Chapter 249: Pray for Her Light

When Prince Yong and Prefect Kong went to the Prefectural Mansion, Ye Chutang and Qi Yanzhou were happily eating the signature dishes.

Both of them had excellent hearing and heard what King Yong said to Governor Kong.

Ye Chutang took a sip of iced sour plum soup and raised an eyebrow at Qi Yanzhou.

"You have been planning to move King Yong for a long time, right?"

If not for this, he wouldn't have made a fuss and hurt Zhao Sirui so badly.

Qi Yanzhou did not deny it.

He picked up a piece of tender beef tendon that had been stewed till very tender for Ye Chutang.

“If Prince Yong honestly serves as a well-fed and well-off prince, he can live a good life as long as the Beichen Kingdom survives.

But he raised his only son into a bully, who occupied fertile land and shops, robbed women from both families, and bullied the common people.

Prince Yong's mansion is rotten to the core and must be uprooted in order to restore peace to the people of Jizhou. ”

The beef tendon tastes like spicy jelly, and Ye Chutang likes it very much.

After eating one piece, he picked up another one.

She put down her chopsticks and asked, "Will the prefect, the governor, and the garrison commander all side with you?"

Although it was a question, her tone was affirmative.

After Qi Yanzhou nodded, he helped Ye Chutang get another cup of sour plum soup.

"Yes, they have been trying to implicate the prince, but all their petitions have fallen on deaf ears."

Because the emperor looked down upon Jizhou, which had little tax revenue.

He was too lazy to care about the lives of the people in Jizhou.

Thinking of this, he added, "If nothing unexpected happens, a distinguished guest will visit tonight."

Ye Chutang picked up the cup and felt the coolness on his fingertips.

"King Yong has no real power or military force in Jizhou, right?"

The princes could use their own money to support their own private armies, but there was a limit on the number.

An unfavored prince can maintain three thousand private soldiers, while a favored prince can maintain five thousand private soldiers.

Of course, you don’t have to raise it.

Because it costs a lot of money to maintain private soldiers.

Qi Yanzhou drank a sip of iced sour plum soup to suppress the heat in his body.

"Jizhou is less than half the size of Dingzhou, and it has more mountains and forests, but less farmland. King Yong doesn't get much tax every year. He used to support his wives and concubines, but now he supports his sons. He has no ability to support his own soldiers."

"He has no real power and no military force. He can't cause any trouble. No need to pay attention to him."

After Ye Chutang finished talking about his business, he ate a few more bites of food.

When you are 60% full, put down your chopsticks.

She had to save some space so she could eat while walking around.

Qi Yanzhou put down his chopsticks and stood up, "Let's go, the street will be more lively now."

After saying this, he put on the mask and picked up the magpie lantern.

The two went downstairs, paid half of the meal bill, and left Lingxiao Tower.

It was completely dark.

The streets are brightly lit and bustling with people.

The sounds of hawking, shouting and laughter came one after another.

Ye Chutang was in a lively atmosphere and his mood became cheerful.

“I want to play threading the needle.”

This is the most common and easiest way to get lucky during the Qiqiao Festival, and it can be seen everywhere.

There were many women gathered at each stall.

Qi Yanzhou smiled and said, "Go ahead."

Ye Chutang chose the most difficult nine-hole needle and paid a copper coin to the stall owner.

Ten women compete together, and the first one to thread the nine-hole needle will receive a pair of exquisite snacks.

The stall owners just want to have fun, not make money.

Ye Chutang inherited the original owner's memory and was one of the best female workers, so she easily took first place.

She handed the won fruit to Qi Yanzhou.

"One for each of us, sharing the joys and sorrows!"

Qi Yanzhou looked at Ye Chutang with excited eyes and took the cookies with tenderness on his face.

"Never leave or abandon!"

The glutinous rice cakes were crispy and sweet, just like his current mood.

Next, Ye Chutang followed the local customs.

They go to worship the moon for blessings, pray to the Weaver Girl for marriage, release lanterns, watch acrobatics, and eat local delicacies.

Today is the happiest day for her since she traveled through time.

Don’t worry about anything, don’t think about anything, just eat well and have fun.

Ye Chutang stuffed the leftover lotus cakes to Qi Yanzhou.

"What time is it?"

"It's almost 11am, are you tired?"

Ye Chutang didn't feel tired, it's just that he had played everything he could and there was no point in going any further.

"It's getting late, let's go back."

Qi Yanzhou put away the lotus cake, looked at Ye Chutang affectionately, and stretched out his hand to her.

The glazed magpie lantern was on, casting brilliant light and shadows on the bluestone slabs.

"It's a rare opportunity to relax. Come with me to watch the stars, okay?"

Ye Chutang thought Qi Yanzhou was a pragmatic military commander and was a little surprised by his sudden romanticism.

She held the man's warm big hand and asked, "Where can we go to see the stars?"

Stargazing can be done either from a high place or in a quiet place.

There seems to be no such place in Jizhou City.

Qi Yanzhou held Ye Chutang's hand tightly and led him away from the busy street.

Once he was away from the hustle and bustle, he gave his answer.

"Jing'an Temple."

Jing'an Temple is located at the northernmost part of Jizhou City. There is a small mountain inside the temple.

There is an octagonal pavilion on the top of the mountain, overlooking the entire Jizhou city.

Jing'an Temple is usually closed at night and open all day on special holidays.

Today is the Qiqiao Festival and the temples are open at night.

Many people came to the temple to pray, but no one was seen going up the mountain.

One reason was that it was dark and the road was not visible, and the other was that the mountain road was steep and narrow, and not very safe.

Qi Yanzhou visited Jing'an Temple in the afternoon and was very familiar with the mountain road.

When they reached the intersection leading up the mountain, he handed the magpie lantern to Ye Chutang.

"Here, the mountain road is difficult to walk on, I'll carry you."

When Ye Chutang heard this, he keenly realized that Qi Yanzhou's visit to Jing'an Temple was not a spur of the moment decision, but was premeditated.

She took the glass magpie lantern with great interest, hooked her hands around the man's neck, and jumped up.

Qi Yanzhou immediately caught Ye Chutang and carried her up the mountain.

His steps were so light that the people behind him didn't feel any bumps at all.

In less than an incense stick of time, Qi Yanzhou carried Ye Chutang to the top of the mountain.

The wind on the top of the mountain was very strong, my hair and clothes were fluttering.

The midsummer heat was blown away without a trace.

The huge octagonal pavilion was empty.

Ye Chutang jumped off Qi Yanzhou's back and looked up at the sky.

A crescent moon hangs in the sky, and the dark sky is dotted with stars.

The Milky Way is clearly visible, and the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl can see each other across the river.

“This is indeed a great place for stargazing.”

Qi Yanzhou held Ye Chutang's hand and moved sideways to block the wind for her.

"I don't like the story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl. If you love someone, you should stay together."

Ye Chutang turned his head to look at Qi Yanzhou's handsome profile and deliberately asked, "If you don't like it, why do you want to see the stars?"

Qi Yanzhou pulled Ye Chutang into the octagonal pavilion, sat down facing south, and looked at the bright lights of Jizhou City.

"Atang, what I want you to see is not the sky full of stars, not the lights of thousands of houses, but..."

Not only did he not finish his words, he also covered Ye Chutang's eyes with his hands.

"Wait a moment."

Ye Chutang's curiosity was aroused, but he didn't ask any more questions. He just sat there and waited for the surprise.

The heat from the man's palm felt on her eyelids, making her feel very safe.

After a while, Qi Yanzhou let go.

"Atang, I wish you peace and success, happiness and longevity."

Countless sky lanterns were raised, and the hanging blessings swayed in the wind.

There are as many Kongming lanterns as there are monks in Jing'an Temple.

Every blessing has been blessed to protect her.