“Who?”

Li Cheng was extremely anxious.

He desperately wanted to know who Du Mubai had gone to see that day.

Li Qiao, however, was quite calm and said, “Actually, you also know this person.”

“I also know them?”

He knew many people.

From the sickly King Huyi lying on his bed in the palace, to the plump old woman selling shoe insoles at the southern street corner.

He knew them all!

So this range was far too broad.

Li Qiao said, “Gong Shilin!”

What?

That guy?

Li Cheng was astonished. He had known Gong Shilin for so many years, and Du Mubai used to frequently visit the Pingyang Marquis Manor back then. Their relationship was good too. Logically speaking, if they knew each other, he couldn’t possibly not know about it.

“Brother, are you sure it’s Gong Shilin?”

“I’ve seen them together a few times, and they even had meals together.”

Had meals together.

This completely shocked Li Cheng.

He was astonished. “You mean…”

Before he could finish—

Li Qiao cut off his words and continued: “What I mean is, they were just close. I’m not saying the person Du Mubai went to see that day was him. Besides, even if he did go see Shilin, that doesn’t prove anything.”

Indeed, this couldn’t prove that just because Du Mubai saw Gong Shilin, he was the murderer.

“I really didn’t expect those two to know each other. They hid it deep enough.”

It almost had the flavor of his wife going to meet a lover.

It felt inexplicably strange!

“Alright, I’m just saying this anyway. In any case, don’t suspect Shilin because of personal grudges. After all, he’s the son of Left Chancellor Gong. You need to think clearly and not cause trouble.”

“I understand even without you saying it. This is a murder case. I wouldn’t use official business for personal revenge or act recklessly.”

“Good that you understand. It’s getting late, go rest quickly.”

“Okay.”

Li Qiao left first.

Li Cheng stood in place pondering for a long time.

Wondering how Du Mubai came to know Gong Shilin.

Yet he himself didn’t have the slightest inkling.

It was truly too strange.

A servant walked over and saw him lost in thought.

“Second Young Master, what are you doing here?”

He snapped back to attention and glanced at the person. “Nothing.”

But the servant stood in place without leaving.

“What? Do you still have something?”

“Nothing more, just… Second Young Master, you’re blocking my way.”

“Hmm?” Li Cheng looked around himself and realized he was indeed blocking the servant’s path. He awkwardly took two steps to the side. “Alright, alright, making way for you.”

“Thank you, Second Young Master.”

The servant left.

Li Cheng then also turned to leave, but just as he reached his own courtyard, he turned around and headed toward his older sister’s courtyard instead.

In the end, he was still somewhat worried.

Ever since Li Wenshu returned yesterday, she had fallen ill.

She was even more seriously ill than when she learned of Du Mubai’s death back then.

The Marquis of Pingyang had requested the best imperial physician from the palace, but they said it was a heart ailment.

When Li Cheng arrived at the door, a maid came out carrying a bowl of medicine.

The bowl of medicine was still full.

“Sister won’t drink the medicine?”

“I’ve urged her for a long time, but Miss just won’t drink it. Second Young Master, please think of a way.”

“Give it to me.” He took the medicine and instructed, “You go busy yourself first.”

The maid left, and only then did Li Cheng enter.

Two large braziers were placed in the room, one in the outer chamber and one in the inner chamber.

Li Wenshu leaned against the bed with a deathly pale complexion, her gaze vacant.

She had been like this since returning to her courtyard.

“Sister.” Li Cheng called out to her.

But Li Wenshu seemed unable to hear.

She didn’t move at all.

Li Cheng brought the medicine closer, his face full of worry. “Sister, drink the medicine.”

“…”

“How can your body endure if you continue like this?”

“…”

“I know Du Mubai’s death has hit you hard. Now that we’ve discovered he was killed by someone else, you must feel even worse.”

Li Wenshu’s eyes flickered slightly, gradually focusing as she looked at Li Cheng.

“Sister?”

“I’m fine.” Her voice was extremely soft.

So soft it seemed even the sound of breathing could cover it.

But with her current appearance, how could she be described as “fine”?

Li Cheng said, “Sister, let’s drink the medicine first.”

“I’m really fine.”

“However fine you are, you still need to drink the medicine.”

His attitude was firm.

How could Li Wenshu have any mind to drink medicine?

Her heart felt as if a huge stone was buried in it, hurting until her internal organs felt knotted. Even speaking was laborious.

Li Cheng brought the medicine right before her.

“Acheng, I really can’t drink it. Please don’t force me.” Her tone carried a sob.

Tears swirled in her eyes.

Li Cheng had always felt tender toward his older sister. Seeing her like this now, he really couldn’t bear to force her anymore.

He could only say, “Fine, if you won’t drink it, you won’t drink it.”

He placed the medicine to the side.

Then he said, “Sister, don’t think about this matter anymore. In any case, I promise you, I will definitely find the true murderer who killed Du Mubai.”

Li Wenshu looked at him. “Acheng, why did it turn out this way?”

She asked him this.

Li Cheng sighed.

“I thought after six years, everything could end. I could give up and then marry into the Gong family, marry Gong Shilin. But now it seems everything has deviated from my expectations.”

“Sister…”

“If I could have discovered something back then, perhaps it wouldn’t have taken until six years later to discover Mubai was murdered.”

She blamed herself greatly.

She placed all the blame on herself.

She had thought that after six years, she could truly let go, truly marry Gong Shilin, and that the person called Du Mubai would disappear forever from her heart. But how could she have imagined things would evolve this way? How could she cast everything aside and marry out now?

Clearly, she couldn’t!

How much her heart hurt, how much regret she felt—Li Cheng could sense it all.

He comforted her, “This matter has nothing to do with you, Sister. No one could have anticipated this. Besides, back then the Six Ministries and the coroners all said he committed suicide. There was evidence for everything. No one suspected he was murdered. Sister, don’t blame yourself. This truly has nothing to do with you.”

“No, Acheng, you don’t understand.” Li Wenshu became somewhat agitated.

Li Cheng tightly grasped her hand and said, “You always say I don’t understand things, but I understand everything! Sister, no matter what the situation is now, in any case, you and Du Mubai are finished. He already died six years ago. You can’t keep living in the past. Now you must live for yourself. This life is your own. If you yourself don’t want to live anymore, then no one can save you.”

His voice was heavy.

But not loud.

These few sentences seemed to strike at Li Wenshu’s soul.

The tears swirling in her eyes couldn’t help but fall.

Her whole person finally calmed down somewhat.

Li Cheng once again picked up the medicine and brought it before her.

This time, Li Wenshu obediently drank the medicine.

After drinking it, she lay down on the bed to rest.

Li Cheng told her, “Sister, rest assured. This case—even if I have to exhaust all my strength, I will definitely investigate it thoroughly.”