The Empress's No.1 Lackey

The wind brushed past the white paper lanterns hanging in the Mourning Hall, and at this moment, the light in the courtyard dimmed along with the words "congratulatory gift."

"Congratulatory gift" naturally means to celebrate and congratulate, but to send it to a family holding a funeral is akin to saying: "Well done on the death"?

"Zhao Douan! You have gone too far!" Among the crowd, an administrator from the third branch of the Shen family suddenly cursed, pointing at him, trembling with anger.

"Brazen youth, how dare you..." An elder of the clan's beard trembled.

"You are not welcome here!" Someone else loudly echoed.

The Shen family, as the head of the aristocratic family, though akin to local emperors, still harbored fear and respect for the rising Junior Guardian Zhao.

But Zhao Douan pointing at their noses and cursing immediately infuriated these clan members with a strong sense of honor and disgrace.

The Old Dowager, with a stern, harsh face, her eyes a shade of gray, also frowned, and with a thump of her dragon-headed cane on the ground, emitted a "thud" sound. Simultaneously, the cursing clan members fell silent, and this nearly "Empress Dowager"-like elder coldly asked: "Junior Guardian Zhao, did my Shen family offend you?"

Zhao Douan replied indifferently: "Why ask when you know, Old Dowager? Yesterday, I sent a letter through the governor, asking the Shen family to meet. I waited all night but didn't see a single person. Today, I came personally, yet you sent a servant to obstruct me. Tell me, isn't that an offense?"

The Old Dowager's expression did not change, and she turned to her eldest son beside her: "Is there such a matter?"

The nominal clan leader also feigned confusion, called a servant for a brief inquiry, and then returned to say: "Reporting to Mother, indeed, a letter was received at the gatekeeper's yesterday, but because it was late, it was not delivered. As for the steward's obstruction, it was just following protocol."

"Ha, such protocol," the young secretary Qian Kerou added: "What a stature my master holds? Just a notice is needed to enter the Imperial Palace and meet the Saint, yet your Shen family is loftier than the Imperial Palace."

Ah, Little Rou, you're quite fiery today, piling on those big hats... Zhao Douan nodded in appreciation.

Hearing this, the Old Dowager frowned and coldly said: "Where is the steward?"

"Dead." Standing at the edge of the crowd, holding the Yanyue Blade, Zhao Wuji spoke.

Zhao Douan smiled: "My subordinates acted a bit rashly, accidentally causing a death. I trust the Old Dowager won't mind."

"...The servant lacked manners, acted beyond his duties, so Junior Guardian Zhao clearing the door for me is naturally not a grudge," the Old Dowager remained stoic: "Then where is the gatekeeper who received the letter but did not deliver? Bring him here."

"Yes."

Before long, a house servant was brought over, kneeling down with a thud, loudly begging for mercy.

The Old Dowager didn't even glance over, saying: "Poor performance, break his legs, throw him out to set an example."

"Yes!"

A Protector from the house swung a stick, smashing down.

"Wait a moment..." Zhao Douan raised his hand to stop, only to hear a "crack," as the house servant's legs broke, he wailed and fainted.

Quickly carried away, as if practiced, similar occurrences have happened numerous times in big families without anyone batting an eye.

The Old Dowager suddenly smiled: "Punishing a family slave, surely Junior Guardian Zhao won't mind. Is this disposition satisfactory?"

Zhao Douan narrowed his eyes at this frail, aged, silver-haired old lady, now with a much heavier gaze.

A moment later, he laughed heartily: "With the Old Dowager's stance, if I pursue this matter any further, it would be my fault."

The Old Dowager remained calm, suddenly said: "Since this matter is settled, I still have something to ask the Junior Guardian for help."

"Oh? Asking me for help?" Zhao Douan displayed a strange expression: "I'm all ears."

The Old Dowager's eyes saddened, and her dragon-headed cane pointed to the pitch-black coffin in the Mourning Hall: "My grandson, since he went to the Capital for a visit last year and returned home, he fell ill and couldn't recover. After being diagnosed by renowned doctors, it was due to my grandson being attacked by a martial arts master, whose cold poison severed his life bridge. Calculating the time, it happened when he was in the Capital. Alas, my Shen family is rooted in Jianning Prefecture and not familiar with the Capital, hence, I'd like to ask Lord Zhao's help to investigate, what kind of malicious person took my grandson's life?"

Zhao Douan pretended to be "shocked": "Is such a thing possible? Oh dear, as a Master of the Imperial Decree Department, I should safeguard the Capital's citizens, but it seems I have been negligent. Could it be the work of rebels?"

Then, without waiting for the Shen family to react, he suddenly slapped his forehead, as if remembering something, turned to look at the Tributor behind him, Song Jinxi: "That reminds me, what exactly is this cold poison?"

Song Jinxi understood and smiled, explaining: "Master, you may not know, but this cold poison is not something an ordinary martial artist can master. It requires a specially cultivated cold palm technique. Severing a life bridge doesn't cause immediate death but instead results in crossing several prefectures alive and falling ill only upon returning home. The precision in timing the onset, not missing a beat, indicates mastery of assassination and requires at least the level of Divine Chapter to accomplish."

Zhao Douan curiously asked: "So who in the Capital can accomplish this?"

Song Jinxi earnestly replied: "Though the Capital is full of hidden talents, the only one I can think of capable of achieving this, is but one."

"Who?"

"It's none other than myself." The young eunuch smiled, pointing to himself.

Zhao Douan let out an "ah," somewhat helplessly looking at the Old Dowager: "Unfortunately, I can't help either. It seems the assassin is indeed well hidden."

All present were not fools.

The duo's near double act of harmony almost pasted the answer "the person who killed your grandson is right in front of you" onto the faces of the Shen family.