The First Lackey Under The Empress

The dark sky was ripped open by the clouds.

The Tai'a Divine Weapon, unattended, flowed with a faint scarlet light, accompanied by a low, sharp whistling sound, heading straight for the Prince Jing's manor.

"Father, be careful!" The heir, Xu Jinglong, was shocked and subconsciously tried to tug at Prince Jing's sleeve, but the latter's legs seemed to be nailed to the ground, and he couldn't move him.

However, this "flying sword" was not aimed at taking Prince Jing's head, but under the watchful eyes of the father and son, it crashed into the pavilion in front of them.

Inside the building.

The aged sorcerer, who had just finished the seven-day curse, had just stood up when the Tai'a Sword, piercing through the dark secret room, pierced his heart.

He lowered his head in astonishment, looked at the sword piercing his chest, and slowly raised his head, his gaze following the opening in the dark secret room.

At the opening, a ray of pale sunlight shone through, illuminating the jade bowl with dried blood on the ground, the mourning stick, and the small "coffin" at the old sorcerer's waist.

"Bang!"

The old sorcerer, his life force extinguished, fell straight down.

The Tai'a Sword, having absorbed its fill of blood, flew out of the pavilion's secret room with a whoosh, as if having completed its mission, and returned the way it came, disappearing into the clouds above the Prince's manor.

Leaving Prince Jing and his son standing below the building like statues.

It wasn't until Princess Lu Yan'er floated over, her eyes horrified, that she said, "What was that just now..."

Prince Jing Xu Wen's expression was unusually calm as he said, "Our Majesty has entered the city."

...

...

Cao Yun Yamen.

In a tea room for guests, the windows were open.

Zhao Du'an and the Empress of Yu were sitting opposite each other, drinking tea.

Well... to be precise, Zhao Du'an was eagerly performing his mastery of "tea ceremony," and after a series of complicated procedures, he finally offered the teacup with both hands: "Your Majesty, please..."

"Buzz—"

The sound of air being torn apart came from the courtyard. Zhao Du'an caught a glimpse of the Tai'a Sword flying in through the open window.

As if seeking praise, it circled the room, showing off a smear of blood on the sword, and then with a "clang," it inserted itself into its scabbard.

Xu Zhenguan gracefully accepted the tea offered by her loyal dog with her slender jade hands, took a sip with her red lips, and then said:

"The one who cursed you has been killed."

Her tone was understated, as simple as eating and drinking.

Zhao Du'an was stunned for a moment and flattered, "Your Majesty's swordsmanship is superb, this subject has broadened his horizons!"

The Empress was immune to his dragon farts, but hearing the pleasing words still made her feel good.

After a long separation, Zhao Du'an's heart finally relaxed at this moment, allowing him to admire Zhenbao's beauty up close.

Cold, otherworldly, an unmatched beauty... The Empress, not wearing her dragon robe, was like a sword fairy, without any makeup or jewelry. The world was vast, but no woman could compare to her.

Especially considering her noble status as a female emperor, it added an awe-inspiring and inviolable aura.

In short: the buffs were stacked to the max.

A low-level transmigrator, a human-shaped stallion, opens a harem;

A high-level transmigrator needs only one, and she is already unparalleled in the world.

"What, have you not seen me for two or three months, and you don't recognize me?" Xu Zhenguan pinched the cyan teacup with her jade fingers and glanced at Zhao with her beautiful eyes.

"Ahem, since this subject came south, I haven't seen Your Majesty for a long time. I miss you so much. It can be said that 'I think of you every day but cannot see you, drinking from the same Yunhe River'..." Zhao Du'an climbed up the pole without any politeness.

The main thing is sincerity.

Xu Zhenguan's majestic and cold face turned slightly red, and she said unhappily:

"I thought that you were burdened with a curse and were just recovering from a serious illness, but now it seems that I have overthought it. Zhao Qing's demeanor is still the same as yesterday."

Oops, in a moment of excitement, I forgot to play the sympathy card... Zhao Du'an immediately covered his chest, frowned, and showed a painful expression: "This subject... has been overworked recently..."

Xu Zhenguan rolled her eyes and said lightly:

"If you are overworked, Zhao Qing, you should go and rest first, lest I delay your energy."

Zhao Du'an changed his tune and said seriously:

"But isn't it strange what Your Majesty said? As soon as I see Your Majesty, my back doesn't ache, my legs don't hurt anymore, it's really that elixirs and miraculous medicines are not as good as Your Majesty..."

Xu Zhenguan felt a little comfortable being flattered, and immediately felt that her hard work of controlling the sword all the way was worth it, but she still interrupted in time:

"Let's talk about serious matters. Why did you encounter danger today? After arriving in Jiancheng Road, what happened?"

Okay, happy times are always short, and it's time for the familiar work report session... Zhao Du'an sighed and started the reporting process skillfully.

Although Xu Zhenguan had been continuously receiving information about Zhao Du'an and his party from the secret agent "Wen Liang", the information recorded in the secret letter was not detailed enough, and now, after Zhao Du'an's careful explanation, she found it fresh and vivid.

When she heard that Zhao Du'an had saved Ning Zechen's wife and daughter, found the Shen family through the Cao Gang, and Xu Jinglong came to interrupt, she snorted coldly. How could she not see through Prince Jing's heart?

When she heard that Zhao and Ning were assassinated and launched the "Whale Fall Plan", using the identity of the Fengchan envoy to unite the surrounding forces and jointly strangle the Shen family.

At the same time, the Shen family also tried their best to fight back, and the two sides launched a tug-of-war for half a month, she could not help but her eyes lit up slightly, and she quite appreciated Zhao Du'an's operation.

Until the Shen family was about to collapse, suspected of defecting to the Prince Jing's manor, Zhao Du'an was cursed... Taking advantage of the situation to attack the Fashin Sect... The Empress frowned slightly, and her red lips parted slightly:

"So, you didn't know the leader of the Fashin Sect was there beforehand."

Zhao Du'an was also a little scared, nodded and said:

"The information provided by Princess Lu Yan'er did not mention the leader. Looking back now, this subject's trip today was indeed not thorough and cautious enough."

Xu Zhenguan saw what he was thinking: "Do you suspect Lu Yan'er of betrayal?"

Zhao Du'an hesitated and said:

"I can't determine it. Although Lu Yan'er is a princess, she is actually just Prince Jing's guard. It's not surprising that she doesn't know enough information. Moreover, it can't be ruled out that Prince Jing deliberately leaked the information to lure me out to be ambushed."

At this time, there was a knock on the door outside the tea room.

Song Jinxi bowed and walked in, first saluting the two people in the room, and then said:

"Your Majesty, the interrogation results of the captured warlocks have come out. We interrogated them separately, used some torture, compared the confessions, and it should be correct.

According to their confessions, the leader of the Fashin Sect arrived early today, which also surprised them. Moreover, not long after arriving, they noticed Zhao Shaobao's movements and temporarily arranged a plan."

Came temporarily? Not a pre-arranged trap? Zhao Du'an was stunned.

Seeing that the Empress didn't speak, he waved his hand to order Song Jinxi to withdraw first, exhaled, and smiled bitterly:

"There is another possibility, perhaps it was caused by my bad luck."

Because of the bad luck, I happened to run into the Fashin, and because I had just passed noon when I was being chased, the seven-day curse ended, the bad luck dissipated, and the Empress arrived in time to save me...

Damn it, is this luck so mysterious... Well, in a world where gods exist, it seems to make sense...

Zhao Du'an complained wildly in his heart.

However, this result actually made him breathe a sigh of relief. If Lu Yan'er was exposed or betrayed, that would be the worst thing.

As for whether Prince Jing would suspect Lu Yan'er after this incident, he was not worried.

In order to cover up Lu Yan'er's identity, Zhao Du'an also arranged for the shadow guards to take the initiative to expose a hidden line for inquiring about Prince Jing's mansion this time.

In this way, even if Prince Jing investigates later, he will think that the information was heard by the shadow guards.

"The White Clothed Sect's curse is indeed hard to guard against. Evil gods such as the God of Loss and the God of Death have strange methods." Xu Zhenguan nodded lightly, agreeing with this guess.

The room fell silent for a moment.

Zhao Du'an intentionally broke the atmosphere and took the initiative to ask:

"Speaking of which, why did Your Majesty suddenly arrive? The dragon boat is still far away..."

"..." Xu Zhenguan kept a straight face, not wanting to say that she was worried about the safety of the guy in front of her, so the dignified emperor left the Fengchan fleet behind and ran over alone in advance, so she had to say stiffly:

"I naturally noticed the traces of the leader of the Fashin Sect, so I came to trace them."

Is that so? Why do I feel that this explanation is not smooth enough... Zhao Du'an looked suspicious.

Xu Zhenguan felt a little guilty from his suspicious gaze, turned her face slightly, and hummed:

"Do you think that I would abandon the Fengchan event for your sake?"

Zhao Du'an smiled and nodded, like a fox stealing a chicken:

"What Your Majesty says is true, is true. But speaking of which, who is this leader of the Fashin Sect... I didn't find it in the archives when I was in Beijing."

Speaking of this, Xu Zhenguan also became serious and shook her head:

"I don't know either. This person is extremely mysterious, as if he appeared out of thin air. It is said that after the death of the previous 'Fashin', he appeared with the Fashin Sect's warrant and wanted to take over the organization."

Others were unconvinced, but this person cultivated the Heavenly Dao and possessed immense strength, allowing him to firmly hold the position of leader for over twenty years. Today's confrontation with him was indeed surprising to me. Although his cultivation is not at the Celestial-Human level, he has taken half a step towards it."

Zhao Du'an said solemnly:

"Your subject is only worried whether this person will threaten the Fengshan ceremony. Prince Jing secretly dispatched Duan Shui Liu and the sorcerers of the Law God Sect, harboring malicious intentions, undoubtedly to disrupt the grand Fengshan ceremony…"

Xu Zhenguan's red lips curved upward, and she smiled slightly, confidently saying:

"A mere so-called 'Law God' is not enough to threaten me. Even with the addition of that Duan Shui Liu, it's the same."

As she spoke, her expression was condescending, fully displaying the demeanor of a strong individual.

Although the Empress is a "pseudo-Celestial-Human," as an emperor, she is blessed with dragon energy. In terms of combat power, she is not at all inferior to a true Celestial-Human realm.

This is also the confidence she has in daring to go south for the Fengshan ceremony.

"Even if a true Celestial-Human arrives, even if I cannot win, I will not be defeated!" The Empress simply gave Zhao Du'an a reassuring pill.

Damn, is my Zhenbao this strong now?

While pleased, Zhao Du'an still asked the question in his heart:

"Although Your Majesty does not fear the petty villains, those people, unable to defeat Your Majesty, can still disrupt the Fengshan ceremony and prevent Your Majesty from advancing further… This matter is difficult to defend against.

Your subject dares to ask, since Your Majesty can enter the Prince's mansion with a sword, why are you still unwilling to take action against Prince Jing? If Your Majesty is unwilling to bear the infamy, your subject can do it on your behalf."

Xu Zhenguan was silent for a moment, then shook her head, saying:

"It's not that I am soft-hearted or mindful of familial affection. It's just that the Fengshan ceremony is imminent… Prince Jing, as a vassal prince of Jiancheng Dao and possessing royal blood, inherently bears a certain amount of fortune. Once he dies, it would be the greatest disruption to the Fengshan ceremony."

There's such a saying?

That's right, the Fengshan ceremony relies on mystical things like dragon energy and national fortune to advance. Although Prince Jing is not a dragon, he is a 'Jiao' (蛟, a mythical dragon-like creature) with dragon blood. Moreover, Luoshan is in the local area. Once the Jiao dragon dies, it will inevitably involve the fluctuation of fortune…

No wonder Prince Jing dares to make frequent small moves at this juncture. He understands that Zhenbao will not touch him for the sake of the Fengshan ceremony…

Otherwise, once Prince Jing is killed, the remaining princes among the "Eight Kings" will surely rebel…

And if the princes rebel at the same time, it will inevitably lead to the instability of the dragon energy on Zhenbao, causing her realm to decline, easily falling to the level of the "Law God Sect Leader"… That would be really troublesome.

Zhao Du'an sorted out the logic and sighed.

Xu Zhenguan's beautiful eyes stared intently, thinking that he wanted to kill Prince Jing for revenge but couldn't, and her tone softened a bit, comforting him:

"Once I successfully advance this time, I will be able to firmly secure the throne. At that time, I will definitely settle accounts with Prince Jing."

Zhao Du'an smiled and said: "Your subject sincerely looks forward to that day coming soon, not for personal revenge, but for the stability of the world."

Xu Zhenguan was surprised to find that this guy's words seemed to be sincere.

The Empress nodded and suddenly asked without reason:

"Have you been with that old nun these days…"

"Your subject has been chaste as jade, Eunuch Hai can testify. That old nun seduced me several times, but I didn't pay any attention to her…" Zhao Du'an said righteously.

The Empress blinked and teased: "I can verify that."

She meant to ask Eunuch Hai to confirm.

Zhao Du'an was extremely straightforward, and his hands directly began to untie his belt, making a gesture to take off his pants: "Your Majesty can verify if you want."

"…?!" Xu Zhenguan was stunned for a moment, her mind briefly blanked, her face flushed, and she scolded angrily:

"What kind of behavior is this? Who wants to see your…"

At this moment, footsteps came again from outside the tea room, and then the door was pushed open with a creak, accompanied by Ning Zechen's deep voice:

"Envoy Zhao, I heard of your triumphant return, I…"

Governor Ning stepped over the threshold, still holding the action of opening the door, the expression on his face suddenly froze.

His words stuck in his throat, and he stared blankly at the two people in the tea room, the monarch and her subject, and Zhao Du'an's action of unfastening (fastening) his belt.

A moment of silence.

Cold sweat oozed from Governor Ning's forehead, he decisively turned around and exited the room, slammed the door shut, then knelt on one knee outside the door, trembling:

"Your subject, Canal Transport Governor Ning Zechen, did not know of the Holy One's arrival, and presumptuously entered the door, disturbing the Holy Presence, deserving ten thousand deaths!"

Inside the room.

Xu Zhenguan took a deep breath, rubbed her brow somewhat wearily, glared at Zhao Du'an who was smiling sheepishly, and said helplessly:

"Governor Ning has worked hard and made great contributions. I learned from Zhao Qing that you have made great achievements. There is no need to be so polite, come in and speak."

Ning Zechen, who was kneeling outside the door, did not move and said:

"Your Majesty flatters me, Envoy Zhao flatters me, your subject… will not go in to disturb you. If Your Majesty has any orders, your subject will carry them out immediately."

Old Ning had been floating in the officialdom for many years and knew when to listen to the polite words of the leaders and when not to.

He only hated why his eyes weren't blind.

"…"

Xu Zhenguan sighed softly, feeling tired and too lazy to explain, and simply said:

"Very well, in that case, Governor Ning will do it for me. Notify everyone in the capital city that I have arrived early. Tonight, a banquet will be held, and I will personally celebrate the achievements of Zhao Qing and Ning Qing. Remember… to send words to the Shen family and Prince Jing's mansion, and they are not allowed to not come."

Zhao Du'an, who had fastened his pants, looked at her in surprise.

He saw the Empress smile at him and say:

"Since you have fought this battle to the end, I will come forward to finish it."

… …

… …

The Empress has arrived in Jianning Prefecture!

This news, like a whirlwind, was delivered to the desks of the bigwigs throughout the prefecture city.

Unsurprisingly, it caused an uproar. No one knew why the Fengshan fleet had just entered Jiancheng Dao when His Majesty the Emperor abandoned the fleet and arrived early.

And soon, the three events of the abnormal celestial phenomena ten miles outside the city, Zhao Du'an bringing people back from outside the city, and the flying sword entering and exiting Prince Jing's mansion added a strange and mysterious color to the news of the Empress's arrival.

For a time, speculations abounded, and everyone in the city was imagining what major event had occurred.

The banquet was still arranged at "Jingyuan."

That is, the place where Zhao Du'an encountered two assassinations last time.

It's just that this time, the banquet at Jingyuan was even more grand and solemn, with all the officials, gentry, and dignitaries of the city attending.

However, with their status, they could not even see the Empress's face, but were only arranged far outside Jingyuan to join in the fun.

Zhao Du'an changed into the official robe of a Third-Rank Junior Protector, followed beside the Empress, and also represented the Empress to briefly deal with this group of people.

This also caused an uproar. It was already a shocking thing that Lord Zhao, who was rumored to be seriously ill and near death, appeared in high spirits.

However, some insiders were not surprised, but were looking forward to tonight's drama.

When Prince Jing, accompanied by his son Xu Jinglong and Princess Consort Lu Yan'er, arrived at Jingyuan, they happened to see the Shen family's convoy parked on the shore.

The silver-haired, dragon-headed cane-wielding Old Madam had changed into a gorgeous dark green dress, accompanied by the maid Hong Guniang and the eldest son, the head of the Shen family.

The two sides looked at each other, without any extra communication, nodded, considering it as a greeting.

Then, in full view of everyone, they entered Jingyuan to pay respects to the Empress.

"Your subject Xu Wen (your concubine) greets Your Majesty!"

Zhao Du'an sat beside the Empress, in the closest position, overlooking the Prince Jing's mansion and the Shen family's people saluting outside the pavilion.

Light gauze curtains hung from the four corners of the pavilion, with only a long table placed in the middle. Xu Zhenguan sat in the center, with Zhao Du'an and Ning Zechen on her left and right, respectively.

Eunuch Hai and others stood behind.

As for Prajna Bodhisattva… It is worth mentioning that after the old nun learned of the Empress's arrival, she dropped a letter and ran away… The general idea was:

Since Your Majesty has arrived, this poor nun will leave and go to the temple of Shenlong Temple in Jiancheng Dao to receive the legacy left by the Great Pure Master.

As if afraid of being one step late, the narrow-minded Empress would be jealous and find trouble with her.

Zhao Du'an didn't know whether to laugh or cry, sighing that the farewell was so afraid of even meeting, how terrible Zhenbao was in Prajna's heart…

"Uncle Wang, please rise, we are all family, there is no need to be so polite," Xu Zhenguan smiled, overlooking Prince Jing outside the pavilion.

Prince Jing slowly straightened up, with a respectful expression:

"Your subject thanks Your Majesty. I didn't know Your Majesty would arrive early, and I failed to welcome you from afar."

Xu Zhenguan smiled and said meaningfully:

"Is that so? I thought those people in the suburbs were arranged by Uncle Wang to welcome me."

Prince Jing feigned ignorance: "What kind of people is Your Majesty talking about?"

Xu Zhenguan smiled faintly: "It's nothing, someone come, grant them seats."

A monarch and her uncle, who wished they could kill each other, met for the first time in three years, warm, polite, and graceful.

The Old Madam of the Shen family knelt on the ground and never heard the Empress's order to rise, so she had to remain motionless.

As if… she was intentionally or unintentionally ignored.

— —

Next, the Fengshan plot is the ending of Volume 2. I am a little looking forward to Volume 3 myself…