The Empress's No.1 Lackey

Silence.

A chilly spring breeze swept past the hem of Zhao Douan's official robe from outside the gate, blowing directly onto the faces of the court ministers inside the hall.

Everyone's expressions seemed frozen, and some even raised their hands to shield their eyes from the strong light streaming in from outside.

Zhao Douan... Zhao Douan... Wasn't he already dead? Why is he here?

Resurrection?

As this absurd thought arose in the minds of many ministers, they immediately squashed it, realizing the truth:

"Fake death!"

Imperial Censor Yuann Li's lips moved as he uttered these two words, his face initially flushing slightly, then showing an excited expression.

Then, a look of realization appeared in his wise eyes. He turned his head to glance at Luan Cheng, noticing that the magistrate indeed appeared calm, further confirming his judgment.

Indeed... He had felt Zhao Douan's death was abrupt before. Although anything could happen in external conflicts, perhaps Zhao Douan's deep impression on people over the past year made it hard for Yuann Li to accept his death.

Yet, during this period, neither the emperor's reaction nor the Zhao family's mourning revealed any peculiarities to him.

Now it seems, it truly was concealed from everyone in the Capital...

Fake death... fake death... Li Yanfu's deep-set eyes contracted suddenly, forming a small dot, and he instinctively stepped back two paces, his hands inside the sleeves trembling, ruining his good mood in an instant.

Realizing that he had been deceived.

Not just him, but all the officials celebrating their recent success, especially those led by the Li Party, felt chilled to the bone, their spirits sinking to the bottom.

"Junior Guardian Zhao... you're still alive?"

"Could this be a miscommunication?"

"Your Majesty, can we ask what exactly this is..."

The ministers erupted in chatter, competing to speak first.

Shearing through the assembly like a knife through water, Zhao Douan strode directly, under the watchful eyes of the officials on both sides, toward the front of the hall.

At this moment, the ministers also noticed two people accompanying him.

It was Haitang, the Daffodil Hall Master of the Imperial Court, and Zhang Han, the Peony Hall Master.

As for the siblings from the Heavenly Master Mansion and Ji Yue Yun Xi, they were not suitable to appear here, thus they did not follow.

Haitang and Zhang Han, on either side, were carrying that heavy large box—anticipating today, the trio had entered the palace early and pulled Zhuang Xiaocheng away from Eunuch Hai to complete this public ceremony.

"Silence, everyone."

The Empress of Great Yu smiled, looking down at the chaotic ministers, waiting a moment before speaking softly.

Beside her, the eunuch raised a whip, snapping it firmly against the mirror-like marble floor, producing a crisp sound.

Once the ministers closed their mouths, Xu Zhenguan smiled and said:

"I know you, loyal ministers, are puzzled as to why Junior Guardian Zhao is unscathed? Regarding this matter, let Mr. Zhao explain it to you all."

Zhao Douan folded his hands: "I obey, Your Majesty."

He finished speaking, raised his head, did not rush to narrate, but slowly stepped forward to the large box placed on the ground, smiling:

"Before I recount the story, there's an old 'friend' who needs to be brought out to meet with my fellow colleagues."

Without waiting for a response from the crowd, he grabbed the handle and in a loud "bang," lifted the heavy coffin-like box!

Exposing the elderly Grand Tutor inside the box, who had a talisman affixed to his forehead, in a deep slumber.

"Zhuang... Zhuang Xiaocheng! It's Zhuang Xiaocheng! The rebel leader!"

A nearby Imperial Censor was shocked, shouting loudly.

The ministers who had finally quieted down erupted into chaos again.

And this time, the commotion was even greater than before!

"Zhuang Xiaocheng!"

Who would be unfamiliar with this name? As the rebel leader, he had become the most troublesome enemy for the court after the Xuanmen Coup.

Numerous attempts had been made to capture him, all ending in failure.

This is also why Zhao Douan's previous act of "letting go" of Zhuang Xiaocheng caused such a stir—his identity was too unique.

And now, Zhuang Xiaocheng, who had "disappeared" for three years, reappeared in the grand hall—how could it not move the officials?

"Indeed, as you see, this traitor is the rebel leader, the former Grand Tutor Zhuang Xiaocheng," Zhao Douan declared loudly.

He folded his hands behind his back, gazing at Li Yanfu among the crowd, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips:

"Three months ago, on New Year's Eve, the Prime Minister revisited past events. I then said, within three months, I would capture the rebel I once released, and now, thankfully, it seems I have not broken my word."

Li Yanfu stared at him intently, speechless, with only his beard quivering slightly.

The "Young Master" Li Yinglong on the same hall made a quick step forward to support his father to prevent any loss of composure.

"Hehe," Zhao Douan did not press further, lightly chuckling and saying:

"The reason I colluded with Magistrate Luan, releasing false news of my death, was to safely escort this traitor back to the capital..."

Then, he spoke eloquently, narrating the entire capture experience.

And explained why he did this.

Once everything was explained, the officials finally understood everything.

Realizing what had actually happened, and sensing Zhao Douan must have returned to the Capital earlier, specifically waiting to strike Li Yanfu in court today.

"Wait a minute..." Someone suddenly recalled the Empress' suppression of the Li Party during this time, their expression becoming wonderfully complex.

If the Empress had known Zhao Douan wasn't dead, then were those suppressions also intentional? Did the Li Party suffer a loss in silence?

Thinking of this, Yuann Li and other Pure Stream Party members immediately cast "sympathetic" gazes toward a group of adversaries.

"Good... good tactic..."

Li Yanfu took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and upon reopening them, gazed quietly at the spirited Zhao: