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"So... is it really like this?"
Xu Zhenguan was stunned, filled with surprise at this explanation.
But upon careful reflection, it seemed to be the most reasonable answer.
Therefore, it wasn't that Zhao Douan became arrogant after his sudden rise, but rather the result of his careful guesswork and proactive flattery.
Thus, the infamous reputation from the rumors and her perception's dissonance had a logical explanation.
She even pondered more deeply:
Why was the White Horse Bureau Director partial to Zhao Douan back then? Perhaps it was due to his exceptional talent.
Xu Zhenguan did not question this narrative.
Because it was logical, and also because Zhao Douan had guessed correctly.
The reason she allowed the spread of "scandals" was indeed to use it as bait.
However, this was not intentional; rumors had already spread below, and upon learning of them, she simply went along with it, putting this move on the board.
Anyway, with her magnanimity, she wouldn't care about those damaging rumors.
Compared to slander like "killing her brother and father," keeping a gigolo was really nothing.
Because it was just a casual move without much attention, her impression of Zhao Douan was vague.
She did not expect...
...
"You were really thoughtful," Xu Zhenguan was silent for a long time, her gaze softened, the aura of authority waning:
"Thus, putting yourself in danger."
Zhao Douan was treacherously loyal:
"To relieve Your Majesty's worries, I am willing to die a hundred deaths without regret."
Xu Zhenguan pondered for a moment and then asked in confusion:
"If it's as you say, then why did you seize the Imperial Court case and capture Zhuang Xiaocheng? With your intelligence, you shouldn't have done such a foolish thing."
Zhao Douan, slipping into a dramatic stance, appeared slightly agitated:
"Because I couldn't wait any longer! I defiled myself for more than a year, yet achieved no merit, and was anxious! So, I thought, since the criminals wouldn't find me, I might as well be proactive.
Thus, I bribed informants in the Imperial Court, keeping track of the rebels' whereabouts, and in my eagerness for success, I made a grave mistake!"
Here, he deliberately showed strong emotion, exposing his defect of "craving merit" and his flaw of "recklessness."
The previous strategy successfully crafted the image of a meticulous and highly capable person.
But based on past experience, he knew that leaders don't actually dislike subordinates with flaws.
In fact, if a subordinate is too "perfect," too detailed, a leader may also become wary and guarded.
At the same time, the flaw of "craving merit" could also cover up logical issues.
After all, the original owner made such foolish moves in capturing people, and Zhao Douan couldn't justify it.
So, he simply confessed: I was too eager for merit and wanted to claim credit, so what?
With the groundwork laid by the previous year's self-defilement, a bit of recklessness wasn't abrupt.
Xu Zhenguan did not suspect anything, only sighed in her heart, feeling somewhat disappointed.
From her position, she could see that ministers pursuing fame and profit and competing for credit were as numerous as carp crossing a river.
Indeed, this little guard was another vulgar man greedy for power.
"From a mere soldier to your current position, are you still not satisfied?" Xu Zhenguan shook her head and asked.
Zhao Douan shook his head and said: "I am already satisfied and do not care about how much power I have."
Xu Zhenguan asked curiously, "If not for power, then what is it for?"
Zhao Douan suddenly raised his head a little recklessly, staring at her with a burning gaze, saying:
"For Your Majesty!"
Ha... sycophantic flattery... Xu Zhenguan was already immune to her ministers swearing loyalty, but Zhao Douan's next words caught her entirely off guard.
Zhao Douan loudly said:
"Three years ago, on the day of the Xuanmen Coup, I was fortunate to witness Your Majesty, clothed in red with a treasure sword in hand, descending like an immortal in the chaos of the army. That moment, Your Majesty's demeanor left a deep imprint in my heart, unforgettable through countless days and nights...
Since then, my heart has belonged to Your Majesty... but due to the disparity in our statuses, I could only hide my admiration... until later, Your Majesty faced the rumors, yet did not deny them...
Although I guessed a little, it inevitably gave rise to unrealistic fantasies in my heart... wildly thinking, if I could make great achievements, eliminate traitors for Your Majesty, maybe I could receive Your Majesty's favor..."
Xu Zhenguan: ???
At that moment, accompanied by Zhao Douan's abrupt confession, even the Emperor of Great Yu, with profound composure, couldn't help but be dumbfounded.
Her eyes dodged, her head buzzing with noise.
What did that mean?
Wasn't it supposed to be a declaration of loyalty? Why did it suddenly turn into a confession?
Naturally, she would not expect that this was indeed Zhao Douan's final trump card, carefully designed through pondering and meditation last night for today's defense.
A weapon that could perfectly fill all loopholes.
Zhao Douan was well aware that even he, with his eloquence, would find it hard to explain some details' inconsistencies.
For instance, Zhao Douan's craving for merit and recklessness appeared abrupt.
Self-defilement for a year for the emperor, facing endless slander, with unchanged original intentions... this also felt a bit contrived.
It couldn't stand the test of careful scrutiny.
However, by adding "admiration," it was entirely different.
Firstly, the original owner did indeed covet the Empress's body from the start. The urgency to claim credit was also truly because he was eager to demonstrate himself to gain the Empress's favor.
These were facts! No fear of scrutiny!
Secondly, actions based on "loyalty" might appear unconvincing, but if derived from the logic of a sycophant, it becomes much more believable.
Imagine:
The original owner, being a sycophant, was drawn by the Empress's hollow promises, indulging in self-moved emotions. That's why he took great risks to use himself as bait, bearing infamy...
Doesn't this appear much more reasonable?
As for claiming credit, huh, a sycophant became infatuated and impulsive. Is it not reasonable to do some foolish things?
Most importantly, Zhao Douan had a deep insight into human nature:
No one truly detests an infatuated, willing-to-sacrifice-life-for-you, good-looking opposite sex!
Therefore, he believed, as long as he wielded this ultimate weapon, no matter what, the Empress wouldn't cut him down.
At this moment, when he loudly expressed his adoration, the ever dignified and graceful Emperor of Great Yu lost her composure for the first time.
She first turned her head to ensure the door was closed, not allowing those outside to hear before she breathed a sigh of relief.
Then she looked over with a peculiarly complex expression, bewildered, astonished, surprised, awkward, at her wit's end...
As one of the rare female emperors in history and a martial arts expert, Xu Zhenguan certainly wouldn't react like an ordinary woman.
Overall, she still held her composure.
But how to put it... such a direct expression was a first for her in her life.
"Ah, forgive me, Your Majesty, I was improper." Zhao Douan stopped at the right moment, promptly lowering his head to apologize.
...
Long silence ensued.
Xu Zhenguan finally exhaled deeply and said:
"Don't let this happen again."
At this point, all her doubts were dispelled, accepting the fact that her "rumored boyfriend" was a loyal and capable person.
Zhao Douan restrained the impulse to curl his lips upward, and suddenly remembered something, feeling it necessary to further consolidate his achievements.
He said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. By the way, I have another matter to report."
"You may speak," Xu Zhenguan added, "but don't spout nonsense."
Zhao Douan, with a solemn expression:
"It's about the recent rebel incident. When I interrogated Zhuang Xiaocheng's maid, I accidentally discovered something."
He immediately recounted how he detected a flaw from Yun Xi, linked the cause and effect, and shared his speculation completely.
At first, Xu Zhenguan didn't pay much attention, but as she listened midway, her expression grew serious. When he finished, she furrowed her brows:
"So, you suspect this is a trap laid by the Kuangfu Society against Ma Yan?"
Zhao Douan nodded:
"It's just speculation, without evidence. Moreover, if that magician was indeed powerful, it was sheer luck I survived."
This statement seemed plain, but subtly offered the Empress the loophole that he didn't die to fill in herself.
As expected, Xu Zhenguan shook her head and said:
"You're not worth an all-out effort from the other side. Just like when you step on an ant, you only use the force you believe sufficient to crush it. Fortunately, you were wearing the Heart Protecting Mirror, which saved you from disaster."
"Your Majesty sees clearly!" Zhao Douan flattered, delivering a rainbow fart.
Xu Zhenguan pondered momentarily and said:
"This matter will be considered by me. Let's talk about your punishment first."
Huh? I've offered so much merit, performed strenuously, and still a punishment?... Zhao Douan opened his mouth.
Xu Zhenguan seemingly read his thoughts and said calmly:
"You did well with Feng Ju's matter, but you should know, even if I needed a knife, it wouldn't be you delivering it, there would be one still."
"The clue about the Kuangfu Society you mentioned, even if Ma Yan were dispatched to interrogate, the result would be the same."
"As for your self-defilement... it's unrelated to the case."
Zhao Douan reined in his expressions, knowing that what the Empress said was true.
These so-called merits, in reality, if someone else replaced him, it would be the same; it wasn't exclusive to him.
Therefore, from beginning to end, his goal was to demonstrate his "usefulness."
Xu Zhenguan continued:
"I can protect you this time, but with ministers eloquent and numerous, as the Emperor, I must give the court an explanation, or else I'll be deemed an incapable ruler again."
Pausing, her voice turned authoritative:
"Hence, since this is your doing, you must compensate. By year's end, if you can apprehend Zhuang Xiaocheng, not only will you be exempt from punishment, but you will also receive a reward. But if you fail to do so... you will be punished according to 'Great Yu Law'!"
So, the death penalty changed to a suspended death sentence?
No, "suspended death sentence" isn't explained like this...
There's still over half a year... Zhao Douan's heart sank, knowing that this was the best result he could strive for at the moment:
"I will surely capture the traitor!"
Thinking in his heart:
First, survive the immediate disaster and strive for a six-month breather; who knows how the situation might change after half a year?
Xu Zhenguan nodded softly, seeing his solemn face, suddenly smiled and said:
"I reward and punish clearly. Mistakes deserve penalty, but merits also deserve rewards."
"Speak, what reward do you desire? I can grant you anything."
Zhao Douan raised his head, his eyes shining:
"Anything?"
The beautiful Xu Zhenguan glanced at him as if saying, do not fail to appreciate kindness.
Zhao Douan did not hesitate, loudly said:
"After this incident, I feel deeply inadequate in strength. I humbly request Your Majesty to grant me the method for cultivation advancement."
Xu Zhenguan smiled and said, "Which path of cultivation do you wish to pursue?"
Zhao Douan hesitated, "Heavenly Master Mansion?"
He had considerable interest in magicians; the Heavenly Master Mansion and Divine Dragon Temple were the two holy lands for cultivation in Great Yu, where most high-grade magicians came from. Moreover, he didn't want to be a monk.
Xu Zhenguan chuckled softly, shaking her head.
No? Did I ask too much?
Indeed, entering a holy land for cultivation (akin to elite universities) isn't easily achieved... plus, I originate as a martial artist... Zhao Douan felt a wave of disappointment.
"The Heavenly Master's lineage is too inferior; not worth pursuing."
Xu Zhenguan, in the calmest tone, said the most domineering words:
"Since you're one of mine, I grant you the path to cultivation in the human world, the strongest path."
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