Chapter 23: How Can the World Have a Perfect Solution (23)

Chapter 23: How Can the World Have a Perfect Solution (23)

In a flowing white dress, she appeared ethereal, her phoenix-like eyes bright and veiled with a gentle mist. The corners of her eyes slightly raised, she exuded a delicate yet alluring charm. Her fair face was accentuated by a lightly bitten rosy lip, truly a captivating beauty that could entice anyone's appetite.

If the noble lords and young masters of the capital were to witness her at this moment, who among them could resist her allure?

A vixen!

Envy and fear intertwined in the hearts of the assembled ladies of high society.

Particularly the woman in the green dress – she was An Ling, the legitimate daughter of the Minister of War. It was Minister An Bing and his family that Wuchen had saved on their way to the capital.

That day, when An Ling saw Zhen Shan, whose monk's hat had accidentally fallen off, even her attire as a nun took one's breath away with her beauty. Today, dressed in women's attire, she appeared like a goddess descending from heaven.

An Ling had fallen for Wuchen at first sight; how could she not perceive his special feelings for this woman before him?

No way, she would never allow this enchantress to remain by Wuchen's side!

An Ling regarded Zhen Shan with a gaze that seemed to accuse her of stealing her husband.

"Oh dear, Second Miss Zhen, they say you've been unwell and came to the National Temple for recuperation. How is your health now?"

Zhen Shan pressed her lips together, her voice soft and timid. "I-I'm fine. Is there something, ladies?"

"Second Miss Zhen, there's no need to be formal. We're all like sisters, so it's only natural we'd show concern."

Calling her "Second Miss Zhen" repeatedly and sister? Hypocrisy at its finest?

The girl in the pink dress who first identified Zhen Shan stepped forward, abruptly grabbing her hand. The gesture appeared intimate but the grip was tight enough to leave bruises on Zhen Shan's wrist.

Zhen Shan's heart remained calm, well-versed in these women's tactics. Yet, her fair face paled even more, tears shimmering in her phoenix eyes. She dared not resist, appearing like a victim.

"Second Miss Zhen, what's wrong with you? Could it be that you look down on us?"

"Yes, look, she's about to cry without us saying anything. It's as if we're bullying her."

"Indeed, Empress Dowager sets an example for the nation, but how can her sister..."

"Dragons beget dragons, phoenixes beget phoenixes. Who was the birth mother of the Empress, and who was the birth mother of her own mother? How can they be compared?"

"Exactly, look at how petty she is..."

An Ling stood coldly by, watching as those women ridiculed and bullied Zhen Shan. Yet, she didn't even know how to retaliate. The sight of that white lotus's vulnerability only invoked a deep disgust.

Her? Thinking she's worthy of Wuchen?

Daydreaming!

"What are you all doing?"

Que'er had just stepped out for a moment, but upon returning, she found a group of women bullying her young mistress.

Seeing Zhen Shan's pale face and her pitiful state as she was pushed around by those women, Que'er's eyes blazed with anger.

She pushed aside the women, standing protectively in front of Zhen Shan, glaring at them fiercely.

"How dare you, a mere servant girl, show disrespect to this young miss? Bring someone here to teach this lowly wench a lesson and discipline her on behalf of Second Miss Zhen!"

"Scram, none of you are allowed to touch Que'er!"

Zhen Shan, who had always been the recipient of bullying, could no longer bear to see the maidens with their superiority complex approaching to strike Que'er. She rushed forward to push them away.

The noble ladies sneered, finding Zhen Shan even more unsuitable for high society.

A lady in pink seized Zhen Shan's hand. "Second Miss Zhen, we're doing this for your own good. You know what they say about servants getting too big for their boots, right? Huh?"

With that, the woman forcefully shoved Zhen Shan aside.

Zhen Shan lost her balance and tumbled straight towards a nearby flower bed.

If she fell, her face would surely be marred by thorns.

The malicious intent behind this woman's actions was evident without words.

However, the noble ladies, including An Ling, wore smug expressions, relishing in Zhen Shan's misfortune and hoping for her face to be completely disfigured.

"Ahh!"

"Miss!"

A gray figure swooped in, catching Zhen Shan and shielding her within his embrace.

"Wuchen, how are you?" Wuchen's brow furrowed slightly, his usual composed demeanor now tinged with anxiety.

The serene and warm embrace seemed to give Zhen Shan a sense of grounding. Clutching at his monk's robe, she panted rapidly, her tiny face as pale as snow, evoking an overwhelming sense of pity.

"Wu... Wuchen..."

A tear trickled down the corner of her eye, whether from fear or due to his appearance, it was indiscernible.

Every time she found herself in peril, he would appear before her. How could she not develop feelings for him?

Zhen Shan gazed at him with affection in her phoenix eyes, filled with reliance and adoration.

Wuchen's breath hitched, his expression slightly disheveled. Yet, he couldn't avert his gaze no matter how much he tried.

"Master Wuchen!"

Fortunately, both of them had their backs to the others. Apart from An Ling, no one else suspected anything, assuming that Wuchen had merely stumbled upon them by chance.

The noble ladies felt uneasy. Despite his young age, Wuchen was a highly revered Buddhist monk in Liang Kingdom. Many dignitaries enjoyed listening to his sermons, and even the Empress Dowager held him in high esteem.

Should news of today's incident spread, not only would the Empress and the Zhen family seek an explanation due to loss of face, but their own reputations would certainly be tarnished.

Which influential figure in the capital didn't cherish their reputation? Especially women!

Upon hearing the women's voices, Zhen Shan seemed to realize there were others present and hastily withdrew from his embrace.

She was not concerned for herself but feared tarnishing his reputation.

With her departure from his arms, an emptiness echoed in his heart, causing Wuchen's fingertips to tremble slightly as he gradually retracted his hand.

"Miss, are you alright?"

Que'er managed to free herself from those who held her and promptly supported Zhou Ning, asking anxiously.

Zhen Shan glanced at Wuchen and shook her head. "It's nothing."

How could it possibly be nothing?

Miss had nearly been disfigured just now!

Que'er glared at the noble ladies but sadly realized she could do nothing.

To whom could she seek justice?

Who would concern themselves with a young miss like Miss Zhen Shan, abandoned in a temple, the legitimate second daughter of a cabinet minister?

In the end, it would only make her already difficult days even more unbearable.

"Que'er, help me back to my room," Zhen Shan said, her eyes lowered and her face as pale as snow, exhaustion weighing heavily upon her.

"Yes," Que'er replied, holding back her tears.

Upon seeing her ethereal figure that seemed to vanish with the wind at any moment, Wuchen's brow knitted tightly, and his hand holding the Buddhist beads clenched.

Enlightenment of the Heart!

...

"Que'er, why is it so noisy outside?"

After waking up from her afternoon rest, Zhen Shan leaned lazily against the bedrail, rubbing her temples with a cold glint in her phoenix eyes.

Empress Dowager cherishes no disturbance in her slumber the most.

Que'er entered with a bowl of sweet soup, her tone tinged with disdain. "It's the relatives of those noble ladies from this morning, sending gifts to apologize to Miss."

Zhen Shan's delicate brows lifted slightly, her eyes softening into a gentle smile as she recalled the morning's events.

Empress Dowager delights in playing with these envious and foolish women the most.

The more they envy and begrudge, the uglier they become, only serving to accentuate her unparalleled beauty.

Moreover, playing with the Empress always comes at a price.

There's no rush; there's still more to come!

"In the morning, if Master Wuchen hadn't arrived, you would have... Hah, they were so generous, treating you as if you were a beggar with mere trinkets."

Zhen Shan received the sweet soup Que'er brought, her slender fingers like jade holding the small spoon as she faintly curved her lips.

The Empress is so bored that she's even playing games now.

All the noble ladies: Seductress, not interested!

Empress: Who's ugly? Hmm?

All the noble ladies: ...The author is ugly!

The author, unjustly attacked: Just you wait, I'll write you all into a terrible fate!