Such good scenery becomes vulgar when too many people see it. The good scenery and beauties in the world, like jade, should be hidden away, only to be enjoyed by a few."

Xu Junling frowned even deeper. She took a deep breath, not arguing with the suddenly hateful Zhao, but turned around and said:

"In that case, Lord, you can enjoy the scenery on the river alone. I'm feeling a little unwell. Please lower a small boat and send me ashore."

Zhao Du'an gave her a meaningful look and said:

"Princess, you're spoiling the fun. How can the guest leave before they've had their fill, while the host leaves first?"

Xu Junling turned back, her eyebrows furrowed even deeper, her eyes dark:

"What exactly do you want to do?"

The corners of Zhao Du'an's mouth rose, and a cold and stern taste surged in his eyes.

He raised his hand and, under Xu Junling's surprised gaze, placed it on her shoulder, leaned closer, smelled the fragrance of the woman's sachet, and whispered:

"Can't the Princess really guess? If there are really outsiders on this lake later, wouldn't it be better if there were fewer people left to enjoy the scenery?"

Xu Junling's expression became serious: "Do you think there will be danger today?"

Zhao Du'an smiled:

"I hope not. But it's better to be prepared. I have to leave the Princess here together. Only in this way can your father be cleared of suspicion of assassinating me."

Xu Junling's face changed.

Just as she was about to speak, she suddenly saw Zhao Du'an raise a finger to his lips:

"Shh, listen, someone's coming."

...

Typesetting first, then editing.