That day.
In the Capital of Great Yu, two interesting events occurred.
First, the Empress's gigolo, Zhao Douan, quietly visited the Ministry of Justice and left about two quarters of an hour later.
It was said that he left with an unpleasant expression, as a green-robed official smiled apologetically as he was seen out.
Second, during the minor court session today, several officials led by Imperial Censor Lv Liang from the Imperial Court of Supervision jointly presented an impeachment against the White Horse Envoy, Zhao Douan.
They accused him of lawlessness, notorious reputation, and alleged collusion with the rebel leader.
They demanded that he be stripped of his position and imprisoned in the Imperial Prison to uphold the court's principles.
Empress Xu Zhenguan neither agreed nor disagreed, only stating that she would interrogate him personally later, and if the accusations were true, he would be punished.
Rumors spread wildly for a time, as it involved the Emperor's "family affair," naturally drawing attention.
Especially since the protagonist was a notorious gigolo, it fueled gossip.
In just half a day, numerous versions of the story emerged.
The Empress's ambiguous attitude and the endorsement of many court officials were interpreted by many seasoned officials as indications that Zhao Douan might have fallen from favor and was likely soon to be toppled.
For a time, countless people watched gleefully, feeling the satisfaction akin to seeing an evil villain about to be punished in a play.
It hit the spot...
...
In a certain office within the White Horse Hall.
Zhang Changshuo confirmed again:
"So, the people from the Ministry of Justice neither agreed nor refused, only delaying by saying they'd arrange it?"
His confidant reported:
"Yes. Presumably, the Ministry heard the rumors and, therefore, delayed, wanting to wait until the dust settled before making a decision."
The implication being that if Zhao Douan remained favored, they'd give him face, but if he fell... they'd pretend nothing happened.
Zhang Changshuo coldly laughed:
"A bunch of old foxes, no matter. Since that Zhao thief has already intervened, that's enough. Bribe was received and then interfered with the Ministry of Justice's affairs... With the testimony from the sub-prefecture of Ning'an as a 'witness,' combined with the court's clamor, do we fear he wouldn't die?"
His confidant asked, "What does Your Excellency intend to do?"
Zhang Changshuo put away the scroll on the table, pondered for a moment, and decided to play it safe.
The officialdom most feared bypassing the hierarchy; Zhao Douan was arrogant and did not give face to the Supervisor, but he would not do the same.
Moreover, Zhao Gou had repeatedly offended the Supervisor, and there was early animosity between them, so this could be regarded as returning the favor.
Thinking of this, he took the evidence directly to the rear government office to report the matter to the Old Director.
"So, you are accusing Zhao Douan of accepting bribes and interfering with justice?" The Old Director's eyes were quite peculiar.
"Yes," Zhang Changshuo, with the demeanor of a noble gentleman, saluted and said,
"I respectfully ask Your Majesty to eradicate the pest!"
The Old Director, with graying temples and deep-set eyes, remained silent for a moment, then said:
"The palace just sent a message, tomorrow morning, His Majesty will summon Zhao Douan, Lord Ma, and Imperial Censor Lv, among others, to confront him face-to-face. Since you have such intentions, take the evidence and enter the palace with him."
Zhang Changshuo was overjoyed and took his leave.
Once he was gone, leaving only the Old Director alone in the empty hall.
Gazing at the plantains in the courtyard soaked by the misty rain, he sighed deeply.
In his view, after tomorrow, even if Zhao Douan didn't die, he'd likely meet a tragic end.
"Friends in officialdom may not help you, but enemies will certainly harm you… when the wall falls, everyone pushes."
...
In the evening.
Zhao Douan received a summons to enter the palace the next day, and according to a government official, Lord Zhao maintained a neutral expression throughout.
...
That night.
The news of Zhao Douan's loss of favor and impending downfall spread quickly from the court circles to the streets.
The rumor was that the main force of this impeachment, the Imperial Censor "Lv Liang," was an official from the Prime Minister's faction.
Representing the Prime Minister's intention.
Rumors always spread in the form most aligned with the public's expectations.
Too many people loathed Zhao Douan, so everyone in the Capital preferred to believe the version of the story where he was about to fall.
For a time, it was clamorous, with a storm raging across the city.
But Zhao Douan, at the center of the storm, merely hid in an inn, quietly slept, and prepared to face the "calamity" with the best state of mind the next day.
...
The next day, early morning.
When Zhao Douan, dressed in an official robe and exuding unparalleled beauty, stepped out of the inn, he saw the lackey Zhu Kui waiting beside the carriage.
"Lord..." Zhu Kui opened his mouth.
Zhao Douan waved his hand, smiled, and said:
"Thank you for accompanying me to the palace this time, and after this, it has nothing to do with you."
Zhu Kui detected a different tone than usual from his Lord and his expression grew complex.
At this moment, he vaguely guessed that the Empress might not have pardoned Zhao Douan, and the claims made by the other party previously were likely exaggerated.
These past two days of running around, a series of operations seemed more like a drowning person's struggle.
Perhaps he had been deceived... he thought he would be angry, or gloating, or uneasy... but he wasn't.
The past two days, what he saw and heard following Zhao Douan, quietly overturned the impression this veteran official of many years had of him.
Although somewhat ashamed, he developed a slight sense of "admiration" for Zhao Douan!
How absurd! Ridiculous!
As an old official who had climbed up from the bottom through hard work and skill, he should disdain this type of attractive exterior but rotten inside gigolo the most.
Over the past year, behind subservient flattery, he had cursed Zhao Douan countless times.
The afternoon before yesterday, he even considered whether to switch allegiance towards Zhang Changshuo while Zhao's ship hadn't sunk.
Such a self, yet he admired him!
But this emotion was undeniably real!
Zhu Kui wondered if he were in Zhao Douan's position, whether he could maintain composure, stabilize those around him by bluffing using authority, when facing such a crisis?
Could he scheme step by step, attempting to reverse the unfavorable situation?
Could he maintain composure in the face of the entire Capital's gleeful anticipation of his downfall?
He asked himself if he couldn't, and thus he admired him.
"Lord..." Zhu Kui opened his mouth, finally still asked:
"Are you confident?"
Zhao Douan was momentarily stunned, then laughed heartily, patted his shoulder, and stepped into the carriage, leaving just a phrase:
"Let's go."
The carriage creaked along.
Upon reaching the outside of the Imperial City, they already saw carriages and horses waiting ahead.
"Zhao Douan, I thought you might have run away, afraid to enter the palace."
Zhang Changshuo lifted the carriage curtain and came down.
Today, he also wore an official robe, powdered his face, with neatly trimmed small mustaches and a scented sachet hanging from his waist.
Zhao Douan descended from the carriage, frowned and said:
"What are you doing here?"
Zhang Changshuo's face was filled with smugness, smiling, he said:
"What, you are allowed to see His Majesty, and I am not allowed to have an audience?"
Zhao Douan, with the mindset of watching a clown, showed no emotion on his face:
"Then let's enter the palace together."
... Zhang Changshuo's prepared full belly of words was stifled.
Zhao Douan's reaction was far more calm than expected, but he had already inquired clearly, knowing Zhao Gou was in a dire situation today, so after a moment of astonishment, he just flicked his sleeves with a hum:
"Putting on an act!"
Outside the palace gates were the carriages and horses of the Imperial Court and the Imperial Court of Supervision. The other two parties opposing the impeachment seemed to have already gone in early.
Zhao Douan asked the guards at the palace gates to report, then patiently waited for two quarters. The guards returned:
"His Majesty permits the two Lords to have an audience."
Zhang Changshuo stood tall, secretly clutching the scroll inside his sleeve—
Empress Xu Zhenguan's cultivation reached the heavens and she was inherently powerful, not fearing assassination, so there was no body search for ministers upon audience.
Zhao Douan took a deep breath, looked up at the deep gate of the city gate, the layers of the palace beyond, pursed his lips.
Success or failure hinged on this.
...
Transitional chapter, asking for votes on Monday.