The rebellious grandson of Emperor Zhenguan of the Tang Dynasty: Please, Your Majesty, be called Cro

Chapter 135 Arson at midnight, murderous intent lurking!

"—Bang!"

"At midnight! Chaos begins to stir, hidden beneath the Yellow Springs. Streets and alleys vanish, every household extinguishes its lights!"

The city was under curfew, and the roads outside the wards of Chang'an were eerily quiet. Only the clanging of the armor of the night patrol guards and the drawn-out calls of the night watchmen echoed through the long, dark streets.

"Oh? It's already past midnight?"

Inside a restaurant in Longqingfang, Li Xiang was startled when he heard the night watchman's drum outside. He looked up and said with some surprise.

Although the city walls of Chang'an were under a night curfew, the neighborhoods were not. Within each neighborhood, people could still move around freely.

Pingkang Ward was a famous all-nighter in Chang'an, with its buildings lit up all night, as bright as day. Young men and nobles from the Five Mausoleums all liked to spend the night in Pingkang Ward because it offered more entertainment than other places at night.

Although Longqing Ward was not as grand as Pingkang Ward, it had several restaurants and taverns because many merchants resided there and would occasionally meet up for drinks and discussions after nightfall.

It's extremely rudimentary.

Meanwhile, Li Xiang was in an extremely ordinary tavern, drinking and chatting with Wang Xuance and Lu Zhaolin, discussing topics such as bamboo paper, Sun Fujia, practical learning, and even the imperial examinations.

Our Emperor Li Er's great Tang Dynasty is not far removed from antiquity. Hu stools and Hu beds are far from common. Even in restaurants and taverns, there are mostly a few tables and straw mats, and people sit on the ground kneeling and behaving properly.

Li Xiang, however, was impatient and casually sat on the ground with his legs spread wide. Lu Zhaolin, who came from a prominent family and whose manners were ingrained in his bones, stared in astonishment.

However, he soon became familiar with Li Xiang's mannerisms and was captivated by the knowledge that Li Xiang had never heard of before.

This even changed the view on Li Xiang's "rebelliousness," and people thought that Li Xiang was "naive and unrestrained, with the style of ancient scholars."

"Today's conversation with Your Highness has been truly enlightening. I've hardly realized how quickly time flies," Wang Xuance remarked. He was deeply interested in the practical knowledge, or science, that Li Xiang had described, considering it a discipline applicable to practical matters. He also firmly believed that Li Xiang's understanding extended far beyond simple things like bamboo paper and telescopes.

"Today, after meeting His Highness the Imperial Grandson, I realize that there are people beyond people. Are there truly those in this world who are born with knowledge?" Lu Zhaolin remarked with emotion.

This grandson of the emperor spoke eloquently, occasionally uttering phrases that Li Xiang had never heard before, yet upon reflection, proved remarkably apt and insightful. This captivated Li Xiang, making him linger in his conversation and lose track of time.

In short, this grandson of the emperor was handsome and had a pleasant voice. They all loved talking to Li Xiang.

Wang Xuance raised his hand to press down the wine cup on the table, looked out at the deep night, and gently advised, "It's past midnight, and the night is deep. Your Highness's health is precious, and it's not advisable for you to stay outside for long. Although Longqing Ward doesn't restrict movement within the ward, it's still remote and desolate. Your Highness should return to your residence to rest as soon as possible."

Lu Zhaolin nodded in agreement, straightened his scholar's robe, and said in a gentle tone, "What you say is absolutely right, Brother Wang. We can find an ordinary inn in the neighborhood to rent for the night. We'll make do with simple tea and a humble room. Your Highness need not keep us company until late at night."

After speaking, Lu Zhaolin reached into his robes, took out a neatly folded scroll of documents, and gently pushed it in front of Li Xiang's desk.

"Your Highness, please accept this item."

Li Xiang lowered his eyes to look at the documents on the table, raised an eyebrow, and asked in surprise, "What's this?"

"All the contracts, workshops, artisans, warehouses, and farmland of the bamboo paper mill in the suburbs are here," Lu Zhaolin said with a smile.

"The new method of bamboo paper production originated from Your Highness; it is a unique and effective method created by Your Highness to benefit the world. If the Lu family were to adopt it, it would be unjust."

"This paper mill was already on the verge of bankruptcy due to its outdated technology and years of losses. It is only right that it be handed over to Your Highness to produce bamboo paper."

Li Xiang was completely stunned upon hearing this, his eyes filled with astonishment. He never expected that Lu Zhaolin would have such magnanimity, willing to hand over the workshop that was the key to turning the tide.

He quickly raised his hand to push the contract back, waving his hand in refusal: "Brother Lu, you are too kind. I voluntarily taught you the techniques and never asked for a penny from the workshop. The Lu family has already gone to great lengths to manage the workshop and settle the craftsmen. I absolutely cannot accept the contract."

"Your Highness, there's no need to refuse—" Lu Zhaolin tried to persuade him again, his expression earnest.

Just as the two were politely declining each other's written agreement, Wang Xuance, who was sitting beside him, suddenly stopped smiling, his brows furrowed, and he abruptly raised his hand to stop their conversation, his posture tense as he pressed his ear against the wooden window.

"Wait—there seems to be some commotion outside?"

He suddenly opened the wooden window, and a wave of heat rushed through it with the night breeze.

Accompanied by the chaotic shouts from afar, the sounds pierced through the night and struck straight into our ears.

"Fire! Fire in the neighborhood!"

""

"Fire! Help! Fire!"

To the three's surprise, several lights had suddenly appeared in the darkness outside. One was to the east, one to the south, and one to the west.

Three flames stood out starkly against the dark backdrop of Longqing Ward. The once quiet ward was thrown into chaos by shouts of alarm at the discovery of the fires.

"This—I just heard someone announcing the watch, how did a fire suddenly break out?" Lu Zhaolin was dumbfounded as he looked at the chaos.

Li Xiang was also stunned for a long time. Why did that fire in the west seem to be in the direction of the house where his cheap old man was being imprisoned?

"Your Highness—Young Master!" Liu Zhi, who was outside, also noticed the fire in the west and impatiently clasped his hands towards Li Xiang.

"There seems to be a fire to the west; we must return to the manor immediately!"

Li Xiang nodded and was about to leave with Liu Zhi when Wang Xuance suddenly grabbed his arm: "Your Highness! You mustn't go rashly!"

"The fact that all three locations suddenly caught fire simultaneously is definitely not an accidental natural disaster. It must have been caused by human intervention."

"————There may be danger in the neighborhood."

Li Xiang was startled, and his pupils suddenly contracted!

Wang Xuance was also skilled in martial arts, while Lu Zhaolin brought his guards and servants. The two insisted on escorting Li Xiang, and Li Xiang did not refuse.

At Wang Xuance's suggestion, the group took advantage of the chaos and noise in the streets and alleys to hide in the night.

Deliberately avoiding the Wuhou and Fangmin people who were rushing to put out the fire with buckets of water, he chose the back streets and alleys with high walls and narrow lanes, deserted and deserted, and walked slowly westward along the dark shadows of the courtyard walls.

The main street was brightly lit and bustling with people, but these deep alleys were deathly silent and cold, with only the night wind carrying the smoky, pungent smell of cooking fires. All around was quiet, except for the soft rustling of grass and pebbles underfoot, making each step a heart-stopping experience.

The further west they went, the stronger the acrid smell of smoke and fire became. The western side consisted mostly of empty government residences, sparsely populated, making it extremely easy for the fire to spread rapidly. Judging from the extent of the fire, it seemed to have already engulfed the villa where Li Chengqian was imprisoned.

"This—" Liu Zhi jumped up and down in a panic.

Their military orders were to guard the deposed Crown Prince Li Chengqian. Failure to obey orders would result in execution for all, regardless of rank. Moreover, many of his comrades were still stationed around the western courtyard.

How could he not be anxious?

"Let's go faster—"

"Shh, be quiet!"

Li Xiang suddenly reached out and stopped Liu Zhi, who was about to quicken his pace. Everyone was startled, and then, at Li Xiang's instruction, they all hid in the shadows of the alley corner.

Everyone froze in place, holding their breath.

Faint footsteps could be heard ahead.

Then, everyone saw a dark figure huddled in the shadow of the courtyard wall at the corner of the alley ahead. The figure was hunched over and its head was hidden. It deliberately avoided the firelight in the distance and acted extremely sneakily.

The man quickly scanned both ends of the street, and only after confirming that no one was watching did he get up and walk away. A flint hangs from his waist, and he carries a jar of kerosene in his hand.

A horizontal sword was prominently displayed at his waist!

Lu Zhaolin gasped, hurriedly covering his mouth and nose to suppress a gasp, his eyes filled with horror.

Li Xiang's expression suddenly turned cold, and he gritted his teeth: "As expected, there are treacherous people causing trouble!"