The Empress's No.1 Lackey

Li Yinglong smiled and said, "Father is right, and the people below all understand this reasoning, very clever indeed."

He was in a good mood, or rather, the entire Li Party had been quite joyful lately. With the aid of the Kuangfu Society, they had eliminated Zhao Douan, this great enemy, not only venting their anger but also soothing the pent-up emotions within the faction.

Li Yinglong said, "However, regarding the new government officials, especially those on Jiancheng Road, the position the Shipping Governor wants, we still..."

Li Yanfu gave him a cold glance, "Don't get involved. The appointment and removal of new government officials are watched by countless people from top to bottom. Other places are fine, but Jiancheng Road is too dangerous, we can't touch it, understood?"

Li Yinglong nodded unwillingly, "Understood."

"Good," Li Yanfu nodded in satisfaction, picking up another arrow and said, "The rebel prisoners escorted by Luan Cheng should be entering the city as well. Once His Majesty executes this batch of rebels and vents his anger, this ordeal will be over. Winter isn't good for activities, wait until the spring breeze rises, and then we can move."

...

Jizhao Temple.

In the desolate courtyard by the pond where lotuses were planted, Bodhi Bodhisattva, holding a Jade Purifying Bottle, stood silently, her nearly transparent eyes gazing at the ice surface gradually melting in the pond and the fish swimming below, saying, "What brings you here with such leisure?"

By the pond, Bian Ji, a monk in white with red lips and white teeth, smiled calmly and said, "With Bodhisattva's current status in Divine Dragon Temple, is it not natural for the temple's affairs to be reported to you?"

Since the debate on Buddhist scriptures, Zhao Douan's proposal on sudden enlightenment in Buddhist Law drew the arrival of the "Worldly Venerate," and the temple suddenly adopted a Zen culture.

Bodhi Bodhisattva, as a representative, effortlessly attracted disciples from Da Jing Master's faction seeking refuge.

Now, in Divine Dragon Temple, Master Xuan Yin remains the highest authority, followed by Bodhi and Long Shu Bodhisattva, each leading their own faction.

It's somewhat reminiscent of the "Three Kingdoms" contention.

Though Bodhi was pushed to be a leader, she remains disinterested in factional struggles and still resides in Jizhao Temple.

"Oh, if there's something, just say it," Bodhi Bodhisattva's graceful and full figure reflected on the water surface, her voice lazy with a hint of depth.

Since the news of Zhao Douan's death returned, she became like this.

Bian Ji said, "News came from the eastern temple, people from East Sea Green Mountain are coming down, preparing to submit next year's war challenge to the court."

Bodhi slightly interested, turned her head with her beautiful brows and eyes fixed on him, suddenly said, "A war challenge? That's right, I almost forgot... In the past, Grand Ancestor of Yu Country modeled after Buddhist Tao in a battle of skills, and established a traditional challenge with the martial artist lineage of Green Mountain, right after the Buddhist Tao battle."

Bian Ji smiled, "To be precise, it's spring next year. And according to tradition, within a year before a challenge, there's a stage to issue the war challenge. Last time, the Imperial Family's Tributor Hai Chunlin replaced a Royal Family member to attend Green Mountain and just barely got through. But this time, Wu Xiankui won't be so easily fooled, this time, His Majesty from the palace can't avoid it."

Bodhi's eyes were lazy, "You seem quite happy."

Bian Ji smiled, "To have the opportunity to see the Royal Family in trouble, why wouldn't our Buddhist sect be happy? Or is Bodhi Bodhisattva still pining for Zhao Douan? Do you think he helped you during the scripture debate? Or do you truly have your eyes on him as a 'vessel'?"

Bodhi's expression suddenly turned cold, "Get out."

"Bang!!"

A surge of mana collided and exploded in the silent courtyard, sending up columns of water from the pond, startling the fish, causing Bian Ji to stumble back several steps, his face turning red, with his monk robe torn into strips before his chest.

His face showed anger, quickly restrained, with a smile he said, "This poor monk shall not disturb the Bodhisattva's rest any longer."

He turned and left this courtyard, flicking his sleeve as he slowly walked towards the gate of Jizhao Temple.

Halfway, he stopped in his tracks, raising his brow slightly, "Princess Yunyang?"

As the weather turned warmer, wearing monk clothes she had tailored with scissors herself, basking in the sun in the courtyard, Princess Yunyang blocked his way, gazing foolishly at the red-lipped, white-toothed mage, smiling:

"I have no one to talk to here, very lonely, and struggle with many aspects of studying Buddhist Law. Master, you visit so rarely, would you teach and enlighten me a bit?"

Studying Buddhist Law? Bian Ji's brows slightly unfurled, examining Yunyang in her nun attire, and in his mind, the image of Bodhi Bodhisattva suddenly emerged, the two women's images slowly overlapping:

"This..."

Yunyang, smiling, pulled on his sleeve, leading him towards the meditation room, "Just asking about Buddhist Law, surely Master Bian Ji wouldn't refuse."

"...Alright."

...

...

"Splash——"

As the spring breeze melted the ice layer on the river, and the earth thawed, the government ship escorting the rebels finally slowly arrived at the Capital's dock.

On the deck.

Magistrate Luan Cheng stood with hands behind his back, along with General Yuan Ji, clad in armor and wielding a war hammer, gazing at the city gates, both breathing a sigh of relief: "Finally here."

Magistrate Luan smiled at Yuan Ji:

"After disembarking later, according to regulations, external government troops cannot enter the city without orders. I imagine Capital Camp's military officers will come to guide you to settle in at the Capital Camp. I must lead the prisoners into the city, so we shall part ways here, General."

Yuan Ji, as bulky as a mountain, showed a worried expression: "Lord Magistrate, once you enter the city, you might face His Majesty's wrath, I..."

No... you don't know the truth at all, at this moment, Mr. Zhao should already be in the city, hmm, I hope nothing unexpected happens... Magistrate Luan smiled without explanation.

Yuan Ji was suddenly full of admiration.

And Lang Shiba, who also came up the deck, silently held his wine gourd, taking deep gulps, wiping the corner of his mouth, letting the spring breeze touch his face, feeling a bit unimpressed.