IDWBE -Chapter 576 Took the Wrong Script

Sure enough, a military officer shouted, “Breach the gate!”

Lin Yi, however, frowned. “You hauled all these cannons up here just to show off? Since they’re here, we might as well put them to use! Let’s at least make some noise first.”

Originally, the cannons in the Da Liang Kingdom weighed only seven or eight hundred jin. After several modifications by the Academy’s craftsmen, the heaviest, modeled after Western cannons, now weighed over three thousand jin each.

Upon reaching the mountain, Lin Yi spotted four of them. He couldn’t fathom how they had been hauled up without engineering machinery—it must have been exhausting!

“Your Highness.”

Wei Yishan was shocked.

“Make noise?”

Fire the cannons just for noise? This isn’t how you fight a war! Is this some kind of joke?

Lord He Jixiang never taught them like this! Besides, the wall was so low, you could easily jump over it. There was no need for cannon fire, not even for a battering ram.

Even the Princess standing nearby was dumbfounded.

“This is chaos!”

“Your Highness is brilliant,” Zhang Mian marveled inwardly. As expected of His Highness! Speaking freely and daring to act.

He turned to the troops behind them. “Bring them up! Position the cannons!”

Not only did the Imperial Camp bring cannons, but the Military Bureau also had two light cannons.

Wei Yishan sighed. The old hands still knew the ropes. Hesitating for a moment, he let Zhang Mian take the lead.

A dozen heavily armored officers struggled to push the light cannons, their wheels already sinking into the snow. Once positioned facing the gate, a soldier held a torch, awaiting orders.

Zhang Mian looked at Lin Yi. Once he gave the command, the gate before them would vanish in an instant.

Lin Yi cleared his throat, about to issue the order, when suddenly—creak—the heavy gate opened. On the steps stood a slender girl, her long sword in hand.

Zhang Mian approached Lin Yi and whispered, “Your Highness, this woman is Ye Jinyu, the Sacred Maiden of Jizhao Monastery.”

Lin Yi smiled. “I know her. We’ve met a few times.”

Years ago, when he was in Sanhe, Ye Jinyu had snuck into the He Manor, asked him several inexplicable questions, and left disappointed.

He wasn’t sure how skilled she was now, but her beauty had only grown.

Lin Yi almost wanted to ask: “Miss, is your melon fully ripened?”

Ye Jinyu’s gaze flickered toward Lin Yi and the Princess. She cupped her hands. “Greetings, Regent Prince, Princess.”

Lin Yi smiled. “Miss Ye, we meet again. You’re even more beautiful.”

Honesty is a man’s essential quality.

Hearing this, Ye Jinyu’s expression turned cold. “My master requests your presence,” she said, then turned to leave.

“Let’s see what they’re really up to. If they dare act up, fire the cannons!”

Lin Yi said, leading the Princess and a group of Grandmasters straight into Tianning Temple.

A faint fragrance filled the air. After turning left and right, clusters of wintersweet bloomed in the cold wind against red walls—beautiful like a painting.

Guided by Ye Jinyu, they stopped at the entrance of a spacious hall.

Ye Jinyu said, “Master.”

“No need. We’re all old acquaintances,” Lin Yi replied impatiently and entered. Seeing the two beautiful faces, he said, “Master Jingyi, Master Jingkuan, long time no see. I’ve missed you. Are you well?”

The vast hall, lit brightly, looked like daytime. The statues of Buddha seemed even more solemn amidst the incense smoke.

Lin Yi clasped his hands, sincerely: “Great Compassionate Avalokiteshvara, bless me with wealth, great wealth. Amitabha.”

Does he believe in Buddha? Of course! Otherwise, how could this impossible time-travel happen? And luck seemed to follow him!

Everyone stifled a laugh at the Regent Prince’s words.

“In front of Buddha, I hope the Prince will be careful with his words!”

Master Jingkuan’s expression was stern.

“People pray for what they lack—money, power, health,” Lin Yi said convincingly. “I lack money. Why shouldn’t I pray to Buddha for wealth?”

“You—” Jingkuan ground her teeth in anger.

“Master,” Jingyi, who had remained silent, rose slowly from the mat, approached Lin Yi and the Princess, clasped her hands, and said, “I, Jingyi, greet the Regent Prince and the Princess.”

Lin Yi looked around the empty hall and clasped his hands again. “Master, you’re polite. But since we came all this way, aren’t you going to move a chair or serve some tea?”

“Your Highness, please forgive me,” Jingyi apologized. “The hall is simple. I did not prepare.”

“Then you are forgiven,” Lin Yi said magnanimously.

Jingyi asked lightly, “Why has the Prince mobilized such a force to come to Tianning Temple?”

Her eyes briefly scanned the shadowy figure of Hong Ying behind Lin Yi.

Lin Yi leisurely replied, “Master, although we never met openly, we’ve met countless times in secret. Let’s not pretend. Why come secretly to Ankang City? If you left Chuanzhou, weren’t you afraid my forces would wipe out your base there?”

Such audacity!

“Amitabha, Your Highness, this is serious. My junior and I entered through the South Gate of Ankang City openly. We are here to observe vegetarian practice and chant, never breaking any laws,” Jingyi said evenly, reciting Buddha’s name. “Your Highness promotes rule of law, punishes no innocent, and as lawmaker, you should set the example. I trust you will not let Jizhao Monastery suffer injustice due to idle gossip.”

Lin Yi was stunned.

Before coming, he had imagined everything—Jingyi shamelessly insulting him, ending in battle. He never imagined this little old lady would discuss law! And deny any wrongdoing!

This wasn’t the villain script! The villain should have fought valiantly, resisted to the end, and only then be defeated by justice!

“Master,” Lin Yi frowned. “You are a Grandmaster. Dare to act but not accept responsibility?”

Jingyi smiled gently. “I did nothing. How could I admit otherwise? Do you want a false confession?”

“I—”

Lin Yi almost spat blood in anger. He glanced at Ye Jinyu. “I remember you saying: ‘If the unjust kill the unjust, only by killing the unjust completely can peace be achieved.’ This is Jizhao Monastery’s rule. How many have you killed? Do you even know?”

Jingyi replied calmly, “The child speaks nonsense, laughable words.”

Lin Yi said, “Claiming innocence is also unsupported. You are a suspect. You must cooperate with the investigation. Come back to Ankang Prefecture. If it turns out you’re innocent, I’ll restore your name.”

If she resisted, all the better.

But Jingyi said without hesitation, “I trust Your Highness to judge fairly.”

“Master.” Ye Jinyu exclaimed.

She hadn’t expected her master to surrender willingly!

Lin Yi raised his hand. “Please, Master.”

If he had known, he wouldn’t have made such a big show.

Money wasted!

Effort wasted!

Thus, the grand army escorted Jingyi and the others into Ankang City’s prison.

Smoothly. Unbelievably smooth.

Lin Yi stood at the prison gate, glanced at the three sitting neatly inside, frowned, and walked out.

Snow fell harder. On the carriage, he glanced at the silent Princess. “Doesn’t it seem strange? They’re far too honest.”

“Winners are kings, losers are rebels. What’s strange about that?” she said calmly.

Lin Yi asked curiously, “They’re both Grandmasters. Couldn’t they just run if they lost?”

“Jingkuan could run, but could the disciples of Jizhao Monastery run? If she escaped, the monastery would be finished,” said the Princess expressionlessly. “Besides, she’s confident you won’t, and don’t dare to, kill her.”

“Why wouldn’t I? Why wouldn’t I dare?” Lin Yi’s anger rose.

The Princess seemed amused. “You let Prince Yong, the Crown Prince, and the Prince Jin go. Why kill her? Are you not afraid of public opinion?”

“Damn, that actually makes sense,” Lin Yi scratched his head. “Fine. Keep them locked up for now.”

If they wanted to escape, he knew the prison couldn’t hold two Grandmasters without seven or eight more guarding 24/7.

Before he could say more, the carriage curtain shifted. A cold wind rushed in. When he turned his head, the Princess was gone.

Hong Ying’s head appeared outside. “Your Highness, I have arranged Xiao Chun and A-Dai to escort the Princess to the palace.”

Lin Yi nodded. “Escort her. Don’t let her wander off. She still has treasures on her mind.”

Hong Ying continued, “I also saw the high monk of the Vajra Platform around Tianning Temple.”

“The high monk of Vajra Platform is here too?” Lin Yi hadn’t expected that. Perhaps their compliance was due to his presence?

Hong Ying lowered his voice. “Probably.”

Lin Yi lifted the curtain. Passing a fork in the road, he smiled. “Ahead is Suxin’s house. We’ll stay here tonight.”

“Yes,” Hong Ying said with a smile.

The carriage stopped at a large courtyard. Suxin, in a thin apricot-colored silk dress, stood at the gate to greet him.

Lin Yi held her cold little hand, concerned. “It’s so cold, and you’re wearing this thin dress. Aren’t you freezing?”

Suxin nestled in his arms. “Seeing Your Highness warms my heart. I feel no cold at all.”

“You really don’t know what to say,” Lin Yi shook his head with a wry smile.

Suxin’s words were charming. In modern society, she’d be the ultimate innocent beauty. One person could manage a massive fishpond. Who could resist such a woman?

Inside, after washing up, Suxin had prepared a table full of food.

“You’re thoughtful as always,” Lin Yi said.

After a night of climbing up and down the mountain, he was starving. One hand held Suxin’s soft waist as she fed him, while the other hand passed him wine.

Three cups later, he felt warmth all over.

Suxin stepped down, clinking cups with him. “A toast to Your Highness.”

“Drink.”

Lin Yi looked around the warm room. “Are you comfortable living here?”

“You’ve made everything perfect, Your Highness. I’m fine,” Suxin said. “I have nothing to repay you for your care.”

Lin Yi nodded. “As long as it’s comfortable. I place no restrictions on you. Don’t stay cooped up. Walk around the manor, clear your mind.”

He strongly promoted gender equality in Da Liang Kingdom.

The effect wasn’t immediate—women still depended on men economically. Without financial independence, equality was meaningless.

The good news: women were starting to go out.

Previously, they stayed inside not out of decorum, but safety concerns. Threats of street ruffians and bandits kept them home.

But after campaigns against crime, security visibly improved.

City ladies went out, rural women went to markets, merchant daughters engaged in trade.

Lin Yi welcomed this change—women were labor and productivity!

Suxin said, pouring wine: “Your Highness has arranged everything carefully. I have nothing to buy. Going out is unnecessary.”

Lin Yi: “I want you to go out for leisure, not shopping.”

“Yes.”

Suxin continued, “The Empress sent me a pile of things at night. I could not thank her in person. Quite rude of me.”

“Just accept it.” Lin Yi was unsurprised. The Empress had placed the house for Suxin. It was normal for Hu Miaoyi to know.

Suxin: “I am grateful.”

Lin Yi finished a jug of wine, yawned, and went to the side room to sleep.