What exactly is the relationship between our eldest son and the Empress?
This is a sensitive topic in the Zhao family, no matter how rampant the rumors in the Capital, they remain unverified "gossip".
Moreover, as family mbers who know Zhao Douan well inevitably know more, You Jinhua and Zhao Pan privately lean towards believing that this matter is unreliable.
The chance of it being a case of misinformation was significant.
But today, Xu Zhenguan, taking advantage of the night, personally ca to the Zhao family and boldly sat down to dine with them.
The implications of this act already slightly exceed the boundaries of emperor and subject.
Well, if the Empress went to places like the Grandmaster Mansion, it would be a different matter to dine with ministers such as Dong Xuan.
But officially, Zhao Douan's highest rank is rely that of a fourth-rank martial officer.
"Mr. Zhao's family dinner is indeed lavish."
Xu Zhenguan, graceful in his movents, now picked up his chopsticks, looking at the table full of dishes with a hint of surprise.
Zhao Douan smiled and explained, "Today is a celebration, so it's a bit more sumptuous."
Xu Zhenguan smiled and said, "In that case, it seems I have co at the right ti."
"Ha ha... yes... not..."
You Jinhua was awkward and incoherent, completely lacking the composure of a Family Head mother.
Zhao Pan, who in her daily life was not afraid of anything, also paled in comparison to Xu Zhenguan, surprisingly well-behaved.
She just stole glances at the female sovereign and her elder brother, and in a daze, ca to a clearer understanding of the term "a match made in heaven."
She had always considered herself quite pretty, and since she had seen Zhao Douan often, she did not find him particularly handso.
The young girl had secretly thought, maybe when she grew up a bit more, she might not be less attractive than the "sister-in-law" of the rumors.
But seeing the real person today, Zhao Pan realized the chasm-like gap between them.
It was more than just physical appearance.
When beauty reaches a certain level, who is superior and who is inferior no longer depends on looks, but on temperant.
The Empress's temperant was rare in the world.
This led to even if one stripped away the title of "Emperor," just a great beauty standing before them was enough to make everyone nervous and timid, even giving rise to feelings of inferiority.
Just as one fears wild beasts, or as officials naturally command a presence, the beauty of a woman also had a similar awe-inspiring effect.
Zhao Pan even felt that no one under heaven was worthy of being her "sister-in-law," including her brother, who was significantly lacking.
Any thoughts of competition had long since been dispelled.
"Is there sothing on my face?"
Xu Zhenguan looked at Zhao Pan with a smile. With her insight, a single glance was enough to see through the girl's thoughts.
"Ah... no..."
Zhao Pan panicked, her nervousness akin to a fan eting an idol.
"His Majesty is joking with you," laughed Zhao Douan, helping her to recover.
Xu Zhenguan's mood seed good today, exuding a down-to-earth charm, and she smoothly joined in the laughter, easing the tension with sentences like:
Mr. Zhao ntioned to about the won in his family... Seeing them today, they have indeed turned out quite extraordinary... and such.
Only then did You Jinhua co back to her senses, continuously expressing modesty.
Plus, with Zhao Douan chiming in with jokes, the atmosphere in the hall visibly relaxed quite a bit.
Xu Zhenguan also expressed amazent at several novel dishes on the table.
After learning from You Jinhua that all these were new recipes "invented" by Zhao Douan in his spare ti, the look she gave him changed as she said:
"Mr. Zhao can even create new dishes? The surprises you give really are endless."
His response tinged with allusion:
"Small tricks, nothing compared to Your Majesty's managent of the state and culinary delights." Zhao Douan smoothly offered flattery... no, dragon flattery.
When had You Jinhua and her daughter ever dined with the Emperor?
After barely eating a few bites, You Jinhua rose, found an excuse of being full, and pulled her daughter away from the table early.
Zhao Pan was still reluctant to leave, but she was eventually led away by her mother, leaving the inner hall for the garden.
They left the two alone for their private discussion.
...
When only the two of them were left in the hall, Zhao Douan served the Empress a bowl of borscht before speaking:
"Your Majesty's arrival truly surprised ."
Xu Zhenguan wasn't really here for dinner, and after briefly tasting a few dishes, put down her chopsticks. Her eyes filled with complex and astonished emotions, she said softly:
"It's I who should be saying that to you. I heard from Mo Chou about what happened in i Garden, can you elaborate on that?"
"With Your Majesty's permission,"
Zhao Douan thereupon relayed everything calmly, from spotting flaws in Zhengyang teachings at Xiuwen Pavilion to how he conveyed the ssage, luring people to Bailu Academy.
He also explained the course of the two-day discussion and recounted it in full detail.
Throughout, Xu Zhenguan listened quietly, never interrupting.
"...I never expected Zhengyang to suddenly concede like that, and to publicly expose ," Zhao Douan said with resignation: "That old scoundrel's intentions are condemnatory."
So you feel wronged now... Xu Zhenguan didn't make a sound, but her lips tightened slightly.
Even though she had already heard the version described by Zhengyang, Zhao Douan's recounting from his own perspective still stirred up waves in her heart.
It raised her inherent impression of this man who was always cheerful in her presence, yet actually lacking neither thods nor sches, once again.
She was a bit dazed, how many tis was this now?
In just over half a year, how much more is this fellow hiding that he hasn't revealed?
You're versed in poetry and understand governance.
Now even the discourse on Confucianism has caused such a stir.
"Where exactly did that so-called 'Heart Learning' co from?"
Xu Zhenguan stared at Zhao Douan, asking very seriously,
"This isn't sothing that can be understood from self-study and reading, nor should soone of your age be able to achieve it."
I could say I dreamt of immortals teaching … would you believe that? Zhao Douan muttered to himself but had already prepared his explanation, speaking earnestly,
"In truth, I rely proposed an idea, and it's not as complete a theory as Your Majesty imagines. If it really were such a great thing, why would I need to test Zhengyang first?"
Xu Zhenguan paused for a mont, reluctantly asking, "You an to say…"
"Actually, my discourse on Heart Learning originates from Zhengyang's books. That day, as I leafed through his writings, I already gleaned bits and pieces hints, and amidst the lines, I sensed the beginnings of a new theory taking shape.
I rembered it. At first, I had no confidence at all, rely intending to be a pawn, testing Zhengyang in private to understand his mind and gather intelligence for the Grandmaster regarding our enemies' strengths and weaknesses…"
"Yet unexpectedly, it inspired the opposite effect. Rather than saying I defeated Zhengyang, it would be more accurate to say he defeated himself, ha… Sotis, enlightennt is just separated by a thin veil.
Zhengyang couldn't see clearly because he was too caught up in the ga, while scholars like Grandmaster Dong, Han Congee, and others, indoctrinated from youth in orthodox teachings, were even less able to break free from conventional thinking. On the contrary, as a martial artist, I could see clearly. With just a little guidance from , the other side naturally gained enlightennt."
Zhao Douan spoke confidently.
According to him, Zhengyang was just one step away from grasping Heart Learning.
Zhao Douan, being an outsider able to see clearly, pointed out the contradictions in Zhengyang's own doctrines, and like shooting bullets, he cleared the way for Zhengyang...
This explanation was far more plausible than a twenty-sothing, barely learned martial artist coming up with a set of Confucian theories.
The forr was so outlandish it seed overtly false.
Thus, Zhao Douan had crafted his rationale well in advance before making a move.
With such an excuse, though still sowhat far-fetched, it at least sounded plausible on the surface.
"Your Majesty, I even suspect that Zhengyang did this deliberately."
Zhao Douan continued to raise the stakes, with a mysteriously knowing look,
"Perhaps he had already conceived Heart Learning, but knowing that going public would incur attacks from many Confucian scholars, as well as offending the Mu Prince… thus, this crafty fellow sched, deliberately coming to the Capital to pass the buck to .
That way, he has an explanation upon his return… I see that man as a person with a sly face; if you cut open his heart, it would be black. My unwarranted calamity this ti is really…"
Xu Zhenguan at first listened earnestly, contemplating his line of thought, but the more she listened, the more preposterous it beca.
Eventually, she just showed a wry smile, unable to take it seriously:
"You're quite shaless. The earlier guesses had so rationale, but what are all these conspiracy theories later? Do you think Zhengyang would give up the chance to make history and hand over the reputation of founding a school to you?"
Zhao Douan spread his hands innocently,
"Who knows? Scholars have plenty of sches, unlike martial artists like myself who have simpler thoughts and are wholeheartedly loyal to Your Majesty?"
"…"
Xu Zhenguan couldn't be bothered with him any longer.
As for the explanation given by Zhao Douan, she was still skeptical in her heart, her intuition telling her that it wasn't as this fellow said.
But didn't the Empress also guess that there were secrets or special aspects about Zhao Douan?
The fact that the Grand Ancestor Emperor's Dragon Essence chose him said a lot.
She just didn't want to probe too deeply.
"You had best give the sa explanation when others question you," Xu Zhenguan said indifferently.
Zhao Douan appeared sincere, "What I said is the truth."
"Heh…" Xu Zhenguan scoffed coldly. The more he acted this way, the less she believed him.
She was about to say sothing when suddenly both ruler and subject turned their heads towards the main gate of the Zhao family compound.
…
"Mother, Her Majesty has such a strong presence."
In the courtyard, after leaving the inner hall, Zhao Pan felt the heavy pressure on her dissipate by more than half.
She exhaled deeply, "My palms are all sweaty."
"How could I not feel the sa?" You Jinhua also seed almost drained, sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard, ignoring the cold stone under her, she turned her head to look back at the brightly lit inner hall, and expressed her worries,
"It's said that serving the ruler is like living with a tiger; it's really not easy for our eldest son."
"…"
Zhao Pan couldn't help interjecting, "Big brother and Her Majesty might not necessarily have that kind of relationship, right?"
You Jinhua looked at her daughter strangely, "What kind do you think it is?"
Zhao Pan hesitated, realizing she had thought too much, and was about to explain when suddenly the voice of the Empress's guard ca from outside the courtyard gate,
"Who goes there?"
The mother and daughter then heard a muffled grunt.
And then in the night, they saw a beautiful Bodhisattva approaching from afar, with skin as white as snow, long black hair cascading down, and wearing only a thin monk's robe in the cold dusk.
The Bodhisattva smiled gently at the mother and daughter, nodding her head,
"Amitabha, this humble nun is looking for Mr. Zhao."
After speaking, she lifted her nearly transparent eyes to look towards the dining hall ahead, her smile peculiar,
"It seems this humble nun has co at an inopportune ti."
…
The next chapter at dawn.
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