Li Cheng came to raise accusations.

Leaving Gong Shilin utterly speechless.

He spoke in a persuasive tone: “Li Cheng, this matter is not child’s play, nor is it like when we were young playing house. It cannot be resolved by a single word from you or a single word from me. As I’ve already said, marriage matters have always been determined by parents’ orders and matchmakers’ words.”

Hmph!

Li Cheng raised his eyebrows, his presence imposing: “In any case, I absolutely will not let my elder sister marry someone like you.”

“If you think I’m no good, you’re welcome to find your elder sister and have her speak to your father about breaking off the engagement. Whatever the outcome, I’ll accept it.”

This was obviously impossible!

He understood his elder sister’s temperament very well!

From childhood to adulthood, Li Wenshu had always been completely compliant. Whatever their father said, she would carry it out exactly! This marriage having already been arranged, his elder sister would even less likely ask their father to break off the engagement.

So in this matter, if Gong Shilin himself went to speak with Left Chancellor Gong, there might still be a sliver of a chance.

But judging by that fellow’s attitude, he was completely compliant!

Li Cheng waved the wooden stick at Gong Shilin, “You punk, enough nonsense! If you don’t dissolve this marriage arrangement, I’ll let you taste what it means to have bamboo shoots stir-fried with meat.”

“Don’t act rashly! This is not your Pingyang Marquis Manor.”

“Beating you requires neither location nor auspicious timing.”

“Li Cheng, normally when you come to make trouble over trivial matters, I indulge you, but if you make a scene over this matter, it won’t just be between you and me anymore—it will become a matter between your Pingyang Marquis Manor and my Gong Chancellor’s Manor!”

This wasn’t the first time Li Cheng had come to make trouble.

In the past, he always loved to trouble Gong Shilin—making big scenes over big matters, small scenes over small matters. In any case, he’d make a fuss over the most insignificant things.

Fortunately, Gong Shilin had a good temperament!

Li Cheng completely ignored what he’d just said.

“Fine, today I’ll make a scene for you to see.” Just as Li Cheng finished speaking, the wooden stick in his hand had already swung out.

Straight toward Gong Shilin opposite him!

Fortunately, the young servant at the side immediately blocked it, his entire body shielding in front of Gong Shilin, both hands catching that wooden stick, saying: “Young Master Cheng, if you harm my young master, I’ll fight you to the death.”

“Get lost!” Li Cheng kicked him away with one foot!

The young servant sprawled on the ground.

Li Cheng charged toward Gong Shilin saying: “Gong Shilin, if you have any guts, show me what you’ve got! Let me see if you have this ability.”

The wooden stick swung toward Gong Shilin again!

Originally thinking that the frail scholar couldn’t lift with his hands or carry on his shoulders, who would have known that Gong Shilin’s body nimbly dodged to the side.

His steps extremely steady.

He looked like someone who practiced martial arts!

“Li Cheng, you’re utterly hopeless.” Gong Shilin said.

“Hmph!” Li Cheng continued swinging the stick.

The young servant on the ground also scrambled up, once again blocking between the two.

The three wrestled into a tangle.

Making the entire rear courtyard into chaos, even knocking over quite a few pots and jars planted with flowers and plants.

Clattering and crashing!

Meanwhile, at the Gong Manor’s entrance.

A carriage stopped outside.

Two people descended from the carriage, one after the other.

The former was Left Chancellor Gong Chi!

The latter was a man with an extremely composed appearance. He wore official robes. Though still fairly young, he gave off an impression of deep scheming. This person was Li Wenshi’s eldest son, Li Qiao, a close official who held authority over the safety of both Hu Yi Prince and the Imperial City.

The two had just come together from the palace.

Throughout the journey, both had grave expressions.

Li Qiao didn’t go directly back to his manor but followed Gong Chi to his home, showing that the two still had matters to discuss privately.

The young servant at the entrance bowed, “Master, Lord Li.”

The two entered the manor without looking sideways.

The young servant had wanted to inform them that Young Master Cheng had come to make trouble, but didn’t have time.

He thought, if the master sees this later, it will definitely cause a big scene!

As Gong Chi and Li Qiao walked along the corridor toward the rear courtyard, they discussed matters.

Li Qiao’s expression was heavy as he said: “The Great Prince’s health deteriorates day by day. A few days ago when coughing, he coughed up blood. He rested for a long time before recovering. I quietly asked the imperial physician, who said the Great Prince’s old ailments are too severe—he fears they cannot be cured.”

Gong Chi: “Did he say how much longer he can hold on?”

“That’s uncertain.”

“It seems the matter of establishing an heir must be expedited.”

“Last night, the Great Prince summoned me to the hall.” Li Qiao mentioned this matter.

“What did he say?”

“The same question the Great Prince asked you before—ultimately the Third Prince? Or the Second Prince?”

Gong Chi: “So what did you say?”

“I didn’t dare speak too plainly. I could only praise the merits of both princes once through.”

Gong Chi asked again: “What did the Great Prince say?”

“He said nothing more, closed his eyes and went to sleep.”

“This means the Great Prince still hasn’t decided in his heart.”

Li Qiao: “I don’t think that’s the case!”

Hmm?

Gong Chi glanced at him, “Why not?”

“Ever since the Great Prince fell ill, I’ve been constantly at his side. Although the matter of establishing an heir has been mentioned many times during this period, the Great Prince always appeared somewhat hesitant. But in truth, the Great Prince has long had a candidate in mind—he simply wants to see our attitudes. That’s why after asking your opinion, Left Chancellor Gong, he turned to ask me.”

Hearing this, Left Chancellor Gong seemed to understand something. Thinking it through carefully, he said: “You mean the candidate in the Great Prince’s heart is the Second Prince? That’s why he consecutively asked for both your and my opinions.”

Li Qiao: “I think… that should be what it means. The Great Prince is very clear in his heart that both our families stand on the Third Prince’s side. If before long, the Great Prince truly establishes the Second Prince as the new prince, then in the future, the positions of both our families will certainly be affected. Even if after the Third Prince—if the new emperor ascends with some reservations and won’t harbor murderous intent toward us in secret, Duke Wangguo at his side certainly won’t be so lenient. At that time, he will definitely eradicate us completely! To prevent future troubles!”

Eradicate completely! To prevent future troubles!

These eight characters carried such grave weight.

Gong Chi fell into silence.

The stakes involved—his heart was clear as a mirror.

Crystal clear, perfectly transparent.

The two had just reached the rear courtyard, not yet turning the corner, when they heard sounds of chasing and fighting coming from the courtyard.

That sound was very familiar!

Li Qiao’s brow immediately furrowed.

He had a vague sense of foreboding.

When they walked closer to look, they discovered—

In the courtyard, three people were tangled together in a fight.

One wielding a stick, one blocking, one continuously retreating backward.

Weren’t these Li Cheng and Gong Shilin?

Li Cheng held a stick chasing and beating Gong Shilin, with the young servant blocking in the middle.

Li Qiao was extremely shocked. Although he’d heard right after leaving the palace that his younger brother and sister had returned to High-Ding, how could Li Cheng have run here in just this short time? And holding a stick, chasing Gong Shilin around the entire courtyard trying to hit him.

Although all the wealthy young masters and noble young ladies with status in High-Ding knew that the Second Young Master of Pingyang Marquis Manor and the heir of Left Chancellor Gong’s household had never gotten along.

Fighting and brawling was a common occurrence!

But the scene before his eyes still made Li Qiao clench his fists in dismay.