The Empress's No.1 Lackey

The firearms craftsman case... solved?!

In the imperial garden, inside the pavilion.

When Zhao Douan spoke those words, the most powerful woman in the Heavenly Human Realm was stunned.

It was as if she hadn't heard clearly.

Beside her, the Imperial Censor, a First-rank official at court, looked over as well, unable to conceal his astonishment.

It wasn't that their Qi Cultivation Skill was lacking, the news was simply too sudden.

It was as if everyone was eating hot pot and singing, and suddenly there was a gunshot... Are you saying a case that was stalled for so long had been solved?

"Repeat that!"

Xu Zhenguan's bright eyes stared at him, her body leaning forward unconsciously, straining to hear clearly.

Yuann Li also narrowed his eyes.

Zhao Douan, deferential and obedient, with a hint of fragrance reaching his nose, spoke slowly,

"I recently stumbled upon a clue and represented White Horse Hall working together with the Imperial Court to investigate, and last night, arrested nine people involved in this case... The leader, a Magician, is confined in the Heavenly Master Mansion, while the rest are held in the Imperial Prison... waiting for sentencing..."

He was concise, giving the key information without going into too much detail.

Despite this, both the Empress and Yuann Li were briefly lost in thought.

It really was Prince Jing... A flicker of anger crossed Xu Zhenguan's beautiful face:

"Prince Jing Mansion..."

Though suspicions had been earlier, the confirmation still stirred emotions intensely.

Yuann Li, not a member of the Royal Family, refrained from commenting on the conflict between aunt and nephew, suddenly said:

"It was the Zhang brothers involved, no wonder... Could it be, the Ministry of War doctor is entangled in this too?"

Then, looking at the man rumored to be "the Empress's favorite male consort," his perception changed.

"Whether the Ministry of War doctor is involved is yet unclear, and I presume Lord Ma will thoroughly investigate.

The Imperial Court has also exerted considerable effort in this case. If Your Majesty wishes to inquire in detail, Zhou Cang from the Imperial Court is waiting outside the palace gate and can be summoned," said Zhao Douan.

Xu Zhenguan took a deep breath to calm herself.

Upon looking at him again, her eyes showed surprise and appreciation:

"Excellent, you have handled this matter very well!"

She had never expected that within just a few days, Zhao Douan would bring such a surprise.

Solving a problem that had troubled her for a long time.

No need to ask in detail—she guessed that Zhao Douan must have led the investigation.

The exceptional performance of the man before her was truly beyond her expectations.

In her heart, she couldn't help but grow curious about the details of the investigation, but now was not the time to delve into it.

"Let me ask you, aside from the people you've mentioned, are there others involved?" Xu Zhenguan asked.

Obviously.

This affair, solely with the Zhang brothers' capabilities, was nearly impossible.

There must be high-level insiders involved, with the Zhang brothers merely "executing" the plan.

"This…"

Zhao Douan hesitated, glancing covertly at the Green-robed Imperial Censor.

Xu Zhenguan said, "Don't worry, Mr. Yuan is no outsider."

Alright… since you're asking me to speak… Zhao Douan said calmly:

"Upon interrogation, the suspects stated that the case may involve the Privy Council. However, specifics on the personnel are unknown."

The Privy Council!

Upon hearing this word, both the Empress and Yuann Li exchanged looks, their expressions changing slightly.

Unlike others, the Privy Council dealt with military affairs and is an extremely sensitive office.

"Has Prince Jing's reach extended to the Privy Council?"

The Empress's eyes suddenly sharpened like blades, and the temperature in the summer garden seemed to drop.

At this moment, the breathtakingly beautiful Empress stood up, looking out of the pavilion with an imperial authority:

"Issue the decree!"

"Command the Imperial Guard to immediately arrest the leading Zhang family members starting with the Ministry of War doctor, detaining them in the Imperial Court."

"Command Lord Ma to thoroughly investigate those involved in this case and deliver their information to the palace; I want to personally review it."

"Command the Six Palaces' Palace Attendant Mo Zhaorong to rush to the Heavenly Master Mansion, informing that I want to interrogate the Magician from Prince Jing Mansion, and have him transferred to Imperial Prison as well."

After a brief pause, she added:

"Summon the Secretariat Envoy Xue Shence to the palace, for I have matters to discuss with him!"

Four decrees were issued, and the palace attendants outside the pavilion hurried to carry out the orders.

The atmosphere turned solemn, almost resembling the air of marshaling troops during wartime.

"Zhao Douan." Xu Zhenguan turned her head towards him again.

Ah?

Zhao Douan, caught off guard, was startled:

"Your servant is here!"

Xu Zhenguan's beautiful eyes stared intently, and seeing his dumbfounded look, she found him rather adorable. Consequently, her anger subsided slightly, and her brows relaxed as she said,

"No matter."

The side comment from Zhao Douan went, "If it's nothing… why did you call me? You scared me… Now I finally understand what it means to accompany the emperor is like accompanying a tiger, or even a tigress…" as he ranted internally.

Nearby,

Yuann Li saw this scene and couldn't help but smile. He stood up and said his farewells,

"I shall not bother you any further."

The Empress was bound to inquire about this matter thoroughly, and he felt it inappropriate to stay and be a nuisance.

"Mr. Yuan, take care." Xu Zhenguan put away her angry expression and nodded slightly.

The elegant and handsome Imperial Censor then turned to Zhao Douan with a smile and said,

"It seems Her Majesty's judgment is still unique, having found another talent."

Zhao Douan was flattered: "Mr. Yuan, that's an overstatement."

"There's no need to be overly modest," Yuann Li waved his hand and suddenly said,

"Let's chat more some other time."

After saying this, his grand green robe fluttered as he left, his dignity fully intact.

What does that mean? Chat about what?

Zhao Douan was confused by his words and quite baffled.

The Empress, however, remained calm. After Yuann Li had left, she lost interest in playing chess. She glanced at him and said,

"Walk with me."

...

...

So-called accompanying for a walk meant strolling through the Imperial Garden.

The Empress, dressed in white, led the way, with Zhao Douan trailing behind. Other Palace Attendants kept a proper distance, trailing far behind the two.

Xu Zhenguan seemed somewhat unhappy, walking briskly and without a word.

Zhao Douan blinked cautiously and followed.

The brilliant morning sunlight poured down, making even the deep palace seem bright.

The garden was stunningly beautiful, a masterpiece of landscape design with rocks and flowers exquisitely arranged.

As they walked, they resembled a pair of perfect characters in a painting.

The only flaw was that they weren't walking side by side, which made him seem like a stalking creep.

Zhao Douan, following from behind, glanced around initially, then instinctively his gaze fell on the Empress's translucently pale earlobes under the sunlight and her breathtaking profile.

Then it drifted downward to her flowing black hair, slender waist, and further down to her hips...

He then quickly snapped out of it and shifted his gaze away.

"Like what you see?" Xu Zhenguan's voice was clear and cold, showing neither happiness nor anger.

"What?" replied Zhao Douan, feigning ignorance like a master.

Xu Zhenguan's lips twitched slightly as she said somberly,

"Do you realize that for a cultivator of Heavenly Human Realm, this entire garden is within my sensory perception?"

Zhao Douan immediately knelt and loudly confessed:

"This servant is at fault; indeed, it is Your Majesty's beauty that overwhelmed me..."

Xu Zhenguan laughed at his impudence and felt somewhat helpless, she then sighed,

"Don't let it happen again."

Zhao Douan was overjoyed: "Thank you for your gracious forgiveness."

With a hint of irritation, Xu Zhenguan slowed her pace, "Why aren't you walking next to me?"

"Oh! Right, right!"

Zhao Douan complied immediately, walking beside the Empress and intentionally half a step behind.

From a distance, they truly appeared like a perfectly harmonious pair out for a leisurely walk.

"Is Your Majesty upset? Is it because of Prince Jing?" Zhao Douan ventured to ask.

For some reason, he felt that the root of the Empress's anger was not any minister from the Privy Council or a betrayal by the Zhang family.

Instead, it related to her nephew "Prince Jing," who was also royalty.

The phrase "internal strife" involuntarily came to his mind.

Yet such matters were all too common within the Royal Family, he supposed.

"Yes," Xu Zhenguan initially responded absentmindedly, then looked displeased as she glanced at him,

"You know yet you ask?"

A beautiful person in anger was also a beautiful sight in this world, especially when her anger was just a pretense.

Zhao Douan immediately confessed his mistake, his attitude exceptionally sincere.

Xu Zhenguan looked at him helplessly and said,

"You haven't been in the officialdom for long, just over a year, yet how have you become so slick, just like those old fellows in the Golden Throne Hall?"

Zhao Douan was silent for a moment and then suddenly said,

"Your Majesty, on those countless nights when the Empress made the Third Imperial Princess read history books, it must have been noted that throughout the ages, those who end well were just like me."