Chapter 58: Murder and Arson on Lantern Festival (I)

The sky gradually darkened and the lights came on.

A light snowfall boosted the enthusiasm of Chang'an residents to watch the lanterns.

Li Yuanhui and Murong Jiayin walked side by side, with Murong Kexie, a small oil lamp, following in the middle. The three of them walked on the long street, with guards in front and behind to prevent pedestrians from approaching.

The lights in Chang'an were the most varied and lively in the Imperial Street and the East and West Markets. After leaving Daningfang, the group headed for the East Market.

As a princess, it is not realistic to go shopping and see the lights like ordinary people.

The two of them walked slowly, talking casually.

Li Yuanhui, who was actually a otaku in his previous life, had only dated one person, and he was actually a little nervous about being with Murong Jiayin.

Murong Jiayin was even more confused. She didn't know what to say when she walked with her fiancé. Her usual intelligence and wisdom were also out of use.

Fortunately, there is Murong Kexie, who is a complete atmosphere regulator.

Once a five-year-old child starts talking, he can't stop. He calls his brother-in-law affectionately.

As they were walking and chatting on the street, a group of people came towards them. There were eight warriors clearing the street in front, and the leader behind them was riding a tall horse. He was wearing a brocade robe and a jade crown on his head. He looked quite handsome, had a short beard, and was about twenty years old.

To be able to put on such a grand display at such a festive occasion, one must be someone of extraordinary status.

The person on the horse was the first to see Murong Jiayin and her group, and immediately greeted them with a smile: "Sanniang, Fazhelao."

"Brother Royal."

"Second brother."

It turned out to be the second prince, Prince of Liang Murong Zhan.

"Sanniang, this must be the young master of the Li family, right? He is indeed a handsome man, hahaha." Murong Zan dismounted and came forward to greet several people.

Li Yuanhui bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

"We are all one family, no need to be polite."

"Where are you going, brother?"

"Just take a stroll along the way. Tomorrow we have to accompany our father to watch the lanterns at the Suzaku Gate. Today we have nothing to do, so we can look at the lanterns in various places in Chang'an."

"Li Lang, Fazhela and I just came out from Third Brother's place and were going to look at the lanterns. We won't disturb your pleasure, brother."

"Okay, Sanniang, Fazhelao, and Mr. Li, let's leave for now."

"Brother, please take your time."

"Your Majesty, please."

After turning around, they went their separate ways.

Li Yuanhui felt that the Prince of Liang was very frivolous, and his relationship with Murong Jiayin and Murong Kexie seemed ordinary.

Murong Kexie said "Second Brother" and then stopped talking. From this point, it can be seen that they are not very close.

After all, adults like to disguise, but children generally don't.

Murong Zan got on the horse, waved to a few people and continued on his way.

The three of them continued walking along the street, arrived at Xuanyangfang, then went around the East Market, and walked along Changlefang and Daozhengfang all the way back to Daningfang.

When they finally returned to King Wu's residence, Murong Kexie had fallen asleep on the guard's back.

After returning to the Wu Wang residence and drinking a few cups with everyone, he was about to say goodbye and leave. Murong Jiayin was also going back to the palace, so they went together. Li Yuanhui saw her off to the Yanxi Gate before waving goodbye.

After leaving the palace, Li Yuanhui walked home alone. Han Quan and several other guards had already been sent away by Li Yuanhui to watch the lanterns.

It's not that we are afraid that they will be used as a light bulb. It's mainly because it's a major festival and it's boring to let them wait there. Who in Chang'an doesn't want to see the lively atmosphere of the lanterns?
King Wu's residence was in Daningfang in the northeast corner of Chang'an, while Li Yuanhui's home was in Chongxianfang in the southwest of Chang'an. Even if you start counting from Yanxi Gate, you basically have to walk through half of Chang'an.

Fortunately, the streets are full of people today, with lanterns hung everywhere and Jinwu Guards patrolling everywhere. It's nice to walk along and look at the lights.

However, he began to admire Murong Jiayin's stamina. She had walked so far and passed through more than a dozen blocks, but she didn't blush or get out of breath. Her stamina was really good. When he walked to the middle of Xuanyang Block and Chongyi Block, he saw a familiar face.

He was one of the monks from Huangjue Temple whom I met in Xishi today. This round-faced monk had a broad forehead, a high nose, thick eyebrows and big eyes, with some stubble on his cheeks and chin. If he hadn't shaved his head with the scars from ordination, he would have been a handsome man.

The monk seemed to have lost contact with someone and looked at the intersection between several blocks with some confusion.

Li Yuanhui stepped forward and asked, "Master, can't you find the way?"

The monk saw Li Yuanhui and thought he looked familiar. He nodded shyly and said, "My dear, I just got separated from my fellow monks. How do I get to Yanfu Temple?"

Li Yuanhui smiled and said, "Yanfu Temple, just follow me. My home is in the west of the city, so it's just on the way."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, sir. By the way, my Buddhist name is Rujing."

"Rujing? I ran into you guys in the West Market during the day, do you remember me, monk?"

"Oh, I remember now. I saw you in the West Market this morning. You actually know our Huangjue Temple. You are really well-informed."

"Huangjue Temple is a royal temple. When my ancestor followed the late emperor to the southern expedition, he stayed in your temple. Oh, by the way, my name is Li Yuanhui, from Chengji, Longxi."

"So that's how it is. My dear, you are from the Longxi Li family."

"It's just that my ancestors have some influence, but it's not worth mentioning. Being born in a humble family does not mean that there is no way out. Look, that's Anrenfang in front of us. Yanfu Temple is inside Anrenfang."

As the two were talking, they arrived between the Changxing and Yongle districts. In the distance, they could vaguely see a pagoda in the night sky.

Monk Rujing looked at the pagoda, touched his bald head and said, "So it's right here. I just passed several intersections but none of them were the right way. I didn't expect it to be here."

Li Yuanhui smiled and said, "Chang'an is a big city. There are lanterns hanging everywhere on the streets tonight. It's normal that you can't find your way around with so many people coming and going. Let's go."

"Thank you for leading the way."

"It's just something that happened by the way, it's not worth thanking for."

"My dear, you are a straightforward person. Before I came to Chang'an, I thought the nobles in Chang'an were very..."

"Very arrogant? Hehe."

"hey-hey."

As they were talking, the two men walked to a crossroads. After crossing the crossroads, on the left was Anrenfang, where the Yanfu Temple was located. At this time, a cry for help suddenly came from between Anrenfang and Changxingfang.

"Help me."

Li Yuanhui and the monk were talking when they heard the cry for help. They ran forward almost at the same time and saw several men dragging a young man into the gate of Changxingfang with his clothes torn to tatters.

"stop."

Two deep voices sounded almost at the same time, one voice belonged to Monk Rujing, and the other voice came from the opposite side. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a big man with a curly beard, Zhang Jian from Jiangdu.

However, Zhang Jian was not traveling alone. He was accompanied by five people from Qi County and Liu Xuanji, the captain of the Xiaoguo Army.

The few of them had just made an appointment to watch the lanterns together. Unexpectedly, they bumped into each other in such a scene.

Zhang Jian saw Li Silang and nodded, then he immediately rushed over, stood with Monk Rujing and said, "Let that man go. You are taking advantage of your power to commit crimes under the feet of the Emperor of Chang'an. Aren't you afraid of the law?"

But then a man of similar stature stood up, looked at the group of people and thought they were all easy to mess with, and snorted coldly: "Who are you all? Get out of here right now, the Fire Bull Gang's affairs are not yours to control!"

How could Zhang Jian be intimidated by anyone? He got furious when he heard it. He rushed forward and grabbed the man's arm, then tumbled the man around and threw him out. Monk Rujing was also a fearless person. He rushed forward to start the fight, unwilling to be left behind.

Before the others could make a move, the two of them crushed the six strong men one by one with just three punches and two kicks.

"You, how dare you..." The man who had fallen to the ground struggled to stand up. Before he could finish his words, Zhang Jian kicked him again, causing him to fall to the ground and faint.

After the man who had been restrained was rescued, he immediately knelt on the ground, kowtowed and cried to several people.

"Thank you very much, heroes. Please save my wife."

(End of this chapter)