The First Lackey Under The Empress

The pattering rain refreshed the entire capital.

This book is first published on the entire network by 𝕥 𝕨 𝕜 𝕒 𝕟 . 𝕔 𝕠 𝕞

Zhao Du'an changed into his robes, tucked an oil-paper umbrella under his arm, hastily ate a few piping hot meat buns, and went out alone.

The meeting time set by the other party was fast approaching, and he didn't want to delay.

Since the location written on the letter wasn't far, and considering the rainy weather, he chose not to ride a horse.

A martial artist's legs are strong enough to arrive on time even on foot.

"Inviting me so suddenly, is it to prevent me from making other preparations? And emphasizing a private meeting... as expected, a cautious bunch."

Zhao Du'an was a little annoyed.

But for the sake of a great achievement, he decided to be magnanimous and not bother with that old geezer.

In his heart, he reviewed the personal file of Vice Minister Pei:

Pei Kai Zhi, born into the prominent Jiangnan Pei family, his official career can be described in one word: "Smooth."

He possessed outstanding talent from a young age, and along with several other talented individuals in the area, was known as one of the "Four Great Talents."

Later, upon entering officialdom, he was always supported and cared for by his clan, navigating through dangers unscathed, smoothly rising to the position of Vice Minister.

If Pei Kai Zhi were the protagonist, and a novel was written about him on Qidian, the title would probably be:

"In the Officialdom, Starting with a Speedrun!"

The Vice Minister's position alone wouldn't be enough to warrant the Empress and Yuan Li joining forces to set up a trap.

The truly difficult aspect of Pei Kai Zhi is the entire Pei family he relies on behind him.

The Great Yu Dynasty has been established for six hundred years, and local clans have become a major concern.

Beheading a Vice Minister is easy, but minimizing the consequences is difficult.

"As expected, the children of upper-class families start in speedrun mode from the womb... can't compare, can't compare... but the old man's efforts in educating his children are clearly limited. Today, I'll let you taste the bitterness of 'failure to properly educate your children'."

Zhao Du'an, holding an oil-paper umbrella, hurried through the rain, contemplating different plans tailored to Pei Kai Zhi's persona for the upcoming meeting.

Before long, he arrived at the address on the letter, a rather elegant teahouse—

Pei Kai Zhi was having breakfast there today and invited him to join.

However, as soon as Zhao Du'an arrived, before even ascending the stairs, he was stopped by a brown-clothed servant:

"Lord Zhao, you are late."

"What do you mean?" Zhao Du'an felt a sense of foreboding.

At the entrance of the teahouse.

The servant, who clearly came from a prominent family, said politely:

"My master has already had his morning tea. Seeing that you were late, he left ahead of time and left me here to wait."

Zhao Du'an raised his eyebrows. Although there were no watches in this era, a mortal martial artist's perception far exceeded ordinary people.

They could estimate the time by manipulating and transporting their blood.

He was certain that he was not late.

But Zhao Du'an didn't argue with the other party, but calmly asked:

"So?"

The Pei family servant politely raised his hand and pointed to the west side of the long street:

"My master went to Yaozhi Hall in the West City to get tonic medicine. He instructed me to tell you to meet him there instead. Please hurry, lest you miss the time again."

Zhao Du'an looked at him deeply, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, and nodded:

"Alright."

With that, he turned and strode towards the west side of the long street.

The servant watched his receding figure, his eyes full of contempt.

…

Yaozhi Hall was a well-known large pharmacy in the capital.

Pei Kai Zhi was old and had been taking supplements all year round, probably hoping to bloom again in his old age.

People from Jiangnan clans had a certain obsession with having children, which was probably why they doted on their children so much.

It's good to care about family. The most terrifying people in this world are those who have no attachments, no desires, and no wants.

Zhao Du'an had accurately gauged Pei Kai Zhi's concern for his family, which was why he chose to make his family the breakthrough point.

However, today's meeting was destined to be full of twists and turns.

When Zhao Du'an, relying on his martial artist's legs, arrived outside Yaozhi Hall in the West City, as expected, he saw the brown-clothed servant waiting under the eaves.

"Lord, you are one step late. My master has already taken his medicine. Seeing that you had not arrived, he left early."

Still polite.

Servants from such wealthy clans were carefully trained. Even if they were arrogant in their bones and despised the Empress's gigolo, their outward demeanor was impeccable.

It happened a second time.

Zhao Du'an's expression remained the same: "So?"

The servant shook his sleeves, raised his hand, and pointed to the south side of the long street:

"My master is taking a break today. Seeing that it had started to rain, he went to Jinjiang Dike to fish. You can go there to meet him."

From the teahouse to the pharmacy to the riverbank.

This was clearly some deliberate obstruction.

Things are getting interesting... Trying to anger me?

Zhao Du'an narrowed his eyes, but didn't flare up. He just nodded:

"Understood."

It would be ridiculous to vent his anger on a servant.

To beat a dog, you must first beat its owner.

He just deeply remembered the face of the person in front of him and turned to leave.

After he left, the brown-clothed servant shook his head, his eyes disdainful, feeling that the rumors of the Empress's arrogant gigolo were exaggerated.

When facing real wealthy and powerful clans, wouldn't he still have to swallow his anger?

…

Jinjiang Dike is located in the middle section of the Hun River, which runs through the capital.

Because the land protrudes into the river, resembling the map of Tongliao in shape, the water is shallow and there are many fish.

Therefore, in the capital's fishing enthusiast circle, it is an undisputed sacred place.

However, early this morning, Pei's family servants came aggressively, blocking the best fishing spot and preparing the ground in advance.

Causing countless fishing enthusiasts to retreat.

When Zhao Du'an arrived here, he saw willows lining the riverbank, and the river surface was misty with raindrops, rippling endlessly.

A group of servants in straw raincoats stood like javelins on the bank, arranged in a semicircle.

With his martial artist's eyesight, Zhao Du'an determined that there were several martial arts masters among them, undoubtedly bodyguards.

As soon as he appeared, he was locked on by several sharp gazes.

What a grand display. Even Yuan Li doesn't have such a following, going out with an entourage... Zhao Du'an compared Pei Kai Zhi and Yuan Li and immediately saw the difference.

"Lord, you've arrived? My master is waiting for you."

A sharp-eyed servant stepped forward, his temperament different from the previous two.

Zhao Du'an glanced at him, and as he stepped forward, he was stopped by the servant raising his hand.

"What do you mean?" Zhao Du'an raised his eyebrows.

The martial artist servant said calmly: "You must be searched."

Search me... Even when I meet Xu Zhenguan, I don't need to be searched. At most, the natural weapon brought from the womb is washed until it's fragrant. You're just a mere Vice Minister, and you want to search me...

Zhao Du'an finally smiled.

Yes, at this moment, he finally finalized the most radical of the many alternative plans he had prepared.

He didn't speak, just continued to step forward.

A surge of powerful energy flowed throughout his body within his sea of Qi. As his waist and hips turned, his body suddenly became as heavy as a mountain.

The martial artist servant's expression changed slightly, and he was also provoked to anger.

The straw raincoat was lifted by a burst of internal force, and countless crystal raindrops shot out like a movie scene slowed down countless times.

Under the raincoat, the brown clothes "slapped" against the muscular body, and a martial skill was activated.

Using the martial artist's body as a hammer, he crashed head-on into Zhao Du'an.

"Crack—"

There was no dazzling sound of metal clashing as expected.

On the willow-lined long dike, only the sound of bone cracking and the dense silencing of soft, rotten flesh could be heard in the rain.

At the place where the two were standing, crimson blood flowed from the hem of the servant's raincoat.

Silence.

Zhao Du'an glanced at the bodyguard who was wide-eyed, full of shock, and pale-faced, and strode past him without stopping.

"Overestimating yourself."

Thump...

The martial artist bodyguard's knees softened, and he knelt on the ground, covering his chest and abdomen, enduring the pain of the broken ribs, without making a sound.

The remaining servants retreated in fear, allowing Zhao Du'an to pass through the line of defense.

From beginning to end, the oil-paper umbrella held in Zhao Du'an's hand only swayed slightly.

…

Riverside.

A patch of lush grass was crushed by a pair of expensive boots, exuding a large area of accumulated water.

Zhao Du'an stopped, his eyes falling on the old man in front of him, wearing a straw raincoat, sitting in a low rattan chair, holding a fishing rod, with his back to him.

The wind from the river blew, causing the thin fishing line to tremble.

Pei Kai Zhi snorted coldly: "Retreat, if you scare the fish away, see how I deal with you."

These words seemed to be said to the servants, but also seemed to be scolding someone indirectly.

Behind him, the bodyguard who was enduring the pain and remained silent staggered up and walked away.

Pei Kai Zhi then fixed the fishing rod, patted the empty chair beside him, and smiled:

"The servants are ignorant, Lord Zhao, I apologize for making you laugh."

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