The First Lackey Under The Empress

Mad? Xu Jianwen's birth mother had gone mad? Was it because Xu Jianwen's death during the coup had been too much of a blow? Was her mind stimulated to the point of derangement? Or was it a problem that arose from being imprisoned in the Cold Palace for so long?

Zhao Du'an was stunned, and immediately a strong sense of doubt and surprise surged in his mind.

Immediately afterward, he thought of a new possibility:

Feigning madness to avoid disaster!

If Xu Jianwen was dead, and the entire Xiao family on his mother's side was implicated and executed for the crime of treason, was it possible that Consort Xiao was deliberately feigning madness to escape death?

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"She really is mad, at least I can't see any signs of pretense. When the news of Jianwen's death was brought back to the harem, she fainted. She's been like this since she woke up."

Xu Zhenguan seemed to see through his thoughts at a glance and explained calmly.

"..." Zhao Du'an smiled awkwardly, collected his wandering thoughts, and said seriously:

"So, it's impossible to interrogate her?"

It was obviously too difficult to get valuable information from a mad imperial concubine.

Punishment was difficult to use effectively at this time, because it was difficult for a normal person to keep up with the thinking of a mentally ill person, and it was impossible to determine which sentence was credible and which was fabricated.

"I tried sending people to communicate with her, but she is completely immersed in her own world and unable to communicate with anyone."

Xu Zhenguan sighed softly.

Zhao Du'an raised his eyes and looked over. The mad imperial concubine saw that the two of them had no food in their hands, and immediately turned her head listlessly and walked into the house.

He tried calling out to her, but she turned a deaf ear and ignored him.

Ah, this… Zhao Du'an was also in trouble, and tentatively asked:

"Does Your Majesty have any ideas?"

Xu Zhenguan rolled her eyes, with an expression that said, 'If I had any ideas, would I have brought you here?': "I was just about to hear if Minister Zhao has any good strategies."

I'm not… I'm not a psychiatrist, I can't possibly invite the fox spirit raised by Gongshu Tianyuan over here…

Well, it's not completely impossible, but the key lies in two drawbacks. First, it's unclear whether the fox spirit can make a mad person speak normally. Second, interrogating with the fox spirit means killing Consort Xiao…

Zhao Du'an frowned and pondered. The bright sun shone on the mottled and desolate courtyard of the Cold Palace. Sparrows occasionally fluttered their wings on the bare branches of the weed-covered corner of the wall, then landed.

Xu Zhenguan didn't interrupt him. After a moment, Zhao Du'an suddenly raised his head and said hesitantly:

"I really do have a way to try."

As he spoke, Zhao Du'an flipped his wrist, and a silver scroll appeared in his palm. It was the "Taixu Painting Scroll" that he used as a storage magic tool.

Its other function was: creating illusions.

Coupled with the Thousand Illusions Divine Monarch's disguise mask, it could be called a combo skill.

Xu Zhenguan raised her eyebrows, with an expression that said, 'Let's see you perform.'

…

Inside the dilapidated room in the Cold Palace, the tables and chairs were broken, and cobwebs grew in the corners.

Consort Xiao walked back to her bed, curled up and lay down, covering her stomach, pulling up the tattered, cotton-exposed bedding, covering herself, and began to sleep.

In a trance, an invisible force swept over the surroundings, and a illusory voice came from her ear:

"Mother… Mother…"

Consort Xiao suddenly opened her eyes wide and stared blankly, seeing that she was lying on a luxurious bed draped with silk curtains.

Her mind was a little muddled. She slowly sat up and looked around, surprisingly finding herself in a luxuriously decorated palace.

The sunlight outside the palace was just right, a little dazzling, as if her years in the Cold Palace were just a dream. Now that she woke up from the dream, she was still an imperial concubine, just taking a nap.

"Mother…"

Suddenly, a tall figure strode into the room, wearing a luxurious robe, about thirty years old.

His appearance was six or seven points similar to the late Emperor, and he was actually the Second Prince Jianwen.

"Xu Jianwen" had a smile on his lips: "Mother, are you still confused from sleep? Your son has come to pay his respects."

Consort Xiao was struck by lightning, staring blankly at the other party, tears rolling down her eyes.

She immediately ignored the inconsistencies in the surrounding details, stretched out her arms, stumbled out of bed, and threw herself at "Xu Jianwen", excitedly stroking his face with both hands, crying with joy:

"You're still alive… Still alive…"

"Xu Jianwen" looked puzzled, comforted her to sit down, and smiled:

"Mother, did you have a nightmare during your afternoon nap? Your son is fine, why do you seem to be saying I'm dead?"

"Don't say that word!" Consort Xiao covered his mouth, as if unwilling to hear the ominous word "death", sobbing:

"Mother dreamed that you were gone, everyone was gone…"

Zhao Du'an, disguised as Xu Jianwen, kept comforting her, patiently coaxing her:

"Mother is confused from sleep, I'm afraid you've all misremembered. Mother, do you still remember that your son came to pay his respects a few days ago?"

"Yes, I came… I came…" Consort Xiao murmured.

As expected… According to the information provided by Zhenbao, the last time Consort Xiao saw Xu Jianwen before she went mad should have been when he came to pay his respects before the coup… Consort Xiao's memory stopped there…

The reason why she couldn't interact with outsiders and was immersed in her own world should be a self-protection mechanism of the brain due to acute trauma… Which meant… As long as the correct way to open it was used to enter "her" world, simple communication could be carried out…

Zhao Du'an's thoughts flashed, and he continued to patiently coax her, gradually asking if she still remembered the conversation between the mother and son during their last visit.

The last conversation should be one of the most memorable scenes for Consort Xiao, even if she was mad, she shouldn't have forgotten it completely.

Sure enough, Consort Xiao said while crying:

"I remember, I remember… You said you might have to leave the palace for a while, and asked your mother to wait for you… Keep waiting, even if there's an accident, wait… You will come back…"

Zhao Du'an's expression changed, staring at her: "Accident? What accident?"

Consort Xiao shook her head blankly:

"I don't know… I don't know… Waiting… Waiting for you to come back…"

Next, no matter how he probed and hinted, he didn't get any valuable information.

Zhao Du'an took a deep breath, brought Consort Xiao back to bed and coaxed her to sleep, and then lifted the "Taixu Illusion" and disguise.

He turned and walked out of the room, closed the door, and repeated the information he had obtained to the Empress, who was standing outside the door.

Xu Zhenguan was surprised that this guy's idea had actually worked, and while listening to the content revealed by Consort Xiao, she also frowned:

"If this is true… Then Jianwen was indeed preparing to make a move at that time, but he didn't tell her the truth."

Of course you can't talk about rebellion… Zhao Du'an said seriously:

"Your Majesty, I think the key lies in the purpose. Jianwen wants to stage a coup, there's no need to take the risk in advance to say these words to Consort Xiao. If he was worried about his failure, then he should have exchanged affection, not said these…

But he insisted on saying that he would be leaving for a period of time, and also said that he would definitely come back… It sounded as if he was afraid that Consort Xiao would seek death after the 'accident' happened."

Xu Zhenguan was silent for a moment and said:

"Consort Xiao was conferred by the late Emperor, and she herself did not participate in the coup. Even if Jianwen was defeated and the Xiao family was exterminated, under the premise that the late Emperor had passed away, no matter whether it was me, the Crown Prince, or other princes who succeeded to the throne, they would not kill her, but would choose to throw her into the Cold Palace."

Zhao Du'an said in a deep voice:

"Then that makes sense. Jianwen was worried that Consort Xiao would seek death after his 'death', so he deliberately said these things… Either it was false comfort, or…"

Xu Zhenguan sighed:

"Or, he really had a backup plan, didn't completely die, but used some method to deceive everyone… And hoped to return."

The monarch and his minister fell silent.

Only sparrows chirped in the courtyard.

Even if they had already guessed in their hearts, confirming that Xu Jianwen was still alive was still a heavy topic.

"Your Majesty…" Zhao Du'an tried to speak.

But Xu Zhenguan smiled first and said:

"Having been mentally prepared, it's not surprising now. Don't worry, I know what to do. Now it seems that Jianwen's intention is obvious.

He wants to hide behind the scenes, provoking the Eight Kings to clash with me head-on, whether he hides behind and waits for an opportunity, or waits for me and the Eight Kings to fight, and he benefits…

If he wants to hide, then let him, everything will remain the same, and continue to attack the Kuangfu Society, and deal with all changes with constancy."

Zhao Du'an thought for a while and nodded vigorously.

Jianwen is alive, it sounds like a big deal, but thinking about it carefully, it's not a big deal.

The current situation is clear, Jianwen only has the title of a prince left.

If he stands up at this moment, without enough chips in his hand, he will only become a puppet of the Eight Kings.

This is definitely not what Xu Jianwen wants to see, so Zhenbao's speculation is very likely to be his strategy.

If you want to break it, it's not difficult, as long as you suppress the Eight Kings, sit firmly on the throne, Jianwen's remnants will not be able to make waves.

"If Your Majesty has this determination, I will definitely do my best to help."

Zhao Du'an did not forget to express his loyalty.

Xu Zhenguan rolled her eyes, took him away from the Cold Palace, and ordered the eunuchs to change Consort Xiao into a better set of bedding and clothes, and tidy up the Cold Palace.

…

On the way back, the Empress exhaled and switched the topic with a smile:

"You have made a great contribution this time, I haven't rewarded you yet."

Ah? Are you really going to reward me with the late Emperor's concubine… Zhao Du'an was uneasy, but thinking about it was quite exciting, he swallowed:

"I will listen to Your Majesty in everything, whatever Your Majesty rewards, I will accept."

Xu Zhenguan looked at him suspiciously, hummed, and said:

"How far are you from the upper grade of Divine Chapter?"

Isn't it a concubine? Why are you talking about cultivation… Zhao Du'an honestly said: "There's still some way to go."

Xu Zhenguan "En"ed, not surprisingly. She dragged her long skirt and walked in the narrow corridor, the towering dark red palace walls on both sides were solemn and beautiful.

The Empress said lightly:

"During the days you were out, I ordered people to search and prepare natural treasures suitable for your current realm. During these days, you will move into the palace and practice with Eunuch Hai in the Martial Arts Hall.

Breaking through from the middle grade to the upper grade, using a massive amount of natural treasures to temper your body can save a lot of time. Before, your foundation was not enough and you couldn't bear too much medicinal power, but now it's almost there.

Before the peach blossoms bloom in spring, it is possible to step into the upper grade, as for when you can break through the bottleneck and step into the world, outsiders can't help too much."

Zhao Du'an was stunned.

So… is this the surprise you secretly prepared for me? You started preparing when I was on a business trip? Doesn't that mean, whether I succeed in arresting Zhuang Xiaocheng or not, you will give it to me?

His heart warmed, and he suddenly realized that this arrangement was a bit urgent.

You should know that in the past, the Empress was not very willing to let him take medicine… Why has her attitude changed this time?

Well, it seems her attitude changed after the grand banquet ceremonial officer made the announcement. Whether it's preparing medicine or proactively teaching me to paint…

Realizing something, Zhao Du'an blurted out:

“Your Majesty wants me to enter the Mortal Realm as soon as possible, so we can cultivate together… Ouch!”

Zhao Du'an rubbed his thigh, wincing in pain. He felt like he had been struck by an electric current, a numbing sensation.

The nearly transparent fingertips of Xu Zhenguan lost their faint traces of electricity. She wore a stern face, as if she hadn't heard clearly:

“What did Zhao Qing say just now?”

“…Nothing,” Zhao Du'an said speechlessly.

This woman, is she embarrassed by having her secret desire exposed? Isn't she just trying to push me into the Mortal Realm as soon as possible so we can cultivate together?

We're both adults, what's there to be afraid of…

Xu Zhenguan seemed to realize that her reaction was excessive, but this topic ultimately made her feel ashamed. Moreover, what she didn't say was that this year, despite appearances, was fraught with crises.

Zhuang Xiaocheng would rather sacrifice himself than kill Zhao Du'an… This already indicated that the rebel party was desperate.

And the Eight Kings… How far were they from being pushed to desperation?

The female emperor vaguely sensed the dark clouds behind the clear sky. She was eager to improve her realm and step into the true Heaven-Man Realm.

Marrying and cultivating with Zhao Du'an, who possessed the "Dragon Soul," was one method, but firstly, Zhao Du'an didn't know when he would be able to enter the Mortal Realm.

Secondly, she didn't know if this method could allow her to reach a higher level. There was no record in history of any Heaven-Man Realm cultivator who had reached that level through cultivation with a partner…

In comparison, what she cared about more was this year's "Fengshan Ceremony."

Xu Zhenguan suddenly said, “At the latest by summer, I will go south to Luo Mountain for the Fengshan Ceremony.”

Zhao Du'an was stunned, keenly capturing her sense of urgency:

“So urgent? Is it because you're worried about the Eight Kings rebelling?”

“That's only one aspect,” Xu Zhenguan sighed.

“According to the agreement between the Great Ancestor Emperor and the Azure Mountain lineage, by the beginning of next year at the latest, it will be time for another martial arts competition between our Great Yu imperial family and Azure Mountain.” This time, Martial Immortal Kui will definitely not hold back, and I can only accept the challenge.

That's right, the martial arts competition is the year after the Buddhist-Daoist competition… because Old Xu was jealous of the competition and copied it…

Zhao Du'an frowned and said, “Can't we just not compete?”

Xu Zhenguan shook her head bitterly: “Not competing is equivalent to admitting defeat, and admitting defeat comes at a price.”

Zhao Du'an asked in confusion:

“The Azure Mountain lineage seems very obsessed with victory and defeat. Do they want the reputation of being the martial arts champion? The imperial family doesn't seem to care that much about this, right?”

Xu Zhenguan shook her head and said softly:

“What Martial Immortal Kui wants is never the so-called reputation. He is a martial arts fanatic, and all he thinks about is breaking through the void and ascending to the 'Human Immortal' Realm. Therefore, what he has always wanted is the Martial God inheritance of our imperial family.”

Zhao Du'an was stunned. This was the first time he had heard such a secret.

So, the two sides are gambling so big?

Involving the fundamentals of the imperial family's secret inheritance, no wonder she attaches so much importance to it… If she loses the inheritance of her ancestors, not to mention the possible consequences, just the shame of not being able to face her ancestors would be a fatal blow.

Zhao Du'an suddenly felt a sense of urgency. If he couldn't advance before the female emperor's Fengshan Ceremony, he was afraid that after Zhenbao advanced to the "Heaven-Man" Realm, he would be even more unable to defend against her…

But how easy is it to step into the "Mortal" Realm? How many people are stuck in front of this barrier for a lifetime.

As for letting Zhenbao postpone the Fengshan Ceremony and wait for him, the situation doesn't allow it.

“Next, I will strive to enter the high rank as soon as possible,” Zhao Du'an took a deep breath and said seriously.

Xu Zhenguan couldn't help but smile when she saw his solemn expression:

“Alright, just let it happen naturally. By the way, according to the rules, the two sides must exchange challenge letters within one year before the competition.

This century, it's Azure Mountain's turn to send someone. At that time, the disciples sent by Azure Mountain will also spar with the imperial family's disciples… Well, now there are only imperial family retainers left.”

Sparring? Zhao Du'an narrowed his eyes:

“Will that Duan Shui Liu come?”

Xu Zhenguan said indifferently:

“If he comes, I will personally capture and kill him. Assassinating a court official, even Martial Immortal Kui won't be able to say anything.”

…It seems that guy will definitely not come… Zhao Du'an thought for a while and said:

“But it should be okay to collect some benefits from the Azure Mountain disciples, right?”

Xu Zhenguan glanced at him: “Don't overdo it.”

This was tacit consent.

Zhao Du'an's mouth curved up, and his eyes revealed a fierce light. Duan Shui Liu had severed ties with Azure Mountain, making it difficult to pursue him, but since there was a tradition of sparring, then don't blame him for being ruthless.

Especially… Zhao Du'an's last shot was on Yan Suo Lake in Huting, and at that time, he only used a flying knife.

In other words.

As of now, everyone in the world, except for a very few people like Tang Zhao who had experienced his martial arts, still had the impression of Zhao Du'an's cultivation level as being in the stage of using the Tai'a Sword with a cheat.

No one would have thought that in just half a year, he had grown rapidly under Pei Niannu's hellish training that repeatedly lifted his skull.

…

…

On the coast of the East Sea, Qingcheng is located on the land.

Behind this city, which has expanded from a small town, is the Great Azure Mountain, which is mostly hidden in the clouds all year round.

On the top of Azure Mountain, on a cliff facing the East Sea.

Chai Keqiao, wearing plain linen clothes, straw sandals, and an axe hanging from his waist, looking quite amiable with a smile, stepped on the steps that had been weathered by wind and rain.

Arriving above the cliff.

The sea breeze blowing from the East Sea and the sound of waves crashing against the cliffs came to his ears.

Chai Keqiao respectfully looked at the towering figure who was sitting cross-legged with his back to him, facing the sea:

“Master, this disciple has entered the Mortal Realm.”

The Martial Immortal Kui, sitting alone on the broken cliff, had a tall and sturdy frame. His coarse linen clothes fluttered gently, and his rough and messy hair was mixed with black and white, casually tied behind his head with a ribbon.

On that face of a middle-aged man of about fifty years old, a mark the size of a fiery red jujube, imprinted on his forehead, faintly lingered with purple energy.

This current world, the only true martial arts grandmaster among the four "Heaven-Men," opened his eyelids and nodded calmly:

“Not bad.”

Chai Keqiao grinned, revealing a mouthful of snow-white teeth, waiting for more praise.

But Martial Immortal Kui only stingily commented “Not bad” and said nothing more, only throwing something out of his sleeve:

“Since you have entered the Mortal Realm, you will lead the team to the capital to deliver the challenge letter this time.”

Chai Keqiao pinched the flying, scribbled challenge letter and scratched his head:

“This disciple is going? I heard that those who go to deliver challenge letters also have to spar with people in the palace.”

Martial Immortal Kui said lightly: “You dare not?”

“No,” Chai Keqiao scratched his head, his expression strange:

“This disciple heard that the senior brother failed to assassinate that Zhao Du'an outside… Although the senior brother went down the mountain a long time ago, he is still of the same lineage… That Zhao Du'an is not a good person. Last time this disciple went to the capital, he was just kicking the hall, and he mobilized a large army to besiege and kill me…”

“…” Martial Immortal Kui seemed to be choked. After a moment, he said unhappily:

“When two countries are at war, envoys are not killed. That Yu country female emperor's mind is no less than a man's, so go with peace of mind, no one will die.”

Chai Keqiao said with a bitter face: “This disciple is going alone?”

“Go pick someone yourself.” Martial Immortal Kui seemed too lazy to talk to this disciple, and waved his sleeve:

“Get out.”

Chai Keqiao only felt a strong wind blowing on his face, and he was thrown high into the air by the sea breeze like a fallen leaf, falling into the dense forest.

When he climbed up, he looked up at the direction of the cliff from afar, muttering complaints:

“I didn't say I wouldn't go… Alas, anyone on the mountain who enters the Mortal Realm has to go down the mountain, as the ancestor said, like a fledgling bird growing up on a cliff, to be pushed off the cliff by the big bird, life and death are destined, and there is no longer any relationship… Only a very few stay to guard the mountain, and they don't care about world affairs, how can I invite them? Well… I can only find someone I can beat…”

Chai Keqiao put the challenge letter into his arms, straightened the axe on his waist, and walked down the mountain along the mountain peak in straw sandals.

On Azure Mountain, every few hundred steps on the long mountain road, there is a platform carved out by people.

On the platform, disciples practice, as if no one else is around.

Chai Keqiao walked to the first platform in the clouds, hesitated for a long time under the unkind gazes of the several mountain-guarding senior brothers in the mist, and finally walked down sheepishly.

On the second platform, he walked straight to a thatched hut and shook the bell outside the hut.

After a while, the thatched hut opened, and a woman in her twenties walked out. She was wearing a martial artist's clothes, her hair was cut into shoulder-length short hair, her face was beautiful, her eyes were cold, and a thin sword hung from her waist.

Xiao Ran stared at the young master of the Chai family in the Jianghu of the past, who was full of smiles, and said coldly:

“What's the matter?”

Chai Keqiao smiled and said: “I'm going to the capital to deliver the challenge letter, are you going?”

“Not interested.” Xiao Ran's face sank, and she was about to slam the door and go back.

But she heard Chai Keqiao say quietly:

“Although the Xiao family is gone, I remember that there is still a Concubine Xiao in the palace, right? Doesn't senior sister want to see her? Speaking of which, she is senior sister's aunt, right? I remember that you can stay in the palace for a period of time after delivering the challenge letter.”

The surname was Xiao, later changed to "Xiao", and it was also the only seedling left after the extermination of the maternal relatives "Xiao family" in the Xuanmen coup. The woman stopped.

Chai Keqiao continued to add: “Doesn't senior sister want to see if her aunt is doing well now?”

Xiao Ran turned back.

The two continued to walk down, arriving at the third platform.

Chai Keqiao walked straight to a young man who was wielding a sword and breaking the air again and again, with his eyes covered by a black cloth.

“Woo!”

The young man slashed out with his sword, and the air condensed into a vortex. His ears twitched, and he stopped:

“Senior brother, what's the matter?”

Chai Keqiao said with a smile: “Haven't you always been unconvinced by that Zhao Du'an, and stood up for the little monk Tianhai? This time there is an opportunity…”

“I'm going.” The sword-wielding youth with his eyes covered by a black cloth said coolly. He swept out with his sword, and a big tree in the distance was cut off and slowly fell down:

“Those who are greedy for fame and harm the loyal, everyone should punish them.”

Chai Keqiao's smile froze, he was silent for a moment, and said:

“Do you know that the tree you cut down was planted by me?”

The blindfolded youth: “…”

Xiao Ran turned around and went down the mountain, her eyes indifferent. She was going to see her aunt, and if anyone treated her aunt badly, she would vent her anger.