King Ma was stunned, not only because of the address "senior brother" but also because of Yuan Li's signature carriage.
Two men of drastically different status and reputation should not have any connection.
"Yes," Zhao Duan said with a smile as warm as the spring breeze, suddenly getting cozy:
"I didn't expect to run into my senior brother here."
"I don't remember having a lord like you as a junior brother."
Zhao Duan laughed heartily:
"Both of us serve as tributors in the Imperial City, guided by Eunuch Hai; both taught by Grand Ancestor Emperor. Isn't it natural that we are from the same sect?"
King Ma was taken aback, then gave him a strange look, noncommittally:
"Did Sun Lianying tell you this?"
Not many knew of his tributor status; one with the last name Sun did.
"Supervisor said Lord is full of loyal courage, junior brother truly admires you," Zhao Duan said with genuine admiration.
King Ma felt strangely uncomfortable all over, as if glued by sticky candy, unable to shake or break free.
Others dared not get close to King Ma, for his infamous and notorious reputation, but the notorious Zhao Duan didn't care.
He knew that having multiple connections in life meant more paths to choose.
Although the Empress held great power, she was too detached from the mortal world, not as intimidating as King Ma.
During their conversation, the two walked side by side towards the Golden Throne Hall.
At this moment, dawn just broke, the morning mist wafted, and the palace square was sparsely populated.
It was a square that could accommodate thousands of imperial guards in formation. During a past coup, it had seen over ten thousand corpses, and it took three days of cleaning with clear water to somewhat wash the blood away.
In the distance, magnificent temples scattered, and a long stretch of white marble stairs extended from the mouth of the Golden Throne Hall.
Looking up from below filled one with reverence.
Looking down from above made one feel as small as dust.
"Brother, you're here for Pei Kaizhi, aren't you?"
Zhao Duan clasped his sleeves, standing in the square, striking up a conversation.
King Ma was a man of few words, but could not endure the annoying buzz beside him. He grunted in affirmation but disdainfully said:
"Refer to me by my official title, lord."
So stingy... Zhao Duan pouted:
"I heard that the court meetings these past few days have been quite spectacular, but in the end, Mr. Yuan outshined everyone. Does... Lord know the details?"
King Ma's face was stern: "I don't."
Zhao Duan, energetic and keen to show off:
"Isn't Lord curious why I am here?"
King Ma glanced at him then looked away:
So you just can't chat properly... Zhao Duan complained internally, wondering if he could ever just go along with things.
He was about to try again, when suddenly the bell of Meridian Gate rang. King Ma solemnly whispered, "They're coming out."
Zhao Duan looked in the direction of the sound, only to see amid the resounding bell sound, sharp salutations echoing, the doors of the Golden Throne Hall swung wide open, and numerous officials streamed out.
The court session was over.
Today, numerous ministers participated in the court meeting, creating a mass of eye-catching scarlet official robes.
Among the red, there was a patch of green – those were exclusive to the officials.
At this moment, they grandly descended along the white marble staircase, the atmosphere silently serene.
The court officials split into two groups, one led by Yuan Li, the green-robed Imperial Censor stood tall and dignified, his demeanor inspiring awe.
Another faction belonged to the "Li Party," which had more people but an oppressive and pensive atmosphere.
The lead was an elderly man, draped in a deep red official robe and wearing a black hat, with temples like reverted bristles and eyebrows like purple rock ridges, fierce-looking and of utmost authority.
His slightly unkempt beard sprawled up along his cheeks to meet his temples.
This sight unexpectedly reminded Zhao Douan of Wu Xiubo's portrayal of the elderly Sima Yi.
The Prime Minister of Great Yu, Li Yanfu!
This was the second time Zhao Douan had seen this "current Prime Minister." The last time Li Yanfu had passed by him, he hadn't even bothered to turn his eyes.
It was the inexpressible disdain described by Mr. Lu Xun in his writings.
This time was the same.
Zhao Douan and Ma Yanru, going against the flow on the stone bridge, let countless officials flow past them.
As Li Yanfu walked by the two, an invisible authority made Zhao Douan's breathing difficult.
For those holding great power, the mere aura could oppress even Cultivation Martial Artists.
Yuann Li followed behind, with Lv Liang absent from this location.
Finally arrived Pei Kaizhi, who was tardy among the "Li Party" officials.
Zhao Douan was startled, not having seen him for a few days. The previously powerful Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice seemed to have aged ten years, his vitality drained, his hair withered, his visage emaciated.
His official robe had been stripped, and in just a plain white undergarment amidst the chilly morning fog, he staggered, lost and trembling.
Wandering in a daze and moving instinctively without watching his path, he suddenly bumped right into Zhao Douan.
Only when noticing a shadow blocking his way did Pei Kaizhi lift his head, his bloodshot old eyes suddenly brightening with the fierceness of a cornered old wolf; he stopped in his tracks, his fingers trembling:
Zhao Douan, radiant, formed a stark contrast as he smiled and nodded:
"Vice Minister, we meet again."
Seeing his enemy reinvigorated Pei Kaizhi like a dying light rebounding; veins bulged on his forehead, his face cold and fierce:
"This old man has been shooting geese all day and finally got pecked in the eye by one, cheated by a vile person like you. Ha, but don't you feel too proud, thinking you're entitled to mock me just because you're serving someone? A mere pawn, you dare?"
It seemed he still didn't know that all this was Zhao Douan's doing; he only thought he'd been schemed against by Yuann Li.
Zhao Douan was merely an instrument in Yuann Li's strategy.
This I cannot accept... Zhao Douan raised an eyebrow, glanced at Yuann Li, and saw Big Qingyi smile and nod.
He stepped forward and approached Pei Kaizhi.
With one hand on the old man's shoulder, drawing him slightly closer, he spoke with a gentle smile:
"Vice Minister really is vision-impaired, having lost everything yet still wandering aimlessly, unable to identify the real enemy."
Pei Kaizhi's expression changed slightly:
Zhao Douan said with a smile:
"You think I'm a pawn executing Mr. Yuan's commands? No. In fact, Mr. Yuan doesn't even know, the whole plan to drive a wedge between Lv Liang... was solely my doing...
Ha! You think you're going down nobly, defeated by Mr. Yuan? No, you ah, couldn't even defeat a little pawn like me...
Heh heh, that day on the Jinjiang Embankment fishing, you almost fooled me with your profound act, making me believe you're so cunning...
Without any real capability, what big tail wolf are you playing at, you old dog?"
He gently patted Pei Kaizhi's shoulder and added the final blow softly:
"Pei Zi, listen to Brother Zhao's advice, the court's waters are deep, you can't handle it, better go home and retire. High ranks and rich rewards, a beautiful wife, let brother handle it; I'm not afraid of deep waters, I'm young, I can bear it."
Pei Kaizhi's eyes bulged, staring intensely at him as his face turned pale and his body trembled violently, anger stricken, suddenly he cursed loudly:
"Zhao thief!! Even if I have to be a ghost in my next life, I won't let you go!!!"
Then suddenly, he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood and actually fainted from fury!
On the steps, Yuann Li's expression was subtle.
Beside, King Ma, using the Martial Artist's hearing, had heard every word of their conversation.
From afar, many officials who had already left suddenly turned back, astonished to see this dramatic scene.
Li Yanfu also stopped in his tracks, for the first time turning his head back, his eyes calm as deep pools, reflecting the figure of someone.