The Empress's No.1 Lackey

Grand Dowager Shen's hand gripping the Dragon Head Walking Stick turned pale from exertion and her blood surged, causing her to sway slightly. Quickly, Miss Hong, the maid beside her, steadied her: "Old Dowager... calm yourself."

The Shen Family members also had flushed faces, their gaze like a beast selecting prey, fiercely fixed on Zhao Douan and Song Jinxi.

Insult!

Mockery!

Provocation!

The Shen family has stood gloriously in Jianning for nearly three hundred years, what a noble status it holds. Though saying "as lasting as the nation" is a bit exaggerated, it is indeed a dignified presence, held in high esteem.

How many years has it been since anyone dared to brazenly face such madness?

If not for the masters gathered around Zhao Douan, and his overly sensitive status, they would have acted already.

"I am fine... fine..." The Old Dowager felt dizzy with anger, taking a couple of deep breaths, she eventually steadied herself, casting a cold glance at Song Jinxi before looking once more at the concerned Mr. Zhao beside her: "If it's hard to find, then... don't trouble the Junior Guardian anymore. Today... I'm not feeling well, my hospitality is lacking, the Junior Guardian has seen and sent the gifts, and should..."

She was still maintaining the situation.

Zhao Douan earnestly replied: "Is that so? Then I am interrupting, well, I'll speak of the serious matter and then leave."

Serious matter? What serious matter do you have?

Zhao Douan sighed, deeply pained: "Yesterday, upon entering the city, I happened to encounter Cao Gang's He Xiaolou..."

He briefly explained the kidnapping of the Governor's family, then suddenly changed the topic: "That He Xiaolou confessed that the person behind the kidnapping was none other than the Shen Family Master!"

He raised his hand, pointing at the middle-aged man in mourning, looking utterly bewildered.

In a heavy voice, he said: "Therefore, I am here today to invite the Shen Family Master to accompany me to the government office, to get to the bottom of this! Alas, I regard the Shen family's reputation, did not wish to come here to take people, but you were given a chance last night, and the Shen Family Master did not grasp it... Kidnapping and threatening a Second Rank official of the court is a grave crime of household extermination and beheading, and as the Emperor's appointed envoy, how could I tolerate it? Men, take the Shen Family Master away!"

Lihua Hall and Martial Arts Hall's people were ready, eager to take action.

This twist left the Shen family collectively unprepared, resulting in an intense sense of absurdity.

"Wait!" The Old Dowager keenly stepped forward, blocking in front of her eldest son, incredulous: "Junior Guardian Zhao! Do not bully others too much! How is what happens to the Governor Ning's family related to the Shen family? Our Shen family holds such a status, how would we associate with mere ruffians of the Cao gang?"

At this moment, she even suspected that Zhao Douan directed and acted this himself, finding an excuse to frame and slander.

But something felt off too...

Zhao Douan coolly replied: "Whether there is relation or not, it can only be known after investigation, unless the Old Dowager openly resists the law?"

Pausing, he stepped forward, walking up to the elderly woman, smiling, and bowed his head, placing the end of the Dragon Head Walking Stick brought close, guarding his forehead, in close proximity, smiling while meeting her gray and cloudy eyes: "Or else, maybe you would try using this cane granted by the late Emperor, to hit this traitor? Maybe it can stop me, who knows."

The Old Dowager's hands clung to the walking stick, trembling, she said: "Do you really think, I dare not strike you?"

Zhao Douan's smile widened: "I am willing, go ahead please."

The Old Dowager shook with rage, yet the walking stick in her hand seemed to weigh a thousand pounds.

At this exact moment, suddenly from the direction of the main gate came a voice: "The Young Master Prince Jing has arrived!"

One shout broke the tense atmosphere.

Xu Jinglong is here? Zhao Douan paused, turning around to see a young man clad in splendid attire, an eagle perched on his shoulder, followed left and right by a multitude, bearing an appearance six to seven parts akin to Prince Jing, arrogantly approaching.

An old acquaintance.

A flawed lackey, coveting Zhenbao, Prince Jing's heir!

"Greetings to the Young Master!"

The Shen family members first reacted, speaking in unison.

Xu Jinglong strode in with grandeur, smiling: "No need to be overly formal, I am here today to pay respects to Brother Shen, and to visit the Grand Dowager for my father... but it appears my timing is unfortunate, ah, is this Mr. Zhao? When did you come to Jianning Prefecture? I was unaware."

Bah... you were unaware, I will swallow the Mourning Hall's coffin... Zhao Douan thought cynically, mockingly said: "Since the parting at Hu Ting last, I've missed the Prince terribly. Nonetheless, coming to pay respects without bearing gifts? I bought a tribute gift."

Xu Jinglong's smile faltered.

Of course, it wasn't a coincidence he showed up, but since yesterday, Zhao Douan had been watched closely.

At dawn, upon hearing Zhao Douan was leaving the city, he hurriedly brought people chasing after, nowhere near having time to buy anything?

Yet Xu Jinglong quickly recovered, flicking his sleeves with displeasure: "Prince Young Master and Brother Shen were friends in life, our bond deep as the sea. How could gifting tarnish this sentiment? Wait, you gave a tribute gift?"

He seemed a bit lost.

"Yes, indeed." Zhao Douan asserted confidently.

Xu Jinglong: "Not right..."

"It's fortunate the Young Master arrived," the Old Dowager coughed a few times, interrupting them, this elderly woman's face solemn, promptly she explained Zhao Douan's arresting intentions.

Xu Jinglong "feigned horror," said with displeasure: "Mr. Zhao, isn't this unwise of you, how many generations have produced venerated officials from the Shen family? Such a noble lineage? How could it be discredited by mere words from a few ruffians of the Cao gang? Even if an investigation were needed, shouldn't there be solid evidence before arresting anyone, is there justification in taking people based solely on testimonies?"

Zhao Douan observed this defeated cur for a moment, then suddenly closed in a few steps: "What does the Prince intend?"

Xu Jinglong remained unafraid: "I would ask Mr. Zhao to return, I, the Prince, will not permit you to seize anyone here."

Zhao Douan's lips curled in a peculiar smile: "What if I must take them? Can you stop me? Just you as a defeated opponent? Or suggesting Duan Shuiliu lurks around?"