The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 199 - 177, didn’t Dong Xuan teach you not to randomly bark like a dog when outside?

In the pavilion.

Faced with the question from Zhao Douan, Mr. Dong hesitated for a moment, cupped his hands, and said with embarrassment,

"Our small family managed to come here by making substantial donations to the Divine Dragon Temple every year; haha, it’s not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning."

Zhao Douan let out an "oh," feeling assured in his mind.

This scholar Dong likely wasn’t from any significant official family.

Perhaps his family engaged in commerce and thus had money to donate; it’s understandable why he didn’t elaborate. Utilizing money to gain entry indeed counted as inelegant.

He didn’t associate the bookworm before him with Grandmaster Dong.

The surname "Dong" in the Great Yu Dynasty wasn’t unusual, either.

Moreover, a disciple of a Grandmaster would surely have high standards; why would he be infatuated with a gigolo they almost made fun of...

It didn’t make sense.

"And you, Brother Zhao? How did you come in?" Mr. Dong was curious.

Zhao Douan laughed, lying:

"I also got a quota with the help of an elder in my family. I heard that Master Bian Ji was personally presiding this year, so I came to take a look out of curiosity."

Mr. Dong nodded repeatedly, not thinking much of it, and never associated the "Brother Zhao" in front of him with the famous gigolo of the Empress...

The logic was clearer:

How could the Empress’s gigolo look for a common prostitute so openly to fool around?

It didn’t make sense.

Thus, the two successfully concealed their identities from each other based on their respective logic.

You Jinhua and Zhao Pan kept silent, didn’t expose Da Lang’s lie, and whispered curiously, looking around.

"Speaking of which, it’s my first time in such an occasion, but I don’t know where the big shots in the Capital gather alongside Master Bian Ji?" Zhao Douan inquired without shame.

Mr. Dong observed and smiled, saying,

"Brother Zhao, you might not know, but the Zen Garden is divided into inner and outer sections.

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Where we are now is the outer garden.

The families of those prominent figures, the invited scholars, the generous donors of the Divine Dragon Temple, or those who received invitations but didn’t have enough status are all here.

Later, during the god-worship ceremony, there will be a chance to glimpse the master. As for the real big shots, they are in the inner garden."

He raised his hand, pointing to the depths of the garden.

"Is that so..." Zhao Douan took an orange from the fruit tray, playing with it, thinking,

"Does the Divine Dragon Temple consider my status unworthy? Unfit to enter the inner garden?"

Suddenly, he empathized with the monkey made Marshal of the Stables.

Mr. Dong didn’t notice his expression; he said with enthusiasm,

"As for Master Bian Ji, he indeed arouses curiosity. It’s said he holds an exceptional position in the Divine Dragon Temple.

Master Xuan Yin, like Heavenly Master Zhang, rarely steps into the mortal world. Thus, Master Bian Ji almost serves as Master Xuan Yin’s emissary...like Mo Zhaorong is to Your Majesty..."

From the description, Zhao Douan gained a deeper understanding of the "Bian Ji Monk."

He was also a disciple of Master Xuan Yin, evidently ranked higher than Jin Jian.

Not only was his cultivation formidable, but he was also reputed to have wisdom surpassing others due to his primary practice of Buddha’s "Worldly Venerate."

He especially excelled in debate, often providing thought-provoking insights when visiting the homes of high officials.

His most renowned contribution was a minor case.

It was said that one day Master Xuan Yin, during a sermon in the temple, asked the monks,

"What is the place where all Buddhas come from?"

Everyone pondered in silence except for the youngest Bian Ji Monk, who smiled and replied,

"The place of origin does not bother the Buddha; when spring arrives, the grass turns green on its own."

Since then, the phrase "when spring arrives, the grass turns green on its own" spread widely,

cementing Bian Ji Monk’s reputation.

Some speculated that Bian Ji Monk might likely become the next abbot of the Divine Dragon Temple and reach the "worldly realm" in a few years.

"Sounds impressive."

Zhao Douan marveled with a click of the tongue.

Beside him, Zhao Pan silently peeled a banana, and Zhao Douan opened his mouth to eat it, leaving the girl bewildered.

"..." Mr. Dong saw Zhao Douan chewing the banana while praising,

feeling momentarily uncertain of the sincerity of the compliment, then added,

"However, compared to Master Bian Ji, the most attention today is on the scholars from Xiuwen Pavilion."

Zhao Douan: "Oh?"

Mr. Dong pointed around,

"Brother Zhao, look, those scholars are all here for the group of scholars led by Han Banshan.

Don’t you see them craning their necks, looking at the entrance? It’s uncertain when they will arrive, perhaps this afternoon or even this evening."

Zhao Douan swallowed the banana, casually saying,

"No, they will come shortly."

Last night, he inquired at Xiuwen Pavilion.

Grandmaster Dong had told him the new policy had been finalized, and there was no longer any need for secrecy.

He was invited to attend the Dharma Assembly with the scholars from Xiuwen Pavilion to gain fame.

Zhao Douan, however, shook his head, saying it wasn’t necessary.

Moreover, bringing his stepmother and younger sister would be inconvenient, so he came over alone first.

"Haha, Brother Zhao, you seem so certain, as if you knew beforehand."

Mr. Dong joked, knowing less than Zhao Douan despite being the eldest grandson of the Grandmaster.

Let alone an outsider, he assumed Zhao Douan was joking.

Zhao Douan didn’t bother to explain, and suddenly said,

"I heard that the scholars have recently been fervently criticizing Master Zhao from the Imperial Court. It’s said that some academicians from the Hanlin Academy were even bashing... As a scholar yourself, Mr. Dong, do you know those people, and are they here?"

Mr. Dong laughed,

"Who you mentioned must be the Hanlin Academy scholar Chen Zhengru?

There’s also another who criticizes fiercely, a Hanlin scholar surnamed Xu, who happens to be his disciple.

It’s not surprising; to my knowledge, Chen Zhengru is a member of the ’Li Party,’ and that Master Zhao has become quite antagonistic towards the Li Party in recent months. It’s no wonder he’s being criticized.

As for that Hanlin scholar Xu, haha, there’s an interesting story.

A few months ago, regarding the matter of switching from rice to mulberry cultivation along the Huai River, he submitted a proposal to the Saint advocating for a ’conversion with relief’ method... Later, he was scolded by the Saint’s edict...

Look over there, the one engaging in animated debate, that’s Hanlin scholar Xu."

Pausing, as if he realized he had spoken too much detail, he quickly added,

"These anecdotes circulate widely among scholars, but I can’t vouch for their authenticity."

Zhao Douan was taken aback, not expecting this connection.

No wonder these scholars were so fervently criticizing him; he initially thought it was youthful arrogance and jealousy...

Now it appeared that it was Grand Scholar Chen from the "Li Party" and his disciples who were stirring things up.

Suddenly, an idea came to him.

If the Li Party was behind this... then the recent barrage against him might not be as simple as it seemed.

At this moment, Mr. Dong suddenly frowned, feeling discomfort in his stomach, and stood up, saying,

"Brother Zhao, rest here first; I need to visit the lavatory."

Zhao Douan nodded with a smile.

Once the other departed, the mother and daughter came closer.

"Da Lang, do you know this person? He seems unaware of your identity?"

You Jinhua asked curiously in a low voice.

"Yes, we met once while handling a case," Zhao Douan laughed self-deprecatingly.

"As for my identity, haha, if he knew who I was, we probably wouldn’t be having this conversation."

Zhao Pan peeled another banana, guarded it with her small hand to prevent it from being snatched, and suddenly said,

"Those scholars seem to be constantly looking over here."

Zhao Douan nodded slightly; he had noticed as well.

It seemed that, inevitably, some people had recognized him.

However, today was the Ullambana Festival.

Zhao Douan pondered that these scholars, out of respect for the occasion, wouldn’t likely cause trouble for him.

Yet, while he casually chatted with the female relatives,

a deliberately amplified, commanding voice suddenly echoed from afar:

"Oh, isn’t this the recently popular Master Zhao from the Imperial Court? How did the little King Yan also come to this pure land of Buddhism? Who’s the inattentive monk that carelessly let him in?"

The voice was loud, its tone sarcastic.

In an instant, the previously gathered crowd all turned their gaze this way.

The air was briefly silent.

Then, they reacted.

"Master Zhao? Is that Zhao Douan? Where?"

"The one in the pavilion, hiss, how did the Divine Dragon Temple invite him? They didn’t even invite Ma Yan in previous years!"

"It’s the third young master of the Dong family... Tsk, I heard they had past conflicts; there’s going to be a good show today."

Amidst the discussions,

Zhao Douan looked toward the source of the voice.

He saw a young man in his early twenties, dressed in splendid clothes, exuding a bold presence, walking over with a sneer.

His appearance wasn’t particularly remarkable, tall and slender, with a small birthmark on his face.

At this moment, his face was arrogant, his demeanor imposing, surrounded by a few sycophants.

Swaggering into the pavilion, he let his gaze fall on the mother and daughter accidentally snuggling close to Zhao Douan, suddenly laughed, and mocked loudly,

"All of the Capital knows you’re loyal and unwavering to Her Majesty, Zhao Douan, never touching other women even in places of pleasure.

I didn’t believe it before, but now I understand, having two beauties at home, no need to seek relief outside."

Wow—

Those words caused the surrounding elite of the Capital to subtly change their expressions.

Not because they truly believed the nonsense of the third son of the Dong family.

They were more surprised that this grandson of the Grandmaster truly lived up to his reputation as the "first debauchee of the Capital."

Understanding the recent prominence of Zhao Douan, yet daring to humiliate him face-to-face.

Was it backed by the resurgence of the Dong family with the establishment of Xiuwen Pavilion?

Everyone knew that Grandmaster Dong now ruled the "new cabinet" on behalf of the Empress, with scholars like Han Zhou as his disciples.

As long as the Empress could secure her throne, the Dong family might become the first noble lineage of the empire.

Thus, the naturally flamboyant "Little Third Master," known for frequent clashes with others, truly feared no one, including Zhao Douan.

It was going to be an entertaining scene.

The thought circulated through everyone’s mind.

"Da Lang, please don’t..."

Inside the pavilion, the first to react after the third son of the Dong family made his statement was You Jinhua.

The weak and timid beautiful woman hurried to pull at her stepson, fearing he would be provoked to engage physically with the other.

Though You Jinhua stayed in the inner chambers, she knew of the Dong family’s recent resurgence.

That Wenren Master, Grandmaster Dong, esteemed teacher of the Empress, was quite displeased with her stepson.

On such an important occasion, should Zhao Douan act out of anger, who knew what kind of retribution he would face from the Dong family.

"Da Lang, don’t get angry; it’s not worth harming yourself; Auntie and Paner have nothing to do with it."

You Jinhua pleaded softly.

In this feudal era, a woman’s reputation was paramount.

Though the words of Dong’s third son might not severely harm Zhao Douan,

You Jinhua and Zhao Pan would truly have their reputations tarnished, pointing fingers forever, living in the shadows.

However...

At this moment, despite knowing the price of a tarnished reputation, You Jinhua persistently tried to dissuade him.

Even Zhao Pan, usually decisive, bit her lips and quietly clung to Zhao Douan’s arm.

The third son looked down condescendingly, watching as the two women tried to appease Zhao Douan. A youthful face adorned with an arrogant grin:

"What? After just one remark from this young master, you’re already shielding the man?"

Around them, silence reigned, only his laughter echoed.

Under everyone’s gaze, Zhao Douan remained seated, his expression inscrutable.

Neither angry nor showing any other emotions,

simply watching the "first debauchee of the Capital" perform, slowly peeling an orange.

When the laughter died down, Zhao Douan calmly handed the peeled orange to the mother and daughter.

Then gently brushed off his hand, looked up, and said quietly,

"Hasn’t Dong Xuan taught his descendants not to bark like dogs when outside?"

Dong Xuan was the name of Grandmaster Dong.

Brief silence, followed by...

An uproar.

...

More to follow; layout to be done later.