Chapter 952: Chapter 952

Du Ruhui was stunned, staring at him, unable to believe his ears.

Mrs. Du also raised her head like a quail, her ears perked up with a ’snap,’ and turned to look at her husband, only to see the middle-aged, down-and-out Du Ruhui, who had never had a chance to fulfill his ambitions in his lifetime, already had eyes red, but his back was unusually straight, like a longsword, piercing the clouds, sincerely bowing and saying: "If the governor does not abandon me, I am willing to serve the governor with all my might!"

This... I thought you meant to smoke, drink, and get a perm for generations for the Zhao family... Zhao Douan’s mouth twitched. He indeed considered Du Ruhui a talent, but such a posture of lowering himself to recruit talents, also had the thought of putting on a political show in front of officials like Mr. Cui...

And it seems the effect was quite explosive.

Yet today’s maneuver, although meant to calculate Zhao Shixiong, seemed to have inadvertently won over a group of officials loyal to him.

Zhao Douan, this Future Emperor’s Consort, after gaining a group of military generals from Divine Mechanism Camp, also started to accumulate direct lineage power in the scholar-officer camp.

He took a final glance at Du Shishi, a young girl hidden in the darkness, silent, her gaze wary, hands instinctively covering the ancient bell on her waist.

Zhao Douan smiled broadly. He had no interest in exploring a girl’s cheerful expression; with his identity, he wouldn’t rob his subordinates anyway. After all... once Du Ruhui enters the officialdom, the secrets of the girl, being a family member, cannot be hidden.

"This place is not yet completely out of danger, let’s move immediately while the rebel army leaves the city to engage in battle. We’ll return to Taicang via the small roads," Zhao Douan instructed.

No one had any objections, eager to head north.

Immediately, they proceeded along the pre-arranged retreat route, though several Shadow Guards detached from the team, returning to Yongjia.

They would continue to linger inside the city, and also oversee Feng Xiaolian’s subsequent actions.

In the night, the passage of time was unusually vague.

Unclear how long had passed, the group heard the sound of flowing water, "splash, splash," and a river appeared ahead.

And at this moment, there was already a boat waiting by the river, arranged by the court, responsible for receiving the soldiers.

"You should board the boat and escort Mr. Cui and others back," Zhao Douan did not get on the boat.

Song Jinxi curiously asked: "My lord, you are not joining us?"

Zhao Douan replied: "I still have some matters to attend to."

Song Jinxi did not inquire further, promptly taking people to board the boat and cross the river.

Watching the group sail towards the opposite bank, Zhao Douan faced the river wind, waited a moment, and then turned away, heading back to Yongjia City.

He appeared outside a deserted pavilion after a while, which was part of his previous commands to Mr. Song.

"Come out," Zhao Douan said calmly.

The air above the pavilion, initially empty, distorted slightly, a figure gradually emerged.

Nie Yurong, dressed in night attire, lightly leaped down, her eyes bright and fixated on him: "It seems you’ve accomplished something significant."

Zhao Douan glanced at her: "Mind your identity."

Nie Yurong unwillingly bowed and saluted: "This subordinate greets my lord."

Zhao Douan smiled with satisfaction and said, "How’s the arrangement of the matter I tasked you with?"

Nie Yurong said: "Over at Feng Xiaolian’s side, I have arranged for Embroidered Robe Envoy to monitor her. Previously, Mr. Song’s contact with Feng Xiaolian, and also during your final meeting with her in the brothel, were all under surveillance. Our Embroidered Robe Envoy follows the orders of Mu Prince Manor, won’t rashly arrest anyone, the main task is to keep an eye on Zhao Shixiong. With such a big event happening in the city, a report to Fengmu Royal Mansion will follow soon."

Zhao Douan stood with hands clasped behind his back, overlooking the distant river where two armies were engaged in battle, calmly instructing: "Keep a tight watch on Feng Xiaolian and Gongsun’s side, once you have the crucial evidence, report tonight’s events truthfully to Xu Jingtang. Including the news that I fought with Zhao Shixiong without a hitch."

Nie Yurong was somewhat anxious, staring at this famous traitor, as an observer and an essential executor in this chain of tasks, she saw all of Zhao Douan’s series of actions.

Because of this, she felt her heart race, trembling for such seemingly simple yet exquisitely calculated maneuvers.

"My lord, are all the high officials in the court as meticulous as yourself..." Nie Yurong suddenly asked.

Zhao Douan turned his head, smiled at her, and replied: "There are countless talents in the court, I’m just ordinary among them."

Seeing Nie Yurong’s startled expression, he chuckled softly: "I’m teasing you. Do you really think anyone can become the Imperial Consort?"

Nie Yurong suddenly breathed a sigh of relief, that was more normal. If all civil and military officials were as mysterious and fearsome as Zhao Douan, the Vassal Kings wouldn’t even stir up a ripple.

Zhao Douan continued: "This intelligence is vital, you can seize the opportunity to return beside Xu Jingtang while delivering it."

Nie Yurong asked: "What do I need to do?"

Zhao Douan said: "You will be notified when needed. Until then, continue to cautiously investigate how Zhao Shixiong was persuaded by Mu Prince to join the rebellion."

During his brief encounter with Zhao Shixiong tonight, Zhao Douan vaguely felt that some things might be hidden within the Border Army General’s rebellion.

Nie Yurong’s heart stirred; someone will notify her? So... this man before her had other forces at Mu Prince’s side?

"Yes," the female assassin responded, her figure twisting and disappearing.

Leaving Zhao Douan standing beneath the antiquated pavilion, gazing at the night-covered riverbank’s flames of war, somewhat distracted. Content orıginally comes from 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩✶𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚✶𝕟𝕖𝕥

The second step of inciting defection, he already had some ideas, but he was not intending to do it himself.

A night battle, fought for several hours finally concluded with the court’s retreat.

When Zhao Shixiong and his party guarding Yongjia City returned, dawn was breaking.

Entering the government office, Gongsun first went to remove armor and rest, while Zhao Shixiong discussed the aftermath with his subordinate generals.

The escape of Cui Haoran and others wasn’t a significant loss; the real problem lied in the death of supervising officers like Wang Qi.

After a meeting, Zhao Shixiong remained alone in the room, pondering when suddenly the door was pushed open, Gongsun, tall and voluptuous, full of vigor, hurried in with a sour expression.

"What happened?" Zhao Shixiong frowned and asked.

Gongsun bit his lip, holding a letter, and said: "While we were fighting outside the city, someone through a person inside the manor sent this to my courtyard. Take a look."

"A letter?" Zhao Shixiong instinctively felt uneasy, reached out to take it, and asked: "What does the letter say?"

The envelope had already been opened.

Gongsun’s face looked unpleasant: "You’ll know once you see."

Zhao Shixiong pulled out the letter, finding only a thin paper inside the envelope, it was blank.

"No secret writing method was used. I’ve tried, it’s just a plain piece of paper, with no writings," Gongsun stated.

Zhao Shixiong was stunned, then abruptly his face changed drastically.

In the room, came his suppressed voice: