The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 543 - 409, Call for Help

Certainly, here is the translation:

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On the winter street, Ma Yan and Tang Ping rode their horses at full gallop, causing the passersby to scatter in fright.

The massive horseshoes embedded with iron crashed against the stone road, producing a resounding metallic clang.

Fortunately, the distance from the Duke Mansion to the Imperial Court was not far, and shortly, the structures in front came into view.

"To Lihua Hall!" Ma Yan rode around the main gate, heading straight for the small gate of Lihua Hall. The two of them rushed into the government office anxiously, fearing an irreparable clash between the two parties.

Yet to their amazement, Lihua Hall was empty, devoid of a single soul.

"No one?"

Ma Yan's heart sank, and he faintly heard a commotion from the direction of the government office plaza.

Immediately, he pulled the young master along, running over. From a distance, they saw Jinyi personnel gathered around the plaza, crowding in multiple layers.

"The Lord is back!" Someone spotted them keenly, lowering their head in salute.

Ma Yan, his expression stern and anxious, asked, "What are you doing here?"

The officer shivered in fear, explaining,

"The Duke Tang's second young lady and Mr. Zhao are sparring..."

The sparring... turned into a fight... Both Ma Yan and Tang Ping, who followed behind, felt a heavy weight in their hearts, sensing an ominous premonition.

Especially on the young master's handsome face, which showed regret.

In his view, it was merely a misunderstanding. Now that the second sister had beaten Mr. Zhao, given Zhao Douan's vengeful nature and the Emperor's favor towards him, the consequences could be unimaginable.

Indeed, in his view, the outcome of the sparring was without suspense.

"Move aside!" Ma Yan shouted, parting the crowd, rushing to the front row.

Subsequently, Ma Yan, who was prepared to rescue Zhao Douan, was momentarily stunned; his body froze, pupils dilated in disbelief at the scene before him.

"Lord, how is it? Is Mr. Zhao seriously injured?"

Tang Ping, who was a step behind, squeezed through the crowd, then his voice got stuck in his throat.

On the chaotic plaza, Zhao Douan was leisurely tidying his attire, smoothing out the wrinkles and sheathing the Cold Frost Sword.

Beside him, there lay a black horse lance, and Tang Zhao, "Rouge Horse of the North," was entirely tied up on the ground, cursing continuously.

Her hands and feet were bound, and the ropes formed by the Buddha Light wrapped her tightly in a "tortoise shell tie," making it impossible to escape, while she cursed about "unsporting conduct."

"Master... Lord? You returned so quickly?" Zhao Douan looked surprised and smiled.

Seeing the young master of the Divine Mechanism Camp, his expression turned slightly strange.

"Little... brother?" Tang Zhao, locked in a defeated pose by the tortoise shell tie, stopped her cursing abruptly, turning her head away in shame under her brother's stunned gaze.

Meanwhile, the Buddhist chains on her body exhausted their power and gradually faded away.

"Lord!" Haitang and Zhang Han, along with other Jinyi, clasped their hands in salute.

Ma Yan ignored them, expressionless, repeatedly observing the two of them before saying,

"You..."

Zhao Douan smiled, "Miss Tang wished to spar with me in martial skills. I was fortunate to win by a single move."

How could it be? How could you defeat Tang Zhao? And what about the binding spell... Even with Ma Yan's experience, he fell silent.

Feeling the many stares from the subordinates around him, he rubbed his temples and reprimanded,

"Return to your posts immediately. Who permitted you to abandon your duties?"

Then, he looked at the Tang siblings and the troublemaking junior brother with complex eyes,

"To the back courtyard!"

...

In the small courtyard room of the back courtyard.

"So, it's all a misunderstanding. At that time, Master Zhao expelled me from the Divine Mechanism Camp to weed out the insider. Later, it was clear that I was misled and deceived by someone with ulterior motives. After everything was settled, I clarified the misunderstanding with Master Zhao and was reinstated," Tang Ping patiently explained the situation.

Tang Zhao, who was rescued from the defeated pose, sat in a chair, slowly rubbing her wrist, listening to her brother's account with a stern expression. Her face alternated between red and white, and she angrily said,

"Why didn't you write to clarify with me and Father?"

The young master blushed,

"It's such a small matter, what's there to say? I also don't know how you found out and came directly to confront us."

Opposite them, Zhao Douan, sipping tea, appropriately reminded,

"Because of this, the Duke Tang took a detour, leaving us officials waiting in the cold wind for a long time."

The siblings were stunned into silence.

The room filled with an awkward atmosphere. Neither sibling was the type to bow to others, so they remained silent with pursed lips. Eventually, Tang Ping sighed, rose, and shamefully bowed to Zhao Douan,

"Master, my sister was unaware of the circumstances and intruded rashly. The root cause lies with me, and I am willing to accept military punishment."

Tang Zhao, like a tigress, panicked, stood up to protect her brother, and reluctantly stared at Zhao Douan opposite her. Her ten toes in her boots clawed at the ground as she mustered the courage to say brashly,

"This is my fault and has nothing to do with Tang Ping. Whatever you require as compensation or repayment, I will bear it alone!"

Ma Yan, sitting at the main seat, frowned without speaking, looking towards Zhao Douan.

However, the expected sarcasm did not appear. Zhao Douan calmly set down the teacup, smiled, and said,

"Miss Tang is right. Since it's a misunderstanding, resolving it is what's best. As for military punishment, heh, Tang Ping, do you view me as someone who abuses official power?"

The siblings froze, surprisingly looking at him, not expecting such an easygoing attitude from Zhao Douan.

Zhao Douan, overwhelmed by their gaze, replied with a smile and a wry face,

"Why, do you think I am someone who never lets go once I have the upper hand?"

"No..." The young master waved his hand, but his eyes betrayed him.

Over the past six months, no one in the capital's officialdom doubted Zhao Douan's courage.

A Duke might tread carefully, wary of provocation, but Zhao Douan was undoubtedly an exception.

Considering Zhao Yan's repeated vengeful measures with his revengeful nature, seeing this magnanimous attitude from Mr. Zhao was eerily odd to everyone.

Zhao Douan sighed softly, feeling somewhat helpless.

Indeed, his little notebook contained numerous names, but he wasn't a mad dog. To establish a foothold at court, an ancestor's sage advice already echoed, fundamentally about forming cliques and alliances.

Or to say, making more friends and having fewer enemies.

Those enemies with irreparable and deep-seated hatred, Zhao Douan would certainly strive to strike them down.

But with figures like Duke Tang, wielding high power without real conflicts with him in interest, it would only be foolish to offend over such a small misunderstanding.

Moreover, he wasn't at a disadvantage; after all, he stood in the cold for a bit, and the opponent's daughter got a beating, a worthy exchange.

"Ah, since Mr. Zhao has put it that way, let's resolve this misunderstanding here and now. The two of you should return home to avoid worrying the Duke," Ma Yan spoke timely.

The siblings finally came back to their senses, thanked Zhao Douan with mixed feelings, saluted Ma Yan, then left together.

...

Elsewhere.

The siblings rode back to Duke Mansion, heading straight through the pavilions and towers toward the eastern wing.

Pushing open the wing room door, there were only two women inside. An older woman, long past her prime but of imposing demeanor, was the mistress of the household, the Duke's wife.

The other was a lady close to her forties, Tang Ping's elder sister, already married and home for a visit that day.

"Mother, elder sister." Tang Ping stepped into the room, saluted the two women, and asked, "Where's Father?"

Tang Ping's elder sister, a rare gentle personality in the family, replied,

"Father is speaking with those officials. Do not disturb him; he will return shortly."

The old lady, however, glared at Tang Zhao, who appeared guilty, and said crossly,

"What trouble have you caused this time?"

"I did not..." Tang Zhao stubbornly retorted.

The old lady was furious and began scolding her, pointing out things like "acting unladylike," while her elder sister and Tang Ping attempted to console.

After a while, a house servant came by, "Second Miss, young master, the master calls you over."

The siblings left the wing room and went to the main hall where they saw the officials dispersing. The room was still filled with leftover teacups and fruit trays, and the brazier wasn't very warm anymore.

Duke Tang, draped in splendid attire with a dignified appearance and a crippled leg, sat alone at the main seat. Behind him, the ink dragon painting on the snow-white wall, an artwork by a master, hung in the main hall, legend has it, capable of instilling awe.

"Father."

The siblings stood side by side, saluting.

Duke Tang looked at the two with surprise, especially at his second daughter, unyielding by nature, much like himself during his youthful days, mystified by her sudden docility.

Thoughts turned in his mind, leading to speculation. He said lightly,

"Broke someone, did you? Know now you've caused trouble? Very well, he's just a favored minister and gigolo; offending him is no big deal. Don't fret, as long as there's breath left, pills can revive him. As for the Emperor's anger, I'll bear it."

Tang Ping opened his mouth to explain,

"Father, no... it wasn't so bad, Mr. Zhao didn't..."

Deflated, Tang Zhao muttered indignantly, "I didn't win, I lost."

Duke Tang was stunned, turning to stare blankly at his daughter's face, as if he had misheard.

...

...

The Imperial Court.

After sending off the siblings, Ma Yan sighed with mixed emotions,

"Thankfully, though there were twists, ultimately nothing serious occurred. Once they return and explain to Duke Tang, this matter shall be settled. Just hope that Second Miss doesn't hold grudges..."

Zhao Douan rolled his eyes, "I don't bear a grudge, why shouldn't she be pleased?"

Ma Yan, said helplessly,

"You won, fine, but tying someone up in such a manner... that kind of binding method is novel, I've never seen."

"Oh, that's called the tortoise shell tie, let me tell you, senior brother, it's..." Zhao Douan animatedly began to elaborate.

Suddenly, a commotion from outside was heard, accompanied by the sound of someone intruding.

Both stopped talking and turned towards the closed room door, and then abruptly, the door was pushed open, cold wind carrying a bit of snowfly blew inside.

The one who pushed the door was a woman draped in a frozen stiff red garment, her black hair scattered like a ghost, with ghostly white eyes.

"Ji Yue? What brings you here?" Zhao Douan exclaimed in surprise.

The socially anxious Ji Yue raised her head, her face pale, voice trembling,

"The drunkard, got taken away!"