After choosing a suitable spot, Li Xuan immediately took out the sacrificial tools.
As an outsider, Master Chenghai did not comment on the Imperial family's extravagant gesture of providing storage magical artifacts even for spirit pets.
Moreover, Li Xuan's strength was worthy of such treatment.
For ordinary beast races, understanding how to use storage magical artifacts was a huge challenge.
The Three Little Ones worked together, and with the help of Master Chenghai, who was familiar with these matters, they quickly set up Consort Xiao's altar.
Princess Ankang and Yuer placed the wooden statue and memorial tablet they had prepared.
Once everything was ready, Master Chenghai personally chanted scriptures and prayed for Consort Xiao.
Princess Ankang and Yuer also clasped their hands together, closed their eyes, and silently spoke their heartfelt words to Consort Xiao.
Li Xuan also imitated them, bringing his two front paws together, closing his eyes, and remembering that gentle woman.
"Consort Xiao, please rest assured."
"Ankang and Yuer are doing very well now."
"I will make sure they live even better; don't worry about us."
After silently reciting, Li Xuan reopened his eyes and looked at the wooden statue and memorial tablet on the altar, seemingly seeing Consort Xiao's figure again.
It took about an hour for the Three Little Ones and Master Chenghai to emerge from the Shili Pagoda.
On the anniversary of Consort Xiao's death, being able to erect a memorial tablet for her in the Shili Pagoda of Cien Temple was an extraordinary feat for the Three Little Ones.
Before, there wasn't even a proper memorial tablet in Jingyang Palace.
Although Consort Xiao had told them not to do these things before her death, people are always like this.
Mourning departed loved ones is not just for the deceased but even more so for those who are still alive.
The Eighth Prince had waited for a long time at the base of the tower; seeing them emerge, he quickly approached.
"How was it? Was it smooth?"
Princess Ankang smiled and nodded, then solemnly thanked the Eighth Prince and Master Chenghai:
"Eighth Brother, Master Chenghai."
"Today, we were able to successfully erect a memorial tablet for Mother Consort, and it is all thanks to your help."
"Ankang thanks you both here."
After Princess Ankang finished speaking, she bowed respectfully.
"Ankang, you're being too formal, aren't you?"
"It's all what Eighth Brother should do; there's no need to be so polite."
The Eighth Prince laughed heartily.
Master Chenghai also smiled at Princess Ankang, returning a bow and saying:
"Your Royal Highness, this time you also helped Cien Temple solve a problem, so it should be this old monk thanking Your Royal Highness."
Although he hadn't interacted much with Princess Ankang, Master Chenghai already had a very good impression of this well-mannered little princess.
Compared to other princes and princesses, Princess Ankang showed no arrogance or domineering behavior, was very polite to others, and did not act superior due to her status as a Imperial family princess.
After thanking each other, both sides were about to bid farewell and leave, as the main business was already completed.
But at this moment, Li Xuan jumped out, wagging his tail, and asked Master Chenghai:
"Master, I've become the Guardian Beast of Cien Temple, are there any benefits?"
Master Chenghai gave an awkward smile, suddenly feeling that Li Xuan's high intelligence was not necessarily a good thing.
If anyone else had asked this, it would certainly be rude.
But Li Xuan was just a cat; being able to write and communicate was already extraordinary, so you couldn't demand politeness from him.
The Eighth Prince, upon seeing this, directly looked at the distant sky, thinking:
"Is this cat not even pretending anymore?"
"So, should I continue to pretend not to know?"
While the Eighth Prince was conflicted, Princess Ankang stepped forward to admonish him: "Li Xuan, you can't be so impolite."
Master Chenghai's expression relaxed upon hearing this.
"What benefits or no benefits? You are now a part of Cien Temple, with duties to fulfill and benefits to enjoy."
"You are a dignified Guardian Beast; do you think Cien Temple, as the capital's foremost temple, would mistreat you?"
"Isn't this judging a master's heart with a kitten's mind?"
Li Xuan immediately nodded repeatedly, looking as if he had been taught a lesson, and devoutly bowed again and again to Princess Ankang and Master Chenghai, truly appearing pious.
Master Chenghai looked at Princess Ankang with a strange expression.
He had noticed it last time: the human and the cat performed their act together with remarkable tacit agreement.
"What needs does our temple's Guardian Beast have?"
Master Chenghai understood that, given Li Xuan's intelligence, he wouldn't make such a request casually without a purpose.
"Actually, it's nothing much. Cien Temple has such a big reputation, it must have a lot of treasures, right?"
"But Master, don't worry, I'm not an ignorant cat."
"You've already helped us with the matter of honoring Consort Xiao's memorial tablet, so we're even."
"I just want to see Cien Temple's treasures, things like rare herbs and materials, martial arts manuals, rare Buddhist scriptures, and so on. I'll just look; I promise I won't take any."
"You know, as a cat, I'm always too curious; if my curiosity isn't satisfied, I'll feel restless and uncomfortable."
Li Xuan swiftly wrote his request with his tail, fearing that Master Chenghai would not agree.
"Really just look?"
Master Chenghai's face showed suspicion.
He didn't understand what benefit Li Xuan could gain from just looking.
Could it really just be to satisfy curiosity?
Princess Ankang also chimed in: "Master Chenghai, please be kind."
"Li Xuan is just very curious; otherwise, he'll be listless for a while again."
"If you're worried, I'll hold Li Xuan the whole time, only letting him look and not touch Cien Temple's treasures."
Li Xuan also struck while the iron was hot, guaranteeing from the side:
"I'll just look, absolutely no touching!"
The Eighth Prince, watching from the side, also couldn't understand their intentions.
If it was just to look, they wouldn't ask so earnestly, would they?
As for being foolish, that was even more absurd.
It couldn't possibly be to rob Cien Temple.
The Eighth Prince silently observed the situation, not daring to speak easily, fearing he would get involved.
Master Chenghai frowned, and replied:
"Your Royal Highness is joking; how could Cien Temple have any treasures comparable to the Imperial family?"
He instinctively felt something was off and directly refused.
"Ah, really not possible?"
Princess Ankang and Li Xuan immediately showed pitiful expressions.
Li Xuan had mentioned his desire to see Cien Temple's collection of cultivation methods to Princess Ankang a few days ago.
So when Li Xuan made the request just now, Princess Ankang understood what he wanted to do.
Although Li Xuan had previously revealed that he could write, he had not yet revealed his ability to memorize things at a glance, or even record cultivation methods.
If Master Chenghai knew about these abilities, their plan would certainly fall through.
Now, they could only try to take advantage of Master Chenghai not realizing Li Xuan's talent.
Li Xuan's previous deliberate act of writing with his tail in front of Master Chenghai was also one of his little tricks.
Otherwise, this matter would be difficult to propose.
Cien Temple had already helped Princess Ankang, which settled the debt of gratitude.
Li Xuan couldn't bear to have Princess Ankang make such an unreasonable request again.
But he was just a little cat, so many things were fine if he was the one to do them.
Things that people weren't suitable for, Li Xuan doing them was still reasonable.
Seeing Li Xuan and Princess Ankang plead sincerely, Master Chenghai also found himself in a difficult position, finally only able to say:
"Please allow this old monk a few days to consider this matter, and I will give you a reply then."
Master Chenghai was already politely declining, but Li Xuan and Princess Ankang were not discouraged at all; they even smiled and agreed.
"Then we will await the Master's good news."
Li Xuan wrote shamelessly.
Master Chenghai shook his head, helpless with Li Xuan; he couldn't possibly argue seriously with a little cat.
Finally, Master Chenghai saw them out of Cien Temple.
At the entrance, Princess Ankang said:
"Master, you can stop here."
"If those Fuhu Temple monks still trouble you, you can send someone to inform us anytime if you need help."
"Li Xuan is, after all, Cien Temple's Guardian Beast, so we share weal and woe."
Master Chenghai smiled and nodded, not expecting how this Guardian Beast, originally meant as a pretense, had suddenly become so serious.
But it was also a way to build good karma, so Master Chenghai did not correct Princess Ankang's statement.
"If Your Royal Highness wishes to pay respects to Consort Xiao, you may enter the Shili Pagoda on the first and fifteenth of each month. At other times, unless it is a special festival, the Shili Pagoda generally will not be open."
"For this, please forgive Your Royal Highness."
Master Chenghai and the Eighth Prince had already mentioned these details to Princess Ankang before.
Master Chenghai emphasized it again at their farewell, to avoid any misunderstandings in the future.
Princess Ankang, who already knew these details, nodded and said to Master Chenghai:
"I might trouble you on New Year's Day; Master, please don't mind."
"This old monk remembers. Your Royal Highness, there's no need to be polite."
After bidding farewell to Master Chenghai, the group got into their carriage, preparing to return to the Imperial Palace.
"Although there were some twists and turns, it ended perfectly."
The Eighth Prince sighed in the carriage.
Princess Ankang nodded along, a smile appearing on her face.
With Consort Xiao's memorial tablet properly enshrined, a great weight had been lifted from her heart.
Thus, there was nothing else to do this month; they only needed to quietly await the arrival of the New Year, beginning a new year.
With a few days remaining until the New Year, Princess Ankang planned to simply stay in Jingyang Palace to rest, read books, and sleep, marking a perfect end to the year.
But as the carriage passed through the main road between Yongning Fang and Yongle Fang, it slowly stopped, no longer moving forward.
Xu Lang, who was driving, reported from outside the carriage: "Your Royal Highness, the road ahead is congested; it seems someone is causing trouble. Do you wish to take a detour now?"
Hearing there was excitement outside, the Three Little Ones and the Eighth Prince all poked their heads out of the carriage window.
Sure enough, the wide road was completely blocked by a dense crowd, impassable, with carriages parked on both sides.
Some carriages had already turned around, planning to go around.
But they were not in a hurry to return to the palace and wanted to find out what was happening ahead.
"Xu Lang, send someone to see what's going on."
Princess Ankang ordered with interest.
Xu Lang received the order and immediately dispatched the accompanying Flower-Clad Eunuchs to inquire ahead, and soon received a reply.
"Your Royal Highness, there's a conflict between the Red Scarf Squad and someone ahead."
"Ah?"
Upon hearing Xu Lang's reply, the Three Little Ones all showed puzzled expressions.
The Eighth Prince asked even more confusedly: "What is the Red Scarf Squad?"
He usually only cared about entertainment, and even though he had recently pulled himself together somewhat, he mostly concerned himself with news from nobles and the military. This was the first time he had heard of the Red Scarf Squad.
Hearing the Eighth Prince's question, the Three Little Ones couldn't help but show awkward expressions, feeling that the Red Scarf Squad still needed to develop more.
"Let's go take a look."
Concerning the Red Scarf Squad she had founded, Princess Ankang naturally couldn't ignore it.
At her command, Xu Lang and the other Flower-Clad Eunuchs immediately became busy. One was left to guard the carriage, and the rest escorted the Three Little Ones and the Eighth Prince into the crowd to see the commotion ahead.
Under the protection of the Flower-Clad Eunuchs, they quickly arrived at the front line of the crowd.
"Hmph, your Red Scarf Squad is the most hypocritical; you do all these superficial things, and it's all for money."
"Now, you even dare to falsely impersonate others, and now that you've been caught red-handed, you still dare to quibble. You are truly shameless."
"Everyone, take a good look! This is the so-called Red Scarf Squad that'sees injustice and draws a sword to help.'"
"They are nothing but a bunch of swindlers!"
As soon as they reached the front line, they heard accusations against the Red Scarf Squad.
This made Princess Ankang and Li Xuan frown simultaneously.
The management of the Red Scarf Squad was now primarily handled by the Flower-Clad Eunuchs of the Internal Affairs Bureau, with the North Team of the Game Warden, currently resting in the capital, recently joining.
Wei Zhen, the North Team leader, even served as Deputy Team Leader, assisting Zhu Shimin, also a Deputy Team Leader, in managing the Red Scarf Squad.
All along, due to the Red Scarf Squad's lack of foundation, recruiting members was a challenge.
Previously, when the Red Scarf Squad was first established, it hired a large number of unemployed idlers from the Money Gang, paying them wages to encourage them to do good deeds in the city.
Li Xuan was also well aware that a mixed group of people would cause trouble sooner or later, but he had always trusted the Internal Affairs Bureau's methods, only never expecting a problem to arise today.
Under the protection of the Flower-Clad Eunuchs, they could already see the conflicting parties.
However, what surprised the Three Little Ones was that the side wearing red scarves were all young people in their twenties, full of vigor, completely different from the idlers they had seen before.
"Oh? Has the Red Scarf Squad recruited new members?"
Li Xuan and Princess Ankang secretly thought at the same time.
They did not rush to intervene but wanted to see what exactly was going on.
Among the Red Scarf Squad, a sword-wielding girl immediately said indignantly:
"Don't slander us; our Red Scarf Squad acts with integrity."
"It's you who are coercing sales on the street. Is there no law anymore?"
The sword-wielding girl took a step forward, facing the other party's accusations with an undiminished aura.
Li Xuan saw the insignia on her shoulder; she was even a squad leader.
Promotion in the Red Scarf Squad wasn't solely based on strength but primarily on merits from good deeds.
This unfamiliar young girl being promoted to squad leader meant she must have joined the Red Scarf Squad some time ago.
Looking at the members behind her, each one was a young hero, and he wondered where these people had come from.
And when Li Xuan turned to look at the people challenging the Red Scarf Squad, he immediately had a familiar feeling.
"These idlers look so familiar."
Although Li Xuan didn't recognize any of these people, their fierce and menacing aura was extremely familiar to him.
"Hmph, still daring to quibble!"
"Your Red Scarf Squad has recently been widely publicizing that Hero Mo Tiansheng, famous in the Northeast, is one of your Red Scarf Squad members."
"You little brats, open your eyes and see who this gentleman is!"
These fierce-looking big men moved aside, revealing a man dressed in black, wearing a bamboo hat.
The man with the bamboo hat slowly walked out, holding a dark precious sword, and struck a cool pose.
The Three Little Ones: ( _ ` )