The First Lackey Under The Empress

Zhao Du'an stepped onto the final step with a faint smile, calmly surveying the two astonished figures in the room.

At that moment, most of the setting sun had sunk below the horizon, and the sunlight streamed through the windows of the vermilion pavilion, casting a shadow on half of the floor and brightness on the other.

He stood precisely on the dividing line between light and darkness.

Behind him, the entire floor below had been seized by Eunuch Hai and his men; the Canal Gang's thugs were no match for the imperial palace's elite guards.

"Governor Ning, what is the meaning of this?!"

Beside the table, He Xiaolou's expression changed as he stared at Ning Zechen, instinctively assuming that this young man ascending the stairs was a helper arranged by the latter.

However, Ning Zechen's face also showed similar astonishment and confusion. He stood up and carefully scrutinized the newcomer, feeling that the face was somewhat familiar, yet he couldn't recall where he had seen it before.

"It's not surprising that Governor doesn't recognize Zhao, but you should know that Zhao is scheduled to arrive in Jianning Prefecture these days," Zhao Du'an said with a slow pace and a faint smile.

Like a thunderclap from a clear sky!

At that moment, this second-rank official with real power, who sat in Jianning Prefecture and commanded millions of canal workers, was struck as if by lightning. A flash of insight crossed his mind, and he blurted out:

"The Zhao Shaobao from the capital?"

Zhao Du'an nodded and corrected:

"This official is here to handle affairs for the Holy One. Governor can address me as Envoy Zhao."

Zhao of the White Horse!

The capital's most favored subject, a legendary figure who had risen to prominence in the past year and was highly likely to become the future imperial consort.

Ning Zechen opened his mouth, a strong sense of illusion arising in him. He didn't understand why this official from the capital would suddenly appear here.

No… More importantly, appearing at this occasion.

"Zhao Shaobao… Envoy Zhao… It's him?!"

He Xiaolou's pupils also contracted sharply, the folding fan in his hand gripped so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

A thunderous roar erupted in his heart, as if struck by lightning, revealing an expression of disbelief accompanied by intense fear!

A man's reputation is like the shadow of a tree.

With his status, he had of course seen Zhao Du'an's portrait, and was even more aware of his methods and prowess.

At this moment, a thought that something major was amiss suddenly flashed through his mind. He Xiaolou rushed to the window, holding onto the frame and leaning out to look down.

"Gang Leader He doesn't need to look," Zhao Du'an said with a smile as he walked to the round table. "When this official came upstairs, I had a little conflict with the people below, at least giving them a slight lesson."

"Gang Leader He doesn't mind, does he?"

Fine beads of sweat oozed from He Xiaolou's forehead. Where was the calm and composed demeanor of manipulating a second-rank official from just now?

His body stiffened as he turned his head, squeezing out a smile as if his own father had died:

"No… I don't mind."

"Haha," Zhao Du'an laughed heartily, pulled out a chair, and sat down on his own accord. He glanced at the sword lying on the table amidst the sumptuous dishes, and said without changing his expression:

"Why are you all standing? Sit down and talk, sit down and talk."

As if he were the host of this banquet.

Ning Zechen: …

He Xiaolou: …

The two remained silent, even more unsure of the situation. They had no choice but to sit down again, but the atmosphere of the previous negotiations had completely vanished.

Zhao Du'an waited with a smile for a while, then joked:

"Why don't you continue? You can continue talking about your business, just pretend that this official isn't here."

The official and the gangster cursed inwardly, thinking, who would dare to pretend you don't exist?

Zhao Du'an sighed softly, and said helplessly:

"Since neither of you is speaking, then this official has no choice but to speak. Hehe, this official entered the city today, intending to pay a visit to Governor Ning, but found the place empty, so I had no choice but to search for you here."

The two remained silent.

Zhao Du'an continued slowly:

"This official's hearing is still quite good. Just now, outside, I vaguely heard the two of you upstairs mention that Governor Ning's wife and daughter were kidnapped by water bandits? Is there such a thing?"

Ning Zechen had no choice but to speak at this moment, forcing himself to say: "There is indeed such a thing…"

He Xiaolou also hurriedly said:

"Governor Ning is the Canal Gang's benefactor. Upon learning that his wife and daughter were missing, he entrusted the Canal Gang to search for them…"

"Oh——" Zhao Du'an dragged out the sound, scrutinizing the two with a half-smile, and said:

"So, Governor Ning is here tonight to ask Gang Leader He for help in rescuing them?"

Ning Zechen didn't know how to answer for a moment.

Zhao Du'an continued:

"How coincidental, on the way to Jianning Prefecture, this official happened to encounter a group of water bandits intercepting passing merchant ships. After this official took action to rescue them, I rescued a mother and daughter on that ship, who also claimed to be the Governor's wife."

Ning Zechen suddenly raised his head, staring at him in disbelief, and asked excitedly:

"Envoy, is this… true?!"

But immediately, he had second thoughts, daring not to believe it:

If his wife and daughter had not fallen into the hands of the Canal Gang, how would He Xiaolou dare to negotiate with him?

Could there be a misunderstanding?

He Xiaolou's eyebrows also twitched wildly, pretending to be pleasantly surprised: "Is there such a thing?"

Zhao Du'an smiled and said: "Would this official be so bored as to make up such a joke? Someone, come here."

He suddenly clapped his hands.

Immediately, footsteps came from downstairs, and an accompanying imperial guard came up, holding a square wooden box in both hands.

He placed it in front of He Xiaolou and then retreated.

A strong sense of unease suddenly rose in He Xiaolou's heart, but under Zhao Du'an's smiling gaze, he could only frown and tentatively use his hands to slowly open the lid of the black square wooden box.

"Bang."

The wooden box opened, and a bloody stench mixed with cold air gushed out. Inside the box was a bloody human head, surrounded by ice to prevent it from rotting.

"O—"

He Xiaolou's face turned pale instantly, and he began to retch violently. The folding fan in his hand fell to the ground with a "pa" sound.

Governor Ning also caught a glimpse of the human head in the box, and his heart was filled with horror.

Zhao Du'an's smile remained unchanged as he spoke eloquently:

"The person in this box is the leader of that group of water bandits, quite fierce and悍, actually a Divine Seal martial artist. Fortunately, this official had many escorts, so we were able to capture this person."

"Speaking of which, before this person died, he claimed to be named 'Zuo Rong', and even said with certainty that he was a member of Gang Leader He's gang. I don't know if what he said is true or false?"

Zuo Rong? That thug from the Canal Gang? Governor Ning's heart skipped a beat, knowing this person.

After retching, He Xiaolou reluctantly covered his pale lips with a handkerchief and slowly shook his head:

"I don't recognize this person… nor is he a member of my Canal Gang. Presumably… it's a Jianghu bandit framing us…"

Zhao Du'an said "Oh" and said slowly:

"Framing us, is it? However, before this person died, he also said the code and method of contacting the Canal Gang. This official was curious, so I sent a message to Gang Leader He according to his method. Didn't you receive it?"

He Xiaolou's face turned even paler, and he flatly denied: "Envoy, you misunderstood. This humble one indeed didn't receive any news."

"Is that so? Then why doesn't Gang Leader He call Zuo Rong, your subordinate, to confront us face to face?"

"…This, Zuo Rong went home to visit relatives a few days ago and is not in Jianning Prefecture."

"Oh, conveniently going home at this time," Zhao Du'an sighed softly, then suddenly picked up a pair of chopsticks on the table, the smile disappearing from his face:

"It seems that you still don't understand this official's way of handling cases."

He Xiaolou looked back blankly, and then saw Zhao Du'an suddenly flick his wrist, and the two chopsticks in his hand shot out like flying knives.

"Puff!"

"Puff!"

Two sounds rang out one after the other, nailing the Canal Gang leader's two scapulas, the force so great that it dragged He Xiaolou's entire body away from the seat and slammed him hard against the screen behind him.

"Ah!"

Amidst the screams, He Xiaolou was actually nailed to the screen by two chopsticks!

Governor Ning's eyelids twitched wildly, and he looked at this Empress's favored subject, whom he had never met, with astonishment.

Zhao Du'an slowly reached out, grabbed the sword on the table, stood up, walked to He Xiaolou, and said calmly:

"This official has no interest in wasting words. I'll give you three breaths to say who instructed you to do this."

He Xiaolou wailed: "Envoy, I…"

"One."

Zhao Du'an's sword flashed, and with a puff, he poked a big hole in his leg.

He Xiaolou was in so much pain that he almost fainted: "It wasn't me…"

"Two."

Zhao Du'an turned the hilt of the sword, and the latter's other leg was also pierced, with fresh blood gurgling out.

Then, he pulled out the blood-stained sword tip and held it between He Xiaolou's legs.

He Xiaolou was finally overwhelmed by fear and shouted almost screaming:

"It's the Shen family! The Shen family forced this humble one to do it!"

The Shen family?!

Zhao Du'an and Ning Zechen's hearts moved at the same time, both feeling as expected.

Within Jianning Prefecture, the only ones with the motive and ability to commit this crime were Prince Jing's estate and the Shen family.

"It's absolutely true! The Shen family's second master died a few days ago. Governor Ning promoted the new policies and also cracked down on the Shen family, so they found me…"

He Xiaolou explained in detail how the other party found him, how they instructed him, and threatened him, as if he had recited it countless times in his heart.

Zhao Du'an frowned slightly, slowly walked back to the table, casually threw the sword among the dishes, and said with a smile to the Canal Transport Governor:

"It seems that judging cases is not difficult."

"…" Ning Zechen took a deep breath, stood up, and solemnly cupped his hands in salute: "This subordinate today is…"

"No need to say more," Zhao Du'an interrupted him, his smile amiable, "The Governor attended the banquet alone, what courage. This official has long admired Master Ning's reputation in the capital."

This is… not going to pursue the matter? Ning Zechen's impression of this rumored Empress's favored subject changed again.

Thinking carefully, although his style of doing things is indeed as rumored, domineering and arrogant, he is clearly not without method. No wonder he is the Zhao Shaobao who can solve major cases and even personally capture Zhuang Xiaocheng.

“Your Excellency flatters me. May I ask about my wife and daughters…?”

“No need to worry. Your wife and daughter are perfectly safe, only slightly frightened. They are currently at the inn in the city. If the Governor wishes to see them, this official will accompany you to bring them back. How about it?” Zhao Du'an asked with a smile.

Governor Ning took a deep breath: “This humble official is more than willing!”

“Good,” Zhao Du'an laughed and beckoned the imperial bodyguards downstairs to come up. He casually instructed:

“Take He Xiaolou back. This official still has use for him. As for those small fry below…”

Ning Zechen said:

“If Your Excellency trusts this humble official, you can order someone to take my waist牌 to the Canal Transport Office. Someone will properly handle them.”

Wen Shiye will handle it, right… but he’s also my man… Zhao Du'an thought to himself, smiling gently:

“Alright.”

…

…

In less than half an hour, Zhao Du'an and Governor Ning's party returned to the inn where he was staying.

At this moment, the sky had completely darkened. As the group walked into the backyard of the inn, Madam Ning and her straightforward daughter, having heard the news, came out and saw Ning Zechen entering the courtyard.

“Husband—”

“Father—”

The joyful shouts revealed the mother and daughter's long-held anxiety finally dissipating, as they happily embraced Governor Ning.

Soon, there was the inevitable cliché scene of a family reunited after a disaster, asking about each other's situation and expressing their heartfelt feelings.

“My lord, if not for Lord Zhao's timely rescue, we would have been harmed by those treacherous villains,” Madam Ning said proactively.

The young girl nodded like a chick pecking at rice:

“Lord Zhao treated us so well. I said Dad said he was doing a good job as a live-in son-in-law, and Mom pinched me, not letting me say it, but Lord Zhao didn't get angry and even laughed very loudly.”

Ning Zechen and his wife: “……”

“Ahem,” Zhao Du'an, who was observing from a short distance away, coughed lightly, taking the initiative to break the awkward atmosphere. He first asked the two women to return to their rooms, and then simply pulled this pragmatic and capable official to sit down in the courtyard, and began to discuss serious matters.

Governor Ning was eager to perform, and he explained the current situation in detail:

“…In general, the implementation of the New Policies is facing great resistance. This humble official originally wanted to take down the Shen family, this tough nut to crack, first. As long as the Shen family nods, then the other watching small and large clans would be much easier to handle. It's just a pity that this group of people has deeply rooted power, and this official lacks capable people under his command, which is why he has repeatedly written to the imperial court, requesting the appointment of new officials.”

Zhao Du'an thought for a moment and asked, “What is the reaction of the Jing Prince's Mansion?”

Governor Ning said: “Hiding behind the scenes, secretly making trouble.”

Zhao Du'an nodded as expected. Before completely falling out, Prince Jing, as a member of the imperial family, could not openly oppose the New Policies of the imperial court.

Therefore, he would only fuel the flames from behind.

Zhao Du'an said:

“This official came here under imperial decree to suppress the arrogance of these local powerful families, so as to pave the way for subsequent officials to take office. But I didn't expect that as soon as I arrived, I almost got a rough welcome from this Shen family.”

He said coldly:

“Assassinating and kidnapping the family members of important court officials. It seems that this group of powerful families has become accustomed to being local emperors, and their courage is not much worse than the rebellious bandits of the Kuangfu Society.”

Governor Ning's heart skipped a beat, and he persuaded:

“Your Excellency, please calm your anger. The situation in Jiancheng Prefecture is extremely complicated. When we do things, we should advance slowly, think thrice before acting. It doesn't matter if this humble official suffers some grievances, after all, nothing major has happened.”

At this moment, he remembered “King Yama Zhao's” past style of doing things, and suddenly felt a little panicked.

Zhao Du'an smiled slightly, his expression amiable:

“Don't worry, this official is not a reckless person and knows what he's doing. How about this, please trouble the Governor to send someone to deliver a message to the head of the Shen family later, just say I've arrived.”

Governor Ning was stunned for a moment and tentatively asked:

“Does Your Excellency mean to force them to take the initiative to come to the door?”

Zhao Du'an smiled:

“Zhu Ge made such a big fuss, and He Xiaolou was arrested. The Shen family, and even Prince Jing's Mansion, must have already received the news. If the Shen family is really the mastermind, they will definitely not feel at ease.

You only need to say that this official has arrived. Heh, with my status and reputation, it's normal for Prince Jing not to come, but the Shen family, as the leading clan in Jianning Prefecture, should personally come to pay their respects to this official, shouldn't they?”

Governor Ning nodded, guessing that Zhao Du'an wanted to take this opportunity to knock and manipulate the Shen family. Without arresting people, as long as the other party came to the door… this was undoubtedly leaving room for maneuver…

Phew, fortunately, this "King Yama Zhao" is not that crazy, knowing that this is Jianning Prefecture. If he were in the capital, he would probably have led troops to the Shen family to arrest people by now…

But here, he will definitely not act recklessly…

Governor Ning felt that he had figured out the style of this official from the capital.

…

…

After seeing off Governor Ning's family, Zhao Du'an, Eunuch Hai, and Bodhisattva Prajna, and the others finally had a good meal.

After dinner.

Lang Shiba, Ji Yue, and the Jinyi from Lihua Hall each went to rest, and Eunuch Hai also took a group of enshrined to practice their daily breathing exercises.

After a simple bath, Zhao Du'an, draped in a thin robe, lit a candle in the room and read the detailed information about Jianning Prefecture sent by "Advisor Wen."

He kept looking until late at night, but the Shen family did not come to visit.

When he rubbed his eyes, pulled his gaze from the files, stretched, and pushed open the door, he found that the bright moon had risen to the mid-heaven.

The night was as cool as water, the courtyard was quiet, with only the chirping of insects.

The night sky in ancient times was extremely clear and bright, with endless stars forming a strange Milky Way, flowing endlessly in the universe.

“What are you looking at?” A gentle female voice appeared beside him.

“Looking at the stars.” Zhao Du'an answered casually, then froze, turning his head to see the white-robed Bodhisattva Prajna standing beside him.

This old nun in her fifties was draped in a thin monk's robe, and the night wind blew, causing the robe to ripple like water.

The thick hair behind her head was thick and black, matched with a round, jade-like face as bright as the moon, making Zhao Du'an think of the so-called "prosperity and peace" look on the Internet in his previous life.

Prajna did not hold a jade bottle in her hand, nor did she hold a comb, but stood lightly and gracefully beside him, her semi-transparent, eerie eyes smiling at him.

Her pupils were extremely mysterious, as if the entire soul would be sucked in if you looked at them for a while longer.

“What's so good about looking at the stars? Why not look at me?” Bodhisattva Prajna breathed like orchids, the corners of her mouth raised.

“……” Zhao Du'an expressionlessly raised his head again to look at the sky, and said:

“Bodhisattva, do you know that the starlight we see is actually from countless billions of years ago.

When those lights bloomed from distant stars, perhaps this world was still ignorant, or even without living beings. And when these starlights cross countless years, they fall into our eyes at this moment, with countless years in between.”

Bodhisattva Prajna looked at him curiously:

“These strange sayings, did the stargazers of the Imperial Observatory who control the calendar tell you? A group of mortals with low cultivation, what great principles do they know? It's just some nonsense.”

Zhao Du'an smiled and was too lazy to argue with her.

However, very quickly, he had to speak:

“Bodhisattva, don't lean on me, this distance is a bit ambiguous, I'm telling you, His Majesty said…”

Half of her body was almost touching Zhao Du'an, the Buddhist female Bodhisattva, whose arms could clearly feel each other's temperature, said with a smile:

“This poor nun knows that His Majesty will chop me up, Lord Zhao doesn't need to emphasize it.”

I think you're doing it on purpose… Zhao Du'an was about to sternly reprimand her, when suddenly he heard the female Bodhisattva's voice in his ear:

“Speaking of which, Lord Zhao, how far have you progressed with His Majesty? It can't be that you're still just holding hands.”

…Damn it, this is simply unbearable… Zhao Du'an felt that he was being ridiculed, he moved to the side seriously, trying to distance himself, and sneered sarcastically:

“I suddenly know why His Majesty threw Princess Yunyang to the Jizhao Nunnery.”

Bodhisattva Prajna was not offended, her lips smiled lightly, her eyes showing a teasing expression of looking at a little virgin, and she said softly:

“It's a pity that Lord Zhao is so loyal, but His Majesty can't let go of her dignity. This poor nun feels really sorry for you.”

None of your business… you old woman who only wants to drain my potential in advance… Zhao Du'an dismissed her and turned to go back to his room:

“Now that we have arrived in Jiancheng, Bodhisattva can leave on another day to go to the temple to handle matters.”

Bodhisattva Prajna twisted her white thighs and suddenly wrapped around him, hanging heavily on him, her lips贴贴贴 on Zhao Du'an's ear, saying in a syrupy voice:

“This poor nun also wants to help you… Husband…”

Zhao Du'an's goosebumps rose, his face flushed red, and he roared:

“Old Hai!”

Whoosh—

Bodhisattva Prajna instantly let go, retreating a zhang away, her eyes resentful.

From the building not far away, Eunuch Hai's annoyed voice came: “Meat Bodhisattva is shameless.”

Bodhisattva Prajna sneered, turned and returned to her room: “Old eunuch is not romantic.”

Zhao Du'an shook his head speechlessly, turned and went back to his room, looked at the sky, and confirmed that the Shen family would not come to visit tonight.

He sneered: “If the mountain doesn't come to me, I'll go to the mountain.”