The Empress's No.1 Lackey

The sun hung high in the sky.

The sky was endless and cloudless.

Suddenly, another group appeared.

It was a group led by Yun Xi, mainly composed of young men and women, including Qing Niao and the siblings Lin Yuebai, who had later pledged allegiance.

When this group appeared, Zhuang Xiaocheng visibly became agitated, as if he had guessed something, trying to struggle but was firmly restrained.

Zhao Douan calmly overlooked the distance.

As if watching a stage play.

All the sounds and images were kept at a just right distance.

The Minister of the Ministry of Justice announced something, then Yun Xi stepped forward, the young girl appeared indignant, pointing at Zhuang Xiaocheng on the platform and loudly condemning his lack of personal virtue.

Some of it was true, some was fabricated by Zhao Douan.

The onlooking citizens were in an uproar, only to be silenced by demands from the imperial guard.

Zhuang Xiaocheng opened his mouth wide, trying to refute with a muffled voice, yet he couldn't utter a single syllable, even the efforts to struggle were not apparent due to the Soft Bone Powder mixed in his meal.

After Yun Xi, it was Qing Niao.

After Qing Niao, it was the Lin Yuebai siblings...

A carefully selected group began to take turns publicly exposing Zhuang Xiaocheng's lies, slandering and defaming the Kuangfu Society leadership led by Zhuang Xiaocheng.

Each revelation was more explosive than the last, fully exposing the distortion and filth in the private lives of these significant figures.

The rest of the members on the execution platform were dumbfounded, looking at the Grand Tutor in disbelief, they too were deceived into believing it was true.

Zhuang Xiaocheng felt the malicious and disgusted gazes pouring in from all directions, feeling dizzy and faint.

He lifted his head, only to see the blinding sun, the world spinning, the intense fear rendering him disoriented, forgetting what happened in the latter half.

He only felt the world become silent, hearing just a buzzing in his ears, finally, the crisp and heavy sound of the Execution Token falling to the ground dragged him back to reality.

He felt the executioner's long blade rising behind him, the last scene before death, he struggled to tilt his head back, squinting his eyes, looking at the lone Observation Tower far ahead under the azure sky.

Vaguely, he saw a familiar figure, seemingly making eye contact with him.

"Execute!"

The world went dark.

...

On the Observation Tower.

Zhao Douan turned around, slowly descended, got into the carriage below, and instructed his entourage, "To the palace."

"Yes." The driving servant dared not delay, immediately heading towards the Imperial Palace.

Entered the Imperial City without obstacles.

Zhao Douan saw the White-clothed Empress standing at the door, gazing into the distance lost in thought in front of the Imperial Study Room.

"Your Majesty, I have come to report."

"No surprises?"

"Everything went smoothly, Zhuang Xiaocheng and the other rebels are dead, the accusations planned before their death worked well, as expected, today the sordid secrets of the Kuangfu Society leaders will spread throughout the city.

Afterwards, as long as the Shadow Guards in various regions give a slight push, it can spread to the Nine Roads and Eighteen Prefectures, completely ruining the reputation of the Kuangfu Society." Zhao Douan couldn't help but feel a strong sense of being the villain as he said this.

Xu Zhenguan listened to the report, also feeling uncomfortable all over, she glanced reluctantly at the Little Forbidden Army:

"Your words make it seem as if I really am a brutal tyrant."

No... I prefer the term "Villain Princess," it sounds better... Besides, isn't this merely "using their methods against them"?... Zhao Douan said solemnly:

"Your Majesty is a ruler of restoration, some disparaging words from rebels can fool the people for a time, but not forever. Executing Zhuang Xiaocheng this time will surely deal a great blow to the Kuangfu Society's Primordial Qi, making it difficult for them to become a threat again."

Xu Zhenguan gently shook her head, saying:

"Didn't you suspect before that Jian Wen is still alive? Over these days, I have sent people to carefully review the records of those years, and indeed, some clues have been uncovered."

"Huh?" Zhao Douan was stunned, looking at her in surprise, "What clues?"

Xu Zhenguan said:

"Before the coup, Jian Wen had gone out once, and through subsequent investigations, he most likely carried a large number of treasures, including Healing Pills and some military supplies.

Moreover, thinking about it now, the escape of that rebel group back then was indeed somewhat too smooth, as if it was premeditated, especially with Jian Wen's wife and children being sent away early...

Back then, I thought he wanted to leave a bloodline outside, so even if he failed, at least his offspring would remain. But thinking about it now, the preparations he made for retreat were too ample."

Zhao Douan was taken aback for a moment, and said:

"You mean Jian Wen's preparations for retreat were not for his wife and children, but for himself?

But on the day of the coup, he stormed the palace, there was no chance for him to escape after a defeat unless he could divide himself like Master Gu Huo..."

Xu Zhenguan nodded, solemnly saying:

"This could also explain why, if he's alive, he hasn't come out in the open to oppose me, because his Divine Soul is far inferior to Master Gu Huo's, and even the latter took three years in hiding to fully recover.

He would be even worse, perhaps only 'reviving' in recent months. I even suspect that he might have relied on the magicians from the Netherworld Sect..."

Zhao Douan frowned and said:

"These clues alone are not enough to confirm. Has Your Majesty found any other corroborating evidence?"

Xu Zhenguan hesitated, nodded, and said:

"Come with me to meet someone."

Isn't this line a bit familiar, last time you also took me to Jizhao Temple like this... Zhao Douan suppressed the urge to quip:

"Where to?"

Xu Zhenguan gently opened her lips: "Cold Palace."

...

What is the harem of Yu Country like? Three years ago, it was still relatively normal.

The Old Emperor was old in age but not in heart, with many beauties in the harem, but after the "Xuanmen Coup," the Empress ascended the throne, and the harem suddenly became awkward.