Chapter 2304: Chapter 2303: Visitors from Tianzhu

The black dog, its legs weak, lay outside the dilapidated temple, tail between its legs, not daring to make a sound.

The black-clad figure spoke in an icy voice, "I always knew I shouldn’t have let you handle things. This time, it cost me so much effort, and look what you’ve brought back?"

The black dog whimpered pitifully, "Master, don’t be angry. I’ll go and take back the Storage Ring for you."

The black-clad figure said, "That girl possesses powerful mana, not something you can contend with. It seems I must act personally. You go and keep an eye on her, but as soon as she dares to leave the Imperial Palace, I’ll seize her immediately."

"Yes, yes!"

The black dog nodded repeatedly, and then dashed off, fearing that it might get roasted by the black-clad figure.

The black-clad figure stared at the flames, cursing coldly, "Long Fei, last time you ruined my plans, this time I’ll make sure both you and your woman won’t even have a grave."

His body exuded a surge of Yin Malevolence Qi, causing the firelight to turn a ghostly blue in an instant.

In the Daming Palace, Princess Taihua was kneeling in the grand hall, looking around nervously.

After a while, Empress Wu entered, supported by Su Wan’er, and glared at her with a face full of frustration, "You crazy girl, I ordered you to reflect on your mistakes at home, how did you sneak into the Imperial Palace?"

Princess Taihua pouted playfully, "Mother, I just missed you, so I came to see you! Look at you, not seeing you for so long, you look worn out."

Empress Wu laughed behind her hand, "Enough, don’t try to fool me. If you wanted to see me, why did you run to the Grand Ancestral Temple? Don’t tell me I’ve started living there."

Princess Taihua patted her head, "Oh dear, not being here for half a year, I’m almost lost."

Empress Wu looked at her and said, "I’ll tell you this, I know everything you have in mind. Did you hear there’s a Nine Dragons Command Token in that temple and plan to sneak it out?"

Princess Taihua’s eyes darted around, shaking her head repeatedly, "Mother, I don’t know what you’re talking about."

Empress Wu warned, "Let me remind you, the token in that temple, it’s not something anyone can take. You better abandon such thoughts, or you’ll harm yourself. Historically, only males of the Royal Family can enter that temple. It has formidable restrictions, if you go in, you’ll surely perish."

Princess Taihua nodded earnestly, "I understand, I absolutely wouldn’t dare to enter."

Empress Wu got up, "Alright then, stand up and let’s talk! It’s been so long since we last met, tonight you can stay in the palace with me!"

"Thank you, Mother!"

Princess Taihua stood up joyfully, secretly breathing a sigh of relief.

In her heart, she thought these temple restrictions weren’t much; didn’t she just come out perfectly fine?

Empress Wu led her out of the grand hall and into the garden behind.

The two sat down under a pavilion, and soon two white-robed youths stepped through the void, arriving gracefully.

One was holding a flute, the other a zither.

Both bowed deeply upon arrival, serving at their place.

Their appearances were handsome, with very fair skin, black hair draped over their shoulders, even more delicate than girls.

Princess Taihua was surprised, turned to ask Empress Wu, "How come they’re here?"

Empress Wu sipped tea, with a gentle smile, "I was bored and asked someone to find two who are skilled in music to serve. These two brothers from Chang’an Academy are acquainted with you as well. They play a fine flute and a masterful zither. Since you’re here, take the chance to enjoy their performance."

She signaled, and one sat down while the other stood straight, and they immediately began to play the flute and pluck the zither.

The sound of music flowed in, sometimes like a brook in the woods, sometimes like the roaring waves of the sea, leaving the audience deeply absorbed.

After the piece ended, Empress Wu raised a hand and instructed the two, "Wu Lang, Zhang Wenchang, come over and sit down!"

The two bowed with nods and sat beside Empress Wu.

They weren’t strangers; they were the Zhang family brothers, Zhang Wenjun and Zhang Wenchang, who once faced off against Long Fei.

The elder brother was somewhat reserved.

Zhang Wenjun, however, with a sly tongue, elegantly greeted Princess Taihua, "Your Royal Highness The Princess, long time no see, you’ve become even more beautiful than before."

Princess Taihua smirked; at her age, she already understood affairs between men and women and realized her mother wanted them around.

However, she didn’t show any discontent, instead complementing the two, "You two are truly lucky; right after graduation, you caught my mother’s favor. I’m sure you’ll rise to great heights. Taihua offers you a toast with tea instead of wine."

"Thank you for your kind words, Princess!"

Zhang Wenjun sported a proud smile as he and Zhang Wenchang raised their cups to drink with Princess Taihua.

Empress Wu was pleased to see her daughter being so tactful, lifting the restrictions on Princess Taihua, "Starting tomorrow, you won’t need to be confined at home anymore. A grown woman should go out and meet people, or she won’t get married."

Princess Taihua was overjoyed, "Thank you for your grace, Mother!"

She was concerned for Long Fei; with restrictions lifted, she would visit Ci’en Temple the next day.

She stayed there flattering her mother until Empress Wu was laughing constantly.

After night fell, she spent the night beside Empress Wu, and early the next morning, she summoned Li Yuanfang to escort her to Ci’en Temple with a team.

Su Wan’er informed Empress Wu about this.

Empress Wu wasn’t surprised, telling Su Wan’er calmly, "I intentionally let her go; I’ve been young too, and know Taihua’s thoughts. Only when that boy is dead will she forget him obediently."

Su Wan’er nodded, refraining from further remarks.

Chang’an Academy was particularly lively today.

A Tianzhu Monk visited, attracting Buddhist disciples from all over the Great Tang Empire, creating an atmosphere like the Ullambana Festival.

Many abbots and monks from famous mountains and temples came.

When Princess Taihua came, she saw the crowd at the gate and the throng of bald-headed monks and frowned, asking Li Yuanfang, "General Li, what’s happening at the Academy?"

Li Yuanfang reported, "It’s said that a renowned monk has arrived from Tianzhu, preparing to open the Ci’en Pagoda to preach teachings to the Buddhist disciples."

Princess Taihua was delighted, "Really? Does this mean my master can come out from there?"

"Maybe."

Li Yuanfang nodded, not too optimistic.

He knew a bit about the situation and understood Empress Wu’s purpose in sending people here.

They hadn’t reached the entrance when the sound of drums and gongs blared from behind, urging the crowd to make way.

Two luxurious carriages, pulled by two kinds of exotic beasts, passed through the path cleared by the guards.

In one carriage sat Wu Chengzong, and in the other, Master Baochan from Heavenly Dragon Temple.

Princess Taihua disliked seeing Master Baochan, as rumors claimed the monk was her mother’s lover, stirring chaos and mischief in Chang’an City.

Now the monk was cozying up to Wu Chengzong, parading conspicuously.

She instructed Li Yuanfang, "General Li, I don’t like that monk; go and kill him!"

Li Yuanfang’s face darkened immediately, and he hastily replied, "My duty is to protect the princess, not to kill."

Princess Taihua huffed, "I knew you wouldn’t dare; only my master has the guts to confront him."

Li Yuanfang accepted this as true, secretly admiring Long Fei.

Mentioning Long Fei, he had nothing but respect.