The Empress's No.1 Lackey

The temperature in the Capital had entered the hottest days of midsummer.

This fact was confirmed by Zhao Douan as he was literally awakened by the heat.

Early this morning, he forced his eyelids open and wiped his bedding, only to find his entire back soaked.

"To experience both ice and fire—is there anything quite like it?" he asked, rubbing his eyes, letting out a lament as he sat up cross-legged.

The night before, in the midst of his spiritual cultivation, the Great Yu Grand Ancestor had led him away from a burning desert into an icy snowfield.

Zhao Douan's soul trembled with the cold while his body sweat from the heat, a sensation that could only be described as painfully refreshing.

"If only someone would give me an air conditioner that didn't need electricity, I'd even be willing to indulge in rich food or serve the Empress..."

Zhao Douan held up a finger, earnestly making a wish to this world's "Lord Heavenly Dao."

However, it was completely useless.

After getting dressed and washing up briefly, Mr. Zhao shuffled to the dining hall to enjoy the lovingly prepared breakfast from his stepmother.

But this morning at the breakfast table, there was one less exceptionally elegant young lady.

"Where's Zhao Pan?"

Zhao Douan asked, puzzled, as he took his seat of honor.

You Jinhua gracefully stood up and, with a wooden ladle in hand, served him a bowl of creamy rice porridge, replying:

"Paner has a bit of bloating this morning and can't eat."

I hope she's not upset with me... Zhao Douan thought to himself, shedding a silent tear of sympathy for the girl, as he happily ate his meal.

Maybe it really was the heat.

You Jinhua had not worn her beloved dark green dress, instead opting for a light, airy dress.

Paired with a married woman's hairstyle, she reminded Zhao Douan of the elegant ladies depicted in Tang Dynasty paintings.

The fashion in the Great Yu was liberal, especially after the Empress ascended the throne, leading to increasingly bold attire among the women of the Capital.

What You Jinhua was wearing could be likened to the "low-cut dress" of the Tang Dynasty in TV dramas.

Right, the version that wasn't pixelated by mythical beasts.

Quite popular at the moment.

"With the weather being so hot these days, we should buy some ice to cool off,"

Zhao Douan said, glancing at his stepmother.

You Jinhua hesitated:

"The cost of ice in the Capital is not cheap, and since you're mostly at the government office, the ice we buy can't be kept for long."

At this time of year, blocks of ice were stored in cellars during the winter and dug out for sale when it turned hot.

In the Capital, with its abundance of nobles, high officials, wealthy, and rich, ice was always in demand and short supply.

"Is it that expensive? If there isn't enough stored ice, we can make do with saltpeter, right?" Zhao Douan asked, slightly stunned.

"Saltpeter?" You Jinhua looked bewildered.

She did not seem to understand how saltpeter was related to ice.

"You make ice with saltpeter. Have you never heard of that, Aunty?" Zhao Douan was surprised.

As far as he was aware, this ancient ice-making technique had emerged around the end of the Tang and beginning of the Song dynasty.

Although the Great Yu Dynasty did not neatly fit into any historical period he knew, their handicrafts were already quite developed.

He subconsciously assumed that such methods would have long been widespread.

Not to mention, transmigration novels had scraped this idea to death.

You Jinhua shook her head, admitting with some embarrassment:

"I am only a woman, not as knowledgeable as you are, Sir."

This wasn't a matter of being broadly informed; it was a business opportunity...

Zhao Douan hadn't expected to find himself with the chance to fill a historical gap and immediately said excitedly:

"Come, lean closer, Aunty!"

You Jinhua leaned in.

After a moment, her eyes widened in curiosity:

"Really? Can this actually work?"

Zhao Douan smiled and said:

"Just have someone buy some saltpeter and try it out at home."

He had not verified the method himself, only read about it in books.

If it truly was successful, it would be a chance to make a fortune during these dog days of summer.

While the quickest way to amass wealth was through corruption, Zhao Douan had recently made far too many enemies.

He also wanted to lay low; if someone caught him on corruption charges, it would be very troublesome.

You Jinhua was skeptical, but still nodded her head, biting her lip in agreement.

After all, he was the one in charge at home.

...

After breakfast.

Zhao Douan stepped out of his house to see a carriage already waiting under the large willow tree by the courtyard.

Driving the carriage was a young man in his early twenties, a subordinate clerk from Lihua Hall with a regular appearance and efficient handling of affairs.

He was Zhao Douan's "personal driver," surnamed Wang, whom Zhao Douan habitually called "Little Wang."

"My Lord!"

The coachman Little Wang greeted him respectfully, then placed a small stool by the carriage and lifted half the curtain.

Zhao Douan climbed aboard satisfied and said lazily:

"Let's go, to the government office."

It had been two days since the capture of the traitor.

That day, after bidding farewell to Zhang Han in the afternoon, Zhao Douan went to the Imperial Court to take care of the aftermath.

He learned that the remaining six Masters had been released from house arrest, returned to lead the various Jinyi, and, with the two traitors as a breakthrough, tried to expand the victory in one fell swoop.

Zhao Douan, however, understood the importance of cashing out while ahead and not hoarding all the gains for oneself.

He had already claimed the greatest achievement, so he refrained from competing for the leftovers.

This gesture unexpectedly won him favor from people like Zhang Han and Haitang, almost as if they owed him a debt of gratitude.

Beyond that, Zhao Douan had also had a private conversation with Ma Yan to properly take care of Zhu Kui's aftermath, removing him from the rebel affair and concluding a cause of death in the line of duty.

As for more follow-ups, since the case was transferred to the Three Legal Departments, all Ma Yan could do was try to dig out more information from the two individuals from Iron Ruler Pass before handing over the prisoners.

Zhao Douan did not interfere.

Once the case news spread, it caused quite a stir in the Capital's official circles.

Although Zhao Douan tried his best to shift the credit to Ma Yan.

Attempting to hide in the background, maintaining their facade of incompetence.

But the astute had already sensed that this "Master of Lihua Hall" was no simple character.

"Alas, it'll be difficult to continue deceiving people with this persona in the future," lamented Zhao Douan with a mix of sighs and regrets.

The carriage moved along, swiftly entering the bustling Vermilion Bird Street.

Zhao Douan closed his eyes to concentrate but soon realized the carriage was slowing down sharply.

He pried open his eyelids and asked through the trembling carriage curtain,

"What's the matter? Is the road not clear?"

Internal rant: I've time-traveled, yet I still can't avoid the Capital's morning rush-hour traffic jams...

The voice of the coachman, Little Wang, came through,

"Mr. Zhao, there's a sedan chair blocking our way on the other side; it seems deliberate."

Translated: Their carriage had been blocked.

Zhao Douan raised an eyebrow, not taking the matter lightly.

He immediately sat up straight, gently lifted the carriage window with his right hand, and peeked out.

He saw on the lively and prosperous street, spacious enough for three ordinary carriages to pass abreast, there stood a large six-bearer sedan chair

Coming straight towards them.

The sedan was sizable with dragons and phoenixes painted on it, and red silk curtains hung from the top—such style was not something ordinary families would dare to use.

Around the sedan now, six robust bearers shouldered it, moving with steady strides, carrying it steadily and surely.

Worth noting is that long before the founding of the Great Yu Dynasty, sedan chairs, a mode of transport more comfortable and stable than horse carriages because they were carried by people, had already become popular.

Officials of the previous dynasty each had a sedan chair and would use it even for walking just a few dozen steps.

When the Great Yu was founded, the Grand Ancestor Emperor, taking a lesson from the past, enacted laws aimed to prevent the cultivation of hedonism and lack of ambition.

Any official of the Great Yu was prohibited from riding in sedan chairs.

Only in very few special ceremonies were they allowed to ride in them briefly.

Six hundred years later, and while many places were not strictly regulated, in the Capital, where the Emperor resided, the officials still followed the ancient teachings.

As a result, wealthy civilians rode in sedan chairs more frequently.

But most had only two bearers; four bearers were rare.

Six bearers like this one not only violated ceremonial protocol but also suggested through the decorations on the vehicle, that the occupant's identity was distinguished.

"Make way and let's see," Zhao Douan said calmly.

"Yes!"

Coachman Little Wang adjusted the reins and steered the carriage to the side, trying to give way to the sedan chair.

However, the sedan chair seemed to be intentionally opposing them.

No matter which way they moved, it also shifted accordingly, firmly blocking their way.

Forcing the carriage to struggle to advance.

Zhao Douan narrowed his eyes, now certain the other party bore ill will. He pondered for a moment, withdrew his gaze, and instructed,

"Stop the carriage. Declare our identity and inquire about theirs."

At his command, Little Wang pulled the reins, and as the carriage halted, the sedan chair also came to a firm stop.

"This is the carriage of Imperial Decree Department's Mr. Zhao, may I ask who is seated in the sedan chair opposite?" Little Wang called out.

There was no immediate response from the sedan, but a slight tremor shook it, followed by the sound of heavy breathing, as if there was more than one person inside.

The keen-eared and sharp-eyed Zhao Douan's face immediately took on a strange expression.

Soon after, a few moments passed before they heard one of the sedan bearers say,

"This is Princess Yunyang's grand sedan chair; please, Lord Zhao, come out to speak."

In Great Yu customs, the Emperor's daughters are known as "Princess," sisters as "Grand Princess," and aunts as "Great Grand Princess."

Princess Yunyang?

Inside the carriage, Zhao Douan's gaze sharpened, and he silently noted to himself:

As expected!

In the Capital, not of official status yet daring to ride in a six-bearer sedan chair and bearing a grudge against him.

Thinking it over, it could only be the Empress's aunt, the wife of Li Shuping the horseman, the quite "liberal" Princess Yunyang.

Previously, after Li Lang was taken out of the Imperial Prison, Zhao Douan had been preoccupied with catching the mole and had not paid further attention.

He had thought that out of respect for the Empress, the matter would be dropped, but it appeared the other party was not willing to let things slide.

"Mr. Zhao? What should we...?"

Little Wang inquired from behind the curtain.

Zhao Douan thought for a moment, then took hold of his side-arm within the carriage and gently lifted the curtain with the sheath of his weapon.

Yet he did not disembark; instead, he sat cross-legged in the carriage and looked over to the other side, declaring in a clear voice,

"I am Zhao Douan, what instructions does the Great Grand Princess have for me?"

At this moment, the crowd around them had begun to gather, recognizing the situation as one involving significant figures.

Without being dispersed, they consciously watched from a distance.

A large open space suddenly cleared around the carriage and the sedan.

Inside the spacious sedan, there was a tremor again, and the sound of a man and woman conversing could be faintly heard.

Then, from behind the thick curtains of the sedan, a man's hand suddenly emerged,

Grasping the corner of the curtain, he slowly lifted half of it.

Zhao Douan's eyelids twitched, and even with his composed nature, he couldn't help but freeze for a moment.

Because the man inside the sedan was unexpectedly not the horseman, Li Shuping.

Instead, it was a man in his thirties or forties, sporting a meticulously maintained beard and possessing a commanding presence.

Currently, he was casually dressed in a robe, the silk of sleepwear peeking out from beneath, lazily lounging with half-seated and half-leaned posture. The spacious interior of the sedan was also laid with thick silk bedding.

At this moment, this unfamiliar man's other arm seemed to be encircling a woman.

As only half of the curtain was lifted, it was impossible to see the full picture.

Zhao Douan could only make out a glimpse of a woman's pale, delicate hand, clutching a light and breathable blanket, covering the man's body.

Beneath the lifted curtain's edge, one could vaguely discern a pair of a woman's long white legs, coiled.

What kind of daylight declaration...

Zhao Douan felt a twitch in the corner of his eye, withholding the old sarcasm about to escape his lips, when the coachman Little Wang next to him exclaimed in surprise,

"Marquis Xiajiang!"

…

The new plot began with a bit of a snag, hence the late update.