Within the gray and black-toned courtyard of the charitable hall, Zhao Douan felt a sudden thud in his heart. At that moment, his muscles tensed under his cotton garments, instinctively alert.
He suspected he had been exposed!
This princess had abruptly mentioned him, with blatant praise and criticism, then brought up Zhenbao's perfect match, indeed implying a certain "pointing" towards him.
This made Zhao Douan suspect that the other party had seen through his disguise.
But when he glanced at Princess Wen Zhu's natural demeanor—sincere, with no hint of mockery in her eyes—he immediately realized he might be overthinking.
Then, an indescribable strangeness welled up in his heart, and he tugged at the corner of his mouth: "Your Highness, you must be joking..."
The woman, with a slightly rugged yet uniquely charming face, who held a distinguished status in the Western Regions, smiled warmly:
"Could it be that Mr. Lin is frightened? If you truly have such an intention, I, as the aunt, could make an introduction for you."
This thought was a spur-of-the-moment idea for her.
If she could support and uplift a legitimate new gigolo to replace Zhao Douan, it might be a clever way to eliminate a traitor without harming the relationship between aunt and niece.
Even from a perspective of interest, if this Lin Ke could indeed ascend in position, she could gain some favor.
It would aid in further solidifying the bond between the Western Regions and the Empress's regime.
In the history familiar to Zhao Douan, there was no shortage of similar maneuvers, such as when Wu Zetian felt lonely in her later years, her daughters would often send gigolos to their mother to ingratiate themselves.
Especially Princess Taiping, Wu Zetian's daughter, was notably enthusiastic; it was said that many of the handsome men presented to Wu Zetian were first "personally tested" by Princess Taiping herself.
Only those her daughter found satisfactory would be offered to her mother.
Simply eye-burning...
But it was indeed a powerful means of strengthening the mother-daughter bond.
Zhao Douan, with keen insight, understood at a glance, secretly smirked, feeling as if a shadow passed over his eyes, and he couldn't help but begin to anticipate the other party's reaction upon learning his true identity...
Hmm... Provided, of course, that this aunt didn't also think about "trying" for her niece first... Hiss...
Shaking his head to clear away messy thoughts, Zhao Douan put on a righteous air:
"Your Highness, please don't mention it again. With Your Majesty's noble status, and Lord Zhao being a dragon among men, the two are a match made in heaven. I wonder where Your Highness heard such slanders against Lord Zhao."
In Princess Wen Zhu's eyes, there was a hint of disappointment, and she curiously asked:
"Oh? Really? But I've heard many curse words, especially from those in the city who are devout followers of Buddhism, who particularly dislike him."
These words were an act of feigned naïveté as a probe.
Zhao Douan replied with a serious tone:
"Though I hold a low rank, I understand what constitutes great virtue and what is merely a small favor.
Lord Zhao has been planning for the New Policy and personally went south to oversee the opening of markets... Such actions benefit the country and the people, which is the true great virtue;
My aid to a few orphans is nothing in comparison. As for those believers who are offended because of the 'ban on Buddhism' and slander Lord Zhao, they are simply misled for the moment."
Princess Wen Zhu smiled lightly, saying nothing further.
Her reaction to Lin Ke's response was not unexpected.
After all, with the reputation of that "Yama Zhao," who dared to openly speak ill of him?
This Lin Ke, claiming to have a humble background, even if he had some status, would surely not dare to provoke that Zhao Douan.
Hence, such a stance was only natural.
However, the fact that even such a talented youth before her feared that "Yama Zhao" to this extent, showed just how formidable and deeply embedded the traitor's power and cruelty were.
As for her earlier abrupt comparison of the two, disparaging Zhao Douan, there was another kind of scheming involved:
As long as this Lin Ke didn't react promptly and showed an inclination to accept her statement, it would mean "falling into a trap."
It was equivalent to her having leveraged a hold against him.
Such verbal trap-laying was not out of malice; rather, it was due to her appreciation for the talented youth in front of her, and the emerging intent to recruit, that she sought to further bind him.
Unfortunately, this Lin Ke's answer was watertight.
Phew... Finally, he managed to bluff his way through. Almost deceived by her previous "Holy Mother" exterior, he lowered his guard... Zhao Douan clicked his tongue, seeing the slight disappointment in the noblewoman's posture.
Finally, he had formed an initial impression of this eldest princess who had returned after marrying far away.
At first, when reviewing documents, seeing a lonely woman married far away who could help her husband stand firm in the political scene, Zhao Douan had envisioned her as an astute female sovereign.
However, after their interaction, she seemed more like a figurehead of "Holy Mother."
Now, with her unintentional, yet careful scheming attacks in their brief conversation, Zhao Douan had initially sketched out an image of the Holy Mother of the Western Regions:
Reasonably shrewd and capable, yet not a strongman, but rather adept at forming alliances and networks, being pushed forward by the Buddhist Zu Ting and the Great Yu Dynasty, as a key figure to solidify "West Yu friendliness."
Her "popular" and "Holy Mother" image presented to the outside wasn't a facade, but indeed had an element of utility.
In their short dialogue, she attempted to introduce him as a gigolo, to pull the Western Regions closer to the Empress while achieving the goal of undermining Zhao Douan... One stone two birds, quick-thinking.
The Western Regions, after all, differed from the Great Yu Dynasty. If Princess Wen Zhu before him represented the explicit "Regent King,"
the Buddhist "Dharma King," and the Five Directions Monk Group sect would be the "Emperor Supreme" of the Western Regions.
With the Dharma King still in power, Princess Wen Zhu could only ever remain a subsidiary "Holy Daughter" of the Buddhist sect, unable to wield true power.
In the small courtyard,
the two fell into a brief silence.
Each was inwardly calculating.
One sought to recruit.
The other attempted to probe and establish connections.
And surrounding the stone table, the warriors of the Western Regions, along with Shen Juan and his two colleagues who had returned from their tasks, stood silently, waiting.