CHAPTER 843: CHAPTER 508: THE FURIOUS EMPRESS

Before this, the Empress had already received records from the Shadow Guards hidden within the city about this secret meeting.

Of course, since the meeting was top secret, no one knew the exact details, but the Empress was aware of it.

Casually mentioning it now was a calculated move to test the waters.

Xiao Donger trembled, a look of confusion and grievance appearing on her face:

"Your Majesty, please see clearly, I indeed sought the help of Mr. Zhao, but from beginning to end, it was only about official matters, absolutely nothing else!"

Xu Zhenguan squinted, scrutinizing her subtle expressions; a moment later, he smiled gently:

"I didn’t say anything, quickly rise."

...

...

Outside the Yangxin Hall.

Zhao Douan watched Xiao Donger disappear from view as she headed toward the Imperial Study Room. After thinking for a moment, he decided not to meet with familiar faces who had returned but instead turned around, took several turns, and arrived at a side hall.

At this moment, inside the hall, Yuann Li, dressed in a sky-blue collared official robe, with a handsome and experienced appearance, sat alone.

Seeing him stride in, Yuann Li was slightly surprised, "Junior Guardian Zhao? Is it that the Empress wants to see me?"

After the impromptu "report meeting," various ministers left one after another, except Yuann Li, who stayed behind, waiting here, attempting to seek an audience with the Empress.

This information was something Zhao Douan just learned from a familiar female official as he left.

"Mr. Yuan, don’t worry. Her Majesty is currently meeting with the Family Head of the East Lake Xiao Family. Presumably, only afterward will she have spare time," Zhao Douan said with a smile, his tone familiar, as he sat opposite Yuann Li: "I thought Mr. Yuan might be bored waiting here, so I came to join the fun."

Yuann Li was momentarily stunned. This Big Qingyi’s gaze was peculiar, and with a smile, he remarked, "It’s rare for the Junior Guardian to willingly keep me company to relieve boredom; it’s truly an honor for me."

Zhao Douan waved his hand dismissively, displeased, "Mr. Yuan is being too formal. I hold no real power beyond an interim Military Governor, and even my nominal rank is just third-rank. How do I deserve such courteous treatment from Mr. Yuan?"

He said wistfully, "I still remember when I luckily toppled the Zhang Brothers, and upon leaving the palace, Mr. Yuan graciously shared a carriage with me, when I was just a mere seventh-rank official. It’s not an exaggeration to call it a debt of gratitude."

Yuann Li was slightly lost in thought.

In just over a year, he had witnessed Zhao Douan, from a mere seventh-rank envoy, navigating the treacherous court politics, toppling one political enemy after another, fighting his way to the current position, not to mention the potential status of "Future Emperor’s Consort."

Apart from the nominal third-rank Junior Guardian, his real power as Commander of the Divine Mechanism Camp makes it so no civil or military officials in the court dare to underestimate him.

Yuann Li had no doubt that as long as the Empress could withstand the "Eight Princes’ Rebellion" and Zhao Douan survived, based solely on his military achievements, he would likely become the youngest First-rank official in the history of Yu Country.

Positioned at the top of the court!

How many years did it take Li Yanfu to reach this step?

And how many years did it take Yuann Li?

"Heroes emerge among the youth..." Yuann Li sighed with admiration, his eyes full of praise.

Sons set their ambitions beyond the frontier, to not return without success... Zhao Douan silently completed the line in his heart and said with a smile, "It’s just luck. As many great generals emerge in chaotic times, if I could choose, I’d rather forgo this official robe than see the world suffer so much disaster."

Yuann Li looked deeply at him, amazed, "You weren’t lying."

... Zhao Douan felt a pang of sorrow: "Is this how Mr. Yuan sees me, as someone desperate for fame and fortune?"

Isn’t it? Yuann Li was greatly surprised.

Zhao Douan cleared his throat lightly, no longer teasing Yuann Li, and after a moment of seriousness, he tentatively asked, "Mr. Yuan wishes to see the Empress, is it because of the Ning Xianzong matter?"

Yuann Li was not surprised, calmly nodded, his expression dimmed: "Ning Xianzong defected and betrayed the court, which is a grave crime. Since I recommended him back then, now that he’s shown treachery, I cannot escape blame. Hence, I came to confess to the Empress, to severely punish Ning Xianzong and myself, otherwise, it wouldn’t set the record straight."

He bowed with a solemn demeanor: "I will request to resign from the Imperial Censor position, retire in the capital, and become a teacher to guide the younger generation, using myself as a cautionary example."

No... Old Yuan, you’re not being genuine here. At this crucial moment, when it’s vital to govern the use of personnel, stepping down, how could Zhenbao possibly agree?

Zhao Douan pursed his lips, thinking to himself, as expected of the court’s scheming old guard.

A heart as hard as iron, with cunning plans.

This strategy of Yuann Li’s is simply going with the flow. Now that the Li Party has fallen, leaving only the Imperial Faction and Pure Stream Party in the court.

The former is shallow, and the Pure Stream Party thus becomes an unstable factor, coinciding with Ning Xianzong’s defection, Yuann Li promptly asks for punishment before the Empress can issue it.

By taking the brunt of the blame first, the Empress would find it difficult to truly punish him severely.

"Mr. Yuan is making it difficult for the Empress," Zhao Douan sighed softly.

Yuann Li hurriedly waved his hand, "I have no such intention, only that I feel my crimes are too grave to go unpunished."

He had a slight suspicion that Zhao Douan was probing with the Empress’s intent and was highly vigilant.

Zhao Douan looked at him earnestly, directly stating, "Mr. Yuan should know that Yu Country is in turmoil now, a time when personnel are needed."

Yuann Li was taken aback, "What does Junior Guardian Zhao mean?"

Zhao Douan pursed his lips and said, "I’m not well-versed in military affairs, but I can tell that Ning Xianzong is a talented person. After capturing everyone from Prince Heng’s mansion, on the way back to the capital, I interrogated the entire way and learned that Ning Xianzong defected, largely under coercion. Xu Heng set a trap for him, using his vulnerabilities against him, and then threatened and bribed him, using his family members as leverage to board the pirate ship..."

The more Yuann Li listened, the more he felt something was off, "So?"

Zhao Douan smiled, "I wonder if Mr. Yuan would be willing to part with him and let me have him, so he could redeem himself by making contributions?"