The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 159 - 139. Yuann Li’s Shock

"Master Zhao, please follow me, Mr. Yuan is dealing with some affairs and has instructed me to take you to the inner hall first."

The one who came out to meet him turned out to be a young Imperial Censor.

He led Zhao Douan inside, chatting as they walked, his gaze still curiously sizing him up, seemingly intrigued by this recently famous favorite of the Empress.

"Thank you for showing the way."

Zhao Douan nodded with a smile, straightened his appearance, and proceeded down a small path towards the back office.

The Imperial Court of Supervision was also a complex of buildings. Perhaps because it was not yet time to disperse, there were not many people to be seen on the road.

After entering the inner hall, the young Imperial Censor departed.

He had not waited for a quarter of an hour when he saw a familiar figure of Big Qingyi approaching slowly through the courtyard outside the hall.

On this sweltering summer day, the splendid sunlight detailed every feature of the figure bathed in the light of the courtyard.

Yuann Li was dressed in a sky-blue cross-collar robe, donning an official hat, his refined and handsome face with eyes deep and restrained, as if bearing the vicissitudes wrought by the passage of years.

At this moment, he walked over alone, a smile also appearing on his face.

"Mr. Yuan! It’s been days since I’ve seen you, yet your charm remains."

The moment Zhao Douan saw Yuann Li, he got up to greet him, his flattery spilling out instinctively.

The current Imperial Censor, the leader of the "Clean Stream" faction, Yuann Li shook his head with a laugh, teasing:

"It’s been days, yet Master Zhao’s words are still as smooth as ever."

If an outsider were to witness this scene, they would surely be taken aback.

To see two people, so vastly different in reputation, unexpectedly so familiar would be astonishing.

It was also surprising to see a Big Qingyi, who in front of all the officials exuded dignity and grace, joking with a junior who was leagues beneath him in status.

For the two of them, though, having not seen each other for some days, this naturally cordial exchange quickly dissipated any slight unfamiliarity.

"I dare not assume the title of ’Master Zhao’; Mr. Yuan can simply call me ’Little Zhao’."

Zhao Douan blinked and ushered him to take a seat.

Don’t get carried away!

Though his fame had risen recently, it was all superficial compared to the Imperial Censor sitting before him.

Little Zhao... Yuann Li couldn’t help but grin, stepping into the hall to take his seat.

His wide sleeves fell, adding an air of casual elegance. He remained silent, however, giving Zhao Douan a serious and scrutinizing look.

Soon after, this figure, whose mere stomping could tremble Great Yu, revealed a sense of emotional reflection:

"The last time I saw you, you were just a minor messenger fighting with the Zhang brothers. In the blink of an eye, you’ve become the ’Little King Yan’ who can dismount princesses. How long has it really been? Youth is indeed awe-inspiring."

He still remembered the "Overturning Pei" case, where Zhao Douan, initially just a pawn in the game, used a brilliant strategy to get involved in the whirlwind of the court’s political intrigue. Even with his minor position, he managed to partake in the spoils.

At that time, Yuann Li was already astonished.

Later, after sending Zhao Douan a gift as promised, Yuann Li petitioned the Empress to transfer Zhao Douan from White Horse Hall to the Imperial Court.

Even then, he wagered with the Empress in the palace but had not expected that he and Xu Zhenguan had both underestimated him.

"Mr. Yuan is too generous in his praise," Zhao Douan replied earnestly, with a respectful expression of gratitude:

"Being able to join the Imperial Court is largely thanks to Mr. Yuan’s recommendation; I must never forget this kindness."

Yuann Li waved his hands with a laughing scold:

"You’re not blaming me, so that’s good enough. Being able to stand firm in Lihua Hall is due to your capabilities. Besides, if Her Majesty hadn’t approved, my recommendation would have been useless."

Zhao Douan agreed wholeheartedly:

"Her Majesty has treated me as if I was reborn; we as subjects ought to alleviate Her Majesty’s worries with all our might."

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fгeewebnovёl.co𝙢.

Hearing his words, Yuann Li replied with a smile that was not quite a smile:

"You seem to be implying something else. Tell me, what brings you here so unexpectedly?"

While speaking, Big Qingyi reached out for his teacup, and Zhao Douan, quick to notice, handed it over. Yet, he did not answer right away.

Instead, he used the motion to cover his gaze, observing Yuann Li from the corner of his eye, and suggested with his words:

"Why don’t you take a guess, Mr. Yuan?"

Guess? Yuann Li sat back at ease, casually accepting the teacup offered with both hands by Zhao Douan.

The Big Qingyi, with many years of experience in the treacherous waters of officialdom, smiled—an obvious attempt at probing.

Bad probing can be offensive, but good probing will not.

Zhao Douan was skilled in this way and knew when and how to probe securely.

Indeed, Yuann Li did not harbor any anger and pretended to ponder for a moment before leisurely saying with a smile,

"It couldn’t possibly be for the sake of Zhou Cheng, could it?"

Zhao Douan was genuinely surprised, "Mr. Yuan knew?"

He uttered only the word "knew" but did not specify what it referred to; this was his second test.

Yuann Li, however, did not fall for it and responded with a smile,

"What should I know?"

Zhao Douan blinked rapidly, staying silent while his mind raced to think of how to reply.

He silently criticized, thinking that truly, anyone who could reach this position was a shrewd individual.

Instead of extracting any information himself, he had been outmaneuvered by the other party.

During his hesitation, Yuann Li suddenly burst into laughter, saying listlessly,

"Enough, I don’t feel like teasing you. His Majesty has instructed you to investigate Zhou Cheng, and I am well aware of it."

Zhao Douan was both surprised and not, since, according to what he knew, Zhou Cheng had a close relationship with Li Yanfu.

And weakening the "Li Party" was obviously the current joint endeavor of the Empress and Yuann Li.

He deliberately exhaled a long breath, pretending to be embarrassed,

"Mr. Yuan knew all along…"

Showing weakness appropriately was also a subtle form of flattery.

Yet Yuann Li actually praised him,

"Being cautious isn’t a bad thing; when serving Her Majesty, this is how it should be. Alright, let’s talk about the real issue. If you’re not going to investigate Zhou Cheng, then why have you come to me? Could it be that you’re at a loss on where to start? Can’t find any flaw in him? Here to try your luck?"

This inference was not difficult to make.

Although the Imperial Court of Supervision was only a monitoring agency and not adept at "investigation," Yuann Li, as the leader of the Qingliu Party, naturally knew the significant officials in the court like the back of his hand.

Just like Pei Kaizhi back in the day, so it was today with Zhou Cheng.

Yuann Li frowned and said,

"Zhou Cheng is very skilled at ingratiating himself; when eunuch Wang Zhen held power, it was precisely because of his relationship with him that he was transferred back to the capital from his post as governor.

This man is also extremely cautious, indeed making it difficult to find substantial leverage against him; in this regard, he is no less formidable than Pei Kaizhi.

However, you had Pei Kaizhi’s family and children to use against him; dealing with Zhou Cheng, I fear it won’t be so easy to replicate."

Zhao Douan asked curiously,

"Mr. Yuan, as the head of the Imperial Court of Supervision, do you not have anything on Zhou Cheng?"

Yuann Li shook his head with a self-deprecating smile, pointed at him, and humorously scolded,

"Now you’re subtly reproaching me, indeed growing bolder."

Zhao Douan grinned, knowing he was not really angry.

As expected, after Yuann Li’s teasing rebuke, he sighed gently and continued,

"It’s not that there’s absolutely nothing, just that it’s all minor issues… Anyway, with the new reign of Her Majesty, it’s also best not to bring them up now."

Zhao Douan’s heart stirred, sensing some subtext as if there might be more to it.

But since Yuann Li was obviously unwilling to go into detail, he did not press the matter.

Seeing Zhao Douan remain silent, Yuann Li thought he was troubled and couldn’t help but offer some consolation,

"In your previous cases, your speed was in part due to taking advantage of the situation and people around or using the underestimation of your abilities by others, or Pei Kaizhi’s youngest son who had his guard down against you…

After all, it stems from your bad reputation accumulated over the past year, but you can’t always rely on that. Now that you’re facing obstacles, it’s not necessarily a bad thing…"

Zhao Douan looked up, puzzled, and said with a smile,

"Mr. Yuan misunderstood, I’m not troubled because I can’t find a breakthrough."

"Oh?" asked Yuann Li in surprise, "Then what is it?"

Zhao Douan said with a smile,

"I, as an official, have just obtained evidence of Zhou Cheng’s illegal actions and wrongful killing of a significant court official. It’s presumptuous of me to come visit but I wished to report to Mr. Yuan."

Yuann Li was taken aback.

…

I’m running out of time and hastily updating, apologies for the brevity.