Chapter 166
"Royal Sister." The young man in the silver moon robe approached, his phoenix eyes filled with suspicion as he looked at the tall, upright monk by the pond in the courtyard.
"Where did this monk come from?"
Bai Chuning's gaze almost never left the tattered Taoist robe as he quietly observed Wuwei.
"I just found it in the city," Yingning replied.
“Benefactor, it wasn’t found. Wuwei is not an object.” The figure slowly stood up and walked to Yingning’s side.
His eyes were long and narrow, giving him a somewhat Buddha-like appearance.
As he spoke, the corners of his lips slightly turned up, suddenly adding a touch of charm.
It is extremely rare to see the word "romantic" applied to a monk.
Wuwei is the reclusive high monk that Bai Yingning sought to cure the poison in Bai Chuning in the original story, but the original owner did not find him.
At this moment, the eminent monk appeared before Yingning.
Wuwei stopped beside Yingning and bowed: "Wuwei has come only to repay a debt."
"Hey monk, tell me, what do you owe me?"
"This humble monk is unaware of the matter."
"You don't know?"
Hearing her question, he spoke again to explain.
"However, in the three thousand worlds, my meeting with you is a matter of cause and effect. Fate has brought me here to repay a debt. I suppose there is another cause and effect between us."
"Not owing now does not mean not owing then. Not owing here does not mean not owing there."
"Perhaps this humble monk has come for the debts of that time and place."
“The Buddha’s teachings are three thousandfold, and cause and effect are intertwined. This humble monk owes a debt of karma, so I have come to seek out benefactors.”
"I will do my best to repay the debt," Wuwei said.
As he nodded, a hint of Zen appeared in his words.
Bai Chuning, who was listening from the side, was completely confused. She leaned close to Yingning and whispered, "Sister, this monk seems a bit strange."
It's no wonder Bai Chuning found Wuwei strange. He kept calling himself "this humble monk," yet he wore a dirty and tattered Taoist robe, and his dusty appearance couldn't hide his alluring looks.
Bai Chuning looked him over and felt that this person did not seem like an ordinary monk.
Wuwei did not avoid Bai Chuning's scrutiny at all; instead, he paid attention to the slight sickness in Bai Chuning's expression.
"Ah Chu, don't worry." Ying Ning comforted Bai Chu Ning, then used an excuse to let Bai Chu Ning return to her own courtyard first.
Bai Chuning looked back several times as he left, still somewhat worried, before slowly departing.
The monk glanced discreetly at the departing figure of the young man, a hint of understanding in his expression.
This humble monk seems to know...
How is she supposed to repay this debt?
......
The scandal involving the Third Prince caused a great uproar in the capital, and it was said that the Emperor had a great tirade against Consort Ling in her palace because of it.
The dignity of the royal family cannot be insulted.
After this incident, the Third Prince not only lost the hearts of many ministers, but also lost his chance to become emperor.
Those who originally sided with the Third Prince's side are now reluctant to openly break ties due to their relationship with the Ling family, but they are secretly observing the other candidates.
Yan Qizhen was at the height of his power at this time. He not only gained the emperor's attention, but also demonstrated remarkable talent in several political affairs. Moreover, he had the added advantage of the upcoming marriage alliance with the Western Regions.
For a time, his popularity was second only to that of Crown Prince Yan Dingjun.
Many of the ministers who originally intended to choose another lord were actually won over by Yan Qizhen through his efforts.
Today, Yan Qizhen invited Yingning to Xianglou and brought a pot of Yuezui wine, which is priceless, proving that his status is now vastly different from before.
"Moon Drunk?" Yingning held up her cup.
She took a sip and didn't find it spicy.
"The Moonlit Drunkenness Wine, which is priceless, truly lives up to its reputation. Your Highness has gone to great lengths."
This month's intoxicating wine, though it has a smooth taste, leaves a lingering and unforgettable impression.
"It's not a big deal."
"Moon Intoxication was a gift from a friend. The moonlight is just right tonight, making it the perfect time to drink this wine." Yan Qizhen looked at her and noticed a faint trace of wine on her lips.
A hint of rosy hue crept into the corners of his eyes again.
The more time Yan Qizhen spent with her, the more he realized how shallow his previous understanding of her had been.
She was skilled in both martial arts and literature, and even had knowledge of some unofficial historical records.
After spending several days with her, he realized that her scheming was no less than his. Occasionally, she would offer her own opinions and strategies, which he initially dismissed.
It wasn't until the flood in Mingcheng that he suddenly remembered a few casual words she had said, and he brought them up in court, which surprisingly earned him great praise from his father.
Even some civil officials were drawn to him because of his "talent and wisdom".
Yan Qizhen chuckled inwardly. What kind of misjudgment had he made to think she was a plain and uninteresting beauty?
He raised his cup, took a small sip, and suddenly remembered something.
"Today, when I went to report to my father about the Water Attendant, I inadvertently learned that my youngest uncle had gone missing in Lizhou," Yan Qizhen said.
"Your Highness the Regent?" Yingning asked.
"yes."
"Father has already dispatched his personal guards, and besides, my uncle is highly skilled in martial arts, so there shouldn't be any problems," Yan Qizhen said, though he couldn't help but feel a little worried.
Yan Chaoji was, after all, the infamous Asura War God of the Min Dynasty.
If something were to happen to him, not only would the several enemy nations around him be watching him like hawks, but even Bai Lirong from the Western Regions would immediately launch a counterattack.
"The Regent is blessed by Heaven," Yingning mumbled, her phoenix eyes slightly unfocused as she gazed at the bright moon outside the window. Her words carried a hint of leisurely ease.
Yan Chaoji is unlikely to be in mortal danger. The fact that his injuries healed at an unusually fast pace during the last hunting trip proves another function of the Gu worms.
The Gu worms will accelerate the healing of his injuries, thus saving his life.
The emperor needed him, but he couldn't allow him to threaten his imperial power, so he made Yan Chaoji a "puppet" in his hands.
But were the imperial guards sent by the emperor really there to find Yan Chaoji?
Indeed, the imperial city was thriving.
Beneath the surface of prosperity, however, lies relentless pressure.
......
Yan Qizhen assumed that Yingning and the Imperial Uncle were not acquainted, and seeing her indifferent expression, he simply said, "This prince also hopes so."
"Once my uncle returns, I will find the time to pay him a visit."
The lamp's shadow flickered for a fleeting moment.
Yan Qizhen followed the shadow and looked over.
As she raised her cup, the silver bell ornament on her forehead swayed slightly. Whether it was the silver light or the moonlight that flowed into her phoenix eyes, a sense of shattering suddenly appeared in the depths of her dark eyes.
Yan Qizhen's mind raced, and he found himself staring intently at her.
The moonlit intoxication, intoxicated by the fragrance of wine, could not compare to the pungent, floral scent that had surrounded the two of them that day.
Even every day afterward, whenever he thought of her, he would be enveloped in that scent.
Even when soaking in water, the rosy marks on the skin are extremely difficult to fade.
......
Even with his eyes closed, he could still recall the feel of that fair, white wrist.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
