The Empress's No.1 Lackey
Chapter 680 - 456. Continuous assassinations

Chapter 680: 456. Continuous assassinations

"Betting on whether the Shen family will assassinate Lord Zhao?"

Inside the swaying carriage, the Shipping Governor hesitated for a moment, then asked hesitantly.

Zhao Douan languidly leaned back on the soft cushion, murmuring softly, "To be precise, it’s whether or not I will encounter an assassination."

Would the Shen family dare to kill him? Zhao Douan wasn’t entirely sure.

In this era where imperial power rarely extended to rural areas, it is difficult to understand the strength of local "clan" forces without being a part of it.

The promotion of the New Policy fundamentally contradicts the interests of the Shen family, not to mention the death of "Mr. Shen" standing as an insurmountable event between them.

In Zhao Douan’s view, the biggest hindrance for the Shen family to take action wasn’t his title of "Junior Guardian".

He still remembered, a long time ago, the Old Director once told him a story during the late Emperor’s period, about a eunuch who was a favored minister, well-known throughout the palace, who was sent out to procure goods and was killed by locals.

The greatest difficulty probably lies in the numerous powerful warriors protecting Zhao Douan.

In addition, what he hadn’t made clear to Governor Ning was: even if the Shen family doesn’t take action, will Prince Jing Mansion just stay quiet?

The Prince Jing Mansion blamed the Shen family once, why can’t they do it a second time?

However, such higher-level struggles, due to the Shipping Governor’s limited perspective, may not immediately come to mind for him.

"Hehe, maybe I am overthinking," Zhao Douan smiled to break the heavy atmosphere. "By the way, has the news of my arrival in the city been spread?"

Seeing him change the topic, Governor Ning forced a smile:

"The prominent figures in Jianning Prefecture have all been informed. A long time ago, people knew that His Majesty is going to perform the sealing ceremony at Luo. Knowing that you are here on an imperial command to prepare for the sealing ceremony, who would dare to shirk their duties?"

In all previous dynasties, the sealing ceremony was an extremely grand affair.

The Empress’s sealing ceremony affects not only Prince Jing and the Shen family.

"Currently, the entire Jianning Prefecture and even the two provinces of Jiangnan, countless people are eagerly awaiting to meet you, hoping to contribute in the sealing ceremony." Governor Ning said.

Zhao Douan thought for a moment, then nodded and said:

"If that’s the case, it saves me time from meeting them one by one. Please arrange for me to meet with the gentry, tycoons, and various government officials in Jianning Prefecture tonight. This will facilitate the subsequent preparations for the ceremony."

Governor Ning agreed readily: "Okay."

...

The group returned to Jianning Prefecture, going straight to the Cao Transport Office. The entire afternoon, Zhao Douan reviewed documents and records in the office to understand the local promotion of the New Policy and the officials’ vacancies.

The conflict with the Shen family was barely known, as it was covered up with mutual tacit understanding from all parties.

As evening approached, Governor Ning returned with the news that the arrangements had been made. Tonight at "Jing Garden", a welcome banquet would be held, gathering individuals from all sectors in the city, both to pay respects to "Zhao Douan" and to seek an opportunity in the sealing ceremony.

Zhao Douan nodded with pleasure. At dusk, he brought a group of guards and went to Jing Garden with Governor Ning.

...

The so-called "Jing Garden" is a section with mixed structures, stone bridges, gardens, and water channels.

It is not a secluded manor but the most bustling area of Jianning Prefecture at night. Along the riverbanks, lights never extinguish. On a land protruding from the beautiful river, which flows through the city, pavilions and towers stand by the water.

It somewhat resembles an ancient version of the "Bund".

When Zhao Douan arrived, the sky was slightly dark. The antique buildings were brightly lit, lanterns reflecting red shadows in the river, and on the decorated flower boats were the city-famous singers and dancing girls already in place.

There were musical instruments accompanying the unique southern minor tunes, creating an atmospheric setting.

"So many people." Qian Kerou exclaimed, walking behind Zhao Douan with wide-open eyes.

Zhao Douan teased, "You look like someone who’s inexperienced; after all, the Yan Zhi Alley in the Capital is not lacking either."

The little secretary was quite aggrieved: "I don’t frequent brothels to listen to songs. It’s my first time witnessing this."

Indeed, Little Rou is an honest child, always clocking in and out on time, never hanging out, unlike Hou Renmeng and Shen Juan, who were already whispering criticisms about which dancing girl’s posterior was more curvaceous.

"Haha, the arrival of Lord Zhao fills the entire Jianning Prefecture with great excitement..." A local celebrity greeted obsequiously.

"Mr. Zhao, it’s me, we met in the Capital." A magnate greeted with delight.

"Lord Zhao..."

"Junior Guardian Zhao..."

Within Jing Garden, aside from the serving attendants, many well-known figures from various sectors were already gathered. Seeing the main character arrive, they eagerly converged around him.

The Prince Jing Mansion and the Shen family may not show face to Zhao Douan, but others did not dare offend him, at least not openly, ensuring proper respect.

With a smile on his face, Zhao Douan was escorted to his seat by a large group of prominent city figures, engaging in the inevitable formulaic small talk.

However, today being a "welcome banquet", both sides tacitly avoided mentioning the significant matter of the sealing ceremony.

Governor Ning smiled as he introduced each person present to Zhao Douan, while Zhao Douan matched these faces, some sycophantic, some enthusiastic, some forcing a smile, some harboring caution, with the information he had read in the afternoon.

The scene was exceptionally harmonious and amicable.

Yet, there was no one present from the Prince Jing Mansion and the Shen family.

This undoubtedly sent a certain signal.

After much activity, the banquet began, and the prepared song and dance performances officially commenced.

Accompanied by a succession of coolly dressed female attendants holding exquisite dishes and setting them before Zhao Douan, he did not rush to indulge.

Among the Inner Palace Experts, a Tributor Eunuch suddenly stood up, taking out a specially crafted magic artifact silver needle to inspect the food before Zhao Douan one by one.

After testing several dishes, when the silver needle was withdrawn from a bowl of soup, the eunuch’s eyes suddenly narrowed. He tasted the soup-stained silver needle, then quietly said to Zhao Douan, "My lord, this is enough to kill an ordinary Divine Chapter Realm practitioner, a colorless and tasteless ’entry poison’."