Now I really have to marry the princess.

Chapter 76 Truly a Cat That Loves to Steal Fish

Yang Zhengdao shook his head, still feeling a bit dizzy.

As soon as he stood up, he saw Dili standing guard by the bed, her hand supporting her chin as she looked at him with a smile.

"Ah Lang, you're awake?"

Yang Zhengdao looked around.

The room that comes into view is not large. Sunlight shines in through the window, casting dappled light and shadow on the blue brick floor.

Against the wall was a small table, on which sat a Qin zither.

It seems my guess was correct.

Even if Dilireba isn't an ally, she's at least neither an enemy nor a friend.

Otherwise, he would never have been able to lie comfortably on this couch.

That makes sense when you think about it.

If the powder that Dili left on the curtain that night was for Liu Rushi, then that would be truly unnecessary and inexplicable.

But he always felt very strange when he heard Dili call him Alang.

Wives and concubines would affectionately call their husbands "A-Lang," and commoners' children would also call their fathers "A-Lang." However, it was more common for children born into the household to call their masters "A-Lang" as a sign of affection.

For example, Liu Zhong calls him Alang.

Even calling him Ah Lang directly, like Ah Wu or Ah Liu, would seem too obsequious.

But there was no need to delve into this matter. Yang Zhengdao cleared his throat and said, "Speak, Lady Dili, what brings you here?"

Upon hearing this, Dili smiled gently, naturally revealing a captivating and alluring charm.

"So, you were sure that I wouldn't harm you, which is why you dared to chase after me all this way without any fear? But you're really heartless, you've hurt me."

As she spoke, Dili leaned forward slightly.

She had changed into a new dress, but the slightly open neckline revealed a glimpse of her snow-white neck.

The two lanterns were so close, it seemed they might bump into his face at any moment.

Yang Zhengdao quickly moved back a little. He had just been harmed by this magic weapon, and he absolutely could not afford to be confused again.

He raised an eyebrow, then deliberately glanced at Dili's chest, and retorted sharply, "Lady Dili made the first move, and with those two treasures, they are truly dazzling. I concede defeat."

"You!" Dilireba was instantly enraged and embarrassed, her face flushed red, and she was momentarily speechless.

But the next moment, she suddenly smiled wickedly: "My lord, are you satisfied with the gift I prepared for you?"

After she finished speaking, she winked at Yang Zhengdao.

Yang Zhengdao naturally knew what the gift Dili was referring to was.

Although he ate it in a hurry, he did eat it.

And it really is so.

Dili took advantage of Lu Chengqing's scheme to set up Su Hongyi.

Since Dili knew that Su Hongyi was monitoring him, and was able to time her schemes perfectly, it seems that Dili must know Su Hongyi quite well.

He also wanted to find out the identities of Su Hongyi, including A Wu and A Liu.

If they weren't from the Hundred Riders Division, then which organization did they belong to?

With this in mind, Yang Zhengdao decided to try to elicit some information.

"Madam Dili, we must still be in the West Market. If Su Hongyi wants to find us, it won't be difficult. You should tell us your purpose as soon as possible."

Dilireba smiled mysteriously: "Ah Lang, you're probably more interested in knowing the identity of your bedmate, aren't you?"

Yang Zhengdao showed no embarrassment at being exposed.

He replied matter-of-factly, "Of course."

Dilireba's smile faded, and she spoke softly, "Both I and Su Hongniang belong to the Lijing Sect—"

Lijing Gate!?

Wasn't this something that happened during the Wu Zhou period?

Lijing Gate is located in Luoyang and is the southwest gate of the Eastern Capital Imperial City.

To suppress rebellions, Wu Zetian established a judicial office here, which was controlled by the cruel official Lai Junchen.

Lijingmen became a synonym for this organization, which used torture and fabrication of charges specifically to eliminate dissidents for Wu Zetian.

Hence the name "Li Jing Men" (例竟门), where "Li" means according to precedent and "Jing" means final, implying that those who enter this gate will die according to precedent.

The only person to walk out of that door alive was Di Renjie.

After Dili's explanation, Yang Zhengdao learned that the Lijingmen organization actually originated from the original owner's father-in-law, Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty.

No wonder she calls him Ah Lang.

In the first year of the Daye era, Emperor Yang moved the capital to Luoyang and built a double city inside the Lijing Gate of the imperial city. Inside the double city, there were hidden rooms and secret pavilions, which were referred to as Lijing Gate.

The eunuchs of the Inner Palace and the sons born into the inner palace were selected as palace slaves, directly under the command of Emperor Yang.

It has two branches:

One account states: A figure in a green robe hides behind a high gate, concealed by attendants, maids, and servants.

The second type is: Colorful Clothes, hidden in the marketplace, disguised as merchants, taverns, and entertainment venues.

His duties included collecting information on the private affairs of court officials, the merits and demerits of powerful families, and secret reports from spies in various countries.

During the Daye era, the two were inseparable, each with its own duties, yet they were essentially one, like a sharp knife hidden in Emperor Yang's sleeve.

In the third year of the Daye era, the Lijing Gate was involved in the major cases of the execution of Gao Ying, He Ruobi, and Yuwen Bi.

In the ninth year of the Daye era, during the purge of Yang Xuangan's rebellion, the Lijing Gate also conducted a secret investigation.

In the fourteenth year of the Daye era, a mutiny broke out in Jiangdu, Emperor Yang was killed, and the Lijing Gate fell apart.

Below them, two figures, one in a green robe and the other in colorful clothes, parted ways and went their separate ways.

The Shadow Master in green robes is in charge of surveillance and reconnaissance. He has always only been in charge of investigation and therefore has not been tainted by much bloodshed. Because he is hidden in a high-ranking family, he has actually gained a lot of connections.

Therefore, when the Sui Dynasty collapsed, Qing Shanying sought refuge with Princess Pingyang, who was raising troops in Guanzhong, and later changed hands to Empress Zhangsun.

However, Caiyixing had long been involved in shady dealings in the marketplace, often engaging in clandestine and dirty activities. His hands were stained with blood, and he was entangled in numerous grudges. He knew he could not be tolerated by the new dynasty.

After the fall of the Sui Dynasty, the Caiyi Gang disappeared into the streets and alleys, and from then on, they remained outside the court.

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhengdao couldn't help but sigh, and after the sigh came a chill of fear.

It goes without saying that Su Hongyi, A Wu, and A Liu all belong to the Green Robe Shadow, while Dili in front of them is from the Colorful Robe Shadow.

Since the fourteenth year of the Daye era, the Caiyi Guild has, in a sense, been dissolved for fourteen years.

But now they've suddenly appeared. What are their intentions in finding me? What is their purpose?

Rebellion?! Overthrowing the Tang Dynasty and restoring the Sui Dynasty?! That's impossible!

Although Dili kept calling him "Alang," seemingly taking him, the last descendant of the Sui dynasty, as her master, it couldn't be taken seriously.

When he was far away on the grasslands, he did not see Caiyi Xing following him; when he returned to Chang'an, he did not see Caiyi Xing coming to find him either.

Never trust the loyalty of a spy organization.

How can someone who has witnessed the darkest side of society have any trust in them?

Only by grasping the weaknesses and vulnerabilities, and only by weighing the benefits and harms, can we truly succeed.

Thinking of this, Yang Zhengdao smiled calmly: "Tell me, what do you want, and what can I get in return?"

Upon hearing this, Dilireborg's eyes flickered, but she did not rush to reply.

She got up and walked to the table, her slender fingers gently plucking the strings of the Qin zither, a clear sound echoing in the room.

She paused, then suddenly smiled: "Does Ah Lang know Pei Ju, Pei Hongda?"

Yang Zhengdao's heart skipped a beat, and his eyes narrowed sharply.

Pei Ju naturally knew.

He was a trusted minister of Emperor Yang of Sui. After entering the Tang Dynasty, he rose to the position of Grand Councilor and died in the first year of the Zhenguan era.

A few days ago, he visited his grandmother, Empress Xiao. Before leaving, Empress Xiao specifically instructed him to visit the Pei family after the Wude Hall incident was over.

He had not yet gone to the Pei family, nor did he know the deeper meaning behind Empress Xiao's entrustment. But Caiyi Xing was truly a cat that loved to steal fish, and he came following the scent.