The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 476 - 382, Princess: Subordinate Willing to Serve Loyally for the Superior (5000 Characters)_3
"Ancestors? Ancestors?!"
Lu Yaner watched the female sorcerer in her bridal garment turn and disappear, looking around in confusion as she let out a piercing cry.
Zhao Douan smacked his lips, feeling the vitality within him depleting as it sustained the arrival of Pei Niannu; he voluntarily severed his contemplation, preventing Pei Niannu from sensing what was happening outside.
He looked down at Princess Lu, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "Stop shouting, Princess. Senior Pei has already left."
Lu Yaner stared at him blankly, hoping for an explanation.
Zhao Douan spoke impassively:
"Senior Pei said she is very disappointed in you. It's one thing to be involved in the mundane court conflicts, but to willingly serve Prince Jing, such a rebel, and become a lapdog for mortal authorities has disgraced her and even more so, the heritage she left behind. How could such a descendant still have the face to ask for her return?"
Lu Yaner felt as if struck by lightning. Her face turned several shades paler as she collapsed to the ground, muttering with trembling lips:
"I... I..."
As she spoke, tears began to roll down from behind her silver armor, overwhelmed by shame and unable to face herself.
Yes.
How majestic had her ancestor been 600 years ago? She was on par with the Grand Ancestor Emperor, ranked among the strongest beings in the world.
Moreover, with a Secret Technique, she had nearly become a deity, unheard of to live for 600 years.
Such an ancestor, how proud must she have been?
And what about herself?
That must mean the reason the ancestor moved against her just now was because she was furious at her lack of ambition and thus punished her severely?
Seeing her spirit shattered and her beliefs collapsed, Zhao Douan changed his tone:
"However... Senior Pei also said, she told me to tell you that the day you truly live up to the identity of her descendant, you should seek her out again."
A light reignited in Lu Yaner's eyes, which had been as dead as ashes. She got up eagerly and looked at Zhao Douan with an excited tone,
"What should I do for the ancestor to agree to see me again?"
Zhao Douan looked at her as if she were a fool:
"Can you still not understand? Naturally, it means abandoning the dark and coming to the light. Senior Pei and I stand together, while you stand with Prince Jing, a rebel like yourself, making you an enemy to your own ancestor."
Lu Yaner felt as if she had been struck by a heavy realization. Initially delighted, she then sensed something was off:
"But you said earlier, the ancestor resented me being a lapdog for the powerful, but aren't you also..."
Zhao Douan remained expressionless, rebuking her:
"Do you know that I am a disciple of the Grand Ancestor Emperor, following the path of the Martial God? Can you be the same?
Setting aside mortal emperors and generals, speaking strictly of Cultivator lineage, I am from the same school as the current Empress and Mr. Hai.
Being from the same school, we are inherently united. Do you understand why Senior Pei answered my summons? It's because, back then, Senior Pei also joined the school of the Grand Ancestor Emperor. Do you still not understand?"
Lu Yaner suddenly came to a realization.
Yes, she had neglected this aspect. The world of Cultivators is different from the mundane, emphasizing lineage and discipleship.
Once he pointed this out, she immediately declared:
"I am willing to abandon the dark and join the line of the Martial God, I only ask Mr. Zhao to help me explain this to my ancestor..."
Zhao Douan, with a mockingly amused expression, shook his head:
"Princess Lu, you were just attempting to assassinate me, and you still bear the title of a princess. How can I trust you?"
Lu Yaner stood up, her visor cracked, her gaze icy:
"Shall I return to Hu Ting now and kill Prince Jing and his son as my pledge?"
The appearance of Pei Niannu caused her to switch sides instantly, deeming Zhao Douan's side more trustworthy than Prince Jing's empty promises.
"...Wait!"
Zhao Douan was startled but blocked her, pondering what to do next. freewёbnoνel.com
To kill Prince Jing directly? He had to admit, it was an extremely tempting offer and indeed, his heart had fluttered.
But upon further reflection, Zhao Douan deemed it inappropriate.
Firstly, killing Prince Jing would inevitably lead to unpredictable changes in the political landscape of the Great Yu Dynasty.
The currently barely stable situation would be shattered instantly; seen from the overall perspective, this might not be a good thing.
After all, there were still seven among the Eight Princes. Apart from Prince Jing, Yunfu's Mu Prince also possessed the potential to ascend the throne. The existence of the Eight Princes allowed for a balance of power; breaking this balance, whether good or bad, was unclear.
Secondly, such a significant decision was not one that he, an Inspector, could make.
He was merely a subject and had not reported to the Empress; he did not have the authority to take such significant action privately.
In the officialdom, overstepping one's duties was dangerous even in times of war, let alone in peace.
Thirdly, and most importantly, Zhao Douan doubted that Prince Jing was easy to kill.
Otherwise, why hadn't the Empress, possessing the power of the Heavenly Human Realm, simply gone to Jiangnan alone and slain all the Eight Princes?
Whether due to fears of being remembered infamously, the inadvisability of disrupting the balance, or the certainty that the crafty old Prince Jing had hidden life-saving measures.
In short, if the Empress hadn't taken action, there must be reasons, and Zhao Douan couldn't either.
"Are you sure you can kill him? He has no life-saving measures?" Zhao Douan asked calmly.
Lu Yaner fell silent for a moment, then shook her head and said,
"I can't be certain. Xu Wen... he's very crafty. His bodyguards are certainly not just aware of me. Moreover, when he invited me to join him, I tried to reveal a murderous intent and felt something on him that made me wary."
That made sense… He wouldn't dare confront the Empress if he didn't have strong backing. Zhao Douan asked,
"Do you know what cards he holds?"
Lu Yaner shook her head saying,
"I know very little. Although I served as his bodyguard, I wasn't involved in his schemes. He was quite cautious with me; not just with me, even his son Xu Jinglong only knows a little about the less important parts.
I only know that Prince Jing has some secret connections with Martial Emperor City. He's also covertly training troops at Jiancheng Road, having hollowed out a mountain to serve as an armory."
Then, as if to clarify her intentions, she revealed all the intelligence she knew in one breath.
This information was quite valuable to Zhao Douan, but it concerned the core matters, indeed scarce.
It wasn't surprising, Prince Jing would be insane to fully confide in this Princess who showed no hesitation in betraying him.
"Here's what we'll do," Zhao Douan thought for a moment and continued with his hands behind his back,
"I need you to continue infiltrating Prince Jing Mansion. When you return today, just say that I have a trump card, invoked Divine Descent and wounded you—don't mention anything else.
Also, don't intentionally collect any more information; just act as usual until I command you.
Rest assured, as long as you turn from darkness to light and work for me, I'll speak on your behalf to Senior Pei. Of course, the choice is always yours, whether you trust me or Prince Jing."
Lu Yaner didn't hesitate and suddenly knelt on one knee, like a subordinate in the military, and earnestly said,
"Your subordinate obeys."
She understood very well what attitude and approach to adopt when dealing with an official.
Since she had served Prince Jing in pursuit of following her ancestors, switching her loyalty to Zhao Douan was naturally acceptable.
Zhao Douan's lips slightly curled up, and he gestured with his hand: "Go."
"Yes!"
Lu Yaner picked up the half-remaining long sword from the ground, bearing wounds all over, and her feet slowly revealed an Array, disappearing from sight.
A large number of leaves fell all around, leaving only Zhao Douan alone with his hands behind his back, watching the direction she disappeared into, his lips twitched:
"Wait, you didn't tell me how to get back."
...
