The Empress's No.1 Lackey

Chapter 998 - 562: Water Melody Dedicated to the Empress (2)

The mother and daughter were slightly disappointed by this, but at least they reunited during the day.

You Jinhua understood the Great Justice well and believed that during the Mid-Autumn Festival, it was necessary to let the stepson spend time alone with the Emperor to foster their relationship.

After some idle talk.

Zhao Douan returned to his bedroom at home, threw himself on the bed, rested his hands behind his head, and began to think about the next plan.

"Hmm, after today’s incident, once the news spreads, the comparisons against me and Xue Shence within the Capital should come to an end."

"The military officers at the Privy Council are eager to gain power, and their ambitions should be temporarily quelled."

"As for those scholars at the Imperial College... well, once the storm passes, have Old Hou visit each of them to discuss... The persona of exacting revenge for the smallest grievance must not be discarded. Sometimes, a bad persona can save a lot of trouble.

However, those people are probably still studying ’Commander Zhao’s’ poetry at the moment..."

Zhao Douan felt very relieved. When he first discovered Dong Da’s identity, he wanted to copy this poem... finally, it has come true...

As for the next step...

"Subduing Zhao Shixiong is just the beginning. According to Zhenbao, the court officials hope that at the very least, we can beat Xu Jingtang back to Yunfu Road and take back half of the Huai River."

"After that, we can cooperate with Xue Shence to force Prince Jing Xu Wen to retreat as well..."

"But is it enough to just beat Xu Jingtang back? This is such a good opportunity, there may not be a second chance... If we could take advantage of the momentum to eliminate Xu Jingtang, that would truly resolve the hidden danger."

Zhao Douan’s eyes sharpened, his thoughts drifting.

However, wanting to eliminate Xu Jingtang is not easy.

To manipulate Zhao Shixiong, Xu Jingtang made significant efforts, dismantling and dividing the Southwest Border Army, and buying off individuals.

Therefore, even if Zhao Shixiong and Yuan Feng join forces, they may not be able to eliminate the Yunfu Rebel Army in one go.

"But killing does not necessarily have to be on the battlefield... Could a team of elite cultivators be organized to attack from behind, while Zhao Shixiong attacks from the front?"

"However, even though Xu Jingtang’s public cultivation level is not high, it cannot be underestimated. Not to mention the experts raised by the Royal Mansion, the Magicians from the White Clothes Sect, and the assistance possibly provided by the Divine Dragon Temple, must all be guarded against."

"Ensuring the success of the operation cannot rely solely on the few people at my disposal... Perhaps, it’s time to find some help."

As Zhao Douan pondered, the sun outside slipped westward, and then night fell.

Once it was completely dark, he quietly slipped out of his house.

Avoiding the house servants and maids within the mansion, he left Zhao Mansion and went alone to the Imperial Palace for an appointment.

...

On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, there was no curfew in the Capital tonight.

Moreover, thanks to a recent victory, the city was uncommonly joyful.

The bustling streets saw every shop open for business, decorated with various lanterns, crowded with pedestrians.

Tonight, there was no banquet for ministers in the Imperial Palace; the Empress permitted officials to reunite with their families.

Yet, Xu Zhenguan himself brought the palace servants once more to the Emperor Tower.

When Zhao Douan climbed the wooden stairs to the top of this highest Observation Tower again.

He saw the wide platform with a long table full of exquisite delicacies, jars of aged wine already opened, the aroma of alcohol wafting through the air.

The Empress, in a cool long dress, stood somewhat boldly by the railing, holding a glass wine jar larger than her fist with one hand, raising it.

Lifting her snow-white swan neck, the clear wine trickled from her lips, drizzling down her neck.

"Your Majesty." Zhao Douan approached and saluted.

Xu Zhenguan turned her head back, the cool autumn breeze lifting her white long dress, her bright, noble face holding a trace of intoxication, she exhaled a breath of wine and said with a smile:

"You arrived just in time to drink with me."

Zhao Douan looked at her, nodded, and opened a small jar to toast with her.

The Empress had a personal little habit; whenever something made her happy, she would hide away for a quiet drink or two.

This was a small quirk Zhao Douan learned about when he first ascended to the Emperor Tower.

Since the Luoshan Sealing, Xu Zhenguan had not drunk wine nor experienced true joy.

Until today.

"Gulp, gulp, gulp..."

Zhao Douan drank a jar with her, standing together by the railing, observing the vibrant festival scene below on Vermilion Bird Street in the Capital.

The Mid-Autumn Night Banquet, the Capital shrouded under the clouds of war seemed to have returned to peaceful times of old.

"I am very happy today," the Empress murmured, looking at the myriad of lights.

Zhao Douan somewhat dispiritedly said:

"Prince Jing is still there, Mu Prince is still there, only Zhao Shixiong was beaten, it’s not yet the time to celebrate."

He was somewhat averse to celebrating prematurely.

The Empress, however, shook her head:

"It’s already very good. Next, we just need to push Xu Jingtang back to Yunfu, then push Xu Wen back to Jiancheng. Once the court regains Huai River, there will be room to breathe, at least to survive this year. Ancient books say, the Empress ascends for three years, and misfortune shall turn to fortune."

Are you just hoping to drive Xu Jingtang back?

Zhao Douan took a sip of wine, hesitated for a moment but did not voice his plan to hunt Xu Jingtang.

Not because of distrust, but because, with the precedent of the assassination of Zhao Shixiong, he thought the Empress would not agree with such a risky plan.

But in the execution of duties, commands from superior may not always be followed.

As the Chaos Suppression Grand Commander, he could decide how to fight on the front line.

"Then... here’s to misfortune turning to fortune," Zhao Douan said, raising his head along with the Empress, looking at the round moon cloaked by thin clouds in the night sky.

The cold moonlight showered, even the city’s lights were not as bright as the moon.

The two of them drank the wine, the number of jars on the floor increased, until only one was left, then they took turns drinking from it directly.

The Empress deliberately sealed her pores, locking the alcohol within, savoring the brief intoxication as a respite from her burdens, indulging in a moment of ease and leisure.