The First Lackey Under The Empress

The Empress is here?

In front of the Martial Arts Hall, both sides, with swords drawn and bows strung, paused simultaneously.

Without needing Zhao Du'an's instructions, a group of imperial guards, led by Tang Jinzhong, deftly returned their drawn blades to their sheaths and lowered their heads, stepping forward to welcome her.

Chai Keqiao, who had channeled his energy to every part of his body and was about to force his way in, also froze, forcibly calming his blood and qi, and retracting his axe.

He didn't have the courage to act before a 'Pseudo-Celestial' realm expert.

"Your subjects (commoners)... respectfully welcome Your Majesty!"

Then, under the gaze of Zhao Du'an and the others, the imperial carriage, traveling along the long street, slowly came to a halt.

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On the magnificent imperial carriage, accompanied by a group of female officials holding lanterns, the bright yellow silk curtain was lifted, revealing Xu Zhenguan's dignified and majestic face.

The Empress stepped down from the carriage, glanced at both sides in the lamplight of the night, and said faintly, "You may dispense with the formalities."

After everyone raised their heads, she frowned slightly and asked:

"What happened?"

Chai Keqiao hesitated for a moment, unsure how to explain.

Should he lodge a complaint? But Xiao Ran did trespass into the inner palace… This was also why, after receiving the news, he didn't seek out Eunuch Hai or report to Mo Chou.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, it's just a slight misunderstanding," Zhao Du'an said with a smile.

Then, under Chai Keqiao's astonished gaze, he explained:

"This subject is quite curious about the martial arts of the Azure Mountain Sect, so I previously had a private exchange with Miss Xiao of Azure Mountain, which was quite rewarding.

Later, I simply invited her to the Martial Arts Hall to exchange martial arts insights.

Brother Chai misunderstood somehow and came to demand her release, hence this misunderstanding.

Wouldn't you all agree?"

After he finished speaking, he turned his inquiring gaze to the other imperial guards.

"…" The eunuchs said in unison, "What the Grand Protector says is absolutely correct."

Chai Keqiao was immediately choked, unsure how to continue.

Xu Zhenguan glanced at him faintly, as if she didn't hear the absurdity in his words, and said:

"The night is late.

Xiao Ran is, after all, a woman, and it's not appropriate for her to linger outside."

Zhao Du'an flattered:

"Your Majesty is right.

This subject was planning to have Miss Xiao for dinner before sending her back.

Someone, go and invite Miss Xiao out?"

Immediately, an alert imperial guard returned to the courtyard.

Soon after, Xiao Ran, who had been freed from her bonds and had her bamboo hat, dagger, soft sword, and other weapons returned, was sent out.

She was initially surprised by Chai Keqiao's methods, but when she saw the Empress outside the courtyard, she couldn't help but be stunned.

"It's late, since it's a misunderstanding, then let's disperse," Xu Zhenguan decreed with her golden mouth.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chai Keqiao, dragging the bewildered Xiao Ran, bowed and then quickly left.

The martial siblings walked briskly, and soon they were far away from the crowd.

Only then did they tell each other what had happened.

"…So, that guy wanted to imprison me for the night?

He only released me because the Empress visited?" Xiao Ran couldn't hide her surprise.

Chai Keqiao had an expression of relief: "Presumably, the Zhao fellow didn't want to leave the Empress with a bad impression, especially… since he is the Empress's lover."

The implication: The Zhao villain would definitely consider the impact and firmly distance himself from Xiao Ran to avoid the Empress's misunderstanding.

Xiao Ran nodded thoughtfully.

Chai Keqiao thought for a moment and asked, "You exchanged blows with the Zhao fellow, what is his strength like?"

Xiao Ran judged fairly: "Much stronger than the rumors suggest, but still far behind us."

Chai Keqiao wasn't surprised and smiled:

"Indeed, this person hasn't advanced for long, and he's been running around everywhere, far less pure in his martial heart than us.

That's only reasonable.

In that case, this person isn't worth being too wary of.

In the upcoming martial arts competition, we should still focus on Tang Jinzhong, Song Jinxi, and a few others.

Senior Sister, don't be impulsive either.

The Zhao fellow's methods are insidious, he'll play dirty tricks, you can't beat him.

It's better to defeat him fairly in the martial arts competition, that would be a true vent of anger.

This kind of insidious, scheming person fears nothing more than a fair and square contest."

Xiao Ran nodded, turned back to look at the scattered lights behind her in the night breeze, and nodded forcefully:

"Today's humiliation will be repaid in half a month!"

…

…

Martial Arts Hall.

The eunuchs dispersed, Xu Zhenguan left the lantern-holding female officials waiting outside, gave Zhao Du'an a look, and the monarch and subject walked towards the courtyard.

After entering the inner hall and closing the door, the monarch and subject sat down in the candlelight.

Zhao Du'an eagerly picked up the teapot: "Why did Your Majesty come?"

Xu Zhenguan sat in the main seat, her beautiful eyes containing an emotion that was hard to discern:

"Didn't you summon Us?"

Zhao Du'an chuckled, not refuting.

He didn't explicitly send a message to the Empress, he only ordered someone to report the matter of the Cold Palace to Mo Zhaorong.

But how could he not have expected that if Mo Chou knew, the Empress would definitely know as well?

Therefore, Xu Zhenguan's seemingly coincidental arrival was also the result of his hint.

"Your Majesty and this subject truly have a telepathic understanding," Zhao Du'an said with emotion.

As expected, he received a big eye-roll from Zhen Bao.

Xu Zhenguan sighed softly, took a sip of water, and said helplessly:

"So, you went to all this trouble to play the bad cop yourself, and let Us play the good cop?"

"Your Majesty's insight is as sharp as a torch, this subject's little thoughts can't be hidden at all," Zhao Du'an put away his playful smile and explained seriously:

"The people of Azure Mountain are perverse, as was evident in the martial arts arena during the day.

If they aren't warned, they won't be honest for the next half month, and Xiao Ran has witnessed Consort Xiao's madness, she must harbor dissatisfaction towards Your Majesty…"

"Since that's the case, this subject simply played the villain, responsible for the warning, and Your Majesty came to the rescue, showing benevolence.

Such a combination of carrot and stick will ensure that these few will be much more peaceful and obedient in the future."

The two looked at each other across the red candle on the table.

Xu Zhenguan listened in silence, then suddenly said, "You didn't need to go to such lengths."

Zhao Du'an smiled: "Why differentiate between you and me in a family?"

Who is family with you… Xu Zhenguan spat lightly, too lazy to pay him any attention.

The orange warm light of the candlelight shone on her fair face, like warm, lustrous jade.

The room fell silent for a moment, neither monarch nor subject spoke, and the atmosphere became somewhat strange.

“It's suddenly so hot,” Zhao Du'an said, looking at the Empress's rather conservative dress, which perfectly concealed the curves of her body, and earnestly suggested, “Your Majesty, aren't you hot?”

“My cultivation has long made me immune to heat and cold.”

Xu Zhenguan said nonchalantly, seeing through his little thoughts without exposing them.

Yeah, you're immune to heat and cold, but even goddesses need to pee… Zhao Du'an recalled his experience of staying overnight in the palace last time, and his mind wandered a bit.

“You fought with that Xiao Ran, what did you learn?” Xu Zhenguan coughed lightly, taking the initiative to start a conversation.

Zhao Du'an didn't hesitate and said solemnly:

“This subject has no impression of that woman and doesn't remember her.”

“…” Xu Zhenguan said unhappily, “I'm talking to you about serious matters, not about eating…”

Zhao Du'an's eyes were piercing: “Eating what?”

“…Nothing.”

Is she jealous? It must be that, right? Zhao Du'an pondered for a moment, and bargained:

“Does Your Majesty want to know? Say what you're eating, and I'll tell Your Majesty.”

Appropriately teasing and taking an offensive stance are indispensable parts of flirting, because almost all women have a passive mentality and expect to be conquered—Zhao Du'an lacks experience, but his theoretical knowledge is abundant.

Xu Zhenguan sneered and glared at the Little Imperial Guard: “Say that again?”

Oh ho, the theory crashed during the landing process. Zhenbao is indeed a remarkable woman, different from those mediocre women… Zhao Du'an said seriously:

“When this subject deliberately sparred with that Xiao Ran, although I deliberately concealed and suppressed my martial arts level, I could clearly see that these three people from Green Mountain are indeed not simple characters.

There is no shortage of offerings in the Martial Arts Hall who are similar to them in terms of cultivation level, but in terms of understanding of martial arts and solid foundation… they are far inferior.

Even if this subject's cultivation level was completely the same as hers, and I didn't deliberately hide my strength, and fought her all out, my chances of winning would be at most fifty-fifty.”

Xu Zhenguan was stunned by his rapidly changing tone. After listening to his review of the battle, she nodded secretly, and then said:

“Actually, even if you didn't hint tonight, I would have come here anyway.”

“Ah?”

“During the day, you released all the internal energy you had accumulated for a month. How do you feel now?”

Zhao Du'an thought for a while and said seriously:

“I feel like it's been stretched. Well, I'm referring to the Qi Sea and meridians.”

Why did you have to add an extra explanation… Xu Zhenguan felt a little confused, but still nodded lightly and said:

“This is the benefit. Next, you should first recuperate from the minor damage caused to your meridians by the tearing from releasing that slash…”

“I've already recovered,” Zhao Du'an said:

“Not long after I was injured, the Azure Lotus in my body helped me nourish my body.”

That's right, I almost forgot… This guy has the Azure Lotus bestowed by the 'World Honored One', and his ability to recover from injuries far exceeds others… Xu Zhenguan bit her lip, suddenly feeling a little jealous, and the slender jade hand in her sleeve also clenched, and she said with a stern face:

“Don't interrupt me.”

After saying this, she belatedly realized that she didn't know why, but she was particularly prone to having small emotions tonight.

It's all because of this guy, yes, that's how it is.

Zhao Du'an silently closed his mouth.

Xu Zhenguan paused angrily before standing up and saying:

“Next, you can just cultivate normally. Within half a month, it will be enough to step into the high rank in a logical manner. Such a small realm is enough. In the past, your martial arts foundation was too shallow. Now, according to what you said, you enter the 'Six Chapters Scripture' every night, fight with the female sorcerer in the Taizu scroll, and can fight Xiao Ran to a fifty-fifty draw, which means that your foundation is thick enough.

It's just that your control over Qi is still not enough. If your slash during the day could prevent Qi from leaking out, like that Seven Nights, and condense it into a line, its power would be more than fifty-six Jia? Come out, I'm in a good mood tonight and will personally teach you martial arts.”

Zhao Du'an's eyes lit up, and he quickly followed out.

…

The Martial Arts Hall is composed of several courtyards nested together. The monarch and her subject came to the backyard alone. The surroundings were quiet and deserted, with only lanterns hanging around the courtyard.

Illuminating the entire courtyard.

A hundred-year-old peach tree is also planted in the courtyard. The trunk is extremely thick, and the crown is huge. Under the night, the pink peach blossoms are extremely beautiful. The Empress walked under the tree, like a flower fairy.

“The first empress of Emperor Taizu in the past, that is, the first empress of my Xu clan, liked peach blossoms, so many peach trees were planted in the palace.” The Empress stood under the splendid tree and suddenly sighed.

Tsk, Old Xu's wife? I haven't heard Old Xu mention her. I wonder what she was like… Zhao Du'an's gossip heart ignited.

However, the wife of the founding emperor must not be simple.

“What kind of flower does Your Majesty like?” he suddenly asked.

Xu Zhenguan said unhappily: “I'm teaching you martial arts, concentrate and don't think about unnecessary things!”

“Oh…”

Xu Zhenguan took a deep breath to calm her mind, and suddenly raised her right hand, her robe sleeves slipped down, revealing a section of her white and jade-like forearm, and her slender fingers gently划划.

A straight peach branch from the peach tree fell into her palm, and she said lightly:

“It is not easy to condense Qi, but Emperor Taizu once painstakingly created a sword technique that can temper this technique. Come and stick behind me, and I will guide you to master it.”

“Yes.”

Zhao Du'an walked closer, and also cut a straight peach blossom branch in his hand with a flying knife.

“Come closer, you need to carefully capture the changes when I circulate Qi.”

“How close?”

“...Just like...the way I taught you to paint that day.”

“Oh.” Zhao Du'an blinked, stepped forward and pressed his chest against the Empress's back, his arm aligned with her arm:

“Is this okay?”

“…” Xu Zhenguan felt the familiar, hot breath spraying on her neck, as if she was being embraced, and her body stiffened:

“You…”

Zhao Du'an said aggrievedly: “I can't get any closer, any closer and I'll be negative…”

“Shut up!”

“Oh.”

One person teaches the sword, one person learns the sword, like a poem and a painting.

In the darkness, the Empress's face had turned as pink as peach blossoms without anyone knowing.