Chapter 22: Confession to the Empress, and the Strongest Path of Cultivation in the World
"Is it... really like this?"
Xu Zhenguan was stunned and was full of surprise at this explanation.
But if you think about it carefully, it is the most reasonable answer.
Therefore, it was not that Zhao Duan became complacent after his sudden rise to fame, but that he took the initiative to please others after figuring out his own thoughts.
In this way, the bad image in the rumors and the misalignment of her perception both have reasonable explanations.
She even thought about it more:
Why did the White Horse Supervisor favor Zhao Duan? Perhaps it was because of his outstanding talent.
Xu Zhenguan did not question this statement.
This is both because it is logical and because Zhao Duan's guess is correct.
The reason why she allowed the "scandal" to spread was indeed to use it as bait.
However, this was not done intentionally. There were rumors among the people first. After she got to know about it, she simply went with the flow and made this unnecessary move.
Anyway, with her broad mind, she wouldn't care about those rumors and slander.
Compared with the slander of "killing brother and father", keeping a concubine is nothing.
It was precisely because it was just a casual move and he didn't pay much attention to it that he had a vague impression of Zhao Duan.
But I didn’t expect…
…
"You are thoughtful." Xu Zhenguan was silent for a while, the majesty in his eyes diminished, and his eyes softened:
"In this way, you are putting yourself in danger."
Zhao Duan is a traitor who appears loyal:
"I will never regret being able to share your majesty's worries even if I die."
Xu Zhenguan pondered for a moment and asked doubtfully:
"If it's as you said, then why did you arrest Zhuang Xiaocheng for the robbery of the imperial yamen? With your intelligence, you shouldn't do such a foolish thing."
Zhao Duan was acting like a drama queen, and said a little excitedly:
"Because I can't wait any longer! I've been defiling myself for over a year, but haven't achieved anything. I'm so anxious! So I thought, since the villain won't take the initiative to find me, then I might as well take the initiative.
So, I bribed informants in the imperial court to keep an eye on the whereabouts of the rebels. As a result, I was greedy for credit and made a huge mistake! "
Here, he deliberately showed strong emotions and took the initiative to expose his shortcomings of "greed for credit" and "recklessness".
The previous operations successfully created a character who is meticulous and highly proactive.
But based on his past life experience, he knew that leaders don't actually hate subordinates with shortcomings.
Even if a subordinate is too "perfect" and too meticulous, the leader will be wary and cautious.
At the same time, the defect of "greed for credit" can also cover up logical problems.
After all, the original owner's act of arresting people was really stupid, and Zhao Duan couldn't explain it.
Then just admit your guilt: I am just eager to make a contribution and want to take the credit, so what?
With the previous year of self-degradation as a prelude, some advances are not surprising.
Xu Zhenguan did not suspect anything, but just sighed in his heart and felt a little disappointed.
Standing in her position, she could see that there were so many officials pursuing fame, wealth and power and competing for credit.
This young guard is indeed a vulgar person who is greedy for power.
"From a small fry to your current position, are you still not satisfied?" Xu Zhenguan shook his head.
Zhao Duan shook his head and said, "I am already satisfied and do not care about the amount of power."
Xu Zhenguan asked curiously, "If not for power, then what is it for?"
Zhao Duan suddenly raised his head slightly rashly, stared at her with a fiery gaze, and said:
"For His Majesty!"
Haha... flattery... Xu Zhenguan was already immune to her subjects showing their loyalty, but Zhao Duan's next words caught her off guard.
I only heard Zhao Duan say loudly:
"Three years ago, on the day of the Xuanmen coup, I was among the chaotic army and had the honor of witnessing Your Majesty, clad in a crimson robe and bearing a precious sword, like a banished immortal descending to earth. At that moment, Your Majesty's grace was deeply engraved in my heart, and I have been unable to forget it for countless days and nights..."
From that moment on, my heart belonged to Your Majesty... but due to the disparity in status, I could only hide my admiration deep in my heart... until later, when Your Majesty faced the rumors, he did not deny them...
Although I have guessed a few things, I can't help but have unrealistic fantasies in my heart... I delusionally think that if I can perform great deeds and eliminate the traitors for Your Majesty, perhaps I can win Your Majesty's favor..."
Xu Zhenguan: ???
At this moment, with Zhao Duan's sudden confession, even the shrewd Queen of Dayu couldn't help but be stunned.
His eyes were evasive and his head was buzzing.
What do you mean?
Didn’t you agree to express your loyalty? Why did you suddenly confess your feelings?
Of course, she would never have thought that this was the last killer weapon Zhao Duan had been thinking hard about last night and preparing for today's defense.
A killer weapon that can perfectly fill all loopholes.
Zhao Duan knew very well that even though he was eloquent, some details and loopholes were still difficult to explain.
For example, Zhao Duan's greed for merit and reckless advance seem somewhat abrupt.
To defile oneself for the emperor for a year, facing countless slanders, and remaining true to one's original intention... This is also a bit awkward.
I couldn't help but think about it carefully.
But if you add the word "admiration", it will be different.
First of all, the original owner had indeed been coveting the empress's body from the very beginning. The reason he tried to steal the credit was that he was really anxious and wanted to show himself and win the empress's favor.
These are all facts! Not afraid of investigation!
Secondly, behavior based on "loyalty" seems somewhat unreliable, but if it is based on the logic of a bootlicker, it is much more credible.
Imagine:
The original owner, a bootlicker, was drawn to the empress's promises and indulged in self-admiration. That's why he took a huge risk, using himself as bait and bearing the infamy...
Isn’t that much more reasonable?
As for grabbing the credit, haha, isn't it unreasonable for a bootlicker to get carried away and do something stupid on impulse?
Most importantly, Zhao Duan has a profound insight into human nature:
No one would really dislike a good-looking person of the opposite sex who is so infatuated with you that he or she would rather give up his or her life for you!
Therefore, he felt that as long as he used this powerful weapon, no matter what the empress did, she would not kill him.
At this moment, when he loudly expressed his love, the majestic and elegant Empress Dayu in front of him lost her composure for the first time.
She first turned her head to confirm that the door was closed and no one outside could hear it, then she breathed a sigh of relief.
Immediately, he looked over with a strange look in his eyes, his expression was very complicated, bewildered, stunned, surprised, embarrassed, and he didn't know whether to laugh or cry...
As one of the rare female emperors in history and a martial arts expert, Xu Zhenguan certainly would not behave like an ordinary woman.
All in all, I can still hold on.
But how to put it... This was the first time in her life that she had expressed herself so bluntly.
"Ah, Your Majesty, please forgive me. I lost my composure." Zhao Duan knew when to stop and quickly bowed his head to apologize.
…
There was a long silence.
Xu Zhenguan finally let out a deep breath and said:
"This won't happen again."
At this point, all her doubts were dispelled, and she accepted the fact that her "rumored boyfriend" was a loyal and talented person.
Zhao Duan suppressed the urge to raise the corners of his mouth, and suddenly remembered something, feeling that it was necessary to consolidate the victory.
He said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. By the way, I have something else to report."
"...Just tell me," Xu Zhenguan added, "don't talk nonsense."
Zhao Duan said with a serious expression:
"It's about this rebellious incident. I was interrogating Zhuang Xiaocheng's maid a while ago and made an unexpected discovery."
He immediately told Yunxi how he discovered the loophole from her mouth, how he connected the cause and effect, and his guesses.
Xu Zhenguan didn't take it seriously at first, but when he heard half of it, her face became serious. When he finished speaking, she frowned:
"So, you suspect this is a murder plot set up by the Kuangfu Society against Ma Yan?"
Zhao Duan nodded:
"It's just speculation, there's no evidence. Moreover, if that sorcerer is truly powerful, it would be sheer luck that I'm still alive."
His words seemed plain and simple, but in fact, he was actively giving the Empress the loophole that he was not dead.
As expected, Xu Zhenguan shook his head and said:
"You're not worthy of his full force. Just like when you crush an ant, you only use the strength you think is enough to crush it. Fortunately, you were wearing a heart guard to prevent the disaster."
"Your Majesty is wise!" Zhao Duan flattered him.
Xu Zhenguan pondered for a moment and said:
"I will consider this matter myself. Let me first discuss your punishment."
Huh? I've contributed so much and performed so hard, but I still have to be punished? ... Zhao Duan opened his mouth.
Xu Zhenguan seemed to see what he was thinking and said calmly:
"You did a good job regarding Feng Ju, but you should also know that if I need a knife, I will have one without you having to deliver it."
"As for the clue you mentioned about the Kuangfu Society, even if we send Ma Yan to investigate, we will still get it."
"As for your self-contamination...it has nothing to do with this case."
Zhao Duan restrained his expression, knowing that the empress's words were correct.
These so-called merits can actually be achieved by anyone else, and it is not necessary for him to be the only one.
Therefore, his goal from beginning to end was to show that he was "useful".
Xu Zhenguan continued:
"I can protect you this time, but the ministers are all talking nonsense. As the Son of Heaven, I must give them an explanation. Otherwise, I will be given excuses and become known as a tyrant."
After a pause, her voice turned majestic:
"So, since this incident was your fault, you must make amends. If you can apprehend Zhuang Xiaocheng by the end of the year, you will not only be pardoned but also rewarded. But if you fail... you will be punished according to the Law of Dayu!"
So, the death penalty was changed to suspended death penalty?
No, that’s not how “suspended death sentence” is interpreted…
There was still more than half a year left... Zhao Duan's heart sank, knowing that this was the best result he could achieve right now:
"Your Majesty, I will bring the thief's leader to justice!"
Thinking in my heart:
Let's get through the current crisis first, at least we can get half a year to breathe. After half a year, maybe the situation will change.
Xu Zhenguan said "yes", and seeing his serious expression, he suddenly smiled and said:
"I have a clear distinction between rewards and punishments. Mistakes must be punished, but merits must also be rewarded."
"Tell me, what reward do you want? I can give it to you."
Zhao Duan raised his head, his eyes burning:
"Anything?"
The beautiful lady Xu Zhenguan glanced at him, as if to say, don't be ungrateful.
Zhao Duan said loudly without hesitation:
"After this incident, I deeply feel my own weakness. I beg Your Majesty to grant me the method to cultivate and advance."
Xu Zhenguan smiled and said, "Which path of cultivation do you want to take?"
Zhao Duan hesitated and asked, "Tianshi Mansion?"
He was quite interested in sorcerers. Tianshi Mansion and Shenlong Temple were the two major holy places for cultivation in Dayu. Most of the high-quality sorcerers came from there, but he didn't want to be a monk.
Xu Zhenguan chuckled and shook his head.
Is that not possible... Have I raised my requirements?
Yes, it’s not that easy to enter the holy land of cultivation (Peking University and Tsinghua University)... What’s more, I am a warrior... Zhao Duan was disappointed.
"The inheritance of the Tianshi Mansion is too poor, so it's better not to practice it."
Xu Zhenguan used the calmest voice to say the most domineering words:
"Since you are mine, I will allow you to follow the most powerful path of cultivation in this world."
Thanks to book friend Angel 1998 for the 500 coins support~
(End of this chapter)
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