Before Mrs. Dong said anything, the guards around her couldn't help it.
"Prince Duan is so arrogant!" The young guard sneered, "You actually want the concubine to apologize to your concubine for your daughter!"
"Bold!" Princess Xinning scolded. Princess Xinning's biological mother was Prince Duan's concubine. Although the princess now has a title, her origin cannot be erased.
"It turns out to be Dowager Dong." King Duan squinted his small eyes for a long time and finally recognized the Dowager. But even after recognizing her, his attitude did not improve at all. Instead, he became even more dismissive and indifferent.
"If Concubine Dong is not staying well in the palace, what are you doing here? Is she going to have a private meeting with someone again?"
When the late emperor was newly mourned, Dowager Dong had a tryst with people in the palace. If it weren't for the late emperor's edict instructing the new emperor to treat the concubine well, Dowager Dong would have become a ghost. Therefore, King Duan had no respect for Concubine Dong at all, because he knew very well that no matter how he humiliated Concubine Dong, the Holy Emperor would not punish him in any way.
Concubine Dong's already pale face turned even worse when she heard King Duan's words. She looked like a paper figure, falling down when the wind blew.
"In front of the Buddha, please be careful what you say, His Highness King Duan." Zen Master Zhixin came out from behind the Buddha statue, clasped his hands, and bowed first to Princess Dong, and then to King Duan.
Concubine Dong looked up at Zen Master Zhixin, and her eyes lit up instantly. She originally looked like she was dying, but when she saw Zen Master Zhixin, she suddenly felt like she was coming back to the light, and her whole body became radiant.
"Ling...Zen Master." Mrs. Dong couldn't help but take two steps forward.
Zen Master Zhixin stopped looking at her, walked to Princess Xinning, and picked up the incense scattered on the ground.
"If Mrs. Dong accidentally offended the princess, the poor monk would like to apologize to the princess on her behalf. However, it is not appropriate to make noise in front of the Buddha. I hope the princess can turn the hostility into friendship." With that, Zen Master Zhixin handed the incense to Princess Xinning.
Although Zen Master Zhixin is over thirty years old, he has a handsome face and looks like a young man. Princess Xinning always loves beautiful young people, and the face of Zen Master Zhixin is enough to make her give in.
"You're welcome, Zen Master. I won't argue with her." Princess Xinning's voice became very soft. She took the incense shyly and touched the Zen Master's palm with her fingers, giving him a flirtatious look. Eye.
When Dowager Dong saw this scene, her eyebrows were lightly clustered and her apricot eyes were filled with tears.
"Zen Master." Concubine Dong called softly again, but Zen Master Zhixin still didn't look at her, and just ordered the little novice concubine beside her to take her to the back hall.
After Zen Master Zhixin coaxed Princess Xinning and Prince Duan and returned to the back hall, his calm and composed appearance could no longer be maintained.
"What are you thinking about?" Zen Master Zhixin almost growled, "Don't you know your own body? Don't you want to live dragging a body like this around?"
"I...I just...just want to take a look at you." Mrs. Dong choked with sobs.
"What's the point of talking about this now?"
"Ling'er, I know I'm sorry for you. But, I don't have much time left. I just want to see you a few more times, can't I do that?" Mrs. Dong burst into tears, which made Zen Master Zhixin's heart aching.
He turned his back, stopped looking at her, and said in a cold voice: "There is no spirit here, please come back, Princess!"
"Ling'er... Zen Master Zhixin, I..." Mrs. Dong reached out to grab the corner of Zen Master Zhixin's monk's robe. Zen Master Zhixin waved his hand fiercely, and then strode away from the place. Concubine Dong was left looking at his back with tears streaming down her face.
Zen Master Zhixin no longer thought about admiring flowers or drinking tea at this moment. He sent Ye Wuji and Shi Yuan away absent-mindedly and sat in the quiet room for half a day. Then he knelt in front of the presiding room at night.
"Zhixin, why are you here?"
"Master, my disciple is unworthy and guilty of greed and anger."