What exactly did Zhao Douan want to do?
The answer was actually very simple.
It was to connect with Pei Siniang and meet with the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, a Third-Rank Official, in private.
There were some things he had to say face to face to achieve the desired effect.
But with Zhao Douan's reputation and the disparity in their positions, going through the normal visiting process was almost impossible.
His visiting card would be tossed into a paper basket, never to see the light of day.
Of course, aside from that, another crucial point was:
Only through Pei Siniang could he most successfully lower Vice Minister Pei's guard.
As for gauging the authenticity of Yun Xi's intelligence, this was also the most efficient method.
Both Vice Minister Pei and Lv Liang were sly old foxes; any probing from Zhao Douan would make them extraordinarily cautious.
However, to deal with a "naïve fool" raised in the boudoir was much easier.
"You want to see my father?"
Pei Siniang, dressed in a floral long gown and with a woman's coiffure, raised her eyebrows.
She was quite surprised by Zhao Douan's reply.
Inside a private tea room.
Zhao Douan smiled and said,
"I have a grudge against Lv Liang and want to trouble him, but I am not capable enough to achieve this alone."
Pei Siniang raised her chin somewhat proudly.
"Because my father won't allow it."
The power wielded by a Vice Minister in his position was beyond Zhao Douan's capacity to contend with.
Zhao Douan admitted frankly,
"Yes, which is why to deal with Lv Liang, I must first persuade your father. That's also why I've come to you, to seek a meeting with him."
The dignified lady looked puzzled.
"You're confident you can persuade my father to abandon him?"
As the conversation progressed, she did not hide her own intention to put Lv Liang out of action.
Zhao Douan smiled and said,
"Success depends on effort, and even if I fail, what harm does it do to you?"
Pei Siniang was persuaded by these words after a moment of consideration.
From her perspective, if Zhao Douan succeeded, it would be a great relief for her.
If he didn't succeed, she wouldn't suffer any loss, so it was a worthwhile risk.
But the dignified lady had her own shrewdness and asked doubtfully,
"Do you possess some evidence? And why are you so sure I will help you? Just because he has other women outside?"
"Some things lose their magic when said aloud." Zhao Douan laughed to avoid providing an answer.
"As for why I am so sure..."
He sighed softly and gave an unexpected answer.
"Because I understand women's minds. I've investigated you, and after speaking with you now, I'm even more sure of it."
Pei Siniang stared at him in astonishment, suddenly impressed.
"No wonder you are valued by the Saint, accepted as a gigolo."
As a woman herself, she knew that the Empress wouldn't be intimate with a man just for his looks.
And since, as everyone knew, Zhao Douan possessed no particular talent, the only explanation was that he truly understood women's hearts.
"So... have you agreed, Madam?"
Zhao Douan's well-proportioned, slender fingers played with the delicate cup.
Pei Siniang suddenly smiled coyly, an aura of charm in an instant.
"Does this count as you asking me? Then you ought to give something in return."
Zhao Douan raised an eyebrow, "What does Madam want?"
Just then, the tune on the stage outside suddenly turned gentle.
Inside the room, the dignified lady, as beautiful as the moon and no less charming than a maiden, suddenly stood up.
One hand skillfully unclasped the top button of her collar, opened the neckline, and swayed her hips.
She floated like a dandelion in the wind, or a plump peony, landing on Zhao Douan.
One arm wrapped around his neck, the other subtly slipped a Bodhi button into Zhao Douan's palm, gently drawing circles.
Pei Siniang's laughter was as beautiful as a flower, her eyes filled with the pleasure of revenge born out of hatred.
"Lord Douan, do you not wish to take a fierce revenge on Lv Liang right now?"
Here? That wouldn't be appropriate... Zhao Douan was also a bit taken aback.
According to the information, Pei Siniang was supposedly a very proper woman, entirely unrelated to frivolity.
Even at present, while she seemed in control, her rigid and unnatural posture exposed her nervousness.
She didn't little man in front of her; she was merely blinded by hatred.
While Little Ya, who completely dove into the sea of society, managed with ease, Pei Siniang was simply an imitation.
"Why degrade yourself, Madam?" Zhao Douan sighed softly.
Pei Siniang retorted resentfully,
"Why can he do it, but I can't?"
Indeed, people in love tend to act on sudden impulses... Zhao Douan didn't want to provoke this agitated tigress.
He laughed freely, pointed to the wall outside the door, and said softly,
"There are ears on the walls, and I wouldn't want Vice Minister to have me killed in some alley before I've even met him."
Pei Siniang's charming face changed slightly, as she realized she hadn't considered thoroughly.
The maid outside, although she had been with her for many years, still came from the Family Head's household and might report back.
"Scared?" Zhao Douan chuckled lightly, imitating the charming and wild demeanor of the Dragon King from a skit, whispering in her ear,
"I just want to make the revenge more thorough; when Lv Liang is imprisoned, we... show him, wouldn't that be better?"
Pei Siniang's eyes were wide with astonishment, full of:
I didn't expect you to be this kind of person.
Yet, within her, she inexplicably felt some vague anticipation.
After watching her leave the private room, only Zhao Douan was left.
He picked up the cold tea and drank it all at once, extinguishing his inner flame.
His face no longer carried the look of a villain, and his gaze was calm.
Not to mention that even for the Empress, he could maintain his virtue; Zhao Douan certainly wouldn't lose more for trifles.
The mere status of this woman was trouble he couldn't afford, otherwise, when Vice Minister Pei fell, if he were implicated due to this trivial matter, he would be a laughingstock.
Everything earlier was just a pretense for the moment.
A knocking sounded, and Zhu Kui stepped in, saying,
"My Lord, Mrs. Lv has gone back."
"Yes," Zhao Douan nodded.
For the first time, he looked out of the window below.
On the theater stage, a veteran general held a treasure sword, eyes glaring fiercely, wielding it to decapitate the young student and flower maiden.
"Tsk, even having transmigrated, it seemed I was still unsuited for listening to opera; better to go to the Teaching Bureau and watch the Dancing Girls sway their hips."
Zhao Douan laughed self-deprecatingly and shook his head but patiently waited for the play to end.
Only then did he leave through a separate pathway, accompanied by Zhu Kui.
"Lord, where shall we head next?"
Zhu Kui expertly gripped the whip, playing the role of the driver.
The seasoned official faintly sensed the smell of a familiar ploy, feeling that his lord was about to stir trouble again—his heart pounding with both anxiety and a bit of excitement.
Zhao Douan stretched lazily in the carriage and yawned,
A successful hunter must possess enough patience; when the fishhook was cast, he might endure a long wait, but the hand holding the pole must not waver.
Eight Directions Opera House, backstage.
As the play ended, thunderous applause erupted from beyond the curtain.
On this side, actors exited in order, each removing their makeup.
"You sang well today."
Wearing a silk jacket, a soft hat, and a thumb fitted with an emerald ring, the theater manager came backstage and found the handsome young actor praised.
This actor, favored by Pei Siniang who entered the Capital earlier this year and quickly made a name at the Eight Directions Opera House, smiled bashfully,
"Thanks to the audience's support."
"With your skills, at this rate, within a year, you could easily secure a spot in the Top Three seats at the Opera House, possibly even become the Capital's top lead. Truly incredible at your age."
The handsome young actor in costume smiled slightly, but there was no pride in his expression.
"Manager, I wonder which noble guest was in the Cloud Water Pavilion today? It seemed they barely glanced at the stage."
"Oh, that person... not someone to be trifled with..."
After listening to the manager's introduction, a sharp glint appeared within the young actor's eyes, an extremely subtle, magician's power flickering for a moment.
"So, you are indeed the one Grandmaster Zhuang spoke of, that... Zhao Douan?"