The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 184 - 163, Zhao Douan’s Manuscript

"Gentlemen," said the aged Scholar draped in a red academic robe as he tapped the desk to draw everyone’s attention.

"Her Majesty takes care of myriad affairs and it is already Noon, today’s political discussion thus comes to a temporary pause.

Tomorrow, we need to handle official duties in the hall; as for the new policies... there’s no hurry, just leave your proposals on the desk today, and later Her Majesty and I will examine them carefully."

As his words ended, the young scholars realized in shock that so much time had already passed, and it was already Noon.

They suddenly felt dry-mouthed and famished.

Although some topics were still unfinished, since Grandmaster Dong had spoken, they naturally stood up to bid farewell:

"Farewell to Your Majesty."

Meanwhile, each one placed the thick proposals they had prepared well in advance on the table.

Clearly, although Han Banshan had mainly led the discussion today, each of these scholars had their own thoughts.

"No need for such formalities, in the future, the matters of the state and family will still require your diligent considerations," said Xu Zhenguan as she stood up and nodded slightly.

Throughout the morning, she was almost like a mere figurehead without offering any opinions.

Because as an emperor, any gesture she made would be greatly magnified.

Her presence today was not to settle anything specific but bore greater symbolic significance.

"We shall sacrifice our lives and efforts for Your Majesty and for Great Yu," declared the scholars in unison.

In the corner,

Zhao Douan was deep in thought when the vocal outcry of this group startled him back to reality.

Surprised, he noticed that the adjacent recorder had already put down his pen and was massaging his sore wrists.

Had the meeting been dismissed?

Indeed, it was already Noon... Zhao Douan’s stomach embarrassingly rumbled aloud. Having reached a high rank, he found himself getting hungry more easily.

He lowered his gaze, looked at the sprawling pages, about a dozen, in his hand, pondered for a moment, but ultimately he did not speak up.

Originally, he planned to showcase his brilliance in front of everyone, but after detailing the minutiae earlier, he realized it was not so simple.

Firstly, although the situation of the Great Yu Dynasty had many similarities with that of the Wanli era, there were nonetheless differences, especially involving new policies which deserve careful consideration for any slight variations.

Secondly, although he remembered crucial points about the "Examination Method" and "Land distribution," the national policy was not something to be clearly expounded in merely a few hundred words.

It entailed a complete, systematic strategy — had not those from Han Banshan come with thick piles of proposals that they had been revising for months? Zhao Douan simply did not have the time to thoroughly refine the entire set of policies.

At this moment, speaking recklessly could likely lead to confusion.

If these scholars caught any loophole and continuously questioned it, wouldn’t he embarrass himself and his ancestors?

Especially... he was really a bit hungry... This was not urgent; there was still time.

"I need to consider this further..."

Zhao Douan reflected on this and decided to play it safe. He stood up, thought for a moment, and also placed his stack of papers on the table.

Before entering, Mo Chou had cautioned him that nothing from the room, including any paper with writing, should be taken out without scrutiny.

This was the rule.

Somewhat mischievously, he was curious to see if Grandmaster Dong or the Emperor could understand it.

As for the possibility of being plagiarized... he was not worried.

Because the paper was only scattered with a few words and disjointed sentences.

The majority of the details were still in his head.

With just a few incomplete sentences and symbols only he understood, it was impossible to reconstruct the whole.

"Zhao Douan, you shall leave with me," said Xu Zhenguan turning towards him.

Instantly, the scholars inside the room looked collectively at him for the first time, each bearing a different expression.

There was no hostility, but neither was there enthusiasm.

It was as though they merely regarded him as an ordinary official.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Zhao Douan responded, and suddenly recalling something, he bent down to pick up a basket of pears, smiling:

"Scholars, you must be thirsty after talking all morning, why not try some pears from the Imperial Court?"

No one moved.

The atmosphere grew slightly awkward.

Mo Chou shook her head, thinking that these proud scholars, even if out of respect for the Emperor’s presence, would not outwardly show anything.

But for them to take the initiative to befriend a notoriously harsh official was truly unrealistic.

Did Zhao Douan, smart as he was, really think he could win them over with a basket of pears?

However, at that moment, a figure in white floated by.

The Emperor of Great Yu seemed to be leaving but stopped next to him.

She picked up a pear, toyed with it, and nodded lightly:

"Well thought."

Then she walked out.

Seeing this, how could the group of scholars presume to take less?

Immediately, they stepped forward, each took a pear, and offered thanks.

If the Emperor had taken one, how could they dare not to?

Zhao Douan, smiling broadly, was unconcerned about whether the scholars’ thanks were sincere. After distributing the pears, he turned and followed the Empress out.

...

After the Empress and the scholars left one after another, the Xiuwen Pavilion room became eerily quiet, leaving only two people.

The recorder in charge of the "meeting records" carefully organized the manuscripts.

He approached where Grandmaster Dong was perusing the proposals at the head of the table and whispered:

"Grandmaster, it’s Noon, let’s go have a meal, these proposals won’t be finished in a short while."

With that, he put down the meeting records.

These also needed Grandmaster’s review and could not leave the room.

The Hanlin Academy Scholar, whose shoulders bore the duty of formulating new policies, faced countless difficulties on this first day, how could Grandmaster Dong have an appetite?

Upon hearing this, he merely waved his hand, instructing:

"Bring the proposals closer to me."

The recorder sighed, walked around the long table,

and moved each proposal in front of the old man to facilitate his review.

"What is that over there?"

Grandmaster Dong had a sharp eye and suddenly noticed a stack of papers on a desk in the corner, apparently with writing on them.

The scribe looked over and exclaimed, "Ah," and said,

"It’s the seat where Lord Zhao sat, so I suppose it’s his writing. I was seated next to him, focused on recording and didn’t clearly see what he was sketching. Perhaps it’s also a record?"

During the conversation, he walked over and picked it up.

Grandmaster Dong shook his head, somewhat dissatisfied with the decision for His Majesty to bring Zhao Douan here.

A military officer, what business did he have visiting the Xiuwen Pavilion?

Could he actually understand? Perhaps he knew the importance of the Xiuwen Pavilion and joined out of curiosity…

Nevertheless, let him be. Doubtless after today, that Zhao Douan would understand that specialization is key and that returning to focus on handling cases is the proper path.

"…Grandmaster? Perhaps you should look at this…"

However, the scribe suddenly began to speak in a strange tone.

Holding the manuscript left behind by Zhao Douan, he seemed to have briefly flipped through a few pages; his expression was very odd, somewhat hesitant, somewhat…

Uncertain?

More than anything, puzzled.

He didn’t understand, but his instincts as a scribe told him that the text on this paper was very important.

Ineffable prowess.

"What is it?" Grandmaster Dong was puzzled, but seeing the other’s expression, he also became curious. After hesitating for a moment, he reached out and took it.

He thought to himself, curious to see what Zhao Douan had written.

Lowering his gaze, three words entered his vision:

Examination Method

Grandmaster Dong frowned, not recalling anyone ever mentioning this term.

His eyes moved down, skipping two lines of inconsequential text, and paused again.

"Issue-limited examinations."

"Hold people accountable by their duties."

Hiss… this… Grandmaster Dong’s brow slowly furrowed, and he continued to read further.

One page, and then another…

Beside him, the scribe was surprised to see that Grandmaster Dong was reading slower and slower, more and more earnestly, more and more…

Solemn.

Despite being just a disjointed and roughly drafted manuscript seemingly of random thoughts.

Grandmaster Dong read it as if it were more important than Han Banshan’s "Ten Strategies."

What exactly had that Zhao Douan written?

…

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…

Outside the Xiuwen Pavilion.

Zhao Douan originally thought he would be walking, accompanying the Empress or perhaps sitting in a small carriage behind.

However, to his surprise, the Empress led him onto the royal carriage, a grand fourteen-horse carriage with a bright yellow compartment.

Not even Mo Chou had this privilege.

"Does Your Majesty have orders?"

Zhao Douan had ridden in the royal carriage before when he had gone to the Emperor Tower, but he was still nervous.

Once the bright yellow curtain was lowered and the carriage started moving, the spacious compartment inside was left with just the two of them.

Exhausted from playing the role of a "clay statue" all morning, Xu Zhenguan also seemed tired.

After sitting down, she casually removed the crown from her head, threw it aside, pulled out her hairpin, and shook her head, allowing her black hair to cascade down like a waterfall.

At that moment, she was no longer the dignified and composed Empress but a cool, transcendent fairy.

Upon hearing his words, she glanced at him and huffed,

"Can’t I simply offer you a ride when I have no pressing matters?"

The route from the Xiuwen Pavilion back to the Imperial Palace was indeed closer to the Imperial Court.

But Zhao Douan didn’t think the Empress was simply giving him a ride.

"How was it, listening in at the Xiuwen Pavilion today?" Xu Zhenguan asked casually, her tone somewhat teasing.

Zhao Douan pondered for a moment, cautiously responded,

"The scholars are indeed talented, and the Grandmaster certainly has a unique eye for people."

A mere Xiuwen Pavilion housed different scholars, each excelling in various fields, and representing diverse groups... The underlying calculations were evidently complex.

Xu Zhenguan smiled and said,

"Now you should understand why I said you shouldn’t go. Matters of state policy involve many aspects and are not just about being clever."

She felt that today Zhao Douan had quietly sat in a corner because he couldn’t join the conversation, and perhaps he didn’t even understand it.

"Actually, I..." Zhao Douan hesitated, unsure how to phrase his thoughts.

Xu Zhenguan waved her hand to cut him off, saying,

"Alright, speaking of serious matters... Last time, when you and I were cultivating at the Primordial Ancestor Temple, did you feel anything unusual?"

As she spoke the second half of her sentence—despite having rehearsed it many times in her heart—she still felt somewhat unnatural and avoided his gaze slightly.

In her mind, she involuntarily recalled the day Mr. Hai had cheerfully said those words to her.

The harmony of Yin and Yang… could it be that cultivating the Great Way with him truly doubled the effect?

After that day, although she verbally disagreed, she was still preoccupied with the thought, and after much consideration, still troubled, so she decided to confirm it today.

Better to clear her mind than to have restless thoughts.

"Unusual?" Zhao Douan paused momentarily, hesitantly said,

"That day, my cultivation broke through, which was indeed different from usual."

He was unsure what Zhenbao meant by that; had she noticed something the last time?

Realizing that his cultivation of the "Martial God Map" was different from others?

This guess made him somewhat nervous.

"…" Xu Zhenguan watched him for a few seconds, then sighed softly, thinking she was foolish to ask him in this way, how could he possibly have the answer?

Then there was only one thing left to do…

Hesitating for a moment, Xu Zhenguan suddenly bit her lip and said,

"Come sit next to me, come closer to me."

Ah? Zhao Douan was stunned.