The Grand Tutor immediately turned to glare at her and asked in a lowered voice, "What did you say?"
The Queen parted her cherry-red lips, revealing pearly teeth, and asked with a smile, "My worthy minister, what is your plan? How shall we turn his scheme to our advantage? Tell me at once."
The Posthouse Steward edged half a step forward. "Since the Imperial Younger Brother wishes to meet Your Majesty in person, Your Majesty can go outside the city to welcome him yourself."
"Invite only the Imperial Younger Brother into the palace, then have him expound the scriptures and Buddhist teachings to you."
"We shall prepare a fine vegetarian banquet at Yingyang Posthouse and entertain his disciples properly."
"Once they have eaten and drunk their fill, we can arrange rooms for them to rest in for a few days."
"Your Majesty can take that opportunity to grow close to the Imperial Younger Brother."
She spoke very slowly. "If you cannot settle things today, there is tomorrow. If not tomorrow, there is the day after."
"The Imperial Younger Brother's disciples are indeed extraordinary, every last one of them, but he himself is a mere mortal. From what I observed, he has little strength. Once he enters the palace and its gates are shut, will everything not be up to Your Majesty?"
The Posthouse Steward smiled. "Once the raw rice has been cooked and he has broken his vows, what Western Heaven would he still go to? What scriptures would he still seek?"
"Absolutely not!"
The Grand Tutor abruptly cried out.
The serving maids outside the hall raised their heads, startled by her shout.
The Posthouse Steward did not turn around.
The Grand Tutor had already stepped forward. "Your Majesty, this plan must never be carried out."
Only then did the