The Challenge of a Farmhouse Son-in-Law-Chapter 970 - 964: The Tao That Cannot Be Spoken

The Emperor turned his head and asked Jin Zijin, "The Prince said he wants to personally investigate; what specifically does he want to investigate?"

Jin Zijin, with a gesture of respect, calmly said to the Emperor, "As a child of the Dao Family, perhaps we might allow the three young ladies to discuss, ’What is Tao?’"

What is Tao?

This question was not only challenging for the girls, but even the Emperor and the Empress found it difficult.

Empress Dowager Chen completely failed to grasp what he was talking about.

By her later years, the Empress Dowager was a firm believer in the Tao, but at that moment, she too fell into contemplation.

According to the order of the tablets, Empress Dowager Chen first called Chen Qinglian forward to answer the question.

Chen Qinglian hesitated for a while, and with reluctance, said, "The Heavenly Master, the State Preceptor represents the Tao."

This question from Jin Zijin was clearly a trap. Gu Youyou almost laughed out loud when she heard Chen Qinglian’s response—it was clearly a desperate answer.

"Hmm!" Jin Zijin, expressionless, simply nodded slightly.

"Then... let Zhang Shiyu try to explain." Empress Dowager Chen added.

"Wait," the Empress interrupted and said to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, this question from the eldest Prince is too difficult for them. They are not nuns; how would they know what Tao is?"

Jin Zijin said, "Each person has a different understanding of Tao. I only wish to hear their interpretations of what Tao is, not necessarily whether they answer correctly."

He insisted on not changing the question.

Zhang Shiyu had no choice but to step forward reluctantly.

"Tao, the Dao Sect represents the Tao," she said.

Jin Zijin merely nodded slightly again, then shifted his gaze to Gu Youyou.

Gu Youyou didn’t speak, just looked back at him.

Jin Zijin was in no hurry either, simply observing her.

This exchange of gazes between the two was baffling to everyone else, prompting even the Empress to inquire impatiently.

"Gu Youyou, can you provide an answer, or not? If you can’t, could you at least say something instead of making us all wait on you?"

Two girls watched Gu Youyou nervously.

Empress Dowager Chen appeared anxious, while the Emperor watched Gu Youyou with anticipation.

He truly wanted to see how this woman would respond to the question.

Gu Youyou shifted her gaze away, looked towards the Empress, and respectfully said, "In response to the Empress, ’The Tao that can be told of is not the absolute Tao.’ That is my answer."

"’The Tao that can be told of’?" What does this mean?

Everyone felt as if they had been played.

In contrast, Zhang Shiyu sneered and said, "According to Doctor Gu’s logic, does it mean that you looking at the eldest Prince silently is your answer, then?"

"Exactly," Gu Youyou said unflinchingly.

"Humph, really absurd," the Empress scoffed. "Gu Youyou, you are bold."

"Empress, I dare not," Gu Youyou replied respectfully yet firmly. "The Tao that can be expressed is not the eternal Tao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name. This is the first verse of the Tao Te Ching! The Tao that can be explained through words is not the true Tao. And if we name the Tao, that name cannot encompass Tao.

Thus I remain silent because Tao is ubiquitous, present in all things between heaven and earth; from the Tao comes one, from one comes two, from two comes three, from three come all things. Tao is the origin of everything, so I keep silent, for whatever I say is both right and wrong. Therefore, madam, I choose to remain silent."

The Empress was utterly confused; she hadn’t understood a word.