Chapter 354 Gap

But when Guan Yi'an arrived at the destination, he was dumbfounded once again.

In my memory, this place was the poorest and most chaotic place, filth everywhere, and hooligans and scoundrels slept crookedly all over the place. As soon as someone came, they would immediately surround them to beg or ask for jobs.

Now, however, the place has been cleaned and divided into small rooms separated by wooden boards. Each room has new bedding, and daily necessities are placed nearby.

Someone had already woken up, folded the bedding, and done a quick wash. Upon seeing Guan Yi'an, they warmly greeted him.

"You're new here, aren't you? You've come at the perfect time; there's still an empty spot. You can't be so dirty. Use mine to wash up first, and then we'll get to work together."

Guan Yi'an remembered that he had visited this place once during his recent trip back to Beijing. In just half a month, the changes here were already like night and day.

Most of those who end up here are homeless and pitiful, disabled or orphans and elderly, as well as some idle scoundrels who do nothing but loaf around. Who would hire them to work if they were not involved in shady dealings?

The person who took the initiative to talk to Guan Yi'an was a cripple with only one leg. Guan Yi'an's target was not him, but those thugs who would kill and set fires for a few taels of silver. However, he could not find his target at a glance, so he could only ask this person for the reason.

"Where are you going to work?" Guan Yi'an glanced at the other person's empty left leg. "Can just anyone do this job?"

The other person wasn't angry. Instead, they smiled and explained to him, "You don't know, do you? When the new emperor ascended the throne, he not only exempted people from taxes for three years, but also built several nursing homes for the homeless. You see, our bedding and daily supplies are all provided by the court, and our daily rations are delivered on time. The nursing homes are still under construction, and we all go there voluntarily to help as much as we can."

Guan Yi'an's heart skipped a beat. Wen Zhiming had only been emperor for a few days, how could he be so troublesome?

Does he really want to be a wise and benevolent ruler who will be remembered for generations?

Undeterred, he asked, "What about those people who did odd jobs for others before? Did they go and help out too?"

"Oh, you mean those thugs who take on side jobs and help with murder and arson? They've all been arrested by the government, and they won't be released until they've been properly reformed. Why are you asking about this?"

Guan Yi'an stammered, "Just asking. I... I was just passing by and asked casually."

After he finished speaking, he turned and left, and heard the person behind him say to others, "Wearing a mask, pretending to be a ghost. He must be too ugly and afraid of being ostracized. He has hands and feet but no courage. No matter how benevolent and magnanimous the new emperor is, he can't save this kind of person."

Guan Yi'an was so angry he almost vomited blood.

If he hadn't made a mistake on his wedding day, Meng Lingge would have married him. He would have been an emperor, if not a high-ranking official like Wen Zhiming, but at least a talented young man of the third rank or above.

But now he's being treated like an object of pleading for shelter and resettlement, while Wen Zhiming has become the emperor praised by everyone. Meng Lingge must be overjoyed right now, and if she knew his current situation, she would be even more amused by his situation.

He'd been waiting for Meng Lingge to regret her actions and come back to him. It seems he'll never see that day.

Heaven is truly blind. He had clearly worked very hard and was very ambitious, yet the result was so disappointing.

When bad luck strikes, everything goes wrong. He wanted to hire someone to do it, so he wouldn't expose himself and could increase his chances of winning. But even with the money in his pocket, he couldn't hire a single assassin or thug.

They wanted to visit other places, but were worried about missing the opportune moment for Meng Lingge's discreet trip.

If he misses today's opportunity, in a few months when Meng Lingge's child will be born, she will have the most noble man in the world to protect her, and she will have everything she needs: status, wealth, and family. She will be the happiest woman in the world. Meanwhile, Guan Yi'an will become a despised and abandoned scoundrel.

No! He absolutely won't allow it!

The woman who betrayed him and abandoned him must never live a better life than him!

Filled with grief and resentment, Guan Yi'an went to the market and bought a sharp knife and a venomous snake.

He had always cherished his life, but today, after being repeatedly provoked, especially after realizing the gap between himself and Wen Zhiming, and discovering that no matter what he did, he could never surpass Wen Zhiming, Guan Yi'an had a thought that it didn't matter whether he lived or died, but that Meng Lingge had to die today and Wen Zhiming had to suffer unbearable pain.

He placed the venomous snake in a sack, tied it up, hid it in his bosom, and with a sharp knife stuck in his lower back, Guan Yi'an stepped into Lingyun Temple with a determined look in his eyes.

Lingyun Temple is not the most popular temple in Beijing.

However, it is the most famous and efficacious temple in the capital. The reason why its incense is not very popular is simply because it is located on a steep mountaintop. The uppermost section of the road is only accessible to pedestrians. Even the richest and most powerful people can only walk up there on their own.

The inconvenience of transportation has caused Lingyun Temple to miss out on many elderly pilgrims, but it has also added to its otherworldly, ethereal, and tranquil solemnity.

Because it was the first day of the lunar month, Lingyun Temple was slightly more crowded than usual, mostly with young women or unmarried girls, each accompanied by several attendants. After entering the temple, the attendants stood guard outside while the host family went inside to offer incense and pray for blessings, and then they all left together.

Guan Yi'an observed for a while and decided to make his move when Meng Lingge offered incense.

On the way up and down the mountain, Meng Lingge will definitely be protected by guards, so he can't get close. The only chance is when she is alone in front of the Bodhisattva to offer incense and pray for blessings. He can take advantage of her unpreparedness, release the poisonous snake first, and then kill her with one blow.

After the deed is done, escape if you can, but it doesn't matter if you can't.

Trading his current worthless life for Meng Lingge's life and the life of her unborn child is a very good deal.

Guan Yi'an calmly entered Lingyun Temple and donated one thousand taels of silver as incense money. According to the rules, he would receive a peace charm blessed by a high monk.

While the young monk went to fetch a peace charm for him, Guan Yi'an took advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention and hid in the incense table under the Bodhisattva's seat.

This tiny space, barely big enough for one person, was covered by a thick cloth. Through the gaps at the edge of the cloth, one could just see the scene in front of the incense table.

Guan Yi'an narrowed his almond-shaped eyes, like a wolf waiting for its chance to strike, patiently watching the small gap, waiting for his target.

He first saw the little monk who had brought the amulet looking around anxiously, and finally thought he had already left, so he had no choice but to retreat.

Then every now and then one or two worshippers would come in, kneel down in front of him and the Bodhisattva, and murmur to themselves with utmost devotion.

Guan Yi'an felt a mixture of disdain and thought to himself: I have never asked for anything. If the Bodhisattva is truly efficacious, please bless me so that my mission may succeed, considering how sincerely I have been hiding at your feet for so long.

He waited for about an hour before the familiar footsteps finally appeared.

Guan Yi'an's eyes gleamed with excitement as he watched the figure move. When he saw the figure approach to offer incense, his blood boiled.

Now!