Legend of Zhan Zhao

Chapter 22 The "Understanding" Princess
Another day.

Chen Xiuhan, who was supposed to come and report on the temple's activities every day, did not come.

Zhan Zhao knew that the important figures from the royal family were coming.

Sure enough, the melodious bells of Daxiangguo Temple rang out, a full one hundred and eight times.

The great bell tolls 108 times at dawn and dusk to awaken the world.

At the same time, the emperor visited the temple, and the bells and drums sounded in unison for a hundred and eight days.

The monks in the temple, including novices, all gathered in one direction.

Many truly reclusive individuals remained unmoved, or even avoided it altogether.

Zhan Zhao is one of them.

What does it matter to the Empress Dowager or the Emperor that they are going to the temple to burn incense?

Could it be that he would have a chance encounter with the immature young emperor? Wouldn't that make him Wei Xiaobao?
I'll just sweep and clean in front of the Zisheng Pavilion and enjoy the peace and quiet.

However, as he continued scanning, a strange aura rapidly approached within his mind's reflection.

The newcomer was young, with abundant energy and vitality, but his aura was excessively feminine.

'A eunuch?'

Zhan Zhao continued moving, but he already had a premonition in his mind.

When he turned around, he saw a young man dressed as an imperial official standing at the courtyard gate.

She was about the same age as him, fifteen or sixteen, but much thinner, with a fairly healthy complexion, gentle features, and warm eyes.

The other person looked over from afar, sized him up, and said, "Are you the sweeping monk who defeated Zhao Xingyao? Your honor has arrived! Her Highness the Princess summons you to the front hall!"

'Zhao Xingyao...Princess...?'

Zhan Zhao frowned slightly.

In ancient times, people rarely addressed each other by their given names, which is why courtesy names were used. People in the martial arts world, on the other hand, usually referred to by their given names.

For example, in the Four Great Constables, Zhao Xingyao, also known as "Wujiu," is called Zhao Wujiu, or Zhao Shenbu.

Calling someone by their first name is considered disrespectful and even hostile.

Eunuchs all have masters, and this young eunuch is obviously someone who serves the princess. The emperor is young and has no children. The so-called princess is the emperor's sister, Princess Zhaoning, the daughter of the empress dowager.

The fact that the eunuchs around Princess Zhaoning call Zhao Wujiu by his full name most likely indicates that the princess dislikes him.

In a short sentence, Zhan Zhao analyzed the situation and raised one palm to his chest: "I am not a sweeping monk."

"Aren't you?"

The young eunuch was taken aback, but didn't suspect anything.

After all, most people would be overjoyed to hear that the princess had invited them.

The young monk before me was so composed, as if he were talking about someone else's achievements, but it seems that it really wasn't.

Is the Great Xiangguo Temple now so full of talented people?

He had just heard the monk who greeted the guest describe how handsome the sweeping monk who defeated Zhao Xingyao was, as if he were a celestial being descended to earth. He hadn't believed it at the time, but now, looking at the person in front of him, he was indeed quite handsome...

But if it's not this person, then there's another person just as handsome.

Fortunately, they were all monks.

A flurry of thoughts crossed his mind, and the young eunuch asked, "Where is that sweeping monk?"

Zhan Zhao did not answer, but simply put his hands together in a gesture of respect, then picked up a broom and walked out of the courtyard.

The young eunuch suddenly felt a sense of peace, a tranquility that the palace's intrigues and power struggles had never brought him.

"Huh? Where did they go?"

In a daze, when he came to his senses, he looked around, but there was no one there.
Left with no other option, they continued to inquire.

At this moment, Zhan Zhao had already headed towards the monks' quarters.

Chen Xiuhan had been eager to make him famous, and Zhan Zhao initially didn't dampen his enthusiasm. Only after he was confirmed to be taking office did he instruct him not to mention him in front of the worshippers, as he didn't want to deal with those powerful figures.

Including Princess Zhaoning.

Since one doesn't want to get involved in the pointless games between the powerful, the best course of action is to avoid it altogether.

Anyway, the other person came to the temple to offer incense and suddenly had the urge to see me.

If I can't see him, I'll let it go and won't keep bothering him.

However, Zhan Zhao was wrong this time.

He returned to the monks' quarters and had only been meditating on the couch for the time it takes to drink two cups of tea when a commotion arose outside.

Zhan Zhao listened intently, a helpless expression on his face. He glanced at the window, pondering whether to climb out and escape.

"Very well! Isn't this a form of spiritual practice?"

A thought suddenly occurred to Zhan Zhao. He shook his head and chuckled, got off the bed, and stepped out.

Upon opening the door, they saw the fat, big-eared monk leading the way, and Chen Xiuhan, whose expression was helpless yet unable to stop them. Clearly, Chen Xiuhan had followed Zhan Zhao's instructions but couldn't control others.

The guest monk warmly welcomed the distinguished guest, even leading him all the way to the monks' quarters.

Thus, the most eye-catching figure, surrounded by a group of eunuchs and palace maids, strolled in with her skirt flowing like clouds.

Princess Zhaoning.

The princess was young, but she was already stunningly beautiful, with skin as white as snow, lips as red as cinnabar, and phoenix eyes that were slightly upturned. She wore a cloud brocade robe with a vermilion base and gold thread embroidered with phoenixes and flowers, which shone brightly in the sunlight.

As Zhan Zhao went out, her gaze fell upon him, and the two looked at each other from a distance.

The little princess's expression was clearly angry until Zhan Zhao put his hands together and used the Six Hearts Clarity Technique.

Not long ago, Chen Xiuhan's feelings resurfaced.

This time it's just more outward-looking and more targeted.

In the little princess's eyes, this person stood in the morning light, his eyes clear and bright. Sunlight pierced through his slightly drooping eyelashes, reflecting tiny golden rays in his clear eyes, as if he could see through all the impurities of the world.

He was tall and slender, and even in a monk's robe, he had an elegant and refined air. What was most peculiar was his otherworldly aura, as pure as the first snow in the mountains, and as aloof and cold as the bright moon in the sky.

Zhan Zhao was unaware that the other party had such a vivid imagination; he simply put himself in the other person's shoes and tried to avoid unnecessary conflict.

good results.

"Well!"

The little princess had come with anger, but upon seeing this face, her heart softened, her expression relaxed, and her anger quickly dissipated. She glanced at him again, still somewhat unsatisfied, and then ordered her attendants, "Huaiji, go forward and question him! Question him properly!"

The same young eunuch arrived quickly, glaring at me and saying, "You are clearly the Sweeping Monk, why did you lie to me?"

Zhan Zhao corrected him: "I am a novice monk who sweeps the floor, not a Buddhist monk."

"this!"

The young eunuch paused, then snorted, half annoyed and half regretful, and said, "Why did you have to do this? You've needlessly angered His Highness."

Zhan Zhao had abandoned the Great Xiangguo Temple without hesitation, and now he was staying because he felt he could stay, not because he had to. He said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Please inform Your Highness that I am not a monk who greets guests, but merely a novice sweeper. I do not receive outsiders, so my avoidance is by no means disrespectful."

When the young eunuch cautiously replied, Princess Zhaoning's expression changed. How dare he! This attitude was clearly disrespectful.
Only the little princess nodded gently and said calmly, "Very well, he is right. Mother and my brother are still in the front hall. Let's not delay this time, we'll come again next time!"

"Yes!"

The attendants, feeling as if they had been granted a pardon, quickly accepted the order.

"call!"

Chen Xiuhan and the young eunuch breathed a sigh of relief.

The latter couldn't help but secretly rejoice.

Her Highness is in such a good mood today; it's rare for her to be so understanding...

On the contrary, the monk who was leading the way was getting a little anxious.

I don’t know why this usually domineering little princess has changed her ways, but she came all this way with people, only to turn around and leave. Not only will she lose face, but if the princess goes back and throws a tantrum, won’t I be the one who takes it out on her?
Therefore, the monk who was in charge of receiving guests stepped forward and said ingratiatingly, "Now that Your Highness has arrived, this humble monk will let him come forward to speak with you and accompany you all the way to the front hall. It will not delay your journey at all!"

"Oh?"

Princess Zhaoning was delighted: "You really managed to get him to come and talk to me all the way. I will reward you handsomely!"

The guest monk quickly bowed and scurried over to the front of the monks' quarters, smiling obsequiously, "I am Jiechi, greetings to my junior brother!"

Unexpectedly, Zhan Zhao's eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing the Buddhist name: "Hu Xiba was rampant and tyrannical in the temple before, violating the precepts. He was only confined for three days before being released. Was it you who provided him with support?"

The guest monk, Jiechi, was taken aback and quickly said, "Misunderstanding, misunderstanding! This humble monk and Hu Xiba are merely from the same hometown. I was just offering him a little help; I have absolutely no intention of having any powerful backing..."

"That's it."

Zhan Zhao said calmly, "If Hu Xiba hadn't been released beforehand, he wouldn't have died from poisoning during the morning lesson that day. It really is a case of what goes around comes around!"

The guest monk, Jiechi, was first taken aback, then somewhat at a loss, and finally turned to shame and anger: "Junior brother, you just don't like Hu Xiba. The dead are gone, why be so unforgiving?"

"Who is your junior brother?"

Zhan Zhao respected Jiewen and Zen Master Chihong, which is why he accepted their titles. However, not everyone was qualified to address him that way. He left a sentence and turned to enter the monks' quarters.

'You little bastard! What are you so arrogant about! You've offended the princess, you'll be in big trouble!'

The monk Jiechi, who was inwardly cursing, forced a smile onto his face, turned back to the princess's entourage, and bowed deeply: "Your Highness..."

Just as he was about to offer some criticism, he saw the little princess watching intently as Zhan Zhao's figure disappeared through the door. Turning her head, she saw a fat, bloated face.

"Eek!"

She leaned back instinctively, waved her slender hand quickly, and said angrily, "I hate you. Don't let me see you again next time I offer incense!"

"Prepare the carriage! Return to the palace!"

Watching this precious young lady leave surrounded by a large entourage, Jiechi stood there dumbfounded, momentarily lost in thought.

No.

Both are monks...

Why is there such a big difference?
(End of this chapter)