My Lady Always Lacks Ambition

Chapter 1117 - 1087: Who Says Monks Can’t Have a Temper?

Listening to Teng Zhao’s dispirited yet questioning tone, Qin Liuxi knew this child was truly heartbroken!

Indeed, while he was offering free medical treatment to those refugees as a volunteer out of kindness and a noble heart, he couldn’t have imagined that those who had been saved and benefited by him would suddenly betray him.

For a bit of profit, they forgot their gratitude.

The young man wondered about the significance of his good deeds, if those he saved would ultimately betray him, why should he bother to save them?

Seeing the youth’s pouty face, Qin Liuxi couldn’t resist reaching out and pinching it, saying, "What are you imagining? Have you forgotten this saying: Do good deeds, without questioning outcomes."

Teng Zhao pulled her hand away, his face taut.

He’s a big boy now, can’t you stop pinching his face? He’s not a child anymore.

Qin Liuxi snorted and continued, "We do good for the sake of accumulating virtue and achieving the Dao. You ask whether it’s worth it. Think over the expressions of those you’ve helped, and how you felt inside when seeing those expressions?"

Teng Zhao lowered his gaze; many expressed gratitude upon receiving aid, especially those who escaped from the brink of death at the Ghost Gate, showing relief post-calamity.

Whenever he saw such expressions, he felt satisfaction and comfort.

Seeing that he seemed to understand, Qin Liuxi said, "Zhaozhao, by helping others, we also help ourselves. Though some don’t deserve it, it’s not all, right?"

"Some are ungrateful, and that’s due to the inherent selfishness of human nature. It’s said that different grains feed different people; you can’t expect everyone in this world to be good or to understand gratitude. That’s simply impossible. Human hearts are complex and ever-changing. Though someone might stand in front of you with gratitude on their face, who’s to say they aren’t holding a dagger behind their back, ready to stab you at any moment?"

Qin Liuxi said, "People have dual sides, good and evil. As the Buddhists say, one thought can lead to heaven or hell; whichever choice they make is human nature. If you think those you’ve saved betray you, it’s because they’ve chosen profit and acted evilly for it, but that’s only a tiny fraction of people, right?"

Teng Zhao pursed his lips and nodded.

"Do you find closing your heart to kindness over such a small minority worth it? Are these evil people even worthy?" Qin Liuxi said, "Your master never asked you to be kind to the very end; even kindness should have boundaries and sharpness. If people betray you for profit, and you don’t agree but they morally coerce you, compromising means losing your edge. Some are people; some are simply unworthy. With such people, you need not give them any consideration."

"Even if Princess Yile gets furious and wants to kill them? Should I ignore it?"

Qin Liuxi said, "Why not? They should have considered the consequences when they acted for profit. This is the karma they sowed; whatever evil result that comes, they must bear it. Moreover, do you truly believe Princess Yile would kill them openly to force your compliance? She’s merely exploiting your touch of kindness and compassion."

Teng Zhao was startled.

"That refugee camp, I heard, was overseen by the Crown Prince, and Princess Yile and he are siblings, so how could she truly kill in such a place? She wouldn’t risk her Crown Prince brother’s reputation nor attract an impeachment from the Imperial Censor," Qin Liuxi said. "If I were you, I wouldn’t stay a moment longer. If she dared kill, I would be astounded by her foolishness!"

Teng Zhao felt a bit embarrassed, saying, "I didn’t think of that point. I just felt she was domineering and a noble princess, for whom killing might be as easy as closing one’s mouth."

"Indeed it seems so, but situations matter. Though she’s highly privileged with strong backing, her Crown Prince brother is still just a Crown Prince. Anyone smart wouldn’t do too many heaven-offending acts before securing the throne completely. If she truly dared kill the refugees publicly, courtiers wouldn’t ignore it, and the princes vying for the throne would surely seize the chance to magnify it. She merely underestimated you as a monk: young and kind."

Seeing Teng Zhao frown, Qin Liuxi chuckled and said, "These matters with powerful people are better left unsaid. Zhaozhao, you only need to remember, when doing good deeds, it’s not done for anyone but yourself. Some kindness can be performed, and some simply aren’t deserved. When faced with unworthy ones, even if others criticize you as a monk, you can proudly ignore them. Why? Because as a monk, you have the temper and clout to be this pretentious!"

She paused meaningfully, adding, "Of course, the premise is that you’re truly impressive and formidable. As long as you’re mighty, even if they curse, they’ll only dare do so internally while kneeling to beg!"

So, strive forward, spectacularly; only then can I peacefully grow old!

Teng Zhao deeply gazed at her, blurting out, "Are you forcing me to tirelessly work hard in competition?"

Is this poisonous chicken soup for fostering genius children made not with chicken, but pretentiousness?

Cough, cough, cough.

Qin Liuxi covered her awkwardness with a cough, glancing at the two at the door, saying, "Have you both listened enough and understood?"

The eavesdropping Little Ginseng and Hei Sha sheepishly entered, rubbing their hands, saying, "We understand."

"You understand, so what’s the core summary of the teachings just now, do you know?"

All three exchanged glances, tentatively saying, "Do good deeds, without questioning outcomes?"

"That’s one part." Qin Liuxi shook her finger, saying, "It’s actually simple: the main idea is whoever displeases me, hit back at them. Don’t save those undeserving or unwilling to be saved. Why can’t a monk have a bit of temper?"

The three: "..."

It sounds like bandit talk, but it’s quite delightful!

They understood.

If I have no morals, morality can’t bind me, right?

Qin Liuxi, parched, gulped down her tea, saying, "Since that’s settled, let’s each head on our way. Hei Sha, go alone and remember what I told you: keep an eye on the Barrier and be cautious."

Hei Sha nodded, cast a spell, and departed.

Qin Liuxi then tore the Yin Road, packing up Teng Zhao and the others, sending them in. Before leaving, Teng Zhao asked how Princess Yile could be so obedient, what did she do?

Qin Liuxi coldly laughed, "It was merely a spell against hypocrisy!"

Don’t ask how it was done; simply know she’s formidable!

After sending them off, she sighed deeply; raising children is truly exhausting!

Yet peace lasted not even a quarter of an hour, as she was preparing to visit Jinhua Temple and Yufu Temple, she heard someone wailing.

Qin Liuxi frowned twice; she was no longer eager to toil, wishing only to focus on cultivation and refining the Array Plate!

Standing under the front porch, she looked at the whining Pekingese being brought over, her lips twitched; whether it was a dead parent or a collapsing sky.

"Waa, temple master, save my elder sister!" Mu Xi rushed over like a tornado, kneeling before her and clinging to her leg, crying bitterly.