Chapter Nine, Exoneration and Restoration

The two officials were taken aback, remaining in a daze for a long time, and then they were filled with immense joy.

I just sent a prisoner to Lingnan, and it has been a lifetime since then, oh

The knight proclaimed loudly: "By imperial decree, Li Qinzai is exempt from punishment and may be released to return to the capital!"

Looking back on the path they had taken, the three had not ventured far, with the outline of Chang'an City still clearly in sight. However, Li Qinzai felt like a fish out of water, rolling his eyes and in pain all over.

A horse carrying two people hurried back to Chang'an, and it was just getting dark as they entered the city

A knight clad in iron armor, dressed as a royal guard, came galloping at great speed. Upon seeing Li Qin and the two others ahead, and after observing their attire, the knight was overjoyed and immediately reined in his horse

For the officials escorting prisoners, the long journey of a thousand miles is no less a form of torture. At this moment, having just exited the city of Chang'an, they are naturally relieved from a laborious task.

Li Qinzai stretched lazily and said, "I declare that today's half-day tour of the suburbs of Chang'an has come to a successful conclusion. Let's go home!"

Li Qinzai smiled, stood up, and brushed off his clothes: "Exactly."

On the road from Chang'an to Jinzhou, Li Qin was so exhausted that he was nearly out of breath

Li Qinzai smiled: "A Si, tell the family that I have returned to mhetushu.com. Let the steward choose a pleasing maid, as I want a little health care."

As the sky grew darker, Li Qinzai became increasingly uneasy

"Master Wu Shaolang, you..." Liu A-si hesitated to continue.

After careful consideration, Liu A Si suddenly exclaimed with surprise: "Fifth Young Master has returned to the residence"

Just as they began to move, the three of them simultaneously heard the distant sound of urgent hoofbeats.

It seems that buying a horse is truly not feasible; in their eyes, a horse is akin to their sister-in-law, something they cannot ride themselves, and even less so can outsiders ride it

Li Qinzai sat cross-legged on the spot and naturally began to assign tasks

Regardless of how harsh the environment may be, Li Qinzai's quality of life must not be low. Even in a sparsely furnished room, there should be a fresh flower displayed, as this reflects an attitude of not letting life go to waste

The edict of Li Qinzai was issued from the palace to the outskirts of the capital, and the Duke's residence was not informed, leaving everyone in the residence unaware that Li Qinzai had been exonerated

As for those two unfortunate officials, I regret that Li Qinzai is unable to take care of them; they should return to the city on their own

Having left Chang'an City for only half a day, the two constables escorting him had only traveled a little over ten miles, yet Li Qinzhai already felt as if his legs no longer belonged to him

The figure stands alone, merging into the dim and dark shadows, unique yet seemingly out of place in this world

Looking up at the sky, it was already evening

You, go hunting nearby and get some game. You, gather firewood to make a fire and boil some hot water, I will soak my feet first

Now Li Qinzai understands that it is not that Tang Seng does not want to, but rather that he is afraid of being discovered cheating by the Bodhisattvas in the heavens. A casual strike of the divine thunder from the Nine Heavens would instantly transform the Ten-Generation Golden Cicada into the Ten-Generation Dead Cicada, and the matter of obtaining the scriptures can only be postponed until the Eleventh Generation.

The two officials exchanged a mysterious glance, causing Li Qinzai's heart to involuntarily race faster

Mingming, riding on the monkey's back, could easily accomplish the task with a single somersault cloud, yet Tang Seng actually rode the white dragon horse steadily for 108,000 li, truly the most honest monk in history

Li Qinzai sighed; at this moment, he finally understood the feelings of the Tang Seng in Journey to the West

In the summer, there are many mosquitoes in the wilderness, and in this era, there should also be a considerable number of wild animals. Covered in gray dust and sweat, there is no place to take a bath

If I were to rely solely on my own two feet to walk there, I might have already perished on the road before even leaving the pass. You two can only take my remains along with the *illustrated* book to Lingnan to find a suitable burial site for me...

Tonight, the guard team stationed outside the residence is still led by Liu A Si

The subordinates all looked over, and immediately someone ran into the mansion to report. Liu A-si and a group of subordinates surrounded them.

After walking a couple of hundred steps, one would fall to the ground, requiring a rest. This rest would last at least half an hour, and only after the two constables pleaded earnestly would one lazily rise and stroll a few hundred more steps...

He had no intention of truly reaching Lingnan; after leaving Chang'an, he dawdled along the way, merely waiting for a piece of news and for a damned craftsman who seemed to have stood him up.

The sky is getting dark, it seems we won't be able to continue today. I have decided to set up camp here." Li Qinzai announced his decision, his tone leaving no room for doubt

Thus, life is like a game, where one can respawn infinitely, but it is best not to use cheats

Li Qinzai was compelled to pretend to be a morally upright person, feeling too embarrassed to bribe them with silver coins

The two officers exchanged a glance and responded with a grimace.

In the British mansion, the servants are using long poles to hang two dim yellow lanterns under the eaves of the main entrance.

In unfamiliar places, I wanted to invite friends and family to a banquet, but I never had the chance. All of this is because you wouldn't let me buy a horse. "Li Qinzai persistently advised.

The return from the outskirts of Beijing to Chang'an City is swift

The sound of hooves approached from afar, soon coming into the sight of the three individuals

If there is still no good news from Chang'an today, are we to spend the night in this desolate wilderness?

Both sour and numbing, perhaps blisters have formed on my feet, and every few steps brings excruciating pain

Congratulations to Master Wu Shaolang! The official hurriedly approached Li Qinzai to offer his congratulations.

The official's expression was grim, yet he remained resolute in his refusal

Someone was standing outside the government office for a long time without moving, which caught Liu A-si's attention. Upon closer inspection, he realized that the figure looked somewhat familiar

... ...

Li Qinzai was somewhat unsettled

Walking, whether it is a leisurely stroll or a brisk pace, has always been regarded as a highly esteemed form of exercise by the world. However, Li Qinzai finds this method to be even more torturous than death by a thousand cuts

Li Qinzai sighed; through continuous persuasion and probing, he understood the bottom line of the two officials.

"Let’s buy three horses and ride all the way to Lingnan, shall we? I will cover the cost of the horses, and when we arrive in Lingnan, I can treat you to lychees and let you sleep with the female monkeys." Li Qinzai spoke generously like a man of great wealth.

Li Qinzai's expression was calm, seemingly unperturbed by the sudden news regarding the * picture * book

Another official also smiled and said: "Young Master Wu, you are magnanimous, please do not make things difficult for this humble person. According to the law, the punishment for 'exile' must be carried out on foot. If the officials along the way report this, Young Master Wu will inevitably face accusations from the court, and both of us will also be held accountable."

If one continues on this path, reaching Lingnan may take a lifetime. When on one's deathbed, if children and grandchildren ask what one has accomplished in this life, how will one respond

The official's expression was grim, likely due to the fact that the subject of sleeping with a mother monkey is simply too bizarre, making it psychologically difficult to accept

Li Qinzai was unwilling to walk any further, even if it meant death. After discussing for a long time with the knight who delivered the imperial edict, he finally stuffed a copper coin into the knight's bosom. The knight, with a look of helplessness, pulled Li Qinzai onto the horse.

As night falls and the lamps are lit, a somewhat lonely figure stands in the dim light outside the Duke's residence, gazing intently at the plaque with golden characters on a black background above the entrance.

"Five Shaolang, forgive me, this ... ... is truly unacceptable"

"Isn't that the British nobleman, Li Qinzai, right in front?" the knight asked loudly

Extremely loyal and dutiful, respectful towards the children of the powerful, yet still able to uphold principles

Two officials sighed, not daring to resist, and obediently began to act according to Li Qinzai's instructions