The Empress's No.1 Lackey

Inside the Imperial Study Room.

"Cre-e-ak." Having finished lunch, Xu Zhenguan stepped back into the place where he handled affairs, standing by the window, using his slender and fair hands to push open a window.

Woo——

The cold wind hit the Empress' face, gently ruffling her strands of hair, Xu Zhenguan's eyelashes trembled, her eyes squinted, her clear infant-like pupils mirrored the drifting and swirling heavy snow outside the window, like falling willow catkins.

A bit absent-minded.

She still remembered, the day of the Xuanmen Coup was also a snowy day in the depths of winter.

Back then, the sounds of shouting and killing filled every corner of the Imperial City, flashes of swords and halberds swept by, splattering vivid crimson blood on the spacious plaza by the Meridian Gate.

A layer of blood was spilled, and the sky's white snow covered it layer by layer, repeating several times, the blood and snow merged, almost painting the sky in red.

Now, entering the third year, the visible flashes of swords are gone, but the invisible ones have never ceased.

"Hoo..."

The cold wind carried a flake of snow, spinning into the window, landing in the Empress's upraised right palm, melting into a drop of water with her breath.

Xu Zhenguan pursed her lips, the slight drowsiness dissipated, she didn't close the window, instead turned around and walked to the desk, sitting upright.

One hand holding a brush, with the other hand she picked the top petition from a stack sent from Xiuwen Pavilion, requiring her direct review.

As she unfolded it, the Empress raised her eyebrows.

This petition was sent by the Shipping Governor of the south, requesting the court to quickly appoint new local officials to fill the vacancies.

With the implementation of the "New Policy," over these past few months, actions to rectify the previously bloated bureaucratic system were vigorously underway.

The method proposed by Zhao Douan for evaluating governance was drafted initially and implemented on Jiancheng Road, unsurprisingly, resulting in a batch of officials' dismissal.

With one batch down, there was an urgent need to fill the positions, which originally was the responsibility of Li Yanfu from the Ministry of Personnel, now through the "New Cabinet," it was retracted back into the Empress's hands.

"A generation of new replaces the old."

The Empress was lost in thought, her mind had long floated outside the palace, worrying about Duke Cao's final decision.

She went through great lengths to set up such a situation, still aiming to reclaim the military authority of Jubei City with the least cost.

If Cao Mao stubbornly refused to cooperate, and fought against her, even if she could reclaim the military authority in the end, it would certainly come at a notable cost.

She was lost in thought for an unknown period.

"Your Majesty," a voice of a female official came from outside the door, "Mr. Zhao requests an audience."

It was as if she was startled awake from a dream, Xu Zhenguan suddenly stood up, urgently saying: "Let him in!"

"Yes." The female official responded and left.

Xu Zhenguan couldn't sit still, heading out quickly, her dark hair fluttering behind her, as she leaned by the door, her gaze pierced through the flying snow looking afar.

Moments later, a tall figure bearing an oiled paper umbrella, draped in a red cape, walked towards them.

Snow covered the umbrella surface, dotted the cape, with a touch grazing the black coronet on Zhao Douan's head.

He walked through the courtyard, leaving a trail of footprints behind, the female officials and eunuchs nearby wisely stepped back.

"Mr. Zhao... how is it?"

Xu Zhenguan gazed at him gravely, a sleek trace of unresolved anxiety swirled in her bright eyes.

Zhao Douan stepped into the corridor, folding the oiled paper umbrella with his hands, directing the umbrella tip downward, turning the umbrella handle, as the snow rustled off.

Instantly he looked at the Empress, his expressionless face slowly lifted at the corners, presenting the folded petition from his sleeve with both hands:

"Reporting to Your Majesty, we have lived up to your great trust, Duke An Cao Mao petitions for resignation, willing to hand over military authority. The Northern Border Army is now within Your Majesty's grasp."

It's settled!

Success!

With this utterance by Zhao Douan, the colossal weight suspended in Xu Zhenguan's chest finally plummeted to the ground.

She was momentarily dazed, then her lips curved upwards, seemingly wanting to laugh heartily but constrained by Zhao Douan's presence, she restrained it, revealing subtle expressions, extremely vibrant.

Zhao Douan blinked, remarked earnestly: "Holding back harms the body, shall I laugh first for Your Majesty?"

"Pfftt!"

Without warning, his playful jest broke through, Xu Zhenguan finally couldn't maintain the dignified posture of an emperor, displaying an unrestrained, joyful smile.

Nobody knew how much pressure had accumulated in her heart over these days; dealing with a border army matters differently than court struggles.

At this moment, knowing the major affair was done, the Empress only felt her shoulders lighten, spawning an indescribable relief.

Zhao Douan found it amusing, blinked, teased: "Is Your Majesty going to stand at the door and chat with me?"

Only then did the Empress awaken from joy, coquettishly glaring at him, snatching the resignation petition, turning to walk back into the study room.

She happily flipped through it—like a maiden with a New Year gift.

When Zhao Douan entered the room too, took off his cloak, the ruler and subject sat down, the Empress naturally inquired about the details.

Zhao Douan recounted the entire process, and didn't forget to give credit to others:

"This victory could be achieved not only due to Your Majesty's wise leadership, but Mr. Yuan's control of the situation, Duke Tang also put considerable effort."

Xu Zhenguan couldn't hide her curiosity and said:

"Mr. Yuan previously hinted to me that he involved you in this matter, but wasn't detailed; can you tell now how exactly you got Duke Tang to assist you?"

The Empress was astonished because Duke Tang's involvement wasn't part of her plan.

Originally, in her envisaged plan, the noble group from the Capital was quite likely supporting Cao Mao, entangled repeatedly in the "Lang Shiba" case, with many rounds of confrontation inevitable.

Yet, after Zhao Douan's involvement, this originally troublesome aspect was seamlessly resolved.