Tang Dynasty: Starting at Xuanwu Gate, this prince is better off not being one.

As the last bell of Dajue Temple rang out, chanting began to echo from the temple's main hall, accompanied by the sounds of wooden fish and handbells.

Outside the main hall, Yang was waiting. Listening to the chanting of sutras, she felt inexplicably at peace.

"Amitabha! Benefactor Yang, what brings you here today?" A monk wearing a kasaya walked out of the main hall and bowed to Yang with his hands clasped together.

"Master Daoyue!" Madam Yang returned the greeting with her hands clasped together, saying, "Today is the anniversary of my parents' death, so I have come to pay my respects to them."

Upon hearing this, Dao Yue nodded silently, "Please follow this humble monk, benefactor."

"..."

.........

"Ten miles of orioles sing amidst green and red, the imperial palace leans against the spring breeze. Chang'an has one hundred and twenty temples, how many pavilions are shrouded in mist and rain."

"Oh dear, Master, how have you been?"

Looking at the noble young man before him, wearing a purple-gold crown and a purple robe, the usually calm and composed monk Daoyue was stunned for a long time before bowing and speaking: "Young master's poem is indeed wonderful, but please forgive my poor eyesight, I wonder which of my old friends you are?"

"Master, you flatter me. I am eleven years old this year. How could I be an old friend of yours?" Li Yu said with a smile. "It is only because I have admired your name for a long time that I address you as an old friend."

Upon hearing this, Master Daoyue composed himself, regaining his previous calm and composed demeanor, and said, "Amitabha! Buddhism emphasizes the concept of 'karma.' In that case, young man, you must have a karmic connection with Buddhism. It is not inappropriate for this humble monk to consider you an old friend. However…"

"May I ask your esteemed name, sir?"

Upon hearing this, Li Yu was stunned for a moment, then realized that he had not introduced himself. So he cupped his hands apologetically and said, "I am Li Yu, the Prince of Songshan and the heir of the Prince of Zhao."

After the introduction, Li Yu observed the old monk's reaction.

However, Master Daoyue's expression remained calm and composed. He clasped his hands together and bowed again, saying, "This humble monk greets Your Highness, the Prince of Songshan. May I ask what brings Your Highness here?"

"Oh, Master, your Buddhist teachings are truly profound. You guessed that I wasn't here to make a request." Li Yu was initially surprised, but then smiled and said, "I've come to your esteemed temple to visit deceased relatives. Please, Master, show me the way!"

Upon hearing this, Master Daoyue stared intently at Li Yu, his eyes piercing. "This humble monk knows of any of Your Highness's relatives in this Dajue Temple, so Your Highness, please return!"

"Master, you jest again. Just half an hour ago, I saw you leading my aunt into the backyard. Where are all my relatives now?"

Upon hearing this, Master Daoyue's previously calm expression completely wavered, and his eyes gradually turned dangerous.

Because he himself was a master, he had never let his guard down since the Yang family arrived. So how did this young man know about this?

Filled with doubt, he felt a murderous urge, but when he saw the black-clad youth standing next to Li Yu, he instantly calmed down.

As a martial monk, he could tell at a glance that Li Yu was obviously not skilled in martial arts, but he could not see through the boy who was about ten years old beside him no matter what.

Since this person was able to monitor me the whole way without me noticing, then I'm definitely no match for them...

Seeing that Master Daoyue's expression had been changing for a long time without him speaking, Li Yu urged, "Since I already know, why are you still hiding it, Master? So please lead the way for me."

After speaking, seeing that the old monk was still hesitant, Li Yu leaned closer and whispered, "Master, although I don't know how you got involved with the Prince of Guan from the previous dynasty, I'm sure you wouldn't want my grandfather to know that you're secretly keeping the remains of a prince from the previous dynasty!"

Upon hearing this, Master Daoyue's eyes narrowed instantly. After struggling for a moment, he nodded: "Please follow me, Your Highness..."

.........

"Cui'er, wait for me here. I'm going to pay my respects to my father and mother." Upon arriving at the backyard, Madam Yang suppressed her grief and instructed Cui'er.

"Yes, Miss!"

Cui'er nodded obediently and stood still, not moving an inch.

After parting ways with Cui'er, Yang, with bloodshot eyes, turned several corners and finally arrived in front of two mounds of earth.

I wanted to pay my respects first, but in the end I couldn't hold back my overwhelming emotions. My legs went weak and I collapsed in front of the grave, sobbing uncontrollably.

The cries were so mournful that even the wind chimes hanging from the eaves fell silent, refusing to make a sound no matter how the spring breeze swayed them.

The wind stopped weakly, and the crying gradually became clearer. Yang wiped away her tears with sobs, stood up, took a few steps back, and bowed.

"Father, Mother, your unfilial son will not be able to visit you anymore."

"I am living such a hard life now. Li Yuanji bullies me, my concubines bully me, and the servants in the Prince's mansion also bully me. I have no face to live on in this world."

"I only hope that when I meet you both in the future with this filthy body, you won't blame me..."

By this point, Madam Yang was already sobbing uncontrollably.

Li Yu didn't disturb her. He simply had Wenren An knock out Cui'er, who was about to scream, and then quietly waited by her side.

Only after she had exhausted herself and fallen asleep in front of the tomb did Li Yu take off his outer robe.

The weather wasn't cold, but the wind kept blowing, so Li Yu still went forward and covered Yang with his outer robe.

After doing all this, he turned to Cui'er, who had just woken up, and said, "You'd better not shout, or I'll knock you out again!"

Cui'er, who was just about to call out, immediately shut her mouth upon hearing this.

"Hey, that's right. I'm not a bad person. I just came to visit my aunt. All this fuss is ridiculous..."

Upon hearing this, Cui'er's eyes widened in surprise, and she desperately covered her mouth to keep herself from making a sound.

"What! I told you to keep your voice down, not to shut up..." Li Yu rolled his eyes, realizing that this girl's silliness was just as bad as Cheng Chumo's.

"Who exactly are you? Why are you eyeing my young lady?" Cui'er asked in a low voice.

"What nonsense! Don't talk such rubbish. I'm not a beast like Li Yuanji."

Upon hearing Li Yu speak ill of Li Yuanji, Cui'er instantly felt that he wasn't a bad person.

But for the young lady's safety, she still glared at Li Yu, wanting to find out his identity.

Seeing how amusing the little maid was, Li Yu couldn't help but chuckle.

"Li Yuanji is my uncle, and I am the son of his third brother, Li Xuanba."

"You..." Knowing Li Yu's identity, Cui'er almost cried out in surprise, but Li Yu quickly covered her mouth.

"I told you not to yell!"

Feeling the lingering warmth in his palm, Li Yu grinned mischievously and whispered in Cui'er's ear, "You don't want your young lady to die here, do you...?"

.........