The Empress's No.1 Lackey

At the forefront of the uniquely painted team was Dalang, who had removed his Disguise Mask, revealing his true face as though he had returned from the dead.

"Pa!"

The cook's sieve fell to the ground, scattering mushrooms everywhere. Her mouth hung open, a look of terror on her face, as she murmured, "Is this the seventh day... Master, have you returned from hell..."

"Pang, long time no see." Zhao Douan casually greeted as he nodded at the several cooks who had come to investigate the noise, "Prepare more food, and send it over later, we have many people."

The cooks: "..."

The team continued forward, a house servant carrying a manure bucket stood frozen as if seeing a ghost, his legs trembling, "Sir... Sir..."

"Stand firm, you shouldn't be spilling that stuff."

A maid carrying dried clothes came around the corner, so frightened she fell to the ground, her big eyes filled with terror, accompanied by a scream, "Ah! A ghost—mm!"

Gongshu Tianyuan casually used the "Mutism Technique" and flashed a warm smile at Zhao Douan, "Don't worry, let's keep a low profile."

The maid: "...!!"

As the group walked, they encountered various household servants, each with white silken cloth wrapped around their heads, looking pale with fear.

Finally, the old housekeeper of the Zhao family, realizing something was amiss, rushed over, frozen in disbelief, rubbing his eyes and stammering, "Da...Dalang?!"

With a gentle smile, Zhao Douan approached and supported the old housekeeper, who was about to fall from excitement, saying, "It's me, I'm not dead, and I've brought friends back. Uncle Zhao, gather aunt and sister in the inner hall, and don't let anyone in the mansion go out just yet. I don't want word of my return to spread quickly."

Uncle Zhao stood in a daze for a moment, feeling the warmth of the physical contact, and with moist eyes, nodded excitedly, "Alright, alright..."

Inner hall.

Not long after Zhao Douan's group sat down, hurried footsteps echoed from outside. Soon after, an older and a younger woman, both dressed in white mourning clothes and striking in appearance, came into view.

You Jinhua and Zhao Pan had clearly lost weight, their faces weary, with red and swollen eyes, devoid of any adornment.

The mother and daughter stood dazed at the doorway, their eyes fixed on Zhao Douan, who was chatting inside, their eyes suddenly filled with tears, "Dalang (Brother)!"

Zhao Douan stood up with a slight apology, smiling, "Aunt, sister, I'm back, I'm not dead."

The two women wept with joy.

...

After a while.

The mother and daughter, who had played out a drama of family joy and sorrow in the inner hall, finally calmed their emotions, their puffy red eyes awkwardly looking at the other "guests", a sense of shame creeping up on them belatedly.

"Dalang... I'll go urge the servants to bring some tea. You... stay with your friends."

You Jinhua said this and quickly left as if escaping. Being a lady raised in a large family and deeply valuing proper etiquette, she couldn't bear the embarrassment after confirming Dalang's Fake Death.

"Mother... wait for me, I'm coming too!" Even Zhao Pan, with her straightforward personality, couldn't withstand the teasing glances from Haitang and others, her ears turning red as she stomped her feet and wriggled out, kicking aside the Pekingese that had approached upon hearing the commotion.

Zhao Douan helplessly glanced at the damp tear stains on his chest, sighing that women truly seem to be made of water. He turned to the others and said, "You all can laugh if you want."

Unexpectedly, no one laughed; instead, they wore looks of deep emotion.

Ji Yue and Yun Xi even showed a hint of envy.

Wandering outside, with family at home thinking of you, how could this not make one envious?

"Ahem... now that we have a place to stay, it's time to discuss business. What should be done next?" Zhang Han, with his expressionless face, lightly coughed to break the awkward atmosphere.

He gestured to the large box on the ground in the hall.

Zhao Douan, however, remained calm and said, "Wait."

"Wait?"

"Indeed," Zhao Douan glanced at Gongshu Tianyuan and others, smiling, "When we entered the mansion earlier, you all sensed someone nearby watching us, didn't you?"

Gongshu Tianyuan, Ji Yue, and Jin Jian, who was rubbing his eyes, all nodded in unison.

Zhao Douan smiled, "The Empress might not truly believe that I'm dead, so she would definitely have experts from the Imperial Palace watching secretly. Also, Li Yanfu and others might send people to watch, but the Empress wouldn't allow them to linger nearby... Therefore, by now, the information about our return has likely already been sent to the palace. We just need to wait. Meanwhile, how about having a proper meal and taking a bath?"

Everyone exchanged glances, feeling tempted.

Immediately, the group sprang into action, each going to bathe and change clothes.

Since the Zhao Mansion now had plenty of rooms, there was no shortage of necessities.

Only Yun Xi remained by Zhuang Xiaocheng in the large box, unmoving.

It wasn't until Zhao Douan urged her to go that she quickly freshened up.

Zhao Douan also took a moment to ensure Zhuang Xiaocheng wasn't suffocated before tidying up himself.

When everyone returned clean, You Jinhua directed the cooks to bring food, and the members of the team, who had been on the road without proper meals, ate heartily.

Once they had eaten their fill, Zhao Douan suddenly looked up toward the courtyard.

In the sky, the Empress of Great Yu, clad in pure white, descended gracefully, using the Secret Technique to arrive alone. As she landed, a chilling spring breeze swept through the courtyard, casting circles of dust into the air.

Her waist-length jet-black hair fluttered in the wind, her crystalline face exuding both coldness and majesty, leaving onlookers in awe.

"Your Majesty!"

Inside the house, everyone quickly rose, stepping out of the room to bow in greeting, "Greetings, Your Majesty!"

You Jinhua had already ensured the servants were gone, leaving this courtyard without making her presence known.