Zhao Douan!

Updat𝓮d from freewēbnoveℓ.com.

In the cramped alley, when Zhao Douan’s smiling face came into view.

The Young Master, son of the Prime Minister, felt dizzy and disoriented.

Strictly speaking, this was their first official meeting, but the images of each other had long been etched in their hearts.

It’s not Ma Yan... it’s Zhao Douan...

Today, the mastermind behind the trap set for him turned out to be this repeat offender against the "Li Party," a lackey of the Empress.

Li Yinglong found that he was not surprised.

Because he had speculated as much after seeing the government officer at the Imperial Court.

Also, over the past few months, Zhao Douan had displayed tactics and a style of action that had already taken on a certain intense color.

Such cunning indeed seemed something a Zhao could manage.

At this moment, Li Yinglong suddenly regretted listening to his father. Why had he temporarily given up targeting this man after his previous failure?

Clearly, Zhao Douan’s reputation for being vengeful was well established.

Yes, he was ultimately too confident, not believing that Zhao Douan would dare to strike at him, especially at this time.

"Young Master actually remembers me, I’m truly honored," Zhao Douan said with a rising corner of his mouth, as if pleasantly surprised.

Li Yinglong forced himself to calm down, took a deep breath, and said evenly:

"Mr. Zhao, should you not be working at the government office? What’s the intention of bringing so many people here?"

Zhao Douan smiled and said:

"This officer heard that there were rebels spotted here, so came to check. However, unexpectedly, I didn’t find the rebels but stumbled upon the Young Master’s good deeds."

Li Yinglong’s deep-set eyes stared at him as he slowly said:

"What do you mean by these words, Master Zhao? I don’t understand."

At this point, he could only feign ignorance to respond to every change.

With all the evidence and witnesses present, and an Imperial Concubine in the building above, the affair might just be proven.

The best explanation seemed to be that he had been deceived, but given Zhao Douan’s painstaking plans, he was surely prepared.

To think that a mere "deceived" would deceive him was to seriously underestimate the enemy.

"Not understanding? Hehe, no matter, the Imperial Court has a serene place. Young Master should go sit there, perhaps that will jog your memory," Zhao Douan said lightly.

Li Yinglong narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice: "What if I don’t go?"

Zhao Douan replied: "I’m afraid that’s not up to you, sir."

Li Yinglong’s face darkened as he challenged:

"You, a mere Sixth-rank, on what grounds are you arresting me? Are you relying on Ma Yan’s support?"

Zhao Douan shook his head and corrected seriously:

"First, it’s not an arrest, just an invitation. Simply inviting the sir to sit at Lihua Hall, nothing more. Second, behind this officer isn’t just anyone, but only a heartfelt loyalty."

With that, he casually said:

"What are you waiting for? Won’t you please invite the Young Master to sit?"

Hou Renmeng flashed his white teeth as he stepped forward to make a move.

"...Zhao Douan, you are quite something."

Li Yinglong’s eyes twitched and his gaze was as sharp as an eagle—suddenly quite reminiscent of his father:

"No need to bother your men, sir. I will go on my own."

After that, he did not linger, turning to the government officer behind him:

"Lead the way, won’t you?"

Zheng Laojiu looked at Zhao Douan, who nodded, then led Li Yinglong out of the alley.

The two groups of people collectively "escorted" Li Yinglong to the Imperial Court.

...

"Tsck… Tougher to handle than I imagined..."

Zhao Douan watched him go, somewhat disappointed.

He had hoped Li Yinglong would react angrily or speak irrationally.

However, in reality, aside from being lured into a trap, Li Yinglong’s response from beginning to end had not been good, but he hadn’t made any major mistakes.

He was caught red-handed, but if investigated further, there was still room for negotiation.

After all, the two of them really hadn’t done anything else.

Li Yinglong did not know how much Zhao Douan had planned or what he had under control, so the best strategy was to keep quiet and cooperate.

Waiting for the "Li Party" to hear about this and come to the rescue.

"What exactly is going on here, Brother Zhao?" At that moment, a totally confused Mr. Dong finally spoke up.

Just now, Priest Jin Jian suddenly said, "That’s enough."

Then he disappeared, and Zhao Douan led him here, where they encountered the Young Master.

"Brother Dong, please be patient," Zhao Douan said with a smile to calm him, leading him to the mouth of the alley, where after a while, a carriage slowly pulled up.

The driver was Shen Juan: "Sir, I’ve brought the people."

"Hope it wasn’t too disturbing?"

"Of course not."

Zhao Douan nodded, waved his hand, and all the officials from Lihua Hall withdrew, isolating this area.

Leaving only him and Mr. Dong.

Zhao Douan bowed to the carriage and said, "Imperial Decree Department’s Master Zhao Douan, at your service, Imperial Concubine."

Imperial Concubine? Mr. Dong was startled.

Then, to his even greater astonishment, Zhao Douan lifted his hand and pulled back the curtain of the carriage.

Inside, sitting one on each side, were none other than the Imperial Concubine, disguised as a man and distraught, and her maid, who had been watching outside the building and was shivering.

"Mr. Zhao..." the Imperial Concubine trembled involuntarily, then force a strained smile, no longer displaying her usual haughty nobility.

Her expression carried an awkward sense of feigned cordiality.

It was also their first meeting, but they were not strangers to each other.

The Imperial Concubine knew him because she had heard of his reputation many times and had seen his portrait.

As for Zhao Douan...

"She really does look like Lady Lin... No wonder Li Yinglong insists on overpowering her, no, Lady Lin is even younger," Zhao Douan thought to himself.

He said politely, "This official is late to rescue you, causing you to be frightened."

The Imperial Concubine did not know how to respond, just giving a stiff smile.

Zhao Douan continued on his own:

"This official and his men were searching for rebels and never expected... this to happen. Let me escort you back to your residence."

After all, the Imperial Concubine was the late Emperor’s consort, and Zhao Douan as an external official, absolutely could not disorderly manage this, as it was a matter of propriety.

Having spoken, without waiting for Yuan Fei to refuse, he threw a meaningful glance.

Shen Juan took the initiative to volunteer and, after thinking it over, he pulled a jade pendant from his chest and handed it over:

"Mr. Zhao, here it is. However, the letter was burned by her."

"That is alright, it should indeed be burned." Zhao Douan nodded calmly, taking the "evidence."

Yuan Fei, confused, was about to be sent away when her not very bright mind suddenly lifted the curtain and asked:

"Mr. Zhao, was it you who sent the letter?"

Suddenly she became smart… Zhao Douan seriously replied:

"What did Her Highness say? I don’t understand."

Yuan Fei smiled bitterly and closed her eyes.

…

When the carriage had left, Dong Da could no longer hold back; his face slightly changed as he whispered:

"Brother Zhao, why are Yuan Fei and Vice Minister Li both here? Could it be that you have arranged..."

"Mr. Dong, be cautious with your words!"

Zhao Douan interrupted him, hands folded in his sleeves, assuming the guise of an upright gentleman, repeating the fabricated explanation once again.

Roughly, the passage was about him having discovered traces of the rebels, stumbling upon Li Yinglong’s private meeting with Yuan Fei and, due to the involvement of the Royal face, out of urgency, calling back the Young Master to investigate.

Having heard the explanation, Dong Da wore an expression that said you’ve got to be kidding me.

"Brother Zhao, although I am but a mediocre poet, my mind isn’t feeble," Dong, the eldest grandson of the Dong family, said earnestly.

Then, he lowered his voice:

"Did you invite me here today, just to see this?"

Dong Da now understood; it must be Zhao Douan who had secretly set the trap and orchestrated this entire scheme.

Considering it wasn’t a baseless act, he guessed that Li Yinglong really might have had an improper relationship with Yuan Fei.

Such a big scoop.

Zhao Douan put his arm around Dong Da’s shoulder, whispering:

"Mr. Dong, see through but do not expose. What happened today, keep it to yourself, do not speak of it to others, remember not to leak it, by tomorrow at the latest, I’ll clarify things with you."

Dong Da watched him for a long while, then finally smiled bitterly:

"I remember what you said, Brother Zhao."

Many things don’t need to be stated too clearly.

Zhao Douan had invited Dong Da over today to have a witness, an additional layer of insurance.

Dong Da, as the grandson of Dong Xuan, was staunchly Imperial Faction, thus his stance was secure, and he would never show bias or fear towards the Li family.

He was a carefully chosen candidate.

Like Yuan Li, who was also an influential third party.

But firstly, his every move would be closely monitored, possibly alarming others prematurely, and secondly, once Yuan Li knew, Zhao Douan might no longer be the lead player in this act.

"Zhao Douan, the item you requested."

Suddenly, a petite figure floated down above him, suspended at shoulder height before halting further descent.

Priest Jin Jian appeared semi-transparent, her face calm, tossing him a Recording Scroll and then adding:

"I have other matters."

Then she disappeared without a trace.

No… why are you hurrying off, I feel like today is off, it’s as if you are afraid I’d ask you for money… Zhao Douan muttered in his heart as he clutched the scroll.

Then it dawned on him:

That’s right, the ice trade is nearly done with the coming of autumn, the dividends from Heavenly Master Mansion must be about due.

"Brother Zhao is really well-prepared."

Dong Da had a complicated expression, knowing without looking what was recorded in the scroll.

Zhao Douan chuckled, slipping the scroll into his sleeve, and crying poverty, he said:

"I owe a huge debt of gratitude for this; after all, Li Yinglong must indeed have anti-magic artifacts that record, and I could only ask others for help..."

Dong Da nodded understandingly, wondering how much it would have cost to engage a Direct Disciple of the Heavenly Master.

If he knew, Zhao Douan had actually offered nothing, the mere forcefully convinced help, he wondered what his expression would be.

…

Dong Da left, carrying a heavy weight in his heart.

Only Qian Kerou’s small group of Jinyi remained nearby.

The secretary came into the alley and whispered:

"Li Yinglong’s coachman has run off, the man is a Cultivation Martial Artist, we couldn’t stop him."

Zhao Douan was not surprised, and smilingly said:

"It’s okay, everything is within the plan."

Qian Kerou looked surprised, wondering if even the man’s escape was part of their lord’s strategy.

"What’s the matter?" Zhao Douan noticed the round-faced female warrior hesitating and curiously asked.

Qian Kerou hesitated, then finally said in a low voice:

"Mr. Zhao, will Yuan Fei be implicated in this..."

As one of the few people who had observed all of Zhao Douan’s maneuvers, this made her somewhat uncomfortable.

She was amazed by her lord’s methods, yet felt… some actions were a bit extreme.

If one says that Xu Hanlin first took action against our lord with the intent to put him to death, resulting in retaliation against Shen Jiang, whatever the response, it seemed like tit for tat.

That was self-inflicted.

Lady Lin willingly sacrificed, which was a fair exchange.

But Yuan Fei, in this case, was the only pure victim, essentially a tool in Zhao Douan’s calculations.

People like Hou Renmeng, being men, didn’t mind these matters, but Qian Kerou, being a woman, inevitably empathized.

"Heh, does Little Rou think I, your lord, am too heartless?" Zhao Douan asked with a smile.

Qian Kerou didn’t reply.

But Zhao Douan didn’t explain further, merely patted her shoulder, saying:

"The matter isn’t over yet, the real crucial scene has yet to start. To judge a play, one must wait until the end. Come, let’s go to the next place."

Qian Kerou confusedly asked:

"Mr. Zhao, where else are you going? To meet Lord or to enter the palace?"

She thought, with Li Yinglong’s "evidence" in hand, the next step would be to present it.

Yet, Zhao Douan shook his head and walked out of the alley, looking above at the narrow strip of sky covered by rolling clouds, he said:

"No, I am going to meet someone."

"Who?"

"Prime Minister, Li Yanfu."