Chapter 55: The Waves Have Not Been Settled
The fire was blazing, making the blue field only slightly darker than in the daytime.
Those maids and page boys who were running around naked had been taken to the front yard by the guards, and the crowds watching had no chance to feast their eyes on them.
But beside Lu Yi, there were several "talented people" from the Bai family.
These guys were about the same age as Lu Yi, and some were two years younger than him. However, they had a family background in education, and although it was unknown how well they did in school, their skills in fighting were already quite sophisticated.
Lu Fu's anger was a bit immoral.
These talented people were awakened by the fire. They didn't even have time to put on their clothes and jumped out of their homes.
They were tied up by Lu Yi's men and lying on the cold ground. Several of them had their skin turned blue from the cold. If they were not treated, they would surely develop serious illnesses from the cold.
Some people around have already turned their attention to this side.
Some people chuckled deliberately and commented in low voices on the figures and appearances of the unfortunate guys.
Lu Yi even heard someone mixed in the crowd, deliberately pinching his throat and shouting in a weird voice - 'Brother Lu, it's quite delicate and petite'!
Bai Lang, Bai Xi and others looked at Lu Yi expressionlessly.
Among the guards of the Bai family, there were a few with a murderous aura who quietly took two steps towards this side.
"They are... Brother Shi?" Lu Yi laughed. He pointed at several naked bodies in astonishment and shouted, " Why are they naked in the middle of the night?"
Lu Yi said seriously: "The grandfather of the Bai family governs 'rituals', and what he talks about is 'ancient rituals', which are from three generations ago in Dayin, when it is said that there were 'ancient rituals' when saints ruled the world."
"Lu Yu is not a talented person, but he has read some ancient ritual books."
"'Ancient rituals' are very strict, and there are strict rules for daily life, sitting and lying down... It seems..."
Lu Yu made an expression as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.
Bai Changkong himself was in charge of "ancient rituals". Relying on his explanation of "ancient rituals" and his vigorous promotion of "ancient rituals", he became a "moral model" of Haojing and a signboard of culture and education in the court of Haojing.
Ancient rituals are strict and penetrate into every aspect of life.
For example, ancient rituals stipulated the details of the rituals for couples to observe sexual intercourse, such as the number of times a couple should observe sexual intercourse each year, the date of each month when the ceremony should be performed, how many times a month the wife should observe sexual intercourse, how many times a month the concubine should observe sexual intercourse, and so on, all of which had strict requirements.
For example, a person who respects etiquette must follow etiquette when he rests at night, and the clothes he wears must also follow etiquette.
You don't have to wear clothes when performing the ritual of respecting family members, but after the ceremony, you should bathe, change clothes, correct your thoughts and posture, and go to bed properly according to the etiquette of going to bed.
Only by respecting propriety can one be a gentleman who observes etiquette.
These "handsome boys" of the Bai family ran around naked in the middle of the night even when the house was on fire. There was no doubt that they did not abide by the etiquette.
Bai Changkong established himself with "propriety", was famous for "propriety", governed his family with "propriety", and used strict "propriety" to demand and restrain his friends, students, subordinates, etc.
However, his grandchildren destroyed the "etiquette" that he advocated and followed!
Lu Yi's fire was like a sledgehammer, hitting Bai Changkong hard on the vital point.
Bai Xi and the others' faces turned extremely ugly. They stared at Lu Yi, as if they wanted to pounce on him and tear him to pieces.
Only sporadic laughter could be heard from the crowd around them. Many people who understood the situation straightened their expressions and looked at the Bai family solemnly.
If Bai Lang and others cannot come up with a reasonable explanation for this matter, the Bai family's reputation will collapse, and the good name and reputation that Bai Changkong has worked hard to build throughout his life will surely collapse completely.
Once word of tonight's events gets out, do you believe that General Le Wu will be able to get all the imperial guards to take to the streets, beating drums and gongs to promote Bai Changkong's fame?
Bai Lang put his hands behind his back, looked up at the sky, and then looked around at the onlookers whose eyes were sparkling, many of whom had their faces flushed from holding back their anger.
He realized that Lu Yi, who they had always thought could be easily controlled by them, had actually created two huge crises for them in just two days.
"Has this kid been pretending to be crazy and stupid for sixteen years... or is there an expert guiding him behind the scenes... or is it just pure luck?" Bai Lang stared at Lu Yi with a grim look.
Hope it's good luck.
If there is a master behind the scenes giving advice, that would be a bit scary. A powerful opponent is eyeing the Bai family.
It would be even more terrifying if Lu Fu had been pretending to be crazy and stupid, and everything he did, including joining the eunuch party and bringing people to put out the fire, was intentional.
Bai Lang suddenly shouted: "Learn the arts of literature and martial arts, and sell them to the imperial family. We, the disciples of literature and education, have devoted our lives to the country and the people of Dayin."
Bai Lang raised his hands, bowed in the direction of the imperial city, and said loudly: "We, the disciples of the Cultural and Educational Sect, are loyal and dedicated only to the stability of our country and the peace . For this, we can sacrifice our lives, shed our blood, and devote our entire lives without any regrets."
"As a son of the Bai family, I practice martial arts and strengthen my body so that I can better contribute to the country. Isn't this the way it should be?"
Bailang held his head high and looked around with pride.
Lu Yi laughed hastily. He put the tiger-head golden spear at his feet and clapped his hands vigorously: "Well said, well said, really, well said, ah, well said!"
Lu Yi shouted at the top of his voice, cheering for Bai Lang as if he was watching a play in the theater, causing laughter to be heard all around.
Many people's eyes were shifting between Bai Lang and Lu Yi.
Many people knew that now the Bai family and Lu Yi had become mortal enemies.
However, it doesn't seem so bad. From the moment Lu Yi joined the Guard Palace Prison, the Bai family has been his mortal enemy. So what if there is a little more hatred?
Bai Lang looked at Lu Yi and said slowly: "My son is at the right age to learn literature and martial arts and strive for excellence."
Lu Yi laughed: "Learning literature and practicing martial arts with your butt naked?"
Bai Lang sneered proudly: "You ignorant boy, do you know that some advanced martial arts techniques require the use of medicinal soup to temper the body and pills to strengthen the internal organs at midnight (23:00-01:00) and noon (11:00-13:00), in combination with advanced methods, in order to practice normally?"
Bai Lang pointed to the sky and said, "This is the time when my Bai family's men are doing their nighttime homework... Could it be that they still need to wear a full set of clothes and robes as required by etiquette while tempering their bodies in the bathtub?"
Someone in the distance chimed in, "So that's how it is. Your humble servant, Li Zheng, the judge of the Dali Temple, has indeed heard of this profound secret technique. Lu's child, you are so ignorant, so don't make a fool of yourself here."
Gradually, voices of support and agreement began to rise, and eventually became the mainstream of the crowd around.
Countless people praised and said that the gentlemen of the Bai family were indeed concerned about the country and the people, and they practiced diligently in the middle of the night. They were truly role models for all cultural and educational disciples and all scholars in the world.
Some even applauded and exclaimed: "It is conceivable that the gentlemen of the Bai family will surely make a great splash and soar to the sky in the future. With such diligence and hard work, what else can we do except envy?"
There were also several old voices loudly scolding their own sons.
"You evil beasts, look at the young masters of the Bai family. Their family backgrounds and origins are much better than yours, and they are still so hardworking and diligent. You..."
Lu Yi's eyes widened.
He stared at Bai Lang, who had a righteous look on his face, and for a moment he was at a loss for words.
Those servants and maids who could serve as witnesses had already been taken to the front yard, and now they were probably wrapped in countless layers of clothes.
If we could catch those maids and servants in the act... Haha, you, the Bai family, can't say that your maids and servants are also practicing all kinds of advanced secret techniques in the middle of the night, right?
However, no witness was caught.
Lu Yi laughed "haha" and personally helped up a young man from the Bai family who was so cold that his whole body turned green and was almost frozen stiff. With both hands, he easily broke the rope made of alloy wire and cow tendon on the young man's body. He supported him with both hands and respectfully brought him to Bai Lang.
"I am sorry for being rude. I mean well, please forgive me, uncle."
Lu Yi threw the naked virtuous gentleman into Bai Lang's arms and quickly changed the subject: "The fire is almost out, and the assassin has been killed. It seems that there is nothing I can do here."
"Uncle Bai, let's get closer from now on... We are neighbors that we see each other every day, and we are just across the street from each other."
Lu Yi smiled, glanced at his subordinates who were killed or seriously injured on the ground, and bowed to Bai Lang: "It's a pity that I couldn't marry Sister Wei Shuang. Alas, I'm not blessed enough."
Bai Lang and others said nothing.
They looked at Lu Yi expressionlessly, as if they were looking at a dead person.
Lu Yi looked at the rockery with a smile, drew his spear, and said in a deep voice: "Let's go, brothers, restrain yourself."
The guards remained silent, saving the dying and the wounded, and followed Lu Yi to evacuate Lantian Garden with their dead and wounded colleagues.
The surrounding buildings and pavilions were almost burned down, just as Lu Yi had said. Everything that could be burned had been burned up, and the flames were gradually weakening. There was no need for the fire brigade to help.
Bai Lang, Bai Xi and others looked at the Lantian Garden which was almost burned to the ground, looked at several women who committed suicide by taking poison, and then looked at several nephews and nephews who had fainted from the cold. They resisted the urge to vomit blood and began to call on the garrison troops, yamen runners, military marquises, and neighbors who had come to put out the fire.
After all, the Bai family is a well-known and prestigious family.
The fire here was gone, and no one was concerned about how the fire was caused. Many important people exchanged a few words with Bai Lang and others, then left with their people.
Lu Yi led his men back to the base and searched everywhere for coffins in the middle of the night to bury the six guards who died in the battle.
They knocked on doors everywhere, asking the famous doctors in Yushunfang to come and treat the injured guard.
In short, Lu Yi and his friends didn't get a good rest that night.
The Bai family didn't rest either.
Bai Lang, Bai Xi and others were in the front yard, interrogating their guards one by one, especially the guards who were on duty in Lantian Garden last night, asking them whether they had seen anyone deliberately set the fire.
But the guards swore solemnly that they did not see the arsonist.
They swore - 'no one' could set the entire Blue Garden on fire so quickly under their noses.
The Bai family was also busy all night. They investigated the cause of the fire but did not find any useful clues.
Early the next morning, Bai Changkong, who was not at home the night before and was called back overnight by Bai Lang, rushed into his own mansion on a fast horse.
Not long after Bai Changkong entered the house, a purple-robed eunuch, accompanied by a dozen red-robed eunuchs, came to his door with a smile.
