The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 172 - 152, I report to Your Majesty that I have fulfilled my mission, and Zhou Cheng and his followers have been captured.

"Clip-clop, clip-clop."

The sound of horse hooves struck the spacious bluestone road as Zhao Douan, full of spirit, arrived at the foot of the Imperial City.

The imperial guard manning the gate instinctively stepped forward to stop him, but upon recognizing the man atop the horse, their expressions turned to that of seeing a ghost:

"Zhao... Lord Zhao? Weren’t you supposed to be in..."

What he meant to say was, weren’t you supposed to be in prison?

Or standing trial in court, how come you appear here all of a sudden, looking nothing like a prisoner?

Had he escaped from prison? An absurd thought arose...

"Hehe, spare me the nonsense, I have urgent matters to report to His Majesty, make way at once."

Zhao Douan couldn’t be bothered to explain and left the guard with the backside of his horse, breezing his way into the city.

It’s just that while the Imperial City was easy to enter, he was stopped at the palace gate.

He had to wait patiently for someone to announce his arrival. Zhao Douan was in no rush, waiting with his horse, while the palace guards looked at him repeatedly, wondering what he might be up to.

At this moment, a carriage rolled out from the wide-open gates, and Zhao Douan paused, curiously asking:

"Who is coming out?"

Inside the palace, foreign officials are not allowed to ride carriages.

But if it were the old Emperor’s concubines or female officials traveling, the style and model of the carriage didn’t fit.

The guarding soldier explained:

"This morning, Grandmaster Dong entered the palace for an audience and is now leaving. His Majesty, out of compassion for the Grandmaster’s advanced age and difficulty walking, specially permitted him to ride a carriage inside the palace."

Grandmaster Dong?

One of the "Three Dukes," the Grand Scholar in charge of the Hanlin Academy?

The very same Dong the Great Scholar who almost became in-laws with the Xue family, the great scholar of our age?

Zhao Douan was somewhat surprised.

The Hanlin Academy was a place for nurturing talent; in the past, Imperial Authorized Grand Scholars were almost a reserve force for the position of Prime Minister.

However, over time it evolved, and now, although the Hanlin Academy is separate from the cabinet, this Grandmaster Dong’s status was still not to be underestimated.

Although his power was not great, his prestige was indeed high, a leading figure in the literary world of Great Yu. His interpretations of the Saint’s classics were compulsory reading for imperial examination students, and many of his essays and poems were known to every household.

He could be considered the foremost guardian of the "cultural pulse" of the Great Yu Dynasty.

Some even said that Grandmaster Dong could potentially be titled a "Sub-Saint" in the literary field...

However, after the Xuan Sect political upheaval, because he had sided with the Empress during her ascension, his prestige suffered greatly.

He was criticized by many literati, and although the Capital was still supportive, in territories far from the imperial court center governed by the Eight Princes, he faced severe backlash.

Yet, despite the mixed praise and criticism, even those who denounced him admitted to looking up to his achievements in literature.

The carriage had now entered the gate, and Zhao Douan, following etiquette, stood aside with his horse, bowing his head in respect

- better not to provoke a Great Scholar renowned throughout the land.

However, the carriage suddenly stopped, and a servant from the Dong family came forth:

"Is this Lord Zhao? The Grandmaster invites you."

Me? I?

Zhao Douan was momentarily stunned.

To his memory, he had never had any interaction with the other man.

Indeed, Zhao Douan had little to no contact with the scholarly circle of Great Yu...

What could Dong the Scholar possibly want with me... Zhao Douan approached cautiously, coming to the side of the carriage, only to see the curtain already lifted.

An old man with white hair sat upright, exuding the imposing aura of a Confucian grandmaster, wearing a bright red scholar’s robe with a stern face and sharp, spirited eyes.

He seemed to be examining this rising star favored by the Empress.

"Subordinate Officer Zhao Douan, at your service, Grandmaster," Zhao Douan greeted with a bow.

Grandmaster Dong’s expression did not show pleasure or anger, his demeanor calm and composed, slowly said:

"No need for formalities. Today, during my audience, His Majesty spoke highly of you. By chance, I wished to meet and see you."

Zhao Douan was very cautious:

"Just a few minor achievements, to be praised by His Majesty, I am deeply humbled."

Grandmaster Dong ’hmm’ed in approval at his response and said:

"There is no need to be overly modest. The deeds you have accomplished recently have come to my ears as well. Your methods may be a tad unorthodox, but at your age, you indeed deserve the title of an ’able official.’"

Zhao Douan remained silent, waiting for what would follow.

With his experience, he knew that when a figure of such status began a conversation this way, they often intended to temper praise with a forthcoming ’but.’

As expected, after a few commendations, Grandmaster Dong changed his tune:

"But... relying solely on the art of influence without regard for reputation might make you fit to be a soldier, but not a general.

Since you come from a military background and now serve at the Imperial Court, you must surely know that all great commanders throughout history have been well-versed in both literary and military arts...

If you had devoted yourself to the martial path, focusing solely on cultivation, I would not have said anything.

The path of martial arts, when followed to its peak, can make one a Grandmaster, a true way. You could go into the military to fight and train or travel and cultivate in Jianghu.

But... since you have chosen the path of an official, you must know when to advance and when to retreat, and read more books.

Swords may be fine, but to govern as an official and bring peace to a nation, one cannot merely rely on swords; true reliance lies with the literary arts. I have said what needed to be said, now reflect on it."

Having spoken, the Grand Scholar closed his eyes. His servant drew the curtains, and the carriage rattled toward the palace exit.

Leaving Zhao Douan standing there, first bewildered, then ruminating.

At first glance, this unsolicited advice seemed like that of an elder urging a junior to read more to ascend to greater heights.

But upon closer examination, the underlying meaning seemed to be a warning.

A warning to him:

In the court, those who truly reach high positions are mostly literati.

Despite the world having mysterious and great powers, the governance of a nation is ultimately not the forte of the military. The administration, legal systems, proprieties, fostering intellect, agriculture, trade...

From strategies of governing a nation to the dividing of interests in a village or county, all rely on scholars.

Zhao Douan, born a martial artist and not pursuing a military career incapable of taking the path through the Privy Council or the Ministry of War,

could at most aspire to a position like Ma Yan’s.

"Is he reminding me not to harbor delusions of grandeur just because I’m favored by His Majesty, trying to become a powerful ’authority’ like the eunuch Wang Zhen from the past?

Hmm, in terms I’m more familiar with, he’s warning me to understand my place..."

Zhao Douan had a strange expression on his face.

He wanted to say, "Grandmaster, you might have misunderstood something."

This content is taken from fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm.

"I never thought about pursuing a career as an official... to be some sort of power minister..."

The merits and promotions he earned now were merely to accumulate a sense of security for himself while he was still vulnerable.

It didn’t mean that he really wanted to become a famous official and shine in a certain position.

If he had to state his goals, one would be martial arts cultivation, to experience a different kind of scenery.

For instance, to become a "Martial God" or something...

The other was to conquer the Empress... ahem, from this perspective, it’s no wonder Grandmaster Dong misunderstood him.

After all, Zhao Douan’s current actions indeed seemed to be heading in the direction of becoming the Empress’s favored minister.

And historically, there were frequent examples of favored ministers like him evolving into cunning and sycophantic officials.

As for the other thing he wanted to say, that was:

"I have read quite a lot, alright? Why does everyone seem to think I lack knowledge and don’t understand the ways of the literati..."

Zhao Douan felt helpless.

That’s how Yuann Li was, and so was this Grandmaster Dong.

"Forget it, think whatever you want," Zhao Douan said, too lazy to explain.

...

...

In the royal garden, inside a cool pavilion,

"Your Majesty, Mr. Zhao has arrived."

Accompanied by the announcement of a female attendant, Xu Zhenguan smiled and beckoned him to come in.

Soon, Zhao Douan, tall and strikingly handsome, clad in a Master’s official robe, stepped forward:

"This servant, has come to report back."

Immediately thereafter, he heard the Empress’s voice, chilly yet with a hint of laughter:

"Come and sit."

Her voice was very distinctive.

It wasn’t soft like a Jiangnan woman’s, nor was it robust like a northern woman’s. When she spoke gravely, her majesty was such that no one dared to desecrate her.

At such times as this, when her mood was pleasant, even a simple sentence seemed like an invisible hand, slipping into one’s ears and touching their heart.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Zhao Douan bowed and took his seat.

He settled in the spot that Grandmaster Dong had just vacated, then raised his head to once again see the flawless face of the Empress in white up close.

Xu Zhenguan’s long black hair hung loosely, with not a single piece of jewelry in sight.

Beneath her aquiline nose, her lips were full; above it, her eyes were like stars in the night sky.

Now she was smiling; and while being stared at, she didn’t become shy or annoyed like ordinary women would but instead pointed to the chessboard:

"Would you like to have a game with me?"

Zhao Douan came back to his senses, aware that he had just lost his composure, and hurriedly said with respect:

"As you command."

And so, in the midsummer pavilion, the monarch and her official began to quietly place their chess pieces.

However, it was clear that neither was focused on the game. The moves they made were standard, nothing extraordinary, after a dozen or so.

Xu Zhenguan then teased with a smile:

"When the eunuch returned to inform the palace just now, I knew you were likely on your way."

Zhao Douan pretended not to hear the jest and said earnestly:

"Though others have relayed the message, since the case of Zhou Cheng was a mission assigned by Your Majesty, as a servant appointed by the Emperor, I was duty-bound to report back."

Xu Zhenguan was quite pleased with this, for she already knew the process, so she simply asked:

"I had thought that if everything went smoothly, you would be able to clear the slander. Now it seems, you were released on the spot?"

Zhao Douan, very seriously:

"Mr. Yuan and the Ministry of Justice made a fair judgment, and with Your Majesty watching over, naturally they wouldn’t let a loyal official be falsely accused."

Xu Zhenguan’s lips curled into a smile. Despite already having experienced his slick words, for him to boldly call himself a "loyal official," and yet in one sentence commend everyone involved... still...

Pretending not to know, she inquired:

"Oh? So Zhou Cheng tried to interfere?"

This part of the story wasn’t reported by the little eunuch.

Zhao Douan nodded and then shook his head:

"He attempted, but failed."

The Empress at this moment did not understand the true meaning of his word "failed."

As she placed a piece on the board, she said:

"Good that he failed.

Nonetheless, I am very satisfied with your methods this time. To insert yourself into the situation, using your personal grievances with him to lure Zhou Cheng into making a move against you... Even if the painting as evidence was somewhat insufficient, it seems enough for a debate.

But I don’t quite understand how you came up with this method. Could it be that you secretly revealed this weakness to him to bait him?

With Zhou Cheng’s caution, he was actually fooled by you?

Heh, I must find him later for a clear explanation."

She was puzzled.

After all, with Pei Kaizhi as a precedent, it was unexpected that Zhou Cheng didn’t exercise enough caution against Zhao Douan.

Yet, Zhao Douan answered calmly:

"I’m afraid he won’t be able to meet with Your Majesty anymore."

"Oh? Why is that?" Xu Zhenguan’s beautiful eyes showed surprise as her pretty eyebrows furrowed.

Zhao Douan picked up a black stone and placed it on the board, declaring:

"Because, with the help of a case from thirteen years ago, I obtained evidence of Zhou Cheng’s corruption and miscarriage of justice, enough to condemn him ten times over. I announced it on the spot, and Mr. Yuan along with the Ministry of Justice took up the case.

Given the gravity of the case, Zhou Cheng and many officials from the Ministry of Justice have been arrested...

My visit today is to report this matter to Your Majesty. As for Zhou Cheng, his fate is sealed."

Xu Zhenguan picked up a white stone, which suddenly slipped from her hand, clattering back into the box with a soft "pop."

The smile at the corner of her mouth froze as she stared blankly at Zhao Douan across from her:

"You... say that again?!"