The First Lackey Under The Empress

The room fell silent.

Only the scarlet embers in the copper basin on the carpet in the room flickered dimly.

Zhao Du'an leaned back against the bed, and couldn't help but gently pinch his brow, smiling wryly:

"If that's really the case, then His Majesty's trip to Shenlong Temple just now has fulfilled the wishes of Dajing and the Western Regions Ancestral Temple."

Speaking of this, his heart stirred:

If Zhenbao has already seen through all of this, then still choosing to make such a big show of causing trouble... If it's purely for venting anger and demonstrating the authority of the court, there's really no need to use this method.

Xu Zhenguan sat on a round stool, her phoenix eyes glanced at him, and smiled slightly:

"Although that's true, doesn't this also conform to the interests of the court?"

Zhao Du'an blinked his big eyes: "Your Majesty, you mean..."

Xu Zhenguan sighed and said seriously: "From the perspective of these two Buddhist sects, the court's position has always been consistent, which is to not want the two to merge into one."

Zhao Du'an was startled, and then suddenly realized.

That's right.

The Eastern and Western Buddhist sects have been confronting each other for hundreds of years, what is the attitude of the Dayu Dynasty? On the one hand, the imperial court is on good terms with Shenlong Temple, and on the other hand, it also maintains trade relations with the Western Regions.

Because for the Dayu Dynasty, a divided Buddhist sect is a good Buddhist sect.

Once the East and West merge into one, it may mean the emergence of a behemoth, which is definitely not what the Empress wants to see.

"The Shenlong Temple branch has grown increasingly large in the past two hundred years. In terms of strength, it has caught up with, or even surpassed, the Western Regions Ancestral Temple. That's why Xuan Yin is so concerned about completing the great cause of promoting the merger during his tenure as abbot."

Xu Zhenguan explained softly, her tone somewhat emotional:

"The court's position on the surface is one of non-opposition and non-support, but if there is an opportunity to weaken Shenlong Temple and balance its power with the Western Regions, it is not a bad thing. Of course, the premise is that the Western Regions cannot be too strong either."

Zhao Du'an understood.

For the Empress, Shenlong Temple is an important force for balancing the Western Regions Buddhist Ancestral Temple.

Shenlong Temple can't be too weak, but it's not good if it's too strong either.

"I heard that the Western Regions seem to have sent people into Dayu territory," Zhao Du'an said suddenly.

Xu Zhenguan nodded and said, "In a few days, they should arrive in the capital."

"What are they here for?"

"Two things, one is to represent the Western Regions and discuss next year's trade with the court. It's already winter, and the end of the year is coming in the blink of an eye, so these things should be discussed as usual. The other thing is to find trouble with Shenlong Temple. There won't be a big fight, but there will definitely be debates on Buddhist scriptures to compete in Buddhist teachings.

It's not the first time. When the monks from the Western Regions come, they will definitely pull Shenlong Temple into debates to compete for victory, in order to tell the world who has inherited the essence and orthodoxy of Buddhism," Xu Zhenguan explained.

Debate on Buddhist scriptures?

Good heavens, that old Confucian scholar Zheng Yang just left, and now a group of monks are coming... Well, but the difference is that the monks are not looking for trouble with the Empress...

If the previous guess is true, and the Dajing monk has defected to the Western Regions, then the search may not find anyone. Can this revenge only be sought from the Western Regions monks?

Ask them for the person? Demand that Dajing be handed over... Heh, that's a fantasy.

Not to mention that the other party is impossible to hand over, just saying that the "Dajing defected to the Western Regions" is just an unsubstantiated speculation...

Zhao Du'an frowned slightly, and didn't have a good impression of the upcoming Western Regions delegation.

"Your Majesty, I don't know much about the Western Regions Ancestral Temple. I only heard that the Ancestral Temple in the small countries of the Western Regions is like a supreme emperor, possessing the highest authority. The Dharma King is their leader, and the monks under the Dharma King seem to be divided into several sects?"

Xu Zhenguan said "En" and said:

"That's true. The monks under the Western Regions Ancestral Temple are divided into five directions, that is, five sects, distinguished by the color of their hats, namely red, white, green, yellow, and black monk groups. The leaders of the sects are revered as gurus. As for the monks there, they are called 'Tantric practitioners'."

After a pause, she added:

"The leader of this delegation is the Red Sect guru, who has the name of 'Holy Monk'."

Distinguished by the color of their hats?

Good heavens, then wouldn't the green monk group here all be wearing green hats... Oh, they are monks, so it's okay... And 'Holy Monk', is his secular surname Tang or Chen? Does he have a monkey by his side?

Zhao Du'an complained in his heart, and couldn't help but feel a little curious.

Xu Zhenguan didn't continue to talk in depth, but instead said:

"Alright, you don't need to worry about these things. Your current task is to recuperate. Dajing may not be able to escape, even if he does escape, I promise you that I will catch him back sooner or later. Before that, you can vent your anger on Longshu."

After a pause, she suddenly thought of something interesting and said:

"This group of monks should also be the last group of foreigners before the end of the year. You should recuperate at home, and then spend the year peacefully. However, when the end of the year is near, some generals and dukes guarding the border of Dayu will return. At that time, when Duke Zhenguo returns, he might come to you."

Duke Zhenguo? Tang Daren?

The "Little Duke" Tang Ping's old man?

Zhao Du'an was stunned. He didn't give Duke Tang, who was guarding Xiping Road, any face when he punished the Little Duke in the Shenji Camp.

But... I later transferred Tang Ping back to the Shenji Camp, so this matter should be over... right?

"The Duke Zhenguo's family dotes on the Little Duke extremely and is very protective," Xu Zhenguan said with a smile.

"...Your Majesty, I think it's also good to go on a business trip during the New Year..."

"Heh heh," Xu Zhenguan rolled her eyes and deliberately scared him:

"You clean up the mess you made yourself."

Zhao Du'an's eyes rolled around and said:

"Your Majesty, I made a military order to catch Zhuang Xiaocheng before the end of the year..."

"You were seriously injured for the country, I allow you to extend the deadline a little, there's no rush now."

"...Uh." Zhao Du'an had no temper and slumped down, aggrieved like an abandoned dog (pretending).

The Empress snorted and pretended to stand up and leave, saying:

"Seeing that you are in good spirits, I am relieved. Stay in the palace tonight, and go home tomorrow morning when you can move."

"Your Majesty..." Zhao Du'an became anxious and reached out to grab the Empress's wrist, which felt smooth and warm to the touch.

"En?" Xu Zhenguan turned her head back and stared at him with unkind eyes.

Zhao Du'an said weakly: "Your Majesty, I feel like I'm not doing well, I need care."

As he spoke, he pretended to cover his chest, but touched his wound, screamed, and grimaced in pain.

Xu Zhenguan panicked and subconsciously stepped forward, bending down to investigate, but when she caught a glimpse of the triumphant look in Zhao Du'an's eyes, she immediately realized that she had been tricked.

Angrily, she reached out and pinched the fat on his waist, using the female talent skill "Twist".

"Ah--it hurts, it hurts, it hurts...Your Majesty, spare my life!" Zhao Du'an howled.

Xu Zhenguan sneered and said: "Are you honest or not?"

"Honest."

"Are you okay or not?"

"Not okay...Ah, okay, okay, okay!"

"Do you want me to take care of you?"

"...I feel that my injury has suddenly healed, Your Majesty is busy with everything, don't delay your time, I respectfully send Your Majesty off!"

Heh!

Can't I cure you?

Xu Zhenguan's lips curled up slightly, her eyes revealed complacency, she withdrew her hand and turned to walk towards the door.

Zhao Du'an grimaced, lay on the bed, and watched the Empress's back walk out of the room, feeling a little reluctant.

But as an emperor, and having just made such a big scene with Shenlong Temple, it is conceivable that at this moment, all the court officials in the capital are probably already rushing to the palace, wanting to inquire about the situation.

The Empress also needs to smooth things over.

"Alas, alone in an empty boudoir," Zhao Du'an lay in the bright and warm room, and then remembered Eunuch Hai and others who had been left behind on the way back to Beijing.

"Well, do Lao Hai and the others know that I teleported back? Probably not... Uh, but after the Dajing monk assassinated me, he must be in a hurry to escape. Facing the crowd's siege, Lao Hai and the others shouldn't be injured...

"Tsk, speaking of which, I don't know if the letter I sent back when I was in Huting has arrived..."

...

Outside the room.

Xu Zhenguan walked out for the second time. The sky outside was getting darker, and a cold wind brushed her face. She looked at a group of female officials waiting respectfully outside the door and found that everyone's eyes were a little strange.

En...

As those who witnessed Lord Zhao's injury, His Majesty's visit, and then the entire process of making a scene at Shenlong Temple, they didn't say it, but they all guessed that His Majesty was so angry because of Lord Zhao...

So, the rumors are true? His Majesty really has something with Lord Zhao...

"What are you all doing standing here? Disperse," Xu Zhenguan frowned helplessly, "By the way, pass down the order to release all the people who were previously placed under house arrest."

She initially blocked the news of Zhao Du'an's injury because she hadn't figured out what had happened.

Now that she has confronted Shenlong Temple, there is no need to keep it secret.

"Yes!"

A group of servants bowed and saluted, but saw the "Female Prime Minister" Mo Chou, wrapped in a cotton skirt and with plum blossom makeup on her brow, walking over in a hurry, holding up her skirt.

Mo Chou glanced at the Empress with complicated and resentful eyes, and said in a low voice:

"Your Majesty, a secret letter has been delivered."

"Letter?"

"It was sent by Lord Zhao from Huting. It was delivered a little late due to the bad weather."

Actually, it wasn't late, but Zhao Du'an used "teleportation", directly saving half the journey, and actually arrived in the capital earlier than the letter sent out.

Xu Zhenguan raised her eyebrows and reached out to take it.

Tearing open the envelope and unfolding the letter, it really contained Zhao Du'an's experiences after arriving in Huting... But she had already heard all of this orally just now. The Empress quickly swept to the end and was suddenly stunned.

"In addition, I am enjoying the scenery of Jiangnan in the Humble Administrator's Garden, which is different from the capital. In a trance, my thoughts drifted, and I thought of Your Majesty admiring the scenery in the Imperial Garden at that moment.

It was as if I saw ten thousand taels of gold in an empty mountain and poor valley, besides the white herons and reeds, there was a beautiful person.

I ask myself, am I moved?

I say: Move, move, move, move, move, move, move, move, move..."

Xu Zhenguan stared blankly at the dense string of "move" characters in the second half of the secret letter, and a crimson blush suddenly surged onto her cheeks.

Her small expression changed uncertainly, and suddenly gritted her teeth, turned around abruptly, kicked open the door again, and walked in.

Leaving Mo Chou and others looking blank, not understanding what had happened.

"Eh, Your Majesty? Why are you back again?" Zhao Du'an was in a daze, and was overjoyed to see Zhenbao returning, but then saw that she was holding the letter in her hand, and the smile froze on his face.

The Empress reached out with both hands in embarrassment and anger, and once again used the "Twist" skill:

"I told you to move, move, move, why aren't you moving?"

"Ah...I'm not moving, I dare not move...I dare not move..."

Outside the door.

A group of female officials listened blankly to the vulgar words coming from the crack in the door, whispering to each other.

Only Mo Chou felt as if she had been shot with an arrow in her waist, and she slumped, raising her head silently to look at the sky, only to feel a sudden coldness between her eyebrows, slowly melting away.

She paused, extended her hand, and saw a snowflake falling into her palm.

It was snowing.

… …

… …

West of the capital was Xiping Province.

At this moment, the north wind rolled, and the cold wind was as sharp as a knife.

Snowflakes slowly fell from the sky, the first snow of the third year of Tianfeng in the Great Yu Dynasty arrived as promised.

A long convoy hurriedly arrived at a dilapidated temple near the official road to avoid the wind and snow.

Accompanied by shouts, monks known as "Tantric Practitioners" began to lead their horses and get out of the carriages.

"Master!"

A Western Regions monk walked to a carriage with strange totems painted on the curtain and respectfully explained the situation.

The curtain was lifted, and an old monk with dark skin, like an old monkey, walked out. He was wearing a red monk's robe and a red monk's hat, but the style was different from the other practitioners.

A string of white ivory beads hung around his neck.

In his sunken eye sockets, his eyes were full of the light of wisdom.

"Master, are we going into the temple?"

A young novice also emerged from the carriage, a boy of about ten years old.

Dressed in the same red monk's robe, his appearance had the typical three-dimensional features of a Western Regions person, but his demeanor and behavior were different from the wildness of the Western Regions, and instead resembled the people of the Great Yu Dynasty.

He was busy stuffing the flag box into the box.

"Yes, let's go into the temple." The chief of the Western Regions delegation, the Red Sect's Guru "Holy Monk," smiled and straightened the little monk's hat.

"Let's wait for the princess."

The little monk named Danche looked towards the end of the convoy.

It turned out that the Western Regions delegation was divided into two groups: the monks in the front and another group of Western Regions people dressed as warriors with scimitars on their waists in the rear.

Together, they surrounded a carriage. At this moment, a strong Western Regions female warrior emerged from the carriage first.

She was wearing leather armor, tall, her hair braided into loose braids, her skin rough and red, the scimitar at her waist inlaid with gems, and her eyes sharp and vigilant.

After the female warrior got out of the carriage and said something, a woman came down from the carriage again.

It was actually a typical Yu person.

The woman was about forty years old, wearing Yu-style clothes and skirts, and her coiled black hair was adorned with many colorful gems.

However, it could not hide the woman's face, which had been tempered by the years, but was still outstanding.

The woman's expression was gentle, but she had her own majesty. She was not intimidated by a group of warriors. Instead, the large group of warriors respectfully saluted.

"Princess Wenzhu…"

The old monk wearing a red hat and ivory prayer beads said with emotion, "Traveling with the princess who is returning to Yu to visit her relatives, Danche, do you know what this means?"

The little monk, carrying a bamboo box on his back, shook his head honestly:

"I don't know."

The old monk put his hands behind his back and said:

"In previous years, trade negotiations with the Yu Kingdom only required sending a Western Regions official.

This year, Princess Wenzhu is personally returning, presumably related to the struggle for the throne within the Yu Kingdom's royal family. Alas, a princess who has been married off should not interfere in her mother's family affairs, but how can she not care when blood is thicker than water?"

Danche was at a loss: "This disciple does not quite understand."

The old monk smiled and did not explain.

He just put his palms together towards the princess in the distance, who was sent to the Western Regions for marriage by the late emperor during the reign of the former emperor because he disliked her, and has since been stationed in the Western Regions, gradually becoming a leader.

Princess Wenzhu also smiled and saluted him.

The two sides did not talk. After the greeting, the two groups walked into the rather large temple.

Snowflakes fell one after another, and the north wind howled.

The monks and warriors entered the temple and each occupied a distinct area, skillfully making a fire and boiling water.

The old monk glanced at the broken statue of the Earth God in the temple, shook his head, and gently waved his hand, and the dust on the ground disappeared as if it were new.

Before long, the fire was lit, and the snow fell and the sky darkened outside the temple.

Danche put down the bamboo box and took out a Go board and two boxes of black and white pieces from it.

Then he knelt on the ground, picked up the chess pieces one by one with both hands, and restored the game according to his memory, preparing to restore the half game he had played with his master in the carriage just now.

If there was a Go master here, he would be greatly surprised.

This little monk who grew up in the Western Regions had an unbelievably strong memory. The seemingly disorganized restoration was such that every chess piece was placed in the same order as the previous game.

Moreover, the game was almost in the late stage, and the complexity of the board would be treated with caution even by a national master in the capital.

However, the surrounding monks were not surprised, knowing that Danche's Go skills were extremely powerful locally.

However, no one knew exactly how powerful he was.

But considering that Go was introduced from the Yu Kingdom, they subconsciously felt that Danche's Go skills must be far inferior to those of the Yu people.

Only the old monk knew how terrifying Danche's Go skills were, just as terrifying as his own deep research into Buddhism.

"Master, you said it's strange that Princess Wenzhu is leading the team, but it's also strange that you are willing to lead the team to the Yu Kingdom," Danche said softly while restoring the game:

"In the past, you were unwilling to leave the mountain.

This time to the Yu Kingdom, others say that it is because the Dharma debate at the Shenlong Temple failed and its momentum has weakened, so we orthodox sects must go there to debate the scriptures and let the Yu people know that it was not the Dharma that lost, but only the Shenlong Temple, and that the orthodoxy of the Dharma is in the ancestral court…

And your Dharma is the most profound among the five directions, probably only below the Dharma King, but I always feel that you are willing to leave the mountain for other reasons."

The old monk sat cross-legged on the ground, drinking milk tea, and looked at his disciple in surprise. After thinking for a while, he nodded solemnly:

"Yes, the purpose of this trip to the Yu Kingdom for the teacher is not only to debate the scriptures, but more importantly, to find 'Wisdom'."

Danche knelt beside the chessboard, at a loss:

"Master, what exactly is the Wisdom you are talking about?"

As a disciple, the young man knew that his master had suddenly emerged from seclusion around the spring and summer, claiming that he had "seen" "Wisdom" descending to the East.

From that time on, the "Holy Monk," a giant in the five directions of the Western Regions, seemed to be possessed, and had the idea of ​​going to the Yu Kingdom.

The old monk looked at the wind and snow outside the temple and said softly:

"My Buddha God is the 'World Honored One'. The World Honored One is the God who controls wisdom. His incarnation descending into the world is 'Wisdom'."

Danche said in surprise:

"You mean, the incarnation of the World Honored One has descended into the world? In the capital of Yu? But… isn't the incarnation of the World Honored One the Dharma King?"

"Of course not!" The old monk turned his head and glared at him:

"That is the saying of ignorant people who do not understand the Dharma. How could you believe it? The Dharma King only believes in the World Honored One. He is the reincarnation of the earliest prophet in the world who attained enlightenment and obtained the inheritance of the World Honored One… but he is not the God himself, let alone the incarnation of the God."

Danche shrank his neck, knowing that once these things were discussed, the master would become neurotic:

"But if it is the 'Wisdom' incarnated by the World Honored One, why did it appear in the capital of Yu? Is it because the Shenlong Temple is there? But obviously our ancestral court is the orthodox one…"

The Holy Monk shook his head and said: "I don't know this either. I only saw that Wisdom descended there this spring."

Danche asked curiously: "How do you find Wisdom?"

The Holy Monk said: "Wisdom descends into the world and must be extraordinary, just like a bonfire shining brightly in the night. As long as you look for those who have emerged in the capital this year, you will naturally find it."

Danche asked curiously again: "Then what happens after you find it?"

The old monk's eyes suddenly burst out with狂热ardent enthusiasm, like a converted believer:

"Wisdom is the incarnation of the World Honored One, representing the will of the World Honored One. We, as believers, should follow him."

"Then after following…"

"Shut up, play your Go. Aren't you always thinking about challenging the national master of Yu?"

"…Oh."

The little monk put down the last black piece, eliminated distracting thoughts, and entered the world of Go.

… …

On the other side of the dilapidated temple.

The tall female warrior brought the heated food to Princess Wenzhu, who was sitting by the bonfire, looking at the flying snow outside the temple.

"Princess, please eat."

Princess Wenzhu withdrew her gaze and smiled: "You sit down and eat too."

The female warrior did not refuse, sitting on the ground. She did not know how to use chopsticks, so she ate her share with a spoon:

"Princess, in a few days, we should be able to reach the capital."

"Yes." Princess Wenzhu, who was known for her love for the people in the Western Regions and was extremely supported, was a little distracted and said softly:

"Three years ago, when the news of my brother, the crown prince, and Jian Wen's death came, I was dissuaded from returning. Two years ago, when the news of Zhenguan's enthronement as emperor came, I was delayed by trivial matters and did not return. This year, I can finally go home."

After a pause, this princess in her forties sighed:

"But the family is already deserted."

The female warrior asked in confusion: "Since this is the case, why do you still want to go back?"

Princess Wenzhu was silent for a long time before shaking her head:

"I don't know either, but I always want to persuade Zhenguan. Many relatives have already died, and they cannot die anymore.

I heard that Yunyang has been banned from stepping out and locked up, seemingly because of a male concubine. She is also trying to weaken the power of the vassals and take action against her other uncles. I am worried… Zhenguan has been bewitched by treacherous officials and is doing unwise things."

The female warrior said:

"Male concubine… does that mean male courtesans? The one surnamed Zhao? I have also heard that he held the ancestral emperor of Yu's sword in the Buddha-Tao competition and defeated Tianhai of the Shenlong Temple."

Princess Wenzhu nodded, worried:

"This is what I am worried about. How can an unknown male concubine hold the ancestral sword?

Zhenguan must have secretly helped… Even for the sake of the royal family, giving the ancestral sword to a male concubine to use, how indignant would the ancestors of all ages be if they knew under the spring?

With Zhenguan's temperament, she should not have done such an absurd thing. I am afraid that she has been deceived by that treacherous official surnamed Zhao."

After a pause, she said solemnly:

"When I enter the capital, I will see how this male concubine is harming the country and the people."