"Master Wuneng has been cultivating under his master in the Five Fingers Mountain since childhood. He predicted that our Great Sage Dynasty would soon face a calamity, so he came down the mountain and out of seclusion. He came from the capital with people like Lu, just to help us get through this difficult time together."
As the emperor spoke his heartfelt prayers, he glanced at the incompetent official standing to the side. The incompetent official held prayer beads in his hand, placed one hand on his chest, and whispered to the emperor.
"Namo Amitabha Buddha."
"Thank you for coming all this way to help me, Master. Please take a seat."
Upon seeing this, the Emperor hurriedly ordered Su Gong, who was standing to the side, to offer Master Wuneng a seat.
Master Qiufeng sat to the left of the Emperor, and Eunuch Su carried another chair to the right of the Emperor. Master Wuneng did not stand on ceremony. He glanced at Master Qiufeng sitting to the side and then walked over to the chair.
Autumn Wind Taoist remained unfazed, maintaining his calm and composed demeanor.
The incompetent master sitting to the side kept turning the prayer beads in his hand, chanting Buddhist scriptures, and immersing himself in his own world.
The ministers standing below the court were at a loss for what to do, caught between a monk and a Taoist priest.
"Your Majesty, how can matters of state be interfered with by monks and Taoist priests? Although you are eager to save the country, you should not..."
“Mr. Cai, you’re getting old, it’s time for you to go back and rest.”
Before Old Chen could finish speaking, the Emperor made a decisive move and ordered the old man to be dragged away. Seeing this, the other ministers who wanted to offer their opinions fell silent, daring not to say anything more. However, everyone knew perfectly well that the Emperor was becoming senile.
"If you have something to report, speak now; otherwise, the court may adjourn."
After receiving the Emperor's signal, Eunuch Su shouted in a long, drawn-out tone.
"Your Majesty, I have something to report."
Just as the Emperor was about to get up and leave, Liu Zhiyuan stepped forward and said.
"Minister Liu, we can discuss this later. I am feeling unwell today and must return."
The Emperor did not appreciate Liu Zhiyuan and left with a wave of his hand. However, Liu Zhiyuan was stubborn. Not only did she not leave, but she also shouted loudly.
"Your Majesty, I once thought that two tigers cannot share one mountain. How could our Great Sage Dynasty tolerate monks and Taoists serving Your Majesty together?"
Upon hearing Liu Zhiyuan's words, the Emperor stopped and turned to look at Liu Zhiyuan, then at the assembled ministers. The ministers all bowed their heads tightly, and no one dared to utter a single word.
"What do you all think of what Minister Liu said?"
The ministers seemed not to have heard the emperor's words, keeping their heads bowed and not daring to utter a single word.
Upon seeing this, the Emperor felt a surge of anger, as if he himself had done something wrong, and the ministers, merely out of fear of his authority, dared not point out his mistake. So the Emperor turned to Liu Zhiyuan.
"Since Minister Liu thinks so, how does Minister Liu think this matter should be handled?"
"I believe that a debate should be held, and that Daoist Qiufeng and Master Wuneng should have a contest. The one who is more capable should stay."
Initially, the Emperor thought Liu Zhiyuan was being irresponsible, but after hearing his words, his mind calmed down. He couldn't help but think Liu Zhiyuan's suggestion was quite good. After all, a monk and a Taoist priest, constantly disagreeing, would inevitably cause a lot of trouble. Rather than that, it would be better to hold a debate, let them argue their point, and let the truly capable one stay.
"In that case, let's hold a debate as Liu Aiqing suggested."
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
After the emperor finished speaking, he turned and left. The assembled ministers hurriedly knelt on the ground, respectfully seeing the emperor off.
"Lord Liu, if you are not careful in court today, you may anger the Emperor and lose your life. You should be more careful in the future and not be so impulsive."
"Lord Liu, you should learn more from Lord Tian. Both of you are young, but Lord Tian is extremely reliable."
Several ministers who had a good relationship with Liu Zhiyuan gathered around after the tide receded. At that time, they were really worried for Liu Zhiyuan.
"Thank you all for your concern. I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now."
Liu Zhiyuan cupped his hands in greeting to the ministers and then jogged away.
"My lords, I have some matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now. Please take care."
Tian Alang remained silent throughout, and after Liu Zhiyuan left, he hurriedly followed him away.
Today in court, Tian Alang remained silent not because he didn't support Liu Zhiyuan, but because he was unsure of the situation. If he blindly followed Liu Zhiyuan, the Emperor might mistakenly believe he harbored ulterior motives and had a secret relationship with Liu Zhiyun. Therefore, to protect Liu Zhiyuan and himself, Tian Alang refrained from speaking. After the tide receded, Tian Alang followed closely behind, blocking Liu Zhiyuan's sedan chair outside the palace gates.
"I know you have many questions in your mind, but I can't explain them to you right now. I'll explain them to you slowly later."
When Liu Zhiyuan saw Tian Alang following him, he knew that he wanted to ask why he had spoken up for Daoist Qiufeng in the court. However, time was of the essence, and Liu Zhiyuan had no time to explain before he hurriedly left, leaving Tian Halang to watch Liu Zhiyuan's sedan chair disappear into the distance.
Good heavens! Wolf watched Liu Zhiyuan's sedan chair disappear into the distance, thinking that at some point, others had begun to be excluded from the circle. He noticed Tang Lei and Liu Zhiyuan, though their relationship was excellent. Thinking of this, Wolf frowned.
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