The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 131 - 118, we are all adults here, who’s talking about rules with you?

"What did you say?!" Marquis Xiajiang nearly lost his voice in disbelief at the news.

Princess Yunyang also pursed her red lips tightly.

The young servant said anxiously, "They’ve indeed come..."

He reiterated the message, which was undeniably accurate.

A shade of iron blue appeared on Marquis Xiajiang’s otherwise handsome face, signaling his enraged state:

"Good, very good! Just as the rumors, how dare they!"

As a lord who prided himself on his "noble" status, he felt a natural sense of superiority over commoners like Zhao Douan, who had climbed up from the bottom relying on his looks.

Backed by the entire Noble Group, he had always adopted a stance of indifferent observation towards the political strife of the temples.

Even the fearsome Imperial Court, with its formidable deterrent power within the Great Yu officialdom, rarely took action against the nobility.

Thus, even upon learning about the arrest of "Lord Meng," Marquis Xiajiang did not believe Zhao Douan would dare touch him.

Besides... just a mere Master.

Where did he get the authority to arrest him?

"My lord, please remain calm,"

Princess Yunyang interjected timely:

"With such a high-profile approach, Ma Yan must be aware of it."

"Do you mean... he has the tacit approval of Ma Yan? An indulgence?" Marquis Xiajiang found it hard to believe.

Princess Yunyang spoke somberly:

"As for that, this palace cannot be certain, but if he truly comes to apprehend you with an order issued by Ma Yan, and you resist in a moment of impulsiveness, it could lead to significant trouble."

Marquis Xiajiang instantly cooled down.

That’s it!

That Zhao Douan was utterly a sly and cunning villain. Bold and arrogant, but not foolish.

Acting so openly and overstepping his authority to arrest me, does he really have some reliance?

Is he setting a trap? Deliberately provoking me to retaliate?

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"You make a very sensible point, Princess!"

He nodded and frowned:

"But should this Marquis just allow himself to be arrested without resistance?"

Princess Yunyang said nothing, merely playing with an empty wine cup in her hands.

Indeed, Marquis Xiajiang wasn’t truly asking for her opinion, but rather looking for a way to save face.

A man must maintain his dignity; often, the so-called rage is only for show.

Seeing the Princess offer a way out, he took the hint and pondered:

"If that Zhao fellow is intentionally trying to anger me, fighting back would probably fall right into his trap. Forget it…"

Marquis Xiajiang instructed his servant:

"Prepare the carriage, to the Ministry of Justice."

Then he turned to the woman behind him and bowed regretfully:

"Princess, I must tend to the aftermath and will seek you out later."

"Hehe, Your Lordship should attend to your matters," Princess Yunyang replied with a smile.

She watched him leave hurriedly before slowly setting down the wine cup.

Under her dark hair, a cunning look crossed her face.

As the last streak of twilight faded outside the building, she exhaled softly, rose from her seat swaying her hips, slipped her bare feet into her embroidered shoes, and descended from the tavern.

Climbing into her luxurious sedan chair, she said:

"Back to the mansion."

The sedan bearers lifted the chair and headed back to Princess Yunyang’s mansion.

Princess Yunyang, her gaze peering through the shaking curtain of the sedan, looked towards the flock of startled birds at the end of the street, and sighed quietly:

"Such a ruthless person... Ah, this palace must also lay low for a while."

...

...

After a while, at the end of the long street, a squadron of Jinyi guards charged forth.

At the forefront, Zhao Douan reined in his horse, looking at the now-empty building, and raised an eyebrow:

"Go and inquire."

Shen Juan dismounted and rushed into the tavern, then came back shortly after:

"Reporting to Master, they fled early. The two of them parted ways after dining, with Princess Yunyang seemingly heading back to her mansion, as for Marquis Xiajiang..."

"Speak."

"The tavern’s servant said that before Marquis Xiajiang left, he told him to relay a message to you if you arrived later, saying he will be waiting for you at the Ministry of Justice."

The Ministry of Justice!?

Zhao Douan’s heart stirred; clearly, Marquis Xiajiang had been forewarned and chose to avoid confrontation.

But by actively disclosing his whereabouts, he was obviously making a silent provocation.

"Master," Zheng Laojiu whispered from behind:

"They seem very confident; they likely have preparations. We..."

"Old Zheng," Zhao Douan said indifferently from atop his horse:

"You know my style."

Zheng Laojiu closed his mouth.

Hou Renmeng’s eyes shone, and he laughed disdainfully:

"I’ve never actually tried arresting someone at the Ministry of Justice."

Zhao Douan spurred his horse:

"Let’s go. The man himself has invited us, wouldn’t it be disrespectful to not grace him with our presence?"

...

As the only one among the Three Legal Departments with complete and independent authority to investigate, arrest, and adjudicate, the Ministry of Justice was situated in the southwest of the Capital, not far from the Ministry of Justice’s prison.

The last time Zhao Douan came here, it was to set a trap for Lv Liang and incidentally stage a fake "crime committed in the presence of a husband" with Pei Siniang.

As Lihua Hall’s entourage approached the main entrance of the Ministry of Justice, it was already getting dark.

Above the majestic stone beasts at the entrance of the government office, a plaque hung high.

Big red lanterns were suspended, full of grandeur.

The steps were higher than other government offices, highlighting the merciless nature of the law.

"Lihua Hall Master Zhao Douan has come to arrest the suspect. Have Marquis Xiajiang roll out here."

Zhao Douan did not mince his words as he ordered the minor government officer guarding the door.

The minor officer was startled and, not understanding the situation, turned to enter and announce the arrival.

Soon after, a familiar figure emerged, clad in a green robe, a middle-aged civil officer with an air of righteous indignation, followed by a group of minor officers armed with guns and clubs.

Master Hee Zheng of the Ministry of Justice!

It was just this morning when Hee Zheng had confronted Shen Juan, only to be publically humiliated and chased off by Zhao Douan, who had arrived just in time.

"Heh, Master Zhao, we meet again."

Master Hee wore a smirk that seemed to conceal his animosity, clearly not pleased to see an old adversary.

Zhao Douan also smiled:

"Is the Ministry of Justice so short of people that no matter where I go, I run into you?"

Master Hee, with a cold face and too proud to engage in a war of words, said:

"Master Zhao comes in such a fury, what is the matter? Surely you don’t intend to storm our Ministry’s government office?"

It wasn’t impossible... Zhao Douan said with a smile:

"The Imperial Court has received a report that Marquis Xiajiang is involved in a major case violating the law. I personally have come to invite him back to cooperate with the investigation, but unexpectedly, I learned he was at your esteemed office...

Heh, don’t tell me he isn’t here because that would be disappointing, Master Hee. Could you do me the favor of calling him out? I won’t give you trouble today."

Master Hee said indifferently:

"Marquis Xiajiang is indeed here, but alas, you have come one step too late."

"Oh?" Zhao Douan was surprised.

Master Hee calmly stated:

"Our Ministry of Justice is also investigating a case involving the Red Flower Society. Today we stumbled upon a clue suggesting Marquis Xiajiang’s involvement, hence his detainment.

Just now, as we interrogated members of the Red Flower Society, more evidence emerged, involving that so-called ’Lord Meng,’ who has been abducting officials’ families in secret...

The Lord Minister has been informed and has personally intervened, currently in the midst of adjudication. Master Zhao, please go back first. In accordance with legal procedures, once our side has concluded the interrogation, we will transfer him to you."

After these words, everyone from Lihua Hall was stunned.

The Ministry of Justice had detained the man first?

And it was also a case involving the Red Flower Society?

Even the matter involving Feng Lianlian had been brought up?

However, in Hee Zheng’s portrayal, it was characterized as an individual action by "Lord Meng."

Zhao Douan suddenly felt a heavy weight in his heart.

Indeed, he had not anticipated Marquis Xiajiang would pull such a move.

Instead of defiantly resisting or using his status as a noble to suppress the charges, he had taken the initiative to hand himself over to the Ministry of Justice.

Detained earlier by coincidence? Ridiculous!

It must have been a collusion between Marquis Xiajiang and the Ministry of Justice’s people.

With this maneuver, the jurisdiction over this case landed squarely within the Ministry of Justice.

As for the ultimate outcome of the case and the determination of Feng Lianlian’s kidnapping, it would be led by the Ministry of Justice, not the Imperial Court.

"...I must admit, I underestimated him," Zhao Douan sighed lightly.

Master Hee, pretending not to understand, stood arrogantly and said with a flick of his sleeve:

"Please return."

The tables had turned.

In the morning, it was the Ministry of Justice coming to snatch Zhao Douan’s man, and he sent them packing for violating procedures.

By evening, it was Zhao Douan’s turn to snatch the Ministry’s man, and now Hee Zheng was the one using "procedures" as the reason to push back.

Zhao Douan remained still, and the hotheads of Lihua Hall behind him also did not budge.

The atmosphere underwent a subtle shift.

Master Hee narrowed his eyes:

"What is Master Zhao implying? Everything has been done according to the rules this time; surely you don’t intend to resort to violence here?"

His tone had a hint of mockery.

Even though the disparity in martial strength was still vast between the two parties, the venue had changed.

A conflict between two government offices at the private residence of a rebel was a completely different scenario from a clash within the Three Legal Departments.

Master Hee didn’t believe Zhao Douan would dare to strike.

It wasn’t an underestimation of Zhao Douan’s audacity.

Rather, in Hee’s eyes, there were better methods to apprehend someone, such as approaching the Empress or navigating the bureaucratic game.

Engaging in a brawl was, from any perspective, the worst option.

If Zhao was as intelligent as he was reputed, then he would understand the principle of retreating in order to advance.

"You may have misunderstood one thing," yet Zhao Douan gently shook his head.

Master Hee frowned: "What has this official misunderstood?"

Suddenly, Zhao Douan dismounted, and all the Lihua Hall officers behind him also dismounted in unison.

The coordinated action carried an unmistakable air of authority.

Zhao Douan stepped forward and ascended the steps, his Jinyi retainers following behind like a tide surging over rocks.

Master Hee’s eyelids twitched anxiously, his body instinctively fearful and wanting to back away.

But he managed to suppress this urge and stood arrogantly still.

Like a hero, firmly upholding justice in the face of evil forces, unyielding.

Zhao Douan stopped in front of him, barely inches apart, and the corner of his mouth curled slightly:

"This is a notification, not a negotiation."

Master Hee’s eyes widened: "What are you going to do..."

"Peng—"

The next second, Zhao Douan’s palm lightly pressed towards him, and the Grand Ancestor’s own Reverse Galaxy technique reappeared in its most serene form.

A fierce wind erupted.

Like a leaf, the green-robed civil officer was swept up by the wind, floating lightly backward and crashing straight into the flowerbed.

And those powerfully built officers who followed behind him with their staffs were blown down en masse, like wheat bowing before a passing hurricane.

Exclamations echoed everywhere.

Not just from the other side, even the government officers of Lihua Hall were shocked by their leader’s decisiveness.

Zhao Douan slowly retracted his hand, stepped over the threshold of the Ministry of Justice, and the large red lanterns above also dipped low.

"Tsk, we’re all adults here, who needs to play by the rules? How childish."