The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 492 - 387. Traitor (5000 words)_2

"A bunch of lunatics."

...

The Zhao family.

"Mother, it seems to be over," Zhao Pan stuttered as she looked at the sky returning to normal in the distance.

You Jinhua also swallowed hard, never having witnessed such a grand spectacle.

If the initial clash between Buddhist and Taoist practitioners had been an eye-opener, then the brief exchange today had left an impression on the people of the Capital far surpassing the former.

"I don't know what happened," Zhao Pan said.

The conversation between the Empress and Xuan Yin could only be heard near the temple and not in the distance.

You Jinhua nervously said, "I just hope it has nothing to do with your older brother."

Prophetic words.

...

Inside the Heavenly Master Mansion, in a deep courtyard.

Although it was winter, the mysterious large banyan tree remained lush and vibrant.

Tall and with slender eyes and eyebrows, Zhang Yan Yi, clad in a dark priest robe, stood with hands clasped behind his back in the small courtyard.

He looked at the Empress, who appeared in the courtyard as a stream of light.

Xu Zhenguan got straight to the point and said, "Heavenly Master, there is something I don't understand."

The Old Heavenly Master was not surprised by the arrival of the Empress, and calmly said, "Your Majesty, please speak."

Xu Zhenguan's beautiful eyes fixed on the Old Heavenly Master, and she soberly said:

"Zhao Douan said that your senior disciple also appeared at Hu Ting, and is suspected of intercepting Long Shu."

Zhang Yan Yi readily nodded, "It was the old man who instructed him to go."

"Why?" Xu Zhenguan did not hide her confusion.

Zhang Yan Yi did not answer immediately but instead asked:

"Was it Zhao Douan who was injured by Da Jing?"

Xu Zhenguan nodded, hesitated a little, and still described the general situation.

Zhang Yan Yi sighed and said:

"When he went to the south, the old man deduced from the Heavenly Dao that there would be danger on this journey, but it would not be fatal. Therefore, he ordered the senior disciple to make a trip..."

Before things happened, even with Zhang Yan Yi's cultivation, he could only sense hints of danger and not know the specifics.

Therefore, when the Little Heavenly Master arrived at Hu Ting and met Long Shu Bodhisattva, he naturally believed that the source of danger for Zhao Douan mentioned in his master's letter would be the battle at Yansuo Lake.

Thus, for safety, he followed Long Shu closely as he left, thinking this sufficient to complete the task given by the Old Heavenly Master.

Unexpectedly,

The "calamity" indicated by the omens from Heavenly Dao was not at Yansuo Lake, but on the assassination attempt by Da Jing Master that Zhao Douan encountered on his way back.

Fortunately, the grand outcome remained unchanged; Zhao Douan was injured, but indeed there was no concern for his life.

After listening, Xu Zhenguan nodded, her curiosity relieved, but it sparked new questions. She mumbled:

"The Heavenly Master seems to hold Mr. Zhao in high regard."

Zhang Yan Yi felt a bit awkward, his face displaying a nonchalant attitude:

"The young man has helped Tian Yuan and Jin Jian a lot. As a master, it's nothing more than taking care of one or two things on the fly."

"Is that so..." Xu Zhenguan was somewhat disbelieving.

But now was not the time to be concerned with "stealing talents," and she asked again:

"What does the Heavenly Master think about Divine Dragon Temple's actions?"

Zhang Yan Yi hesitated, then shook his head: "Involving the Buddha, even the old man cannot see clearly."

The Empress was silent for a moment, then took her leave and departed.

The gate to the small courtyard was pushed open, and Jin Jian and Gongshu Tianyuan ran in, just in time to witness the Empress leaving. They were a little surprised:

"Did Your Majesty come? Master, what was that just now..."

Zhang Yan Yi, looking unfazed, casually mentioned the assassination attempt on Zhao Douan, startling them both. After learning that there was no serious harm, they were able to relax.

"Master, have those two monks at Divine Dragon Temple lost their minds?" The plump Gongshu Tianyuan frowned heavily.

Jin Jian nodded in agreement, a look of confusion on his face: "Brother is right."

Zhang Yan Yi sighed, waved his hand irritably:

"It's none of your business, don't worry about others, and focus on making your Breakthrough, then go out and gain some experience. You're noisy all day long."

After being rebuked, the two Zhu Dian left feeling wronged.

Only then did Zhang Yan Yi sigh softly again: "Such a mess."

He was not without guesses, but the stance of the Heavenly Master Mansion to not partake in worldly strife remained constant.

It was acceptable to help Zhao Douan intercept Long Shu, but to become involved in deeper troubles was not his wish.

...

...

In the Imperial Palace.

Zhao Douan watched the Empress leave and felt very restless, but he could only lie down and rest dutifully.

After taking the medicine, although his injuries had not immediately improved, the pain had lessened a lot.

Eventually, he was able to sit up with some difficulty, leaning on a soft pillow as he waited.

Listening to the distant rumbling sounds, his eyelids twitched nervously.

"Your Majesty."

Finally, the voice of a palace maid came from outside, followed by the opening of the door, and the Empress, clothed in white and with hair like a waterfall, returned as if nothing had happened.

With the Taia Sword back in place, her coming and going seemed as simple as eating and drinking.

"Your Majesty..."

Zhao Douan looked intently, relieved to see that Zhenbao had no signs of injury or traces of fighting, "I heard a rumble outside..."

Xu Zhenguan closed the door, walked over to him, and sat down calmly on a stool, with a nonchalant "Oh," and explained:

"I went to Divine Dragon Temple and had a fight with Xuan Yin."

After that, the Empress casually narrated the entire experience of her outing.

Listening to it, Zhao Douan was alarmed, thinking it too impulsive, yet a warm current flowed through his heart.

He joked in a light tone:

"Your Majesty made such a commotion for me this time, I really have to serve Your Majesty until my last breath."

Xu Zhenguan rolled her eyes and said: "So before, Mr. Zhao was unwilling?"

"...That's not what I meant!"

"Hehe."

But that was just what was said. What they truly thought in their hearts, well, that was another matter.

Zhao Douan looked at the Empress close at hand, with several brazier in the room plus the underfloor heating of the palace, making the room quite warm for both of them.