The First Lackey Under The Empress

“Tell me about the situation…” Silence fell within the side hall, as no one chose to speak first.

The Imperial Tutor, sitting at the head of the table, surveyed the crowd and said calmly:

“Since no one speaks, I shall take the lead. The reason for summoning you all to the palace today, I believe you are all well aware.

Since His Majesty's disappearance at Luo Mountain, news has been trickling in from various places. Now, with the exception of Linfeng, Lingnan, and Huaishui, the five feudal lords are acting out of line, the situation is turbulent, and rumors are spreading in the capital…”

Grand Tutor Dong paused slightly and continued:

“However, the situation is not as dangerous as the rumors suggest. In the north, the Prince of Yanshan is being contained by Luo Kedi and his border troops at Jubei City. In the west, Duke Zhenguo is also suppressing the restless Prince of Hejian. Along the coast, Prince Chen has sealed off the border, seemingly intending to stay behind closed doors and establish his own independent regime…

Upon closer inspection, the rebels who are committing treason and threatening the capital are nothing more than the rebel armies from Jiancheng, Yunfu, and Qingzhou. While the former two are powerful, they have not yet crossed the Huaishui River, and besides, they are blocked by Linfeng, so they are not an immediate danger.”

This line of reasoning was quite insightful.

He first acknowledged the severity of the situation head-on, without concealing anything, and then analyzed it one by one to dispel the terror of the rumors.

“According to Grand Tutor, the most pressing matter now is the Qingzhou army,” the Minister of Justice slowly said.

“Qingzhou is east of the capital, bordering the sea to the east, and there are no major border garrisons. Since His Majesty's disappearance, Prince Heng of Qingzhou took the lead in raising the banner of ‘Serving the Emperor,’ and incited the Qingzhou military government to revolt, approaching the city almost unhindered.”

The Minister of War said indifferently:

“The Qingzhou soldiers are not strong, nor are their horses sturdy. Their unimpeded advance is due to their advantageous geographical position. Now that Envoy Xue has gone to Linfeng to take charge of the overall situation, leaving the Jingying troops to block the Qingzhou soldiers at the border of Qingzhou, they cannot advance an inch.

It is clear that the Qingzhou soldiers are not a cause for concern.

In my opinion, the most pressing matter at hand is not Prince Heng's troops, but His Majesty's disappearance, which has left us without a leader. The turmoil within the city is evident.”

Just as Zhao Du'an, the Empress, Prince Jing, and others had guessed, among the five rebel armies,

the Qingzhou rebel army led by Prince Heng was the first to approach the capital.

However, Prince Heng, who had come full of ambition, was forced back by the Jingying army dozens of miles east of the capital, unable to advance an inch.

Unable to break through the Jingying army by force, Prince Heng repeatedly ordered the court to open the gates and welcome him in his capacity as a “Prince,” but was met with staunch refusal.

However, most people in the city did not know the truth about Qingzhou's strength. They only heard that the rebel army had reached dozens of miles away, and they were already in a panic.

“I also believe that the most urgent task is not to deal with the rebel army, but to seek His Majesty's return,” Yuan Li said calmly.

As the leader of the Qingliu Party, his words attracted the attention of the officials.

The Censor-in-Chief, with frost at his temples and an elegant and handsome appearance, sat upright in his chair, his eyes stern as he looked at Ma Yan:

“Director Ma, the Zhaoyu Agency has ways to contact the Shadow Guards. Can you find His Majesty's whereabouts now?”

The Grand Eunuch, nicknamed "King Yama," held a third-rank official position and sat slightly behind. Seeing Yuan Li looking at him, he said with a straight face:

“The latest news from outside the capital is that His Majesty and Zhao Shaobao were seen in Huaishui. We have not received any news since then.”

After a slight pause, he added:

“In addition, the Shadow Guards reported that Mo Zhaorong and her party are temporarily safe and have returned to Linfeng. She, along with Supervisor Bai Ma, Minister of Rites, and the Grand Canal Governor, have been hindering the rebels' advance, with initial success.”

The officials became restless.

They were not too concerned about the life or death of Mo Chou and the others, but only cared about the Empress's safety.

Initially, after the Empress disappeared, Mo Chou and the other ministers realized that they had to let the capital know that the Empress was not dead, otherwise there would be chaos.

Therefore, Eunuch Hai contacted the Shadow Guards at that time and sent back the news that Zhao Du'an was escorting the Empress and had not been captured.

This was also the key to maintaining the overall stability of the court: if the Empress was really dead, where would the officials still sit down and discuss? They would have opened the city gates long ago to welcome the Prince into the capital.

“His Majesty is blessed by the heavens. Now that he has entered Huaishui, it is not far from returning to the capital,” a pro-Empress official said with great joy.

“Let me make one thing clear, I sincerely hope that His Majesty is safe and sound, but in the current situation, it is meaningless to only say nice things.

His Majesty is far away in Huaishui, when will he be able to return? And whether he can return is still unknown. Even if he does return, it is not certain that…” someone said sarcastically.

“What are your intentions?! Could it be that you have defected to the rebel prince?” a young official said angrily, standing up to rebuke him.

The latter retorted:

“My heart is only for the country, unlike you, who dare not face the situation at this time.”

“Do you want to die? His Majesty is still here! When he returns, I will definitely impeach you!” a censor joined the fray.

“Hehe, Censor Chen, you don't have to wait for His Majesty's return to impeach me. You can submit a memorial to the Grand Tutor as well,” a secretary sneered, joining the war of words.

In an instant, it was as if a powder keg had been ignited, and the two sides began to argue, the entire side hall as noisy as a vegetable market.

“Silence!”

Grand Tutor Dong listened for a while, his face gloomy, and he roared, his beard and hair trembling:

“If you want to quarrel, get out! Did I summon you here today just to listen to your clamor?”

The officials fell silent, and the atmosphere became heavy.

Yuan Li coughed lightly, trying to smooth things over:

“Now is not the time to argue about these things. Although His Majesty is in a dangerous situation, with Zhao Shaobao protecting him, he will surely turn misfortune into good fortune and return sooner or later.

Moreover, Linfeng is still in the hands of the court. As long as His Majesty can enter Linfeng, he will naturally be safe. And we, who are paid by the Emperor, can only guard the capital well for His Majesty before that. The Qingzhou soldiers are not a cause for concern for the time being, but rumors are spreading in the city, and people's hearts are restless…

The Grand Tutor summoned you here today, presumably to ask you to go back and do your best to stabilize the situation, so that the order in the city will not be disrupted before His Majesty returns.”

The officials agreed one after another, acknowledging this logic.

Yuan Li then suddenly looked at his old rival sitting opposite him, who looked old and about to die:

“Prime Minister Li, do you have anything to say?”

Li Yanfu, who had not said a word since entering the hall, opened his narrowed eyelids and smiled:

“I also agree with what Duke Yuan and the Grand Tutor said. Let's do it this way.”

With the three top ministers speaking, things went much smoother next.

It was nothing more than assigning tasks to various restless places within the city in order to stabilize the overall situation.

Soon after, the court meeting ended, and the officials withdrew.

Yuan Li and Grand Tutor Dong were the last to leave. The former looked at the empty side hall and stood up, saying:

“Although the officials agree in words, many of them are already panicking in their hearts.”

Grand Tutor Dong sighed, looking utterly exhausted: “How could I not know?”

When people's hearts are scattered, it is difficult to lead the team. This principle applies to both ancient and modern times.

All they can do is try their best to maintain it.

“Li Yanfu has been too quiet recently.”

Yuan Li suddenly said. Sunlight shone in from outside the hall, and his slender shadow fell obliquely on the smooth floor tiles.

The white-haired Grand Tutor Dong glanced at him:

“Some of the people who were pessimistic at today's court meeting should have been secretly arranged by him.”

Yuan Li's eyes were deep as he looked outside the hall: “What I'm referring to is not these petty tricks in the court.”

Grand Tutor Dong's heart skipped a beat: “Are you saying that he might…”

Yuan Li shook his head and smiled:

“Perhaps I'm overthinking things. With Li Yanfu's personality, what he's probably thinking about now is how to bet in order to maximize his interests. If the throne is really replaced, how will he seek a safe passage?

No, perhaps the Li family of Huaishui has already placed bets on different feudal lords at the same time.”

Grand Tutor Dong narrowed his eyes and stared at him:

“Then what about you? Do you, Yuan Li, really believe that His Majesty can return and stabilize the situation?”

Yuan Li smiled faintly, stepped out, and did not answer.

Grand Tutor Dong watched him leave. The hall was empty, leaving only him. The Imperial Tutor remained silent for a long time and closed his eyes.

Yuan Li reminded himself to be wary of Li Yanfu.

But… can Yuan Li and the Qingliu Party behind him really be trusted?

…

…

Li Yanfu walked out of the palace and, with the support of his servants, entered the carriage and returned to the Prime Minister's residence.

All the way, he closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep, conserving his energy.

Since the beginning of spring this year, Li Yanfu's health had been poor. Some of his old ailments had been recurring frequently. Although he was much younger than Dong Xuan in age, his energy was declining year by year.

At least, that's how he appeared to outsiders.

After returning to the residence, Li Yanfu was undressed and changed by his servants, taking off his court attire and putting on his favorite loose red robe. Then, he went to the study to read official documents.

“Master, it's time to drink the ginseng soup.”

The study door was pushed open, and a woman in her thirties, with a respectful expression, walked in with the ginseng soup.

She placed it on the desk in the study.

Li Yanfu put down the book, looked up at her, nodded, picked up the spoon, and drank it sip by sip.

This woman was a concubine of the current Prime Minister. Li Yanfu's wife had died many years ago, and he rarely took concubines. This third concubine was one of his former “students.”

She never competed for favor and was low-key and gentle. Although she had no official status, she was deeply loved by the elderly Li Yanfu. Even the Little Grand Secretary did not dare to act presumptuously in front of this unassuming concubine.

“Is there anything else?” Li Yanfu asked while drinking the ginseng soup.

The concubine, whose nickname was “Xiao Yue,” said softly: “Yinglong is here.”

“Tell him to come in.”

“Yes.”

Xiao Yue went out, and a moment later, the study door opened.

The Little Grand Secretary Li Yinglong, nearly forty years old, with a rather sinister appearance, led a servant into the room:

“Father, there are people from the family.”

As he spoke, the middle-aged man behind him, disguised as a servant, but in reality a servant of the Li clan of Huaishui, knelt down with a thud:

“I am ordered by the clan to deliver a message to the Prime Minister.”

The Li family of Huaishui was the powerful clan behind Li Yanfu.

“Speak.”

"Yes, the family sent word that Prince Jing and Prince Mu have both entered the Huai River and will arrive in the capital in a few days. They earnestly request that the Prime Minister consider the honor, disgrace, safety, and security of the family... If you can control the court and control the capital, you can wait for the princes to arrive and then negotiate for a good price, to plan for the Li family's continued existence for a hundred years..."

In the study, the Prime Minister and his son quietly listened to the message from the family servant.

"Understood, you may leave," Li Yanfu said expressionlessly, waving his hand.

The servant kowtowed again, then got up and left the room.

"Father, let's do it. The situation is critical now. If we wait for the princes' armies to attack the capital, it will be too late."

Li Yinglong seemed a little agitated, "Not to mention the family, even the people below have been restless these days. If you don't nod your head again, I'm afraid..."

Li Yanfu looked at him coldly: "You're the one who's restless, aren't you?"

Li Yinglong's forehead was covered in cold sweat, and he couldn't speak. But at this moment, he suddenly gritted his teeth and mustered his courage:

"Father! In the past year, the Empress has repeatedly suppressed us, and the hearts of the people below are truly scattered. We have endured again and again, and the Empress's power has continued to grow. Now she is also missing, and I estimate that she will not be able to return.

Even if she really comes back, without the cultivation of a Celestial Being, how much chance of winning does she have?

The sky of this Yu Kingdom is destined to change. With the princes here, our Li family may not become emperor, but seeking to be a meritorious subject is still very promising...

If you don't do it, others will. Now, who in the city dares to guarantee that those high-ranking officials don't have the same thoughts? We must act as soon as possible, or it will be too late!"

Li Yanfu waved his sleeve expressionlessly: "Leave."

Li Yinglong gritted his teeth and pleaded:

"Father, what are you still hesitating about? Before, when Xue Shence was in the city, the chances of success were not great, but now he has also left the city.

As long as you nod your head, the two commanders of the Golden Guards and the Thousand Bull Guards in the Imperial Guards will respond, and with the assassins we have raised in the capital over the years, it will be easy to control the current court..."

"Leave!"

Li Yinglong sighed, stomped his feet, and left.

Inside the study, Li Yanfu, dressed in a red robe and wearing white jade around his waist, sat upright, staring at a decorative palm-sized knife on the desk, lost in thought for a long time.

...

...

Just when the people in the city were panicking and undercurrents were surging, and everyone still thought the Empress was on the run.

Outside the south gate of the capital, on the wide official road, a carriage was moving against the flow of people, heading towards the city gate.

Zhao Dou'an used a disguise mask to change his appearance again, this time disguised as a coachman, waving his whip and looking at the vehicles and horses on the road, saying:

"Your Majesty, do you really want to enter the city in a low-key manner?"

Inside the carriage, Xu Zhenguan, having recovered her cultivation and taken a disguise pill to temporarily change her appearance, sat cross-legged in meditation. Hearing this, she said indifferently:

"Now that I have returned, I am not in a hurry to show my face. It is better to enter the city quietly, understand the situation, and then return to the palace. Didn't you arrest Zhuang Xiaocheng from Bin Hai Dao and bring him back to the capital in the same way back then?"

No, why are you comparing yourself to me... Zhao Dou'an said helplessly.

After the Empress advanced, her speed was extremely fast. Although the Celestial Beings in this world cannot achieve "traveling the Canghai in the morning and arriving at Cangwu in the evening," and cannot reach thousands of miles in an instant.

But flying with a sword can ignore geographical obstacles, which still greatly shortens the time to return to the capital.

The monarch and his subject galloped all the way, without stopping in Linfeng, and arrived near the capital before dawn. However, the Empress asked to enter the capital in a low-key manner, to find out the situation first.

"But the problem is, I don't think we are being low-key at all," Zhao Dou'an sighed softly, pointing with his horse whip to the large number of teams leaving the city on the official road.

In the past, the number of people entering and leaving the city was about the same.

But now it is completely different. At a glance, most of them are leaving the city, and very few are entering the city.

"It seems that the news of the rebels' rebellion has spread in the city. At this time, the city gates should be closed to prohibit entry and exit," Xu Zhenguan frowned, looking at the scene outside the car window:

"The current situation can only show that the court's orders have not been strictly enforced."

No, you're putting it mildly. You should say that the law enforcement system is out of order... That's right, without a leader, the court must be in chaos. Besides, if you throw a brick in the city, you can hit seven or eight dignitaries...

In this situation, the dignitaries will always find a way to escape the capital... Zhao Dou'an sighed softly and smiled bitterly:

"However, to think on the bright side, at least it shows that there is no major chaos in the capital, otherwise it would not still maintain basic order."

While speaking, the monarch and his subject arrived outside the city gate. Zhao Dou'an had several fake identity passes on him to facilitate passage, so they were able to enter the city safely.

"Your Majesty, where shall we go next?"

Zhao Dou'an drove the carriage, traveling on the streets of the capital.

He was gratified to find that the order in the city was better than expected.

It seems that only a small number of people fled the city.

Xu Zhenguan also had no idea for a while. She lived in the palace all year round, so where would she have a foothold outside?

If there was a place outside the palace that she was familiar with and had lived in, there was one place...

"Go to your house?" She glanced at Zhao Dou'an and said subconsciously.

Just after crossing the threshold, she can't wait to come to my door... Zhao Dou'an was greatly relieved, and the corners of his mouth rose.

The Empress glared at him: "What are you laughing at?"

Zhao Dou'an quickly restrained his smile and said sternly:

"This subject is not laughing, but just thinks it is inappropriate. It is hard to guarantee that this subject's home has not been targeted."

Having left the capital for so long, his first thought was also to go home and see his aunt and sister.

But reason told him it was inappropriate.

Xu Zhenguan also understood this and thought for a moment, saying: "Let's find an inn to stay first, and then inquire about the situation in the city."

"Okay."

Zhao Dou'an identified the direction and found an inn he had stayed in before to check in.

...

Not long after.

The monarch and his subject had already appeared in the room upstairs in the inn, throwing their baggage on the table. The two stood side by side by the window, opened the window, and looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar street scene outside.

Several months had passed.

When they left the capital, it was still spring, and when they returned, it was almost the end of summer.

"Your Majesty, please rest in the inn for a while. This subject will go out and ask people about the situation," Zhao Dou'an said.

He did not imitate TV dramas and spend money to ask the innkeeper about the situation, because what he needed to know was more information about the court.

And the rumors among the people are often exaggerated and distorted, accompanied by conspiracy theories, and cannot be adopted.

"Let's go together." How could Xu Zhenguan sit still? If she hadn't had the intention of observing the changes in the court after she left, she would have flown into the imperial city with her sword long ago.

"Then... okay." Zhao Dou'an nodded, thinking about who to find to inquire.

At this moment, suddenly, he noticed a large team of government officials swaggering over on the street, murderous, heading straight for the inn.

The leader was wearing loose, ill-fitting silk clothes, with small eyes, a thin figure, and a folding fan slanting behind his neck, arrogant and domineering.

"Is that him?" Zhao Dou'an was stunned for a moment, his expression becoming strange.

"Do you know him?" Xu Zhenguan had no impression of this little person.

"Yes. He was one of this subject's former lackeys," Zhao Dou'an sighed, and wondered:

"Why is this guy here?"

...

First floor of the inn.

Qin Qiu led a team of "government officials" into the lobby, and immediately the shopkeeper greeted them with a smile:

"Oh, officers, what brings you here?"

Qin Qiu, who used to be obsequious and desperately clung to Zhao Dou'an's thigh to enter the "capital circle," sneered, arrogant and domineering. Without saying a word, he kicked first:

"Don't you recognize this young master? Still asking what brings me here? Are you really unaware, or pretending to be unaware?"

The shopkeeper was kicked to the ground, but he dared not get angry. Although the inn also had officials as background, he still dared not offend these yamen runners:

"Young Master Qin, so it's Young Master Qin. Look at my bad eyesight, I didn't even recognize you."

Qin Qiu, who was servile in front of Zhao Dou'an but arrogant outside, snorted, casually threw out a sign:

"I'm too lazy to talk nonsense with you. This young master is now working for the Imperial Prison. The city has been uneasy recently. Are there any newly arrived people of unknown origin in your inn?"

So they're checking rooms... The shopkeeper cursed inwardly and smiled:

"Young Master Qin, please sit down. Everyone here has registered their identity, how could there be people of unknown origin..."

"Hmph, what you say doesn't count. Come on, follow this young master upstairs to check the rooms!" Qin Qiu was so elated with his newfound power that he was floating as he walked.

With a wave of his hand, he led people upstairs and began to kick open the doors of each room roughly.

It quickly caused a series of exclamations, creating chaos and panic. Every time they entered a room, they grabbed the guests and interrogated them for a while, extorting "tribute" before leaving.

Before long, Qin Qiu led people to the outside of the room Zhao Dou'an was staying in.

"Bang bang! The government is checking rooms, the people inside open the door!" Qin Qiu failed to kick the door open, discovering that it was locked from the inside, and couldn't help but angrily say.

Inside the room, there seemed to be footsteps wandering, but no one answered.

"Master Qin, this person deserves a beating." A yamen runner picked up a baton, pretending to force his way in.

Qin Qiu waved his hand, rolled up his sleeves, and sneered:

"I'll do it myself! You dare not accept a toast, you'll be forced to drink a forfeit. Wait until I get in, I'll make you kneel down and beg for mercy."

He took a few steps back to gather strength, then suddenly rushed forward, slamming hard against the door, but unexpectedly, the originally locked door opened.

Qin Qiu exclaimed, unable to stop his force, rolled into the room, fell with a thud, cursing angrily, just about to get up, his head was suddenly stepped on by a boot and pressed to the ground.

"As expected of a yamen runner in the capital, so domineering, but how come I don't know that the Imperial Prison has someone like you?" Zhao Dou'an asked quietly.