The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 457 - 372, eagle-eyed and wolf-like caution

In the room.

Ever since entering Zhuozheng Garden, Princess Lu, who had willingly played the role of a silent vase, was taken aback for a moment, showing a slight hint of surprise in her expression.

When faced with Zhao Douan's question, her elegant and gentle eyebrows relaxed, and she replied indifferently, "I have not."

That was quite cold.

The term "Daoist" is a broad concept; aside from the powerful "Heavenly Master Sect," most of the Great Yu Dynasty's Daoist temples are for ordinary people.

"Jiancheng Road is not like the Capital; there are no grand temples there. I presume even you wouldn't know that, Lord," Princess Lu responded calmly.

I see...

Zhao Douan nodded, scrutinizing her from head to toe and said with a smile,

"I am acquainted with some priests from the Heavenly Master Mansion in the Capital. It is said that all Daoist ways belong to one family. I thought that perhaps the Daoist Record you are part of, Princess, might be related to those in the Capital."

Wearing a tassel-trimmed gown and her womanly hair swept back—already secularized—Princess Lu managed a weak smile:

"The ways of the secular Daoists pale in comparison to those of the Heavenly Master Sect."

Zhao Douan chatted warmly and enthusiastically:

"Ha-ha, if the Princess wishes, I could certainly introduce you to the Heavenly Master Mansion. Not to speak of transcending the mundane to reach holiness, but even just breathing techniques for longevity and maintaining beauty, I'm sure you would be interested in that as well.

Hmm, may I ask how old you are, Princess? Would it be convenient to disclose? I've also learned a few divination tricks..."

Lu Yan'er appeared oddly amused.

Initially aloof, she couldn't withstand Zhao Douan's relentless topic starters, plus she was genuinely curious about the Heavenly Master Mansion's affairs.

As the conversation between the two shifted back and forth, the topic of "Cultivation" expanded, growing more heated as they spoke.

Completely ignoring the father and son of Prince Jing beside them.

Originally dignified and resembling the late Emperor, the smile on Prince Jing's face gradually faded away, his large hand quietly clenched around his knee.

Standing at one side, Xu Jinglong looked even more upset.

In the meantime, Prince Jing tried to steer the conversation back, but Zhao Douan merely gave perfunctory responses, quickly turning his head back to converse with Princess Lu.

This attitude finally caused Prince Jing's expression to grow thoroughly cold, irritation brewing in his heart.

Yet, his face broke into a smile once more, only this time, it carried a hint of cold cruelty.

"Yan'er," Prince Jing suddenly spoke, addressing the Princess before continuing in an aloof tone:

"Lord Zhao still has guests to attend to; we have troubled you for quite some time. We shall take our leave now."

Zhao Douan looked reluctantly at ease, rising to see them out, apologetically saying:

"I was so engrossed in our conversation that I neglected the Prince, please forgive me. When I visit Jiancheng Road, I shall pay you a personal visit."

As he spoke, he bowed slightly without taking a step forward.

Appearing not to intend to escort them out.

"Ha-ha..."

A fleeting expression of annoyance flickered across Prince Jing's eyes, yet he smiled, not uttering another word and proceeded to leave with his family.

Zhao Douan then turned and opened the gift box presented by Xu Jinglong at the tea table. Inside the carved purple sandalwood box, laid on silk brocade, was a strand of agate Buddha beads, each carved into the shape of Buddha's head, clearly the work of a master craftsman.

Picking up the beads, Zhao Douan suddenly pulled too hard, snapping the already fragile cotton thread. freēnovelkiss.com

"Crackle and pop..."

The valuable agate Buddha beads spilled onto the floor like rain, creating a loud noise in the quiet hall.

One by one, the Buddha heads scattered like flowers thrown by celestial maidens, rolling across the wooden floor.

Just stepping over the threshold, Prince Jing in his dark blue python robe halted, his body motionless, turning his head slowly as his dark brows arched over piercing gray-brown eyes.

Like an eagle surveying its surrounds.

In his hand, Zhao Douan was still clutching the broken thread as his gaze met Prince Jing's, creating an eerie silence in the hall.

"Does the Prince have something else?" Zhao Douan inquired curiously.

Prince Jing, Xu Wen, replied with a slowly curling smile, "No, nothing."

Then he raised his arms, flicked his broad sleeves, and gave a light pat on the Princely Heir to his left and the Princess to his right:

"Let's go."

The family of three exited Zhuozheng Garden under everyone's watchful gaze.

Zhao Douan paid no heed to the scattered Buddha heads on the floor, standing by the door lost in thought.

Eunuch Hai, the old Tributor, and others who were guarding outside came in after that.

"It seemed the Prince had murderous intentions towards you when he left," Eunuch Hai remarked cheerfully.

Zhao Douan dropped the thread in his hand and said indifferently:

"He has more patience than I expected."

Haitang shot him a glance, her gaze then shifting with a tinge of pity to the Buddha beads on the floor, saying,

"How else could the Prince Jing Mansion amass such power?"

Zhao Douan turned his head, looking at the old Tributor as if seeking advice:

"Is that Princess Lu really a commoner?"

Eunuch Hai glanced sideways at him and replied in a nonchalant tone,

"I've told you a few times, I practice martial arts, not magic; and at least, the Princess shows no sign of being trained in martial arts."

"You suspect she has cultivation?" Haitang looked surprised, "There's no such information in the government office's reports."

Zhao Douan shook his head slightly without explanation.

He was too lazy to mention that he always felt an unexplainable and indescribable sense of familiarity with Princess Lu.

He had deliberately engaged in conversation earlier in the room in part to irritate that father and son and also in search of the source of that familiarity.

Yet he found nothing.

"Enough, let's just wait and see."

Zhao Douan said softly, then suddenly asked with a smile, "Is the Commandery Princess still outside? Please, come in."

...

...

Outside Zhuozheng Garden.

Two horse carriages, one after the other, came to a halt, surrounded by the escort of the Royal Mansion.

The servants lifted the curtains; Prince Jing and the Princess shared one carriage, while Xu Jinglong was in another one that followed behind.

As the thick curtains that shielded them from the autumn chill were lowered again, revealing the spacious and comfortable interior with a table in the center burning incense, Prince Jing leaned against the carriage wall, closed his eyes, and rubbed his forehead.

He then said coldly, "You seemed quite chummy with that youngster."

Sitting opposite him, a beautiful woman with a gentle demeanor showed no fear on her face. Instead, she glared back with her spirited eyes and retorted with a cold laugh,

"What, you feel embarrassed?"

Prince Jing opened his fierce eyes, slightly annoyed, and said,

"Why won't you give me face in front of outsiders?"

Lu Yaner, with a smile on her lips, didn't answer but leaned forward slightly, bringing her face, which despite the wrinkles around her eyes was still exquisitely delicate, close to her husband in name.

"You can slap me to let off some steam," said Princess Lu with a breath as soft as orchids.

Prince Jing breathed heavily, his hand on his knee tightly wrinkling his silk robe in a grip, but ultimately he sighed,

"Yan'er, you know that's not what I mean, so why act like this?"

Lu Yaner withdrew her face and with a smirk said,

"Prince Xu, you should be clear, when you married me from the Daoist Temple into the Royal Mansion, there was no agreement about keeping face for you.

Moreover, Zhao Douan deliberately made conversation with me, and it's obviously all directed at you.

Instead of getting angry at him, you take it out on me. Is this the demeanor of the men of the Xu family? Your son is like that, and you too..."

"Enough!" said Prince Jing, expressionless.

The Magician from Jianghu, Lu Yaner, just smiled and said no more.

The carriage continued to sway and rock on its way back to their temporary residence in Hu Ting City among the group from the Royal Mansion.

Halfway there, after a long silence, Prince Jing finally spoke,

"That youngster is probably not just challenging me. He's putting on a show for all the merchants of Hu Ting, trying to represent the court and press me down. The many things he said to you were probably also out of suspicion about whether you truly possess Cultivation abilities."

He sighed softly and continued,

"Over these years, every time I've been out, I've taken you with me, and being so exposed, it inevitably raises suspicion."

Princess Lu Yaner seemed unconcerned and calmly said, "So what if they suspect, what if they don't?"

Prince Jing, Xu Wen, had a hesitant look in his eyes as he said,

"Jinglong sent Duan Shuiliu to the river to confront them and also tested out that person's strength. Although that person didn't make a move, according to intelligence, he recently ascended to the Divine Chapter Realm. Without the Taia Sword here for him to use, a mere Divine Chapter Realm is nothing to worry about. The key lies in his three guards.

Hai Chunlin, how many years has it been since he left the palace? That niece of mine actually dared to throw him out here. Hmph, although that old eunuch has seen better days, he's still not someone ordinary people can handle.

Then there's the other two—one blade fighter from the Northern Army, one Magician who excels in controlling water channels; together, they could stand against Duan Shuiliu for a while."

Lu Yaner looked at him in surprise and said,

"Do you really want to kill him here in Hu Ting?"

Prince Jing didn't respond, apparently also indecisive.

Lu Yaner glanced at him and said flatly,

"Just to be clear, I'm not confident I can take on that old eunuch."

Prince Jing's brows relaxed, and as he looked at the fluttering curtain at the edges of the windows to the street outside, he said softly,

"Let's just wait and see."

...

Inside Zhuozheng Garden.

After Prince Jing left, Zhao Douan met with a few royal merchants and then excused other visits by claiming the weariness of travel required him to rest.

The merchants hastily took their leave, spreading the news of what had happened here throughout Hu Ting.

"This stance today should make the wavering neutrals see the court's resolution, right?"

Zhao Douan returned to the bedroom arranged for him, took a simple bath, and relieved his fatigue.

Then he sat down at the desk, spread out his writing materials, and began writing a letter to Zhenbao back in the Capital, reporting on the day's events.

Well, although it would take a while for the letter to reach the Capital, it was still faster than going back himself.

When working outside, reporting back to leadership in a timely manner is the basic conduct of a subordinate.

Last time in Taicang, events unfolded too quickly, only a few days in total, and the situation was not as complex as it is here, so he didn't write.

"To His Immense Highness the Imperial Sovereign:

Your servant has safely arrived at Hu Ting. Here I report my observations to Your Majesty so you may review whether my handling has been appropriate...

Upon landing, the Princely Heir Xu Jinglong came with warships... Pretending to be Duan Shuiliu from Martial Emperor City, he outrageously disrespected Your Majesty's authority, demanding the treasured armor gifted by Your Majesty to be given to green mountain, which is no different from the act of a traitor. Your servant, filled with indignation, rebuked the traitor mightily to protect the majesty of our Great Yu Dynasty..."

Zhao Douan wrote in one breath about his confrontation with Xu Jinglong and the meeting with Prince Jing.

But the letter's ending seemed lacking in flourish. After pondering for a while, he changed his pen, writing:

"...Furthermore, while appreciating the Jiangnan scenery in Zhuozheng Garden, which is different from the Capital, I found myself lost in reverie, imagining Your Majesty might also be enjoying the garden at the Imperial Court.

As if in a secluded mountain valley, amidst myriad gold pieces and white reeds, there is one beautiful figure.

I asked myself whether my heart was moved.

To myself I say: Moved, moved, moved, moved, moved, moved, moved, moved, moved..."

---

PS: Thanks to the undercover doctor for the 23,000-coin reward~

Next chapter at midnight.