Fairy, please don't do this!

Upon seeing this, a sharp glint flashed in Xiao Qingyi's beautiful eyes, and her tone became even colder and more piercing: "Zen Master, together with Ning Muchi and the Buddhist nun, ambushed and killed important officials of the court in the Corpse Demon Cave."

"Now, the Zen Master has questioned Gu Qing face to face, causing damage to Gu Qing's soul and the destruction of his Dao foundation."

"If this matter is not resolved, I will join forces with the Daoist sects and spare no effort to expel the Zen Realm from Zhongzhou."

Since the Zen Master's attack failed, it was her turn to retaliate.

Gu Jinzhao's perfectly timed "serious injury," along with Chanzi's ambush and killing of him in the Corpse Demon Cave, provided the perfect excuse.

Daozun narrowed his eyes slightly and said coldly, "I ask Zen Master to give an explanation."

He became more and more satisfied with Gu Jinzhao the more he looked at him.

Upon their first meeting, the other party not only thwarted the conspiracy of the Zen Master and Emperor Yongxing, but also defeated the Zen disciples and Buddhist nuns.

Now, by taking advantage of the Corpse Demon Cave incident, they have slapped Buddhism hard in the face.

With such a temperament and strategic mindset, coupled with outstanding talent in cultivation, he truly is a pillar of the future of Taoism.

If Gu Jinzhao weren't a member of the Qingyun Sect, he would have wanted to snatch him away.

But then I thought about it again and realized it wasn't necessary.

After all, Mu Yiren and he were childhood sweethearts, and they would inevitably become Daoist partners in the future, so they could be considered family.

"Fine."

Seeing that the situation was hopeless, the Zen master had no choice but to wave his hand.

A golden light drifted toward Gu Jinzhao.

He reached out and grabbed it, and a seven-colored lotus flower came into view.

The Zen Master clasped his hands together and slowly explained, "This is the Buddhist treasure, the Seven-Colored Lotus, which blooms only once every three thousand years."

"It can not only help Vice Commander Gu repair his soul injuries and restore his Dao foundation, but also help you to reach a higher level in your divine cultivation."

He could naturally tell that Gu Jinchao's injury was fake.

But so what if you can tell?

Since I acted first and was in the wrong, I naturally have to give the other party a satisfactory explanation.

Gu Jinzhao's eyes lit up as he looked at the Seven-Colored Lotus in his palm.

This is a good thing.

With it, not only can one accelerate their cultivation in the Divine Path, but it can also help them condense a Golden Core when they reach the fourth rank.

With Xiao Qingyi's assistance in martial arts and the Seven-Colored Buddha Lotus in the divine path, this is truly a great harvest.

The Zen Master said, "I have misunderstood Vice Commander Gu. Please don't take it to heart."

Gu Jinzhao calmly put away the Seven-Colored Buddha Lotus, but then said, "The Zen Master bestowed the Buddha Lotus because of my injury."

"But what about the time when Zen Master led people to ambush and kill them in the Corpse Demon Cave..."

The Zen Master frowned.

He never expected that a mere fifth-rank junior would dare to extort money from him, a being who had stepped into the half-step super-rank realm.

Emperor Yongxing glanced coldly at Gu Jinchao: "I will discuss this matter with the Empress Dowager and give Minister Gu a satisfactory answer."

Ultimately, this all stemmed from his order for Ning Muchi to kill Gu Jinzhao.

Both morally and logically, he should be the one to clean up the mess.

Otherwise, the Zen Master would inevitably harbor resentment towards him...

Chapter 313, Accompanying the Empress to Enjoy the Lanterns, a Chance Encounter with Two Beautiful Women (3K)

"This matter shall be handled as Your Majesty has said."

Xiao Qingyi nodded, which was considered as accepting Emperor Yongxing's proposal.

The other party's statement must be an attempt to make concessions in court as compensation, so that she can gain greater benefits from it.

And all of this was brought about by Gu Jinzhao.

She even suspected that this lackey had foreseen all of this.

Just like when she was in the Mind Realm, he could always predict her attack patterns in advance and prepare a countermeasure.

"Return to the palace!"

Emperor Yongxing gave the handsome figure in the purple-patterned robe a cold look, then turned and stepped into the imperial carriage.

If I had known earlier that Gu Jinzhao would become a major threat, I should have spared no effort to kill him the moment he stepped into Yujing City.

Now, killing him might be difficult.

"Prepare the carriage and return to the palace."

Xiao Qingyi gazed at Emperor Yongxing's retreating figure, a faint smile curving her beautiful lips.

"Your Majesty, please!"

Jing Shu lifted the curtain of the phoenix carriage for her.

Xiao Qingyi stepped inside.

"Respectfully seeing off the Empress Dowager."

Gu Jinzhao, Mu Yiren, and the Vermilion Bird Guards in the room all bowed in salute.

Just as the phoenix carriage began to move, Xiao Qingyi's voice rang out: "Gu Qing, I have something to discuss with you."

Although Gu Jinchao had some doubts, he still followed.

About fifteen minutes later, after reaching a secluded riverbank, Xiao Qingyi spoke again: "Stop!"

Jing Shu raised her hand, and the four palace maids immediately stopped.

Xiao Qingyi parted her red lips slightly: "You should go back first."

"Yes!"

Jing Shu didn't ask any further questions and led a group of palace maids and eunuchs toward the palace.

After they had gone some distance, Gu Jinchao asked, "Does Your Majesty have any important matters to discuss with this humble subject?"

He felt it must be about Zenko.

After all, he had set a trap to kill someone and caused such a huge uproar.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Qingyi never mentioned the matter again.

She simply turned around and looked at the setting sun on the horizon, which dyed half the sky a magnificent golden-red, and also gilded her profile with a rosy halo.

After a long while, Xiao Qingyi said calmly, "Today is the Lantern Festival, accompany me for a walk."

Having said that, she lightly flicked her sleeve.

The delicate lace half-mask on her face suddenly rippled with mysterious runes, and in an instant it transformed into a plain white veil.

Gently covering her stunningly beautiful face, only revealing a pair of pale golden phoenix eyes and a smooth forehead.

The magnificent black phoenix robe she wore had been transformed into a black palace dress, clinging to her graceful figure and outlining her exquisite curves.

Although her identity was concealed, she could not erase her innate noble and aloof temperament.

Gu Jinzhao was slightly taken aback, but quickly realized what was happening and replied, "Your humble servant obeys the decree."

Unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager, who was at loggerheads with the Zen Master just a moment ago, is now going to the lantern festival like an ordinary woman.

Xiao Qingyi glanced at him, her pale golden eyes flashing slightly beneath her veil: "Call me Madam."

Gu Jinzhao readily agreed: "Yes, Madam."

The woman probably wanted him to change his form of address because she intended to visit the lantern festival as an ordinary person and didn't want to attract attention.

As if thinking of something, he couldn't help but ask, "Then in what capacity should this humble subject accompany you?"

Xiao Qingyi walked forward without turning her head: "You dog servant."

Gu Jinzhao's lips twitched slightly.

So even though his status has changed, he still has to be treated like a servant?

When my madness takes hold, I will make you understand what it means to defy your superiors.

Gu Jinzhao muttered a curse in his heart, then quickly changed his official robe into an ordinary brocade robe. After altering his appearance with the power of [Ugliness], he hurried after him.

The night market was bustling with activity and filled with the sounds of people.

The streets were lined with all kinds of lanterns, making the market colorful.

The cries of vendors, the laughter of pedestrians, and the playful shouts of children mingled together, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere.

Xiao Qingyi seemed genuinely interested, taking in the night market with great relish.

She walked slowly, her gaze sometimes falling on a delicate lantern, sometimes lingering on a novelty at a stall.

When she wanted to buy something, she would point to Gu Jinzhao behind her and say, "Go, buy this for me."

Gu Jinzhao immediately became like a servant, obediently stepping forward to pay the money.

Sometimes she would take what she wanted without saying anything, which would cause the vendors to shout, and Gu Jinzhao would have to rush over to explain and then pay.

When this Empress Dowager went shopping, she displayed a childlike capriciousness and unreasonableness.

At this moment, Xiao Qingyi stopped in front of a sugar figurine stall, ordered a string of sugar figurines, and took a small bite with her red lips. She couldn't help but frown and say, "So sweet."

After saying that, he handed it to the handsome servant behind him.

Gu Jinchao stared blankly at the string of crystal-clear sugar figurines in his hand, which were clearly missing a small piece.

In the end, I didn't throw it away; I put it directly into my mouth.

"Yes, it is indeed very sweet."

Gu Jinzhao didn't have any special fetishes; he just knew that the Empress Dowager was a stingy woman.

If I lose her, it means I dislike her, and I might face retaliation.

Suddenly, someone in the crowd ahead shouted, "The poetry gathering at Yincui Lake is about to begin! Let's hurry over there!"

"Otherwise, there won't be any seats left on the pleasure boat, and we'll just have to stand by the lake and feel the cold wind."

Xiao Qingyi paused, seemingly intrigued: "Let's go take a look too."

Gu Jinzhao could only follow her towards Yincui Lake.

A moment later, a beautiful lakeside came into view.

Colorful lanterns float on the lake, like stars scattered across the earth.

Several ornately decorated pleasure boats were moored in the middle of the lake, brightly lit, with the faint sounds of string and wind instruments and chanting audible.

Xiao Qingyi led Gu Jinzhao onto a rather elegant painted boat.

The talented men and beautiful women on the boat were reciting poems and composing verses, appearing elegant and refined.

Xiao Qingyi found a quiet corner to sit down, her gaze sweeping over the several unfinished couplets hanging in the boat. She casually pointed to the three frontmost couplets and said to Gu Jinchao beside her:

“You dog servant, I’ll give you half a cup of tea’s time. If you can’t answer this, I’ll kick you out of the house.”

As soon as he finished speaking, all the talented men and beautiful women on the boat were stunned, and their eyes all fell on Gu Jinzhao.

Several of them frowned and spoke up for him, saying, "These three couplets were composed by several great scholars from the Imperial Academy; they are extremely tricky."

"Even the most talented person needs time to think before they can come up with a solution. How can half a cup of tea's time be enough?"

"Is this lady deliberately making things difficult for her servant?"

Gu Jinzhao felt a sense of helplessness and could only turn his gaze to the three couplets.

First couplet: [Idly observing the wood within the gate.]

Second couplet: [Lodging at a guesthouse, I steadfastly guard my lonely, cold window.]

The third couplet reads: [Frozen warships, soldiers fight the ice, the ice breaks and the soldiers emerge.]

They are indeed all extremely tricky absolutes.

For an ordinary person, let alone half a cup of tea, even a year might not be enough to match it up.