The Empress's No.1 Lackey

Imperial Palace.

The scattered lights melted into the night.

Unlike the noisy bustle of Zhangtai, this palace was always quiet and majestic.

"Your Majesty, Mr. Yuan has been seen out," Mo Chou said in a light step, stopping before the doorway of the imperial study, and softly reporting to the Empress, who stood by the door looking out into the dark night.

Xu Zhenguan gently acknowledged with an "Mm," her expression showing both seriousness and fatigue.

"Your Majesty, are you worried about the issues with the Taicang Silver Mine?"

Mo Chou spoke softly, more like she was waiting for the Empress to make a decision rather than asking a question.

Xu Zhenguan looked into the night, saying,

"The Great Yu Dynasty cannot have a moment's peace, nor can I as the emperor enjoy a moment's leisure."

As she listened to the Empress' sigh, Mo Chou felt a heart-wrenching discomfort and comforted her,

"Your Majesty, the matter has not yet been verified, and it may not be true..."

But Xu Zhenguan raised her hand to stop her words, turned her head with a smile, and said,

"There's no need for such words. From the day I pushed the new policies, I anticipated there would be numerous obstacles.

The trouble in Taicang is not surprising. Compared to the past few years, hasn't the situation improved a lot?"

Relieved, Mo Chou let out a sigh,

"If Your Majesty thinks so, we are at ease. But how shall we deal with the Taicang matter?

If we look at the bigger picture, this involves the new policies and cannot be neglected. Especially if it's as serious as the letter suggests, we should dispatch the Imperial Censors as soon as possible to investigate."

Xu Zhenguan pondered for a moment, as if weighing something in her mind, and did not immediately respond.

In the meantime, a little eunuch hurried over from a distance, carrying a lantern in his hand.

The two women stopped talking and looked quizzically at him, waiting for the eunuch to come to a halt before saying,

"Your Majesty, the banquet at Zhangtai Garden is nearly over. The Grandmaster has sent a servant to inform you, to put Your Majesty at ease."

Surprised, Xu Zhenguan asked, "The Grandmaster is thoughtful. Nothing untoward happened at the banquet tonight, did it?"

The eunuch shook his head, "Nothing of the sort. Everything went smoothly. They say that at the poetry gathering later, the Commandery Princess received universal praise..."

Xu Zhenguan was not surprised and temporarily set aside the news of Taicang, asking with interest,

"Did Junling compose another fine poem?"

The eunuch answered with embarrassment,

"I do not know, Your Majesty. If Your Majesty wishes to hear about it, I shall send someone to find out immediately."

Xu Zhenguan waved a hand and smiled,

"There's no need for such fuss. Still, did the Grandmaster only come to report that all is well?"

"Not only that, the Grandmaster has brought a poem, composed by Zhao Douan, Mr. Zhao, in the heat of inebriation as the feast concluded. The Grandmaster thought Your Majesty might be interested and sent it for your perusal."

Saying so, the eunuch drew out a piece of paper folded neatly without a single crease, and presented it with both hands.

Poetry by Zhao Douan?

That fellow writes poetry?

Mo Chou was momentarily stunned, her skepticism habitual, but having been proven wrong too many times before, she had learned her lesson.

His... poem?

Surprise flickered across the pale face of Xu Zhenguan, considering that a poem personally sent by the Grandmaster must hold something extraordinary.

Curiosity peaked; she raised her hand, and the paper floated gently into her grasp.

Xu Zhenguan unfolded the paper with her delicate hands and looked down.

The first thing she saw was the rather unattractive, even somewhat ugly calligraphy, which made her frown slightly, her thoughts teasing:

Indeed the work of that fellow.

But as she read the lines of poetry, the initial mockery was replaced by admiration for the talent freely spilled across the page and the feelings that sprung to life from the words:

"Tonight I sleep drunk amidst the flowery willows of the Capital, sharing cups with nobles."

"Flowery willows" here did not refer to the place of fireworks but rather to the singing girls and dancing women at the banquet, fresh as flowers, supple as willows in the breeze.

The five lords and seven peers are not to be taken literally but rather as a generic reference to the nobles and senior officials of the court.

The next line, "A dashing figure stands before the mighty, not one to fall behind in splendor," likely describes the daytime duel with Tianhai on the arena. The latter half subtly suggests that even at tonight's literary gathering, his verses remained as vivacious as ever, unfallen behind others.

Xu Zhenguan was somewhat distracted.

Through these lines, she could almost envision how Zhao Douan was celebrated and surrounded by the political elites of the Capital, amidst a fiery intensity as bright as flowers and splendid as brocade.

How he, unwilling to be overshadowed, drank alone, observing with a cool detachment as scholars and poets exchanged verses, while the young Xu Junling overshadowed the scene, before finally rising gracefully and writing verses in his drunken state.

"Feeling so pleased with yourself?"

Her lips curled slightly with amusement, not at all displeased, because today's glory and splendor were all earned by that fellow himself.

Her gaze drifted downward as she murmured the next line.

"The Emperor's favor graces my youth, while I ride at Zhangtai with a whip of gold."

On reading that line, Xu Zhenguan suddenly froze, then felt an indescribable wave of embarrassment well up.

The Emperor's favored beauty...

"What in the world has he written?"

"Since when have I become his favored beauty? Such utter nonsense!"

"And what's this about a golden whip? Riding to Zhangtai is one thing, but from where comes this golden whip? It's simply..."

"An affront to good taste."

Beneath the night sky, Mo Chou thought she saw a blush bloom unbidden on the Empress' cheeks, a curious marvel in her heart.

The Capital had no shortage of talented scholars, and there were countless over the years who offered poetry in praise of Her Majesty. But she had never seen the Empress react quite like this.

"What in the world has that scoundrel written?"

Mo Chou resisted the urge to peek.

Meanwhile, the Empress had read the last line, concluding the poem with an invitation to the Golden Throne Hall, where she would listen to the music and watch the dances, lingering among the luxurious and precious tortoiseshell banquets.

The latter half described the grandeur of the banquet, but the first half...

Could it be that this piece of poetry had indeed been delivered to the palace, right to her hands?

No wonder the Grandmaster ordered it to be brought...

For within this poem was already the implication to send the composition into the Imperial Palace.

So, he deliberately wrote it for Us?

Xu Zhenguan was somewhat distracted.

"Your Majesty?" After a long while, Mo Chou couldn't help but softly call out.

Xu Zhenguan then came back to her senses, her blushing face quickly regaining its usual composure. With an indifferent "Mm," she tucked the white paper with the poem into her sleeve and said to the eunuch,

"Tell the Grandmaster that We know."

Then, turning to look at Mo Chou, who wore a face full of curiosity, she said,

"You will leave the palace immediately and convey an oral decree from Us..."

Moments later, the Empress left the befuddled female chancellor behind, and with a stern face, she walked directly to her personal sleeping quarters, humming in her heart as she went,

"Dare to charm Us with your poetry? Let Us see how We shall punish you."

...

...

Outside the Zhao Mansion.

"The eldest son has returned!"

The old steward of the Zhao family swung open the gate and directed the house servants to welcome the thoroughly inebriated Zhao Douan inside.

You Jinhua and Zhao Pan had not yet slept and came out to see what was going on. Seeing that he was just excessively drunk, they felt relieved.

His stepmother instructed someone to prepare a hangover remedy and then had him escorted back to his room.

The room was dimly lit.

After drinking a bowl of the remedy and now only in his nightwear, Zhao Douan felt a bit more clear-headed as he lay in bed and nervously pondered,

"I wonder if Zhenbao will 'GET' the true meaning of my poem..."

"Hehe, according to my life experience, the more feudal the place, the more restrained must be the expression of passion... like 'The moon is beautiful tonight,' or writing a 'love letter'..."

"High-class flirting is just so full of style, not something like 'Nights when I miss you'..."

"Yes, Zhenbao should see it by tomorrow. I've performed so well today, and with this poem added, there is no way I can't pry open the door to her heart...

Alas, what a pity, in my last life I followed a male leader and never took the time to learn these skills. 'Books are useless when it's time to act,' I'm still not good at it..."

While he was lost in his wild thoughts.

Suddenly, a knock came at the door:

"Master, there is someone at the door, claiming to be from the palace."

Zhao Douan rolled over, scrambling to get up, his face full of suspicion, thinking that perhaps his poem had already been delivered to the palace?

Could it be that Zhenbao was moved by my half-year's relentless efforts and decided to summon me to serve in her chambers?

Good heavens... such a sudden turn of events, and without any warning!

Buzzing from the alcohol, Zhao Douan hastily said,

"Bring the person here quickly, and do not disturb my aunt and sister!"

...

Not long after.

Now properly dressed and having sprayed on some homemade perfume, Zhao Douan, with his money pouches hanging heavily at his waist, arrived at the inner hall to meet the awaiting Mo Chou.

"Mo Zhaorong? Why is it you?" exclaimed Zhao Douan in surprise.

Dressed in the attire of a female officer and donning a black gauze cap, the androgynously alluring female chancellor sat in the Zhao family hall with a cold smile,

"Who else did you think it would be?"

"...," Zhao Douan replied eagerly,

"Has Zhaorong come to my house late at night because Her Majesty has an urgent matter for me?"

The ice queen's face clearly stiffened as she looked at him in suspicion,

"How did you know?"

She waved her hand to signal the palace guards at the door to close it, excluding all bystanders.

Once only the two of them were left in the hall, Mo Chou, sitting upright on the rosewood chair, said in a cool voice,

"The Emperor has a verbal edict, Zhao Douan is to receive the decree."

Is it really so formal? Shouldn't this kind of thing be done quietly, without the firing of any guns?

Zhao Douan was bewildered, but still stood inside the room, bowing his head respectfully, treating Mo Chou as the Emperor, he greeted her with clasped hands,

"This humble official, Zhao Douan, is present!"

Mo Chou, seated on the dais, gazing down at her romantic rival with a smile, spoke in the Empress's tone,

"Today, the Imperial Court of Supervision received a report claiming that there may be embezzlement and state-threatening corruption at the Taicang Silver Mine. We are greatly concerned. Now We command Zhao Douan, the White Horse Governor, as the imperial envoy to muster personnel at his discretion and, within three days, head to the Taicang Silver Mine to investigate the corruption, by Our order!"

Zhao Douan was utterly dumbfounded.

"Zhao Douan, won't you receive the decree? Do you intend to defy the order?"

Mo Chou could barely contain her smile, rarely having the chance to wield authority and show off in front of Mr. Zhao.

Wait... wasn't it agreed to be summoned to serve in her chambers? I laid so much groundwork during the day in the palace, and then made a big fuss to copy that poem at night...

Zhao Douan, dumbstruck, lifted his head; he looked like an eggplant beaten by frost:

"This official... receives the decree."

After uttering this line, their role-play as messenger ended, and Mo Chou returned to her normal self, still reluctant to part with the role,

"Congratulations Mr. Zhao on your new assignment. Please depart as soon as possible. Although the Taicang Silver Mine is not far from the Capital, the to-and-fro journey will take time."

Zhao Douan still couldn't believe it and asked,

"May I ask Zhaorong, why has Her Majesty suddenly assigned me a case? And in the middle of the night..."

Wouldn't it be normal, even with a case to assign, to wait until daylight to do so?

To shine for the Royal Family in the morning, and then be handed a task by night...

Even beasts of burden aren't worked this hard.

The icy beauty Mo Zhaorong glanced at him and said with a smirk,

"Oh, Her Majesty originally didn't plan on sending you, but the Grandmaster brought that poem you wrote to Her Majesty, and after seeing it, she decided it should be you."

...

Dear readers, Happy Qixi Festival! The single dog author Cavin is teetering between life and death...