The Empress's No.1 Lackey

There was not even the slightest sign of hesitation as if they were returning home, making the officials look at each other, thinking perhaps the rumors about the gigolo were true?

Indeed, though the Capital, and the entire realm, were abuzz with rumors that Zhao Gou was the Empress's gigolo, it remained in the realm of 'rumor'.

It hadn't received official confirmation, and high-ranking officials had never quite believed it, only considering him a 'favored minister'.

As night fell, significant officials began arriving one after another.

"Mr. Yuan... you're finally here. I've been here for a while."

"Grandmaster, please take your time, haha... Han scholar, you're here too? Please sit."

"Minister Xue, you look truly radiant today, come sit, the place is already prepared."

"Duke Tang, why aren't your daughter and the Young Master here? Oh, they're outside."

Zhao Douan exchanged pleasantries with everyone who arrived.

When Li Yanfu, dressed in crimson official robes with hair like reversed hedgehog quills, eyebrows near purple stone, and a beard connecting with his sideburns, arrived with his son, Zhao Douan got up and said with a smile:

"The Prime Minister is finally here. Oh my, how is the Young Master faring these days?"

Li Yanfu squinted his eyes and leisurely entered the Fengtian Hall, looking calm and composed.

Li Yinglong, who followed behind, frowned, snorted coldly, and swept his robe as he walked towards a seat on the side.

Tsk, no one pays attention to me now, this guy has become restrained... Zhao Douan suddenly felt bored, smiled, and said nothing more.

By this time, night had fallen, and the entire Fengtian Hall was adorned with bright red lanterns, and the hall was filled with music and dance, all of courtly ceremonies and music.

Suddenly, the music inside the hall changed to 'grand music', ministers rose and looked outside the hall, to see an entourage surrounding a carriage like stars around the moon.

Dressed in a dragon robe, the Empress of Great Yu slowly descended from the carriage, accompanied by Mo Chou and other female officials, and entered the hall amidst the ceremonial music.

"Welcome, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Douan stood among the officials, due to his rank, he was close to the hall door and was the first to see the Empress walk past.

Xu Zhenguan was splendidly dressed today, her appearance was more enchanting than usual, almost dazzling.

However, the ministers in the hall all lowered their heads, not daring to look directly.

After the imperial seat was raised, Xu Zhenguan took her place and said, "Rise, everyone."

The music paused, and the ministers took their seats.

The people from Guanglu Temple began serving various dishes, accompanied by flowers and a series of performances.

Zhao Douan watched the ministers sitting upright, motionless in front of the dishes, his mouth twitching, thinking to himself that his stepmother was right, this banquet hardly gives anyone a chance to eat.

Finally enduring until a bunch of rituals ended.

Xu Zhenguan looked around at the ministers with a smile: "Tonight is New Year's Eve, and I'm pleased to gather with all of you in the palace. Over the past year, there have been many storms in court affairs, but thanks to the cooperation of everyone, my Great Yu and the common people have been preserved..."

After a round of reciting the script, the ministers expressed their views, all seasoned actors, accustomed to the routine.

However, just when everyone thought the banquet would end according to plan, suddenly, Li Yanfu, seated very close to the front, just below the Empress, slowly stood up. Under the gaze of everyone, he clasped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, there's a matter the old minister wishes to present at this fine moment."

The music inside the hall suddenly diminished, and the Empress sat on the throne, squinting down at Li Yanfu: "Oh? What matter does the Prime Minister find so urgent to present during this banquet?"

Li Yanfu seemed to miss the displeasure in the Empress's words, remaining calm and saying with an unchanging face: "Early this summer, Zhao Douan, then the White Horse Envoy, exceeded his authority by arresting the rebel leader Zhuang Xiaocheng, which led to his escape... The incident caused quite a stir in the Capital, but later it was clarified by Your Majesty that it was not Zhao Douan's intention. Yet, a timeframe was set for capturing the leader. Now, as the year ends, I wonder if the original promise still holds?"

Silence.

Fengtian Hall suddenly became so quiet that a pin drop could be heard, even the musicians stopped playing, sensing the sudden shift in atmosphere.

The originally joyful and harmonious atmosphere shifted in an instant, becoming somewhat heavy.

Zhao Douan raised an eyebrow, thinking Little Ma really is a crow, predicting this predicament correctly.

The other ministers changed their expressions, many looking puzzled, not understanding why the Prime Minister was speaking out about this matter today, at this very moment?

Even if you intend to present this issue, couldn't you wait until tomorrow?

Can't you wait for the next court session to impeach?

"Mr. Li! What you said isn't appropriate!" The silence was broken first by Sun Lianying, the White Horse Supervisor.

This low-profile old eunuch was usually inconspicuous in the hall, but now he was the first to speak, attracting attention.

Sun Lianying sat behind the long table, his face full of age marks, showing no emotion: "As the White Horse Supervisor, I feel compelled to address the matters regarding Zhao Douan. Although he did allow Zhuang Xiaocheng to escape, it was later clarified that it wasn't his doing but a trap set by Kuangfu Society... Even if we take a step back, despite that incident, in the past half year, Zhao Douan has captured not just ten but dozens of rebels. He uprooted Kuangfu Society's sub-branch in the Capital and exposed the Imperial Court's traitors... In terms of contributing while bearing punishments, aren't these accomplishments considerable? And that's without touching upon the numerous feats he has achieved in this half year..."

Li Yanfu interrupted, still looking composed: "Mr. Sun, regarding the accomplishments you mentioned, not to argue that they aren't solely his, as many assisted him. Even if they were solely his, shouldn't we follow national laws and not casually offset merits and demerits? How could a minor sub-branch compare to Zhuang Xiaocheng's head? Clearly, you can't distinguish their importance correctly? Not to mention a minor sub-branch, even if two or three were uprooted, how could they match against Zhuang Xiaocheng?"

After a pause, he added: "Of course, if Your Majesty believes Zhao Douan's achievements qualify for offset, the old minister wouldn't dare to dispute. Hence, I'm only daring to ask if the initial promise still holds."

"Are you questioning me?" Xu Zhenguan calmly looked down at Li Yanfu, the cold light in her eyes stabbing through the veil.

Zhao Douan couldn't sit still, stood up, and said: "Your Majesty... I..."

"Silence." Xu Zhenguan's glance stopped him from speaking further, then she turned her head back, focusing on Li Yanfu: "Prime Minister, are you questioning me?"

Li Yanfu slowly bowed his head, yet did not sit down, only clasped his hands: "The old minister wouldn't dare."

"Wouldn't dare?" Xu Zhenguan chuckled softly, lingering: "I think you mean exactly that."

Before Li Yanfu could respond, Xu Zhenguan suddenly scanned the entire room and said mildly: "This matter will be put aside; I have an announcement to make."

"Mo Chou." She called out.

Not far away, the 'female chancellor' approached slowly, extracting several memos and a draft imperial decree from her sleeve.

Zhao Douan was dumbfounded, and the ministers were puzzled, not knowing what the Empress intended.

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Spelling mistakes will be corrected later.