The Empress's No.1 Lackey

A group of people disembarked from the ship, and sure enough, there were Capital Camp people to receive them.

The local troops of Yuan Ji and others were led away, while the rebels on the ship were loaded onto carts by the waiting Capital Camp Forbidden Army and taken into the city with Magistrate Luan.

In the prison cart, Lin Yuebai silently watched the ever-growing Xiong City, gaunt and withered.

In the same prison cart, Kou Qichi's lips trembled: "Sis, we're going to die soon, right?"

Lin Yuebai managed a bitter smile, hugging her brother, not by blood but thicker than water, and said as if relieved:

"We will probably be interrogated first. During the interrogation, there's no need to endure. Just say whatever they ask."

Seeing her brother with an indomitable look, she shook her head bitterly:

"It's okay to speak. The Grand Tutor is dead, and the information we have is already worthless. Endure less suffering, so you'll have the strength to walk the Huangquan Road."

In the prison cart, many Kuangfu Society members were either terrified, relieved, numb, or dismissive.

The variety of reactions was vast, but everyone knew there was no way out for them—because the court would certainly kill them all to vent the Fake Emperor's fury over the Zhao thief's death.

And what happened next did not surprise anyone. The prisoners were escorted into the Imperial Prison by the Jinyi of the Imperial Court.

Luan Cheng, meanwhile, bathed and changed clothes before personally heading to the Imperial Palace, only to be stopped and told by palace officials that His Majesty wished for him to enter the hall at the court meeting the next morning.

Luan Cheng pondered for a moment and gladly agreed.

That night, the news of the rebels being escorted into the Capital caused a sensation throughout the city. The last time such a large-scale rebel arrest took place was after the Xuanmen Coup.

At the same time, the coffins supposedly containing the "severed limbs and corpses" of Zhao Douan, Zhuang Xiaocheng, and others from the convoy were sent to various places.

The most noteworthy coffin, without a doubt, was that of "Junior Guardian Zhao," which was delivered directly to the Zhao Mansion. Many tried to pay their respects but were turned away at the gate.

"The mistress of the house is overwhelmed with grief; the residence will not receive guests today. Please understand." Uncle Zhao, clad in mourning attire, explained to the visitors.

The visitors expressed their understanding and promptly left.

And just across the wall, Zhao Douan sat in the courtyard, eating rare fruits from the cellar, looking discontented as he waved his hand: "Move the coffin to the woodshed and chop it up for firewood."

The mother and daughter, You Jinhua, dressed in mourning attire, exchanged glances, tempted to laugh but finding it inappropriate.

"Big brother, how long do we have to keep acting? With the coffin returned, won't it seem suspicious if we don't proceed with a grand banquet?" Zhao Pan asked cautiously.

You Jinhua also pricked up her ears.

"And our coffins..." Haitang and Zhang Han drifted over, speaking softly.

Zhao Douan "chomped" on an apple with a smile and said, "Alright, once we go to court tomorrow, there's no need to act anymore, okay?"

He tossed the apple core to the Pekingese dog, stretched lazily, and rubbed his face: "The act has gone far enough; it's time for us to... 'resurrect.'

...

The night passed in silence.

At dawn the next day, the ministers arrived at the Meridian Gate early to prepare for court.

But today's main character was not Li Yanfu or Yuann Li, but rather Magistrate Luan Cheng, a fifth-rank official among the crowd.

Numerous eyes fixed on him, with the ministers whispering, some sympathizing, others finding amusement.

But the common thread was that no one proactively spoke to him.

Everyone knew that this capable magistrate from the local area was unlikely to walk out of the Imperial Palace unscathed today.

This official robe was not likely to remain his.

Having the main rebel base hidden under his jurisdiction was gross dereliction of duty; most importantly, Junior Guardian Zhao was dead.

The credit for capturing the rebels rightfully belonged to the deceased Zhao Douan.

Thus, the blame for the death of Zhao Douan could only fall upon the living Luan Cheng.

"Alas, I'm afraid Magistrate Luan might not escape the death penalty..."

"Even if spared from death, he probably can't avoid the fate of being exiled..."

Whispers filled the air.

Luan Cheng stood in the wind, expressionless.

Finally.

With the sound of a bell.

The ministers entered the hall.

After the usual prelude between sovereign and ministers, the Empress, seated on the throne, looked down at the ministers in the hall: "Magistrate Luan Cheng of the Marine Road, step forward and report."

Luan Cheng emerged from the crowd, respectfully proceeding to the front, retrieving a memorial from his sleeve, holding it aloft with both hands, and began to report loudly on the events.

His account was nearly identical to the content of the secret letter from a few days ago, with the end detailing the successful escort of prisoners into the Capital.

But sharp observers discovered, to their surprise, that Luan Cheng's report skipped the crucial part where Zhao Douan and Zhuang Xiaocheng perished together.

Something's not right!

There's a problem!

There were no fools among the court officials; everyone sensed something amiss but couldn't grasp the nature of the change.

"Very good," Xu Zhenguan nodded gently from the throne, his tone lacking anger or blame, instead conveying a touch of appreciation.

Immediately, before the ministers could react, the Empress calmly said, "Mr. Luan, for assisting Junior Guardian Zhao in capturing the rebels, the position of Inspector of the Marine Road is vacant. Would Mr. Luan be interested in taking on this important role?"

A promotion? Wasn't he supposed to be executed or exiled? For such a significant offense, why is there no blame, but instead, an addition of rank and reward?

The ministers were bewildered.

Luan Cheng was overjoyed: "I... am willing to work tirelessly for Your Majesty! However, I dare not claim credit; all the credit belongs to Junior Guardian Zhao, and my contribution is but a trivial one..."

The Empress seemed quite satisfied with his attitude, and seeing the ministers already in turmoil, she slightly raised her lips, saying, "Your words are reasonable, Mr. Luan. In that case, summon Junior Guardian Zhao to appear!"

Boom!

It was like a depth charge exploding in the hall, and all the officials were stunned. Almost simultaneously with the Empress's words, the guards at the door had already opened the hall doors.

"Clack, clack, clack—"

As the heavy door opened, the spring sunlight poured into the hall, where several figures stood outside the door, and the leading one was all too familiar to the court officials.

Zhao Douan, clad in the Junior Guardian's official robe, stepped across the threshold, his boots treading on the pristine floor of the Golden Throne Hall.

His gaze swept over the stunned faces, and he smiled slightly: "Your servant, Zhao Douan, pays respects to Your Majesty!"

A deep silence fell over the hall.