The Empress's No.1 Lackey

"It's me, no need to shout so loudly." Zhao Douan dug at his ears.

The prison guard behind him thoughtfully moved a chair for him and then respectfully retreated, leaving only the two of them separated by the prison door.

"It's you! You're framing me!"

After the initial shock, Lv Liang seemed to understand something and couldn't contain his anger.

The two had become enemies not long ago, and today he had become a prisoner; no one would believe it was a coincidence.

"So what if I am? Can you bite me?"

Zhao Douan crossed his arms and smiled provocatively.

The Imperial Censor in his green robe took a deep breath, allowing reason to return, and said coldly,

"In my official capacity, I am honest and incorruptible. How dare you make baseless accusations?"

"Is that so?" Zhao Douan sneered,

"The woman you strangled to death in bed might not agree."

Before entering the cell, Pei Kaizhi's subordinates had already contacted him.

The charge used to arrest Lv Liang was indeed related to the past incident mentioned by Yun Xi.

Friends who often kill know that killing is easy but disposing of the body is hard... on that occasion, it was Pei Kaizhi who had covered it up.

But he also left a handle in his father-in-law's hands.

Lv Liang's pupils constricted, momentarily unsure where his adversary had dug up one of his scarce dark secrets.

"Are you curious how I knew?"

Zhao Douan smiled, as if he understood his thoughts, and sighed lightly,

"This matter was indeed secret, but in this world, if more than two people know, it's no secret. When my wife told me, I was also shocked, who would think that the renowned 'Iron-Mouthed Imperial Censor' of Great Yu would be such a ruthless destroyer of a woman."

"Pei Siniang!?" Lv Liang couldn't believe it,

"How could she be involved with you…"

Zhao Douan had the expression of watching a fool,

"Of course, I seduced her. Love is like tending flowers; if you don't water them, someone else will… By the way, Mrs. Lv's taste is truly exquisite."

Buzz!

Lv Liang felt as if he had been struck by a club, his mind buzzing, his face visibly reddening, his neck veins bulging, staring at him, grinding his teeth:

"Bitch!"

It wasn't clear whether he was cursing Zhao or Pei.

Ironically, although he had already been unfaithful and harbored more hate than love for Pei Siniang, being cuckolded right in his face by an enemy was a humiliation difficult to bear.

And moreover…

How could this bitch be so foolish?

Plotting with a tiger for its skin?

Selling herself out, unafraid of implicating the Pei family?

Lv Liang felt both the anger of being cuckolded and nearly wept at his lawful wife's foolish actions.

Fortunately…there was still his father-in-law.

Lv Liang dug his nails into his flesh to maintain clarity through the pain, thinking rapidly.

Since he was in the Imprisonment, it indicated that his father-in-law had intervened; Zhao Douan appearing here was probably sniffing around following the trail.

Previously, when no one paid attention to him, there was a reasonable explanation; his father-in-law had to avoid suspicion to prevent Zhao thief from making accusations.

"Do you still fantasize that Pei Kaizhi will save you?"

Zhao Douan mercilessly pierced his thoughts,

"He has abandoned you. Otherwise, without him providing evidence, wouldn't Pei Siniang's words lack proof?"

Don't call her Siniang… Lv Liang expressionless,

"Do you think I would believe that?"

That was absurd!

Initially, despite Pei Siniang's repeated tearful complaints, Pei Kaizhi had forcibly protected him; why would he be afraid of a mere pretty boy now?

Zhao Douan smiled,

"I know what you're thinking. Pei Kaizhi indeed doesn't care about me, but he will show face for Mr. Yuan."

Yuann Li?

Lv Liang startled and confused, couldn't understand how this related to Yuann Li.

Zhao Douan with a smile that wasn't quite a smile,

"You should remember that day I rode with Mr. Yuan, and today I'll enlighten your death. Mr. Yuan has evidence of Pei Kaizhi's fifth brother participating in gambling, intending to use that to exchange some pieces with Pei Kaizhi, and you, were one of the pieces exchanged."

It was as if thunderstruck!

The short sentence nearly burst the Iron-Mouthed Imperial Censor's mind with its information density.

With his intelligence, he immediately sorted out the logic:

Gambling could be a significant charge, but insufficient to threaten Pei Kaizhi.

Yuann Li being an enemy with the "Li Party," it wasn't strange for him to acquire this evidence, and because it'd be a waste to discard, he used it to exchange benefits with Pei Kaizhi.

Lv Liang being in the Imperial Court of Supervision and heart with the "Li Party" was a thorn in Yuann Li's side.

Conveniently, Pei Kaizhi, known for loving his youngest son, agreed to dispose of himself to protect his son.

Someone needed to act on this, and conveniently, on that day, Zhao Douan entered the palace, coincidentally meeting and discussing this matter.

The logic chain was clear and unbreakable.

Lv Liang only felt a basin of ice-cold water pour over him, chilling him to the core, but he didn't notice Zhao Douan's upward curling lips.

Ha-ha, he believed it!

Zhao Douan's words were half-true, half-false; had he not mentioned Yuann Li, Lv Liang, ever wary, would have speculated.

If he had suspected it was a trap, the plan might well have failed.

Therefore, Zhao Douan had to proactively fix the gaps.

As a result, the nature of this matter was no longer about conspiracies.

But rather a common game of strategy among the grandees of the court.

Similar games, Lv Liang had seen far too often, only this time, he became the sacrificial chess piece for the greater good.

"You... are talking nonsense!"

Lv Liang's fingers, clutching the railing, turned white, fierce on the outside but filled with inner turmoil:

"Utter nonsense!"

He still harbored two hopes in his heart.

First, that all this was just Zhao Douan's side of the story, second, that even if Pei Kaizhi abandoned him, he would save him in a roundabout way to avoid disheartening his subordinates.

At worst, help him temporarily avoid the limelight, demote him elsewhere, and wait for an opportunity to bring him back.

Zhao Douan sneered, suddenly turned his head, and shouted:

"Siniang, your husband says he doesn't believe it."

The doors of the distant corridor opened.

A charming, elegant lady in a bright red long dress walked towards them, her pretty face wearing a cruel smile:

"Lord, why waste words with this fool? It's a perfect day, and I've specially changed into this festive dress."

Saying this, she spread her arms, slowly twirled around in the prison corridor.

Under the glow of the firelight, her dress fluttered, radiantly captivating.

Lv Liang's eyes reddened as he slammed against the sturdy railing, furiously powerless:

"Vile woman! You ruined me!! Scoundrels, may you not die well!"

Pei Siniang glanced at him disdainfully, the long-held resentment erupting from within.

She thought she would be satisfied, shouting out angrily, but for some reason, she only found it laughable:

"I must have been blind when I saw something in you."

Zhao Douan slowly stood up, wrapping his arms around Siniang's voluptuous waist:

"He's not worth it."

Pei Siniang leaned against him, softly murmuring an "mm," her breath as sweet as orchids, her expression troubled:

"Just like this?"

As the moment approached, she faltered.

Zhao Douan laughed heartily, leading her away:

"It's still early, I've already ordered some food and drinks, let us celebrate first."

He paused, glanced towards the prison cell, his smile enigmatic:

"After I've had my fill, Siniang and I will come to see you again. Don't worry, we'll be just outside, we'll come back tonight."

"Traitor! What are you going to do!? What do you want?"

Lv Liang frantically slammed against the railing, anticipating a certain possibility.

…

At the end of the corridor.

Zhu Kui was waiting, beside him was a Chief of the Ministry of Justice, and behind them were several prison guards.

When Zhao Douan walked out, he naturally distanced himself from Siniang, maintaining a proper separation.

"Lord."

"Lady."

Zhao Douan hummed affirmatively, smiling:

"Today again, I've rid His Majesty of another traitor, feeling quite pleased. I have arranged food and drinks and would like to treat Miss Pei and all of you, please do join us."

"This…" The officials of the Ministry of Justice looked at each other, the Chief hesitating:

"Lord, you are too kind, we are simply enforcing the law and need no…"

Zhao Douan's face darkened: "Are you not giving me face then?"

The Chief was taken aback.

Pei Kaizhi had instructed him to watch Lv Liang and to accommodate Zhao Douan as much as possible, reporting anything unusual but had not briefed him further.

Pei Siniang, addressed as "Miss," was overjoyed and immediately set her pretty face stern:

"The lord has worked hard for the Pei family, hasn't even had food, and you would refuse to share a meal?"

With the Vice Minister's daughter speaking, the Chief dared not decline.

After all, it was just a meal, what could possibly go wrong?

But… with your husband locked inside, not being fed, you dress up like this and celebrate outside with Zhao Douan…

The officials of the Ministry of Justice felt their worldview collapsing, truly a chaotic circle.

Well done… Zhao Douan was full of praise, instructing:

"Zhu Kui, aren't you going to hurry the food and drinks? Remember to get the finest aged wine."

Zhu Kui, fully understanding, gave a look that said "everything is arranged":

"I will see to it right away."

…

That evening.

In the "Yi" character prison cell.

Lv Liang lay on the cold floor of the cell, unable to sleep with the faint glow of firelight.

Thinking of that despicable pair dining outside, returning later, his anger surged.

But more so, he worried about his future.

He still did not believe that Pei Kaizhi would utterly discard him.

Firmly believing that once the Zhao thief left, his father-in-law's men would come to discuss things thoroughly.

In a dazed state, he heard the noise from their drinking diminishing outside, the corridor doors opened, and quiet footsteps entered.