The Empress's No.1 Lackey

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"Hide in your room, I'll go take a look."

Hearing the commotion from the entrance, You Jinhua's expression changed. Her previously timid face was momentarily overtaken by fear, replaced quickly by determination.

Women are inherently gentle, but as mothers, they become strong.

"Mother, I'll go with you!" Zhao Pan hurried, anxious.

The incident of Zhang Changji forcing his way in was not long past; how could she rest easy letting her mother go alone while she hid behind?

With that, Zhao Pan didn't wait for a response, hastily throwing on her clothes without even fastening them properly.

She retrieved a delicate dagger from beneath the blankets, took her mother's hand, and rushed toward the door.

However, when the mother and daughter arrived in the front courtyard, they were taken aback.

All they saw were the Zhao family's maidservants, house servants, and gatekeepers crowding the front, gossiping as if something major had occurred.

"The madam is here!" someone shouted.

Immediately, the old steward of the Zhao family hurried over, his aged face alight with a smile,

"Madam, Miss, good news, great news..."

The mother and daughter were bewildered, quickly inquiring.

The old steward excitedly explained,

"At the gate is a Heavenly Official from the palace, saying our Lord broke some case and earned a reward from the Saint."

Earned a merit?

A royal reward?

You Jinhua and her daughter were once again blindsided by the staggering news, staring at each other in bewilderment.

Though known as a rumored gigolo, Zhao Douan had never received such a legitimate, doorstep-honored reward before.

At this time, a eunuch with a pale, beardless face, holding a horsetail whisk approached.

Behind him were palace guards, seemingly unloading something from a carriage into the residence.

"This humble woman, You Jinhua, greets the Heavenly Official!"

Startled, You Jinhua was about to kneel, tugging at her daughter's hand to indicate she should mimic.

Although coming from a scholarly family, she had experienced much of the world and dared not offend the Heavenly Official in the slightest.

"Ah, please no, please don't..."

The eunuch hastily helped her up with both hands, not allowing her to kneel, smiling as he said,

"Is this the mother of Lord Zhao? Please don't put a servant at a loss."

It was no secret in the palace that Zhao Douan had recently become favored by the Empress, so who would dare offend?

You Jinhua became even more confused. People from the palace typically carried airs, so why was this eunuch smiling so amiably?

"May I ask, Heavenly Official, what exactly has happened?" Zhao Pan calmly inquired.

A bold youth unafraid of authority, the girl showed a lack of awe for power.

The eunuch flicked his horsetail whisk and laughed,

"Is this Miss Zhao? Indeed, a budding beauty..."

Accustomed to giving a few compliments, he then proceeded to explain the details.

Upon learning that Zhao Douan had arrested both Zhang family brothers yesterday, collaborating with the Imperial Court to solve a significant case,

The mother and daughter were stunned once more.

Da Lang, not returning home last night, had been involved in such an important affair?

You Jinhua's heart pounded wildly, filled with both worry for her stepson and pride.

Zhao Pan's focus, however, was on the Zhang brothers.

The dandy who forcefully invaded their home, intending to disgrace her mother and herself, ended up in the Imperial Prison by his doing?

And implicated their whole family behind it?

Faced with execution?

The dagger slipped from Zhao Pan's sleeve with a clang, her heart finally at ease as the gloomy cloud hanging over her dissipated—she had secretly worried about Zhang Changji's return.

"Ah, this..."

Everyone around looked at the sharp short dagger on the ground, falling silent.

"Haha," the eunuch was the first to break the awkward silence,

"As expected of the martial family, Lord Zhao is exceptionally brave, and his sister too is a heroine."

Martial family... Being praised like this made the Zhao family members bashful, their embarrassment nearly tangible.

Thankfully, this eunuch was perceptive, immediately ordering people to bring in bolts of silk:

"His Majesty, to commend the lord, especially bestowed two hundred bolts of tribute Shu silk."

The Great Yu Dynasty had no "Sichuan," only Shu County, known for producing exquisite silk fabrics with fine workmanship, beautiful patterns, and a wide variety.

Considered the finest of the four great embroideries, most of its annual production was consumed by the Royal family.

Only a small portion circulated among the public, where the price was extremely high.

Once, You Jinhua had the good fortune to see a noblewoman wearing Shu silk garments, but she never dared hope to possess any herself.

Yet now, there were as many as two hundred bolts of such fine materials... You Jinhua couldn't take her eyes off the exquisite silk being brought in one after another.

Zhao Pan was no better than her mother, her bright eyes glued there, unwilling to move.

They didn't even notice when the group of Heavenly Officials took their leave.

"Mother, stop looking; it's impossible for us to use them anyway."

Zhao Pan watched as the last batch of Shu silk was carried into the room, saying calmly.

You Jinhua sobered from her joy, her beautiful eyes dimming.

Yes, Zhao Douan wouldn't even give enough household money; such fine materials were destined not for them.

Forcing a smile, she said, "After all, it belongs to the family, so it'll ensure your brother won't lack fabric for clothes in the future."

Everything good in the Zhao family was prioritized for Zhao Douan, an unwritten household rule.

The servants understood, showing sympathy for the mistress's plight, and silently continued their work as the joy in the air gradually faded.

"The lord has returned!" the gatekeeper suddenly called out.

Then, Zhao Douan alone stepped through the door, looking around at everyone and frowning,

"Why are you all standing here? Is lunch ready?"

...

...

In the inner hall.

The three members of the Zhao family sat around a round table having lunch.

Since the day Zhao Douan ordered the mother and daughter to eat together, whenever he was home, they would dine united.

On the table were six dishes and one soup, all vegetarian.

"No meat?" Zhao Douan squeezed the chopsticks, eyebrows knitted tightly.

You Jinhua carefully explained,

"The account book has almost no money left for groceries. It's really difficult to scrape together for meat."

Her voice grew quieter, panic surfacing in her eyes, fearing once more that Zhao Douan might hit someone.

"I see," the anticipated outrage didn't arrive as Zhao Douan remained calm, extending his hand to produce a stack of silver notes, pushing them toward his stepmother,

"I've been too busy these past days and forgot. Take these."

A full thousand taels' worth of silver notes.

You Jinhua was dumbfounded, staring blankly at the large sum of money in front of her.

Never in her life had she controlled such vast wealth.

"Household expenses... don't require this much..." You Jinhua assumed her stepson took the wrong amount and hurriedly tried to return it.

Zhao Douan took a mouthful of plain rice, saying,

"I don't keep track of household matters; giving monthly is too troublesome. Keep this, use it for the family's daily needs and don't report to me, I can't be bothered to listen."

You're giving it all to me... without requiring detailed spending reports... You Jinhua doubted her ears.

Did he hand over enough money for the next fifty years all at once... Zhao Pan also looked over skeptically.

And the words Zhao Douan said next once again shattered their old impressions harshly.

"In the future, it's inevitable to host friends at home. The two of you are dressed too raggedly; it's my reputation at stake. Choose some of today's imperial gifts of silk and make at least five sets of new clothes each. The cost of making clothes comes out of the account, understand?"

Zhao Douan spoke as he continued eating.

Seeing no response for a while, he looked at the two, puzzled.

The mother and daughter, holding bowls, their hands suspended mid-air with chopsticks, were clearly frozen.

Five new outfits each... Silver notes worth over a thousand taels for household expenses...

The palace gifted Shu silk indeed meant for their use...

"Is there a problem?" Zhao Douan frowned.

Her head tilted slightly, revealing her slender, alabaster neck, You Jinhua quickly wiped her eyes as if crying.

Although still somewhat delicate, Zhao Pan's beauty had emerged, as if a lotus blossom; her eyes were filled with incredulity:

Had this wolf's nature changed?

...

Tomorrow is Tuesday, and for the PK data, please assist by clicking on tomorrow's update, many thanks.

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