The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 545 - 410, Zhao Douan: How much is Duke Cao’s face worth? (5k)_2
Yet they still chose a surprise arrest, causing such a near-revolt...
It couldn't be that Cao Mao was so impartial and just that he would rather offend the Emperor than to act in accordance with the law... I've heard that this Lord's reputation isn't exactly good...
Zhao Douan said seriously, "Why? Why would Duke Cao do such a thing?"
Mo Chou glanced at him and explained in a low voice:
"Back in Jubei City, Lang Shiba killed quite a few of his brethren in the army, and it is said that one of Duke Cao's sons died while pursuing Lang Shiba and was killed in retaliation."
Ah, this... Zhao Douan choked. This was something he hadn't anticipated.
If that was the case, it would perfectly explain why Duke Cao acted the way he did... Discovering that his son's murderer was hiding in the Capital, even if he knew that he might have been taken in and raised by the Royal family as an enforcer, he still chose to confront the issue head-on, pretending to be unaware.
Anyway, once the man was arrested, a legal trial could proceed... The Empress would have no recourse.
But...
"No, something's not right. Eunuch Hai personally said that Lang Shiba was saved by the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince must have investigated thoroughly before saving someone, being fully aware that Lang Shiba had killed Duke Cao's son. Even if he sympathized with his situation, purely out of sympathy... Would he really risk offending Duke Cao to rescue him?"
Zhao Douan's brows creased into a frown as thoughts churned in his mind:
"Also, Lang Shiba has been lying low for years, so how did he happen to be found by Cao Mao? Unless..."
Zhao Douan's gaze sharpened:
"Prince Jing! Could it be Prince Jing? This year, the only time Lang Shiba showed his face was when he followed me to Hu Ting. At that time, he clashed with Prince Jing. Lang Shiba struck twice, and Prince Jing Mansion's men, having military backgrounds, recognized the notorious Northern Blood Saber... It wasn't surprising...
If the Eight Princes shrouded the same nature, and Prince Jing deliberately leaked this information to Cao Mao... thereby stirring conflict between Duke Cao and the court..."
When Mo Chou saw him suddenly fall silent, she couldn't help nudging him with her elbow: "What are you thinking about?"
"Uh, nothing," Zhao Douan came back to his senses and asked tentatively:
"What does Your Majesty intend?"
Mo Chou shook her head:
"I don't know. But I think that Her Majesty must be displeased. Yet the bloodshed caused by Lang Shiba is real, and so is the fury of Duke Cao..."
Implicit in her words, from the Empress's standpoint, from the perspective of the greater good, it was undoubtedly most sensible to sacrifice Lang Shiba.
After all, he was just an assassin bred by the Crown Prince in those years and not rescued by the Empress; Lang Shiba living several more years in the back lake was considered as him gaining a few extra years of life.
Those who could ascend to the throne, even if they harbor a fondness for a select few, must inevitably appear cold and merciless to outsiders.
Besides, even if the Empress were inclined to show bias, with the matter laid out in the open, it's impossible to openly disregard the law.
"So, are you saying Lang Shiba is going to be executed?" Zhao Douan stated as a matter of fact.
Mo Chou nodded lightly, and looking carefully at the man before her, her voice softened slightly:
"In reality, this matter has nothing to do with you."
Zhao Douan fell silent.
Yes, this seemed indeed to have little to do with him. Duke Cao wasn't coming for him nor was it particularly aimed at the Empress.
Lang Shiba was, after all, just an insignificant assassin; from any perspective, the significant figures in the Capital had no reason to anger Duke Cao for a mere assassin.
Perhaps, apart from Ji Yue, no one cared about this matter.
No, perhaps even Ji Yue didn't care... Otherwise, she wouldn't have completely refrained from acting, watching as he was arrested, she only came to him because she felt uneasy.
Just by following the law and beheading this man, one could quell the rage of a Duke, seeming like the most correct choice in any situation.
After all, he was just a minor character.
"I understand," Zhao Douan nodded and stepped towards the city gate, "No need to tell Her Majesty I was here."
"Eh..." Mo Chou reached out subconsciously, grasping at nothing, her hand failing to catch the sleeve of his garment.
The young woman watched the annoying man's solitary figure leave, feeling an inexplicable and indescribable emotion in her heart. Shaking her head, she curled her lip and muttered, "Hypocrite."
Thinking he came for Lang Shiba, but upon hearing the full story, didn't he also decisively withdraw, unwilling to be involved even in the slightest?
Hmm, a politician.
Although... she was just the same... a hypocrite.
...
Outside the deep archway of the Imperial City, the deep red doors adorned with large studs were wide open.
The armored guards standing on both sides saw Zhao Douan walking out of the palace.
They hurried forward with smiles to greet him: "Lord, your horse."
"Mm." Zhao Douan replied absent-mindedly, mounted his horse, shook the reins, and rode down the main road away from the Imperial Palace, heading back to the Imperial Court Office.
However, halfway there, he caught sight of a tavern by the roadside, and suddenly pulled the reins tightly.
Dismounting, he approached the tavern, purchased two large jars of the strongest liquor, and packed a large bag of meat and vegetables, wrapped in oiled paper.
Zhao Douan urged his horse towards the Ministry of Justice's Imprisonment.
Before long, the bleak, ash-gray prison buildings loomed into view, all the more desolate and chilling within the cold winter.
"Lord Zhao? Heavens, what brings you here today?"
At the entrance to the Ministry of Justice's Imprisonment, a middle-aged man in a crimson official robe laughed as he approached. From the embroidered emblem on his chest, it was clear he was none other than the newly appointed Vice Minister of Justice following the downfall of Pei Kaizhi.
Such a high-ranking official normally wouldn't be seen at the Prison.
"Ahaha, Vice Minister Huang, not sitting in your government office and instead out here in the cold wind?" Zhao Douan dismounted and joked as he joined the man.
The two weren't close friends, but as officials in the same circle, and given his status today, they naturally recognized each other.
Vice Minister Huang laughed heartily and saluted with his hands:
"As servants of Her Majesty, what do we care for a bit of frost? I wasn't aware of Lord Zhao's visit. This is..."
Zhao Douan patted the jars of wine hanging on either side of the saddle and laughed:
