The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 291 - 256, the Empress granted a general amnesty, and the Commandery Princess entered the capital.

"This..." Vice General Ma hesitated and explained,

"The Young Master summoned them over tonight for an interrogation..."

Zhao Douan raised an eyebrow and understood the situation after a moment.

It turned out that the Young Master, after being deeply shaken by the firearms drill during the day, mulled it over and invited the group of young military officers who had been expelled in the evening.

Officially, it was a small gathering, but in reality, he shared what he had seen during the day.

And dug to the root, interrogating these people about why they harbored such strong ill will toward Zhao Douan.

And where those rumors originated from.

As it turned out, just when they had started to get a lead, the imperial guard showed up.

"Tap tap tap."

At this moment, as the procession halted, a horse following behind circumvented the group, its hooves striking the bluestone tiles, producing a crisp sound.

The son of Duke Zhen Guo, Tang Ping, held the reins in his hand, sitting on the horse, came closer, looking at Zhao Douan with a complex expression:

"Master Zhao."

This address, however, lacked the pride and anger of the day; instead, it carried remorse and dejection.

The usually dashing "Young Master," now atop his steed, looked instead like a disheartened, defeated dog.

Zhao Douan taunted:

"How come the Young Master has also come along."

He turned his head and sternly addressed Vice General Ma:

"You are to arrest the suspects, how come you’ve brought the Duke Zhen Guo Mansion’s son here?"

The deputy general was about to explain but was interrupted by Tang Ping.

He suddenly dismounted, shaking his head and holding his neck stiffly, said:

"It has nothing to do with him, I insisted on coming along, I had to see the outcome to be at peace."

After a brief pause, Tang Ping, deflated and leading his horse, spoke in a low voice, like a defeated dog, mockingly:

"I have interrogated them clearly, many of the rumors they told me about Master Zhao, were baseless and greatly exaggerated. As a military officer in the camp, I failed to discern properly, and should be punished.

I, Tang Ping, am not a sore loser. You stripped me of my official robe earlier, and I felt unjustified, but now I see, the punishment was not without reason. According to the military law of the camp, for confusing others with false rumors, and wavering the troops’ morale, being stripped of merits and rank is deserved.

Since we fortuitously met tonight, it is a good opportunity to openly apologize. After today, I won’t trouble you over this matter again."

He finished speaking in one breath, with a stern face.

Tang Ping led his horse and made to return to the procession.

Evidently, this incident had deeply taught the Young Master, who had had everything going his way for more than twenty years, a profound lesson.

However, the son of the Duke’s face was still so stiff that even while apologizing, it seemed as though it would shatter into eight pieces if it fell to the ground.

"Wait a moment!"

Zhao Douan, while on his horse, suddenly spoke.

The once arrogant Tang Ping paused and turned his head with a frown:

"Does Master Zhao have more to say?"

Zhao Douan asked out of curiosity:

"I would like to ask, what does the Young Master plan to do in the future?"

Tang Ping blinked, shaking his head, said:

"No plans for the moment, if worse comes to worst, I’ll leave the Capital after some time to join the border army."

Zhao Douan said:

"Now, with the Divine Mechanism Camp’s firearm upgrade, it’s the right time for recruitment, and I am short-staffed. If you are still willing to serve the country, you may report to the camp on your own tomorrow."

He glanced at the military officers under the supervision of the imperial guard and indifferently added:

"After investigation, those among them who are cleared of suspicion and whom you deem still useful, can also be reported to Shi Meng, to be reinstated to their posts."

Tang Ping stood there stunned.

Yet Zhao Douan had already spurred his horse, tap tap tap straight away, disappearing into the darkness of the Capital’s night.

…

…

In the Imperial Palace, Yangxin Hall.

"Your Majesty, you’ve returned."

Mo Chou, waiting outside the sleeping chamber, respectfully said:

"Minister Xue has sent someone with a message..."

"Discuss it in the study," Xu Zhenguan said indifferently as she returned to her chamber.

From the moment she stepped into the Imperial Palace, the emotions stirred up in Jizhao Temple were smoothed over.

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Inside the royal study.

Mo Chou reported in sequence the series of follow-up orders concerning Wang Heng’s downfall, and the news presented by Xue Shence that the involved traitors had all been arrested.

She continued:

"Some priests from the Heavenly Master Mansion left a few survivors and threw them in the Divine Mechanism Camp, and now people have been sent to transfer them to the Imperial Prison. How to deal with them, Your Majesty, please decide."

Xu Zhenguan leaned back in her dragon chair, looking at the lampshade on the table covered with bright yellow silk, and said absentmindedly:

"Proceed with the usual interrogation."

"Yes," Mo Chou replied, then cautiously added:

"Your Majesty, how should the continuation of this matter be made public to the court officials? Should it be announced at the morning court tomorrow..."

"Blame it on the Kuangfu Society," Xu Zhenguan said, somewhat tiredly. Then, as if she had made a certain decision, she continued:

"At the same time, draft a document to be issued to all government offices in the court, saying..."

She paused, then spoke softly:

"Say that I am aware that there are those in court who have secretly communicated with rebels and have not yet been eradicated, with tomorrow as the deadline.

Everything in the past, whether secret communication with the rebel party or alliance with others, will no longer be pursued by me.

After tomorrow, any further secret communications will be regarded as enemies against me, unpardonable."

"Instruct the Privy Council, aside from the bugs exposed today, there’s no need to implicate others."

"Command the Imperial Court to burn all materials related to the investigation of the courtiers who secretly communicated with rebels."

Mo Zhaorong was stunned, as if she hadn’t heard clearly, she incredulously said,

"Your Majesty, are you declaring a general amnesty?"

She immediately thought of Wang Heng’s words at the banquet.

Her guess was that His Majesty was moved and thus extended amnesty to the court officials.

For a moment, she was overwhelmed by this magnanimity and couldn’t help saying,

"Your Majesty, by doing this, I’m afraid many may not appreciate it and may not be willing to believe."

Xu Zhenguan, however, smiled and shook his head, saying,

"Whether they believe or not, it matters not to me. I only seek peace of mind. If it can cause another Wang Heng to realize his errors and return to the right path, what difficulty is there in releasing some people?"

A clear stream harbors no fish, and a vigilant man has no followers...

She mused over Zhao Douan’s words in her heart, and all the frustration in her chest was suddenly vented, leaving her empty.

Her state of mind seemed even more clear and transparent.

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Mo Chou looked up, full of longing and admiration, gazing at the Empress, her mind fluttering as she softly said,

"Your Majesty’s grandeur is a blessing for all the people."

Xu Zhenguan laughed and waved her off, "Go on with your duties, I’m tired too."

Mo Chou hummed in acknowledgment, then suddenly remembered something and added,

"Your Majesty, there’s one more thing I need to tell you."

"Oh?"

"A document just came in from below. The daughter of Prince Huaian, Commandery Princess Xu Junling, is soon to arrive in the Capital.

She is said to be coming for the once-in-a-century ’Buddhist Tao Duel’. Taking into account the time this message was delayed on the road, I suppose her arrival is not far off."

Xu Zhenguan was slightly surprised, "Junling is coming..."

Mo Chou expressed her concerns,

"Your Majesty, although every Buddhist Tao Duel attracts many to the Capital to watch, right after the announcement of the new policies and the initial stabilization of the court, for Prince Huaian to send his famously talented Commandery Princess here, it may not be just for the excitement."

Prince Huaian, Xu An.

He was one of the so-called "Eight Princes" talked about in the common folk, with his mansion located on the Huai River, in the wealthy region of Jiangnan.

Although his power was far less than that of the foremost of the Eight Princes, Prince Jing, he was by no means a simple character.

Prince Huaian had two famous children, his eldest son Xu Qian and his daughter Xu Junling.

Among them, the Commandery Princess was the most well-known.

The Huai River area was affluent, and scholarly pursuits were highly valued. This Commandery Princess of Huaian was extremely talented, proficient in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and she was much favored by her father, the Prince.

Although a woman, she was the relied-on right-hand man of Prince Huaian.

To a certain extent, she could represent her father.

Her esteemed position was evident.

"It’s all right," Xu Zhenguan pondered for a moment, smiled, and said softly,

"Is our great Capital of Great Yu afraid of being brought down by onlookers? The last time Junling came to the Capital was years ago, and now things have changed, I wonder how she’s turned out."

After a pause, she looked out the window with some regret, saying,

"What a pity, this uncle of mine only agreed to send a Commandery Princess and not allow his eldest son to come to the Capital."

Mo Chou also looked out the window, thinking,

It’s not just Prince Huaian, but which of the other Princes would dare to send their heirs anywhere near the Capital so lightly?

But... with the Buddhist Tao Duel approaching, those coming to the Capital to see this grand event may well be more than just the Commandery Princess.

The rustling of the wind...

The autumn wind picked up, scattering the night.

...

Far outside the Capital, on a certain official road.

Two horse carriages broke through the autumn breeze.

The wheels churned up the muddy ruts of the dirt road, carrying with them two yellowing autumn leaves, the crisp sound of their bells tinged with a hint of desolation.

The shaking curtain of the carriage was let down.

Xu Junling pulled her gaze back from the distant woods, where the leaves fell like rain.

Feeling the colder and rougher breeze compared to that of the Huai River, brushing against her delicate and breakable face,

Her little hand tightened the richly woven fabric around her neck, softly saying,

"The endless autumn trees whirl about... The northward wind is indeed different from that of Jiangnan."

Her maid Lv Shui laughed and said,

"The Commandery Princess is making poetry again, what a pity it’s only half complete."

"Poetry is naturally formed, one captures it by chance. If it were vulgar and mediocre, one could produce it at will, but the good ones are hard to come by. Even half a line is not easy," lamented Xu Junling.

Lv Shui giggled,

"The Commandery Princess is lecturing me again, just like a tutor at home."

The Commandery Princess, wrapped in a finely knitted beautiful dress, did not resemble Prince Huaian; instead, she bore a resemblance to the young Princess Consort Huai’an.

Her features were sweet, especially her face as smooth as a peeled egg, moist and glossy.

Her skin was nurtured by the climate of the Huai River, seemingly able to squeeze out water.

Yet her demeanor was dignified and elegant, composed even amid laughter with her maid, not showing her teeth.

She playfully pretended to strike with the rolled-up book in her hand.

Hearing the laughter from outside was an old man in plain robes who was driving the carriage and chuckled,

"Miss last came to the Capital during the springtime, and it was summer by the time she returned; naturally, she is unfamiliar with this autumn wind. The Capital is still good, but further north, it truly contrasts sharply with the south."

Xu Junling held the utmost respect for this old man named Lv, who had been invited by her father to ensure her safety, and earnestly said,

"I have been raised on the Huai River since I was young, seldom traveling far, so I can’t compare with Master Lv’s wide experience. If I could travel across the whole region, north to south, in my lifetime, that would be worthwhile."

Driving the carriage, the old man chuckled,

"The Commandery Princess is precious and should be nourished by the lakeside. Venturing to areas of bitter cold would only ruin her. An old Cultivation Martial Artist like myself, on the other hand, needs to be tempered by the elements."

Xu Junling asked curiously,

"I’ve read in books that the Grand Ancestor Emperor walked the lands on foot in the past to temper his martial arts and paved the way for future generations. I remember that during those times of contention between Buddhism and Taoism, they were overshadowed by our Imperial Family of Xu."