The seductive princess is no longer being pursued; the aloof prime minister is facing a crematorium.

Jiang Jinshuang felt that she was misleading young people.

Master Miaofeng asked her to test Zhao Yungui and help him comprehend Buddhism. However, after a few questions, he bluntly admitted that he "could not understand Buddhism".

Sin, sin, sin!

Did her question sound sharp and incisive?

Feeling a little guilty, Jiang Jinshuang made an excuse to wait for the Empress Dowager outside Huguo Temple, preparing to slip away.

As the Imperial Preceptor, Zhao Yungui naturally did not need to greet him. He simply told Jiang Jinshuang that he would be staying at Huguo Temple for the next few days and that she could find him in the meditation room on the back mountain if she needed anything.

Jiang Jinshuang agreed to all of them.

When they arrived at the gate of Huguo Temple, the Empress Dowager's entourage had already been fully deployed.

Jiang Jinshuang stood to one side, while Jiang Biechen and Xia Yurong also stood to the side.

On the imperial carriage, Eunuch Sun bowed and stepped forward, keeping his head low and extending his hand to wait patiently.

Master Miaofeng, dressed in a golden-red kasaya, stood at the head of the group of monks, his hands clasped together, his face kind and benevolent.

Finally, the phoenix carriage landed.

A hand was placed on Grandpa Sun's arm.

The curtains on the imperial carriage slowly opened, and the Empress Dowager, dressed in a magnificent gown, stepped gracefully out of the carriage.

This should be the first time Jiang Jinshuang has seen the Empress Dowager since returning to the capital.

The Empress Dowager's hair was completely white, and there were fine lines at the corners of her eyes. The hand that rested on Eunuch Sun's arm was also slightly thin.

But those eyes were frighteningly bright; if you looked closely, they didn't even seem like an old person's eyes.

Her body was slightly hunched, but it did not detract from her dignified and elegant demeanor.

As she stepped out of the sedan chair, the Empress Dowager, supported by Eunuch Sun, walked step by step to Abbot Miaofeng.

The Empress Dowager always carried a string of Buddhist prayer beads in her hand, which was said to have been given to her by a highly virtuous monk from Huguo Temple.

“Amitabha, Master Miaofeng, it’s been a long time.”

The Empress Dowager spoke slowly, her tone calm and even, her eyes seemingly filled with compassion.

Master Miaofeng also respectfully returned the greeting: "Welcome, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."

"Your Majesty, please come with me. The temple has made preparations for you."

"Thank you for your help, Master."

After a brief conversation, the Empress Dowager and Abbot Miaofeng walked at the front towards the main hall of the temple.

Jiang Jinshuang and Jiang Biechen followed behind, going together as well.

Inside the main hall of the temple.

As soon as Jiang Jinshuang stepped into the main hall, she smelled the scent of incense.

The cauldron in the very center was filled with incense, burning brightly.

The Empress Dowager walked to the central prayer cushion first, and Master Miaofeng offered her incense. After receiving the incense, the Empress Dowager knelt down in devout worship.

Jiang Jinshuang raised her eyes and looked at the golden Buddha at the highest point.

I've heard that the Buddha statues in Huguo Temple were all built with funds from the imperial palace, and each statue is made by melting down countless kilograms of gold, making them priceless.

Legend has it that Huguo Temple is a place of outstanding people and blessed with good fortune. Countless people come here to make wishes and pray to Buddha, and its blessings are said to be very effective.

Jiang Jinshuang also heard that the golden Buddha statue in Huguo Temple is the foundation of the nation, capable of protecting the Jin dynasty for ten thousand years and ensuring its eternal prosperity.

But when Jiang Jinshuang looked at the kind-faced golden Buddha, she felt it was somewhat jarring.

If Buddha is so compassionate towards all people, then if she were to chip off a piece of gold from some hidden corner, Buddha probably wouldn't blame her, right?
Just as she was lost in thought, the Empress Dowager, who had finished setting up the Buddha statue in the center, slowly rose to her feet, supported by Eunuch Sun.

"Biechen, you should also come and pay your respects."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Biechen stepped forward respectfully and said, "Yes."

He also offered incense to the abbot, and Jiang Biechen knelt before the prayer mat, respectfully and solemnly.

After he finished bowing and stood up, Jiang Jinshuang could feel the Empress Dowager's gaze sweep past her.

—But it stopped on Xia Yurong, who was standing at the very end.

"Yu Rong, you've accompanied me on my pilgrimages for so many years, come and pay your respects too."

Upon hearing this, Xia Yurong, who was standing at the entrance, widened her eyes and said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, this is against the rules."

The Empress Dowager wore a kind smile: "All beings are equal before the Buddha. Your filial piety is evident to heaven and earth. There is nothing wrong with it."

As she spoke, the Empress Dowager waved her hand at Xia Yurong and smiled, "Come here, didn't you say the other day that you wanted to ask for a marriage proposal with Chief Minister Pei?"

The voice wasn't loud, but Jiang Jinshuang felt it was directed at her. She chuckled lightly, not taking it seriously.

Xia Yurong listened and didn't refuse anymore.

She stepped forward shyly, bowed her head, and walked up to the abbot: "Then I'll trouble Abbot Miaofeng to prepare an incense stick for Yurong."

Miao Feng's expression remained unchanged; he simply stood there smiling, without moving.

The young novice monk beside him lowered his head and silently stepped forward, offering a stick of incense: "Please forgive us, Benefactor Xia. Our master is not supposed to offer incense for others, but the Empress Dowager and His Highness the Crown Prince are exceptions."

The implication of these words is that Xia Yurong is not worthy of him.

Upon seeing this, the Empress Dowager frowned almost imperceptibly.

Master Miaofeng was kind and benevolent. Although it was a matter of etiquette and rules, he was by no means the kind of person who would embarrass others in public.

The way they're treating Xia Yurong now is clearly intentional.

But the Empress Dowager said nothing.

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Xia Yurong's face, but she carefully took the incense from the young novice and whispered a Buddhist chant.

She followed the example of Jiang Biechen and the Empress Dowager, kneeling before the Buddha statue with a devout expression and a hint of shy joy on her lips.

After bowing and rising, Xia Yurong respectfully and obediently retreated behind the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager's gaze fell on Jiang Jinshuang almost imperceptibly.

Jiang Jinshuang pretended not to know, and simply stood there upright, without saying a word.

"Alright," the Empress Dowager said, "After you have paid homage to Buddha and eaten your vegetarian meal today, you may rest on your own."

"Thank you, Queen Mother."

"Your Majesty, I thank you."

Xia Yurong and Jiang Biechen saw them off respectfully.

Before the Empress Dowager could say anything more, at the highest point, Abbot Miaofeng took a stick of incense and smiled at Jiang Jinshuang, saying, "Your Highness, you are of noble birth, please come and pay your respects as well."

In short, the Empress Dowager, who was originally preparing to leave, frowned and stood there with a cold face.

Jiang Jinshuang raised her eyebrows slightly.

She never expected that Master Miaofeng would speak up for her in front of the Empress Dowager.

She wasn't one to act impulsively. Now that she had accepted the incense offering, she was fine herself, but she worried that it might be detrimental to Master Miaofeng.

Thinking this, Jiang Jinshuang smiled and waved her hand: "Thank you, Master Miaofeng, but it's not necessary. Zhaoming has no requests."

The Empress Dowager chuckled softly, "Master Miaofeng, there's no need to be so polite. Back then, Zhaoming committed a blood feud and should know he had no face to meet the gods and Buddhas."

Jiang Jinshuang's smile remained unchanged, her expression nonchalant.

Since she was willing to accompany the Empress Dowager to Huguo Temple, she was also prepared for the Empress Dowager to make things difficult for her.

Miaofeng smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you are mistaken. If one has committed murder, the gods and Buddhas will punish one. If Your Highness sincerely repents, the gods and Buddhas will also consider it."

The implication is that whether she respects Buddhism is her own business, and others should not interfere.

The Empress Dowager naturally understood what she meant.

The smile on his lips froze, and his gaze toward Miaofeng turned somewhat cold.

Miaofeng seemed oblivious, and simply smiled kindly as she asked Jiang Jinshuang, "Does Your Highness wish to pay homage?"

Jiang Jinshuang was quite curious to see the Empress Dowager's displeased expression.

Xia Yurong's expression changed when Master Miaofeng handed her the incense.

Really interesting.

However, Jiang Jinshuang was not someone who acted without considering the consequences. If Master Miaofeng offended the Empress Dowager because of this, then she would feel ashamed.

Although she knew that Master Miaofeng was backing her up, Jiang Jinshuang was definitely not someone who didn't know the consequences.

She smiled and took a step back: "Thank you, Master Miaofeng, but I won't accept that."

Refused.

Miaofeng understood Jiang Jinshuang's considerations, and although he was disappointed, he didn't say anything more.

Upon seeing this, the Empress Dowager smiled.

Before she could say anything more, a clear and melodious voice came from outside the temple gate.

"I, the Imperial Preceptor's swordsman disciple, greet Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, Your Highness the Crown Prince, and Your Highness the Princess."

It's Little Zhengze. (End of Chapter)