The First Lackey Under The Empress

Was Pei Kai Zhi so angered that he spat blood?

This was something that hadn't even happened in the Golden Luan Hall, even during his most agitated moments.

For a time, the faces of the officials in the distance were a sight to behold, and countless gazes fell on the 'male favorite of the Empress' who had a rather bad reputation but had nothing to do with them.

They couldn't help but wonder what Zhao Du'an had said.

What had made Pei Kai Zhi so indignant—there was a story, that was everyone's first thought.

Unfortunately, due to the distance, no one except Ma Yan heard the conversation.

“By the Saint's decree, the former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Pei Kai Zhi, will be taken into the imperial prison immediately.”

Ma Yan stepped forward, his thick hand bones sinking down as he lifted the old Vice Minister, who was as thin as a chicken, with one hand, and shouted loudly at the officials.

Then, he took a deep look at Zhao Du'an and turned to leave through the Meridian Gate.

This scene was like Yama entering the mortal realm, taking away souls.

It was bound to leave a deep psychological shadow on a large number of officials.

...

The officials dispersed one after another, until only Yuan Li and Zhao Du'an were left in the square.

“Come with me.”

The refined and handsome grand strategist revealed a smile at the corner of his mouth, turned around to beckon him, and walked towards the Empress's palace.

Aren't we going to the Golden Luan Hall… Zhao Du'an was reluctant, he was quite curious, wondering what the real feudal dynasty was like compared to the ticketed tours he had visited in his previous life.

“What did you say to him just now?” Yuan Qingyi asked curiously.

“Ah, that,” Zhao Du'an was a little embarrassed, not wanting to say that he had just made a joke, so he said:

“That old thief was stubborn, and this subordinate gave him a few gentle words of advice. I didn't expect this old thief to have such a temper, not listening to anyone's advice.”

“…” Yuan Li was speechless.

With his wisdom, he could guess what Zhao Du'an had probably said.

Young and vigorous, but also quick to take revenge, that's how it should be.

Young people should have wisdom, but also have bloodiness. A single-minded, steady, and cautious person is like a rotten mummy in a dye vat, what kind of young person is that?

What's the point?

It's so satisfying to tease and mock your opponent in the public chat after winning a hard-fought game, even if it's not appropriate.

Sure enough, it suits my temperament… The Censor-in-Chief, who had disregarded etiquette since he was young, felt greatly relieved and smiled:

“If this old man were twenty years old and in your position, I would definitely humiliate this old bald thief properly, why be so euphemistic?”

Zhao Du'an cupped his hands, his face full of agreement, considering him a kindred spirit.

The morning mist gradually dissipated.

Zhao Du'an asked: “So, is this a great victory for us, or a small victory? What will happen to Pei Kai Zhi next? What about the Pei family? What about Lü Liang?”

Yuan Li was full of energy:

“Of course it's a great victory! It was not in vain for His Majesty to set up this killing game. Although that fellow Li Yanfu tried his best to resist, we still won in the end. Pei Kai Zhi's case of corruption in the imperial examination has been confirmed. He is now imprisoned in the imperial prison, waiting for the autumn execution. However…”

Saying this, his expression was strange:

“His health was not good to begin with, relying on medicinal soup to recuperate. Today, he was angered to the point of fainting by you, I'm afraid he won't last until the autumn execution.”

Zhao Du'an looked innocent, he really didn't do it on purpose.

Yuan Li continued:

“As for Lü Liang, he should have been given a lighter sentence because he took the initiative to report. But because we tore our faces apart, Pei Kai Zhi revealed a lot of his crimes… In the end, he was exiled to Lingnan.”

Lingnan is several thousand miles away from the capital… Considering the mortality rate of military exile, even if Old Lü lives to reach Lingnan, he will probably be half-crippled… Zhao Du'an was silent.

Well, the premise is that the Huai River Pei family doesn't send someone to kill him halfway to vent their anger.

At this moment, although he was a victor, Zhao Du'an also witnessed for the first time, so bloodily, the cruelty of the court struggle.

Pei Kai Zhi said that the fate of chess pieces is not up to them, but Zhao Du'an felt that the losing chess players were equally miserable.

If he wants to live a comfortable life in this cold world until he dies, he must cling tightly to the Empress's snow-white and smooth long legs, and then kick all the unruly people to death.

Well, at least before his martial arts cultivation is complete and he can dominate his own destiny, that's how it should be.

Unknowingly, the two arrived outside the Imperial Study.

“I'll go report to His Majesty and ask for credit for you, you wait outside.” Yuan Li said, then smiled: “His Majesty still doesn't know your contribution.”

At this moment, Zhao Du'an saw mischief and expectation on this old fox's face.

You wouldn't be deliberately hiding the news until now, just to give her a scare… A dignified minister of the state, still having such a wicked taste, won't that ruin your image…

Zhao Du'an was too tired to complain, and waited with his head lowered.

...

...

Xu Zhenguan was in a very good mood today.

In the past few days, the court had been full of swords and shadows, and smoke of gunpowder. She seemed to be sitting high on the dragon throne, watching the situation unfold.

But as one of the behind-the-scenes players, how could she not be anxious?

If she lost, it would not only be a lost opportunity, but also a serious setback to the growing momentum of the Empress's accession to the throne.

It would make countless enemies, both openly and secretly watching her, restless and realize that the Empress could be deceived.

Fortunately, it was a great victory after all.

After Xu Zhenguan left the court, on the way back to the palace, her steps were light and the corners of her mouth were raised, and she never let them down.

At this moment, she seemed to have taken off the coat of "Emperor" and revealed the youthful smile that a young woman should have.

First, she took off the dragon robe and put on a white casual dress.

Thus, the dignified and graceful Empress turned into a cold and otherworldly fairy.

Xu Zhenguan took a shortcut to the Imperial Study.

The war was over, and it was time to review it with Yuan Li and reward the merits.

“This subject… congratulates Your Majesty!”

When Xu Qingguan stepped into the Imperial Study, Yuan Qingyi had been waiting for a long time, and stood up to shout.

The Great Yu Empress smiled and said:

“Duke Yuan, you are excused from the formalities. In this great victory, Duke Yuan has made great contributions. If there is to be congratulations, it should be shared joy.”

The monarch and her subject looked at each other and smiled.

The Imperial Study was filled with happy air.

The two sat down, first briefly reviewed the situation, and simply discussed the follow-up, including the response of the Huai River Pei family and the next move of Li Yanfu.

Then, Yuan Li suddenly said:

“Your Majesty, after the court adjourned just now, an interesting thing happened.”

“Oh?” Xu Zhenguan's beautiful eyes revealed curiosity.

Yuan Li said: “Before leaving the Meridian Gate, Ma Yan came to take away Pei Kai Zhi by decree, and Zhao Du'an accompanied him. It happened that he ran into the distraught Pei Kai Zhi.”

“Zhao Du'an entered the palace?” Xu Zhenguan was slightly surprised.

She had not summoned him recently, and did not know why the "little palace guard" appeared at the Meridian Gate.

Well, accompanying Ma Yan, could it be to watch the excitement… The Empress didn't think much about it.

This grand drama in the court attracted the attention of the entire capital, and it was understandable that Zhao Du'an was curious and used his relationship with Ma Yan to join in the fun.

Yuan Li smiled and nodded: “Then, the two sides blocked the road. Zhao Du'an said a few words to Pei Kai Zhi, and actually angered him to the point of spitting blood on the spot and fainting in the square.”

“There is such a thing?” The Great Yu Empress was stunned, and couldn't help shaking her head and smiling:

“Pei Kai Zhi has really lost his composure. The once majestic Vice Minister is now arguing with a mere White Horse Envoy.”

Xu Zhenguan's eyebrows showed a hint of sigh, and then she was curious:

“What did he say that made the former Vice Minister so失态?”

Yuan Li's smile was strange:

“He only said that he was comforting the other party with a few words. However, I think that Pei Vice Minister's失态 has little to do with the words, but has a lot to do with Zhao Envoy.”

At this time, Xu Zhenguan finally noticed the strangeness. A trace of strangeness flashed in her clear lake-like eyes, and she slowly said:

“What does Duke Yuan want to say? Don't tease朕's appetite.”

Zhao Du'an? Pei Kai Zhi?

How could two people who were as unrelated as a horse and a cow have any connection?

Yuan Li smiled, cupped his hands and said:

“Allow me to report, because the one who delivered the first knife in this '斩裴' battle was the White Horse Division, Envoy, Zhao Du'an.”

Thanks to: Jiangdong Ren Shi for the 1500 coin reward, Li Shipu for 100 coins, and Yiqi Juecheng for the 100 point coin reward support!