A master of metaphysics is farming.

Chapter 206 Trouble

Knowing that Xiang He did not agree with their approach, they still insisted on having Xiang He become their disciple, which was unusual.

What is Wulu thinking?

A moment of doubt made Xiang He frown. "Why do I have to go to Longguang Temple?"

These questions made Wulu's eyes crinkle into a wider smile. "I value your abilities. If you can become my disciple and carry forward the spirit of Taoism, it will be a great achievement for me."

The meaning couldn't be clearer: let Xiang He use the title of Wu Lu's disciple to promote his reputation.

Xiang He never expected him to be so...vulgar.

I thought there was some special purpose behind it, like using Xiang He to do something outrageous.

Although it's possible, Xiang He wouldn't agree to it so easily.

"The Imperial Advisor is willing to lose face and use this as a means of coercion. It seems that the Imperial Advisor greatly admires me."

“That’s for sure,” Wulu said, flicking his whisk again. “You are a kind person, with good intentions towards people and things. Longguang Temple needs someone like you.”

The doubt in Xiang He's eyes dissipated, and she said calmly, "Longguang Temple must have quite a few talented people, right?"

“How can they compare to you?” Wulu turned to face the lush green vegetable garden. “I sincerely invite you today, young lady, please consider it carefully.”

As he was about to turn and leave, Xiang He rested her chin on her hand and said, "Alright, I'll think about it."

Hearing her words, Wu Lu's expression improved considerably. "The marriage alliance is imminent; Miss, you should make a decision soon."

"Row."

"girl!"

Xiang He raised her hand, "I'm just considering it, I haven't decided yet." She turned to look at Xing Ji, "Don't worry, I'll discuss this with your young master."

Xing Ji didn't mean it that way. No matter who he consulted, he shouldn't have agreed to Wu Lu's request.

Seeing the silence in Xiang He's eyes, Xing Ji could only nod.

"As expected, the young lady and the Left Vice Minister have a very good relationship."

Xiang He turned around and smiled at him, "After all, we've traveled together to the capital, and Sui An is so smart, it's good to ask him about some things."

A hint of surprise appeared in Wulu's eyes. "Fellow travelers? I thought you two were getting married. It seems I was mistaken."

My lips twitched a few times; it seems everyone thinks that way...

"Hehe, hehe..."

Wu Lu nodded. "Once you've thought it through, Miss, please have the Left Vice Minister inform me. Then I will take you into the palace to see the grand scale of Longguang Temple."

Upon hearing this, Xing Ji immediately understood Xiang He's intention; it turned out the young lady wanted to go inside Longguang Temple to find out what was going on...

"Isn't the Imperial Advisor worried that I'll discover something about you?"

Wulu chuckled lightly, "Longguang Temple is just a royal temple, and I am just an abbot. What could be so shameful about it?"

"The Imperial Advisor speaks with such certainty; I had previously thought he was up to something wicked."

"As the Grand Preceptor of Yu the Great, how could I do anything bad?"

"Imperial Preceptor, I have a question for you."

Wu Lu, dressed in grey and white, stood still and turned to look at her. "May I ask, young lady?"

Xiang He became increasingly lazy, going from resting her chin on her hand to slumping directly onto the table. "Is the relationship between the Imperial Preceptor and Xiaoyao that of master and disciple?"

“Xiaoyao?” Wulu lowered his eyes and smiled, “We discussed this a bit with him before, but you were really wrong to bring him back.”

Xiang He raised her eyes slightly, "Please enlighten me, Imperial Advisor."

“He is from another country. It is wrong of you to take him back. On what grounds are we keeping him here? Now that another country is demanding his return, we are sending a princess to maintain peace between the two countries.”

With his right hand, which was pressing against his head, feeling a bit uncomfortable, Xiang He got up and paced back and forth. "It was clearly an enemy country that invaded our border first, so why should our country send people to appease them?"

Wu Lu shook his head helplessly, "Young lady, you should think about the people. If the two countries go to war, it will harm the interests of the people and hurt the people on the border. We should minimize our losses to prevent the greatest damage."

Xiang He stopped walking and turned back with a smile, "The Imperial Advisor naturally has his own ideas, but Xiaoyao's actions are really ugly. Using corpses to fight is a shameless act that damages one's karma. The Imperial Advisor should teach him a lesson."

His narrowed eyes darkened. "I will deal with him," he said, glancing up at the clear sky. "The sun is setting, and I need to get back to the palace before curfew. Please give me your answer as soon as possible."

Xiang He clasped her hands behind her back and lazily turned her head. "Xing Ji, see the guest out."

"Please, Imperial Advisor."

The two nodded to each other. Xing Ji led the Imperial Preceptor towards the gate, while Xiang He watched his figure with an unfathomable light in her eyes.

Only after Xing Ji returned did Jing Hua Shui Yue dare to show herself.

The black crow flew back to Xiang He's shoulder, poking her cheek with its sharp beak. "You're playing with me, girl..."

"No way."

"Knowing full well that I'm afraid of him..."

Xiang He gently patted his head to comfort him, saying, "With me here, he can't hurt you. Don't be afraid~"

The crow snorted at the coaxing tone and flew up to a branch.

"Young lady, this Imperial Preceptor actually wants you to enter Longguang Temple. Isn't this also exposing himself?"

Xiang He turned to look at Xing Ji, "He seems very confident that he can persuade me. I wonder what's inside Longguang Temple. I really want to go in and take a look if I have the chance."

A hint of worry flickered in Jinghua's eyes, "What if there's something inside that can bewitch people..."

Xiang He raised her hand and gently tucked a stray hair behind her ear. "Don't worry, I will make sure I have a foolproof plan before I go to Longguang Temple to search again."

He suddenly visited today, I never imagined he wanted her to enter Longguang Temple, and I don't know what his real purpose was.

Xiang He walked to the rocking chair, picked up the large umbrella, opened it, and looked at the faintly visible talismans inside, lost in thought.

Seeing that she was engrossed in the sight, Jinghuashuiyue quietly walked to the tree without disturbing her.

A playful black crow flew to the tip of the umbrella, its shadow falling on the umbrella surface. Xiang He, standing under the umbrella, looked at the talisman on the umbrella ribs, and his eyes immediately focused.

Everything is preordained...

She suddenly murmured, which made Xing Ji even more worried. He had only guessed that it was the Grand Preceptor's doing before, but now that the Grand Preceptor had come to the door in person, his purpose was not as simple as it seemed...

The more this happened, the more frightened everyone became, always feeling that the Imperial Advisor was plotting something, even scheming against their only support.

The courtyard fell silent, everyone lost in their own thoughts.

The heavy atmosphere wasn't broken until dusk when Zhu Nan and He Sui'an returned together.

As soon as He Sui'an entered, he noticed that everyone's expressions were solemn.

"What's wrong?"

Xiang He paused for a moment, then looked back at reality, turning her head to see him dressed in official robes, holding several thick books in his hands.

"It's nothing. The Imperial Preceptor just came by and wanted me to become his disciple and enter Longguang Temple."

His expression immediately turned serious, and He Sui'an placed the book he was holding on the table. "What are your thoughts?"

Xiang He folded up the large umbrella and sat down, saying lazily, "He's using Yuan Qingqiu's marriage as leverage against me, and I haven't made a decision yet."

"So outspoken?"

Xiang He sighed softly, "More than that, he also made it clear that he was the one who stopped the Grand Tutor from taking revenge, allowing you to smoothly enter the temple."

This person is taking all the credit, isn't he just trying to make everyone grateful to him?

You're really deep in thought.

"Zheng Sheng is here today too. He said he saw the spirit when he was six or seven years old. I'd like to go into Longguang Temple to see what's inside..."