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Xu Zhenguan quietly scrutinized Zhao Douan.
At this moment, the Female Emperor, who had ascended the throne in the form of a woman, appeared as calm as still water, yet she felt greatly surprised inside.
The memorial Zhao Douan handed her had indeed exceeded her expectations.
As the Empress, she had little time to pay attention to Zhao Douan, but through the detailed account from the female official, Mo Chou, the day before yesterday, she had already learned about the behavior of the "fake gigolo" she had chosen.
There was nothing surprising about it.
A mere guard of the imperial guard suddenly gained power, showered with fame and fortune, becoming conceited and unable to find his bearings; she had seen many such people.
Even the report later submitted by the White Horse Bureau Director only mentioned that Zhao Douan's intentions were not bad.
However, it did not say a single word about his abilities.
This was a sharp contrast to the remarkable performance Zhao Douan displayed while grinding ink for her the day before and his current methods.
A chief of the Ministry of Personnel reporting his own bribery and claiming it to be secretly instigated by the Prime Minister of the current dynasty... the Empress found it hard to believe.
She respected Li Yanfu's intelligence.
Was it slander? Or an attempt to implicate someone? But what was the purpose?
And most critically, how had Zhao Douan forced Feng Ju to commit such a bold act?
Xu Zhenguan pondered briefly, as wise as she was, quickly discerning Zhao Douan's operations and vaguely guessing Zhao Douan's true intent.
He presented her with a useful weapon to demonstrate his value and seek her favoritism.
But was such insight and strategy really something this reputedly unlearned man could possess?
Or was there an expert advising him from behind the scenes?
Perhaps that old eunuch from the White Horse Hall?
Xu Zhenguan admitted that she began to grow interested in this "fake gigolo."
Of course, the most critical aspect was her great fondness for the gift he had presented her with.
The matter of "converting rice fields to mulberry" was exactly the battlefield where Li Yanfu and she subtly gambled.
In the temple of rules, even though her cultivation was highly advanced and her status was noble, she also needed to follow this set of game rules.
And with Feng Ju's report, Xu Zhenguan could grab this minor issue and make a big deal out of it.
...
Inside the hall.
The observing crowd, through the Empress's expression, vaguely sensed the change in atmosphere.
Ma Yan was the first to notice. As a martial arts expert, he was more sensitive to changes in others' auras.
He couldn't help but wonder what exactly was written on the memorial Zhao Douan had submitted.
Why had Your Majesty been observing it for so long?
He suddenly realized that there might be a change in events.
The dismissive look on Lv Liang's face faded, and a sense of unease rose within him. He vaguely sensed that there might be a shift and immediately shouted:
"Your Majesty, this thief is as persuasive as his words are false, attempting to claim a small merit to escape punishment, truly cunning to the extreme! I believe he should be immediately imprisoned... Especially since he secretly interrogated the female rebel party, this must also be thoroughly investigated..."
Zhang Changshuo, unable to contain himself, jumped out to echo:
"What Imperial Censor Lv says is indeed right, I believe..."
"Enough!"
Suddenly, a slightly impatient, clear and cold reprimand from the dragon throne immediately silenced the two men.
Xu Zhenguan, draped in snow-white robes with a dignified and cold aura, glanced over the crowd with sharp eyes, making the final verdict:
"I have understood this matter and will make my own judgment. No more shall be said. Today I am weary; all of you may leave."
A decree as good as gold!
In an instant, the faces of those in the hall changed to varying degrees.
They were all intelligent individuals and could easily perceive the implied meaning behind the Empress's words.
While she said, "I will make my own judgment," what she meant was to raise it high and let it down gently, blatantly seeking to protect and favor Zhao Douan!
Especially the four words "no more shall be said," suggesting that the Empress did not wish to hear any more impeachment. It could be anticipated that this matter would gradually fade away until no one mentioned it.
Why?
What had really happened?
Wasn't Zhao Douan out of favor?
Why protect while inquiring? Why punish and then protect?
Lv Liang's goatee trembled, stunned on the spot, words stuck in his throat, his eyes filled with disbelief and intense frustration.
There was a feeling of being mocked.
He didn't understand how the situation, seemingly under control, had reversed in an instant.
What was written in Zhao Douan's memorial?
"Your Majesty," Lv Liang spoke with difficulty, squeezing out a sentence, "If judged like this, it is feared that the entire court, civil and military..."
Xu Zhenguan stood up, her gaze coldly sweeping over him:
"Are you teaching me how to do things?"
Lv Liang's breath halted, cold sweat flowing:
"No... I dare not."
"Then step down," Xu Zhenguan said, suddenly looking at the disheartened Zhang Changshuo, her eyes cold as she spoke:
"Zhang Changshuo slandered a colleague. He should be severely punished, but considering it is his first offense and his wholehearted dedication to the public, he shall only be punished with a three-day house arrest to reflect on himself."
Boom!
Zhang Changshuo seemed struck by lightning, his face ashen.
House arrest might not seem like much, but the revealed disfavor from the Empress was indeed the greatest punishment.
Especially since he had come with high hopes, yet at this moment, not only was Zhao Douan unscathed, but he himself had also left a bad impression on the Empress.
Failing to steal the chicken... the clown turned out to be himself... wait, it even rhymed!
Xu Zhenguan stepped out, accompanied by the palace attendants, leaving the side hall, pausing slightly next to Zhao Douan, and said:
"Zhao Douan?"
"Your subject is here."
"The hour is late; stay in the palace and dine with me."
"Yes!"
Beside them, Zhang Changshuo felt as if he had been struck by an arrow in the chest, stepped back several times, and looked at Zhao Douan in disbelief.
His Majesty not only defied the pressure from the entire court, civil and military, to protect the Zhao thief, but actually asked him to dine together?!
Since ancient times, it was said, "Fullness leads to indulgence..."
He could hardly imagine what the two would do after dinner!
Zhang Changshuo's vision darkened in waves.
"Farewell, Your Majesty!"
As everyone saluted in unison, Xu Zhenguan's figure receded into the distance.
Wearing his flying fish robes, pale-faced and beardless, with a temperament that was unpredictable like the "White Eyebrow Yama," Chief Eunuch Ma Yan looked deeply at the pretty young man beside him and said:
"Congratulations."
The impression Zhao Douan gave him today was unexpected.
At this moment, he felt a slight relief... Fortunately, from start to finish, he only passed the buck, without any attacks.
Wasn't... congratulations supposed to come with a smile? What was with that stern face and fierce gaze... Zhao Douan, filled with relief as if surviving a disaster, secretly grumbled in his heart, smiled, and said:
"Thanks to Lord..."
Before he could finish speaking, Ma Yan turned around and left.
Clearly, he had no fondness for a notorious figure like him.
"..." Zhao Douan then looked at the remaining two.
Lv Liang expressionless, turned and left without uttering a word, eager to report the matter to the Prime Minister.
He was merely the vanguard; the real contest was between the big figures on both sides.
As for Zhang Changshuo, he left gloomily, following behind Imperial Censor Lv, without even uttering a harsh word.
This left Zhao Douan feeling somewhat disappointed, thinking that this rival was so easily disheartened?
Was his fighting spirit totally gone?
"Lord, please follow me to the flower hall to wait until Your Majesty summons you," the elderly female official who had accepted Zhao Douan's silver note bribe the day before yesterday approached with a smiling face.
Zhao Douan cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, elder sister."
At the same time, his heart tensed again, knowing that this matter had not yet concluded, as the Empress clearly wanted to question him alone.
This whole operation had too starkly diverged from the original "Zhao Douan" persona, and the Empress could not possibly overlook it.
In other words, he had to provide a perfect explanation.
Otherwise, he would still not escape his fate.
"I hope this world's cultivation system doesn't have body possession rebirth..." Zhao Douan silently prayed.
...
Meanwhile, as this "inquiry" that the entire Capital was focused on concluded, the final result spread like a whirlwind beyond the palace.
At the palace gate.
Zhu Kui guarded beside the carriage, anxiously waiting, much like a family member outside a high-stakes examination hall, frequently looking towards the deep gate, hoping to catch a glimpse of Zhao Douan.
Although he was almost certain that Zhao Douan would not come out unscathed, even if not dead, Zhu Kui still held a sliver of hope.
After all, he had followed Zhao Douan in completing the entire operation.
Though unaware of the details, it didn't stop him from holding onto a shred of fantasy.
It wasn't loyalty, but rather, being tied too closely as one of Zhao Douan's trusted henchmen. If Zhao Douan were to fall, he, the pawn, would inevitably be implicated too.
His life and livelihood depended entirely on it.
Zhu Kui had even written a will and made arrangements for his family's affairs before entering the palace this morning.
It wasn't an overreaction; he had witnessed too many bloody intrigues of feudal dynasties.
Finally.
Someone emerged from the gate; Zhu Kui's spirits lifted, and he quickly looked carefully, only to see Ma Yan, Lv Liang, and Zhang Changshuo exit one after another.
"The Lord did not manage to come out..."
Zhu Kui's heart sank completely as his body went cold halfway, suspecting that Zhao Douan might have already met a disastrous end by an enraged Empress within the palace.
In his panic and distraction, he failed even to notice Zhang Changshuo's face dark as a pot bottom.
"This Heavenly Official," Zhu Kui donned a flattering smile, quickly stepped over to the eunuch sending people out and familiarly pulled out a piece of silver to hand over:
"May I ask why my Lord wasn't able to come out?"
The eunuch, recognizing him as Zhao Douan's servant, nervously returned the silver he was holding, saying:
"By no means."
Finished! The man didn't even dare accept the silver; what immense trouble had he gotten into?
Zhu Kui's plastered-on smile froze, his heart sinking.
But the next second, he saw the eunuch reveal an enthusiastic smile:
"Lord Zhao was kept for a meal in the palace by Your Majesty; he wanted me to tell you not to wait for him."
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