All Heavens: From Joy of Life to The Great Feng Night Watchman

Page 454

The case was temporarily closed. Prince Yu and his daughter warmly invited Li Chang'an to visit the Prince's residence. Princess Lin'an let Princess Pingyang ride in her carriage, and the two returned to Prince Yu's residence together.

Princess Lin'an leaned out of the carriage and saw Prince Yu chatting and laughing with Li Chang'an, being very polite to him.

"Sister Lin'an, I want to become Master Li's apprentice!"

Lin'an turned his head and saw that Princess Pingyang had a firm expression and a hint of fierceness in her eyes, an expression that had never appeared on Princess Pingyang before.

"So what if you're going to bow? Standing tall, aloof, and cool, it makes you seem so arrogant..."

Princess Lin'an pursed her lips and looked at Li Chang'an's retreating figure. Normally, people are extremely cautious and respectful when they meet members of the imperial family, even bowing when they speak.

Li Chang'an communicated with Prince Yu on an equal footing, neither humble nor arrogant. In Lin'an, this seemed somewhat arrogant, since she usually only encountered lackeys and sycophants.

Princess Lin'an called out to Xu Pingzhi, who was following closely behind the carriage, "You! Come here for a second!"

Xu Pingzhi hunched over and jogged all the way to the princess's carriage. Lin'an felt much better when she saw this.

"I ask you, is Li Chang'an a very powerful master who cultivates Confucianism, martial arts, and Taoism?"

Xu Pingzhi secretly sighed at his ignorance, but then said respectfully, "He's not just ordinary, he's an extremely rare master. We've never heard of him since the founding of the Great Feng Dynasty."

"Moreover, this person's three skills are all at the fifth rank, so I'm afraid that even a typical fourth-rank cultivator would not be his match."

Upon hearing this, Lin'an's eyes suddenly lit up. "If even a fourth-rank official can't handle him, then he must be at the level of a night watchman... In that case, this person can be considered a talent?"

Xu Pingzhi glanced at Li Chang'an's back and then thought of his nephew Xu Qi'an, whom he had put a lot of effort into cultivating. The two looked about the same age, but Xu Qi'an was still hovering around the ninth rank. He couldn't help but feel envious.

He spoke with absolute certainty, his tone filled with admiration, "A talent! A once-in-a-century genius!"

Princess Lin'an pulled her head back into the carriage, puffed out her firm chest as if trying to make it stand out more, then stood with a solemn expression, her hands level, and her tone calm.

"Once we arrive at the Prince's residence, I will thoroughly examine this man's abilities. If he proves capable, you may then formally become his disciple."

Princess Pingyang saw this and knew that Princess Lin'an was imitating Princess Huaiqing's mannerisms, but there was no use in trying to stop her; Princess Huaiqing was exceptionally gifted.

The two princesses were at odds from a young age. The eldest princess was competitive and did not lose to boys in martial arts and studies, while Princess Lin'an was lively and willful, completely different from Huaiqing.

The two often quarreled, but Lin'an was always beaten by Huaiqing, so Lin'an preferred to compete with Huaiqing.

Upon hearing Xu Pingzhi say that Li Chang'an was a once-in-a-century genius, a talent of the highest caliber, Princess Lin'an thought of Princess Huaiqing's efforts to recruit talent.

What Huaiqing can do, Lin'an can do too!

She changed her story, saying that she was pretending to teach Li Chang'an for Princess Pingyang, but her real intention was to learn from Huaiqing and recruit talent.

The entire trial proceedings at the government office were relayed to Wei Yuan and the Princess.

"Lord Wei, I have never heard of anyone cultivating in this way. It is simply unbelievable!"

Wei Yuan also frowned, his mind filled with doubt. "Strange, too strange."

"The night watchman knows about Li Chang'an's situation. He and Li Miaozhen contributed a lot to the stabilization of Jianzhou. He should also have eliminated the Crimson Dragon that was causing trouble in the area and went into hiding."

"However, even we can't find out his background. He became famous in Jianzhou more than half a year ago, and we really don't know his details."

Princess Huaiqing frowned and said, "Could he be a disciple of some hermit? This person is indeed a rare talent, and should not be taken under someone else's command."

Wei Yuan said, "We will keep an eye on him secretly, and we will investigate his background in more detail."

"Lord Wei, now that Sun Zhongming has surrendered, will his entire family still be exterminated?"

Wei Yuan's eyes flashed with a cold light as he calmly said, "That's not necessary. Just execute the entire family."

Princess Huaiqing nodded and said, "That's what I think too."

After leaving Haoqi Pavilion, Princess Huaiqing went to Prince Yu's residence. She had to go and see her cousin after what had happened to her.

In the main hall of Prince Yu's mansion, Prince Yu and Princess Lin'an sat at the head of the table, while Li Chang'an sat at the head of the table.

Not far in front of Li Chang'an was Princess Lin'an, her expression very solemn, with an aura of unapproachability.

But her delicate face and alluring peach blossom eyes could never be fierce; she looked like a little kitten trying hard to act tough.

"Hero Li saved Pingyang, and I will surely reward him handsomely. What are your plans for coming to the capital this time?"

Li Chang'an said calmly, "Just take things as they come and find a way to make a living."

Just now, Princess Lin'an had asked many questions, and Li Chang'an answered them casually, without any of the fear and trepidation that ordinary people would show when meeting royalty.

This even amazed Prince Yu, who had seen countless people. No matter how talented a person was, they would be much less imposing in front of the royal family.

However, this Li Chang'an was not only not weak, but he even completely overwhelmed the princess's aura when facing her.

Lin'an was anxious. She had heard that when Huaiqing recruited talents, the other party was always respectful and grateful. How come she couldn't even suppress the other party's aura when she made her first move?

"Father, Sister Lin'an, I want to become Master Li's apprentice."

Princess Pingyang seemed to be trying to help Lin'an out of its predicament, and this was, of course, her true intention.

Li Chang'an smiled and asked, "What does the princess wish to learn? Reading, martial arts, or Taoist cultivation?"

Princess Pingyang had already made up her mind: "I want to learn how to use flying swords! The kind where one sword can kill more than a dozen people!"

As they were talking, someone outside the door suddenly shouted, "The Princess has arrived!"

Apart from Lin'an, everyone stood up, and Princess Huaiqing slowly walked into the hall, wearing a moon-white long dress, the hem of which swayed on the ground.

Her appearance was fresh and refined, like a water lily that remained pure and unpretentious. Her eyes were as clear as an ice mirror, revealing a noble and aloof air.

Speaking of looks, Huaiqing is in no way inferior to Lin'an, but her exquisite figure and alluring curves leave Lin'an far behind.

Even Li Chang'an couldn't help but take a second look. Her figure was even more perfect than that of someone who had worked out in the gym. Apart from her aloof and unapproachable demeanor, she was in the top three among the women in Huaiqing's and Li Chang'an's previous two lives.

"Greetings, Uncle Yu."

Although Huaiqing was polite, Prince Yu still silently gave up the main seat, after all, this man was truly powerful, unlike Lin'an who was just putting on an act.

Before sitting down, the eldest princess walked up to Li Chang'an and slowly curtsied, saying, "Mr. Li saved Pingyang's life, and I am deeply grateful."

Although his tone was cold, you could tell he was sincere.

The aloof and domineering Huaiqing actually bowed to Li Chang'an to express her gratitude, which moved Prince Yu. After all, the princess was still family, and she genuinely cared about her cousin.

Princess Lin'an, who hadn't gotten up yet, was dumbfounded. The domineering and powerful Huaiqing was actually bowing to a commoner. Was this still Huaiqing?

The princess's sincere gratitude was far more heartwarming than any amount of gold and silver bestowed upon her. Huaiqing's actions were far more mature than those of Lin'an.

Li Chang'an saw that Princess Lin'an indeed pouted, looking unconvinced.

Huaiqing sat down in the main seat and glanced at Princess Pingyang. Princess Pingyang subconsciously shrank back.

"Pingyang, kneel down."

Huaiqing's tone suddenly became more serious and extremely stern.

Princess Pingyang dared not disobey and immediately got up and knelt down.

"Sister Huaiqing..."

Huaiqing said in an icy voice, "It's one thing for you to read some banned books randomly, but to actually take the stories in those books seriously and elope like that, if it weren't for Master Li passing by, what would you be like now!"

"Your actions have not only disgraced the royal family, but also left your father in a terrible situation. You are the only daughter of Prince Yu. Are you going to let him die alone for a worthless monk? Pingyang, do you have any conscience at all?!"

"As a princess of the royal family, you spend all your time loitering in Buddhist temples for pleasure. I've told you so many times, but you've ignored me completely! And now look what happened, you almost lost your life!"

Huaiqing's voice echoed in the main hall of the Prince's mansion. Princess Pingyang wept bitterly, her face streaked with tears. Prince Yu, seeing his daughter had just been frightened and was now being scolded, felt a pang of heartache. "Huaiqing..."

"Uncle Yu! If you hadn't spoiled her so much, Pingyang wouldn't have been so reckless, so unable to distinguish right from wrong, and so easily trusting. Uncle Yu is to blame for Pingyang's misfortune today!"

Prince Yu was also surprised that he was reprimanded by Huaiqing as soon as he opened his mouth. He was a prince after all, and Huaiqing was really domineering.

However, after thinking about it again, Prince Yu felt that Huaiqing was right. He had lost his wife early in life and had spoiled his only daughter too much.

Li Chang'an kept his eyes down, seemingly lost in thought, like an old monk in deep meditation. How formidable Huaiqing is, truly possessing an inherent strength.

Neither Lin'an nor Prince Yu ever criticized Princess Pingyang, but Huaiqing was anything but polite.

"The monk Heng Hui of Qinglong Temple seduced the princess, a crime deserving of death. I will petition the Emperor to have him executed by being cut in half at the waist!"

Upon hearing Huaiqing's words, Princess Pingyang immediately became anxious, "Sister Huaiqing, the monk is innocent!"

Lin'an was stunned by Huaiqing's words, as if he had returned to the time when Huaiqing had turned the tables on him countless times.

“Huaiqing, Zhang Yi and those three bastards deserve to die for this. Even if that foolish monk was wrong, he didn’t deserve to die.”

Unexpectedly, as soon as Lin'an opened his mouth, Huaiqing shifted his focus, "Where did the banned books in Pingyang come from? Most of them are yours!"

Li Chang'an knew that some of the so-called banned books were at most as explicit as "The Romance of the Western Chamber," only discussing love and romance, and were far from the classic "Jin Ping Mei."

Biao Biao opened her mouth, then bit her red lips with her pearly teeth, huffing and puffing, unable to utter a single word for a long time.

Since Huaiqing dared to say it, he must have evidence; Lin'an has been dealt with many times before.

This feeling is all too familiar; I've been defeated again!

No, this time Lin'an didn't provoke Huaiqing at all; it wasn't a counterattack, it was a direct suppression.

Moreover, Prince Yu and Li Chang'an were also present this time, and Huaiqing actually said that Lin'an was reading forbidden books, which made Lin'an both angry and annoyed.

Li Chang'an really wanted to say a few words of comfort. What's there to be embarrassed about? I have even better books in my head. I'll write them down for you another day.

"Huaiqing...you...you're bullying me!"

Biao Biao pouted in grievance, stomped her foot, and then stormed off from Prince Yu's residence. Princess Lin'an's greatest skill was acting coquettishly, and she had never won a direct confrontation with Huaiqing.

After Lin'an left, Huaiqing said earnestly, "Pingyang, you're not young anymore, you can't be so willful anymore..."

After a combination of gentle persuasion and firm pressure, Princess Pingyang shed tears of guilt and self-reproach. There aren't many parents who can correct early romantic relationships and make their children feel guilty, but Huaiqing is one of them.