The First Lackey Under The Empress

The next day, early morning.

Zhao Du'an got up, washed, and after a simple breakfast with his entourage, he ordered the carriage to be prepared, intending to personally go to the Shen family to offer condolences.

Hai Gonggong and the others were not surprised by this order. Knowing "King Yama Zhao's" style very well, they knew that after the Shen family abandoned the option of coming to seek peace last night, only one path remained for them.

The carriage left the inn, and on the way, Zhao Du'an casually bought a flower basket on the street, smiling and saying:

"You can't go to offer condolences empty-handed."

Prajna Bodhisattva, who insisted on riding in the same carriage with him, smiled charmingly:

"This humble monk can perform a requiem for the Shen family's second young master."

You're quite proactive… Zhao Du'an raised his eyebrows, thinking that when women take the initiative, they're really not that hard to pursue… Slow burn doesn't exist.

Ignoring the female Bodhisattva who was staring straight at him, Zhao Du'an closed his eyes and recalled the Shen family information he had read last night.

The real person in charge of the Shen family, the old matriarch, was also a legendary woman, somewhat similar to Madam Xiao of Qingzhou, but her power transition was smoother and she lived long enough.

If the Shen family is compared to the local emperor, then the old matriarch is like the Empress Dowager Cixi in her later years.

It's just that she has been hiding in the deep mansion for many years, secretly controlling a large and powerful family. It's unknown what her personality is like.

"I gave them a chance last night, but no one came to the door, which clearly shows that they don't give me, a capital official, any face. Isn't this also a kind of tough attitude?"

"Unfortunately, you probably think that I have the same personality as Governor Ning. Congratulations, you guessed wrong."

… …

The Shen family's main residence is not in the crowded and chaotic city center, and the journey takes more than an hour.

When Zhao Du'an arrived, the sun was already high in the sky. The Shen family's main residence was actually a large southern garden, covering a wide area.

Looking from afar, the roof ridges were staggered, and the buildings and bungalows were well-arranged.

White lanterns were hung at the gate, paper money was scattered on the ground, and white silk was hung. There were many carriages outside, seemingly all coming to offer condolences.

With the Shen family's centuries of heritage, such a grand funeral means that people of prominence from all over the place, as long as they can come, will come to offer condolences.

This is also why the funeral has to be extended for so long.

The arrival of Zhao Du'an's large entourage immediately attracted the attention of the gatekeepers:

"Who goes there?"

Zhao Du'an leaned lazily in the carriage, too lazy to go out, and said to Shen Juan outside the carriage window:

"You go and tell them. Speaking of which, this is still your family."

Shen Juan, one of the "Four Pear Blossoms" of Pear Blossom Hall, scoffed and muttered:

"My family has nothing to do with them."

He had already stepped forward and explained his purpose to the gatekeeper: "Zhao Shijun of the Capital City heard the news of the death of Master Shen Er and has come to offer condolences."

The gatekeeper did not dare to neglect and immediately ran inside to report. After a while, the head steward of the Shen mansion came out.

The so-called seventh-rank official in front of the prime minister's gate, the head steward is in charge of all affairs within the main line of the Shen family. In Jianning Dao, his power is more than just the seventh rank? Even the county magistrate has to bow his head.

Moreover, because of this "head steward" status, within the gate, he is a mere slave steward, but outside this gate, he is rampant in Jianning Prefecture, a guest of honor that no one dares to underestimate. His power and status are much greater than many of the Shen family's children.

He often associates with Jiangnan literati, indulging in elegance, and the two mustaches on his lips are so delicate that they seem to be painted on with a brush.

"Is the visitor Zhao Shijun of the Capital City's Baima Prison?"

The head steward stood on the steps, looking down at Shen Juan. After receiving a definite answer, he put his hands behind his back and said indifferently:

"To offer condolences, you must submit a name card and visiting card at least three days in advance before you can enter. Since you are a capital official, we can extend it to one day. Submit your name card to me and come again tomorrow."

As soon as the words fell, not only Shen Juan and the other Pear Blossom Hall school officers,

But even Tang Jinzhong and the other Wugong Palace bodyguards all had their faces sink!

What great prestige!

Even when Master Zhao enters the imperial palace, no one dares to stop him. This Shen family mansion has more rules than the imperial palace.

Seeing this, the head steward sneered. He had already received instructions from the head of the family that he did not need to give this Zhao Shijun any good face.

This is Jianning Prefecture, where the heavens are high and the emperor is far away. Even Prime Minister Li Yanfu, when he returns to the south, is polite to his old matriarch, let alone a favored gigolo?

A dragon crossing the river? So what?

Shen Juan took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and walked back to the carriage: "My lord, what should we do?"

Inside the carriage.

Zhao Du'an smiled and suddenly looked at the female Bodhisattva sitting cross-legged inside the carriage: "According to the Bodhisattva's view, what should this official do?"

Prajna Bodhisattva's "wise eyes" quietly scrutinized him, and a ray of light flashed across her translucent, demonic eyes. She smiled and said:

"Your heart tells me that you want to kill people."

"The Bodhisattva is indeed worthy of being a pair of Buddhist wise eyes, truly able to see into people's hearts." Zhao Du'an laughed, his expression mocking, and instructed outside the carriage window:

"Didn't you hear? The Bodhisattva of the Shenlong Temple said, kill people."

Shen Juan's spirit was lifted, he grinned, put his hand on the hilt of his knife, and turned to rush towards the gate, taking a few steps up the steps. The long knife was unsheathed with a "clang"!

He said in a deep voice: "What kind of thing dares to block the way!"

When the head steward saw the other party draw his knife and step onto the steps, he had already realized that something was wrong, but he still held on, guessing that he was bluffing and wouldn't dare to really use the knife.

It wasn't until he saw the killing intent in Shen Juan's eyes that he was shocked and wanted to run away, but his legs were as if filled with lead and he couldn't move!

"Pfft!"

Shen Juan stabbed this head steward, who was no less than a sixth-rank official, through the heart with one knife, raised his foot and kicked the corpse forward, saying:

"What are you waiting for? Aren't you going to break down the door for the lord?!"

At an order, a group of Pear Blossom Hall Jinyiwei took the lead to react, drawing their knives in unison. The two gatekeepers were so frightened that they turned around and ran, shouting loudly for people.

Hou Ren spat a mouthful of saliva on his hands, and the blade energy smashed out like a bolt of lightning, smashing the heavy door into pieces with a "boom".

The rest of the Jinyiwei were unwilling to be outdone and drew their knives and slashed at the Shen family's middle door for a while. In the blink of an eye, they almost dismantled the entire gate.

The group of imperial bodyguards watched in amazement, thinking that it's still great to be on duty outside.

"Bodhisattva, would you like to get out of the car with me?" Zhao Du'an invited with a smile.

Prajna Bodhisattva said seriously: "My Buddha is merciful, Zhao Shijun is wantonly committing murder, I'm afraid…"

Zhao Du'an curled his lips and got out of the car first:

"Did you think I didn't check the information? This head steward has more innocent lives under his hands than this official. This is called eliminating harm for the people, which is better than building a seven-level pagoda."

That's called "saving a life is better than…"

Prajna Bodhisattva wanted to correct him, but when she thought of Zhao Du'an's debating power overwhelming the Eastern and Western Buddhist sects, she felt a burst of powerlessness.

… …

… …

Let's pull the timeline forward.

Earlier, at the Caoyun Yamen.

After spending the night with his wife, Governor Ning woke up a little later.

Wearing casual clothes, he walked into the study in the Yamen, eating the breakfast sent by the kitchen, which was already a bit cold, while waiting for Wen Shiye to come in.

"Governor, you were looking for me." Wen Liang, dressed as a strategist, walked in and asked with cupped hands.

Ning Zechen was in a good mood, his face was radiant, and while eating a meat bun, he smiled and said:

"I came back in a hurry last night, and I didn't have time to tell you in detail. Have you prepared those files that I taught you to prepare for Zhao Shijun to look at?"

Wen Shiye nodded and said: "It's already prepared."

Ning Zechen nodded in satisfaction. This aide and friend who had followed him for ten years had always been meticulous in his work, and rarely made mistakes in anything he was told to do.

"Very good, I'm sorry to trouble you to go to the inn where Master Zhao is staying again and invite him over. The confidential files in the Yamen are really inconvenient to send over for him to see…"

Speaking, Governor Ning paused and changed his words:

"That's right, I'll go over there myself later."

In terms of official rank, he, a second-rank official, is higher than Zhao Shaobao's "Zheng Third Rank".

Moreover, he is still an official with real power, not an honorary official title like Shaobao.

But firstly, Zhao Du'an saved his wife and daughter, and secondly, he is ultimately an envoy doing things for His Majesty, so Governor Ning felt that he should be more polite.

Wen Shiye shook his head and said:

"No need, I've already gone to invite him. Master Zhao is not here, he said he went out of the city."

"Out of the city?" Ning Zechen was stunned, and a bad premonition arose in his heart: "Where did he go?"

"He said he went to the Shen family to offer condolences to Master Shen Er." Wen Liang replied in a particularly gentle tone.

!!!

Ning Zechen suddenly remembered something and asked in a trembling voice: "By the way, did the Shen family go to see Master Zhao last night…?"

"The Shen family did not go to see Master Zhao."

"It's bad!" The meat bun in Ning Zechen's hand fell. His face changed drastically, and he immediately changed his clothes:

"Prepare the horse!"

Although reason told him that Zhao Du'an would not do anything too extreme.

But for some reason, he suddenly felt a little flustered.

… …

… …

Zhao Du'an and the Bodhisattva got out of the car and led Hai Gonggong, Lang Shishi, Ji Yue and other guards to walk inside.

The people from Pear Blossom Hall and Wugong Palace opened the way in front. The Shen family's guards who came to resist could not support even one encounter and were knocked to the ground one after another.

In the antique garden, there were green ancient willows everywhere, and the pond was full of lotus leaves. At the end of the small path paved with bluestone and pebbles were pavilions with upturned eaves and large houses with carved doors and windows. Artificial mountains and flower ponds together formed a graceful southern garden.

Zhao Douan walked forward for a while, then suddenly noticed that his subordinates clearing the way ahead had stopped.

He went forward, puzzled. The crowd dispersed, and he saw that a man was blocking their path. Several guards in brocade uniforms were clutching their chests, retreating in defeat, saying:

"Sir, he's an expert!"

Zhao Douan looked up and saw a man of about thirty years old, wearing a cyan martial arts training suit, with a white ribbon wrapped around his head.

He had a tall and straight figure and handsome features. The dark stubble on his face highlighted a ruggedness that offset his originally slightly delicate and feminine appearance.

He stood there, holding a glaive taller than a man in his right hand!

The golden hilt stood on the ground, with the heavy blade drawing a sharp arc.

"The strongest martial artist of the Shen family's generation, a worldly realm martial artist, Shen Wuji."

When Zhao Douan saw the other party's stance with the glaive, corresponding information appeared in his mind.

The Jianning Shen family, with hundreds of years of history, has many family members serving in various official positions in the court. To stand firm, they naturally have a strong foundation in cultivation.

Shen Wuji is the strongman cultivated by this generation of the family. He is arrogant and uninhibited, but he also has the confidence to be proud. He showed extraordinary talent in his youth, and the Shen family spent a lot of money to invite experts from all walks of life to teach him. At least five experts were invited from Qingshan.

As a martial artist raised by the family, Shen Wuji stubbornly preferred heavy weapons such as the glaive, which is more suitable for military generals.

Whenever he fought with others, he rarely held back, and he had chopped down and killed countless cultivators.

He is one of the martial arts powerhouses in the Jianghu, different from the Qingshan lineage.

"Envoy Zhao relies on force to break into my Shen family's gate and even kills, what are you trying to do?" Shen Wuji glared and shouted coldly.

Zhao Douan said lightly: "You are not worthy to speak to me, go back and call someone who can make decisions."

Anger flashed in Shen Wuji's eyes, and he sneered:

"I heard that you defeated Xiao Ran of Qingshan in the palace. However, you can't block my blade."

Wait, did the news spread so fast? Has this official become famous in the Jianghu martial arts world? Zhao Douan was very surprised.

And a little happy…

As for Shen Wuji's words, he did not refute them. Nonsense, the other party is a realm higher than him, unless he cheats, otherwise, how could he block it.

But… I'm not stupid, I brought so many experts with me, who would duel with you… Zhao Douan smiled and pointed to his left and right:

"This is the Imperial Palace's Sea Offering, you must have heard of him. This is the Prajna Bodhisattva of Shenlong Temple, you must have heard of her too. So, are you sure you want to fight against an irresistible force?"

Prajna Bodhisattva glanced at him and said quietly:

"This poor monk is a person outside the world and does not participate in court affairs."

After a pause, she added: "However, if Envoy Zhao agrees to a request from this poor nun, I can reluctantly take action."

"…" Zhao Douan took a deep breath, pointed to Lang Shishi and Ji Yue, and said again:

"Are you sure you want to fight against an irresistible force?"

Prajna: "…"

Lang Shishi and Ji Yue, who were absentmindedly walking behind, raised their heads blankly, not expecting that they would be needed.

Shen Wuji frowned, not recognizing the two experts who were suppressed in the back lake of the capital and were unknown. Flames jumped in his eyes, staring at Eunuch Hai, solemnly said:

"Junior has heard of the name of Hai Chunlin of the Inner Court since childhood, and has also wanted to ask Eunuch Hai for guidance countless times. I didn't expect to get my wish today. I hope Eunuch Hai can give me some advice."

The old eunuch in a python robe with a head of silver hair looked drowsy, raised his eyelids, and mocked himself:

"It seems that this old one has disappeared for too long and is too old. Any junior dares to challenge me."

People going up the mountain laugh at the gods going down the mountain…

Zhao Douan suddenly thought of this sentence. A hundred years ago, Eunuch Hai in his peak period fought to the death with the previous generation of Qingcheng City Lord, and was knocked down from the pseudo-celestial realm. Now, due to the decline of his energy and blood, he has fallen to a level similar to Duan Shui Liu.

And now, even a Shen Wuji dares to clamor for a challenge.

"Bold!"

Suddenly, the taciturn Tang Jinzhong took a stride and walked out of the crowd.

This silent and steadfast offering took a step, and wisps of Qi rose around him, and a two-meter-tall, heavily armored F屠 general phantom slowly condensed behind him.

Shen Wuji's pupils shrank, not expecting that this was also a worldly powerhouse. Almost instinctively, he twisted his wrist, and the blue bricks under his feet shattered, cracking into a spider web pattern.

Strands of illusory flames wrapped around the tip of the glaive.

"Wait!"

Just as the two sides were about to fight, a crisp voice broke the confrontation atmosphere.

Zhao Douan curiously saw a maidservant walking out from the depths of the garden with a posture no different from that of a court etiquette attendant, with a calm expression, and said: "The Old Madam said, please invite Lord Zhao into the courtyard."

Shen Wuji extinguished the flames somewhat unwillingly.

Tang Jinzhong turned his head to look at Zhao Douan.

"Heh, put it away, since people have said so, this official has to respect the old, right?" Zhao Douan waved his hand with a smile.

Tang Jinzhong retreated back to the team.

Zhao Douan glanced at the maid named "Hong Gu Niang" in the information, the Old Madam of the Shen family's personal maid, and smiled:

"Lead the way."

Hong Gu Niang made a "please" gesture, turned around, and led the way gracefully.

…

Going deep into the garden, walking for several minutes, Hong Gu Niang led the group to the courtyard where the mourning hall was located.

This courtyard was extremely spacious, but it was decorated with a desolate and bleak atmosphere. Facing north in the center was a mourning hall.

White silk hung down, and the pillars had elegiac couplets with black characters on a white background. In the center of the hall, there was a black coffin made of top-quality wood.

Candles were burning on the offering table inside.

In front of the mourning hall, there were many Shen family members, both men and women, but no children, all wearing white silk.

The heads of each branch have returned to attend the funeral, which shows the Second Master Shen's position in the Old Madam's heart.

As soon as Zhao Douan and his party stepped into the courtyard, they saw this group of Shen family members waiting quietly, looking at him.

In the center of the crowd stood two people, one was a burly, dignified, and refined man of about fifty years old.

It was the head of the Shen family, the father of the deceased "Second Master Shen".

Next to this nominal head of the family, the real core of the family was an old woman who was much shorter, only reaching the head of the family's shoulder.

The old woman's face was full of ravines, without kindness, only sternness.

Her head of silver hair was coiled up, without wearing precious jewelry, only fixed with a plain wooden hairpin.

She was wearing a pure black mourning dress of excellent quality, and her right hand was holding a dragon-headed crutch!

The smooth surface of the crutch was coiled with a dragon body, and the top was an昂扬dragon head, which was awe-inspiring!

In the Yu Kingdom's etiquette system, non-royal people are not allowed to use dragon shapes, except for "imperial weapons"!

Throughout the dynasties, emperors would reward ministers with outstanding achievements with "imperial weapons", nominally having the power to "strike昏君and strike奸臣".

The Old Madam of the Shen family was once granted the title and could hold a dragon-headed crutch.

"Crown Prince Shaobao, White Horse Prison Envoy Lord Zhao has arrived!"

Qian Kerou felt that the momentum could not be lost, and deliberately cleared her throat and acted as a human loudspeaker.

Along with this shout, the Old Madam of the Shen family's eyes also deepened:

"So it is Lord Zhao who has come in person, I wonder what brings you here?"

Kerou, you really give this lord face… Whoever says you don't understand human relationships, I'll argue with him… Zhao Douan looked at the little secretary appreciatively, and received a sweet smile from the latter.

Zhao Douan smiled brightly:

"Old Madam Shen, this official heard that the Second Young Master unfortunately passed away, and feels very sorry, so I took the liberty to come to pay my condolences. Someone, bring up the small gift this official has prepared!"

The little secretary, Qian Kerou, obediently picked up the cheapest paper flower basket that Zhao Douan had casually bought on the road for a mere few dozen coins.

Under the murderous gaze of the Shen family, she held it with both hands and handed it to the Old Madam.

This was undoubtedly a humiliation.

However, the silver-haired Old Madam just nodded.

The nominal head of the family next to her then took the cheap, almost insulting flower basket and placed it on the side of the mourning hall.

The Old Madam, leaning on her dragon-headed crutch, stared at Zhao Douan with her gray eyes:

"Lord Zhao is kind, this old one will accept this gift for my grandson."

Zhao Douan smiled amiably and leaned forward slightly, saying:

"Old Madam hasn't asked what gift I sent yet."

What gift? Naturally, a condolence gift… In the mourning hall, dozens of Shen family members frowned.

Not knowing what he meant by this, the Old Madam also narrowed her eyes: "Oh? What gift did Lord Zhao send?"

Zhao Douan smiled brightly and gently uttered two words:

"Congratulatory gift."

The Shen family members all changed their expressions immediately.

…

Misspelled words will be corrected later.