The First Lackey Under The Empress

Zhao Du'an was still alive!

And he had captured the rebel leader, Zhuang Xiaocheng, alive!

The Empress had decreed that he would be beheaded in a few days!

That day, this explosive news, accompanied by the last cold snap of early spring, swept through the streets and alleys of the capital like a whirlwind, becoming the first major case of the new year.

For a time, countless people were stunned, both shocked by the bizarre nature of the event and filled with immense disappointment.

Especially those scholars who had recently rushed to compose poems of mourning in order to curry favor with the Empress were greatly disappointed, cursing the "a thousand cuts" Zhao in their hearts countless times, yet were helpless.

Li Yanfu, after leaving the court, immediately convened a gathering of the Li faction to comfort the injured officials, promising countless benefits and expending much effort to suppress internal dissatisfaction.

Immediately following this, the sentencing of Zhuang Xiaocheng was rapidly advanced by the court's "machine."

The Court of Judicial Review, the Ministry of Justice, and the Censorate conducted a joint trial, completing the process at a terrifying speed, with the White Horse Office responsible for creating momentum.

A few days later.

Zhuang Xiaocheng and a group of rebels were sentenced to the extreme penalty of beheading at the execution grounds.

… …

Imperial Prison.

Inside a prison cell, after several days, Zhao Du'an saw Zhuang Xiaocheng again.

At this moment, Zhuang Xiaocheng was not bound by any shackles and was sitting cross-legged in the deepest part of the dungeon.

He was wearing a prison uniform, his gray hair disheveled and draped over his shoulders, staring silently at a beam of light shining in through the vent.

Inside the prison, there were three imperial family devotees dressed as eunuchs, acting as "bodyguards" to prevent any accidents with the prisoner.

"Grand Tutor, see what I've brought you?"

Zhao Du'an stood in the corridor with a smile, his hands clasped behind his back, while the jailer behind him held a tray with a sumptuous feast of wine and meat.

He personally took the tray, and while the jailer next to him opened the cell door, he said:

"Given the feud between you and me, I didn't want to give you this last meal, but I heard that you've been on a hunger strike these past few days. To prevent you from starving to death before you even reach the execution ground, I'll be merciful and give you one last meal."

He stepped into the cell and placed the wine and dishes in front of the latter.

Zhuang Xiaocheng's eyes moved, focusing on his face. Perhaps because his life was about to end, the old man, who had experienced a lifetime of honor and disgrace, was surprisingly in good spirits.

"This old man has been thinking these past few days, if I had killed you in the Earth God Temple that day, would things have been different?"

Zhuang Xiaocheng sighed, imagining:

"Without you, the Capital's Righteous Support Society might not have been uprooted, the New Policies might not have been implemented as they are today, and this old man wouldn't have had to take such a risky move, sacrificing himself to fight you to the death…"

He babbled on, and Zhao Du'an stood in front of him, not interrupting.

Witnessing the old man's last words.

"…But there are no ifs. This old man even thinks that your appearance might just prove that the Third Prince is destined to be the ruler?"

Heh… Is it true that people's words become kind when they are about to die…? Zhao Du'an's lips curled up:

"Grand Tutor, it's probably too late for you to repent now."

Zhuang Xiaocheng smiled self-deprecatingly, his gray hair seeming to shine in a beam of sunlight:

"Repent? No, you can kill me, but this old man's sacrifice will only become another piece of evidence of the pseudo-emperor's persecution of loyal subjects. After I die, the remaining members of the Righteous Support Society will only be enraged and continue to fight you…"

"Stubborn to the end!"

Zhao Du'an was too lazy to listen anymore and said coldly:

"Feed the Grand Tutor his last meal."

The two jailers behind him immediately stepped forward, one prying open Zhuang Xiaocheng's mouth and the other stuffing food and wine inside.

Zhao Du'an turned and strode out of the cell, waiting for a while before the jailers brought the bowls and chopsticks out.

Only Zhuang Xiaocheng was left kneeling in the cell, coughing, covering his neck, making "ho ho" sounds. His eyes widened, and he finally realized something was wrong.

He heard Zhao Du'an's cold voice from outside the bars:

"Don't worry, you won't die now. The wine is only mixed with a special 'mute drug' to ensure you can't say anything on the execution ground. Want to give a passionate speech under the public gaze before you die? Gain a reputation? You watch too many TV dramas."

After saying this, he brushed his sleeves and left in Zhuang Xiaocheng's angry gaze.

At the end of the corridor, Eunuch Hai, wearing a bright red python robe, waited quietly and smiled:

"Shall we go together?"

He was personally responsible for escorting Zhuang Xiaocheng to prevent any accidents from happening.

Zhao Du'an shook his head and smiled: "I've found a better place to see the scenery."

… …

… …

The execution grounds was a large open space in the capital with a large flow of people.

It was also the place where serious criminals had been executed for six hundred years.

Today, the vicinity of the execution grounds was crowded with people who had come to join in the excitement.

Ma Yan personally led the Embroidered Uniform Guards to maintain order.

In the southeast corner of the execution grounds, under a watchtower, Zhao Du'an arrived quietly with only a few servants and followers.

Today, he was not wearing the official robes of the Junior Protector or the Arrest Division but had changed into the luxurious clothes he had worn on his first day of transmigration.

The followers behind him were also called from the White Horse Office.

Today, he was not any other identity but an envoy of the White Horse Office.

"Creak."

"Creak."

Zhao Du'an climbed the stairs, walking alone to the pavilion at the top of the watchtower.

From this angle, he could overlook the entire execution grounds.

At this moment, noon had arrived, and a mighty procession of prisoners was coming from the direction of the imperial prison, escorted by the Imperial Guards, led by Zhuang Xiaocheng.

Amidst the whispers of the people, hundreds of prisoners were押入刑场.

On the execution platform, were the heads of the three divisions, led by the Minister of Justice.

The scorching sun hung high.

Not a cloud in the sky.

Suddenly, another team appeared.

It was a group of people led by Yun Xi, mainly young men and women, including Qing Niao and the Lin Yuebai siblings who had later defected.

When this group of people appeared, Zhuang Xiaocheng became visibly agitated, seeming to guess something, trying to struggle, but was firmly locked down.

Zhao Du'an calmly overlooked the distance.

As if watching a stage play.

All the sounds and images were kept at a perfect distance.

The Minister of Justice read something, and then Yun Xi stood up, the girl appearing righteously indignant, pointing at Zhuang Xiaocheng on the stage, loudly rebuking him for his lack of personal morality.

Some of it was true, and some of it was fabricated by Zhao Du'an.

The surrounding people were in an uproar but were silenced by the Imperial Guards.

Zhuang Xiaocheng opened his mouth wide, trying to refute, but could not utter a single syllable, and even his struggles were not obvious because the food was mixed with muscle-relaxing powder.

After Yun Xi, it was Qing Niao.

After Qing Niao, it was the Lin Yuebai siblings…

A carefully selected group of people began to publicly expose Zhuang Xiaocheng's lies in turn, spreading rumors and slandering the high-ranking members of the Righteous Support Society led by Zhuang Xiaocheng.

The revelations were heavier than the last, revealing the perversion and filth of the big figures' private lives.

The remaining members of the society on the execution platform were stunned, looking at the Grand Tutor in disbelief. They had also been deceived, believing it to be true.

Zhuang Xiaocheng felt the malicious and disgusted gazes coming from all directions, feeling dizzy. He raised his head, only seeing the dazzling sun, the world spinning, and the intense fear making him恍 恍惚惚, forgetting what happened in the second half.

He only felt the world becoming silent, with only a buzzing sound in his ears. Finally, a crisp and heavy sound of the execution order falling dragged him back to reality.

He felt the long knife raised by the executioner behind him. In the last moment before death, he tried his best to raise his head, squinting, looking at a lonely watchtower in the distance under the clear blue sky directly in front of him.

He vaguely saw a familiar figure, seemingly looking at him.

"Execute!"

The world went dark.

… …

On the watchtower.

Zhao Du'an turned around, slowly walked down, got into the carriage below, and said to the follower: "Enter the palace."

"Yes." The servant driving the carriage did not dare to delay and immediately drove towards the palace.

Entering the imperial city unimpeded.

In front of the Imperial Study, Zhao Du'an saw the Empress in white standing at the door, looking into the distance in a daze.

"Your Majesty, I have returned to report."

"Were there any accidents?"

"Everything went smoothly. Zhuang Xiaocheng and other rebels are dead. The arranged accusations before death also had a good effect. As expected, today, those dirty secrets about the high-ranking members of the Righteous Support Society will spread throughout the city.

After that, as long as the Shadow Guards in various places push it a little, it can be spread to the nine prefectures and eighteen counties, completely destroying the reputation of the Righteous Support Society." When Zhao Du'an said these words, he felt a strong sense of being a villain.

Listening to the report, Xu Zhenguan also felt uncomfortable. She helplessly glanced at the Little Imperial Guard:

"These words of yours make it seem as if I am truly a cruel and incompetent ruler."

No… I prefer the description "villainous princess", at least it sounds better… Moreover, isn't this also "returning the favor in the same way"?… Zhao Du'an said solemnly:

“Your Majesty is the Lord of Restoration. The rebels' slanderous words may fool the people for a time, but they cannot fool them forever. Executing Zhuang Xiaocheng this time will surely greatly damage the vitality of the Kuangfu Society, making it difficult for them to pose a threat again.”

Xu Zhenguan gently shook her head and said:

“Didn't you suspect before that Jianwen was still alive? During this period, I sent people to carefully review the files and materials of that year, and indeed discovered some clues.”

“Huh?” Zhao Du'an was stunned and looked at her in surprise: “What clues?”

Xu Zhenguan said:

“Before the coup, Jianwen had gone out once, and through subsequent investigations, it is highly likely that he carried a large number of treasures, including healing elixirs, as well as some military supplies and weapons.

In addition, now that I think about it, the group of rebels who escaped back then did indeed escape a little too smoothly, as if it had been premeditated, especially Jianwen's wife and children who were sent away early…

At first, I thought he wanted to leave a bloodline outside, so that if he failed, he could at least leave descendants. But now that I think about it, the preparations he made for the future were too ample.”

Zhao Du'an was stunned for a moment, and said:

“Your Majesty means that the preparations Jianwen made for the future were not for his wife and children, but for himself?

But on the day of the coup, he broke into the palace, and there was no possibility of him fleeing after defeat, unless he, like the Bewitching Master, divided himself into two…”

Xu Zhenguan nodded and said solemnly:

“This can also explain why, if he is alive, he would not stand up and openly confront me, because his divine soul is far inferior to the Bewitching Master, who had to hide for three years to fully recover.

He will only be worse off, and it may even be only in the last few months that he has 'come alive'. I even suspect that he may have borrowed the power of the Nether Sect's sorcerers…”

Zhao Du'an frowned and said:

“These clues alone are not enough to confirm. Has Your Majesty found any other corroborating clues?”

Xu Zhenguan hesitated for a moment, nodded, and said:

“Come with me to see someone.”

No, this dialogue sounds a bit familiar. Last time you took me to the Jizhao Nunnery like this… Zhao Du'an suppressed his desire to complain:

“Where are we going?”

Xu Zhenguan lightly parted her red lips: “The Cold Palace.”

… …

What is the harem of the Yu Kingdom like? Three years ago, it was still relatively normal.

The old emperor was old but not feeble, and there were many beauties in the harem. However, after the "Xuanmen Coup", when the Empress ascended the throne, the harem suddenly became awkward.

The old emperor's concubines could not be driven out, so they had to be kept. A group of concubines used to stage various "palace fights" in order to win favor, but now they have completely extinguished their thoughts, and the harem is extremely harmonious.

Mo Chou, the "Six Bureaus" female official, spends a considerable part of her work managing the group of harem concubines left behind by the old emperor.

Zhao Du'an followed the Empress and walked around the Empress's bedroom, entering the deeper part of the palace for the first time.

The two walked in front, followed by a large group of female officials and eunuchs.

“Speaking of which, you are one of the few men who have stepped into the harem in these three years.” Xu Zhenguan walked gracefully, her long skirt trailing across the clean ground, teasing.

Wouldn't that be equivalent to Tang Sanzang entering the women's country? Everyone wants to bite me?

Zhao Du'an silently leaned closer to Zhenbao, not looking sideways:

“In my heart, there is only Your Majesty alone. The beauties of the harem are colorless.”

The beauties of the harem are colorless… Xu Zhenguan glanced at him in surprise:

“Is this a new poem you wrote? There should be a previous sentence, tell me?”

Zhao Du'an carefully glanced at her and tentatively said: “A smile can captivate a hundred charms?”

A smile can captivate a hundred charms, the beauties of the harem are colorless… Xu Zhenguan chewed on this verse, feeling that it was vivid and lifelike. While marveling at the little imperial guard's poetic talent, she smiled, seemingly smiling but not smiling:

“Do you think I am charming, or which woman in the palace is charming? Speaking of which, you have made great contributions to the capture of Zhuang Xiaocheng, and I have not yet rewarded you. How about you choose a concubine from the harem?”

No… This joke can't be taken lightly. Zhenbao, are you sure the old emperor won't jump out of the coffin and fight me to the death? … Zhao Du'an clearly drew a line:

“Every frown and smile of Your Majesty is more charming than red flowers in my heart…”

Xu Zhenguan spat softly, too lazy to argue with him, pretended to be angry and rolled her eyes, and sighed softly:

“I'm not joking with you anymore. Do you know who I'm going to take you to see?”

Zhao Du'an pondered:

“If Your Majesty is talking about the Cold Palace, as far as I know… In recent years, only Consort Xiao has been thrown into the Cold Palace.”

Consort Xiao… is the birth mother of the Second Prince Xu Jianwen!

If Zhao Du'an wants to hang around in the Yu Kingdom, he has naturally studied this information.

The deceased old emperor had an empress in his early years, who was the birth mother of the crown prince. Later, after recovering from her illness, the old emperor did not establish an empress again for some reason.

To some extent, it was also an inducement that led to the coup later.

Because there was no empress to suppress the harem, many concubines inevitably coveted this position.

And Consort Xiao, the birth mother of Xu Jianwen, was once a strong candidate to become empress.

As for Zhenbao's birth mother, she died of dystocia when she gave birth to her. Later, she was raised by the Empress Dowager together, so she has a close relationship with the Crown Prince.

“Consort Xiao's family was also a powerful maternal relative in the capital, and was also one of the forces that helped Jianwen seize power in the Xuanmen Coup… Later, when the coup failed, Consort Xiao's family was executed for treason… Consort Xiao was also thrown into the Cold Palace…”

Zhao Du'an observed Zhenbao's expression and tentatively said.

Because the purge of the Xiao family was personally handled by Xu Zhenguan, who had just ascended the throne.

Xu Zhenguan sighed softly and said:

“Yes, it's her. According to the information from that year, Jianwen visited Consort Xiao several times in the days before he launched the coup…”

Zhao Du'an's eyes lit up:

“So, Your Majesty suspects that Consort Xiao knows some inside information? That's right, no matter how much Jianwen hides, a mother knows her son best. Even if he didn't reveal any secrets, Consort Xiao would observe his words and expressions, and she would definitely notice any changes in Jianwen. Is Your Majesty thinking of interrogating her?”

Xu Zhenguan silently shook her head and said:

“Interrogation… It would be good if we could ask anything.”

What does that mean?

Zhao Du'an couldn't hide his doubts. At this time, the group had arrived at a corner of the deep palace, outside a particularly remote courtyard.

In early spring, the cold had not yet dissipated. Looking from the outside, you could see the bare branches protruding from the courtyard walls.

Compared to the courtyards of the other concubines, this courtyard was particularly dilapidated, the door was narrow and old, and it was locked with a large lock.

There was a hole dug in the door, through which food could be delivered.

It was clearly an alternative prison.

“Open the door.”

Xu Zhenguan ordered with a calm expression.

Immediately, an eunuch trotted up, took out the key, inserted it into the lock, and opened it with a "click".

When the door opened, Xu Zhenguan ordered the palace servants to wait outside. She and Zhao Du'an stepped into the small courtyard together.

Zhao Du'an frowned as soon as he looked at it. The courtyard was extremely desolate and dilapidated, with weeds growing on the ground, the floor tiles were cracked, and there were feces and urine stains all over the ground.

“This is already good. In the past, people in the Cold Palace would even be locked in the room and not allowed to come out. Consort Xiao can at least move around freely.”

Xu Zhenguan explained when she saw Zhao Du'an frowning.

It can be seen that the Empress's feelings for Consort Xiao are very complicated, with both hatred and sympathy.

The former is naturally because Jianwen killed his brother and father, and it is impossible to say that Consort Xiao had no influence behind it.

As for the latter… Zhao Du'an guessed that it was probably more of an empathy for the identities of "mother" and "woman".

However, he soon realized that he was wrong.

The trace of sympathy that Zhenbao deliberately concealed in her words had another reason.

“Food… food is here…”

The two had not taken a few steps into the Cold Palace when they saw the door of the dilapidated house in front of them open, and a disheveled, crazy woman stumbled out. She was wearing a palace maid's clothes, but they looked a little dirty.

Her age could not be distinguished, but she was not young. However, through the face that had settled over the years, it could still be seen that she was a great beauty when she was young.

Even though she is old and haggard now, if she were carefully dressed up, she would still be a well-maintained and charming woman.

It's just that the crazy eyes ruined the temperament cultivated by her noble birth, Consort Xiao leaned against the door frame, looked at the two empty-handed people, and showed disappointment:

“Food… not here…”

Zhao Du'an was stunned and turned to look at Zhenbao: “Consort Xiao is…”

Xu Zhenguan sighed softly: “She went crazy after the Xuanmen Coup.”

… …

These chapters slow down the pace, the plot is slightly bland, and lay the groundwork for the future.