The Patrol
"The Way, which can be called the Way, is constant and has a name..."
It is extremely difficult to fool a True Self Realm cultivator, and Li Shaojun can only be thankful that the inheritance was left by one of the top cultivators in the Daoist School.
Since he broke the restriction, it wouldn't be a problem for him to say some related things.
After reading it through, the Empress Dowager praised it repeatedly.
"Daoist School Tzu of Daoism is truly Celestial Person!" the Empress Dowager lamented. "It's a pity I met you fifty years too late!"
Huang-Lao Daoism is a method of cultivation, and Daoist School itself is a method of cultivation.
The Empress Dowager once thought that no matter how remarkable the Daoist School cultivation techniques were, they were nothing special and could not possibly surpass the legacy of ancient sage rulers such as the Yellow Emperor.
However, after several months of interaction with Li Shaojun, the Empress Dowager had to admit that the Daoist School concepts of "pure nothingness," "the Heavenly Dao," "the Way of Man," and "the Eternal Way" were extremely advanced, far surpassing the foundations of many other schools of thought.
If she had obtained this information fifty years earlier, the Empress Dowager believed that her State of Mind would have been clear and untainted by worldly dust, and her cultivation would have been pure and powerful.
Even though she Sha Qi, she benefited greatly. Although her physical pain was not reduced, her mental strength was constantly increasing, which also reduced her external pain.
This even led many to believe that her condition was improving.
The Empress Dowager felt a sense of regret for not having met her sooner.
"The you of fifty years ago was not you; the you of fifty years later is you," Li Shaojun said with a faint smile.
"Does the Daoist master mean that even if I had obtained the Tao Te Ching fifty years ago, I would not have recognized its value and would have found it difficult to understand its principles?" the Empress Dowager asked.
"Fellow Daoist's insightful mind is truly remarkable!"
Li Shaojun would say as little as possible.
Unless he encounters someone like Zhang Xuezhou, this is a method that has never failed him.
The Empress Dowager was no exception; whenever Li Shaojun spoke vaguely, the other party would get caught up in their own thoughts and perceptions, rather than having a conflict with Li Shaojun in terms of communication.
"Speaking of which, Daoist Master has always been concerned about and recommended your friend Dongfang Shuo. I heard today that Dongfang Shuo wanted to change his court attire, and he even went to the Weiyang Palace to consult His Majesty's opinion. He's doing very well now!"
The Empress Dowager felt a sense of loss for the past, but she felt that she was not the same person she was fifty years ago. She believed that she probably wouldn't have been able to comprehend the true meaning of morality back then, and even if she had the treasure, she wouldn't have been able to use it.
This thought lessened the regret in her heart.
Once she forced a smile, the Empress Dowager brought up something that Li Shaojun was interested in.
"Dongfang Shuo acted quickly enough; he immediately went to the Imperial Household Department to have his clothes made," Princess Dou, who was also in the main hall of Anle Palace, chimed in. "It's just that our court rarely has an official like Dongfang Shuo. He had only just taken office when he disappeared without a trace, and we only saw him today!"
"Dongfang Shuo often mentioned to me his many physical ailments, saying that his body was in poor condition after his craniotomy. I was worried that someone might kidnap him while he was unconscious. It's good that he's alright," Li Shaojun nodded.
"If they have something to gain, they won't endanger Dongfang Shuo's life!"
The Empress Dowager murmured something under her breath.
Only when it came to matters involving Zhang Xuezhou did the Empress Dowager feel that Li Shaojun was a bit more eager, no longer as indifferent as before, and showing some human concern.
"I still need to go and see Dongfang Shuo," Li Shaojun said righteously. "If he were to be framed and suffer misfortune after being promoted because of your kindness, I would feel terrible. He's been missing for far too long lately, so I might as well go and ask him about it!"
"The position of Grand Master of the Palace..."
Princess Dou scoffed. She clearly didn't think much of the position of Grand Master of the Palace and believed that such a position based on etiquette and regulations wouldn't cause any trouble.
The imperial court unifying court attire was no big deal; it just meant everyone would wear a new uniform for court assemblies.
She had never heard of any dynasty experiencing any major problems because of wearing uniforms.
Their influence on the imperial court was limited, and those who plotted against Zhang Xuezhou were certainly of limited ability as well.
Princess Dou did not think that Zhang Xuezhou was at any risk of death in taking up the position; she even thought that Li Shaojun's unfounded worries were somewhat excessive.
"Mother, I feel like there's something strange about this Daoist priest Li!"
When Li Shaojun left Anle Palace, stroking his beard, Princess Dou, who was in charge of seeing him off, returned to the palace and couldn't help but grumble to the Empress Dowager.
"Whether they're agreeable or disagreeable isn't important," the Empress Dowager replied softly. "There are many disagreeable people in our royal family. As long as they behave themselves and follow the rules, nothing is a big deal!"
"But you..."
"Li Shaojun has no intention of taking control of the court, and his friend Dongfang Shuo is merely a Grand Master of the Palace," the Empress Dowager said. "Master Li doesn't even seem to care about the duties of a Grand Master of the Palace. So what if something is amiss with Master Li?"
"That's true!"
Princess Dou nodded.
Having spent so much time together, not only did Princess Dou discover some problems with Li Shaojun, but even the blind Empress Dowager sensed something was amiss.
But the Empress Dowager didn't care. After all, Li Shaojun asked for very little, didn't form cliques, and showed no hostility towards anyone.
Most importantly, the opponent's current cultivation level is mediocre; even the imperial guards could subdue Li Shaojun in a short time.
If the royal family needs to be cautious and wary of this kind of person, the Empress Dowager believes that the number of people the royal family needs to be wary of will increase exponentially.
"Dongfang Shuo's physical condition is also not suitable for important positions; the position of Grand Master of the Palace is his limit," the Empress Dowager added.
"I'm just worried that this Daoist priest Li might have connections with the Immortal Court," said Master Dou.
"If only he were truly connected," the Empress Dowager sighed. "After I thoroughly understood the Tao Te Ching, I had a feeling that I might go to find the late Emperor at any moment. If I could obtain a longevity elixir from the Immortal Court through Master Li, I could prolong my life for a few more years. This would allow me to see Che'er truly establish himself!"
"His Majesty's cultivation is not bad, and he is diligent and hardworking. In just a few more years, he will surely reach the Divine Ability, and with the Crimson Sky Sword, he will have the power to defend the city," Princess Dou comforted him.
"Che'er is good in every way, except for his age," the Empress Dowager murmured. "I'm afraid some people won't give Che'er that much time!"
"Who do you think these people are, Mother?"
The Empress Dowager ultimately did not answer Princess Dou's question.
The royal family of the Great Han Dynasty rarely had a soft heart. Whenever solid evidence was discovered, either Emperor Jing or the Empress Dowager would take action, even if the other party was the most prestigious and important talent in the court.
In matters like this, the royal family would rather kill the innocent than let the guilty go free.
Emperor Jing earned a reputation for being heartless and ungrateful, and the Empress Dowager's reputation was also mediocre.
But time has proven them right, and the stability of the Great Han Dynasty has shown that even if they made a mistake in killing someone, it did not shake the foundation of the dynasty.
The Empress Dowager fell silent, and Princess Dou had no choice but to keep quiet as well.
"He's gone on a mental inspection!"
After waiting for a long time, Princess Dou's heart finally stirred slightly.
She felt that the Empress Dowager had already escaped from the mortal realm.
The Empress Dowager said one thing, but her actual actions suggested another.
If Princess Dou is not mistaken, the Empress Dowager's tour may involve observing the new emperor, and she may also be tracking Li Shaojun, so she will carefully observe any slight abnormality in her mind.