The First Lackey Under The Empress

A spring breeze dissipated the lingering chill in the capital, and the spring of the third year of Tianfeng quietly arrived.

After a few spring rains, the branches that had been withered for a winter sprouted tender buds, and the peach blossoms in the capital bloomed even earlier.

Early morning, the Zhao family.

Zhao Du'an sat cross-legged on the bed, his upper body simply draped in a single garment. With each breath he took, his chest and abdomen could be seen rising and falling.

"Hoo--"

As he finished another major cycle of breathing, Zhao Du'an opened his eyes, feeling the abundant energy within his Qi Sea and the inexhaustible strength throughout his body. He raised a finger to touch his nose, looked at the blood seeping from his nostrils, and twitched the corner of his mouth:

"Taking medicine is a great supplement..."

He pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the blood from his nose. He had already become accustomed to the frequent nosebleeds.

A month had passed since the beheading of Zhuang Xiaocheng, and the subsequent impact of Zhuang Xiaocheng's death continued to spread.

Yun Xi, Wu Ling, Lin Yuebai, and others, after experiencing the selection process, were dispatched as extra "Shadow Guards" to continue fighting against the remnants of the Kuangfu Society.

Zhao Du'an, under the arrangement of the Empress, began to formally enter the ranks of the royal family's enshrined protectors, swallowing the natural treasures prepared by the Empress, refining and digesting the medicinal power.

Gradually transforming it into internal force.

"To quickly break through the high ranks, you must accumulate the internal force in your Qi Sea to the point where it is enough to forcibly expand your meridians. During this process, it may be a little painful, so bear with it."

The Empress had explained it this way.

But in fact...

Perhaps due to the "recasting of his Dao foundation" back then, Zhao Du'an's meridians were unusually flexible. There wasn't much pain, but he felt bloated all over every day, with a sense of stuffiness that he wanted to vent but couldn't.

And the relatively fragile capillaries in his nasal cavity suffered, he wouldn't feel comfortable if he didn't have a few nosebleeds a day...

"The extent of my current internal force is probably at the limit of the Divine Chapter Realm. I wonder how many layers of armor I can break with a full release of my Qi."

Zhao Du'an finished dressing and washing up, wiped his nose with a handkerchief, and couldn't help but fantasize.

The Yu Kingdom's method of testing a martial artist's Qi was extremely crude, which was to wrap the weapon with Qi and bombard obstacles. The more layers of military armor that could be penetrated, the stronger the internal strength.

However, according to Zhen Bao, he needed to hold it in forcibly, wait until it accumulated to the limit, and then release it, otherwise it would be easy to waste the medicinal power.

"It should be about time, right? If I hold it in any longer, I feel like I'm going to explode..."

Shaking his head, Zhao Du'an pushed the door open and walked out, preparing to go to the palace after breakfast to ask Eunuch Hai if the time had come.

...

Last night, there was a spring rain, and the sky cleared this morning. The entire Zhao mansion was washed by the drizzle, shining golden in the sunlight.

On the way to the dining hall, Zhao Du'an noticed a row of peach branches inserted in the windows of the house, which were extremely bright and moving.

Inside the dining hall.

Beside the round table, Zhao Pan had taken off her winter coat and changed back into a silk skirt that highlighted her youthful appearance even more.

The Pekingese dog she had named "Mantou" was panting and wagging its tail, begging for mercy from Zhao Du'an as he entered.

Breakfast was laid out on the table, and the lady of the house, You Jinhua, had also changed back into her favorite dark green dress, with the cuffs rolled up, revealing two fleshy forearms.

At this moment, she was standing next to a large porcelain vase, carefully planting peach branches covered with pink and white flower buds, still covered with moisture, into the porcelain vase.

"Aunt, why are there so many flowers planted today?" Zhao Du'an asked curiously.

You Jinhua turned around and looked at her stepson with a smile:

"Young Master, have you forgotten the date? Today is the day to welcome the Spring God, and every household plants peach blossoms."

The Yu Kingdom has "Four Season Gods", especially the "Spring God" who is the most popular. Every year when the peach blossoms are in full bloom, even the poorest families will find a cluster of early spring wildflowers and insert them in the windows or vases of their homes. It is said that whoever's flowers do not wither for a day and night will be blessed by the Spring God, and this year will be smooth...

"Look at me, I've forgotten the date."

Zhao Du'an wasn't embarrassed either.

Without going to work or school, who would deliberately remember what day it is?

Zhao Pan's autumn-water-like eyes stared at her elder brother, and she silently handed over a handkerchief with a faint fragrance:

"Brother, you're having a nosebleed..."

"...Oh, oh, thanks."

"...Brother, did His Majesty give you some tonic medicine?"

"Where is it... Let's eat, let's eat."

The Zhao family didn't have the rule of not speaking while eating or sleeping. They were used to chatting during breakfast, and inevitably mentioned the news of people coming from Qingshan.

The team from the Great Qingshan lineage in the East Sea, who came to deliver the challenge letter, arrived in the capital last night.

Ordinary people didn't pay attention to this matter, but it immediately spread within the circle of officials and nobles.

"Brother, have you met those people?" Zhao Pan raised her orchid finger and drank egg custard in a particularly demure manner.

Zhao Du'an shook his head: "I haven't had time yet."

You Jinhua frowned, worriedly:

"I heard from my mother that among the people who came this time, there is someone surnamed Chai who your brother led troops to arrest during the battle between Buddhism and Taoism last year."

"Chai Keqiao."

"That's right, with that strange name. I heard that he seems to be even more powerful. I don't know if he will cause trouble for your brother."

Zhao Du'an held a bowl of white rice porridge in one hand, slurped it down, and said lightly:

"Aunt, don't worry, I won't cause trouble for them. It's a mercy even if I'm compassionate. Okay, I'm full, I'm going to the palace."

He put down his chopsticks, changed into his outer robe and walked out of the dining hall. As he walked through the central courtyard, a drop of water fell from a peach tree in the yard.

Zhao Du'an turned his wrist, flicked his finger lightly, and the water drop fluttered and hit the courtyard wall of the hanging flower gate like a bullet.

"There's progress." He compared it to Eunuch Hai's scene of flicking water droplets in the past, and nodded silently.

After he left the house, Zhao Bo walked over holding the account book, and suddenly noticed something unusual about the courtyard wall. He walked over and slowly stuck his butt up to it.

His line of sight suddenly passed through a small hole in the wall and saw the scenery opposite.

...

...

Zhao Du'an entered the palace familiarly, without disturbing the Empress, but went to the Martial Arts Hall where the royal family's enshrined protectors were located.

The Martial Arts Hall was built in front of the "Armory" and was an extremely special place in the imperial city. The so-called "inner court experts" gathered here.

The eunuchs here had extraordinary status. In the eyes of the world, they had always had the stereotypical image of being cold, ruthless, elusive, and murderous without blinking an eye.

However, when Zhao Du'an strolled into the courtyard, the inner court protectors along the way stopped, squeezed out smiles, and greeted him warmly:

"Lord Junior Guardian, you're here early today."

"Greetings, Lord Junior Guardian."

"Lord Junior Guardian has arrived just in time, we just brewed Biluochun for you."

"Your Excellency's complexion is becoming more and more outstanding, your cultivation has been successful."

Zhao Du'an nodded with a smile, sincerely sighing that the rumors among the people were clearly distorted. Where did the cold-blooded enshrined protectors come from?

They were clearly a group of very enthusiastic and easy-to-get-along colleagues.

Really, the civilians outside have too many misunderstandings.

"Has Eunuch Hai gotten up?" He asked casually as he walked towards the inner hall.

Inside the hall, two early eunuchs stood up, one of them with a flattering smile:

"Eunuch Hai was summoned by His Majesty and is not here at the moment."

The speaking eunuch had a sharp mouth and monkey cheeks, wearing a light red round-collared enshrined protector's jacket, his hair hidden inside a wingless black gauze hat, about the same age as Zhao Du'an, his eyes rolling around, he was a smooth talker.

Named Song Jinxi, Upper Grade of Divine Chapter, only one step away from the Worldly Realm.

Behind him, another eunuch in his thirties, who also stood up to salute, was unsmiling, wearing the same colored jacket, with a large frame, and a steady personality.

Named Tang Jinzhong, an enshrined protector of the Worldly Realm, with powerful martial arts.

Zhao Du'an had been practicing martial arts in the Martial Arts Hall these days. Eunuch Hai was used to being lazy and mostly dozed off in the armory, arranging for the two to take care of him.

Logically speaking, Zhao Du'an was the least "qualified" among these enshrined protectors and should be the "junior brother."

However, the royal family's enshrined protectors were not a sect after all. Zhao Du'an's identity as Junior Guardian didn't mean much, but his hidden identity as "Imperial Consort" was truly special.

The enshrined protectors served the royal family in the first place. Who knew, in a few years, Zhao Du'an might also become a member of the royal family.

Therefore, the distinction between master and servant could not be messed up.

Thus, in the Martial Arts Hall, except for Eunuch Hai, all the enshrined protectors were respectful and humble to him, with the posture of servants.

"Summoned by His Majesty?" Zhao Du'an raised an eyebrow, entered the inner hall, sat down first, greeted the two "senior brothers" to sit down together, and then asked:

"Could it be because of the Qingshan disciples?"

The glib Song Jinxi nodded and bowed:

"Lord Junior Guardian guessed correctly, this morning, the Qingshan disciples entered the palace to meet the Emperor and present the challenge letter."

Tang Jinzhong, who was more in line with the cold enshrined protector persona, also nodded and said in a deep voice:

"The Eunuch once went to Qingshan for an appointment in the past and is more familiar with this matter than His Majesty, so he went."

Zhao Du'an picked up the Biluochun tea and squinted his eyes:

"I heard that according to tradition, when the Qingshan disciples come, they will stay in the imperial city for a while and exchange pointers with the royal family's enshrined protectors to discuss martial arts?"

Song Jinxi nodded, revealing a worried look:

“It’s said to be an exploration, but in reality, it’s still a contest. Although it has nothing to do with the martial arts competition between His Majesty and Martial Immortal Kui, it still concerns the royal family's reputation…”

Tang Jinzhong nodded, looking particularly solemn and serious compared to usual.

The imperial family of each generation has always cared greatly about face, and although the Azure Mountain lineage has a long history, it is ultimately a Jianghu force.

If they were to lose in a competition, especially within the imperial family's territory, the entire royal family would suffer a great loss of face.

Zhao Du'an nodded, just about to inquire about the details when a voice came from outside the Martial Arts Hall:

“Consort Mo…”

He turned his head and saw “Ice Block” Mo Chou walking into the courtyard, wearing a female official's robe, with a plum blossom decoration between her eyebrows, and a serious expression.

Tang Jinzhong and Song Jinxi stood up again, quite surprised:

“Miss Mo… does His Majesty have any instructions?”

Mo Chou came alone, waved her hand upon hearing this, and said faintly:

“I have something to say to Junior Guardian Zhao alone.”

The two enshrined warriors exchanged a glance and then looked at Zhao Du'an for confirmation. Only after the latter nodded did they respectfully leave.

They also drove the other enshrined eunuchs in the courtyard out.

… …

“Why did Consort Mo suddenly come over? What does she want to say to me?”

Zhao Du'an smiled and gestured for her to sit down, grabbing a handful of dried fruit from the tray on the coffee table:

“Want some?”

“…” Mo Chou rolled her eyes, sat down opposite him, and frowned:

“The people from Azure Mountain have arrived, did you know?”

Zhao Du'an put the dried fruit back, cracked a walnut, ate it, and said lazily:

“How could I not know? I was just about to inquire, what kind of people are coming? I heard that Chai Keqiao is here again? And he's made progress?”

Mo Chou looked at Zhao with a displeased expression, and teased:

“Yes, that Chai Keqiao has already entered the Worldly Realm, how is it, are you feeling any pressure?”

As expected, he advanced… That’s right, as a personal disciple of Martial Immortal Kui, he is a genius like Gongshu Tianyuan and the others… During the Buddhist and Taoist competition, he was already at the peak of the Divine Chapter Realm…

Zhao Du'an didn't care at all: “How many years has he been cultivating? How long have I been cultivating? Why would I feel any pressure?”

Mo Chou felt bored seeing that he wasn't discouraged, and continued:

“Besides him, Azure Mountain also has two other disciples coming this time, all of whom are outstanding among the disciples who have not yet descended the mountain.”

Azure Mountain disciples are divided into “on the mountain” and “descended the mountain”. Generally speaking, those who have achieved success in cultivation, or who feel that they can no longer break through on the mountain, will choose to “descend the mountain” and enter the Jianghu.

Those who descend the mountain, apart from their connection to Azure Mountain, can choose what to do afterwards and which force to join, which is all a personal choice and has nothing to do with Azure Mountain.

Duan Shui Liu, who assassinated Zhao Du'an, is a typical example.

The status of the Azure Mountain lineage in the hearts of Jianghu martial artists is jointly built by generations of people who have descended the mountain and the gods on the mountain.

Everyone knows that if any force dares to attack Azure Mountain, those Azure Mountain disciples scattered in the Jianghu, making a living in different forces, will surely return, which will be a daunting force.

Correspondingly, the actions of the disciples who are still cultivating on the mountain are related to the Azure Mountain sect.

“There are two more?” Zhao Du'an asked curiously: “Who are they?”

Even the imperial court finds it difficult to investigate information on Azure Mountain, and he doesn't know much.

Mo Chou said: “One of them is named Qi Ye, a swordsman, a top-grade Divine Chapter Realm cultivator. He is a good friend of Little Monk Tianhai.”

“…So?”

“So he is very interested in you.

Last year, you used the Tai'a Sword to seriously injure Little Monk Tianhai. This matter is not considered honorable in the Jianghu, and many people are complaining for Tianhai, thinking that you are seeking fame and reputation.

It's just that most people fear the imperial court and dare not say it publicly, but this Qi Ye dares to.” Mo Chou sighed.

Zhao Du'an blinked and asked curiously:

“Does Miss Mo also think that this official is seeking fame and reputation?”

Mo Chou said unhappily:

“Do you think you won impeccably? You couldn't even beat Chai Keqiao of the Divine Chapter Realm at the time, and you even mobilized troops to suppress him, huh, according to the words you often say, isn't that a 'dark history'?”

What dark history, that's called the path I came from… Zhao Du'an was unhappy.

He is different from last year. He really wants to say:

Ice Block, don't look at people with old eyes!

After Mo Chou finished complaining, she continued: “As for the third person, she is a woman named Xiao Ran.”

She dipped her finger in tea and wrote the name on the solid wood table.

Zhao Du'an asked in confusion:

“Is this person very special? Is she very strong?”

“Not weak, but she is only top-grade Divine Chapter Realm, not yet in the Worldly Realm.” Mo Chou shook her head.

Zhao Du'an asked confusedly: “Then why did you specifically write her name… Forgive my ignorance.”

Mo Chou looked at him and said:

“Her original surname was 'Xiao', the Xiao of Noble Consort Xiao. According to seniority, she should call Noble Consort Xiao her aunt. She is a direct descendant of the Xiao family of in-laws.”

Isn't that the family of in-laws who rebelled with Jian Wenzao? Weren't they all executed for treason? Only Noble Consort Xiao is left, and she's crazy? Where did a niece come from?

Zhao Du'an almost dropped the crushed walnut in his hand.

Mo Chou saw what he was thinking and explained:

“Xiao Ran was sent to Azure Mountain to practice martial arts a long time ago. When the family was exterminated, she survived because she had already joined the Azure Mountain sect and was protected by Martial Immortal Kui. However, as a price, she also changed her surname to show that she was breaking away from the rebellious Xiao family.”

Zhao Du'an was speechless: “Why is it so chaotic…”

Mo Chou ignored him and continued:

“Xiao Ran doesn't know about Noble Consort Xiao's madness, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that in her eyes, His Majesty is the enemy who killed her whole family, and you, me… all of us are accomplices.”

Zhao Du'an's head hurts:

“What kind of combination is this? Chai Keqiao has a grudge against me, Xiao Ran hates me, and Qi Ye doesn't like me either. Are these people all specifically against me? What Avengers Alliance…”

“Avengers Alliance?” Mo Chou was stunned, thinking that this expression was a bit exaggerated, but she was used to the strange words that this guy occasionally blurted out, and said quietly:

“Who told you to make so many enemies.”

Zhao Du'an sighed, supporting his forehead:

“The tallest tree in the forest will be destroyed by the wind. Blame me for being too good… So you came here specifically to say these things, to tell me to be careful? To prevent me from being assassinated?”

Mo Chou chuckled: “This is the imperial palace, even if they dare to do it, they can't.”

After a pause, she said seriously: “I hope you can be more tolerant.”

“Ah?” Zhao Du'an was surprised.

Mo Chou stared at him earnestly with her bright eyes:

“I know that because of Duan Shui Liu's assassination of you at Yan Suo Lake, you are quite displeased with the people of Azure Mountain. With your vengeful nature, you must have been thinking about cleaning them up to vent your anger?”

Zhao Du'an did not deny it.

Mo Chou said bitterly:

“And these three people all hate you. They certainly don't dare to do too much, but within the rules, it's not surprising that they conflict with you in the name of sparring and exchanging martial arts. I know that as long as you don't do too much, His Majesty won't stop you, well… maybe you've already talked to His Majesty, it's not certain…”

Zhao Du'an patted the walnut shells in his hand and frowned:

“Consort Mo, you and I are old acquaintances, no need to beat around the bush, just say what you want to say.”

Mo Chou sighed and said seriously:

“You also know the current situation in the world, the Eight Kings are restless, and the imperial court has just emerged from the haze, and has just taken a breather. If we break face with Azure Mountain now and make it too ugly, once we push Martial Immortal Kui to the side of the Eight Kings…”

Zhao Du'an interrupted her:

“I understand. You're afraid that Azure Mountain deliberately arranged for three people who have grudges against me to deliberately provoke me to take action, and then use this as a reason to intervene in the struggle between His Majesty and the Eight Kings?

Or simply, you're afraid that if things get too big, Azure Mountain will lean towards the Eight Kings… So you want me to be more tolerant? Is this your personal idea?”

Mo Chou's eyes dimmed, and she nodded:

“It's my own idea. I know that you don't have a good impression of me either. Given our past struggles, it's only natural that you don't agree. I just don't want Her Majesty to be too tired… If you don't want to, then pretend I didn't come.”

Saying that, she slowly stood up and walked out without much hope.

As she stepped out of the threshold, she heard Zhao Du'an's calm voice behind her:

“I can only promise you that I won't actively look for their trouble.”

Mo Chou was stunned, a look of joy flashed across her face, and she turned her head to say something, when she heard footsteps outside the courtyard.

“Junior Guardian Zhao, Consort Mo, Eunuch Hai sent a message.”

The enshrined warrior Song Jinxi walked in and said loudly:

“He said that His Majesty has finished meeting the Azure Mountain disciples. Now, it's time for the enshrined warriors of our Martial Arts Hall to meet them.”

Here they come?

Zhao Du'an and Mo Chou exchanged a glance, then picked up their teacups, drank them in one gulp, and stood up with a smile:

“Let's go, let's meet these out-of-towners.”