Drive to the Tang Dynasty, where supplies are refreshed daily!

Chapter 67: Yao Jin makes his move!
Now that I know these things will plunge Zhang Erya's family into dire straits, I feel guilty.

Li Lizhi was unaware of many of the details, but she was certain that Zhang Erya and San Niang were innocent; they were simply implicated.

“The privilege of temples was originally a lamp in the hands of emperors. At first, they only hoped to use the light of Buddha to assist the king’s rule and to light a bean of warm light for the people to pray for blessings.”

“When eminent monks preach in the temple, they can guide lost farmers to a way out. In times of famine, they can open the granaries and distribute grain faster than government documents.”

“These acts of kindness are like the wick of a lamp, and privilege is like the glass lamp that protects the wick, so that the wind and rain may blow out the light.”

“But if the candles are lit for too long, some scoundrels will always sneak under the lampstand to steal the oil.”

Li Lizhi could sense that Xiao Ran's dissatisfaction with these monks had extended to the imperial court.

They felt that the court's indulgence and inaction allowed these people to act so recklessly.

Li Lizhi felt that Xiao Ran's thinking was not wrong; it was indeed the court's indulgence that made him so arrogant and domineering.

Li Lizhi continued, "Some things will inevitably go bad if left out for too long. Please understand, young man, that the spoiled items will be disposed of."

Li Lizhi cared a lot about her relationship with Xiao Ran and didn't want to become enemies.

If Li Shimin doesn't punish the people in the Merit Academy when he returns this time, Li Lizhi will persuade Empress Zhangsun to help, or she will use other connections herself.

Even Li Lizhi can't stand it anymore.

Xiao Ran wasn't very convinced.

The little princess held Xiao Ran's hand; although she was young, she knew that Xiao Ran was not happy.

"Little Nangjun~ It's not tied~" the little princess comforted Xiao Ran.

Seeing the little princess's innocent face, Xiao Ran smiled.

"Our Sizi is still the best!" Xiao Ran rubbed the little princess's face.

"Hee hee~"

Praying for blessings is itself a way to find solace for the soul.

When you're desperate and have no other options, all you can do is pray to the gods.

Xiao Ran understood; it was the same not only in the Tang Dynasty, but also more than a thousand years later.

Xiao Ran said nothing more, leaving it to Li Shimin to decide how to handle the situation.

Xiao Ran rubbed Third Sister's head, "It's alright, I'm here."

Third Sister nodded.

I originally wanted to stay a little longer, but this incident was a bit of a downer.

After scraping off the persimmon frost, Li Lizhi made an excuse and left with the others.

It wasn't just Li Lizhi and the two little princesses who were willing to stay in Kaolao Village; Cheng Tiehuan and Li Wu also liked it.

It's very comfortable here, and I can even get free meals cooked by Xiao Ran.

But Xiao Ran was clearly angry today.

This discontent extended to several princesses, though briefly, but Li Lizhi and Princess Yuzhang both sensed it.

This has never happened before.

Xiao Ran gives the impression of treating everyone equally.

Whether it was Li Shimin and the princesses, or Zhang Anan, Yushu, and Li Wu, the treatment was roughly the same.

The little princess inside the carriage was unhappy because they had to go home early.

Li Lizhi frowned, also thinking about these things.

“Sister, it seems that the young master knows our identities.” Princess Yuzhang was very clever and could sense it from Xiao Ran’s previous reaction.

Li Lizhi nodded. "I thought the young master was just guessing before, but now it's obvious that he knows. He must also know Father's identity, which is why he sent the fishing rod away. This is a slap in Father's face. It's ironic that such a thing can happen right under the emperor's nose."

"So, young master knew our identities very early on, right?"

Li Lizhi nodded slightly.

"He can still take it in stride; he's different from other people."

“It is indeed different.” Li Lizhi was becoming more and more interested in Xiao Ran. “He has no basic reverence for royal power, not in his bones.”

"It seems so." Princess Yuzhang nodded. "I also felt it. The young master has his own pride, a pride that is hard to describe. Usually, the young master is very kind to everyone around him and treats everyone equally." Li Lizhi didn't know how to describe it either.

This is the sense of superiority of a time traveler.

They have acquired a lot of information and knowledge that others don't know, and their education is also different.

The most obvious thing is the lack of even the most basic reverence for royal power.

The discontent with the privileged class is very evident.

"If this matter isn't handled properly, there will likely be a rift between us in the future." Princess Yuzhang rubbed the little princess's head, and the little girl looked sullen.

Li Lizhi felt quite uncomfortable after Xiao Ran questioned her earlier.

It's like a very good friend suddenly questioning why you are the way you are.

You can sense that Xiao Ran is on the side of the Zhang siblings.

After Li Lizhi and the others left, Xiao Ran comforted Zhang Erya, "Second Aunt, nothing will happen. Don't tell Dalang about this yet. He'll just worry if he finds out, but it will be over soon."

"it is good!"

Zhang Jinhe and Zhang Erya really wanted to talk about the fishing rod, knowing it was a very precious item and also very important to Xiao Ran.

Other emperors wouldn't do this, but Li Shimin could try.

Li Shimin was concerned about his reputation and face, and Xiao Ran's actions made him feel somewhat embarrassed.

Li Shimin couldn't ignore it even if he wanted to.

"Young master, is the fishing rod gone?" Third Sister asked innocently, revealing her true feelings.

"They'll come back; they can't take it away," Xiao Ran said confidently.

Duke Su's Mansion
Cheng Chumo ran to the hall, "Father, people from the Daxingshan Temple's Merit Hall want to see you, they say..."

Upon hearing "Merit Temple," Cheng Yaojin frowned, looking disgusted. "What are these bald monks doing here? Tell them to get lost!"

These people were notorious, and Cheng Yaojin had naturally heard of them.

However, there were simply too many things involved, and Cheng Yaojin couldn't and wouldn't be able to manage them. All he could do was refuse to go along with them.

"He's holding a fishing rod!"

"He's carrying nothing and never looks at it. It's annoying to look at; a bunch of disgusting scum."

"The fishing rod... is it similar to the one Uncle Qin has, or is it made of three pieces?"

Cheng Yaojin glared at him. "What did you say? Three fishing rods?"

"Yes, I saw it clearly, it's similar to what Uncle Qin was holding before."

Cheng Yaojin quickly stood up, knowing that this matter was related to Xiao Ran.

The fishing rod definitely belongs to Xiao Ran.

"What else can you say?"

"They said they were looking for the second son of the Duke of Su's mansion." Cheng Chumo was a little confused.

Cheng Yaojin was startled; this was a search for Li Shimin.

They hurried outside, not daring to linger.

Something might have happened to Xiao Ran, involving Li Shimin, so we need to handle it carefully.

When Cheng Yaojin and his men arrived at the gate of the mansion, they could see the fishing rod in Wang Gui's hand from afar.

This is definitely Xiao Ran's, Cheng Yaojin is certain of it.

Wang Gui was a little surprised to see Cheng Yaojin arrive. He hadn't expected Cheng Yaojin to actually come to see him. He smiled and said, "This humble servant greets the Duke!"

Cheng Yaojin remained expressionless. "What is it? Speak!"

"A man named Xiao Ran owes the Merit Temple money and blessings, and he really can't repay it. He says his fishing rod is still valuable, so he's looking for the second son of the Duke of Su's mansion. If the second son is willing to take the fishing rod, he can help him repay the debt."

Cheng Yaojin frowned, grabbed Wang Gui by the collar, and lifted him up like a chicken. "How dare you! Arrest them all!"

(End of this chapter)