The Empress's No.1 Lackey

The next day, early morning.

Zhao Douan got up and washed. After having a simple breakfast with his retinue, he ordered to prepare the carriage, intending to personally go to the Shen family to mourn.

There was no surprise from Eunuch Hai and others regarding this order. Familiar with "Yama Zhao's" style, they knew that after the Shen family abandoned the option of offering peace last night, only one path was left for them.

The carriage left the inn, and on the way, Zhao Douan casually bought a flower basket on the street, laughing, "One cannot go to a memorial empty-handed."

Bodhisattva Bodhi, who insisted on sharing the carriage with him, smiled faintly, "This humble monk can perform a religious ceremony for the second son of the Shen family."

You're quite proactive... Zhao Douan raised his eyebrows, thinking to himself that when a woman takes the initiative, it's really not so hard to pursue... slow warming doesn't exist.

Ignoring the female Bodhisattva staring straight at him, Zhao Douan closed his eyes, recalling the Shen family information he had reviewed last night.

The true master of the Shen family, the Old Dowager, is said to be a legendary woman, somewhat similar to Mrs. Xiao from Qingzhou, but with a smoother transition of power and a longer lifespan. If the Shen family were likened to local regents, then the Old Dowager would be like an aged Empress Dowager Cixi.

Always hidden within the deep courtyard, secretly controlling a huge aristocratic family, it's unknown what her personality is like.

"I gave them a chance last night, but no one came; it's clear they don't respect me, a Capital official. Isn't this another form of strong stance?"

"Unfortunately, you probably think I am like Governor Ru Ning in temperament. Congratulations, you guessed wrong."

...

The Shen Family Mansion is not in the congested and chaotic Prefecture District, the journey is more than an hour.

By the time Zhao Douan arrived, the sun was high in the sky. The Shen Family Mansion was a vast southern garden, covering a broad area.

From afar, the roofs interlock, towers and houses were arranged in an orderly way.

The main gate was hung with white lanterns, the ground scattered with paper money, white silk was draped, and many carriages and horses stood outside, seemingly all here for mourning.

With the Shen family's rich heritage of hundreds of years, such extravagant arrangements meant that prominent figures from all over, having the ability to come, would come and mourn.

Thus is also the reason why the mourning has been extended for so long.

Zhao Douan's entourage arrived, immediately catching the attention of the gatekeeping house servant, "Who goes there?"

Zhao Douan lazily leaned inside the carriage, unwilling to go out, and said to Shen Juan outside the window, "You go say it, after all, this is your old home."

Shen Juan, one of the "Four Pear Blossoms" of Lihua Hall, chuckled, muttering, "My family has nothing to do with them."

Already stepping forward, he explained to the house servant, "Lord Zhao from the Capital's White Horse Hall heard of Mr. Zhao's death and specially came to mourn."

The house servant did not dare to neglect, immediately ran inside to report. After a moment, the Grand Steward of the Shen residence came out.

As they say, in front of the Prime Minister's gates stand seventh-rank officials. The Grand Steward oversees all the main affairs of the Shen Family Mansion, wielding authority in Jiancheng Road far beyond the seventh rank. Even the County Magistrate has to bow.

Due to this identity as "Grand Steward," within the doors, he is seen as a chief house servant; stepping outside these doors, he is a formidable guest in Jianning Prefecture whom no one dares to underestimate, his power and status towering over many descendants of the Shen family.

He has long associated with Jiangnan literati, an affectation of elegance, his two mustaches at the corners of his lips almost as if drawn with a brush.

"Is the visitor from the Capital's White Horse Hall, Lord Zhao?" The Grand Steward stood on the steps, looking down at Shen Juan. After receiving a confirmation, he said indifferently with his hands behind his back, "To mourn, one must submit a name card at least three days in advance to gain entry. Given you're a Capital official, I can extend the limit to one day. Hand your name card to me and come back tomorrow."

As the words fell, not only did the Colonel of Lihua Hall led by Shen Juan have their expressions change.

Even the Tributors from Martial Arts Hall, like Tang Jinzhong, had their faces collectively sink!

What great prestige!

Mr. Zhao can enter the Imperial Palace without anyone stopping him, yet the rules of the Shen family's great mansion exceed those of the Imperial Palace.

The Grand Steward, seeing the situation, smirked coldly, having already received instructions from the host family not to show this Lord Zhao any kindness.

This is Jianning Prefecture, far from the Emperor's reach. Even Prime Minister Li Yanfu, upon returning south, shows courtesy to their Old Dowager, let alone a favored gigolo?

A dragon crossing the river? So what?

Shen Juan took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and walked back to the carriage, "Sir, what should we do?"

Inside the carriage.

Zhao Douan smiled, suddenly looking at the female Bodhisattva sitting cross-legged inside, "What does the Bodhisattva think, what should I do?"

Bodhisattva Bodhi quietly examined him with her pair of "Wisdom Eyes," her translucent enchanting eyes flashed with a ray of light, she smiled, "Your heart tells me you want to kill."

"The Bodhisattva indeed has Buddha's Wisdom Eyes, truly able to see into one's heart." Zhao Douan laughed heartily, with a mocking expression, and ordered out the window, "Didn't you hear? This Bodhisattva from the Divine Dragon Temple said, kill."

Shen Juan's spirit rose, grinning, and with his hand on the hilt of his sword, he turned toward the main gate, rushing up the steps in a few strides, his long knife drawing with a "clang"!

In a deep voice, "What kind of thing dares to block the way!"

The Grand Steward realized the trouble when he saw the opponent draw the blade and step onto the stairs, but he still forced himself, supposing it was a scare tactic and they wouldn't dare truly draw blood.

Until he saw the murderous intent in Shen Juan's eyes, his liver and gall instantly clashed, he turned to run, but his legs felt like they were filled with lead, unable to move!

"Puff!"

Shen Juan stabbed this Grand Steward with a rank no less than a sixth-rank official through the heart, then kicked the corpse forward, saying, "What are you waiting for? Break the door for the lord!!"

With the command given, the Jinyi of Lihua Hall were the first to respond, drawing their knives in unison, causing the two gatekeeping house servants to turn and run, shouting loudly for help.