The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 440 - 363, I will stay at your house tonight.

"Bo... Bodhisattva?"

You Jinhua stuttered, having seen Prajnaparamita before.

As Jizhao Temple also had some blessing events for followers, You Jinhua, who had nominally believed in various deities before, had visited Jizhao Temple once and had the fortune to see Prajnaparamita.

But back then, facing the believers, the Bodhisattva was quite serious, and her attire was far from as casual as it was tonight.

A respected Buddhist Bodhisattva, why would she visit so abruptly?

And saying she came to find her eldest son?

Mother and daughter were once again perplexed.

At that moment, several palace guards also burst in, appearing anxious.

"Leave."

Only when the Empress's voice came from the direction of the inner hall did the guards, who had been agitated by trying to block Prajnaparamita causing a disturbance in their energy, bow and retreat.

Prajnaparamita maintained her smile and stepped directly into the inner hall, followed unconsciously by the mother and daughter.

"Prajnaparamita? Your intrusion into my home is..." Zhao Douan said sternly, his face stern.

He certainly did not want to be associated with this old nun who constantly thought of draining his potential to compensate for her own deficiencies.

However, he was interrupted mid-sentence by Xu Zhenguan beside him: "What are you here for?"

The White-Clothed Bodhisattva smiled gently:

"Since Your Majesty can come, why can't this poor nun? Today I heard about the gathering in Mei Garden, how Mr. Zhao overshadowed Zhengyang, and also raised the topic of Heart Learning. I found it very intriguing. This Heart Learning shares some similarities with the Zen branch of our Buddhist teachings, hence, I took the liberty to come and discuss and delve deeper into the philosophy with Mr. Zhao."

Ah, this… While it's true that some doctrines of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism indeed have similarities, talking about philosophy, couldn't it be done during the day?

You just had to come in the middle of the night... Zhao Douan's face clouded over, about to cut ties and explain.

Yet he heard the Empress beside him scoff coldly: "Just to discuss Buddhist teachings?"

The White-Clothed Bodhisattva looked ambiguously at Zhao Douan, not bothering to conceal it, and laughed:

"If Mr. Zhao is willing, this nun naturally wishes to together explore the path of Dual Cultivation with him."

Pah! How shameless… Xu Zhenguan's eyes held a murderously cold gaze, her beautiful face frosty.

Dual Cultivation?

As if struck by lightning, You Jinhua and her mother, though not well-versed in cultivation, still had the ability to read the room.

With the Bodhisattva dressed like this and visiting their home so late at night, and now openly mentioning coming for Dual Cultivation, the worldview of mother and daughter was nearly shattered.

Looking at the Empress and then at Prajnaparamita, they were confused about the situation for a moment.

"How did Big Brother get involved with the Bodhisattva again?" You Jinhua wondered, baffled.

"Is Big Brother... involved with so many women outside?" Zhao Pan bit her lip, feeling indignant on behalf of her sister-in-law.

Bodhisattva, please hold your tongue... Zhao Douan's complexion changed, thinking what kind of trouble is this?

Not long ago, my aunt was lamenting that meals at home were too quiet.

Well, now it is lively...

Fortunately, all the servants had gone back to their quarters early to avoid disturbing the royal visit, otherwise, the gossip in the market tomorrow would have another story to add.

Those folksy tales like "Secret History of the Palace" would churn out another ridiculous story.

"Prajnaparamita seems to have not taken to heart what I said last time," said Xu Zhenguan coldly.

The White-Clothed Bodhisattva stood silently eyeing her, then suddenly turned to look at Zhao Douan, smiling:

"Isn't Mr. Zhao going to say a word?"

I don't want to talk, I want you to get far away... Zhao Douan's forehead beaded with sweat, feeling that not even Zhengyang was as troublesome as this old woman.

Are the people of the Buddhist sect now fond of ruining others' relationships?

"You don't need to say anything."

Xu Zhenguan glanced at him with a commanding aura, then turned a stern look towards the White-Clothed Bodhisattva:

"If you wish to discuss Buddhist Law, I am ready to engage you," Your Majesty offered.

Recalling her previous experience, in which the Empress had shocked her into internal injury, Prajna Bodhisattva's expression briefly stiffened before she gave a charming smile.

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"Your Majesty, please, do not be angry, I was merely jesting. I apologize for my presumptuous visit today and will not disturb your meal any further."

With that, she quickly faded, quietly retreating several meters to appear in the courtyard, then withdrawing even further.

She left the Zhao Residence and disappeared into the night.

Provoking and then running off... This scene left the Zhao family stunned, and it was only after a moment that they realized perhaps if Prajna did not leave, the Empress might truly have punished her.

...

Silence.

"I... I'll go check if the water in the kitchen has boiled."

You Jinhua stuttered, making a flimsy excuse, and pulled her daughter, who hadn't had enough of the spectacle, away.

Inside the main hall,

Zhao Douan swallowed hard, feeling that this interlude had come and gone quickly, leaving him feeling as though he had been played for a fool and nothing else had happened.

"Your Majesty... she..." Zhao Douan felt he needed to explain.

However, Xu Zhenguan merely exhaled softly, the cold expression on his face dissipating, his eyebrows relaxing as he said,

"She did it on purpose, I can tell."

With Prajna's level of cultivation, even if she initially did not know, she would definitely have sensed the presence of the Empress before entering the Zhao Residence.

Yet, she still braved injury to provoke and stir trouble, her intentions painfully obvious—it was purely to annoy.

However much the Empress might get angry, at most she would just beat her up; it was unlikely that such a minor affair would lead to anything more severe.

"Your Majesty sees clearly... This old woman just cannot stand to see Your Majesty and your servant getting along well." Zhao Douan complained bitterly.

Xu Zhenguan cast a glance at the sycophantic Zhao Douan: Who said I wanted to get along with you?

"Your Majesty, that old woman earlier mentioned 'Heart Learning' and 'Zen'... it didn't sound entirely false," Zhao Douan changed the topic.

He realized that perhaps Prajna was indeed provoked by the 'Heart Learning' and decided to come to him. Provoking others and disrupting their sensibilities was just part of her ploy.

Xu Zhenguan responded indifferently with a "Hmm" and frowned,

"That 'Heart Learning' of yours... indeed has some similarities to the Zen promoted by Prajna's faction in the Divine Dragon Temple."

She explained to Zhao Douan, putting it simply.

The Buddhist patriarchs in the Western Regions were renowned for their extensive scriptures and were somewhat similar to the "Esoteric Sect." The rulers of Western Regions Buddhism were the "Reincarnated Dharma Kings," representing a theocratic power.

After spreading to the Great Yu Dynasty, it underwent some localization, transforming into today's "Central Plains Buddhism" primarily centered around the Divine Dragon Temple.

During this localization, factions developed within, one led by Abbot Xuan Yin, which still preserved the original patriarchal style, characterized by strict adherence to precepts and encouragement of ascetic meditation.

Another faction, more thoroughly transformed, was influenced by the Daoist teachings, advocating "Sudden Enlightenment" and "Meditation."

"Prajna belongs to this latter Zen faction, and Long Shu Bodhisattva barely qualifies as part of this group."

Xu Zhenguan elaborated, "So, her coming to you after hearing about the Heart Learning isn't completely unexpected."

Is that so... Zhao Douan marveled at the internal divisions and disputes within the world of Buddhism, gaining a clearer understanding.

Xu Zhenguan gave him a look and said,

"However, her hurry to find you probably relates to the turmoil within Buddhism.

I have received information that since your last defeat of the Divine Dragon Temple in the Buddhist-Taoist confrontation, the Western Regions also got wind of it, perhaps seeing the setback of the Divine Dragon Temple as an opportunity, and recently there have been some stirrings. This old nun is also eager to strengthen her power."

Is this also my fault?

Zhao Douan looked innocent, not realizing that the Buddhist-Taoist confrontation could influence the movements of Western Regions Buddhism... just as his introduction of new policies led to the Eight Princes no longer lying low, gradually making their moves...

Unwittingly, the two events Zhao Douan was involved in were influencing and driving the entire continent's situation in different ways.

"Alright, these matters are still far from you," Xu Zhenguan's voice softened.

Zhao Douan nodded and said, "It's getting late, shall I escort you back, Your Majesty?"

After such an interruption, the meal was effectively over.

However, Xu Zhenguan simply looked at him quietly without speaking, staring until Zhao Douan felt uncomfortable all over before she finally spoke softly,

"Guess what, if I leave, will that old nun turn around, come back, and forcefully engage in Dual Cultivation with you?"

Zhao Douan was shocked, "Should I follow Your Majesty back to the palace to hide?"

Xu Zhenguan continued to give him a peculiar look then suddenly smiled charmingly and said,

"No need to go to such trouble, I will stay at your house tonight, how about that?"

Ah?

Zhao Douan was stunned, his first thought being, is such a good thing possible?

His second thought was:

Bodhisattva is such a great assist!

...

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