The Empress's No.1 Lackey

Yuan Li!

When Zhao Douan clearly saw the face of the person sitting upright inside the carriage, he was taken aback.

Then he suddenly realized the true meaning of what the Imperial Censor had said when parting in the imperial gardens earlier, "When you are free later, let's have a detailed chat."

A person of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers rank, whose stomp could shake Great Yu, was actually condescending to wait for him at the gates of the Imperial City.

Zhao Douan felt no honor in his heart, only vigilance.

"Mr. Yuan… waiting for someone?" he feigned surprise, bowing as a test.

The Big Qingyi in the carriage said with a smile:

"No need to guess anymore, I am waiting for you. The Imperial Palace is very large, and it's difficult to navigate on foot alone, so come aboard and let's talk."

He actually intended to offer him a ride.

So, was that the reason Zhou Cang was nowhere to be seen, because he was sent away by Yuan Li? Zhao Douan became even more anxious.

His face showed a flattered and startled expression, but he soon appeared somewhat troubled:

"Thank you for your high regard, Mr. Yuan, but… my reputation is not good, and if I ride with you, I fear it won't be seen positively if word gets out."

"Who would spread such a word?" Yuan Li asked with a smile.

A servant standing beside the carriage also said with a laugh:

"If the Lord continues to refuse, would that not offend the dignity of my master?"

That's quite an intimidating way to put it… Zhao Douan's expression stiffened, and he no longer dared to refuse, carefully lifting the hem of his robe and cautiously entering the carriage.

It was Zhao Douan's first time in a four-horse carriage, which could be described in one word: huge!

It was almost spacious enough for several people to ride comfortably.

Inside the roomy carriage, a short table sat in the center, with a three-legged incense burner on top, a hidden compartment underneath that contained a secret, and soft cushions all around the seating area for a small gathering of people.

Zhao Douan was nervously seated opposite Yuan Li. When the carriage curtains were drawn and the carriage began to move away from the palace, he took the initiative to break the awkward silence:

"I wonder what orders Mr. Yuan has for me?"

He wouldn't settle until he had a clear understanding!

Yuan Li, with sleeves richly piled up, set down the Jade Ruyi in his hand and said:

"There's no need to be tense. I am simply interested in you, that's all."

I'm not a woman, what interest could you have in me… Zhao Douan thought to himself and said sheepishly:

"My reputation is notorious, incomparable to Mr. Yuan's, as different as clouds and mud…"

Yuan Li interrupted, "My judgment of people has always been very precise."

? Zhao Douan mentally punctuated with a question mark.

He only heard the Imperial Censor before him calmly say:

"Therefore, with just one glance in the garden earlier, I knew that you are definitely not as morally corrupt as the outside world proclaims."

Yeah, keep boasting… If you had seen me just ten days or half a month earlier, you would understand the true meaning of a public persona.

Zhao Douan decided to go along with it:

"Mr. Yuan flatters me. I have also long admired you."

The Big Qingyi said "Oh" casually:

"Have you heard the stories about me?"

No, but your face tells a story… Zhao Douan silently picked up the cue and showed respectful interest:

"Who in the world does not know of you?"

Indeed, he had heard the stories of Yuan Li.

It was said that he was originally from Xiping Road, a scion of the Yuan family.

The Xiping Yuan family was a major clan with a long history, with members serving as officials through many dynasties.

From a young age, Yuan Li had shown talent far surpassing his peers, but he did not favor the official path, preferring instead to roam mountains and waters with his friends, leading a wild and unfettered life. The family head, lamenting repeatedly, wished he would become more responsible.

If on a normal trajectory, he could have lived his life as a "rich and noble son."

But destiny is unpredictable, and the Yuan family's generation lacked scholarly talent, with officials dying one after another, leaving no one in court, leaving such a significant clan with just a single County Magistrate as its greatest pillar.

In three to five years, they were like the setting sun on the western mountains, on the brink of decline.

During this crisis, Yuan Li changed his prodigal image, came to the capital, took the imperial examination for the first time, and became the top scorer.

Then, in just a few short years, he with his superior skills and rocket-like speed rose through the ranks, not only leading the Xiping Yuan clan to resurgence but also betting on himself successfully to enter the ranks of the top powerholders.

His experiences could be called legendary, the archetype of a male protagonist in exhilarating literature.

This indeed was why so many literati held him in such high esteem:

Their experiences hit the sweet spot for literati.

"Under the heavens, who does not know of you..."

At the side of the low table, Yuan Li paused, savoring the words before suddenly saying,

"This line has a grand presence, a pity it is just a fragment. If it could be part of a complete poem, it might be top-grade."

A complete poem? I have one... Zhao Douan murmured to himself.

It was not that he was trying to show off; rather, many eternal lines of poetry from his past life had already seeped into everyday language and would inadvertently slip out.

This time, however, he hesitated and did not jump into the conversation.

If an ancient poet wrote a poem without relevant experiences, using lines they had never felt, they would inevitably be questioned.

It could be excused by "talent," but it was ultimately too contrived.

"I chanced upon this line but have yet to complete it," Zhao Douan said.

Yuan Li was not surprised, for even a fool might have a flash of inspiration, but true poetic talent never relied on such things.

The carriage rattled as it exited the Imperial Palace.

Traveling down the spacious streets of the Capital, the carriage steady inside, the two men exchanged pleasantries for a while, until finally, Yuan Li inquired.

How Zhao Douan had cracked the case of the firearms craftsman.

And, even earlier, how he had managed to come out unscathed from letting Zhuang Xiaocheng go.

Zhao Douan, heeding the Empress's teachings, did not conceal — when the highest secrets were already known, hiding trivial details was unnecessary.

That the other party was asking these questions did give Zhao Douan some reassurance. By nature, Yuan Li was someone who liked engaging conversations and chasing interesting tales.

Even though he held a high position, his nature remained unchanged; the burning curiosity drove him to inquire, simply to satisfy that curiosity... Forced as it might be, it was at least a reason.

And after listening to Zhao Douan's description of his maneuvers in both cases, Yuan Li found them quite entertaining.

That was it, merely entertaining.

After all, given the levels Zhao Douan was involved with, and these petty tricks, they were simply child's play before this top powerholder.

By then, the carriage had also arrived near the government office.

"So that's what happened," Zhao Douan spoke until he was parched.

Just as Yuan Li was about to make a comment or two, suddenly, a faint noise of commotion could be heard from outside.

The area around the government office was quiet, not a bustling district.

"What's happening outside?" the Big Green Robe frowned, asking outwards.

After a moment, a servant reported back:

"Sir, up ahead, Imperial Censor Lv Liang is parading a female prisoner through the street, attracting many onlookers. It seems that the woman is a member of the Kuangfu Society, previously held in the government office's grand jail, known as 'Yun Xi'."

Yun Xi!

Inside the carriage, Zhao Douan was shocked, his mind conjuring up the image of the firmly unyielding big bear girl tied to the cross in the jail.

The disciple who, severely brainwashed, was abandoned by Zhuang Xiaocheng when he escaped.

She was also a crucial lead in his investigation into Zhuang Xiaocheng's whereabouts.

After the last interrogation, she had been detained in the government office, but Zhao Douan, busy dealing with the Zhang brothers these past few days, had no time to interrogate her.

Yet now, she was taken away without his knowledge?!

And there was the name "Lv Liang," with which he was also familiar.

He was the main force behind his last impeachment, who had, in front of the Empress, teamed up with Zhang Changshuo in an attempt to put him to death, belonging to "Li Yanfu's" camp of Imperial Censor officials.

He was spared disaster later due to the special privilege of officials.

Zhao Douan thought he would have no further entanglements with that person, but unexpectedly, they met here again.

I had ordered the government office to forbid anyone from interrogating Yun Xi; why was she taken away by Lv Liang?

I am also carrying the KPI of catching Zhuang Xiaocheng before the year's end; Yun Xi is an essential lead... I cannot afford any mistakes...

Zhao Douan's complexion abruptly darkened.

Seeing his expression, the Big Green Robe glanced at the carriage curtain and commanded expressionlessly:

"Bring Lv Liang over."