"Delivering firearms to Prince Jing's Mansion..." The moment Zhao Douan heard these words, his mind was struck by lightning.
Among the many princes of the Great Yu dynasty, it was customary to assign them to territories outside of the capital.
Of course, this did not mean that the national territory was chopped up and distributed to the royal relatives to govern in a backward manner.
Instead, they were only granted a share of the estates and lands, essentially making them super high-class gentry, with the administrative and military affairs of their locations still under the control of the court.
Now, in the Nine Roads and Eighteen Prefectures of Great Yu, there were eight influential princes, collectively referred to as the "Eight Princes."
Among them, the one recognized as the most powerful, residing in the rich southern region called "Jiancheng Road," was none other than Prince Jing.
After the Xuan Sect's political upheaval, Xu Zhenguan ascended the throne, and the Eight Princes initially remained silent. Later, they each sent congratulatory messages, acknowledging the Empress's sovereign status.
On the surface, all seemed peaceful.
But actually, it was not.
The princes had been running their regions for many years, establishing deep roots, and most crucially, as "royal relatives," they possessed the nominal possibility of inheriting the throne.
Therefore, relations between the Empress and the Eight Princes became "ambiguous"...
The Empress, as their niece, sought to cut down her uncles' power to consolidate her position.
But due to unsteady foundations, she could not act immediately and had to plan it slowly.
Among the Eight Princes, it was unknown whether there were any "ambitious schemers" plotting to seize the throne. However, they were genuinely worried about the Empress's blade falling upon them.
Additionally, rumors were circulating that the remnants of the Second Prince, the "Kuangfu Society," remained active across various regions and were elusive to exterminate.
This was purportedly due to the support of the Eight Princes...
Of course, there was no evidence; these were just rumors.
"Do you realize what you are saying?!"
Inside the warm chamber, Zhao Douan asked sternly.
Little Ya had already been crying pitiful tears, and now she shivered and said, whimpering,
"This slave speaks the truth and dares not deceive..."
Then, she choked up and roughly explained the situation.
Zhang Changji indeed had a habit of talking in his sleep, but each time, his words were fragmented and vague.
Ordinarily, even if Little Ya heard him, she would have difficulty piecing together a complete picture.
But the frequency of the military man's visits was too hard to ignore...
With more sleep talk revealed, even if it was only a word or two each time, linked together, the information became significant.
According to Little Ya, Zhang Changji was suspected of secretly liaising with people from Prince Jing's Mansion, covertly transferring a group of firearm craftsmen and some finished firearms to the South.
"As far as I know, according to the law, Prince Jing's Mansion is permitted to have a private army, but the number must not exceed eight hundred, including logistical personnel," she said.
"Firearms are controlled military necessities by the court, and the craftsmen of firearms are hereditary and forbidden to relocate. The Capital Camp is in charge of firearms manufacturing... Zhang Changji holds a position in the Capital Camp, which gives him the convenience of authority."
Zhao Douan's thoughts raced, his expression a mix of excitement and worry.
Excited because he had caught a big fish upon his first attempt, but worried because... the level of this issue exceeded his expectations.
"If this is true... what does Prince Jing's Mansion plan to do by secretly stealing the technology to manufacture firearms? The thought is chilling!
Also, does Zhang Changji, a low-ranking officer, have the capability to pull this off alone?
And is he backed by higher-ranking officials hidden within the court?
This vortex between the Empress and the Eight Princes is no less perilous than the factional strife within the temple!
Ordinary people caught in the middle face numerous dangers!"
"But... high risk also means high reward!"
Zhao Douan's heart raced as he quickly made a decision.
Looking at Little Ya, who sat collapsed in front of him, her clothes disheveled and her makeup smudged from tears, he spoke indifferently,
"Very well. The information you have provided is very valuable. Is there anything else?"
"There is nothing more, only these," Little Ya said anxiously, her eyes like those of a frightened deer. She bit her lip and added,
"My lord, I truly am innocent."
"I believe you," Zhao Douan replied, his face brightening with a smile:
"This will count as your contribution. Remember, you must keep the content of our conversation today, including my visit, strictly confidential. Once I bring Zhang Changji to justice, you will be well rewarded."
Little Ya sighed in relief and mustered a smile:
"My lips are sealed, and I would never dare to accept any undue advantage; I only ask for your esteemed mercy."
And you tell me your mouth is sealed after having just sold someone out... Zhao Douan felt too weak to ridicule.
Yet, he indeed believed that the other party wouldn't blabber.
Unless they had a death wish.
"Alright, I shall ensure your safety," Zhao Douan said.
Little Ya was overjoyed, quickly scrambling on hands and knees beside him, her slippery hands indecently wandering:
"Then let this servant help Master undress."
Ahem... Zhao Douan slightly bowed as he stood up, and declared earnestly,
"This case is of great importance, and I cannot afford to delay; I must take my leave at once."
If the case proved true, and the court subsequently verified the details tracing back here, knowing that he, Mr. Zhao, had spent the night, the Empress would wonder what to make of him.
Zhao Douan was a man with far-reaching ambitions; he wouldn't commit the folly of losing the greater for the sake of the lesser!
Little Ya's eyes were filled with a lingering sadness, still not giving up, and somehow feeling unsettled not having slept with Zhao Douan, she hurriedly said,
"This servant has something new here that I guarantee you would like."
"What is it?" Zhao Douan halted his steps, curiosity killed the cat.
Little Ya rose to her feet, a smile playing on her lips as she gracefully made her way behind the screen to the inner room, fetching something from beside the wardrobe, all the while saying,
"Does the Master know why the Zhang brothers are so infatuated with me?"
"Why?" Zhao Douan's gaze caught sight of the silhouette of a woman changing clothes on the screen, feeling the difficulty of keeping his composure suddenly spike.
"It's because I understand what they desire."
Speaking thus, Little Ya emerged from behind the screen, already changed into a completely different hairstyle and attire:
Dressed in white, surpassing the snow, her black hair cascading like a waterfall, wearing a gold-plated phoenix crown on her head, and holding a blank "memorial" in her hand, feigning an air of dignity and aloofness.
Cosplaying the very image of the Empress of Great Yu, Xu Zhenguan!
Little Ya spoke indifferently:
"Mr. Zhao, why not kneel upon seeing me? Could it be that you wish to deceive and disrespect your sovereign?"
Zhao Douan stood there, utterly flabbergasted!
Outside Qinglian Small House in the alley.
In the darkness, Zhu Kui leaned against the carriage, bored out of his mind, his gaze periodically drifting towards the mouth of the alley.
"How has the Master not come out yet... He can't really have fallen asleep, can he..."
Not long before, he had witnessed a group of guests leaving one after another, aware that the literary gathering was surely over, yet Zhao Douan's figure was nowhere to be seen.
As Zhu Kui's imagination began to stray, he suddenly saw a figure hurrying back through the alley.
"Master, you've come out?" Zhu Kui's spirits lifted as he jumped down from the carriage to greet him.
"I nearly didn't make it out," Zhao Douan said with a complex expression on his face, shaking his head as the night's cool air slowly soothed the warmth from his body.
Zhu Kui was surprised, "Even with your composure, you almost faltered?"
Zhu had been following Zhao Douan for a year, and while he might not mention other matters, he admired Zhao Douan's restraint in his pure devotion to the Empress, and his touch towards any other women.
Because you have no idea how tempting the things inside really were... Zhao Douan sneered internally.
He had finally understood why even the hypocrite Zhang Changshuo couldn't resist such temptations.
She was just too knowing!
In a past life, there was a classic question:
Why do great men, who clearly aren't lacking in beauties by their side, still fall for the honey trap?
The top-rated answer said that the honey trap was never about entertaining with allure, but about captivating the heart.
What you think of as the honey trap: The big star Liu Yifei seducing you
The real honey trap: Sixteen-year-old Zhao Linger clinging to your arm and calling you "Brother Xiao Yao"
"Enough talk," Zhao Douan climbed into the carriage, exhaling deeply to calm his emotions. Seeing that there was still time, he said,
"Let's go to the government office."
The incident involving the Zhang brothers was too big; he had to find someone to share the risk.