The Empress's No.1 Lackey

Chapter 982 - 556: Zhao Douan’s Scheme (5k)

Only three teams continued heading north, and as time slowly passed, Nie Yurong’s Communication Paper Crane never brought any good news.

Yongjia City.

Government office back courtyard.

Zhao Shixiong, slightly short in stature with a beard covering his cheeks but an imposing presence, paced within the room.

Gongsun, tall and voluptuous with a graceful figure, sat at the table and couldn’t help but say, "Master, we cannot go back! Xu Jingtang has already become suspicious of you. Previously, when the Eastern Front requested aid, Mu Prince ordered us to remain stationary! Now, there’s a letter asking you to leave the troops in the city and return alone in haste! This is definitely a trap!"

Zhao Shixiong halted his steps, turned to look at his wife, and sighed long into the sky, "How could I not understand? Is this Mu Prince becoming suspicious of me? But I’m not sure whether he recalls me to take action against me or merely to test me. If I do not heed his summons back, it might spur even more suspicion!"

Between the couple, on the round table, lay a token.

A few days ago, a token from the Prince arrived from the south, urgently summoning Zhao Shixiong back.

Coincidentally, Yuan Feng from the north, somehow just so happens to be staging an attack posture by the Yongjia River.

Zhao Shixiong was already hesitant, fearing danger, and conveniently used the excuse of preparing to fight to stall for time.

But stalling has its limits; once the days of stalling accrue too long, it solidifies the accusation of resisting a recall.

"Ultimately, it’s that little scoundrel Zhao Douan who’s truly malicious!" Zhao Shixiong cursed angrily, "Who would have thought he would go to such great lengths just to frame and alienate me from Mu Prince?! No wonder Grand Tutor Zhuang frequently mentioned to me back then that this person is vicious, dark-hearted, ruthless in action, dirty in means, cunning and adaptable... Later, even Grand Tutor Zhuang fell victim to him. I originally didn’t quite believe it, thinking it was only the methods of the Fake Emperor, and this person was just executing them. Now it seems... alas!"

That night, upon receiving a blank letter, Zhao Shixiong immediately realized he had been entrapped.

In desperation, he urgently sent a letter back, trying to inform Xu Jingtang of everything first to avoid suspicion.

But evidently, judging from the subsequent changes, his efforts yielded little effect.

Gongsun gritted her teeth and said, "Mu Prince is suspicious. If he were wise, such petty and inferior framing wouldn’t be effective."

Zhao Shixiong shook his head with a bitter smile, "I know Xu Jingtang is no benevolent ruler, yet despite having all sorts of flaws, he’s ultimately better than the Fake Emperor who killed his father and brothers."

Pausing, this Border Army General spoke solemnly:

"I wish to go back, not merely to prevent misunderstandings from growing, but because Ke’er is still in Xu Jingtang’s hands. If I don’t return, I fear Ke’er will suffer grievances."

Gongsun immediately fell silent and said no more.

Gongsun was Zhao Shixiong’s second wife; Zhao Ke was not her daughter, making them stepmother and stepdaughter.

Hence, Gongsun tread carefully, knowing the issue revolved around Zhao Ke’s safety, leaving her unable to persuade further.

Just at this moment.

Suddenly, footsteps and knocking were heard from outside: "General! Miss... Miss is here!"

The couple inside was momentarily stunned; Zhao Shixiong strode forward, swung the doors open, and stared at the trusted aide outside: "Who did you say arrived?"

The trusted aide replied, "It’s the Miss! Miss Ke’er! There are a few Jianghu people of unknown origin, escorting the miss to sneak into the city, directly to the government office outside, requesting to meet you."

...

A moment later.

"Father!"

Zhao Ke’er stepped into the government office’s inner hall and saw her father and second mother standing at the doorway; her eyes immediately turned red, and she uttered a cry of anguish, running into her father’s arms like a fledgling bird returning to the nest.

The journey north was fraught with peril, though ultimately uneventful, yet hardships of wind and food in the wilderness were unavoidable.

Zhao Ke’er, the sole daughter of the General Mansion, had never endured such hardships; now cloaked, her face had grown considerably thinner.

Seeing her father, she finally stopped worrying and crying as tears flowed uncontrollably like a flood.

Zhao Shixiong was initially surprised, but upon seeing his daughter’s state, his heart ached profoundly.

After a good comforting session, he began inquiring about the situation.

"Father, that Xu Jingtang knows about you and the court’s affair, and is planning to deal with you! He even wants to capture me to vent his anger!"

Once Zhao Ke’er calmed, she began crying loudly, recounting her experiences quickly.

Upon hearing Mu Prince Manor increasing surveillance over the daughter and later attempting to tarnish... Zhao Shixiong, a dignified Border Army General, trembled with rage.

Even though Gongsun was shocked and angry, she was more concerned about subsequent details: "How did you escape?"

Zhao Ke wiped her tears and said puzzledly, "It was Zhao Douan who sent people to rescue me. Father, didn’t you know? Weren’t they dispatched by you to pick me up?"

When did I pledge allegiance to the court? Even assigned that guy...

Zhao Shixiong was momentarily dumbfounded, his mind temporarily overloaded, but given his nature, he quickly understood something, his expression growing immensely complicated: "It’s him..."

Gongsun furrowed her brows as well.

"Father, stepmother. The righteous companions who escorted me back are still outside, they should be invited in." Zhao Ke’er said.

"Righteous? Not Shadow Guard?" Zhao Shixiong was momentarily stunned; if they were Zhao Douan’s personnel, shouldn’t they be the court’s enforcers?

"No, they’re from Kuangfu Society... Oh, it’s too complex, you’ll know when you call Yun Xi in." Zhao Ke’er, through her journey, had become familiar with the Kuangfu Society’s group.

Kuangfu Society people? Acting under Zhao Douan’s orders? Rescuing my daughter?

Zhao Shixiong’s mind buzzed, feeling all this were ragingly bizarre, yet he still decided to call them in.

Soon, led by Yun Xi, a group entered the hall.

"General Zhao, we meet again." Yun Xi removed her hat and spoke calmly.

Zhao Shixiong was stunned for a moment: "It’s you! Grandmaster Zhuang’s prize disciple!"

Yun Xi shook her head and said, "I am now a subordinate of Commander Zhao."