Chang 'an City was very lively during the Spring Lantern Festival. The streets were full of people coming and going. The lantern district south of Xingqing Palace was full of fireworks, making people immersed in it and unable to extricate themselves.
After midnight, the sleepy people began to return home one after another. The streets gradually began to be deserted. Occasionally, large groups of people passed by, which were the patrolling soldiers of the Golden Guards.
Although the lively atmosphere was getting less and less, it was still very pleasant to walk with a beautiful girl under the bright moonlight. At least, Ang Lee felt so at this moment.
"Ruyu, are you tired from walking?"
Seeing that Yan Ruyu was walking slower and slower, Ang Lee asked with concern.
Yan Ruyu didn't insist and nodded gently. She stayed at home all year round and rarely walked for such a long time. Tonight, she accompanied Ang Lee to walk on the street for several hours. Her legs were sore and her breath was disordered.
"Ruyu, there is a stone platform here. Let me help you to rest there."
Ang Lee helped Yan Ruyu to the stone platform on the street. He took off his outermost coat and put it on the cold stone platform.
Yan Ruyu felt warm in her heart. "I'm fine. Aren't you cold?"
Ang Lee patted his chest. "I, Ang Lee, am a man of the Tang dynasty. I am brave. How can I be afraid of the cold? Ruyu, sit down."
Yan Ruyu smiled and gently sat on Ang Lee's coat. She held her chin with both hands and looked at the bright moon in the sky. She looked like a cute little girl.
"After walking for several hours, your legs must be sore. Let me rub them for you."
Ang Lee volunteered. He squatted in front of Yan Ruyu and put Yan Ruyu's legs on his knees.
Yan Ruyu's heart tightened. She said in a mosquito's voice, "I'm fine. No, I'll be fine after a rest."
Seeing Yan Ruyu shy and nervous, Ang Lee grinned. "Ruyu, it's very comfortable to rub your legs. I won't lie to you. < > "
After that, he gently rubbed Yan Ruyu's calf.
"How is it? Do you feel better? Are your legs still sore?"
Yan Ruyu stared at Ang Lee with a pair of big, smiling eyes and nodded slightly. She had gradually adapted from her initial shyness, and in the end, she obediently enjoyed it.
"Ruyu, are your thighs sore too?"
Yan Ruyu rolled her eyes at Ang Lee. "Don't you dare bully me again." After that, she pulled her leg back.
"In all honesty, Ruyu, I'm just concerned about you. I definitely don't have any intention of bullying you."
"You have a glib tongue. You just want to bully me."
Yan Ruyu smiled and stood up. She took Ang Lee's coat and put it on Ang Lee's back.
"It's cold at night. Don't catch a cold."
Ang Lee smiled slyly. "I bullied you, but you're still so concerned about me."
"I don't want to talk to you anymore."
Yan Ruyu glared at Ang Lee and strode forward. However, her thighs were still extremely sore. She didn't feel anything when she kept walking, but after resting for a while, she felt even more sore when she walked again.
Ang Lee shook his head gently. "Ruyu, are your thighs sore?"
Yan Ruyu turned her head and stared at Ang Lee. She curled her lips and smiled. "Don't you dare take advantage of me."
After all, her thighs were too sensitive, and they were close to her shyness. How could Yan Ruyu allow Ang Lee to touch them at will? No matter how painful it was, she could only endure it.
Ang Lee shrugged and walked to Yan Ruyu's side. He squatted down. "Come on, I'll carry you back. < > "
"There's still a long way to go. Don't dawdle."
Yan Ruyu hesitated for a long time. With a nervous mood, she put her arms around Ang Lee's neck.
Ang Lee's body was extremely strong, and Yan Ruyu's weight was not enough. Lying on Ang Lee's back was not a burden for Ang Lee at all. Instead, it was a kind of enjoyment.
"I'm fine. The moon tonight is big and round. It's so beautiful."
Yan Ruyu put her arms around Ang Lee's neck and looked at the bright moon in the night sky.
"The moon is beautiful, but Miss Ruyu is more beautiful."
"You're glib."
Yan Ruyu smiled and said softly, "I'm fine. You'll leave Chang 'an City tomorrow. In the future, I'll look at the moon in the sky every night, just like tonight."
"Well, no matter where we are, we can look at the moon together. From tomorrow on, seeing the moon is like seeing Miss Ruyu."
Yan Ruyu felt warm in her heart. "This time, escorting Prince Guichang is extremely dangerous. You must take good care of yourself and return to Chang 'an City in one piece. Do you hear me?"
"Ruyu, don't worry. I'll definitely return to your side in one piece. Wait for me in the capital."
"Okay."
Good times were always short. Ang Lee really hoped that this journey would never end. But unconsciously, they arrived at Yan Zhenqing's mansion.
"I'm fine. We've arrived. Put me down."
Ang Lee put Yan Ruyu down from his back reluctantly. He wanted to say something, but he did not know what to say.
"I'm fine. Then I'll go back. < > "
"Ruyu, wait a minute."
"I'm fine. Do you still have something to do?"
Ang Lee plucked up his courage. "Ruyu, I'm leaving tomorrow. Can I make a small request?"
Yan Ruyu smiled and looked at Ang Lee, who was a little naughty.
"Ruyu, I've worked so hard to carry you home. Let me kiss you, okay?"
"Humph, you want to bully me again."
Yan Ruyu smiled and did not mean to refuse.
Ang Lee made up his mind and suddenly took Yan Ruyu in front of him into his arms. He held Yan Ruyu's head with both hands and took a big bite of Yan Ruyu's pink little mouth.
Yan Ruyu had already given her heart to Ang Lee. She did not resist at all and quietly looked at Ang Lee.
Ang Lee really wanted to hug Yan Ruyu all the time. This feeling was so comfortable that it made him feel refreshed. However, there would be plenty of opportunities in the future. He would come back.
"Ruyu, I really have to go. You have to remember to take good care of yourself. I will miss you."
Yan Ruyu's heart warmed, and a trace of tears flashed in the corner of her eyes. "I'm fine. You must come back in one piece. I'll wait for you."
"Ruyu, don't cry. Don't worry. I will be fine. You should go back."
Yan Ruyu nodded affectionately and turned to walk into the mansion.
Seeing Yan Ruyu walk into the mansion, Ang Lee sighed comfortably and turned to run in the direction of the Spiritual State's Memorial Court.
Yan Ruyu hid behind the door and secretly watched Ang Lee leave. She did not return to the bedroom in the backyard until Ang Lee's figure completely disappeared.
####
The night of the Lantern Festival was a crazy night. Almost all the people of the Tang dynasty went to bed very late. However, sleeping late was not a reason to wake up late. They still had to wake up early when they should.
Just after seven o 'clock, Ang Lee stretched and got up under Li Kunxiong's urging. Today was the day they escorted Prince Guichang back to Dongnu Province. They could not delay.
"Big Brother, Zhang Guangcheng is here."
Ang Lee quickly walked out of the bedroom and asked, "Guangcheng, how are the brothers' preparations?"
"They are all ready to go. They are gathering at the Illustrious Virtue Gate. Also, 500 soldiers of the Dragon Warrior Army and some troops from Dongnu Province are also heading to the Illustrious Virtue Gate."
"Okay, let's go immediately to the Honglu Guild Hall."
Ang Lee, in his military uniform, led a few of his confidants and rode to the Honglu Guild Hall.
In the Honglu Guild Hall, Prince Guichang, Zhao Yefu, under the protection of 50 elite soldiers from Dongnu Province, slowly walked to the entrance of the Guild Hall.
Crown Prince Li Heng, Prime Minister Li Linfu, and the others had been waiting for a long time outside the Honglu Guild Hall. They were representing the Tang dynasty's emperor to send Prince Guichang off.
As the leader of the Tang dynasty's diplomatic mission, Assistant Minister of Rites Xi Yu also arrived at the Honglu Guild Hall with a dozen or so confidants.
When Xi Yu saw Crown Prince Li Heng and Prime Minister Li Linfu, he quickly bowed. Li Heng and Li Linfu also exchanged greetings with him and wished him a smooth trip.
As the Assistant Minister of Rites of the Tang dynasty, Xi Yu had already heard from Li Linfu that the Tubo assassins might kill Prince Guichang on the way. Because of this, he was not relaxed at all. However, fortunately, Ang Lee and 600 elite soldiers were accompanying him. This made him feel much more at ease.
"Your Highness, Prime Minister Li, Assistant Minister Xi."
Ang Lee arrived late. He cupped his fists and bowed to Li Heng and the others.
"Officer Li is wearing a military uniform. You are really handsome, haha!"
Li Linfu put on his signature smile and stepped forward to shake Ang Lee's hand. "Ever since I had a long talk with Officer Li, I knew that Officer Li is a rare talent of the Tang dynasty. This time, I will be relying on Officer Li to escort Prince Guichang off."
"Prime Minister, don't worry. Ang Lee is greatly favored by His Majesty. I will definitely do my best to protect Prince Guichang."
"Officer Li, I heard that the Tubo assassins might kill Prince Guichang on the way. Is that true?"
Assistant Minister of Rites Xi Yu asked nervously.
Ang Lee puffed out his chest and said confidently, "Assistant Minister Xi, don't worry. With Ang Lee here, a mere Tubo assassin is nothing to worry about."
"Haha, Officer Li is really heroic. As expected of a young hero. Assistant Minister Xi, with Officer Li protecting Prince Guichang, you can rest assured."
Li Linfu's smile became even sweeter. He seemed to be very close to Ang Lee.
Crown Prince Li Heng's expression wasn't too good. Li Linfu was his political enemy, but Ang Lee was so close to Li Linfu and even had a long talk with him. It must be known that even he, the Crown Prince, hadn't had a long talk with Ang Lee.
Ang Lee naturally understood why Li Linfu was so close to him. This person was the most cunning. He did this to make Crown Prince Li Heng hate Ang Lee so that Ang Lee wouldn't become a staunch supporter of the Crown Prince.
Although it was easy to see through Li Linfu's scheme, Ang Lee had to admit that Li Linfu's scheme had succeeded. From Crown Prince Li Heng's angry expression, it was clear that he was very dissatisfied with Ang Lee.
After Prince Guichang Zhao Yefu walked out of the Honglu Guild Hall, he was sent off by Li Heng and the other officials of the Tang dynasty. He slowly headed south to the Illustrious Virtue Gate.
In order to protect Prince Guichang's safety, the entire Vermillion Bird Avenue was temporarily closed. No one was allowed to pass through.
Li An held a long spear in his hand and led a few of his trusted brothers to guard the surroundings of Gui Chang Wang's carriage to ensure his absolute safety.
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