The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 444 - 365, Princely Heir blocks the way, warship with dragon flag

One group firmly believed that the court's hawks and dogs threatened Mr. Zhengyang in secret, forcing him to submit.

Another group, focused on "Heart Learning," speculated that "Heart Learning" might be the work of a Confucianism master, expressed through Zhao Douan's mouth.

But there was no evidence.

Zhao Douan had no intention of plagiarizing the teachings of Yangming, and so he paid no mind to how the outside world speculated.

Instead, the plainclothes officers dispatched into the streets took note of everyone slandering Mr. Zhao, and it was foreseeable that there would soon be a series of secret arrests.

In the storm stirred up by this conflict, rumors of "Her Majesty spending the night at Zhao Mansion" started to circulate among the officials of the court, leading to surreptitious glances and whispered discussions.

It was a completely different scene.

This turmoil continued for about a week, slowly subsiding as Mr. Zhengyang left the Capital with his disciples, retracing their journey back.

Around the same time, Prince Heng's heir, Xu Zudi, also left the Capital with Mrs. Xiao, much to the disappointment of those who were looking forward to another clash between Xu Zudi and Zhao Douan.

The Capital regained its hard-won peace, and with winter approaching, the topic of Hu Ting opening its market steadily heated up, becoming the focus of attention inside and outside the court.

And just as Great Yu officially entered the "Start of Winter," stepping into the winter season, a government ship set sail, taking the biting northern wind towards Hu Ting.

...

...

Whoosh whoosh—

The government ship cut through the waves, its sails billowing fiercely.

Th𝓮 most uptodate nov𝑒ls are publish𝒆d on ƒreewebηoveℓ.com.

Inside the cabin, decorated similarly to an ordinary room, Zhao Douan sat cross-legged on a wool mat gifted from the Western Regions, his hands loosely clasped, his eyes tightly shut.

In front of him on the floor, a beast-shaped incense burner emitted trails of blue smoke.

"Phew!"

Suddenly, in the still cabin, the blue smoke gently stirred as Zhao Douan exhaled deeply, returning from meditation to reality.

When he opened his eyes, a fleeting flash of brilliant gold could be discerned in his glossy pupils.

"I've finally advanced to the Middle Grade Divine Chapter!"

A hard-to-conceal joy spread across Zhao Douan's face. After this period of "digestion," with the help of the Soul Power boost from Master Gu Huo's self-destruction, he had finally steadily stepped into the Middle Grade Realm.

The Buddhist Tao confrontation took place in early autumn when he stepped into the Divine Chapter, and now, just three months later, he had ascended yet another small realm.

"With this pace, couldn't I reach high-grade by the year's end, and step into the 'World' realm by next year? The minimum threshold to engage in Dual Cultivation with Zhenbao? Mmm... assuming there's a second Master Gu Huo to deliver the experience."

Zhao Douan couldn't help but daydream.

The breakthrough of the small realm didn't bring about significant changes, besides the filling of the Qi Sea, but what was notably enhanced was that he now had the rudiments of "Divine Thought."

"Now, even with my eyes closed, I can rely on perception to vaguely 'see' the outside world, though still fuzzy and limited in distance, but it's quite magical."

"Furthermore, my reaction speed, memory, and even energy levels have all improved. No wonder Zhenbao can review memorials in a continuous chain, working with high intensity without showing fatigue. The life elevation brought by Cultivation is indeed extraordinary."

As Zhao Douan contemplated, his ears suddenly twitched, hearing footsteps approaching outside the door.

Looking through the door panel, his mind suddenly conjured a blurred image of what lay behind the door.

It was as though his eyes had gained x-ray vision, "seeing" the approach of a pair of long legs in leather boots, accompanied by a swaying black ponytail.

"Mr. Hai, please come in." Zhao Douan's lips curled into a smile.

The next second, the cabin door was pushed open to reveal a face that was spirited and charming, with teardrop beauty marks by the eyes.

Haitang, in her official Jinyi robe, her waist bulging with a pouch filled with Flying Knives, looked at him bewilderedly, "How did you know it was me?"

Zhao Douan smiled without a word.

Haitang's eyes widened in disbelief, "You've reached Middle Grade?"

Seeing he didn't deny it, the Daffodil Hall Master took a deep breath, her expression extremely complex, ripples stirring in her heart:

She remembered when Zhao Douan joined the Imperial Court, he was the weakest among the Nine Halls; yet in just a few months, he had already moved to the forefront.

"Is there something you needed?" Zhao Douan asked with a smile, silently enjoying the admiration from his female colleague.

Haitang gathered her thoughts and said sternly, "We're almost at Hu Ting. Mr. Hai has summoned you."

"We've finally arrived?" Zhao Douan perked up, following her out of the cabin and onto the deck.

On this mission, he was ordered by the Empress to supervise the market opening at Hu Ting, a task of great importance. After drifting for days on the Grand Canal, they finally arrived.

...

Zhao Douan stepped onto the deck, faced with the wind blowing from the river, his view suddenly broadened.

On the vast river surface, numerous vessels of various sizes navigated the waterways. Official ships and merchant vessels alike kept their distance from each other.