The Empress's No.1 Lackey

But as long as Zhenbao does not act rashly, opts to restrain his thunderous fury, or unleashes it upon the Shen family without pursuing others... In doing so, it would stabilize Li Yanfu and achieve a division within the Li Party, thereby weakening it...

Zhao Douan thought more, and his mind became clearer.

He suddenly remembered that conversation with the Old Director.

Sun Lianying had told him that Zhenbao was using the "New Policies" to court and divide the scholarly family of the Great Yu Dynasty.

At that time, Zhao Douan listened with only half an ear and did not take it to heart, but now, looking back, wasn't it precisely some kind of hint?

Prince Jing placed a piece on the chessboard, trying to provoke the Empress into anger and strike at the Li Party.

The more the Li Party was attacked, the more united they would become. Coupled with Mr. Shen's cajoling, they might gradually lean towards Prince Jing.

And the Empress pretended not to know, deliberately entering the game, waiting for the right moment. With just a turn of her hand, she could split the Li Party.

"Ah... this move is not perfect because, after all, it only temporarily stabilizes Li Yanfu and cannot win his loyalty. Furthermore, this division will further force the situation to become tense... But, where in the world is there a perfect chess move?"

Unconsciously, Zhao Douan closed his eyes.

Many thoughts surged in his brain, as if he "saw" this game of chess using the earth as the board and the officials as pieces.

"Hisss... I think I might have underestimated Zhenbao a bit." Zhao Douan thought with some dental pain.

"Mr. Zhao?" Inside the carriage, Mo Chou saw him silent for a long time, seemingly lost in thought, and could not help softly calling out.

"Oh, sorry, I was thinking about something." Zhao Douan smiled, "Where were we?"

"..." Mo Chou said speechlessly, "You asked me about Wang Chusheng's death..."

"Ahahaha, I was just speaking offhandedly. It's unlikely when I think about it." Zhao Douan interrupted her, cutting off the topic proactively.

Tonight, they had already talked too much.

As for how much truth or falsehood was in his guess, he no longer needed the response from the lady in waiting.

Just by observing how this matter concludes, he would know.

Zhao Douan knew that tonight in the Capital, many people would be restless.

"So I won't delay you from returning to the palace to report?" Zhao Douan asked with a smile.

"..." Mo Chou sighed.

Zhao Douan cheerfully leapt out of the carriage and took a few steps, then suddenly turned back to add, "Oh yes, don't forget to send my regards to Your Majesty, eh?"

After saying this, without waiting for the lady in waiting to get angry, he slipped away swiftly towards the Imperial Court.

Mo Chou massaged her temples with a headache and commanded, "Return to the palace."

...

...

Prime Minister's Mansion.

"Father, Father!"

Li Yanfu had just lain down for a short while, attempting to nap to prepare for the troubles of the next day.

While ordinary people would suffer insomnia from such events, the seasoned Prime Minister had the ability to force himself to sleep.

However, not long after falling asleep, he was awakened by the voice of his unfilial son outside the door.

Li Yanfu was startled awake; his right eyelid twitched uncontrollably. He did not scold his son, which was unprecedented, but instead voluntarily got up and walked to the door in his loose nightgown.

"What's the matter?" The old man opened the door and went straight to the point.

Li Yinglong, his robe damp with night dew, his face extremely pale, almost trembling, said, "Gao Lian is dead."

Li Yanfu's breath tightened.

He held the door frame with both hands, staring at his son, "How did he die?"

"They say it was a sudden death; not a single wound on him, other than his fingers being bitten through. He was sitting cross-legged in the prison and just died; there was also a confession written with his own blood on the floor in front of him."

Li Yinglong quickly described the intelligence he had gathered:

"Just before he died, there was no disturbance. It was Mo Zhaorong who discovered him. She came out from the palace with a team, went straight to the Ministry of Justice's Imprisonment, demanded to question Gao Lian alone, and in less than a moment after she went in, the man was dead.

The people there say, when Mo Zhaorong entered, he was already dead―but how is that possible? Clearly when Wang Chusheng died, people had checked and Gao Lian was fine."

Li Yinglong was also agitated, having rushed through his explanation, his face twitched as he said,

"Father! It was the Empress who acted! It must have been the Empress who sent Mo Zhaorong to kill him, and she didn't even bother to conceal it!"

Not pretending at all!

No need for secrecy anymore! When we commit murder, we know to do it covertly!

Young Master was terrified by the two deaths tonight, his back cold with fear.

Li Yanfu remained silent, his face filled with an expression of "unexpected yet reasonable."

His eyes unknowingly showed a hint of ridicule; the Shen family... heh, just a scholarly family tucked in a corner, what real storms of blood and carnage have they ever seen? Do they really think that by siding with the Eight Princes, they have the boldness to run amok in the Capital?

Those southern nobodies, only knowing the Empress is a woman, but have they ever witnessed firsthand the scene of the Xuan Sect coup?

"Prepare the carriage." Li Yanfu sighed and calmly said, "Have the servants help me dress; I must go to the palace."

By now, he knew; the inevitable could not be avoided.

Eventually, he would have to face it.

"Father, it's so late, surely the Empress would be resting by now, why not tomorrow..."

"I told you to prepare the carriage!"

Li Yinglong, scolded, shuddered, and hurriedly went to make arrangements; this Vice Minister, who thought he had seen the winds and storms of the royal court, only now realized his naivety.

At least in matters involving the survival of the Li Party and the rise and fall of the Li family, his shoulders were far from as capable as those of his aged father.

...

Imperial Palace, brightly lit.

Xu Zhenguan sat in the Imperial Study, eyes closed, resting quietly, waiting.

Until familiar footsteps were heard from outside, she then opened her bright eyes.