The Empress's No.1 Lackey

Zhao Douan pondered for a moment and asked, "What is the reaction of Prince Jing's Mansion?"

Governor Ning replied, "Hiding behind the scenes, secretly causing trouble."

Zhao Douan nodded as expected; before the final confrontation, being a member of the royal family, Prince Jing wouldn't openly oppose the court's New Policy.

Therefore, he would only incite trouble in secret.

Zhao Douan said, "I came here by the Emperor's mandate, to suppress the arrogance of these local aristocratic families, and pave the way for officials to be appointed later. But unexpectedly, upon arrival, I almost suffered a setback from the Shen family."

He said coldly, "They attack, kidnap family members of court officials. It seems these aristocrats are used to being local despots; their courage is not much lesser than the rebels of the Kuangfu Society."

Governor Ning's heart skipped a beat, and he advised, "Lord, please calm down. The situation on Jiancheng Road is extremely complex. Our actions should progress slowly and be well-considered. It's nothing for me to suffer a little grievance, after all, no major incident has occurred."

At this moment, he recalled the past behavior of "Yama Zhao" and suddenly felt a bit uneasy.

Zhao Douan smiled faintly, his expression gentle, "Don't worry, I am not a reckless person and I have it under control. How about this, please have someone later pass a message to the Shen Family Master, just say I've arrived."

Governor Ning was stunned for a moment and tentatively asked, "You mean to force them to come voluntarily?"

Zhao Douan smiled and said, "With such a big commotion at Zhu Pavilion, and He Xiaolou being captured, the Shen family and even Prince Jing's Mansion must have already heard the news. If the Shen family really is the mastermind, they surely won't rest easy. Just tell them I've arrived. With my status and reputation, it's normal for Prince Jing not to come, but as the leading family in Jianning Prefecture, the Shen family should come personally to pay respects, shouldn't they?"

Governor Ning nodded, guessing that Zhao Douan intended to take this opportunity to pressure the Shen family. Not capturing anyone, just having them come here, already leaves room... Whew, thankfully, this "Yama Zhao" is not too crazy, aware that this is Jianning Prefecture. If it were the Capital, he would have probably already led troops to seize the Shen family...

But here, he certainly won't act recklessly...

Governor Ning felt like he had figured out the style of this capital official.

...

...

After sending off Governor Ning's family, Zhao Douan, Eunuch Hai, and Bodhi Bodhisattva finally had a proper meal.

After the meal, Lang Shiba, Ji Yue, and the Jinyi from Lihua Hall each went to rest, and Eunuch Hai took a group of tributors for their usual breathing exercises and cultivation.

After a simple bath, Zhao Douan, draped in a single layer of clothing, lit a candle and began to peruse the detailed information about Jianning Prefecture sent by "Mr. Wen."

He read into the deep night, but did not receive any visit from the Shen family.

When he rubbed his eyes and drew his gaze away from the volumes of documents, stretching as he opened the door, he found the bright moon already high in the sky.

The night was as cool as water, the courtyard quiet except for the chirping of insects.

The ancient night sky was exceptionally clear and resplendent, innumerable stars forming an unfamiliar Milky Way, flowing endlessly through the universe.

"What are you looking at?" a gentle female voice appeared next to him.

"Looking at the stars," Zhao Douan replied casually, then snapped out of it, turning his head to see Bodhi Bodhisattva, clad in white, standing beside him.

This elderly nun, over fifty years old, wore thin monastic robes that fluttered with the night breeze as if they were waves of water.

Her thick hair was dark and dense, complementing her round and smooth, moon-like face, reminiscent of the "peace and prosperity" look popular on the internet in his previous life.

Bodhi held neither a Jade Purifying Bottle nor a comb, standing lightly and elegantly beside him, her half-transparent mysterious eyes smiling at him.

Those pupils were so entrancing like if you looked at them for a moment longer, your entire soul might be drawn in.

"What's so interesting about the stars? Why not look at me?" Bodhi Bodhisattva whispered, her breath fragrant like orchids, her mouth curling upward.

"..." Zhao Douan looked back up at the sky expressionlessly and said:

"Bodhisattva, do you know that the starlight we see is actually from countless millions of years ago? When those lights shone from distant stars, perhaps this world was still in ignorance or devoid of life, and as these starlights transcended countless eons, falling into our eyes at this moment, countless ages have passed."

Bodhi Bodhisattva looked at him curiously:

"These odd tales, were they told to you by those Star Officials at the Astronomical Observatory, the ones who handle the calendar? A group of people with low cultivation, what do they know of the great way? Just some foolish claims."

Zhao Douan chuckled, too lazy to argue with her.

However, he quickly had to speak up again:

"Bodhisattva, don't lean so close to me. This distance is a bit ambiguous, let me tell you, His Majesty said..."

Half of Bodhi's body was almost pressed against Zhao Douan; the warmth from their arms clearly felt. The Buddhist nun smiled at him:

"I know, His Majesty would have me executed. No need for you to stress that, Mr. Zhao."

You know it yet you persist... Just as Zhao Douan was about to reprimand sternly, he suddenly heard Bodhisattva's voice in his ear:

"By the way, how far along are you and His Majesty? Still just holding hands?"

... Damn it, this can't be tolerated... Zhao Douan felt mocked and seriously scooted to the side, trying to distance himself, sarcastically smirking:

"I think I just realized why His Majesty sent Princess Yunyang to Jizhao Temple."

Bodhi Bodhisattva, unoffended, softly chuckled, her eyes teasing as if looking at a naive boy, and said gently:

"Poor Mr. Zhao, so loyal yet unable to draw His Majesty closer. My heart aches for you indeed."

That's none of your business... You just want to exhaust my potential early, old woman... Zhao Douan sneered, turned to go back inside: "Now that we have arrived in Jiancheng, Bodhisattva can choose a day to leave and attend to temple matters."

Bodhi Bodhisattva's pale leg twisted, suddenly coiling around, nearly hanging onto him, her lips against Zhao Douan's ear, speaking playfully: "I also wish to help you... my husband..."

Zhao Douan's skin crawled, his face flushed red, he shouted, "Hai!"

Whoosh—

Bodhi Bodhisattva instantly let go, retreating several feet, her eyes mournful.

From upstairs in the distance, Eunuch Hai's irritated voice came: "Flesh Bodhisattva, shameless in words."

Bodhi Bodhisattva let out a cold laugh and turned to return to her room: "Old eunuch, lacking in romance."

Zhao Douan shook his head speechlessly, turned back indoors, glanced at the sky, confirming that the Shen family wouldn't come.

He sneered, "If the mountain won't come to me, I'll go to the mountain."