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

Chapter 113 The Inkstone Technique is Back

Zhengze is Zhao Yungui's sword attendant disciple, representing the wishes of the Grand Preceptor.

As Xiao Zhengze entered the main hall, he wore a neat white and blue robe, with a sword at his waist, and respectfully bowed to the Empress Dowager and the others.

Jiang Jinshuang raised an eyebrow slightly, somewhat surprised.

What happened to the small regular expression?

Although the Empress Dowager did not have much contact with the Imperial Preceptor, she still held him in high esteem.

Seeing Zhengze, she smiled kindly: "What brings Lord Zhengze here? Is the Grand Preceptor also at Huguo Temple?"

Facing Empress Dowager Fengzun, Xiao Zhengze remained neither humble nor arrogant, but composed and polite: "Your Majesty, my master has been practicing at Huguo Temple these past few days and is staying in the meditation room on the back mountain."

The Empress Dowager nodded: "I am very pleased that the Grand Preceptor has devoted himself to Wan Jin."

After a pause, the Empress Dowager still smiled and asked, "I wonder what brings Lord Zhengze here?"

Xiao Zhengze clasped his hands and bowed: "Your Majesty, my master has not yet come to worship the Buddha statue since arriving at Huguo Temple."

"But the Empress Dowager also knows that as the Imperial Preceptor, even though the three religions share the same origin, it is not appropriate for Your Excellency to personally come and pay homage to the Buddha statue."

The Empress Dowager nodded slightly, indicating her understanding: "So, Lord Zhengze is here to offer incense on behalf of the Grand Preceptor?"

Upon hearing this question, Xiao Zhengze slowly turned towards Jiang Jinshuang.

"Your Highness, my master said he would like to ask you to offer incense on his behalf."

The sound of the regular pattern is clear and melodious.

Upon hearing this, everyone froze on the spot.

The Empress Dowager, in particular, frowned deeply upon hearing this, and the kindness on her face vanished: "Has Lord Zhengze misremembered? Zhaoming, with her status, is not suitable to offer incense on behalf of the Imperial Preceptor."

As she spoke, the Empress Dowager glanced at Jiang Biechen behind her.

Jiang Biechen understood and stepped forward: "If the Grand Preceptor does not mind, I am willing to offer incense and pray to Buddha on his behalf."

Zhengze clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your Highness, please forgive me. My master said when he came that the Crown Prince is the future heir apparent, a person of great importance. It is fine to bow on one's own behalf, but to offer incense on his behalf would be impolite."

It would be impolite to have the Crown Prince offer incense on behalf of the Imperial Preceptor, but it would not be impolite to have Princess Zhaoming offer incense.

Jiang Jinshuang suppressed the smile on her lips and looked at Xiao Zhengze with a leisurely air.

—This little guy, he just wants to stand up for her, right?

Jiang Biechen frowned slightly, but he couldn't refute it.

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager twitched the corner of her mouth and said, "In that case, if the Grand Preceptor does not mind, Yu Rong can offer incense on his behalf."

As she spoke, the Empress Dowager pointed to Xia Yurong standing to the side.

Xia Yurong bit her lip slightly, her cheeks flushed with shyness, and curtsied to Xiao Zhengze: "Greetings, Lord Zhengze."

Xiao Zhengze frowned, his beautiful little eyebrows furrowing. Facing this woman he had never met before, he was even less patient.

"Never seen it, don't know it, not qualified."

His cold words immediately caused Xia Yurong's expression to change drastically, making her feel somewhat embarrassed.

Xiao Zhengze didn't care about any of that. He turned to Jiang Jinshuang, bowed slightly, and clasped his hands in a fist: "Your Highness, please offer a stick of incense on behalf of my Imperial Preceptor."

The Empress Dowager refused to tolerate her.

Zhao Yungui insisted on supporting her.

Jiang Jinshuang chuckled and stepped forward a few paces: "Then I shall respectfully accept your offer."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager frowned and said coldly, "Zhaoming, know your place."

That's already a warning.

Jiang Jinshuang chuckled lightly, but before she could speak, Zhengze said firmly, "Your Majesty, my master also said that if there are any objections, he can come and debate them himself. Please do not make things difficult for Her Highness the Princess."

Neither humble nor arrogant, and never yielding an inch.

In an instant, the Empress Dowager's face turned cold.

"I really don't want to worship Buddha, but since it's the Grand Preceptor's request, I'll reluctantly offer a stick of incense."

Jiang Jinshuang is particularly good at taking advantage of others and then acting innocent.

The Empress Dowager's face grew even more unpleasant.

She walked to the prayer mat, and as soon as she stood behind her, both Zhengze and Abbot Miaofeng took a stick of incense and prepared to hand it to Jiang Jinshuang.

Jiang Jinshuang smiled and accepted them all.

The Empress Dowager could only request a stick of incense from Huguo Temple.

—She asked for two sticks of incense.

Isn't this a slap in the face to the Empress Dowager? Jiang Jinshuang was delighted.

It seems this trip to Huguo Temple was quite interesting.

Finally, Jiang Jinshuang finished worshipping the golden Buddha under the Empress Dowager's cold gaze. She calmly stood up, and then heard Xiao Zhengze beside her say, "Thank you, Your Highness."

The Empress Dowager watched the entire process with a cold face. After Jiang Jinshuang stood up, she snorted coldly and left.

Xia Yurong bit her lip slightly and left with the Empress Dowager.

Jiang Biechen chuckled, glanced at Jiang Jinshuang with interest, and then turned and left the main hall.

After everyone left, Xiao Zhengze bowed to Abbot Miaofeng to express his gratitude: "Thank you, Grandmaster. My master said that if the Empress Dowager ever blames him in the future, you can go and find him."

Upon hearing this, Miaofeng simply waved his hand and smiled, "It's just a small matter of offering incense, nothing to be so serious."

Zhengze didn't say anything more, but just frowned and snorted coldly at Jiang Jinshuang.

Yo ho?

Jiang Jinshuang laughed out loud and said without thinking, "I say, young master Zhengze, why are you so respectful to your grandmaster but so cold to this pretty lady?"

Zhengze snorted unhappily, "My parents knew you were going to cause trouble, that's why they sent me to help you."

“I’m innocent, little master Zhengze,” Jiang Jinshuang blinked innocently. “I didn’t say a word. I was very well-behaved.”

"You, you, you, you!" Zhengze pointed at Jiang Jinshuang, wanting to say something, but after a long while he just crossed his arms and muttered, "Anyway, it's my master's divine wisdom!"

Jiang Jinshuang readily agreed: "Yes, yes, thank you so much for saving me, Grand Preceptor. I am deeply grateful!"

Actually, even if the Imperial Preceptor didn't come, and Master Miaofeng didn't speak up for her, it wouldn't matter.

It was just a matter of offering incense; Jiang Jinshuang didn't care much about these formalities.

But now that they're willing to stand up for her, it feels different.

Jiang Jinshuang was in a good mood.

Xiao Zheng said something insincere: "Don't flatter yourself. My master only took action to avoid putting Grandmaster Miaofeng in a difficult position, not for your sake."

They changed their minds again.

He just said it was to save her.

Jiang Jinshuang smiled and shook her head, stroking Xiao Zhengze's head with one hand: "Alright, alright, Xiao Zhengze is right. In any case, I still want to thank the Imperial Preceptor. Please convey my thanks to Xiao Zhengze."

Zhengze's ears turned red, and he hurriedly took a few steps back, frantically tidying his disheveled hair: "Rude! Utterly rude!"

With that, Xiao Zhengze turned and left indignantly!

With the matter settled, Jiang Jinshuang bid farewell to Master Miaofeng and returned to her meditation room.

Huguo Temple has many meditation rooms.

Jiang Jinshuang's meditation room was the most secluded and quiet one among the group, rarely visited by anyone.

Upon entering the courtyard, Jiang Jinshuang felt it was somewhat familiar. But when she pushed open the door to the meditation room, she froze in the entryway.

She saw a vase on the desk in the meditation room, containing several blooming peach blossoms, so fresh that you could still see the dew on them.

No wonder this meditation room looked familiar.

—It was the room she stayed in when she brought Pei Du to Huguo Temple back then.

However, the flower branches look very new, as if they are replaced regularly.

Jiang Jinshuang went out and asked a young novice monk who was sweeping and cleaning.

The young novice monk pondered for a moment, then realized, "You mean the meditation room in the far corner of the courtyard, right?"

"The flowers in that meditation room were placed there by a benefactor who would come to the temple every spring and would place flowers in the room every day."

"Later, I got used to it. After that benefactor left, if the peach blossoms hadn't faded, I would find a branch of flowers a few days later and place it in the meditation room."

After a pause, the young novice said, "Does the benefactor not like peach blossoms? This humble monk will go and take the vase away."

Jiang Jinshuang smiled and waved her hand: "No need, little master, thank you."
-
That night.

After finishing her vegetarian meal, Jiang Jinshuang lay down on the bed in the meditation room.

Jiang Jinshuang closed her eyes early, knowing she had to get up early the next day to go to the temple to chant sutras and pray.

A figure passed through the door.

Jiang Jinshuang slowly opened her eyes.

A shadow fell outside the window.

Jiang Jinshuang smiled helplessly: "Yanjue, how did you know I was here?"