The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 570 - 419. Officially announce the Imperial Consort, promoted to third-rank (5k)_3

Tonight, the priest from the Heavenly Master Mansion performed a ritual, and there was not a bit of cold wind or even a cloud over the entire Capital.

Moonlight poured over her face, her radiant beauty even surpassing the brightness of the moon in the sky.

"It is difficult to establish authority, but very easy to destroy it. Just recently, His Majesty used the case of Cao Mao to establish the image of a wise ruler. At this juncture, if he forcefully protects a notorious flatterer like me, it could easily be used against him, undoing the hard-won image he has built."

Zhao Douan also gazed at the lively lantern market in the city, speaking softly.

Xu Zhenguan was startled, she turned her head, staring dazedly at Junior Guardian Zhao's resolute profile.

In the darkness, her eyes were bright, holding complex emotions that were hard to describe:

"How confident are you...?"

Zhao Douan turned his head back, smiled slightly, and said, "Is Your Majesty worried about your subject?"

Xu Zhenguan turned her head away, avoiding his heated gaze:

"I'm only worried that you'll bite your tongue in the wind. In the end, I'll have to clean up the mess for you."

Zhao Douan laughed, "How could I be reckless without any confidence?"

Xu Zhenguan turned back, looking at him in surprise, "You have an idea?"

"Yes," Zhao Douan became serious and continued:

"My enmity with Zhuang Xiaocheng, I've long wanted to settle personally. I originally planned to take action after the New Year. Before this, I had arranged for an exchange of captives with the Kuangfu Society, and it has been quite some time since those captives returned to the Kuangfu Society. Earlier, a spy named Wu Ling, whom I sent back, also returned with a critical piece of intelligence a few days ago. By corroborating it with information from other Shadow Guards, I have roughly identified the location of the Kuangfu Society's headquarters; Zhuang Xiaocheng should be stationed there."

"Where is it?"

"Marine Road, Feng City. It's not far from the border with Linfeng Road, within the jurisdiction of one of the two prefectures of Marine Road."

The Empress was momentarily stunned, raising her eyebrows:

"Zhuang Xiaocheng is actually hiding in Marine Road?"

This was beyond her expectations; over the past two years, despite investigations by the Shadow Guards, they had never been able to pinpoint the headquarters of the Kuangfu Society.

Zhao Douan said:

"I'm preparing to gather people after the New Year and capture this thief. Once their leader Zhuang Xiaocheng is caught, the entire Kuangfu Society will inevitably fall apart. Even if we can't catch them all at once, without a central command, they will be nothing more than a group of petty bandits not worth worrying about."

Xu Zhenguan's breathing quickened slightly, "How many troops do you need?"

Zhao Douan shook his head, "This matter shouldn't be conducted openly to avoid startling the enemy. I'll take some experts and quietly arrive there. I just ask for a mobilization order from Your Majesty so I can call upon the military officials of Marine Road to cooperate."

"Granted!"

Xu Zhenguan did not hesitate. After a pause, she suddenly flipped her hand, revealing a piece of soft armor:

"The Six Talismans Treasure Armor was damaged by the Da Jing last time; it has now been repaired and returned to you."

Zhao Douan quickly accepted it, storing it in a space scroll. This armor once saved his life, making it truly valuable.

Xu Zhenguan's fair hand flipped again, presenting an earth-yellow treasure bead:

"There's no extra Transmission Jade in the palace, so take this transmission treasure bead. Although it can't return you to the Capital, if you're in life-threatening danger, crushing it can randomly transport you over a thousand miles away, potentially saving your life."

A great item indeed... Zhao Douan's eyes lit up, and his confidence in surviving increased once more.

Coupled with the Mystic Turtle Seal in his possession, strange items like the Buddhist Green Lotus, and the possibility of calling Pei Niannu to cheat in extreme circumstances... in terms of methods, he is already very difficult to kill.

However, to capture Zhuang Xiaocheng, it's quite difficult relying solely on himself. Besides mobilizing troops, he must also gather a few experts of the Worldly Realm.

But this time he doesn't plan to request Eunuch Hai's help again, but rather has another target in mind.

This is also one reason he still needs to remain in the Capital a while longer.

"Your Majesty?"

In the quiet atmosphere on the city wall, after a brief silence between the two, Zhao Douan spoke again.

"Hmm?"

"Speaking of us two..."

"Stop your nonsense! Aren't you going back to accompany your family?"

"I told them not to leave the door open for me tonight..." Zhao Douan smirked playfully, suddenly sensing something and turned to look towards the Heavenly Master Mansion.

Xu Zhenguan was even quicker, gazing towards the Heavenly Master Mansion.

...

...

Heavenly Master Mansion.

It was equally lively tonight; the Old Heavenly Master Zhang Yan Yi made a rare appearance, gathering with many priests.

However, the two Zhu Dian children of this generation did not attend.

As the banquet neared its end, Zhang Yan Yi, seated at the main position, tall in stature and with narrow eyebrows, suddenly raised his brow and smiled:

"Double happiness comes."

Beside him, the naturally fierce-looking Little Heavenly Master Zhong Pan drank a large bowl of wine, his eyes brightened in surprise:

"Master, could it be the two junior disciples..."

Zhang Yan Yi nodded slightly.

A few priests present also noticed.

Before long, two people walked in from outside the hall, surprisingly they were the petite, mysterious girl Jin Jian, and the short, chubby, and untidy Gongshu Tianyuan.

Their faces were glowing with a mysterious aura as they walked, faintly behind them each floated an extremely subtle imaginary divine presence.

"Disciples pay respect to Master," Gongshu Tianyuan and Jin Jian bowed in unison, "We have entered the Worldly Realm."

The priests were greatly astonished; they knew the two were striving for a breakthrough, yet did not expect their simultaneous promotion tonight.

"Congratulations to the Heavenly Master Mansion for adding Worldly Realm members," several priests stood up to celebrate.

Zhang Yan Yi chuckled, his eyes full of emotion, and said:

"Since you have entered the Worldly Realm, next year you should plan to travel and cultivate; have you any thoughts?"

The Senior Brother Zhong Pan chuckled: "If you're unsure where to go, you can accompany me."

Jin Jian and Gongshu Tianyuan exchanged a glance, shook their heads, and spoke in unison:

"We already have a destination."

...

On the same New Year's Eve.

Jiancheng Road, Prince Jing Mansion.

A family feast had just concluded, Prince Jing came alone to the study, fed himself a hangover pill, and closed his eyes for a moment.

Then he opened them, looking at the leader of the secret spies waiting in the room: "Speak."

The Royal Mansion spy said:

"Confirmed, the Shipping Governor has written, next year the court will successively appoint new officials to replace vacancies and implement the New Policy."

Prince Jing sneered:

"My niece has indeed become bolder, having successfully opened Hu Ting Market and resolved the National Treasury's urgent need, she is now impatiently trying to extend her reach into my territory."

The spy hesitated and said: "Prince, each family is dissatisfied with the New Policy, could we possibly use their influence to render the appointed officials powerless?"

Prince Jing, however, shook his head, thought for a moment, and said:

"It's not feasible. Officials and civilians are ultimately different. Wasn't the Shipping Governor just an empty position? And what now? This matter requires more thought; perhaps attempting 'spiritual resurrection' is possible. Hmph, my niece wants to elevate new officials to counterbalance me, but what if the officials she elevates are actually loyal to me?"

Although he said this, accomplishing it requires meticulous planning.

After a pause, he wrote a note and handed it to the latter: "Go."

"Yes."

The latter withdrew.

After they left, footsteps were heard outside the door, and the study door opened, revealing the gentle face of Princess Consort Lu Yan'er.

"Why have you come?" Prince Jing asked in surprise.

Princess Consort's expression was normal, she opened her hand to request healing pills, indicating the previous ones were finished.

Prince Jing did not suspect anything.

Moments later, the princess turned and left. She walked within the Royal Mansion, hearing the distant sound of firecrackers, holding the porcelain bottle of pills, contemplating the words she had overheard.

"Wait a bit longer, determine the direction, then report to Mr. Zhao."

...

Marine Road, a region under Feng City.

In a certain manor, members of the Kuangfu Society had also gathered for a rare meeting.

Beneath a certain eave, Yun Xi hugged her knees, sitting on the cold steps, gazing at the moon in the sky.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded behind her:

"Yun Xi? The Grand Tutor calls for you."

...

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