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  The wind died down, and the white toe tips stopped on the plum blossom tree in the backyard of the Wan'an Temple. Yan Sanbai calculated the time and thought that he should find someone to help him. This case seemed a bit complicated, and the Daluo Temple had also intervened. No matter how fast he was, he was still just one person.

  It's just that there are few people in this vast Chang'an city who know Yan Sanbai. Maybe I can go back and find Wang Min, that young man is not bad.

  Yan San Bai is currently a lone ranger, so he can only go and investigate the clues himself.

  He pulled a little monk and asked where Master Xuande was. The little monk said that Master Xuande was meeting with friends in the backyard wing room.

  Yan Sanbai originally wanted to knock on the door politely, but when he walked to the entrance and saw the people inside through the slightly ajar door, he stopped again.

  That person is also a troublesome character...

  What's going on? Should we go in?

  Yan Sanbai hesitated for a moment, but by then the troublemaker in the room had already taken notice of him.

  "The noble gentleman outside the door, why doesn't he come in?"

  That voice was slightly teasing, Yan Sanbai touched his nose and pushed open the door with a hint of helplessness.

  "Master Xuande, under the royal palace of Luoyang, in the lower Yan three whites, I have disturbed you."

  The red-clothed Luoyang King Li Yan sat in front of the black and white chessboard, his whole body leaning casually to one side, with his elbow propped on the chessboard supporting his cheek, a hook at the corner of his mouth, his slender phoenix eyes staring at Yan Sanbai.

  "We meet again."

  Master Xuande is a high-ranking monk who has attained enlightenment. He wears a kasaya and has kind eyebrows and eyes. "Do the two of you know each other?"

  Yan Sanbai smiled and shook his head, "No, it's just a chance encounter."

  "It's all fate."

  Yan Sanbai's face turned slightly pale, but Master Xuande nodded in approval and said: "Well said! The matter of fate is indeed ineffable. All causes and conditions arise from chance encounters, and since Young Master Yan is a person with whom we have a predestined connection, why not come sit down and have a cup of clear tea?"

  Li Yan Chao Master blinked his eyes, "Those who know me are masters."

  Things have come to this, Yan Sanbai had no choice but to sit down, and he instinctively sat in a place slightly farther away from Li Yan.

  After sitting down, Yan Sanbai didn't go to talk about fate with him, but instead asked about Wang Jingchuan's situation.

  "Yesterday, Shizukawa indeed came here. I was worshiping Buddha in the house and he stood under that peach blossom tree outside waiting for someone. But the person he waited for didn't come, so he left again."

  Yan San Bai thought for a moment and asked: "Master, did you see anyone come later?"

  "This indeed happened. I stayed up late into the night, and someone did come. I saw him waiting under the tree, so I added a sentence, saying 'Jingjiang left this afternoon.' He nodded to me and then left. It was just that it was already deep in the night, and this poor monk didn't get a clear look at his face."

  "Has he ever met him?" Yan Sanbai asked again.

  "Never."

  That's it. Yan Sanbai nodded silently, and at this time Li Ye asked curiously, "Wang Jingchuan? Isn't he the former leader of the Returning Crane Sect, who has been in seclusion for many years? How did he get killed by the Avenging Family?"

  Yan Sanbai shook his head, "It's not necessarily the Qiu family."

  Having said that, Yan Sanbai stood up and bid farewell. He left in a hurry because there was trouble following him from behind.

  "Yan Gongzi, wait for me."

  "Your Highness, I have an urgent matter."

  "That's just right, I love to help those in urgent need, and Wan Jingchuan is a founding merit subject, so I should make an effort."

  Yan Sanbai felt a headache, he wanted an assistant, but why did they send him a Luoyang Wang? Li Yan, this idle prince, was even more difficult to deal with than Guan Qianci.

  "Your Highness, you are a precious person, so it's better not to worry about this case and the hard work that comes with it?"

  Li Yan held the folding fan behind his back and strolled leisurely in the courtyard, "Where's that, anyway? This king is idle either way."

  This is indeed true, people all over the world know that Wang of Luoyang is extremely idle, and handsome, elegant, refined, and talented. As soon as he arrived in Yangzhou, girls from all around came to see him.

  Yan Sanbai wanted to let the King of Luoyang go find his daughter, but the King of Luoyang was not willing. Once the King of Luoyang wanted to intervene, unless the emperor issued an order, no one could stop him.

  Moreover, his self-recommendation moved Yan Sanbai.

  "Since Wang Jingchuan specifically asked you to investigate the case, it means he doesn't want the government to handle this matter. You are the only one who can bypass the Temple of Great Justice and take advantage of the loopholes in the law. Currently, the only person who can help you is me, Luoyang Wang. Others either don't dare to offend the Temple or may not be willing to help you." Li Yanren's mind was clear despite his idle appearance, and he quickly grasped the special relationship between Yan Sanbai and the Temple of Great Justice.

  Yan Sanbai was speechless, because what Li Yan said was indeed reasonable. If he were there, even a few more Fan Zhengchun wouldn't be able to disturb him.

  Yan Sanbai glanced up at the sky, death is a big deal, investigating the case is urgent, so he turned his head to Li Yan and said: "Then I'll have to trouble you, Your Highness."

  "But I have one thing that makes me curious, just now you shouldn't have known my identity, how did you know I am the King of Luoyang?" Li Yan suddenly asked on the way to Wang's house.

  Yan Sanbai pointed at Li Yan's shoes, "The king's shoes have the spring mud from outside the city, and I smelled the scent of Ten Mile Pavilion on them. This proves that you came from the south and just entered the city this morning."

  "What's the flavor of Shili Pavilion?" Li Yan couldn't help but be curious, "So accurate?"

  "I was just passing by here this morning, and I took a break at the Ten Mile Pavilion. On the stone table inside the pavilion, there was a roasted sweet potato with a note underneath that read: 'Many clever guests pass through the Ten Mile Pavilion, traveling north and south with empty stomachs. Winter branches warm up the roasted sweet potatoes - eat your fill.'"

  In plain and simple three-character phrases, spoken through Yan Sanbai's mouth, they have a unique elegant flavor.

  Li Yan couldn't help but applaud him, "Then have you eaten?"

  Yan Sanbai nodded reluctantly, though he didn't want to admit it.

  The more I eat, the hungrier I get.

  "Even if you smelled the scent of roasted sweet potatoes on me and knew which direction I came from, it's not like you'd be able to guess who I am, right?"

  "Of course not. But your hands are special, they're the hands of a musician. The words on the paper have a hint of grandeur, I was fortunate enough to see your work at the Jiangzhou Sima Fu. And judging from your demeanor and attire, you're also a noble person. Moreover, the Empress Dowager's birthday is approaching, and among those who came from the south, only one person has achieved great success in both playing the zither and writing, and that is none other than Wang of Luoyang."

  "Prince Yan is meticulous in his observations, I admire him."

  "Cough, nowhere." Yan Sanbai touched his nose, he just casually flattered a few words, without any intention of showing off.

  "What about Wang Jingchuan's case? Did you find any clues from Master Xuande just now?"

  Yan Sanbai briefly told him about the case, Li Yan put his hands behind his back, and with a flicker of his phoenix eyes, said: "This case is complex, but also not that complicated. The case spans many years and is difficult to investigate. However, there's no need to overthink it. There are three instances of mysterious people appearing in the case: once last night at Jing Tang, once four days ago at Xi Bao Tang, and once at Wan An Temple. If we can figure out who they are and whether they're the same person, I'm sure some questions will be answered."

  Indeed, the mysterious person is the key to this case, and now that Quanfu is dead, it can be confirmed that one of them must be the murderer.

  So this mysterious person, is it one, two, or three?

  "At least, they absolutely cannot be the same person." Yan Sanbai's tone was gentle, but very certain.

  Li Yan smiled and said: "I also think so, but I'm more interested in the mystery of that secret room. Has the champion solved it?"

  "Not yet." Yan Sanbai shook his head and rubbed his nose, "But, Your Highness, please don't call me Zhuangyuan Lang again, it's unlucky for me."

  "Why?" Li Yan didn't understand.

  Yan Sanbai's expression suddenly flashed a hint of embarrassment, wanting to speak but stopping himself, "This... just don't call me that, okay?"

  "Oh?" Yan Sanbai said, but Li Ye became even more curious, the corner of his mouth curled up, and he leaned on his fan to think for a moment, raising an eyebrow: "Isn't this some girl's term of endearment for you? Zhuangyuan Lang? Lang Jun?"

  "No." Yan Sanbai hastily denied, "The prince is here to help with the case, why bother with my humble name?"

  "Yes, why bother?" Li Yan shrugged his shoulders. "Since you're not bothered, then why mind what I call you, Zhuangyuan Lang?"

  Yan Sanbai pursed her lips, her ears slightly red, but that appearance... in Li Yan's words - pretending to be serious and proper, somewhat adorable.

  Is there any interesting story behind this "Zhuangyuan Lang"?

  It was already dusk, and the entire city of Chang'an had quieted down. There were few people on the streets, so not many were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of their beloved Prince of Luoyang and that legendary handsome detective walking together.

  Li Yan happened to see a sweet potato vendor by the side of the road and stopped to buy some.

  The old man selling sweet potatoes, though his eyes were dim with age, found the two people in front of him, one red and one white, to be really too eye-catching, so he happily chatted with them for a couple more sentences.

  As they talked, they once again brought up the most widely spread rumor in Chang'an City today - Wang Jingchuan's death and Yan Sanbai's arrival.

  It's said that after Wang Jingchuan left the Guihe Sect ten years ago, he came to Chang'an to live in seclusion. Logically speaking, he should have lived in the north of the city, because most of those with imperial bestowed golden plaques lived in that area, but instead he brought his family to live in the east of the city, opened a few shops at home, and lived a peaceful life.

  The neighbors all liked Old Master Wang because he was a man of the world, with a temperament completely different from ordinary people. Moreover, Old Master Wang was kind and gentle, not like some men of the world who were arrogant, and was easy to get along with.

  When it comes to Wang Jingchuan, Eldest Uncle couldn't help but sigh.

  "Actually, I saw Old Man Wang just yesterday. He used to pass by my place and always bought a sweet potato for his daughter to eat. But yesterday, he seemed to ignore me, and when I called out to him, he didn't even stop. Alas... Old Man Wang is such a good person, who could have such a deep grudge against him?"

  Li Yan peeled open a little skin of the sweet potato, smelling the pungent aroma, and suddenly felt his stomach growling. However, he still handed the sweet potato to Yan Sanbai first, but when he turned around, he saw that Yan Sanbai's expression was stern.

  "What's wrong?"

  Yan Sanbai's dark eyes shone brightly in the twilight, staring intently at Old Man Bo, "Old Man Bo, are you certain that was Master Wang?"

  "Yes, that's right. I felt he looked icy and seemed to have encountered something unpleasant. Although my eyesight isn't very good, Wang Lao Ye is an old acquaintance, I wouldn't misjudge him."

  No, not quite right. Yan Sanbai suddenly caught a thread of abnormality. According to everyone's testimony, Wang Jingchuan returned home from Wan'an Temple and didn't exchange a single word with anyone along the way! He seemed to be intentionally avoiding something.

  It's settled then, it must be so. Connecting all those previous doubts together will lead to a new conclusion!

  Li Yan suddenly felt that Yan Sanbai had understood something, and he didn't want the sweet potato anymore. He turned around and left.

  Li Yan hastily threw down a few copper coins and followed up.

  The old man counted the copper coins and found that he had given one more. He hastily raised his head and shouted, "Hey! Young master!"

  On the desolate and empty long street, where is that red and white figure?

  The old man fumbled with the copper coins, and the red lanterns on the long street that had gradually lit up again blurred his vision. He couldn't help but think: those two young masters were really handsome just now, but they disappeared in the blink of an eye, could it be some kind of fox spirit or ghost?

  Forget it, don't think about it anymore, just go home and find your wife.

  The Wang Mansion had white lanterns hung all over the courtyard, quiet and gloomy.

  Yan Sanbai knelt down on one knee in front of the blood-stained rug in the quiet hall, flipped it over with his hand and carefully examined each bloodstain.

  Because the mystery of the secret room has not been solved yet, according to Yan Sanbai's instructions, Jing Tang is still kept in its original state.

  His fingertips lightly touched a circular bloodstain on the back of the blanket, and Yan Sanbai's guess in his heart became more certain. He turned around, "Your Highness, I'd like to trouble you with something."

  "Go ahead and say it." After a long while, Li Yan also felt a bit itchy.

  "Then trouble you to catch a black cat for me, it should be wandering around here, with blue eyes."

  "What? Catching a cat?" The renowned Prince of Luoyang couldn't believe his ears. He, a dignified prince, had volunteered to help, only to be tasked with catching a cat?

  But Yan Sanbai's eyes were so sincere, those big eyes stared at you without blinking, the black pupils shining brightly, making it impossible for you to say no.

  "Cough." Li Yan helplessly raised an eyebrow, tucked the folding fan into his waist, and said, "Wait for it."

  If Ling were here, he would say it frankly - well done.

  But where is Ling now?

  Li Yan had just stepped out of the quiet hall when he started thinking about this question - where did Ling Ding go?

  At this moment, Ling was sitting alone at the gate of Wan'an Temple, picking up a branch and drawing on the ground. He thought: Where did my master Wang go?

  Why did I go to the toilet and come back, but the person was gone?

  At least let me know...

  There was no other way, Zero Ding wasn't around, so Li Yan had to take matters into his own hands.

  Wang Min rushed over as soon as he heard the news and saw a flash of red passing in front of his eyes, hastily running in, "Young Master Yan, what just happened..."

  "That is King of Luoyang."

  "Lo, Lo Wang?!" Wang Min's eyes widened in surprise. How did he even manage to summon the King of Luoyang?!

  Before long, except for Mrs. Wang Liu who was still bedridden with illness, all the people in the Wang household who had been questioned by Yan Sanbai gathered again in front of the Jing Tang.

  Everyone looked at each other in dismay, unsure what this was all about.

  "Master Zhongbo asked: 'Young master, what is this...'"

  Wang Min didn't know what medicine Yan Sanbai was selling in his gourd, but Yan Sanbai said he had something important to tell everyone, so he gathered all the people here.

  Wang Min turned his head to look at Yan Sanbai, and Yan Sanbai looked up at the wall of the courtyard.

  The moon is just above the treetops at this moment.

  "Hold it back---!"

  Everyone's nerves were stretched taut, and a black shadow flashed by like lightning. Before anyone could blink, the white cloud and red shadow landed on the tree.

  Yan Sanbai and another man in red forced a black cat against the trunk of a tree, its back arched, sharp claws digging into the bark.

  "Don't move." Li Yan whispered, then reached out to grab the cat.

  The cat on the roof was extremely stubborn and had a bit of spirituality. As soon as Li Yan moved, it followed suit. The cat's eyes flashed with a flowing light, its sharp claws gleaming as it swiped at Li Yan's face with both paws.

  Yan San was shocked, that's the face of Wang Luoyang! If he gets caught here, both he and Cat Brother will be exiled for three thousand miles!

  Li Yan seemed to have been prepared early on, his body slightly leaning back, and he directly pulled out the folded fan from his waist and shook it open to block his face.

  "Rip!" The sharp cat claw tore open the fan.

  "Wow." Li Yan turned the fan over and took a look. A water-ink phoenix was split in half, leaving him astonished.

  At this time, the tree trunk which was not sturdy could no longer bear the weight and let out a mournful cry.

  Yan Sanbai and Li Yan exchanged a glance, hastily jumped back, that black cat also sought an opportunity to escape.

  But unexpectedly, Li Yan's mouth hooked up, and as he jumped away, he swiftly took off the red outer garment, his right hand flicking it over his head to cover the black cat.

  The black cat struggled for a while, but Li Yan's brocade was of extremely good quality, and it scratched several times without tearing.

  "I will not shame your trust."

  Li Yan handed the red cloth to Yan Sanbai, who was standing in front of him. Although his body had a leaf stuck to it, he looked elegant and poised in his black undergarments, and under the moonlight, he truly looked carefree and at ease.

  Yan Sanbai looked at him and couldn't help but reach out to pluck the leaf, "Thanks."

  Yan Sanbai grasped the cat and shook open its clothes, carefully searching for the traces of 'bloodshed' that Wang Wan had mentioned during the day.

  The people in Wang's mansion were all stunned. They had actually seen the King of Luoyang in their own courtyard, late at night!

  In the Great Zhou Dynasty, you may not know the Temple of Dali's Shaoqing, nor the so-called chivalrous detectives, and you may not even know who the Emperor is, but it is impossible for you not to know Luoyang Wang Li Yan.

  It was during the time when Emperor Wang of Luoyang had just come of age, and the Great Zhou Dynasty had just recovered from war. The world was at peace, and the emperor thought of repairing the border fortresses.

  However, because of the reduction in taxes, the imperial household also had no surplus grain.

  What should I do?

  The chief painter of the imperial court, Xin Wuyi, poured his heart into his works, "Luoyang Wang Playing the Lute", "Luoyang Wang Riding and Shooting", "Luoyang Wang Certain Picture", which were sold well throughout the world.

  Although Luoyang Wang has not been in Chang'an for several years, his heroic appearance has left a permanent mark on the memory of the people of Chang'an.

  "Prince Wang!" The voices rising one after another proved the popularity of Prince Wang of Luoyang.

  Li Yan hastily waved his hand, "Everyone doesn't need to mind me, let's just listen to what Young Master Yan has to say."

  Alright, let's get down to business.

  Wang Min looked at Yan Sanbai with some urgency. He had gathered everyone so late, there must be something important, perhaps he had found an important clue?

  All he saw was Yan Sanbai putting down the cat, and his gaze returned to Jing Tang behind him. He said, "What I want to say is that the real crime scene is not here, Old Master Wang did not die in Jing Tang."

  "What?!"

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