Baili Chongyan glared at him with displeasure.
The captain of the guards hurried to say, "That's good, that's good. I was just worried about the Princess Consort..."
"We'll be there in a moment, you may withdraw now." Baili Chongyan's expression under his mask was grim.
Though he trusted her, a sense of worry gnawed at him.
After the captain of the guards left, he looked at Zhu Nian, hesitating, "You say you are not the original Song Nian, and it might be too inappropriate to meet that monk. How about we avoid him for now?"
Her husband, sleeping beside her, did not fear her absorbing his vital energy, but those people would condemn her as a heretic.
Zhu Nian chuckled lightly, "What, A'Yan, you think I'm some sort of demon or monster?"
"Certainly not," Baili Chongyan quickly amended, "Even if you are truly not human, you should be a celestial goddess from the nine heavens, how could you be a demon? But they, with their mortal eyes, likely won't recognize this. I fear you may be harmed."
Zhu Nian laughed again, "Thank you for your high regard, my husband. Rest assured, there is nothing in this world that can harm me. Let's go, shall we see what this monk is capable of?"
Buddhism was not originally a prominent sect in Da Sheng, having been introduced only a century ago. However, due to the scriptures it imparted being favored by the royal family, many temples were built over the years, leading to its gradual prosperity.
Master Lingyun was a monk from Huguo Temple. He had traveled overseas and cultivated Buddhist teachings. It was said that he possessed a heavenly eye on his forehead, capable of discerning the true form of demons and monsters at a glance. His profound spiritual power made him highly valued by the Emperor.
That he could find her, Zhu Nian thought, meant he likely possessed some skill.
She leisurely pushed him out. In the main hall sat four uninvited guests.
Three wore official robes, and the other was a monk. He was no more than six feet tall, as short as a child, but his face was deeply wrinkled, his eyes yellowish, clearly indicating his advanced age. He wore monastic robes and a kasaya, holding a staff, exuding an aura of a venerable monk from beyond the mortal realm.
However, with just one glance, Zhu Nian recognized him as a demon monk.
"Your humble servants pay respects to Your Highness the Prince, Her Highness the Princess Consort, and Your Highness, the King."
The three officials bowed immediately upon seeing him, but the monk remained still, his eyes fixed on Zhu Nian.
"Rise, all of you."
"Thank you, Your Highness the Prince, Your Highness the Princess Consort."
After the three officials rose, the foremost among them introduced, "Your Highness, this is Master Lingyun of Huguo Temple. Master, this is His Highness Prince Yan of the present dynasty, and this is Her Highness the Princess Consort."
The monk then spoke, "This humble monk greets Your Highness the Prince and Her Highness the Princess Consort."
Zhu Nian, with a smile, ushered Baili Chongyan to the main seat and sat on another side, "Master, you are too polite. May I ask why you have graced us with your visit?"
"To answer Her Highness the Princess Consort," the leading official replied, "Master Lingyun has been commanded by His Majesty to treat the Second Prince. The Master has divined that the cause of the Second Prince's grave illness is within Prince Yan's Princess Consort, hence we have been sent with the Master to investigate."
"Investigate?" Zhu Nian scoffed, "Then what proof does the Master have for his words?"
The official was immediately silenced.
Another stepped forward, "Princess Consort, our intrusion is out of necessity. We implore the Princess Consort to consider the Second Prince's critical condition and allow the Master to investigate. If nothing is found, we are willing to accept any punishment you deem fit."
The other two officials quickly echoed his sentiment.
Master Lingyun was favored by the Emperor. Regardless of whether the Prince Yan's mansion was involved, the matter would eventually be linked to them. Hence, they dared to speak such words.
The smile on Zhu Nian's face had already turned somewhat displeased, but then she thought of something and her expression brightened once more.
"Does Master wish to see?"
"Amitabha. This humble monk serves the King by dispelling his worries. Please forgive any disturbance, Princess Consort."
As he spoke, whether as a test or to observe something, he suddenly opened the "heavenly eye" in the center of his brow.
He looked towards Zhu Nian, and a golden light erupted from her, enveloping her in fiery brilliance. She appeared majestic and commanding, like a war god from the nine heavens, her imposing aura beyond ordinary perception.
The demon monk stared intently, and instantly, the golden light pierced his dark, peculiar pupils.
"Ah!"
After a scream, he clutched the invisible "heavenly eye" between his brows and stumbled back several steps in pain, his face contorted.
Zhu Nian, still smiling, asked, "What is the matter, Master?"
The three officials, bewildered, rushed to support him and inquire about his condition.
Master Lingyun took a while to recover, his face still contorted. He pointed at Zhu Nian and said hatefully, "A demoness! She is a demoness!"
His heavenly eye, the heavenly eye he had painstakingly acquired, was now destroyed!
He was unwilling. He would kill this demoness and exact his revenge!
"Crash!"
A teacup was heavily thrown to the ground, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
From the main seat, Baili Chongyan, though his face was masked, his exposed eyes were like an angry god, staring intently at Master Lingyun.
Master Lingyun and the three officials trembled.
They had long heard of Prince Yan's reputation as a fearsome god, one who killed without batting an eye, capable of stopping children's cries at night.
They had forgotten this today, as he had remained inactive.
As the teacup shattered, guards swiftly appeared in the hall and said in unison, "Your Highness!"
Baili Chongyan pointed at Master Lingyun and gestured.
The captain of the guards immediately declared, "How dare you speak disrespectfully to the Princess Consort! Cut out his tongue!"