Chapter 75

After listening to Gong Sun Kang ramble on about a bunch of things outside, Zhao Yougong's interest was piqued.

He turned around and came to the loft, carefully examining the deceased. Both had a short knife embedded in their foreheads, lying on their backs with their heads facing the stairs, indicating that they had just come up the stairs and were hit by flying knives. Apart from their foreheads, the rest of their bodies were intact, without a single scratch.

The murderer must have been an expert in hidden weapons, using both hands to instantly hit the foreheads of the two victims. This required not only accuracy but also strength. Judging from the depth of the wounds, it was clear that a woman could not have done this. Compared to men, women were naturally weaker, and this was something that technique and skill could not make up for.

Zhao Yougong examined the scene carefully, and Zhu Lian was delighted, unable to help but ask, "Your Highness, have you noticed anything?"

"This... I think this must have been done by someone from the temple!"

Someone from the temple? That would be the monks, right? Zhu Lian's eyes darted around, and she was quite surprised. She really couldn't figure out how His Highness had come to this conclusion.

Zhao Ding was instructing the coroner to carefully examine the bodies when he suddenly heard what the young prince said, almost falling to the ground. It seemed that relying on this young prince to solve the case was out of the question.

"Your Highness, how did you come to this conclusion?"

Zhu Lian was very curious. Zhao Yougong looked around and then pulled her to the corridor outside the loft.

Zhao Yougong was somewhat rash, and Zhu Lian's face turned red with anger, and she couldn't help but pull her hand away. It was the first time in her life that she had been held by a man other than her father.

Zhu Lian was indignant, but Zhao Yougong was completely unaware. He was very much enjoying the feel of that delicate hand. Although it was brief, he could still feel the softness of that hand. Besides, it wasn't his fault; who could blame him for acting after Zhu Lian had been constantly in his sight? It was already quite difficult for him to restrain himself until now.

"Lady, don't be angry. I have no interest in this case at all. I heard that this Xiangguo Temple is very prosperous. It's a good opportunity to borrow some incense from the abbot!"

"..."

Zhu Lian understood what the young prince meant. He was extorting protection money from the Xiangguo Temple. For a moment, Zhu Lian was also confused. Could it be that she had seen wrong that day?

Her chest heaved, and her beautiful eyes gazed at the distant Great Hall. At that moment, all the monks in the temple were sitting on the ground, silently reciting the scriptures over and over again. In the sunlight, Zhu Lian's face was calm, but her eyes were filled with ripples. No one could tell what she was thinking. A warm breeze blew, disheveling her hair, and she slowly turned her head, gazing deeply, as if she didn't want to look away for a moment.

"Your Highness, how long do you plan to keep deceiving me? That day, I saw and heard everything!"

"Lady, what did you see? What did you hear?" Zhao Yougong leaned on the railing, smiling silently.

"Loneliness, pity, pain, and compassion..."

Zhu Lian's voice was low and clear, like a nightingale's song, piercing the heart. Zhao Yougong trembled, and with each word Zhu Lian said, he trembled once. That day, at that moment, he had uncontrollably revealed his deepest emotions, and Zhu Lian had understood them all.

She was a woman who truly understood him. Sometimes, just a glance or an expression was enough for her to see through his heart. However, some secrets could not be spoken.

"Lady, I am very happy to hear you say that!"

"Your Highness, there's no need to deny it. If I had seen wrong, why would you say those words to me?"

Zhu Lian turned around, facing Zhao Yougong. She walked over, her eyes firm, "Remember, I am Zhao Yougong, not a prince, not a highness, just a name. Your Highness can say it, and I can understand it!"

Looking at Zhu Lian's delicate face, Zhao Yougong's smile slowly faded, his brows furrowed deeper, and his expression was serious, "Lady, are you really willing to listen?"

"Whatever Your Highness says, I will listen!"

Zhao Yougong opened his mouth but then swallowed it back. He was hesitating, as if making a decision. After a while, he saw his lips curl up, and his furrowed brows instantly relaxed. Before Zhu Lian could react, he lowered his head and quickly kissed her on the lips.

Zhu Lian was graceful and dignified, but she had never encountered such a situation. That kiss made her lips feel moist, and her nose was filled with the strong scent of a man. Her whole body felt as if it had been struck by lightning, and it took her a moment to remember to be angry.

Her almond eyes widened, and she wanted to be angry, but the culprit had already left the corridor and was heading downstairs.

"Your Highness, why?" Zhu Lian clearly knew that the young prince was not as incapable as he appeared. Sometimes, the eyes don't lie, and that wisdom, that elegance, and that compassion.

Clearly, he was concerned, yet he pretended not to know. Perhaps it was an illusion, but Zhu Lian felt as if she and the young prince had known each other for a long time, maybe ten years, maybe twenty, or even in a past life. She wanted to understand the answer, but the young prince refused to speak.

Zhu Lian knew what she wanted to ask, and Zhao Yougong knew it too. So he raised his right hand and gently waved the fan in his hand, "Marry me!"

Marry me? Just two words, but they revealed Zhao Yougong's entire heart. The golden sunlight shone on his shoulders, like a golden halo.

Looking at that back, Zhu Lian's face was calm. After a long time, she lowered her head and stomped her foot, "Hmph, who would marry you?"

A true soulmate is hard to find. One is a blessing. Zhu Lian held her hands behind her back, her eyes smiling, her thoughts already wandering far and wide.

Xiangguo Temple, with its sixty-four Zen halls, the Great Hall, enjoying imperial patronage, was at the height of its power.

Now, Xiangguo Temple was in its sixty-fourth generation, with the abbot named "Baixiang," the head of the Vinaya Hall named "Baoyan," and the head of the Dharma Hall named "Baoyi." Even a rogue like Zhao Yougong did not dare to be too disrespectful in front of these three masters. When he arrived at the Great Hall, the three masters joined their hands and recited the Buddha's name, "This old monk greets Your Highness!"

"Master, please be seated!" Zhao Yougong awkwardly imitated the monks, joining his hands and said, "Amitabha, what does the abbot think of this murder case?"

Even with Baixiang's deep cultivation, he felt uncomfortable with Zhao Yougong's behavior, "Amitabha, investigating the case is the responsibility of the government. This old monk dares not make assumptions. If Your Highness has any requirements, please speak directly, and this old monk will do his best to cooperate!"

Indeed, the old monk was experienced. Zhao Yougong no longer pretended and pinched his voice, speaking seriously, "Master, as you know, a murder has occurred in the temple, and everyone is involved. Therefore, I will have people conduct a thorough investigation. If it disturbs the temple, please bear with us."

"That is only right. Your Highness can investigate. This old monk will wait in the Crystal Hall. If you need anything, please inform the monks in the temple!"

"Thank you, Master!"

With Baixiang's words, Zhao Yougong had a basis. As soon as the three masters left, Xiao San slunk over, "Young Master, the bearded man asked me to ask you how to collect the incense money!"

"Stupid, can't you think? There are many wealthy people in the temple. Just pick some and accuse them of being suspects. Do you think they won't pay the incense money?"

Ma Rulong, who had been protecting him all along, was truly impressed by the young prince's words. Although their magistrate was not good at official business, when it came to collecting money, he had endless clever ideas.

Zhu Lian happened to arrive just then, and the young prince's words naturally fell into her ears. Thus, the beauty's eyebrows furrowed, and she was filled with anger. She was curious about how he would collect the incense money, but it turned out to be like this.

Following Zhao Yougong's instructions, Xie Wudi and the others had their hands full. A group of constables specifically targeted those dressed in gold and silver. In no time, they found dozens of people from the temple's visitors. They brought these people to the Great Hall, and Xie Wudi put on a serious act, "A murder has occurred in the temple, and no one is allowed to leave!"

As soon as Xie Wudi finished speaking, someone in the crowd was dissatisfied, "Why? If no one can leave, why can those people move freely?"

"Why? Because you are suspects. Do you understand what a suspect is?"

"Suspect? Why are we suspects?" At this point, everyone started to protest. Some clever people saw through the scheme. These corrupt officials were just trying to extort money again.

Dozens of people were noisy, but Xie Wudi was not afraid. As long as the entrance was sealed, let them make a fuss. Whoever paid the money could leave, and those who didn't pay had to stay.

With the commotion in the hall, Xie Wudi boldly sat on a bench at the entrance, his saber in hand, and with the support of a dozen constables, no one dared to rush out. However, there are always exceptions. While Xie Wudi was thinking about how much money to ask for, someone beside him snorted coldly.

Outside the Great Hall, Zhao Yougong was dealing with Zhu Lian's glare, and A Jiu was standing in front of him like a block of wood.

Zhu Lian pointed at A Jiu, a bit angry and smiling bitterly, "A Jiu, move aside!"

A Jiu shook his head, and Zhao Yougong laughed. A Jiu, this loyal servant, was much more reliable than Xiao San.

Zhu Lian was about to pull A Jiu's hand, but Xiao San slunk over again. He opened his mouth but then closed it, his eyes occasionally glancing at Zhu Lian, as if he was afraid of something.

"Xiao San, what are you afraid of? Just say it!"

"Um, Young Master, someone in the Great Hall wants to see you!"

"Hmm? Did they pay the money?"

"No!" Xiao San thought to himself, even if they paid, Xie Dahu would not dare to accept it.

"Didn't pay and still dare to see me? Who is it? I'll go and see!"

Zhao Yougong walked away, and Zhu Lian, who was very angry, thought for a moment and decided to follow Xiao San to the Great Hall.

To be honest, Zhao Yougong just wanted to avoid Zhu Lian's nagging. He didn't expect to see two unexpected people when he arrived at the Great Hall.

Two young men with fair faces stood at the entrance, their bright eyes and white teeth clearly indicating they were women in disguise. Pointing to the purple-robed youth who was talking to Xie Wudi, Zhao Yougong shook his head, unable to help but laugh.

"Nian Nu, why is it you?"

Hearing this, Nian Nu turned her face, her jade finger touching her lips, "Sir, what you said is very interesting. Can't I come to the temple to offer incense?"

Offer incense? What a joke. Nian Nu would believe in Buddhism only if the sun rose in the west. Besides, did she need to come with Li Shishi to offer incense?