The First Lackey Under The Empress

The pavilion stopped shaking, and the water in the three teacups on the table no longer rippled.

Zhao Du'an feigned composure, gazing at the white-robed monk before him, and said:

“I don’t understand Buddhism very well either. What I said just now was all prejudice. Master, you can consider it yourself.”

After all, he was a high-ranking monk from Shenlong Temple. He felt that he had been a bit too forceful just now.

He was afraid that it would have the opposite effect. After all, he just wanted to get some benefits and didn't intend to make another enemy for no reason.

However, these words, falling into Bianji's ears, seemed more like some kind of comfort.

He shook his head, his mind uneasy. He had only wanted to take a simple look at this rising figure.

But he almost shook his Buddhist heart. This was something he could not have foreseen before.

Especially the other party's last Buddhist verse, although simple and unadorned, was like a steel knife, bloodily dissecting his chest, making him feel like he was sitting on pins and needles.

This… could it really be said by a junior cultivator?

“What you said, sir, this humble monk will remember today. It’s getting late, so I won’t bother you any longer. I’ll take my leave first,” Bianji said, rising.

He suppressed his mind with mantras, but this was not a long-term solution. At this moment, he had a strong feeling of wanting to return home.

“Master, please do as you wish,” Zhao Du'an said.

Then, watching the white-robed monk go downstairs and leave, he was stunned for a moment, a little dumbfounded.

He didn't expect that this monk would get a Buddhist verse from him for free, but he didn't give any indication at all.

He just left?

How could he be even more of a scam than Old Wang…

But then he thought that his deliberate PUA sentences seemed to have caused him some mental harm, so he was too embarrassed to ask for money…

“Wait, I forgot to ask him what he came to me for…”

Zhao Du'an only remembered this after the others left. He shook his head helplessly and could only ask again when he met him next time.

He hurriedly ate the pastries with tea, filled his stomach, and got up to go to the yamen.

The Little Grand Secretary had suffered a silent loss. Now that this matter was over, there was still some finishing work that he had to handle personally.

… …

… …

Shenlong Temple.

“Greetings, Master.”

In the glow of the clouds, the sweeping monks stopped to salute as Bianji returned.

However, Bianji, who would always return with a smile, seemed to have lost his soul today, walking quickly straight to the main hall in the back.

“What’s wrong with the Master today? He actually ignored us.”

“Could something urgent have happened?”

The monks looked at each other in dismay.

Main Hall.

Inside that quiet and magnificent Buddhist hall.

Bianji walked up the steps and pushed open a vermilion door. The sound of the wooden fish being struck rhythmically entered his ears.

In an instant, his restless mind calmed down.

In the hall, the huge golden Buddha statue looked down with a compassionate expression.

Wearing a brown kasaya, with eyes tightly closed, short in stature, and ordinary in appearance, he was just serious.

“Master, this disciple is confused,”

Bianji stepped over the threshold, walked behind Xuan Yin, and said respectfully.

The sound of the wooden fish being struck suddenly stopped. After several breaths, the old monk, as if his soul was wandering in the sky and only a shell remained here, slowly opened his eyes.

But he didn't turn his head to look at him, just gazing at the curling sandalwood incense in front of the Buddha statue:

“What is it?”

Bianji didn't hesitate and immediately recounted his conversation with Zhao Du'an in detail.

Finally, he said: “This disciple’s heart was moved by his words, and I felt it was wrong, so I came to ask.”

All that has form… is seeing the Tathagata… Abbot Xuan Yin chewed on this verse. On his wrinkled face, which was usually as unyielding as Mount Tai, a hint of surprise appeared, and he said:

“What do you want to ask?”

Bianji said respectfully:

“Is this disciple attached to form, trapped in attachment, but completely unaware? As Zhao Du'an said, is clinging to external appearances obscuring my original heart?”

Xuan Yin asked: “Do you think your heart is obscured?”

Bianji was at a loss: “This disciple does not know.”

Xuan Yin said calmly:

“Buddhism emphasizes letting go of attachments, but not abandoning them. To have something to hold onto, but not to be stubborn, to have a clear mind and a heart like a bright mirror, is the essence of cultivation.

Cultivation seeks the Buddha, not to cut off all suffering. When you are saving people, have you ever harbored selfish motives?

Have you ever entered a state of selflessness? Can you sacrifice yourself for others? Do you have a sincere and compassionate heart?

All these things, there is no need to ask me. You can ask yourself, and there will be no obstacles.”

Ask myself… Bianji subconsciously pressed his hand to his chest.

“Letting go of attachments, but not abandoning them… This disciple preaches for the glory of our Buddhism, with no selfishness in my heart, no self in my mind… To have something to hold onto is not an obstacle to my original heart…”

“This disciple saves all living beings. Since I advise all living beings to become Buddhas, I should also sacrifice myself for others. Just ask this heart, directly to become a Buddha…”

Bianji repeatedly questioned his heart, only feeling the dust on his heart being wiped away again and again, gradually restoring clarity and transparency.

His slightly shaken Buddhist heart not only returned to its original state but became even more stable than before.

“Amitabha, this disciple understands.”

Bianji got up and walked out of the hall with a smile.

Inside the Buddhist hall, Abbot Xuan Yin gently struck the wooden fish and murmured:

“Zhao Du'an…”

In the capital, when did such a bewitching evil spirit appear?

… …

… …

Zhao Yamen.

A moment before dark, Zhao Du'an galloped on horseback and arrived at Pear Blossom Hall.

He saw that all four of his men were waiting inside the hall.

Seeing him return, they got up to greet him: “Your subordinates greet you, sir.”

Zhao Du'an nodded and asked, “Where is the person?”

Qian Kerou understood instantly and said, “In the duty room. This humble officer will lead you there, sir.”

Inside the duty room.

Lady Lin, with an oval face, silkworm eyebrows, and a face quite similar to Consort Yuan, sat quietly on a round stool, looking anxious.

It had been almost a day since she had been brought here, but she had not been able to wait, fearing something would happen.

Until the door was pushed open, and that “traitor” who had appeared in Shenlong Temple a few days ago and extended a helping hand to her when she was about to fall into despair appeared with a smile.

“Lady Lin, we meet again.”

“Lord Zhao!” Lady Lin’s eyes lit up, and she stood up abruptly, then bowed gracefully:

“This commoner, Lin Susu, thanks you, sir, for your kindness in rescuing me.”

Zhao Du'an accepted with a smile, and then they sat down as host and guest.

After a brief greeting, Zhao Du'an saw her expression and didn't waste any more words, taking out two things from his arms.

On the left was a stack of silver notes, and on the right was a strange contract:

“I have not broken my promise to you. Since it is a transaction, now is the time to fulfill the promise.

The order for your husband's acquittal has now been sent to the south by the flying cavalry of Zhao Yamen.

Once it arrives, he will be released. Of course, you have offended Li Yinglong to the death this time. When he comes back to his senses, he may retaliate.

At that time, with the abilities of the two of you, you will probably not be able to resist… Therefore, I will give you two choices.”

Zhao Du'an pointed to the silver notes on the left:

“Take these, enough for you to leave the capital as travel expenses, reunite with your husband, and live in anonymity, starting a new life somewhere. Completely no longer associated with the government, as long as you avoid the sight of the Li family, you can live a carefree life.”

He then pointed to the commercial contract on the right:

“As for this, it is another choice. The imperial court is promoting a new policy, which will open the market and introduce merchants. The first batch will need some merchants to set an example and work for the imperial court.

There are naturally risks, but the benefits are greater. Of course, for you, the biggest advantage is that once you choose to rely on the imperial court and become a merchant paving the way for the imperial court's new policy, you will be taken care of and be safer. Li Yinglong will also have to consider it.

The disadvantage is that once you enter the imperial court, you will be involved in disputes.”

He said lightly:

“The choice is entirely up to you. There is no need to give an answer immediately. Zhao Yamen happens to have a team going to the south. You can go with them and make a decision when you arrive.”

Lin Susu raised her head in a daze.

Without hesitation, she firmly reached out and picked up the contract, only to see that the name on it was not her husband's, but her own.

“This commoner chooses this,” she said with an extremely firm tone.