The Empress's No.1 Lackey

Chapter 997 - 562: Water Melody Presented to the Empress

The door closed, and the Empress, maintaining her dignified posture, also shed her ’outer garment.’ Her fair face with slender eyebrows curved like the moon.

With a playful smile, she asked, "How long have you been waiting?"

Actually, I just arrived... Zhao Douan squeezed out a reassuring smile, "Waiting a bit doesn’t matter."

Hmm, appropriately showing some hardship—a habit of instinctual misfortune exaggeration.

Xu Zhenguan waved his hand for him to sit, then walked to the curio shelf, lifting a jade box with her slender hands.

Opening the lid, inside were golden dried chrysanthemums. The Empress grasped a pinch in her palm, then turned to uncover the teapot on the table, pouring in the chrysanthemum tea, a specialty of Yu Country.

After a while, the Empress personally brewed tea and filled a cup for Zhao Douan.

"Your Majesty..." Zhao Douan was flattered and startled.

Yet her gaze held him down. She leisurely placed the Dragon Pattern Chrysanthemum Tea lightly in front of him, and softly said:

"Today you are the meritorious one; I should serve you."

What kind of service? Can it be another kind... Zhao Douan’s thoughts wandered, and he mused:

"Perhaps, should I come again at night?"

"Hmm?" Xu Zhenguan was momentarily stunned, unable to react, but facing his playful eyes, she immediately understood, her jade-like face blushing, habitually responding with sharp retort:

"I don’t have a habit of playing with puppets."

Indeed... This body, though appearing like an ordinary person, lacks essential internal organs... Zhao Douan felt as if doused with cold water, extinguished his improper thoughts, and, assuming a righteous gentleman’s demeanor, frowned and said:

"What were you thinking, Your Majesty? During the full moon of Mid-Autumn, I just want to enjoy the scenery with Your Majesty."

Do you think I believe that...? Xu Zhenguan chuckled, looking at his nonsense with a playful eye, the monarch and minister jested before finally moving to the main topic:

"Alright, tell me the exact details of Zhao Shixiong’s surrender."

Zhao Douan sipped the yellow tea, slowly recounting the entire course of events.

The focus was on the rescue of Zhao Ke and the appeasement of Zhao Shixiong.

Xu Zhenguan listened to the details as if hearing a story from a palace maid when she was young.

The letter to sow discord was the first step, using Zhao Ke to force Xu Jingtang to act was the second step.

The most exciting part was the maneuvering of three forces over a thousand miles.

The most renowned storyteller in the capital couldn’t have concocted such a plot.

"So, Zhao Shixiong knew it was all your scheming, yet he surrendered?" Xu Zhenguan couldn’t help but ask after hearing it all.

Zhao Douan nodded and said:

"My tactics essentially revolved around the fact that the various intelligence did not cooperate and there was mutual distrust. A post-event analysis reveals this easily.

But after such a commotion, neither dared to gamble again; ultimately, it wasn’t my strategies that climaxed, but the pre-existing trust crisis within the Yunfu Rebel Army, which I merely exploited.

Of course, resolving the misunderstanding by the Kuangfu Society was also a crucial factor.

Without Yun Xi from Kuangfu Society, Zhao Shixiong might not have so easily agreed to the meeting. Otherwise, it might have only caused further division within the Yunfu Group, unlike the current situation."

He paused before voluntarily offering an apology:

"In order to win over Zhao Shixiong, I rashly promised in the governor’s name, on behalf of Your Majesty, not to pursue his rebellion charges..."

Xu Zhenguan nonchalantly replied, "Since I have given you the Grand Governor title, making decisions in the field should be so... Keep your hands to yourself!"

She suddenly widened her eyes.

Zhao Douan sheepishly withdrew his hand, which had been caressing the Empress’s leg, pondering why she was so stingy... It’s not like it hadn’t been touched before...

Before the Empress could erupt, he solemnly asked:

"What are your plans for the court?"

Xu Zhenguan’s chest rose and fell as she averted her gaze, looking at the map of Yu Country on the wall, and softly said:

"I have ordered the Flying Eagle to spread the news of Zhao Shixiong’s rebellion to all circuits.

Once the news spreads, it will inevitably destabilize the situations in Xiping and Iron Pass. There’s also an edict sent to the Eastern Front, ordering Xue Shence to fully contain the Jiancheng Rebel Army. The original plan requires change; initially, you were to contain the Western Front while Xue Shence led the main attack.

Now it should switch; he will contain, and it is wise to first seize the opportunity to pacify the Western Front."

Zhao Douan nodded quietly, extending his hand once again, his words upright and stern:

"Indeed. In Yongjia City, Yuan Feng has now taken control of the situation. To make his stance clear, Zhao Shixiong personally killed the newly arriving supervisors sent by Xu Jingtang, as well as the generals in Yongjia City affiliated with the Royal Mansion.

Next, Zhao Shixiong and Yuan Feng will head south, attempting to eliminate another batch of rebels led by Xu Jingtang."

Xu Zhenguan’s eyes were elusive.

She couldn’t understand how this guy could discuss the situation with a solemn look while his hands were not behaving.

Following this, the monarch and minister delved into detailed discussions on subsequent preparations.

Finally, the Empress’s eyes turned dangerous as she asked, "Is that enough?"

Feeling that further teasing would provoke an outburst, Zhao Douan withdrew his hand, stood up, and said:

"Today’s Mid-Autumn Festival, I must return home for the reunion; I shall take my leave first."

Leaving these words, he stepped out, but heard the clear, cold voice behind him:

"Come to the palace tonight, please... for a drink."

"As you command."

Watching Zhao Douan’s figure leave, Xu Zhenguan silently adjusted her skirts, sat idly for a moment, and suddenly covered her face, gritting her teeth.

This guy... so audacious.

But who can blame him for achieving great merit?

She was a bit troubled, pondering how to reward him?

...

Zhao Douan donned his mask, and in high spirits, left the Imperial Palace, quietly returning to Zhao Mansion.

You Jinhua and Zhao Pan had already returned home, having dismissed the servants, the family of three had a rare and secretive gathering.

During the meal, the mother and daughter chattered non-stop, inquisitively:

Zhao Douan also selectively shared what he could and mentioned he had to return to the palace in the evening.