The Empress's No.1 Lackey

Deliberate retribution?

Qian Kerou's palm-sized little face revealed confusion, the "secretary" with a one-track mind couldn't figure out the trick behind it.

Zhao Douan stood with his hands behind his back under that bold ink painting, leaving her with only a view of his back, and said faintly,

"Just so happens to come neither early nor late, but at this particular time, is it a coincidence? Perhaps not."

He had used Li Lang to establish his authority, a purpose clear to anyone with eyes, Princess Yunyang certainly understood.

Today, he had widely opened the door to convenience, asking for bribes to release people, and the son-in-law seized the opportunity to visit, insisting on taking the person away publicly.

If Zhao Douan consented, the authority he had strenuously built would be severely weakened.

It would be interpreted that he dared to hit Li Lang that day because Mo Chou was nearby to support him.

Today, without Mo Chou, a "good-for-nothing" and "greenhorn" recognized by the Capital's circle could make him back down.

Especially today, it's unknown how many from the Jinyi guards in Lihua Hall and nearly half of the officialdom in the Capital were watching from afar.

It was the same act of redemption, demanding bribes from the relatives of minor officials and exempting the son-in-law, showing clear preferential treatment, something that Princess Yunyang could easily publicize.

Zhao Douan's behaviors, intimidating the weak and relying on the strong, would become widely known.

His authority would be swept away, all previous achievements abandoned.

Of course, this speculation might not be true.

But regardless of whether Princess Yunyang had this intention, at this critical juncture, the son-in-law's doorstep visit to freeload and demand people was like giving him eye medicine.

Zhao Douan had to, and could only, hit back hard.

"I don't understand."

Qian Kerou honestly said, feeling that the thoughts of the great officials in the imperial court were so complicated.

Like a field of pitfalls at every step, a slight inattention could lead to a misstep.

Unconsciously, her admiration for her own superior grew, thinking that the official was really incredible.

"You don't need to understand, thinking too much can be taxing on the heart, it's good to be simple."

Zhao Douan laughed self-deprecatingly,

"Continue, call the next one."

After the female secretary left, he touched his chest, where his heart was, and sank into a moment of melancholy.

Since when had he also become so dark-hearted and unscrupulous.

...

After the minor episode, the process of accepting bribes continued.

In the afternoon, perhaps as the news spread, more families came to offer bribes.

Zhao Douan's box under the table was filled, so he had to exchange it for a larger one.

The accumulation of ill-gotten wealth was already racing towards the target of thirty thousand taels of silver.

Only at dusk, when the duties were over, did it temporarily cease.

That day, as expected, a storm broke out during the early court session.

Fifty-eight officials were collectively imprisoned, enough to draw the attention of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers.

The Empress of Great Yu, Xu Zhenguan, sat on the Dragon Throne, listening quietly to the numerous impeachments from the ministers below, remaining silent for a long time, before finally saying calmly,

"We will investigate and understand the matter before discussing it."

Then, the eunuch raised his whip high and with a "snap" struck it on the highly polished floor of the Golden Throne Hall, shouting shrilly,

"Court dismissed—"

The ministers left in indignation.

Students of the Imperial College hotly debated, denouncing the treacherous acts and lamenting that the country was in disarray.

The following morning.

Zhao Douan continued to accept bribes, with no one from the son-in-law's residence visiting again, and Princess Yunyang showing no reaction.

This only made Zhao Douan respect this "indulgent" woman, whose seductive reputation was widespread, even more.

"Sir, I fear no one else will come today."

In the evening.

Qian Kerou, holding a list that recorded the names of the bribing individuals and the amount of their gifts, entered and said.

Having given two days, it was indeed about time... Zhao Douan responded with an "Mhm" and asked,

"Is everything in order?"

Qian Kerou flipped through the list and said,

"Of the fifty-eight guilty officials, the families of fifty-seven have sent gifts."

"What about the last one?" Zhao Douan raised his eyebrows.

Qian Kerou explained with a complex expression,

"The remaining one is a seventh-rank Judge from the Ministry of Justice, Lu Zhi. This man... His family is poor, I fear they cannot afford it."

"Oh? Tell me more."

"Yes. To my knowledge, this man came from a humble background, and after becoming an Advanced Scholar, was appointed as a Judge at the Ministry of Justice.

This position is the starting point for Advanced Scholars, one would normally be promoted quickly, but Lu Zhi is as his name suggests, incorruptible and upright, and seems not to get along with his colleagues.

He has repeatedly spoken out against his superiors and even submitted petitions criticizing the late Emperor, never seeking to join cliques... Thus, he has sat in his position as a Judge for ten years."

Qian Kerou couldn't hide her admiration as she spoke,

"However, this man has a good reputation among the people, said to be fair in judging cases and even has the nickname 'Little Sky-blue Judge.'"

Tsk... Sounds like another upright figure like Hai Rui...

So, his impeachment of me is with the intention of removing a scourge for the people?

Zhao Douan commented dryly.

He had roughly checked the backgrounds of these fifty-eight people and had learned that almost all of them had flocked to curry favor with Li Yanfu, following the trend.

Most of them were from the lower levels of the "Li Party."

This was the reason he felt fully justified in his arrests, but it appeared, Lu Zhi was an exception.

"Did he say anything in prison?" asked Zhao Douan.

Qian Kerou hesitated, "I dare not say."

"Speak."

"Oh. He cursed you in jail, called you a treacherous villain, blind to laws and norms, a corrupt traitor who disrupts the court, he will never submit to you, not even send a single copper coin..."

The female secretary's voice got quieter as she spoke, glancing at Zhao Douan.

But to see this arrogant and unrestrained official, he was not only devoid of anger but listened with interest.

"A very temperamental person indeed," Zhao Douan chuckled, and instructed,

"Pass the command down, release Lu Zhi, keep the others imprisoned."

At this moment, the other three subordinates also entered, and hearing this order, were all stunned.

Doubting their own ears.

"Sir... didn't you mistake it? Shouldn't you release those fifty-seven people and only keep Lu Zhi?" Shen Juan asked in confusion, bewildered.

Hou Renmeng also looked puzzled.

Zhao Douan's mouth curved upward as he sat in the chief seat, smiling and said,

"I said before, we are only detaining them to assist with the investigation, since Lu Zhi is unrelated to the rebels, he should be sent back. As for the other fifty-seven..."