The First Lackey Under The Empress

"Enter."

The clear, cold voice was as crisp as colliding ice, and even through the door, Zhao Du'an could conjure the image of the Empress in his mind.

[Please remember our domain name: Taiwan Novel Network → 𝑡 𝑤 𝑘 𝑎 𝑛 . 𝑐 𝑜 𝑚]

He took a deep breath, suppressed the urge to urinate, placed his hands on the carved, deep-red doors of the imperial study, and gently pushed them open.

Creak—

This was not his first time here.

On the day he transmigrated, when he entered the palace, it was in this room that he had an audience with the Empress.

The Hall of Mental Cultivation was a massive building, and the imperial study was one of the rooms on its west side.

In fact, there was not just one "imperial study."

Several studies in the Emperor's bedroom shared the same title.

Familiarity breeds ease; Zhao Du'an stepped over the threshold and saw behind the wide desk a pile of old brushes stacked like a mountain, and within the white inkstone, the ink was gradually drying up.

The Great Yu Empress sat upright behind the desk, dressed in plain white, her black hair like a waterfall, her skin like ice and bones like jade, naturally perfect.

Her face, unadorned with makeup, was like fresh snow, and beneath her thick eyelashes, her beautiful eyes held a complex expression, making it impossible to guess her thoughts.

"Your subject, Zhao Du'an, pays respects to Your Majesty."

He performed the customary salute and shouted loudly, while the doors behind him closed on their own.

The moment the doors closed, he heard Xu Zhenguan's stern voice, feigning anger:

"Zhao Du'an, do you know your crime?"

Huh?

Zhao Du'an was stunned; this development was truly unexpected, and countless chaotic thoughts flashed through his mind, ultimately converging into one:

That old fox Yuan Li is trying to trick me?!

But there was no time to think; Zhao Du'an said blankly:

"Your subject is ignorant; please enlighten me, Your Majesty!"

Because he was bowing his head, he did not see Xu Zhenguan's smiling face:

"The crime of deceiving the Emperor, do you not know?

You hid so many things from Us, secretly doing them behind Our back.

If Duke Yuan had not mentioned it to Us and requested credit for you, how long would you have kept it from Us?"

This works too?

Zhao Du'an was speechless; from the Empress's tone, he could already tell that she was deliberately teasing him.

A foolish subordinate would explain in panic at this time, saying that the matter was not yet completed and he dared not rashly report to the Holy One, and so on.

But this kind of response is too straightforward; wouldn't the leader understand?

The clever Zhao Du'an immediately bowed:

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger.

Your subject has taken advantage of your favor and failed to report in a timely manner.

Please punish me, Your Majesty!"

Who favors you… Xu Zhenguan seemed to be looking at a slippery eel, wriggling in front of her, and couldn't help but laugh and cry, waving her slender hand:

"Stop pretending.

Do you think that We are a foolish ruler who does not distinguish between right and wrong and does not reward merit?

Come here and grind ink for Us."

Saying that, she stood up, picked up the imperial brush, and opened the memorial.

Grind ink again; I want to grind something else… Zhao Du'an complained and familiarly came to the Empress's side, adding ink with his blue sleeves.

The meaning of grinding ink was different between the two times.

On the day he transmigrated, she was just using him as a servant.

Today, however, it was a sign of favor.

Just as he was pouring spring water into the inkstone, swish, swish, swish… Zhao Du'an couldn't help but feel a surge of urination, so he had to raise his head to shift his gaze, but he caught sight of the Empress's slender, fair neck, close at hand.

"…" Taking a deep breath, he refocused on the inkstone, his mind racing.

Xu Zhenguan seemed completely unaware, and while reviewing the less important memorials, she sighed softly and said:

"How long has it been since the Zhuang Xiaocheng case?

A little over a month, and you have already given Us too many surprises."

As she spoke, she couldn't help but feel emotional.

Even after repeatedly raising her expectations of Zhao Du'an, she was repeatedly surprised by him.

Before the Zhuang Xiaocheng case, her impression was vague, only that Sun Lianying had recommended a handsome soldier.

His reputation was not good, but since he was being thrown out as a shield to lure the thieves, a "pawn," his arrogance could be considered compensation.

After the case, she realized that this little soldier was intelligent and extraordinary, and felt it was a waste, so she promoted him to a court scholar, officially entering the probationary period.

She originally thought that Zhao Du'an would take a long time to achieve some results.

Unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, he coincidentally solved the firearms craftsman case, dug out corrupt officials, and gave her the opportunity to beat the court and take the opportunity to lay a large net.

It was unexpected.

But at that time, she only felt that he was lucky; fighting the Zhang brothers was nothing special.

As a result, turning around, the little soldier who had been ignored by her had already joined forces with Yuan Li to participate in the great vortex of the "Slay Pei" party struggle, making great contributions.

And no longer relying on luck, but on real skill.

Whether it was deceiving Pei Kai or turning conspiracy into open strategy to complete the "estrangement plan," although he was still immature compared to Yuan Li and other seasoned courtiers, the edge of a chess player had already begun to show.

What kind of capable minister did I miss in the past… Fortunately, it's not too late.

"Your Majesty flatters me.

Your subject only did some minor things; the real difficulties were solved by Duke Yuan and many other courtiers."

Zhao Du'an was extremely humble.

Xu Zhenguan smiled and said:

"I heard that you made Pei Kai cough up blood in front of the Meridian Gate, which can be considered a mortal offense to the Huai River Pei clan… Participating in this matter has also completely offended Li Yanfu… Are you not afraid?"

Zhao Du'an was awe-inspiringly righteous:

"With the Son of Heaven protecting the capital, what do I have to fear?"

"What about outside the capital?" Xu Zhenguan suddenly said:

"This world is quite large; the capital is only a small corner.

The Great Yu Dynasty has nine provinces, and outside the Yu Dynasty, there are also mysterious and strange lands.

If you leave the capital, are you not afraid of death?"

Zhao Du'an suddenly thought of the eighteen-year-old "Eunuch in Charge of the Seal" and understood that what the Empress said was true.

What if he was a favorite?

Leaving the capital, the sky is high and the emperor is far away, and they would dare to kill him, simply framing others.

He thought for a moment and said: "Then I will stay in the capital and cultivate until I am invincible before going out."

Invincible… Xu Zhenguan smiled and teased:

"You are just a mortal, yet you dare to dream of being invincible?

You cultivate the martial god inheritance of the Great Ancestor; what stage have you reached now?

Have you ever climbed the mountain?"

Zhao Du'an looked unconvinced:

"Your subject has been watching the summit of the Great Ancestor Mountain and practicing boxing for many days, and has also learned to inhale and exhale the rosy clouds."

"Oh?" Xu Zhenguan paused, suddenly turning her pen, and the large wolf brush in her hand slashed towards his wrist.

The force was suppressed to the mortal realm.

"Ding!"

The rosy light on Zhao Du'an's wrist covered it in response.

A look of surprise flashed in the Empress's beautiful eyes, and she looked at him deeply and said:

"We heard that when you cut down the town's puppet, you killed the enemy with one blow.

Now it seems that your progress is even further than We expected."

The only one who witnessed the rosy light protecting the body was the Golden Scroll Divine Official, and the girl was obviously not a big mouth.

The information that the Empress has is obtained by her subordinates investigating the scene and restoring it, which is a backward version.

If I said that I have been trekking in the desert with your ancestor for many days, would you be even more surprised?

Zhao Du'an muttered in his heart, taking the opportunity to say:

"Guardian Hai said that your subject has good talent, and the Golden Scroll Divine Official also said that your subject's spirit is strong and matches the martial god inheritance."

Xu Zhenguan glanced at him:

"Avoid pride and impatience, persevere, and perhaps there will be a day to reach the realm of the world."

You underestimate me too much; I am a man who wants to become a martial arts immortal… Well, at the very least, I must be in the "Heavenly Human Realm" to deceive the monarch… Zhao Du'an diverted his attention with complaints:

"Your Majesty's teachings are correct."

The Empress seemed to smile, her beautiful eyes glancing downwards imperceptibly, and while slightly surprised, she asked suspiciously:

"Why are your legs shaking?"

"Are they?"

"Yes."

"Your Majesty's demeanor is dignified, and your subject is terrified, with trembling thighs."

You can really make it up… Xu Zhenguan rolled her eyes, waved her hand to dismiss him:

"Wait outside.

Stay in the palace for dinner tonight.

As for your reward, We will consider it."

Zhao Du'an was greatly relieved, turned around and left, and as he stepped over the threshold, he heard the Empress's red lips part slightly behind him:

"The outhouse is on the right."

"…"

Zhao Du'an fled in panic.

…

…

A moment later, Zhao Du'an, having finished relieving himself, walked out, feeling refreshed.

Only then did he notice the key point in the Empress's previous words.

"It's only noon now; why did she say to keep me for dinner?" Zhao Du'an vaguely felt that something was strange.

He looked around and found an older female official, an old acquaintance, and told her his doubts.

"His Majesty is keeping the Envoy for dinner tonight?"

The older female official's eyes were strange, and she said:

"Today is the night of the full moon."

Is there anything special about that; it can't be that the Empress is having her period… Zhao Du'an skillfully took out a silver note to bribe her:

"Sister, please explain clearly."

The older female official didn't dare to accept it this time, but only smiled and said:

"The Envoy will know tonight."

Her attitude and words seemed to be even more respectful to him.

Mysterious… Helpless, Zhao Du'an spent a day in the side hall of the palace, full of doubts.

At noon, the food was sent to the imperial study, and he also received a portion, but he did not meet the Empress.

It is said that after the "ousting of Pei," there was a series of follow-ups, and Xu Zhenguan was so busy that she barely had time to eat.

On the other hand, he was so bored that he simply sat cross-legged and meditated to cultivate.

It wasn't until dusk, when the sky was dark, that the Great Yu Empress, dressed in white after bathing, summoned him again, smiling and asking:

"Are you hungry?"

Zhao Du'an nodded honestly.

Xu Zhenguan moved her lotus steps lightly and walked straight out: "Follow."

"Eh, Your Majesty, isn't this the direction to the dining room?" The curious baby Zhao Du'an raised his hand and asked.

Under the night sky, a round moon hung high.

Xu Zhenguan glanced at him and said: "Tonight, we will not eat in the palace."

"Then where are we going?" Zhao Du'an was at a loss.

The Great Yu Empress: "Tonight… We will take you to see the most beautiful scenery in the capital."

Thank you to book friend I am very majestic for the 100 point coin character reward.