"What? Could it be related to the Liao Clan’s incursion?" Zhao Douan smiled and gracefully took a seat.
Grandmaster Dong was surprised, "How did you guess?"
Zhao Douan casually replied, "I heard so rumors spreading in the streets."
"Has soone spread it already?" Grandmaster Dong was worried, putting down the docunt in his hand, he sighed:
"Since you told the other day, I ordered the Privy Council to swiftly send docunts to Yunfu, commanding Zhao Shixiong to hold the line and stall the Liao people.
The Privy Council is in chaos, and the court hasn’t been as stable as it was days ago. The Vassal King was just eradicated, now the west and the south are facing enemies, and so suspect it’s Zhao Shixiong’s doing, raising bandits to strengthen himself..."
Zhao Douan listened quietly to the Old Grandmaster’s ramblings, his face calm and serene like a still water.
Grandmaster Dong couldn’t help but complain, "Are you listening?"
"Yes, I am listening."
"What do you think?" Dong Xuan was a bit suspicious, wondering if this young man, after killing Prince Jing, beca sowhat complacent.
Perhaps due to continuous victories, he now no longer sees foreign enemies as a concern? This phenonon is not uncommon.
Having spent a lifeti navigating the treacherous waters of officialdom, Dong Xuan had served in the Ministry of War and was no stranger to the mindset of young officials and generals. After careful consideration, Zhao Douan’s age and achievents could easily lead to underestimating the enemy.
This discovery left Dong Xuan a bit disappointed, he sighed inwardly:
Still too young.
Young people, no matter how mature, skillful, and ticulous in their thinking... ultimately cannot escape the pitfalls of arrogance and complacency.
Dong Xuan was already pondering how to tactfully "advise" his counterpart.
Yes, advise.
Since the Empress went west, Zhao Douan is practically the Emperor in reality. Even with his credentials, he had to be cautious in dealing with Zhao Douan.
"Thoughts? Nothing much, I don’t think there’s any need to panic." Zhao Douan casually replied.
Indeed, he’s complacent... Grandmaster Dong inwardly sighed, just as he was about to deliver his prepared words, Zhao Douan continued leisurely:
"I happen to have so news that requires Grandmaster to help spread."
"What news?"
"Nothing major, just that I’ve taken the ti to go out in the past four days. Yes, I’ve invited Heavenly Master Zhang and a few priests from the Heavenly Master Mansion to aid Yunfu Border City.
Just yesterday, we heavily defeated the Liao army, killed the enemy general, captured many tribal chiefs. Although the Liao Clan is not thoroughly resolved, they shouldn’t be a threat to Yu Country for the ti being."
Zhao Douan spoke leisurely.
The room quieted down at so point.
Grandmaster Dong was in a daze, unsure how he listened to Zhao Douan’s account, asked questions afterward, and how Zhao Douan took his leave and left the room.
When the Old Grandmaster finally regained his senses, he found the room empty.
He couldn’t help but pinch his own thigh, murmuring:
"Could I have fallen asleep?"
At this ti, Scholar Han Zhou entered with great joy:
"Grandmaster, is it true what Zhao Scholar said? Has the Liao Clan truly retreated?"
Dong Xuan was stunned, "Zhao Douan, he ca by just now?"
Han Zhou: "Yes, indeed, didn’t you personally see him out?"
It’s true... not a dream... Dong Xuan felt dizzy, both crying and laughing at once:
"Good... good... report to His Majesty, I must report to His Majesty..."
"No, wait," Grandmaster Dong chuckled wryly:
"His Majesty has gone west, I must be getting muddleheaded."
Han Zhou shook his head, said:
"His Majesty seed to have used Secret Skill earlier this morning to ’return’ for a while, to offer tribute to Sun Master. It’s uncertain if he is still in the palace now.
However, Zhao Scholar has already gone over. By the way, the woman accompanying Zhao Scholar is quite strange, carrying a large cloth bag..."
...
...
anwhile.
Zhao Douan, accompanied by Tuoba Weizhi, left Xiuwen Pavilion, heading towards Yangxin Hall.
Learning from Han Zhou that the Empress returned in the morning, he did not dare delay and imdiately hurried over.
Currently, the true body of the Empress is on the campaign trail westward, leaving only a puppet in the palace.
And Zhao Douan, wishing to communicate with the Empress, cannot "call" through the puppet, unlike if the true body were in the palace, he could rely on the Divine Soul’s perception of the true body to "call" to a certain extent.
This ans, if the Empress doesn’t happen to return, he has to patiently wait.
Wait for the Empress’s next "login."
"Junior Guardian Zhao," at Yangxin Hall, an elderly female official saw him approaching and hurriedly greeted him.
Zhao Douan quickly asked, "Is Her Majesty here now?"
Having experienced the Empress’s secret visit to the coastal area last ti, the female officials close to the Empress in Yangxin Hall were aware of the existence of the puppet body.
"Her Majesty is in the Imperial Study Room, Mr. Zhao, you’d better see her quickly, lest Her Majesty leaves soon." The elderly palace maid said.
Zhao Douan silently breathed a sigh of relief, indicated to Tuoba Weizhi behind him, said:
"This is my attendant. You stay here and watch her to prevent others from inquiring about her identity and causing misunderstanding."
Then he looked at the Priestess and advised: "You..."
Tuoba Weizhi, holding the bulging black cloth bag, earnestly said:
"I will not move from here. Rest assured, this servant will not run around and cause trouble for Master."
So obedient... even snapping back now, how did Old Xu train her back then? So impressive... Zhao Douan walked away satisfied.
Leaving the elderly female official looking bewilderedly at the peculiar-looking woman, eyes filled with curiosity:
Master?
...
Inside the Imperial Study Room.
Zhao Douan tapped the door with the back of his hand. Upon hearing a voice as crisp as ice colliding with a cup’s edge saying "Enter," he pushed open the door with both hands.
Along with the sunlight, he stepped inside, and in his view stood a white figure by the window, silently gazing at the lake in the palace.
Xu Zhenguan turned back, an exquisitely beautiful face with gentle eyes looking over, barely managed a smile:
"You have co."
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