As soon as she opened her eyes, she was forcibly carried back to the East Palace by the paranoid pri

Winter passed in a flash, and the spring rain was drizzling and flowing. Letters after letters went from Yuncheng to the Duan family clan, and then from the clan's hands to He Yue's hands.

In the outer courtyard study of the inner three houses, Duan Chuanhe was reviewing all the policy essays he had written within a month for his mistress. As usual, he would show them to the teacher first, and if he felt that they were good, he would pass them on to the clan elders.

But after he became the second young master, the policy essays had to be reviewed by the mistress herself. Deep-rooted ideas were not easy to eradicate. Duan Chuanhe thought it was just a formality at first, but gradually he discovered that although the mistress did not understand the specifications and structure of policy essays, she could see through the core of the policy essays and the essence of the decrees issued by the court at a glance.

After a few more times, Duan Chuanhe realized that the mistress actually understood the thoughts of the superiors rather than the court. She could guess the purpose of the emperor's issuing decrees.

No wonder the clan asked him to interact more with the mistress! People are bound to be curious about the unknown secrets, and Duan Chuanhe is more and more curious about what the mistress looked like in the past.

He couldn't help but boldly look up at her appearance when his mistress wasn't noticing.

Her stunning beauty, in the spring sunset, seems to contain a soft white jade ornament, with jade-like bones.

One of the most luxurious and elegant ornaments in the world.

Duan Chuanhe sometimes thought, how great it would be if he was really the legitimate son born from her womb! He wouldn't have to plan every step, he should have everything as soon as he was born.

Xiaobi placed the sealed secret letter on the desk and left.

He Yue did not avoid Duan Chuanhe who was present. She opened the seal, took out the paper and looked at it. She frowned slightly, no longer having her usual casual demeanor.

Duan Chuanhe put the policy paper in order and left. He knew that he was not qualified to look at those secret letters now.

The secret letter stated that Duan Zan was retained in Yuncheng and became a fifth-rank civil servant under Bai Huixian.

How did Duan Zan get involved with Bai Huixian? A thoughtful look appeared on He Yue's quiet face.

The next few secret letters were all Duan Zan's daily words and deeds, and there was nothing wrong with them.

Almost all the servants and maids around Duan Zan were spies planted by the clan.

He Yue sighed, put the secret letter aside, and rubbed her forehead.

"I hope nothing happens. Duan Zan will just be played around by Bai Huixian."

…………

Duan Zan from Yuncheng has been living a very comfortable life these days. He originally thought that he would be assigned to be a county magistrate in a remote area after arriving, after all, that was what was written in the internal selection documents.

But he never expected that Lord Bai from the Ministry of Revenue would be so fond of him that he personally made arrangements to keep him in Yuncheng and even gave him an idle official position of the fifth rank.

He went back to living the life of the Duan family. Without any rules to restrain him, he became more and more unbridled. It was common for him to spend whole nights in the private courtyards of various prostitutes.

But today was different from the past, he was almost exhausted.

"Your subordinate, your subordinate cannot do it!" Duan Zan shouted, his delicate eyebrows drooping, "Your subordinate has no intention of going any further, it's good enough now!"

What the hell is this?! He really doesn't want to be promoted! He also doesn't want to go to the palace to pay homage to His Majesty!

Bai Huixian, who was sitting opposite him, smiled kindly, leaned over and patted his shoulder, and said in a calm tone, "Duan Zan, you are a talented person! I am here to promote you. I have already mentioned your entry into the palace to Guan Gonggong. After you pack up, come with me!"

Telling lies is very conscienceless. Fortunately, Bai Huixian no longer has much conscience. Before meeting Duan Zan, Bai Huixian thought that the Duan family was a very cruel family. After meeting them, he felt that the Duan family's methods were still very gentle.

He actually tolerated Duan Zan as the only legitimate son for so many years. If the Duan family was really handed over to Duan Zan, I'm afraid the Duan family would be ruined in this generation.

Duan Zan's face fell, but no matter how reluctant he was, he still followed Bai Huixian into the palace obediently.

The palace was just as he imagined, magnificent and solemn everywhere. He and Bai Huixian walked to His Majesty's Yongding Palace. The road was so long! He walked for almost half an hour, and his legs and feet were almost broken!

They followed the eunuch to the door of the study in Yongding Palace. Before he was summoned, Duan Zan huddled obediently to one side, staring at the cloud-patterned bricks and stones under his feet with his head down.

The voices of palace maids begging for mercy could be faintly heard from the study in Yongding Palace.

"Your Majesty, please give me another chance! Please give me some more time! I will definitely be able to find out the whereabouts of the jade bracelet!"

The maid's voice was filled with despair, as if she had been pushed to the edge of a cliff, and if she took another step she would fall and be crushed to pieces! Another round of kowtows could be heard.

Duan Zan's face froze and his whole body trembled. Just as the rumors said, this palace was a den of dragons and tigers. If you were not careful, even your bones would be devoured!

Lord Bai, who was always peaceful, uttered a low "hmm". He had a good memory and the voice belonged to Xiao Taozi, the former maidservant of the Queen.

What's going on here?

The study door was opened, and Xiao Taozi was dragged out by two eunuchs. Blood was dripping from her forehead, staining half of her face. She kept saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your mercy! Thank you, Your Majesty, for your mercy!"

I guess my life was saved.

Xiao Guanzi flicked his whisk and raised his voice with the feminine tone of an eunuch, "Master Bai, Master Duan, His Majesty summons you."

Duan Zan followed behind Bai Huixian timidly, then knelt stiffly and said, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you!"

I am indeed a humble minister who cannot be any smaller. Generally, officials below the fourth rank are not qualified to meet His Majesty. He is just blessed by Lord Bai!

"rise."

Your Majesty's voice was dignified, clear, lonely and indifferent. After Bai Huixian stood up, Duan Zan also stood up on his trembling legs.

Duan Zan tried his best to reduce his presence, but in fact he was the main figure in this meeting between the emperor and his ministers.

"You are a member of the Duan family. I met the previous head of the Duan family several times when I was young. He was a talented person with great talents and ambitions." Ning Rushong glanced at Duan Zan below and said slowly.

The previous head of the Duan family, Duan Qidai, left officialdom and returned to the Duan family to become the head of the family when Emperor Jingmu became increasingly obsessed with seeking immortality.

The next news he received was his death, and Ning Rushong once expressed regret.

However, Ning Rushong didn't know at this moment how glad he would be that Duan Qidai was gone.

Duan Zan was already used to people mentioning his father first when they spoke to him for the first time. He answered respectfully, "I'm sure my father would be very happy to be praised by Your Majesty!"

"Is the Duan family still determined to stay away from the world?" Ning Rushong asked calmly.

"This...this..." Duan Zan didn't know how to answer for a moment, so he simply belittled himself, "I am an out-and-out playboy in my family, I really don't know!"