The Empress's No.1 Lackey

As expected, almost every official's family started to gather money after being pointed to the "clear path."

The decision between a bit of gold and silver and the safety of their family's pillar was clearly a no-brainer.

Besides, if spending some money could clear the air with a favorite of the Empress, it was truly the best possible outcome.

The next day, when Zhao Douan arrived at Lihua Hall,

Qian Kerou immediately reported that there were already many people lining up outside the hall, wanting to meet Mr. Zhao and have a private talk.

"Tsk, they move quickly," Zhao Douan chuckled, "Not bad, call them in one by one based on who came first."

Qian Kerou, with a complicated expression, went to call the people.

What followed was exceedingly straightforward; as each family member of the accused official came in, Zhao Douan would put on an act and imply that the matter was difficult to handle.

And the family members would present "tea money" of varying amounts.

Claiming it was hot, they'd offer a little token for Mr. Zhao to "have some tea" as a gesture of respect.

Depending on the amount of "tea money," Zhao Douan would react differently, either beaming with joy or remaining expressionless.

As for the pricing, it varied based on the official's rank, the desirability of their government office, and the size of their backing family.

His final response was exceptionally uniform:

Go home and wait for news.

"A bunch of corrupt officials, each one greasier than the last!" Zhao Douan looked at the growing pile of silver notes and deeds in front of him and couldn't help but curse under his breath.

If they were honest officials, relying solely on their salaries, even if they borrowed money, they couldn't offer a ransom so quickly.

The fact that they could pay so easily pained Zhao Douan and made him wonder what was wrong with the bureaucracy of Great Yu.

Water that is too clear harbors no fish, but it shouldn't be so muddy that you can't see the bottom either.

During this time, a little episode occurred:

A family member of one of the imprisoned officials, a beautiful young woman, started flirting outrageously with him during her visit, pressing herself against him without a care for her husband in prison.

Ultimately unable to resist Zhao Douan's demand for a bribe, she pulled out warm silver notes from her bodice and coyly requested that he keep her husband locked up for a bit longer.

It was absolutely outrageous.

"Next."

Busy until noon, Zhao Douan took a sip of tea to moisten his throat.

He casually threw the freshly received box of valuable snow ginseng and assorted jewels and jade into a chest under his table.

Speaking to his secretary,

In just one morning, he had received bribes worth over ten thousand taels of silver, enough to buy an entire commercial street in the outer city.

Yet Qian Kerou approached him with a worried expression and whispered a few words in his ear.

"Someone from the Consort's mansion?" Zhao Douan was stunned for a moment.

He then remembered that Li Lang was still in the Imperial Prison.

But having taken two days to come forward, their speed was even slower than these minor officials' families.

"Let them in," Zhao Douan said.

Shortly after, a dignified middle-aged man, dressed in fine garments and with impeccably groomed hair and beard, was led into the courtyard.

Regrettably, there was a dark bruise along one side of his face, from the corner of his eye to his temple, looking like it had been caused by a blunt instrument.

Zhao Douan, with sharp eyes, immediately recognized the man as Princess Yunyang's husband, Consort Li Shuping,

Li Lang's nominal father.

They were not familiar, but Zhao Douan had had some interactions with him through the original host who mingled in the capital's circles.

His impression of the man was that he was extremely henpecked at home, meek and submissive, but assertive and tough outside.

"Mr. Zhao, such grandeur!" Consort Li Shuping spoke coldly, with a hint of sarcasm, "To see you, one even has to queue up. Truly fitting for someone who is a favorite of Her Majesty."

Zhao Douan laughed heartily, his demeanor warm, yet he didn't even shift in his seat,

"Consort Li, what brings you here today? Sorry for not greeting you further out."

Li Shuping's eyelid twitched, and he sat down without ceremony.

Zhao Douan waved a hand to command Qian Kerou to serve tea and then wait outside.

Without any pleasantries, Consort Li directly said,

"My son seemed to have offended Master Zhao the day before yesterday and received a penalty.

His mother was quite upset upon hearing this, she wanted to come herself, but considering it might influence her, I came instead. Now that Master Zhao has already punished and he has reflected in confinement for two days, you should release him by now."

Zhao Douan affected an annoyed look and gently tapped his forehead, smiling,

"Look at my memory. Complete forgetfulness of the nobility, nearly forgot your son was still in prison, and here you are visiting in person; I truly apologize."

Li Shuping resisted the urge to correct his choice of words, his expression slightly softened:

"Then please have Master Zhao order someone to send the young man out, so I can take him back and reassure his mother."

Zhao Douan, however, feigned surprise, looking at the other's empty hands:

"Could it be that Lord Consort came empty-handed?"

The corners of his mouth turned up in a smile:

"So many visited me today, asking for someone's release, and they were all most sincere."

Li Shuping was stunned, as if in disbelief.

The day before yesterday, after Princess Yunyang received the news, she had sent a message to the palace, but was tactfully prevented by Xu Zhenguan.

Thus, he had patiently waited for two days before coming to ask for the person.

He had thought, given his status as the uncle of the Empress, Zhao Douan would inevitably show some respect.

Yet he never expected that this villain would be so audacious.

Li Shuping's eyes twitched, his face manifesting anger:

"Zhao Douan, are you trying to extort a bribe from me? What audacity!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Douan's smile slowly faded, and he stood up slowly, walked around the table, and approached Li Shuping.

The scholarly consort instinctively tried to stand and retreat but suddenly felt a steely hand pressing down on his shoulder!

He couldn't move!

Zhao Douan held the Great Yu Consort's shoulder, with his other hand holding a stack of silver notes, lightly fanning Li Shuping's injured cheek as he spoke somberly:

"If I'm not mistaken, the wound on Lord Consort's face was caused by the Princess, wasn't it?"

He sighed softly and said:

"When I was mingling in the capital's circles, I heard Qin Qiu say that Lord Consort was spineless, accustomed to swallowing his pride—I didn't quite believe it at the time, but now I do."

"Clearly coming to save your son, yet you keep mentioning 'his mother.'"

"What, are you afraid that without bringing up Princess Yunyang to pressure me, you won't hold sway over me?"

"So, you do have some self-awareness, but sadly, aren't very clever. Today, I'll give you two choices."

He held up a finger:

"First, like everyone else who wants their son, bring money for ransom."

He paused, shook his sleeve, and gently inserted the palm-sized Golden Crow Flying Dagger into the consort's moist palm.

He then helped him close his five fingers and softly said:

"The second, take this dagger and stab here."

He pointed at his own heart, smiling amiably:

"Kill this favored subject beside the Empress, then carry my head out, rest assured, no one will dare stop you from rescuing him then. But… do you dare?"

Do you...dare?

Zhao Douan's voice echoed like a demon.

Just a moment ago, the high and mighty consort, full of anger and accusing, was stunned.

Bulging veins appeared on his forehead, and his face gradually turned ferocious.

His hand holding the Golden Crow Flying Dagger trembled continuously, hesitating to move.

Seeing this, Zhao Douan simply grabbed his other hand too, helping him hold the dagger with both hands.

He even proactively positioned the blade tip against his heart, laughing:

"Come, aren't you here for him, yet unwilling to follow the rules? Then be a real man, kill me, come on!"

A fierce shout.

"Clang!"

The Golden Crow Flying Dagger fell from his hand to the ground, its dark golden blade even more glaring than sunlight.

Consort's body trembled, remaining silent.

Disappointed, Zhao Douan picked up the Flying Dagger and returned to his seat, his tone cold:

"Get out! Next time, send someone who can make decisions."

Li Shuping glared at him.

Finally, without saying anything, he left with a swish of his sleeve.

Once he had left, Zhao Douan's villainous demeanor faded, he shook his head, and closed his eyes:

"Do you think I went a bit too far just now?"

Outside the hall.

Qian Kerou walked in biting her lip, her pretty face showing a complex expression:

"Sir, I don't understand, although Li Lang offended you and received due punishment, now with the Consort personally showing up, he did give you respect, why..."

Zhao Douan let out a long sigh, remarking:

"Because, our Princess Yunyang, she is deliberately getting even with me."