The Empress's No.1 Lackey
Chapter 564 - 564: 417. Your Majesty, we have not failed in our duties. Duke An, Cao Mao, has submitted a petition to resign and is willing to hand over military authority.

At the very least, you should get a bite to eat. Why leave so quickly this time? Have you changed?

Zhao Douan seemed to notice her thoughts and said seriously, "Your Majesty, could it be that you really think I'm such a frivolous person?"

Finishing his words, seeing the Empress dumbfounded and speechless, Zhao Douan bowed slightly, gracefully threw on his cloak, picked up the oiled paper umbrella placed on the door panel, stepped into the wind and snow, and left directly.

Walking out of the sleeping quarters in one breath, only then did the corners of Zhao Douan's mouth slightly curve up: "Zhenbao, oh Zhenbao, watch me use some tricks on you..."

A bootlicker who is always licking is only taken for granted. Changing tactics appropriately may instead have magical effects.

Inside the sleeping chambers.

Xu Zhenguan quietly stood at the door, watching the direction Zhao Douan left, lost in thought.

The nearby female officials cautiously stole glances, exchanging eye contact one by one: What's wrong with His Majesty? Wasn't she quite happy just now...

And this time, Mr. Zhao left so quickly, not staying overnight?

Suddenly, the female officials, unable to restrain their curiosity, felt a gaze upon them, shrank their necks, and lowered their heads to greet Mo Zhaorong as she approached from afar.

No longer daring to think more.

"First female official" Mo Chou walked up to the Empress and asked softly, "Your Majesty?"

Xu Zhenguan finally snapped back to reality, looked at her trusted maid, and suddenly, on a whim, asked: "Mr. Zhao has repeatedly made contributions these past few months. Have I perhaps forgotten to reward him?"

"Ah?" Mo Chou was stunned.

Xu Zhenguan mumbled a few incoherent sentences to herself and suddenly seemed to have made some decision: "In a few days, it's the New Year. At that time, according to customary practices, the Emperor should hold a 'Grand Banquet Ceremony' in the Imperial Palace to feast with officials and celebrate New Year's Eve... Summon the Eastern Palace officials... everything must be kept secret, not to be leaked."

The Empress whispered a few instructions, starting off in a daze and gradually turning to astonishment:

"Your Majesty, this... is it appropriate? Mr. Zhao is just a fourth-rank Commander; how can he..."

Xu Zhenguan pondered for two seconds: "Then promote him first?"

Again, with a troubled face, said: "But there's not enough time."

"... I will go to the Eastern Palace immediately," Mo Chou interrupted the Empress's idle and whimsical thoughts, took her orders and hurried away, almost fleeing.

Looking in the direction of the palace gate, with an aggrieved look:

"You rascal, what kind of bewitching potion have you given Her Majesty this time, making her want to prepare a 'surprise' just for you?"

...

...

On the other hand, Zhao, not knowing that the Empress had prepared a generous gift for him, happily left the Imperial Palace.

He retrieved his horse from the hands of guards, gazing at the swirling snowflakes, and rode towards the Ministry of Justice prison.

After a brief moment.

Zhao Douan once again arrived outside the prison. This time, Vice Minister Huang was not there, and the "Prison Warden" in charge earnestly came out, his face full of smiles: "Sir, you're here again to see that..."

"Yes, lead the way." Zhao Douan said indifferently.

The warden did not dare to ask more and immediately led the way in silence. In no time, Zhao Douan saw Lang Shiba in the prison again.

At this moment, completely unaware of the changes in the outside world, Lang Shiba was standing near a small vent, head raised, feeling the breeze.

The wind and snow blew through the "品" shaped vent, with ice-cold snowflakes sprinkling on the face of this Northern Blood Saber.

"What a refined interest. I thought you'd wallow in despair, lying down waiting to die." Zhao Douan's voice came.

Lang Shiba opened his eyes slightly, dragging the shackles, slowly turned around, his messy long hair framing a weathered face full of bluish stubble, with eyes surprisingly looking at Zhao Douan, explaining: "I grew up on Iron Pass Road. In my memory, every New Year is accompanied by snowfall. When I was seven, a Taoist came to my house asking for water, gave me a fortune telling, saying I was born on a snowy day and would die the same way. It seems that Taoist had some mana."

Lang Shiba laughed slightly, looked at Zhao Douan's empty hands, as if he already understood, and said: "Has my case been decided? When will I be escorted to the execution ground? Today or tomorrow?"

Zhao Douan shook his head and said, in the confused gaze of the latter: "Your case will be re-examined, and the trial will open in a few days. Because Cao Mao has voluntarily resigned, this case will not implicate too many others, stopping at his son whom you killed. It's not perfect, but at least you won't die. Um, I came here to tell you, don't foolishly seek death early, stay here for a few more days, and after going through the case procedures, His Majesty will grant you an amnesty order... By then, you can regain your original identity."

Lang Shiba's expression was momentarily blank, as if rusty gears were stuck in his head, unable to turn: "What... does this mean?"

Zhao Douan again patiently explained the process, then said, "That's about it. I'm leaving now. I'll give you a welcome wine when you're out."

Pausing for a moment, he added: "Looks like that Taoist was a charlatan."

Zhao Douan turned to leave.

Only Lang Shiba was left standing dazed in the cell, his messy hair illuminated by the light streaming through the holes.

Suddenly, he lunged at the cell door, clenching the bars with both hands, looking towards the end of the corridor, at the departing Zhao Douan, and shouted: "Sir! Can I still serve you in the future?"

Zhao Douan paused in his steps: "As you please."

Immediately, he walked out of the prison gates, raised his face, letting the icy snowflakes fall on his face, knowing that only at this moment, he had truly accepted Lang Shiba as a great general.

...

...

Duke Zhen Guo Mansion.

"Father! Father!"

Two figures quickly pushed open the door and entered the courtyard, walking along the heavy mansion courtyard while excitedly shouting.

A moment later, siblings Tang Zhao and Tang Ping pushed open the study door excitedly, looking at Duke Tang, dressed as a wealthy elder, holding a large wolf hairbrush, writing calligraphy.

The latter raised his eyebrows and smiled: "Looks like good news."

Tang Zhao, the Rouge Horse, said with shining eyes: "Cao Mao voluntarily submitted his resignation! That Cao kedid had pledged allegiance to the Emperor earlier, and will return to Jubei City to take Cao Mao's position!"

The young master Tang Ping, not as quick-tongued as his second sister, could only say: "I heard you invited Duke Chen to come out of retirement? How did you do it?"

Although they only participated in the military public opinion section of this operation, they had the opportunity to present a petition to the Golden Throne Hall.

They were so excited, not only Tang Ping, even Tang Zhao found it exhilarating... more interesting than winning a battle.

Duke Tang was momentarily stunned, seemingly realizing: "Cao kedid... so it was indeed him."

The siblings crowded around, chattering and inquiring about the details: "Father, what exactly is going on, please tell us, and... what did Mr. Zhao discuss with you that night? Was it delivering the Emperor's decree?"

Duke Tang smiled wryly and shook his head: "It's not that complicated, he spoke, and I was waiting for him to speak, that's all."

The siblings looked at each other, exchanging glances.

Tang Ping: Second sister, did you understand?

Tang Zhao: What do you think?

Tang Ping:...

The siblings sighed heavily towards the sky, feeling the court politics were very complicated.

...

...

Imperial Court, Lihua Hall.

The group of Jinyi returned to the hall in great numbers, each still excitedly discussing what had just happened.

Qian Kerou pushed open the office door, sat down, and looked around: "Huh, that one in red clothes without eyeballs..."

Hou Renmeng removed the sword from his side and placed it horizontally on the table: "Ji Yue."

"Right, where is that Ji Yue? Didn't the master say she should stay in the hall first?" Qian Kerou asked.

The Jinyi stopped their actions abruptly, looking at each other blankly, all showing confusion.

Then a sense of tension arose, if they lost her, what would happen when the master returned...

"Ah! There's a ghost in the well!"

Suddenly, a startled cry came from outside.

Everyone was taken aback and rushed outside, arriving by the well in the adjacent courtyard, where a kitchen servant was sitting on the ground in fear, trying desperately to move away from the well, with a fallen water bucket beside them.

Seeing people coming, he shouted: "I... I came to fetch water, and saw a human head at the bottom of the well!"

They were all on high alert.

The next second, they saw Ji Yue, the female sorcerer, soaking wet, hair disheveled, with white irises and no pupils, slowly climbing out of the well.

Everyone: "..."

Ji Yue weakly met the numerous gazes and softly explained: "I..."

Shen Juan took a deep breath: "You don't need to explain, we all understand! Well, my master will be back soon, and asked us to convey a message to you."

"Ah?" Ji Yue was baffled.

Qian Kerou continued: "My master said, Lang Shiba should not die."

"Ah?" Ji Yue was taken aback.

...

Typo to be corrected later

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