The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 288 - 253, Empress: What are the two of you doing?

"Your Majesty, Princess Yunyang is inside."

Time moved backward.

Before Zhao Douan was captivated by the singing, the Empress walked to the outside of the Zen room and saw the young nun stop in her tracks, putting her palms together gracefully, her delicate eyebrows and eyes indicating towards the Zen room:

"I will wait outside the door."

She then retreated to the distant garden.

Xu Zhenguan nodded in satisfaction, her lotus steps lightly moving as she pressed her hand on the door.

With a creak, the light from inside the room spilled out along the threshold.

The Zen room’s furnishings were extremely simple, practically bare.

On the floor covered with mats, a figure lay sideways.

Beside her, on the low table, an oil lamp dimmed like a bean.

A torn scripture was carelessly thrown aside, and the floor was scattered with papers filled with writing.

Xu Zhenguan bent down and picked up a piece, only to see a large ink character "Xu" written on it.

"Who?"

The half-asleep Princess awoke, sitting up alertly and turning her head back.

She was no longer wrapped in her signature red dress but in a plain-coloured nun’s robe.

Only her thick hair remained messily coiled up, her face, formerly plump and delicate, had noticeably thinned.

"It’s you!"

Princess Yunyang, almost forgotten, was taken aback and then her expression turned icy:

"Our Great Yu Dynasty’s Empress, who manages myriad affairs daily, how come you have time to come here?"

Xu Zhenguan held the white paper full of "Xu" characters and sighed softly.

She loosened her fingers, allowing the paper to fall as she gazed sadly at her own aunt, saying:

"Prince Jing sent spies to the capital again, tonight, Zhao Douan orchestrated the eliminations of those spies and also exposed the ministers who sided with Uncle Jing."

The smirking Princess Yunyang was stunned, then suddenly cursed joyfully:

"Men of the Xu family, not a single one of them is good!"

...

...

Bodhisattva?

In the tranquil courtyard. Continue your journey at novelbuddy

Moonlight illuminated the nun by the pond and an uninvited guest standing not far under the trees.

Though he had never seen an image of a White-Clothed Bodhisattva, Zhao Douan instinctively guessed the identity of the figure.

Because just from eye contact, he keenly felt an overwhelming subtle pressure.

It was not something that the Divine Chapter Realm could impose.

It was a presence stronger than what he had felt at the tavern when Bian Ji had lost his composure.

Following immediately was another thought:

"She is fifty-two?!"

Zhao Douan remembered the information Zhenbao had given.

But the woman before him, the Bodhisattva, didn’t look aged at all.

Hmm… her entire being displayed a perplexing youthfulness.

That is, although her outward appearance seemed about the same age as the Empress,

the look in her eyes and the mature aura that only time could refine indicative of a "mature woman" added to her charm.

Appearance, twenty-eight; gaze, fifty-two...

The power of a Great Cultivator’s youth-preserving technique?

Zhao Douan hesitated, people like Ma Yan, Xue Shence, whose cultivation was also formidable, did not appear young… If saying magicians were special… but even Old Wang from the Heavenly Master Mansion looked elderly...

Hmm, speaking of which, Bian Ji was indeed youthful… but his age itself wasn’t very high...

Many bizarre thoughts flashed through his mind briefly before he extinguished them.

Zhao Douan took a deep breath and tentatively said:

"Bodhisattva?"

The Bodhisattva by the pond smiled more compassionately, her eyes brimming with laughter, as she gently nodded.

Really... Zhao Douan marveled, thinking that this was far from what he had imagined.

"Young Zhao Douan, it is an honor to meet the Bodhisattva."

He gathered his scattered thoughts and solemnly bowed:

"Does the Bodhisattva know me?"

Facing such a high-level cultivator, he did not adopt an official’s demeanor but simply referred to himself as "junior."

He also did not explain why he was here... He believed that the other party could definitely sense the arrival of the Empress, or at least, other nuns along the way would report.

Meanwhile, he caught that when she uttered his name, it was in a declarative tone.

The Bodhisattva, half-dry from a bath in the pond not long ago, looked at him with interest and said:

"I heard that Bian Ji met you recently, his Buddhist heart was shaken, and after returning, he rushed to see Xuan Yin to stabilize his spirit."

"...This is bad, I fear I’ve been remembered with resentment..."

"But, even the Buddha’s resolve is shaken?"

"It disturbed the abbot of the Heavenly Human Realm, Master Xuan Yin?"

"Is this an exaggeration..."

Zhao Douan opened his mouth, recalling the last encounter with Master Bian Ji.

He indeed had not anticipated that there would be so many repercussions.

And subconsciously thought that the White-Clothed Bodhisattva in front of him, by bringing up this matter, intended to trouble him...

"This is about someone’s fellow practitioner’s path of cultivation; it sounds no minor matter."

"Tch."

The White-Clothed Bodhisattva, seemingly perceiving his inner worries or perhaps finding the nervous young man before her amusing, let out a light chuckle.

She slowly shook her head,

"Do not worry too much. Although Master Bian Ji and I are from the same sect, we are not like-minded. I will not take out his anger on you, ha, as for Master Xuan Yin, even less so is he my concern."

Hmm... That sounds like something is indeed amiss... Could it be that the high ranks at the Divine Dragon Temple also are not united in heart?

Yes, much like how the numerous ministers in the royal court are political rivals... it is not surprising that there are struggles within the Divine Dragon Temple...

As Zhao Douan’s thoughts raced, his face showed gratitude, and he smiled,

"I appreciate the Bodhisattva’s guidance. I truly did not know Master Bian Ji’s heart was disturbed; I can only apologize in person when we meet again."

The White-Clothed Bodhisattva found him increasingly interesting, shaking her head,

"I did not mean to warn you intentionally. Rather, it’s you who—as the rumors suggest—possess intricate thoughts.

What’s more rare is that you managed to shake Master Bian Ji, indicating an extraordinary root of wisdom. Would you consider aiding me in my cultivation?"

Uh...?!

The first part of her statement was normal, but towards the end, Zhao Douan’s expression turned blank, his mind briefly crashing:

"Bodhisattva, are you asking me to become a nun?"

He blurted this out almost subconsciously.

After saying it, Zhao Douan grinned, feeling it somewhat absurd.

As for "aid me in my cultivation," he automatically interpreted it as an invitation to join the Buddhist faith.

One could imagine, a mere mortal like himself, how could he possibly assist a great being who has achieved Perfection in this world?

"The poor nun also lacks a male disciple under her wing," the White-Clothed Bodhisattva said with a Mona-Lisa-like smile.

Zhao Douan gave an awkward smile, using an excuse to reject,

"Bodhisattva, please don’t jest. I am an official appointed by the Great Yu. If His Majesty heard this, I’d have a hard time explaining."

Yet, the White-Clothed Bodhisattva seemed not to hear clearly; she put down the comb in her hand and beckoned,

"Come closer; let this poor nun see just how exceptional your root of wisdom truly is."

Zhao Douan frowned, wondering if even the Empress’ title held no sway.

The next second, he froze; he saw a subtle cunning light flicker in the eyes of the lakeside Bodhisattva.

Their gazes met.

Zhao Douan felt as if struck by lightning, the Qi Sea within his body surged like a tide.

The Inner Qi that circulated through his meridians felt as if grasped by an invisible hand, brutally yanked!

"Boom!"

Zhao Douan felt all his blood rush to his head, his eyes bloody red, his soul seemed to leave his body.

The next second, his nearly detached soul abruptly dropped back into his body, his Qi writhing erratically within him.

Yet, there was no pain, instead a sense of exhilaration and relief...

As if his cultivation had been forcibly elevated...

Visit freёnovelkiss.com for the 𝑏est n𝘰vel reading experience.

Unbelievable!

"Bodhisattva..."

Zhao Douan was about to question when he shockingly realized that he had lost control over his body.

He watched helplessly as his legs moved forward, walking straight toward the beckoning White-Clothed Bodhisattva by the pond.

Something’s wrong!

Zhao Douan felt sudden anxiety, sweat beading on his forehead.

He could sense that, as they drew closer, the "Half-step God" lodged deep in his dantian showed signs of awakening.

And just at this critical moment...

A subtle and indescribably powerful force field quietly enveloped the entire Jizhao Temple.

The lotus pond, filled with faded lotuses, inexplicably rippled in layers, then churned and boiled, the noise growing like a tide.

The White-Clothed Bodhisattva sighed with a hint of helplessness.

A night breeze easily severed the mysterious connection between the Bodhisattva and Zhao Douan.

Zhao Douan instantly regained control of his body.

At the same time, he saw a bright yellow Dragon Robe slowly floating down in front of him.

"Your Majesty! You’ve come out?" Zhao Douan was nearly moved to tears.

Xu Zhenguan softly "Hmm"ed, shielding himself behind his pony.

His expressionless face turned towards the lakeside, where the coolly dressed Bodhisattva stood.

Raising his eyebrows, he demanded, "I need an explanation."