Now I really have to marry the princess.

Chapter 117 Hey! Hey! Your Majesty, stop licking!

Dili slowly got up, and the plain-colored shawl wrapped around her slowly slipped off.

The thin, narrow-sleeved silk robe was tightly bound at the chest, and two lanterns seemed to be able to penetrate the light silk that was like smoke and mist.

Her fair belly was exposed, and her navel was adorned with gold foil floral decorations.

The slit floral pants revealed a pair of long, smooth legs, half-hidden and half-revealed.

She was wearing the same dance outfit she wore when they first met.

Seeing this scene again, Yang Zhengdao still couldn't help but feel his throat go dry.

Dilireba's lips curled up slightly with a smug look, and her pair of emerald green eyes curved slightly, shimmering with spring water and filled with a smile.

With a gentle kick, a pair of small, short boots landed on the ground.

Her delicate feet, like lotus roots, were revealed, resembling a pair of white porcelain pieces that could be placed on a table and admired.

Yang Zhengdao forcibly looked away; if he continued looking, they probably wouldn't be able to discuss serious matters.

He raised an eyebrow and asked, "Lady Dili, are you here to perform a dance?"

Dili gracefully curtsied: "My lord, weren't you planning to let me stay at the bathhouse?"

Huh?! Did I say that?

That's just what I thought.

Yang Zhengdao coughed lightly and readily admitted, "That is indeed my intention."

He wanted to use the Caiyi Gang to do his bidding; it was a case of one party willing to give and the other willing to receive.

There's no need to hide something that's consensual.

As a knife, isn't it meant to be used? And how could the person wielding the knife bear to discard it if it's easy to use?

Dili feigned ignorance and said, "My lord, you're leaving me here? I'm just a courtesan from Zhezhi!"

As she spoke, she twirled in front of Yang Zhengdao, the slits in the silk fluttering and revealing glimpses of its pristine whiteness.

Dilireba's floral pants have a rather high slit today.

If it were displayed openly like the bikinis of later generations, it wouldn't be a problem. But the fact that it's partially covered is the most lethal.

Yang Zhengdao composed himself: "Next time, wear a short blouse and a long skirt."

Dili was taken aback, then smiled faintly, her voice soft and sweet: "From now on, I will only wear this for you, my love, and only dance for you."

Yang Zhengdao really wanted to refuse, but he was afraid of dampening Dili's enthusiasm for work, so he nodded slightly.

Dilireba smiled gently and gave a soft "Mmm," exuding charm.

Yang Zhengdao's Adam's apple bobbed as he picked up his shawl and draped it over Dili's shoulders.

Then he sat down, took out the stack of petitions, and placed them on the table.

"Investigate these people's backgrounds."

Dili sat down opposite the desk and began to look through the pages.

A moment later, she leaned forward against the table, as if she were about to place the two lanterns on the table, and her shawl began to sway precariously again.

She leaned closer to Yang Zhengdao and asked in a soft, sweet voice, "My lord, how long will you be investigating?"

this!?

That question doesn't seem to have any flaws.

Can't you speak properly?

Otherwise, it's easy for people to misunderstand.

Yang Zhengdao cleared his throat: "Within three days."

Dilirebauded for a moment, then pouted slightly, her voice still soft and sweet: "My lord, how deep do you want to investigate?"

this!?

There's really nothing wrong with this question.

But could you please stop winking at me when you're talking?

And don't shake! It will bounce!

Yang Zhengdao felt a throbbing sensation in his temples. He suppressed the urge to punch someone and exhaled a breath of stale air.

"Just find out who's behind them."

Dilire nodded, then tightened her shawl and put away her seductive manner.

"Young Master, why haven't you gone to the Pei family to retrieve that token yet?"

Yang Zhengdao frowned and warned in a cold voice, "Tell Lan Die that if you want to achieve your goal, don't act on your own."

Dilire's eyes narrowed as she glanced towards the door, then smiled and said, "She told you?"

Yang Zhengdao was just about to get some more information about Qing Shanying from Dili when Su Hongyi suddenly pushed the door open and entered.

"Young Master, Eunuch Cao is here to see you!"

Yang Zhengdao was startled: "Where is Eunuch Cao now?"

"In the front hall."

Yang Zhengdao felt a little relieved. He turned to Dili and instructed her, "After you've found out the truth, hand it over directly to Tunniangzi."

Then he hurried toward the front hall of the hot spring bathhouse.

"Young Master, don't panic! It must be the Sage seeking you," Su Hongyi reminded him from the side.

Yang Zhengdao paused, his expression relaxing.

Yeah! Why am I so nervous?

It's not like I was caught in bed with my father-in-law; I didn't do anything!

After mentally preparing himself, a smile returned to his face.

The evening drum has already sounded, so Li Er coming to see him at this hour is most likely because of the tortoise shell that Li Tai presented.

At that moment, Cao, the eunuch who was waiting in the front hall to drink tea, felt extremely uncomfortable.

The fact that Young Master Yang is in love with Princess Chang Le is now common knowledge. The fact that the Emperor sent him to search for her in the southern part of Pingkang Ward at night is as if he were catching a adulterer in the act.

However, the two were not engaged, which made their marriage seem improper and lacking in legitimacy.

So when he met Yang Zhengdao, he felt a little embarrassed and took the initiative to talk about the weather.

"County Lieutenant Yang, His Majesty has summoned you. Please come with me to the palace immediately while the night is still dark."

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhengdao felt relieved. Old Cao was a good man!

He quickly bowed and thanked her, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Cao."

The night outside was indeed beautiful, with a bright moon and few stars.

This was the first time Yang Zhengdao had stepped out of the ward gate after curfew, and he couldn't help but feel a little excited.

A procession of guards led the way, and the night patrolling general dared not stop them.

When they encountered the Imperial Guards, the head guard showed them the imperial edict and they were allowed to pass.

After entering the palace gates, Yang Zhengdao followed Eunuch Cao and hurried all the way to the Ganlu Hall.

After announcing this, the eunuch Cao led Yang Zhengdao into the hall.

After Yang Zhengdao bowed, Li Er was still reading the memorials, but on the table was the tortoise shell that had been soaked in horse urine.

Yang Zhengdao could only wait. Suddenly, he felt a pang of anxiety, hoping that Li Er hadn't been clutching the tortoise shell in his hand.

Li Erxi is known for his love of antiques and his passion for collecting.

What is most celebrated is Li Er's obsession with Wang Xizhi's calligraphy and books.

The "Essentials of Calligraphy" records that during the Zhenguan era of Emperor Taizong, he searched for genuine works by Wang Xizhi and others, and all those that existed in the world were brought into the palace. He used gold and silk from the imperial treasury to purchase ancient copies from all over the country, and ordered Wei Zheng, Yu Shinan, Chu Suiliang and others to determine their authenticity. The genuine works were then stamped with the "Zhenguan" seal.

Besides calligraphy and painting, Li Er also had a passion for collecting bronzes, ancient jade, famous swords, ancient mirrors, ancient inkstones, and ancient books.

Yang Zhengdao can only try to hypnotize himself now.

It's alright, Li Er must have guessed that the tortoise shell was fake, so he definitely won't play with it.

But what if he's like Li Jingren—

It's impossible to hide it. As long as Li Er asks him how he forged it, he will definitely tell him the whole truth.

Just as Yang Zhengdao was filled with trepidation, he heard Li Er ask, "County Commandant Yang, what are your intentions in forging ancient artifacts?"

They start by accusing you; it's the same old routine!

But when Yang Zhengdao looked up to reply, what he saw made him feel utterly hopeless.

It's all over.

Li Er had already put down the memorial and was holding the tortoise shell in both hands, examining it carefully. What's worse, he even brought it to his nose and smelled it.

Yang Zhengdao, steeling himself, cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I am terrified! I am only loyal—oh! Oh! Your Majesty, stop flattering me!"

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