CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 40: IT’S TOUGH FOR BOTH OF THEM!

Zhao Yi’s suspicion was correct; the beggar paid to deliver the message was indeed hired by the protagonist.

However, the protagonist did not tamper with the bamboo slip.

It’s not that the protagonist wasn’t wary of Zhao Yi, but he knew Little Poison had no brains, and he was worried that if something was placed on it, she wouldn’t recognize the bamboo slip anymore.

On the other hand, the protagonist also had nothing to use to tamper with the bamboo slip.

The protagonist’s current situation is completely different from that in the original story.

After awakening, Zhao Yi no longer wasted money fawning over the heroine.

The heroine’s father, Su Changyuan, was merely a fourth-rank pure official; it was hard enough to support the family with his salary, so there were naturally no extra resources for the heroine to support the protagonist.

Zhao Yi even exposed the scandal between the two of them.

The various contacts that were originally friendly with the protagonist also drew a clear line with him under various pressures.

The protagonist is now struggling and powerless even if he wants to tamper with something.

At the City God Temple gate, the protagonist wore a wide cloth headscarf, dressed in rough linen clothes, with two bamboo baskets by his side, posing as a porter, sitting in the shade by the roadside to cool off.

Watching the bustling pedestrians, the protagonist couldn’t help but fall into deep thought.

Too many things had happened recently, leaving him at a loss.

Thinking carefully about it now, he found many things he couldn’t figure out.

The protagonist was especially confused.

How did he, a well-behaved Buddha’s Son at West Mountain Temple, turn into a rogue monk that everyone wanted to beat?

The protagonist slowly backtracked and finally discovered a clue.

It seems.

Ever since he met that Su Qianqian, his life started going downhill!

The Sixth Prince Zhao Yi suspected him of having an affair with the Imperial Consort, and snatched the crucial Dragon Egg.

The Second Prince Zhao Mian tried to kill him at the birthday banquet, the reason also related to an affair with the Imperial Consort.

Then, the Eldest Prince Zhao Mian ambushed and tried to kill him on the way, even snatching the Arhat Ancestor Master.

Although the reason was uncertain, it was probably also related to the Imperial Consort.

And then there was today.

Even though he was already seriously injured, someone still wanted to poison him to death.

The more the protagonist thought about it, the more he felt aggrieved.

If he really had an affair with Su Qianqian, then the suffering he had gone through would be a punishment from Buddha, and he would accept it!

But he never did that!

He even hadn’t spoken a few words to that woman!

"Amitabha!"

The more the protagonist thought about it, the angrier he became, and the evil fire in his heart kept rising.

He hadn’t done anything wrong.

Why should he suffer such hardships?

Setting up porridge stalls and alms-giving has been a tradition of West Mountain Temple for years.

Nothing ever happened before!

Who would have thought that a dignified Imperial Consort would cling to a monk over a bowl of plain porridge?

"Amitabha!"

The protagonist expressionlessly chanted the Buddha’s name again.

He vowed never to drink porridge again for the rest of his life!

Meanwhile.

After Little Poison received the bamboo slip delivered by the guards, she didn’t think much and left the prince’s residence to go to the appointment.

As soon as she stepped outside, Little Poison realized a problem that both she and the protagonist had overlooked.

She didn’t know the way!

And in her knowledge, the concept of asking for directions didn’t exist.

Standing at the prince’s residence gate, looking at the bustling streets, Little Poison appeared bewildered.

Where is the City God Temple?

Which direction should she go?

Is it really necessary to go to this meeting?

Just as she was thinking, suddenly someone nearby started chatting.

"Brother, where are you going?"

"City God Temple!"

"What a coincidence, I’m also going to the City God Temple. I don’t know the way, do you know where the City God Temple is?"

"Of course I know, let me tell you!"

Upon hearing this, Little Poison’s eyes lit up.

Someone actually knows the way!

She quickly turned her head, and then saw two tall and sturdy young men laughing and chatting.

As they spoke, their eyes kept glancing towards Little Poison.

Once confirming that she heard their conversation, the two guys were reassured.

One of the young men exclaimed, "City God Temple is easy to find, just go along the street in front of the prince’s residence for two intersections, then turn left and go three intersections to Vermilion Bird Avenue, follow Vermilion Bird Avenue east for two more streets, and you’ll reach City God Temple!"

"Ah, it’s that simple, thank you, brother!"

"You’re welcome!"

Little Poison stood dumbfounded, with a bewildered expression on her face.

Simple, where?

Where is Vermilion Bird Avenue?

Is it three streets first, or two along the road in front of the prince’s residence?

And... what is left? Which way is east?

After giving their directions, the young men were about to leave.

At this point, the questioning young man glanced at Little Poison from the corner of his eye, then retracted his raised foot.

The young man who answered the question was momentarily confused, then followed his companion’s gaze, his expression becoming a bit hesitant.

Wasn’t the explanation detailed enough?

But that was really the fastest route!

He gave his companion a look, the companion immediately understood, and asked the question again loudly.

"Brother, your route is still too complicated, can you make it simpler?"

Little Poison immediately perked up and looked expectantly at the young man giving directions.

The young man twitched the corner of his mouth.

He coughed lightly, then replied, "Brother, what I told you is the simplest route, if you really can’t find it, just spend some money to rent an ox cart; it will take you directly there."

The questioning young man suddenly understood, "I see, thank you, brother!"

After saying this, the two shot a hopeful glance at Little Poison.

Little Poison frowned and fell silent.

Spend money?

Spending money is absolutely impossible!

Her money was meant to buy food for her friends and couldn’t be used to rent an ox cart.

The two young men waited for a while but also fell silent.

Exchanging a glance, they both took a deep breath simultaneously.

The young man who asked the question once again loudly said, "Brother, I can’t afford an ox cart. Is there any other way?"

The young man who answered couldn’t help but glance at Little Poison and replied, "Then there’s only one way left!"

The questioning young man hurriedly asked, "Brother, what way is that?"

Little Poison also pricked up her ears.

The young man answering the question, seeing this, answered with difficulty, "Then I’ll have to take you there myself!"

Upon hearing this, Little Poison’s eyes immediately lit up.

This is good!

This doesn’t cost money!

Seeing this, the two young men no longer hesitated, chatting and laughing as they led the way.

Little Poison didn’t suspect a thing!

Worried about losing track of them, she quickened her pace, almost sticking her chest against the two young men’s backs.

The two young men initially pretended to chat leisurely.

But Little Poison stuck so closely, like a persistent parasite, making them uncomfortable, they soon couldn’t keep up the act.

The two quickened their pace, trying to create some distance from Little Poison.

Noticing that they were speeding up, Little Poison, afraid of losing them and not finding the City God Temple, also quickened her steps!

The two ran fast in front, with one closely following behind.

The three remained tightly together.

Just like that.

A peculiar scene unfolded on the expansive Vermilion Bird Avenue!

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