The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 194 - 172, kill two birds with one stone

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Morning, the Zhao family.

"Phew—" Zhao Douan stretched his limbs, opened his eyes, and lay on the bed staring at the canopy above, unwilling to get up.

It wasn’t until he got home from Xiuwen Pavilion last night that he felt tired. He hadn’t even thought about cultivation.

"Talking is more exhausting than fighting with people... I get it, work meeting syndrome." He silently complained and turned over to get up.

After a simple wash.

He walked to the dining room and found his beautiful stepmother handling a vase, filling it with water.

Her jade hand grasped a lotus stem of impressive thickness, and above it, was a large, blooming pink lotus head.

She seemed hesitating whether to put it into the vase.

"Where did the lotus come from?" Zhao Douan asked curiously.

You Jinhua was startled, patted her chest, turned her head, saw it was her stepson, and then smiled joyfully as she shared,

"Our neighbor brought it this early morning, saying it was obtained from the Divine Dragon Temple, to bless and keep the family safe."

Behind Zhao Douan, Zhao Pan casually walked in.

The girl had her hair braided today, looped into two rings at the back of her head. She puffed her cheeks and said crisply,

"Mother, do you believe in such nonsense? It’s all a trick by those monks to make money. They sell it every year before the Ghost Festival; it has long been exposed."

You Jinhua glared at her daughter and said,

"Do not speak such words about the Buddhist Mages."

Zhao Pan sighed, not wanting to explain, feeling mentally exhausted.

"Ghost Festival?" Zhao Douan was taken aback for a moment before he recalled that the Ghost Festival in Great Yu was different from the one in his previous life.

It came later in time and was a festival of "worshipping the gods."

Since there were deities in Great Yu, every year during the Ghost Festival, there were activities and traditions of worship, making it an especially lively festival.

The monks of Divine Dragon Temple had a strong presence during the Ghost Festival, and it was said that there were celebratory events.

There would be high-ranking mages appearing, inviting some prominent "celebrities" from the Capital to a gathering.

However, Zhao Douan hadn’t been in his position for long and was not familiar with the activities of the upper class, nor had he ever received an invitation.

His stepmother was a believer in Gods, although she was very pragmatic.

She believed in whichever god might be efficacious, albeit superficially—what if it worked?

If it didn’t, there was no loss...

"Brother, you returned very late last night." The girl suddenly inquired from the dining table.

She was somewhat suspicious that her brother had gone out to fool around again.

You Jinhua also recalled the matter of her stepson being picked up by a carriage last night, and her eyes softly looked over: "Was there something?"

She was slightly worried whether her stepson had opposed any court officials again.

Why do I not have any positive image in your minds... Where has the trust gone?… Zhao Douan put down his chopsticks, adopted the demeanor of the head of the family, and intimidated them,

"Mind your own business at home, and don’t ask questions you shouldn’t."

So both mother and daughter kept silent.

...

...

The residence of Li Yanfu, the current Prime Minister, was situated in the best part of the Capital, not far from the Imperial Palace.

It was a rather grand estate, with the entire street around it being the residences of notable figures from the court, and ordinary civilians dared not approach.

Morning.

A sedan chair arrived outside the Prime Minister’s mansion.

"Young Master, you have arrived." The servant on duty at the mansion gate hurriedly walked down the steps and greeted respectfully.

Nearing forty, with a delicate appearance, a high nose bridge, and deep-set eyes, the "Young Master" Li Yinglong acknowledged with an "Mm," stepped out of the sedan chair, and asked while walking,

"Has Father awoken?"

At this age, father and son had long since divided the household, but the distance between their residences was not far, so frequent visits occurred.

Li Yanfu was getting on in years, and many tasks were beyond his capacity; Li Yinglong, as his most relied-upon offspring, bore many of the Li Party’s affairs.

If the Prime Minister was the "leader" of the Li Party, then Li Yinglong was the leader’s hand.

"The Master awoke early and has already eaten by now."

The servant said.

Recently, the Empress had been in seclusion, so the ministers didn’t have to attend the morning court session.

But the Prime Minister, used to rising early, still awoke before dawn.

Li Yinglong nodded, walked through the front yard, and entered the inner garden courtyard filled with artificial hills, ponds, pavilions, and towers.

From a distance, he saw the family maid standing by.

Wearing loose casual home attire, Li Yanfu, the Prime Minister in power, the "leader" whose roots spread throughout the Great Yu Dynasty, was playing throwing arrows.

On the blue-brick ground, there was a narrow-necked bronze pot with three ears.

About two zhangs away, Li Yanfu held an arrow with a tail feather in his hand, aiming intently.

Though aged, this elder, with hair like barbed bristles and brows like purple stone ridges, with disheveled stubble spreading along his cheeks and meeting his sideburns, still had a restrained fierceness in his eyes.

"Father."

Li Yinglong respectfully approached and stood to the side, glanced at the maid holding an arrow quiver by his side, and took it over proactively.

The sensible maid quickly stepped away, and the servants also retreated to a distance where they wouldn’t overhear the pair’s conversation.

Li Yanfu seemed not to notice his son’s arrival, focusing on aiming.

Suddenly, he threw hard, and the arrow arced but hit the edge of the bronze pot.

"Old..." Li Yanfu sighed softly, yet showed no disappointment.

Li Yinglong flattered,

"Father, you are thriving in old age; even a martial artist in the military would find it difficult to hit from such a distance."

Li Yanfu ignored his flattery, reached out to draw a new arrow from the quiver, still not looking at him, aiming again,

"Why here so early?"

Li Yinglong respectfully said,

"Yesterday was the opening day of Xiuwen Pavilion. I waited all day and went to get information at night. It was too late, and I feared disturbing your rest, so I came early."

Li Yanfu paused his movement, turned his head, and looked down at him impassively, coldly,

"What are you stirring up?"

Li Yinglong hurriedly said, after secretly probing behind his father’s back,

"Father, Xiuwen Pavilion opened, the New Policy is likely to be tabled, and I am very concerned, thus this… Besides, many were probing, not just us."

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Li Yanfu showed some displeasure but said nothing, picking up another arrow,

"Continue."

"Eh," Li Yinglong described vividly,

"I went to block Wang You, the son of the Minister of Personnel, to inquire, but this Wang was extremely tight-lipped, unwilling to engage, and even retorted, leaving soon after."

"…" Li Yanfu put down his arrow for the third time, looking at him,

"So you found out nothing."

The atmosphere slightly stiffened.

Li Yinglong hurriedly said,

"Father, the less they say, the more significant it proves to be. Moreover, Wang You looked very unwell, returning from Xiuwen Pavilion late at night. The first day’s opening summoned two discussions. This is absolutely unusual!

In my view, it’s aggressively coming. If the New Policy rolls out, the first affected would certainly be the Ministry of Personnel under you.

This past year, Her Majesty has repeatedly targeted us, especially in these recent six months. Pei Kaizhi and Zhou Cheng were both brought down by that Zhao Douan.

Obviously, it’s all Her Majesty’s intention to clear the way for Xiuwen Pavilion… having dissolved the cabinet before, stripping our power.

Now, a new cabinet has been established, entirely excluding us… We cannot sit and wait for death."

These words had evidently been suppressed for a long time.

Li Yanfu listened quietly and then said blandly,

"Done speaking? If done, go back."

Li Yinglong was stunned and anxious,

"Father, how can you still remain so calm? The situation is dire. You told us to endure when Her Majesty tested us earlier, and even after Pei Kaizhi fell, you said nothing, and now Zhou Cheng also fell… The morale within the Li Party is wavering.

You might not know, having not managed these affairs, but I am all too clear.

Some days ago, when Zhao Douan was rampant, arresting people en masse, public outrage was great, and I had to suppress it.

These few days since Zhou Cheng fell, I don’t know how many people have come to me, expressing discontent. All are on edge, and I have shouldered all that pressure, soothing them one by one… But this cannot continue indefinitely."

Li Yanfu appeared indifferent, still focusing on throwing arrows.

Seeing him in this state, Li Yinglong exhaled deeply, and earnestly said,

"Father, can’t you think for your son, or even for yourself? With the New Policy being implemented, there will surely be investigations into governance, and then, will Her Majesty hold you accountable? Don’t you feel wronged?

Yes! The governance across the Nine Roads and Eighteen Prefectures in Great Yu is rotten, but this should not be your burden.

Isn’t it because the late Emperor neglected affairs and was wary of subordinates gaining power, thus splitting one position into two? Leading to redundant officials?

The late Emperor wanted money for building palaces, alchemy, and for show, with each heavenly sacrifice costing countless silver. How to manage?

Didn’t you find ways to raise money? Yet, we are held responsible, and now the new sovereign holds a grudge against us. How do you explain this..."

"Clang!"

Suddenly, Li Yanfu threw the arrow in his hand, hitting accurately into the bronze pot, making a clear metallic clang.

Then, this Prime Minister who had served two reigns looked over coldly.

Li Yinglong immediately stopped, not daring to make a sound.

Li Yanfu seemed to sigh lightly, seemingly with a sense of disappointment, and spoke slowly,

"Since you know all this, you should understand why your father could secure the role of Prime Minister over the years, and not someone else—it is because I could do work for the late Emperor and take the blame.

Now, as the new sovereign ascends, suiting by counteraction, if her majesty gets angry, let her vent.

Once she hits enough, her anger will subside. This way, our damage is minimized; retreating is advancing. This principle, you’ve been with me for so long, how do you still not comprehend it?"

Li Yinglong said,

"Father, I understand the principle. But when will it end?

Moreover, the morale below is unstable, with so many high officials being unsettled by a mere gigolo and a sixth-rank minor military officer; we are not rivaling Her Majesty, but we cannot let a pretty boy trample over us."

Li Yanfu snorted coldly,

"Your vision is only concerned with squabbling with a sixth-rank official all day? A mere pawn, if not the Zhao, then a Wang, or a Li, Her Majesty is the key issuer of commands."

His voice was noticeably displeased.

In the eyes of this Prime Minister, even though Zhao Douan had recently toppled two generals of his side, shining brightly, Li Yanfu had never accorded him a proper glance.

Because he was clear that Zhao Douan was not the key; the Empress was the master behind the dog.

Without dealing with the Empress, squabbling with the dog was meaningless.

"Father..."

"Get out."

"…Sigh!"

Momentarily.

Li Yinglong angrily left the Prime Minister’s mansion, returning to the sedan chair, still seething with resentment.

"Young Master, what did the Master mean…" his close servant cautiously inquired.

Li Yinglong shook his head irritably, contemplating briefly, and said in a cold voice,

"My father has lost his edge; he merely thinks that cowering and accepting hits will get us through… We cannot just sit and wait for death; we must take action, or else the morale below will dissipate."

"Young Master, what are you planning…"

Li Yinglong’s eyes shimmered, his face looking sinister,

"That Zhao Douan repeatedly causes trouble; now, with Her Majesty in seclusion, he lacks support—this is the perfect opportunity.

It is heard that Grandmaster Dong extremely dislikes this person, as do those scholars in the Capital…

We can indeed make some moves, manipulate the situation, and incite the scholars from Xiuwen Pavilion to have a conflict with Zhao Douan…

In this way, we can not only quell the anger below, letting it be known that we don’t just sit and wait for death,

But also create distrust and rift between Her Majesty and those scholars from Xiuwen Pavilion… hindrance in implementing the New Policy, it should be a plan with dual benefits."

Saying this, this "Young Master" seemed to already envision the scene after achieving his aims.

And Li Yanfu would never know, that the reason Li Yinglong frequently mentioned Zhao Douan today,

Was because, last night, Wang You, after being pestered by him, had retorted, mocking the Li family for being cowardly, being trampled by Zhao Douan, a pretty boy, and not daring to make a sound.

…

Cavin, the update was late.

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