The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 203 - 180, The Empress Emerges from the Pass

Within the confines of the Xiuwen Pavilion.

After Grandmaster Dong rebuked in anger, he paid no heed to the group of people and turned his head to look at Zhao Douan, saying,

"Divine Dragon Temple didn’t even escort you to the Inner Garden? Come with me."

Yet Zhao Douan shook his head and said,

"I appreciate the Grandmaster’s kind intentions, but there’s no need."

He already had some understanding by then. Perhaps today’s religious ceremony wasn’t actually something that the higher-ups of the Divine Dragon Temple wished to invite him to.

Instead, it might have been some hidden enemy, attempting to dig a trap for him, who smoothed things over with the Buddhist circles and handed him an invitation.

His presence today might have been decided by some middle-ranking cleric within the temple.

If that was the case, why bother using someone else’s connection and eagerly pushing oneself forward?

"Today, I had hoped to bring my aunt and my sister to join the festivities; I did not expect it to turn into such a commotion, and now the mood to enjoy ourselves is gone."

Zhao Douan said with waning enthusiasm, smiling ruefully,

"Let’s go home, shall we? It’s best to celebrate with family."

The mother and daughter nodded vigorously.

They had always seen the scholars of the Capital through rose-colored glasses, but today they realized that it truly wasn’t that interesting.

Just as Dong Xuan had said:

"They are but a swarm of flies and a pack of dogs, sycophants who flatter and fawn."

Seeing this, Grandmaster Dong could only sigh softly and commanded Big Qingyi to see them off.

He then gave his colleague Chen Zhengru a cold glance, snorted, and strode towards the inner courtyard.

Scholars like Han Congee, Wang You, and Guo Jieyuan also understood what had happened by then and coldly swept away.

No one dared to stop them.

Those literati who had originally wanted to come forward to curry favor also retreated and lowered their flags.

The atmosphere was somber, and no one would have thought that such a distinguished Grandmaster would publicly support Zhao Douan, but upon further consideration, it wasn’t surprising.

After all, it was the descendants of the Dong family who had started this matter, so naturally, it should be the grandfather who stepped in.

Yet...

"The new policies were mostly credited to Zhao Douan? His contributions are greater than those of the other scholars? What exactly is this about?"

Someone asked softly.

But there was no answer.

The people from Xiuwen Pavilion had left, leaving behind a mess and even more mysteries.

How could Zhao Douan, a stern enforcer and martial artist, have played such a commendable role? How did he win over a group of talented scholars?

Even changed the Grandmaster’s stereotypical view of martial artists?

What did he rely on? What exactly were the new policies?

They couldn’t answer, but no one doubted Grandmaster Dong’s words.

Outsiders might flatter and fear the Zhao thief for his power, but the Grandmaster wouldn’t.

The crowd gradually dispersed; many left the scene early, eager to spread the news of what had happened here.

Chen Zhengru and the clownish Xu Hanlin and others left in a disgraceful state.

"Teacher, aren’t you going back to the Inner Garden?" Xu Hanlin asked in a low voice.

Chen Zhengru swept away in his sleeves, sighing softly, his gaze fixed on the deeper part of the Xiuwen Pavilion, thinking:

Mr. Li, today I have lost half of my dignity, but the Prime Minister cannot blame me entirely.

And then he thought of Zhao Douan again, wondering just what sort of freak had appeared out of nowhere.

Could it be that Heaven was helping Your Majesty?

Then looking at his student next to him, he became even more displeased:

"Look at him."

Xu Hanlin: ??

...

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

...

Zhao Douan had left, but the ripples had only just begun to spread.

Inside the Xiuwen Pavilion’s Inner Garden.

It was a separate garden, where next to the lush and splendid Lotus Pond, a large pavilion had been set up.

Delicacies were neatly arranged, with monks and maidservants shuttling back and forth.

The seating in the pavilion was organized strictly according to rank, and by now, many high-ranking court officials were seated,

Engaging in casual conversation.

And in the central seat of honor sat a monk clad in white.

His appearance suggested he was about thirty years old, with a gentle and handsome face, a calm demeanor, and an elegant way of speaking that always carried a smile.

Beneath his slightly sparse eyebrows were a pair of eyes as clear as a baby’s.

It was none other than Master Xuan Yin’s "agent" in the mortal world, the Buddhist Mage Bian Ji, known far and wide for the phrase "With spring’s arrival, the grass turns green" and a practitioner of the Worldly Realm.

At his side, on his left and right, were Mo Zhaorong, representing the Empress at the religious ceremony as the "female chancellor",

And the Imperial Censor from the Imperial Court of Supervision, the Green Robe, Yuann Li.

At that moment, there was still an empty seat beside Mo Chou, naturally reserved for Dong Xuan.

"At this hour, the Grandmaster should be arriving soon," remarked Mo Chou, looking up and estimating the time.

Big Qingyi, dignified and slightly weathered with a semblance of erudition, said with a smile,

"When I entered the garden, I saw many literati gathered, surely they’ve come for the Grandmaster. Hehe, Master, it seems your limelight may be stolen."

The monk in white gave an untroubled smile in return.

Even though he was an ordinary person among the court officials, he exuded the air of a host.

"Haha, Mr. Yuan’s words should perhaps wait until the Grandmaster arrives," said the man known as "Young Master," currently serving as the Minister of Public Works, dressed in a scarlet official robe with a black hat, with a somber and delicate appearance, Li Yinglong, laughing,

"Let’s see how the Grandmaster responds."

Li Yinglong, as the hand controlling the "Li Party" under Li Yanfu’s manipulation and opposed to Yuann Li who oversaw the "Upright Party" at court, was considered utterly incompatible.

But now that they were in the Xiuwen Pavilion, their conversation naturally steered clear of any contentiousness.

Yuann Li chuckled, but his eyes betrayed his indifference. He was not particularly impressed with Li Yinglong, having privately described him with the words "great ambitions but little talent."

While Li Yinglong was the son of the Prime Minister and possessed intelligence, much of his power still depended on Li Yanfu.

"Speaking of which, with His Majesty secluding himself and not coming, I hadn’t expected that the Prime Minister would also not deem it fit to attend," mentioned Yuann Li casually.

The remark seemed innocuous but contained an implied sharpness.

By contrasting Li Yanfu with His Majesty and subtly belittling him, he insinuated:

Could your father Li Yanfu be thinking of rivaling His Majesty? Is he emulating His Majesty’s absence? His Majesty sent Mo Chou in his stead; are you following suit and representing your father...