Now I really have to marry the princess.

Chapter 116 Want to know what she was wearing underneath

When Yang Zhengdao left Li Tai's private residence, it was already late afternoon, so he simply returned to Xingdaofang.

As soon as he entered the house, Liu Zhong took out a stack of letters, all of which were invitations to meet him.

He was taken aback at first, then realized that these people were probably all there for the purpose of selling manure.

"Ah Zhong, reject all these petitions. Close the door to visitors for the next three days and do not accept any petitions."

"My lord, what is the reason? After all, you are now an official."

"Hmm—" Yang Zhengdao thought for a moment and then smiled, "I told you that Master Yuan from Louguantai calculated for me that it is not a good time to meet with friends these days."

Yang Zhengdao took the stack of petitions, called Su Hongyi, and headed to the study.

At this moment, Liu Zhong muttered again from behind, "What's Ah Lang doing at the county magistrate's office? The neighbors are calling you a crow-like beast again!"

Yang Zhengdao was taken aback again, then gave a helpless bitter smile.

After the recruitment news spread, there were too many people to apply, so they had to give priority to those from Chang'an County. Those who came from Wannian County, especially those who arrived late, inevitably complained a bit.

The men of Guanzhong are known for their straightforwardness. Not to mention him, even Li Er would probably be cursed as a "coward" by the people of Chang'an in private.

He entered the study and closed the door.

Yang Zhengdao then spread the stack of petitions on the table. "Red Robe, can you investigate the backgrounds of these people?"

Normal merchants and wealthy households, upon seeing the fundraising notice, would seek help from the county magistrate or registrar, even if they wanted to use their connections or sound out the situation. If they had enough connections, they would even go to the county magistrate.

The person who could find him, the county magistrate, so quickly was definitely no ordinary person.

At least they obtained some inside information and knew that he was the person in charge of selling this manure.

Su Hongyi picked up the stack of reports and looked through them one by one. After hesitating for a moment, she said, "Brother, I will report this matter, but if you really want to find out the truth, you should have the people over there investigate as well."

Yang Zhengdao nodded. He knew that the "people over there" that the woman in red was referring to was the Caiyi Gang.

At noon, he also told Li Tai and Li Jingren that a single piece of evidence is insufficient, and this was especially true for matters of intelligence gathering.

Since Dili did well on the "tortoise shell" matter, she can use this matter to test the waters again.

All risks are taken because the potential rewards are high enough.

Before deciding how to take over the power of Caiyihang, we should first assess their capabilities.

As for the trip to the Western Regions, Yang Zhengdao was waiting.

Empress Xiao told him to go to the Pei family and hinted that he should retrieve the token and present it to Li Er, but he never went.

The saying goes, "He who has no desires is invincible." He wanted Li Er to believe that he did not want to leave Chang'an and only wanted to do a good job as the county magistrate.

In this way, Li Er's trip to the Western Regions was because he needed Li Er's help.

In his previous life, he had read a post about the Tang Dynasty's management of the Western Regions. If he remembered correctly, the Western Turks would experience internal conflict next year.

It was not until the following winter, after Qibi Heli led his troops back east and presented the details, that the central government was able to learn about the situation in the Western Regions.

Once Qibi Heli returns east, Li Er will have much greater confidence in facing the Western Turks. At that time, the force that Pei Ju left in the Western Regions will become insignificant in Li Er's mind.

This is why there are no historical records of that force; it is likely that Emperor Taizong (Li Er) simply abandoned it.

Therefore, before this, the token left by Pei Ju and the force in the Western Regions were of great importance to the Tang Dynasty.

These are questions that Yang Zhengdao has only recently come to understand.

Anyway, there's still a year and a half left. If Li Er doesn't bring it up himself, he will never set foot in the Pei family's house.

Li Er wanted to ask why he didn't listen to Empress Xiao and go to the Pei family.

The answer must be, "I am a loyal subject!"

Yang Zhengdao tapped on the table, then suddenly looked up and asked, "Red Robe, do you know Bai'e?"

Su Hongyi was taken aback, then her eyes narrowed: "She's the White Moth?"

Yang Zhengdao saw that Su Hongyi did not seem to be faking it, and was alarmed that the information this Qingshanying had was not as good as Caiyixing's.

But he quickly understood.

Since Qing Shanying has pledged allegiance to the Tang Dynasty, its internal rules should be even stricter. Su Hongyi probably wouldn't have the authority to know anything unrelated to her mission.

However, Caiyi Gang was completely disorganized and had been growing wildly for nearly twenty years. Its members could only survive by sharing information.

Yang Zhengdao nodded, staring at Su Hongyi tentatively, "She said it herself, she even said you are Hongni."

Upon hearing this, Su Hongyi remained silent for a moment before speaking softly, "Big Brother, I suppose you already know the origin of Lijing Gate. Lijing Gate was originally founded by four people: Qingwa, Hongni, Landie, and Bai'e. My master is Hongni, and so am I."

She paused, then exhaled, "Da Lang, I should be the fourth Hong Ni, and also the last Hong Ni."

After saying that, she lowered her head and didn't continue.

Yang Zhengdao didn't know why Su Hongyi said that, but he didn't ask any further questions.

He felt that if Su Hongyi didn't want to talk, there was no point in asking.

At this moment, he suddenly stood up, hooked Su Hongyi's chin, and pecked her.

"Red Robe, once I have the ability, I will let you leave Lijing Gate and have you bear my children."

Su Hongyi's eyes instantly reddened, and she softly murmured "Mmm" through her tears.

Looking at Su Hongyi's tearful and pitiful appearance, Yang Zhengdao couldn't help but want to cherish her.

"Red-clad woman—would you like me to grind some ink?"

Su Hongyi immediately blushed: "Brother, I can't today—"

"How about we have a cup of tea?"

"But—um—"

Two quarters of an hour later, Su Hongyi wiped the tea stains from the corner of her mouth.

Yang Zhengdao went out and asked Nazha to go to the East Market to deliver a letter to Tun Qiaoqiao.

He wants to see Dilireba tonight.

When he arrived at the hot spring bathhouse that evening, Li Hui was already waiting for him.

Upon meeting, Li Hui eagerly pulled out a letter of introduction from his pocket and waved it in his hand.

He handed over the card with a smile: "Adao, you must keep your word."

When Yang Zhengdao took a look, he found that it was four thousand strings of cash, stamped with the private seal of Li Xiaogong, the Prince of Hejian.

In this way, 14,000 strings of cash were raised, and the matter was completely settled.

Li Hui had Ru Meng prepare a hot pot in the courtyard.

It was still just the two of them, with Ru Meng and Ying Luo serving them.

Yang Zhengdao and Li Hui chatted while eating.

As soon as he took his seat, Li Hui asked, "A-Dao, are you curious about how I managed to obtain four thousand strings of cash from my household?"

Yang Zhengdao was indeed curious, so he nodded.

Li Hui immediately beamed: "The Master said, 'I do not enlighten those who are not eager to learn, nor do I instruct those who are not struggling to express themselves. If I raise one corner of a subject and they cannot deduce the other three, then—'"

"Speak your mind."

Li Hui didn't mind Yang Zhengdao's interruption, and instead had Rumeng bring him a manuscript.

When Ru Meng presented the manuscript, she was still quite shy.

Yang Zhengdao was stunned by what he saw.

No! Your man is right next to you, why are you being shy with me?

He was filled with doubt and surprise when he took the manuscript and was immediately stunned.

Fan fiction has been published ahead of schedule in the Tang Dynasty!?

The first page is titled "Supplement to The Story of the Stone," and is signed by Jinling Xiaoxiaosheng.

As he scrolled down further, Yang Zhengdao was completely dumbfounded.

This fanfiction departs from the tragic tone of the original story, depicting a dragon and two phoenixes—no! It's a dragon and multiple phoenixes!

This fan fiction begins with Wang Baoyu becoming a monk.

It is said that Xiao Daiyu actually faked her death to cover up her becoming a nun.

The monk and the nun met in the Buddhist hall, and then—

Then I started copying the scene from "The Spring of the Curtain Screen" where Zheng Ping'er argues with the lewd monk about the legal matters.

this----

It doesn't seem like a big deal. Anyway, there's no such thing as copyright in the Tang Dynasty, so copying is done openly and honestly.

Moreover, the author of "Spring Screen Curtain", Chang'an Xiaoxiaosheng, dared not show his face.

Yang Zhengdao couldn't help but marvel at the author's talent.

But when he saw water beds, mirror rooms, swings, and rocking chairs in the book, the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily.

He instantly understood why Ru Meng had looked so shy earlier.

But he still couldn't believe it: "Ah Hui, you wrote this!?"

Li Hui, beaming with pride, said, "My humble work! My humble work! Just my humble work."

Wow! This isn't a novel, it's documentary literature!

Without a doubt, Ru Meng must be playing both Baochai and Daiyu.

Yang Zhengdao shook his head with a wry smile: "But what does this have to do with you paying the money?"

"My father read the manuscript and liked it very much! Overjoyed, he not only restored my regular allowance but also generously gave me four thousand strings of cash, however—"

"But what?" Yang Zhengdao knew that Li Xiaogong had been corrupting himself with wine and women, but he wasn't a lecherous lunatic.

"My father asked me to change the ending. Xiren and Yuan Fengqing both succeeded in their missions and gave birth to several children for Baoyu, but Baochai and Daiyu were unable to have children."

Yang Zhengdao then understood that Li Xiaogong was using Li Hui's short essay to express his stance to Li Er.

It seems the players have already taken their seats and begun making their moves.

The appearance of that tortoise shell was perfectly timed.

After dinner, Li Hui continued to discuss their documentary literature with Ru Meng.

Seeing Yingluo's resentful eyes that seemed to stretch into silk, Yang Zhengdao slapped her pert buttocks.

"Go back and wait!"

Sakura was overjoyed, her face flushed with shyness, and she gave a soft, sweet "Mmm".

As Yang Zhengdao gazed at Yingluo's slender back, a wave of emotion washed over him.

Even though they had already been completely honest with each other, Yingluo was still very careful in front of him, and every smile and frown was meant to please him.

But he just happened to like Yingluo's aggrieved and tea-like demeanor.

The night wind blew the copper bells under the eaves, making them tinkle.

He wanted to see Dilireba first.

He left Su Hongyi outside as before pushing the door open and entering.

Dilireba was already waiting in the private room.

She remained in the same spot, her back to the door, leaning against the armchair, looking out the window.

Tonight, however, she was wearing a large, plain-colored shawl, making one wonder what she was wearing underneath.

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