The First Lackey Under The Empress

The wind rustled the white paper lanterns hanging in the mourning hall.

At that moment, the light in the courtyard dimmed along with the words "congratulatory gift."

A congratulatory gift is naturally meant to celebrate and congratulate, but to give it to a family holding a funeral, wouldn't that be saying: "Good riddance"?

"Zhao Du'an! You are going too far!" From the crowd, a member of the Shen family's third branch suddenly roared in anger, pointing at him, trembling with rage.

"You ignorant whelp, how dare you..." An elderly member of the clan with a trembling beard spoke.

"You are not welcome here!" Someone echoed loudly.

As the head of the wealthy clans, the Shen family, although local emperors, still harbored some apprehension and awe towards the rising star Zhao Shaobao.

But Zhao Du'an's act of pointing and cursing at them immediately enraged this group of people with a strong sense of clan honor.

The Old Madam, with a stern and harsh face and grayish eyes, also darkened her expression. She slammed her dragon-headed cane heavily on the ground, making a "thud" sound, and the scolding clansmen immediately shut their mouths.

Then, the old woman, almost like an "Empress Dowager," said in a deep voice:

"Zhao Shaobao, has my Shen family ever offended you?"

Zhao Du'an said indifferently:

"Old Madam, why ask what you already know? Yesterday, this official had the governor-general send a letter, inviting the Shen family to meet. I waited all night, but didn't see a single person. Today, I came to the door myself, but was stopped by a servant. Tell me, does that count as an offense?"

The Old Madam's expression remained unchanged. She turned to her eldest son and said, "Was there such a thing?"

The nominal clan leader also pretended to be puzzled, summoned a servant to inquire in a low voice for a moment, and then walked back, saying:

"Reporting to Mother, the doorman did receive a letter yesterday, but because it was late, it was not presented. As for the butler's obstruction, he was just acting according to the rules."

"Haha, what wonderful rules," Little Secretary Qian Kerou chimed in again:

"What is the status of my lord? Even when entering the imperial palace to meet the Sage, he only needs to announce his presence. Your Shen family's threshold is even higher than the imperial palace."

Hmm, Xiaorou, you're on fire today, put more big hats on them… Zhao Du'an nodded in appreciation.

The Shen Old Madam frowned upon hearing this and said in a cold voice:

"Where is the butler?"

"Dead," Zhao Wuji, holding the偃月刀 (偃月刀, a type of polearm), standing on the edge of the crowd, said.

Zhao Du'an said with a smile:

"My subordinates were a little rough in their work and accidentally caused a death. I imagine the Old Madam won't mind."

"…The servants were ignorant and acted presumptuously. Zhao Shaobao cleaned up the house for this old woman, so naturally, I don't blame you." The Old Madam said calmly, without showing any anger:

"Then where is the doorman who received the letter but did not present it? Bring him here."

"Yes!"

Soon, a servant was brought over, kneeling on the ground with a thud, begging for mercy loudly.

The Old Madam didn't even look at him and said: "For being negligent in your duties, break both legs and throw him out as a warning."

"Yes!"

A family guard raised a club and smashed it down.

"Wait a moment…"

Zhao Du'an raised his hand, wanting to stop him, but heard a "crack" sound. The servant's legs were completely broken, he screamed miserably, and fainted alive.

He was quickly carried away, as if they had practiced it before.

Similar things had happened countless times in large families, and everyone was used to it.

The Old Madam suddenly smiled:

"This old woman is punishing a servant, and I presume Zhao Shaobao won't mind. Is this disposition satisfactory?"

Zhao Du'an narrowed his eyes, and his gaze towards the frail, elderly, silver-haired old woman became much more serious.

After a moment, he laughed heartily:

"Since the Old Madam has expressed herself in this way, it would be my fault if I were to pursue this matter further."

The Old Madam's expression was as calm as an ancient well. She suddenly said:

"Now that this matter has been dropped, this old woman has one more thing to ask Shaobao for help."

"Oh? Ask me for help?" Zhao Du'an showed a strange expression: "I'm all ears."

The Old Madam's eyes were sorrowful, and the dragon-headed cane pointed to the dark coffin in the mourning hall:

"This grandson of mine, since going to the capital last year to play, has been ill ever since he returned home. After being diagnosed by famous doctors, it was found that my grandson suffered from a martial arts master using a cold poison to sever his life bridge. Counting the days, he was attacked in the capital.

Unfortunately, my Shen family is rooted in Jianning Prefecture and doesn't know much about the capital, so I would like to ask Envoy Zhao to help investigate what kind of vicious person harmed my grandson's life?"

Zhao Du'an was "greatly shocked":

"There was such a thing? Alas, as a Jinyiwei officer, I should have protected the people of the capital, but it was my dereliction of duty. Could it be the work of rebellious parties?"

Then, without waiting for the Shen family to react, he suddenly patted his head, as if remembering something, and turned to look at the enshrinement Song Jinxi behind him:

"Speaking of which, what is this cold poison?"

Song Jinxi understood and explained with a smile:

"My lord doesn't know, but this cold poison is not something that ordinary martial artists can master. It requires specialized cultivation of a type of yin and cold palm technique.

And severing a person's life bridge doesn't kill them on the spot, but rather causes them to fall ill after living for several prefectures, returning home. Being able to control the timing of the onset of the disease so precisely, without any deviation, must be someone who is proficient in assassination and at least above the Divine Chapter level to be able to do it."

Zhao Du'an asked curiously: "Then who in the capital can do it?"

Song Jinxi said seriously:

"Although the capital is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, the only one I can think of who is capable of doing this in the capital is…"

"Who?"

"It is this subordinate." The young eunuch pointed to himself with a smile.

Zhao Du'an "ah-ed" and looked at the Old Madam with some helplessness:

"Unfortunately, I can't help either. It seems that the killer is indeed deeply hidden."

Everyone present was not a fool.

The two of them, singing in harmony, almost plastered the answer "the person who killed your grandson is right in front of you" on the Shen family's faces.

The Shen Old Madam's hand holding the dragon-headed cane turned white from the force, her qi and blood surged, and her body swayed slightly. The head maid Hong Gu'niang quickly supported her:

"Old Madam… calm your anger."

All the Shen family members also flushed red, staring at Zhao Du'an and Song Jinxi with eyes that wanted to devour them.

Humiliation!

Mockery!

Provocation!

The Shen family has stood tall in Jianning for nearly three hundred years, its glory undiminished. What kind of nobility is that? Saying "as long-lived as the country" is an exaggeration, but it is also extremely concerned with face and has a prestigious status.

How many years has it been since anyone dared to output so frantically to their faces?

If Zhao Du'an hadn't been surrounded by experts and his identity had been too sensitive, they would have already taken action.

"I'm fine… I'm fine…"

The Old Madam's eyes turned black with anger. She took a few breaths and finally stood firm again, looking at Song Jinxi with cold eyes, and then looking back at Zhao, who had a concerned expression:

"Since it's difficult to find, then… I won't trouble Shaobao to worry. Today… this old woman is not feeling well and the hospitality has been lacking. Shaobao has seen what he wanted to see, given the gifts, and should…"

She was still trying to maintain the situation.

Zhao Du'an said seriously: "Is that so? Then I'm disturbing you. In that case, I'll leave after I finish my business."

Business? What other business do you have?

Zhao Du'an sighed and said with grief:

"Yesterday, when this official entered the city, he ran into Cao Gang's He Xiaolou…"

He briefly explained the kidnapping of the governor-general's family, and then changed the subject:

"That He Xiaolou confessed that the mastermind behind his kidnapping was the Shen family head!"

He raised his hand and pointed at the middle-aged man wearing mourning clothes and looking surprised.

He said in a deep voice: "Therefore, this official has come here today to ask the Shen family head to come to the yamen with me for a thorough investigation!

Alas, I was concerned about the Shen family's reputation and didn't want to come to the door to arrest people like this, but you gave you a chance last night, but the Shen family head didn't seize it…

Kidnapping and threatening a second-rank official of the imperial court is a crime punishable by confiscation of property and execution. As an envoy appointed by the Son of Heaven, how can I condone it? Come, take the Shen family head for a trip!

The people from Pear Blossom Hall and Martial Arts Hall were eager to try and were about to arrest people.

This turn of events caught the Shen family off guard, creating a strong sense of absurdity.

"Wait!"

The Old Madam stepped forward excitedly, blocking her eldest son, unable to believe it:

"Zhao Shaobao! Don't go too far! What does the Ning Governor-general's family have to do with my Shen family? What is the status of my Shen family that we would associate with a mere Cao Gang rascal?"

At this moment, she even suspected that Zhao Du'an had directed and acted in the play himself, looking for an excuse to frame them.

But she also felt that something was wrong…

Zhao Du'an said coldly: "Whether there is a relationship or not will be known after interrogation. Old Madam, are you going to openly resist the law?"

After a pause, he stepped forward, walked to the old woman, smiled, bowed, and placed one end of the dragon-headed cane on his forehead with two fingers.

At close range, he smiled and met the Old Madam's gray and cloudy eyes, and chuckled:

"Or, you can try to use this cane bestowed by the late emperor to beat this treacherous official? Maybe it can stop me."

The Old Madam clenched the cane with both hands and said in a trembling voice:

"Do you really think that this old woman doesn't dare to hit you?"

Zhao Du'an's smile grew wider: "I'll take it, bring it on."

The Old Madam trembled with rage, but the crutch in her hand seemed to weigh a thousand pounds.

Just at that moment, a voice suddenly came from the direction of the main gate: "The Heir Apparent of Jing Prince has arrived!"

The shout broke the tense atmosphere.

Xu Jinglong is here?

Zhao Du'an was stunned for a moment, turned around and looked back, and saw a young man wearing luxurious clothes, with a falcon perched on his shoulder, followed by a large group of servants behind him, his appearance six or seven parts similar to Jing Prince, walking arrogantly.

An old acquaintance.

Ignoring ethics, coveting Zhen Bao's body, the "defeated dog," the Heir Apparent of Jing Prince!

"Greetings, Your Highness!"

The Shen family took the lead in reacting and spoke one after another.

Xu Jinglong strode over, full of vigor, with a smile on his face:

"No need to be so polite, this Heir Apparent has come today specifically to pay respects to Brother Shen, and also to visit the Old Madam on behalf of my father... It just seems that I've come at an inopportune time. Oh, isn't this Lord Zhao? When did you come to Jianning Prefecture? This Heir Apparent was unaware."

Tch... If you didn't know, I'd eat the coffin in the mourning hall... Zhao Du'an slandered in his heart, and mocked:

"Since our farewell at Lake Pavilion, I have also missed the Heir Apparent very much. However, when coming to pay respects, why are your hands empty? This official even bought a congratulatory gift."

Xu Jinglong's smile froze.

Of course, he didn't arrive by chance, but had been staring at Zhao Du'an since yesterday.

As a result, early in the morning, he learned that Zhao Du'an had left the city, and he hurriedly brought people to chase after him, how could he have had time to buy anything?

However, Xu Jinglong reacted quickly, flicked his sleeves unhappily, and said:

"This Heir Apparent and Brother Shen were good friends during their lifetime, with deep feelings for each other. Wouldn't giving gifts be defiling this friendship? Wait, a congratulatory gift you gave?"

He was a little stunned.

"Yes, otherwise what else?" Zhao Du'an said with a justified tone.

Xu Jinglong: "Isn't it..."

"Your Highness has come at the right time," the Old Madam coughed a few times, interrupting the two. This old woman's face was sad, and she immediately told about Zhao Du'an's arrest.

Xu Jinglong was "greatly shocked" and said unhappily:

"Lord Zhao, this matter you've done is not right. How many high officials has the Shen family produced throughout the generations? What kind of family status? How can a mere ruffian from the Canal Gang slander and defame them with a few words? Even if you want to investigate, you should have solid evidence before arresting people. How can you arrest people based solely on testimony?"

Zhao Du'an looked at this defeated dog for a moment, then suddenly walked a little closer:

"What does Your Highness mean?"

Xu Jinglong was not afraid at all: "Please, Lord Zhao, go back. This Heir Apparent is here, and I will not allow you to arrest people."

A strange smile appeared on the corner of Zhao Du'an's mouth:

"If I insist on arresting them? Can you stop me? Just based on you, this defeated general? Or are you saying that Broken Flow is hiding all around?"

Xu Jinglong's expression changed slightly: "This is Jiancheng Road, not the capital."

"Last time, you also said something similar, doesn't Your Highness remember?" Zhao Du'an moved a little closer again.

Xu Jinglong subconsciously took a step back, and then realized he had shown timidity, and was annoyed in his heart. He simply stepped forward and stood in front of the Shen family, sneering:

"Lord Zhao has such great authority. Fine, if you want to arrest people, you might as well arrest this Heir Apparent as well."

Zhao Du'an's eyes flickered, and just as he was about to speak, suddenly another voice came from outside the door:

"The Canal Transport Governor has arrived!"

Ning Zechen, who was hastily wearing his official robe and arrived at the door on horseback with a few personal attendants, entered panting.

Seeing the scene of the three parties confronting each other in the mourning hall, he couldn't help but feel a burst of scalp tingling.

"Governor Ning? Why do you have time to come over?" Zhao Du'an smiled.

Why did I come, don't you have any idea in your heart... Ning Zechen didn't want to speak.

He was alone in Jianning Prefecture, like a nail, nailed here. The reason why he could stand firm and continue to promote the new policies was all thanks to his courage and flexible response.

As a "pragmatic and capable minister," Governor Ning did not have the so-called integrity of the court Confucian scholars, and he did not mind "going with the flow" and making appropriate concessions in order to achieve his goals at the right time.

Only those useless purists who sit idly by and talk emptily will naively think that as long as the force is strong enough, or there is great righteousness, the local problems can be solved.

And only pragmatists understand the correct way to deal with complex situations.

"Governor Ning has come at the right time," Xu Jinglong's mouth curled up:

"Lord Zhao said that your wife and daughter were kidnapped by He Xiaolou of the Canal Gang, and also said that the Shen family was the mastermind, is there such a thing?"

Ning Zechen was silent for a moment, and said:

"It has not yet been verified, the Shen family may have some doubts."

The Old Madam narrowed her eyes and said:

"So, the Governor is also here to arrest my son and interrogate him in prison?"

Ning Zechen shook his head and said: "It has not yet been verified, so we should be cautious, how can we arrest people indiscriminately."

After speaking, he turned to Zhao Du'an and cupped his hands, apologetically saying:

"When Envoy arrived in Jianning Prefecture yesterday, he learned that my wife and daughter were suffering, and he was righteous for a moment, holding a public-minded heart, and wanted to question the Shen family head, which was a public-minded intention, but there may be some misunderstandings in between... After all, this place is the Second Young Master's mourning hall, I hope Envoy can give Ning a bit of face..."

Qian K柔 was unhappy: "You don't know what's good for you, my lord..."

"Xiao Rou."

Zhao Du'an interrupted her, smiled, and looked around at the Shen family and Jing Prince's mansion, and said:

"Since the Governor is pleading, let's leave it at that for today, but... involving an important case, Governor Ning knows the big picture, takes care of the overall situation, or is unwilling to investigate further. But this official will investigate, during this period, I hope Shen family head will not leave Jianning Prefecture, for summoning at any time."

After a pause, he suddenly walked up to Xu Jinglong, the two were very close, seemingly dusting the dust off his shoulders, his lips贴near the Heir Apparent's ear and whispered:

"I know that it was Jing Prince's mansion that instructed He Xiaolou, right?"

Xu Jinglong's eyelids twitched, but he remained calm:

"Lord Zhao's imagination is as amazing as ever."

Zhao Du'an laughed loudly, turned around and waved his hand: "Let's go!"

Immediately, he led a group of subordinates away in a mighty manner.

The Old Madam closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and said calmly:

"You all go and tidy up the house."

"Yes."

The Shen family responded and left, and none of them stayed behind.

Seeing this, Xu Jinglong dismissed his subordinates: "You also go and see Zhao Du'an off."

When only the Old Madam and Xu Jinglong's party were left outside the mourning hall.

The old woman with a head of silver hair stared at the Heir Apparent with gray eyes and said:

"The matter was done by Jing Prince's mansion, right."

Xu Jinglong said in surprise: "Why does the Old Madam say this?"

The old woman snorted coldly and said quietly:

"In the entire Jianning Prefecture, the only ones who can dispatch He Xiaolou to do such a thing, besides my Shen family, are Jing Prince."

Xu Jinglong smiled:

"Let the Old Madam think what she wants, this matter has nothing to do with the Prince's mansion. But... in fact, who did it is not important at all, is it?

Even without this matter, Zhao Du'an would still find another excuse to make a fuss. You should also see that this person came here this time, and he didn't intend to get along with us well, it's either he dies, or we perish."

The Old Madam said: "What does the Prince want to say?"

Xu Jinglong said seriously:

"My father's meaning is that if the Shen family is unable to deal with the Zhao thief, my Jing Prince's mansion can provide assistance."

The Old Madam pondered for a moment, turned around and walked into the mourning hall: "Thank the Prince for the Old Lady, this matter can be solved by my Shen family on its own."

How can the help of Jing Prince's mansion be taken for nothing?

Xu Jinglong was not in a hurry either, and said with a smile:

"That's good too, but the gate of the Prince's mansion is always open for the Shen family, just send a letter whenever you need help."

After a pause, he added: "That Zhao Du'an is not an easy person to deal with."

The Old Madam closed her eyes, facing the coffin and incense candles, clasped her hands together, and said calmly: "I won't trouble the Heir Apparent to worry."

Hum... The old thing won't shed tears until she sees the coffin... Xu Jinglong shook his head and turned to leave.

Only the white lanterns of the mourning hall were left swaying.

...

...

Zhao Du'an and his party left the Shen family's house and returned to the city.

Inside the carriage they were riding in, the Bodhisattva was squeezed out, Governor Ning was sitting in the carriage, looking at Zhao Du'an, who was walking away in a daze with his cheeks supported, hesitant to speak: "Envoy..."

"Governor Ning doesn't need to say more, I understand, you are also acting out of good intentions," Zhao Du'an waved his hand, not caring.

"...What is Envoy thinking about?" Ning Zechen asked.

Zhao Du'an said quietly:

"I'm thinking about when the Shen family will send someone to kill me, and how they will kill me."

Ning Zechen was stunned for a moment: "It won't, Envoy is a favorite in front of His Majesty, how dare they..."

Zhao Du'an shook his head, and looked at the Governor with a smile:

"Do you want to make a bet?"

...

Wrong words will be changed later.