The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 655 - 448. The Shocking ’Sexual Bribery’ (5k)

The palace duel has ended? Yuann Li was momentarily stunned, he glanced up at the high-hanging sun, yet was not surprised: "What was the result?"

"The Imperial Family’s Tributors won." The Imperial Censor appeared quite excited, eager to share the news he had gathered with others.

Won? They actually won? Yuann Li was also surprised, for Xue Shence had confidently predicted a loss, hence it was especially unexpected: "Oh? Tell me in detail."

The Imperial Censor immediately gesticulated wildly, embellishing the tale of how Zhao Douan used a peach wood branch to defeat Xiao Ran, attracting a crowd of officials from the Imperial Court of Supervision who exclaimed repeatedly.

"Indeed, Junior Guardian Zhao."

"Humph, such a mere martial world brute dares to run wild in the Capital, deservedly losing face and rolling back."

The officials discussed spiritedly, although this incident seemed unrelated to the court, it concerned face, the Imperial Palace’s great victory, and all officials shared in the honor.

Once again, it was him... Yuann Li momentarily lost focus, his hand grasping the letter hidden in his sleeve tightly, seemingly having an idea.

"Let’s go, into the palace for a visit, just right for congratulating His Majesty." Yuann Li said lightly.

Imperial Censor Chen Hong forced a bitter smile, thinking that our visit would undoubtedly add to His Majesty’s good mood.

...

In the Imperial Garden.

A large group of palace maids scattered at the back, while in the eunuchs’ and palace maids’ view, nearly side by side, were the Empress and Junior Guardian Zhao.

In the spring, the Imperial Garden was already lush with greenery, trees budding, and flowers competing to bloom.

Zhao Douan lagged slightly, using his peripheral vision to glance at Xu Zhenguan’s exquisite and holy profile.

"Peach blossom sword, well learned." The white-clothed Empress did not look at him, merely walked elegantly, her attire resembling a skirt almost trailing on the ground.

The hem of the robe swept across the green grass as she walked.

She had changed into slightly more formal wear for today’s duel.

"I was lucky to win, thanks to Your Majesty for teaching the swordsmanship." Zhao Douan sincerely said.

Xu Zhenguan "heh"ed, slightly turned her head, seeming to smile yet not, meeting his gaze: "I learned this peach blossom sword back in the day, but was far inferior to you."

Ah... What should I say, surely not mention that because this set of sword technique is akin in meaning to the Sky Opening sword technique passed down by your ancestors, perhaps the same set, thus my learning was twice the result with half the effort?

Zhao Douan chuckled dryly:

"Just as Tang Gongfeng was willing to fight to the death for the Imperial Family’s honor, I also do my utmost to maintain our Royal family’s face."

Who said "our Royal family"? Xu Zhenguan feigned annoyance, already too lazy to correct his occasional verbal advantages.

"I have already instructed the Ministry of Rites to prepare for the southern sealing ceremony." She suddenly said.

The topic shifted abruptly, Zhao Douan was momentarily stunned, then asked wistfully: "When?"

Xu Zhenguan spoke while walking:

"Sealing is a major event, at the New Year, I commanded the Observatory to stargaze and set a favorable date, approximately in this summer."

Summer... Wouldn’t that be when I traveled here last year... Zhao Douan thought for a moment, and said:

"Since Your Majesty has decided, I naturally will fully assist."

Xu Zhenguan bit her full lips slightly, looking at him with a peculiar gaze:

"I thought, you might dissuade."

Zhao Douan shook his head seriously and said:

"Eight Princes eye covetously, East and West Buddhism too are restless, coinciding with Wu Xiankui’s scheduled duel... It is only when Your Majesty crosses the true Heavenly Human threshold sooner that the kingdom takes ease; compared to that, my slight selfishness is insignificant."

Xu Zhenguan quietly gazed at him with beautiful eyes, Zhao Douan openly met her gaze.

The heavenly human emperor resembling a Fairy’s Divine Sense enveloped the entire garden, she could even hear the rhythm of the heartbeat of the person in front of her.

"You’re telling the truth." Xu Zhenguan’s expression was complex.

Zhao Douan laughed with a generous air: freeωebnovēl.c૦m

"Does Your Majesty really think, that I wholeheartedly only think about Dual Cultivation, disregarding the state and family?"

At this moment, notorious as a "traitor" outside, always slick in front of the Empress, and thought impure, Zhao Douan was straightforward and pure in his gaze.

Xu Zhenguan’s ivory teeth lightly bit her lip, a trace of tenderness and apology flickered in her eyes.

Well, though it’s strange, she suddenly felt a bit guilty, as if not dual cultivating with the person in front of her was her fault...

Just like a bad woman, always dangling a carrot in front of a pure-hearted man, spurring him to strive forward, watching him about to eat it, then pulling the carrot away.

"Your Majesty’s sealing ceremony is at Luo Mountain? I recall this mountain is within Jiancheng Road territory." Zhao Douan furrowed his brows, raising a key issue:

"Can’t you choose another mountain?"

Jiancheng Road is, apart from Lingnan, the furthest place from the Capital within the Southeastern Territory.

It’s also Prince Jing’s sphere of influence; for the Empress to go there for the sealing ceremony, it is foreseeable that it won’t proceed smoothly.

Xu Zhenguan smiled helplessly, her eyes carried a hint of endearment, as if Zhao Douan asked an innocent question:

"Do you think a sealing ceremony can be casually held at any famous mountain? My sealing is to use this ritual, leveraging the Dragon Qi of the sovereign to break through the Heavenly Human barrier; Luo Mountain is the best choice. I know what you’re thinking, it’s no matter, I’ve been enthroned for three years, even after I leave the Capital, my cultivation won’t change much, my uncle... heh, no matter how unwilling he is in his heart, he can’t do anything to me, he can only use some underhanded means, attempting to obstruct the ceremony, but it’s no big deal, I will send people south in advance to prepare in Jiancheng Road, then I will arrange things in the Capital properly, and personally head south, arriving at Luo Mountain."

Hmm, is this the confidence of a Heavenly Human? Listening to her clear and concise plan, Zhao Douan knew the Empress’s resolve could not be changed.

"I dare ask, Your Majesty, what are the odds of success in upgrading through sealing?" He hesitated for a moment, then asked this slightly overstepping question.

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