Early the next morning.

The heavy snow continued to fall.

Gong Shilin took a carriage to the gate of the Third Prince’s Manor.

Previously, Left Chancellor Gong had already reminded him that now was a critical period—he shouldn’t visit the Third Prince’s Manor or get too close to the Third Prince.

So during this time, he had indeed obediently listened and hadn’t gone to the Third Prince’s Manor again.

So today, what was this about?

Why had he come himself?

He got off the carriage, and a servant from the manor came over saying, “Young Master Gong, you’ve finally arrived. His Highness has been waiting for you for a long time.”

“Haven’t I come now?”

“Yes, yes, yes, please come inside.”

He quickly ushered him in.

Afraid of delaying time.

Today, Na Tuo was in a particularly good mood.

Because he had gone before King Huyi to make accusations, and now both Minister Huang and Minister Zhong of the Ministry of Justice had fallen from grace—equivalent to severing one of Na Yan’s wings. How could he not be happy?

He had ordered someone to warm a pot of premium wine.

At this moment it was warming in the brazier nearby.

Waiting for Gong Shilin to arrive so they could drink together.

He was somewhat impatient and directly stood up and went outside to wait. From afar, he saw Gong Shilin following the manor’s servant over. He quickly went forward and grabbed hold of Gong Shilin.

“Why did you only just arrive?”

Gong Shilin was very confused and asked, “What matter is it exactly that’s so urgent?”

“Can’t I call you over if there’s no particular matter? How long has it been since you came?” Na Tuo’s tone carried some complaint.

“I’ve been busy recently.” Gong Shilin said this.

Actually, he really was busy!

There were too many things at the Hanlin Academy.

But Na Tuo pulled him along while saying, “You’re busy? What could you be busy with? All day you just read in your room—what else can you do? Even going to the Hanlin Academy to work, you just sit all day reading and writing things. The rough and tiring work never falls to you. There haven’t been any major events in the palace recently either. In the entire capital, the Hanlin Academy is the most idle, and among them, no one is more idle than you.”

Gong Shilin was speechless.

But he couldn’t hit him—after all, the other was a prince.

But he really was busy, so busy he barely had time to eat.

Forget it, forget it. Better not to say anything.

Entering the room, Na Tuo pulled him to sit down and ordered a servant to take out the wine that had been warming in the brazier for a long time before leaving.

“This wine is good wine. I’ve been warming it for a long time. Take a sip and see how it is.”

Na Tuo very enthusiastically poured him a cup.

Gong Shilin stared at the wine before him but didn’t pick it up to drink. Instead, he asked, “What’s gotten into you today?”

“Nothing special.”

“But I see you’re very happy.”

“That’s because there’s something to be happy about.”

“What?”

“Drink first. I’ll tell you after you drink.” Na Tuo pushed the wine closer to him again.

Gong Shilin really had no choice. He picked it up and took a small sip.

Actually, he didn’t often drink and didn’t love drinking.

But the taste of this wine—he quite liked it.

“What wine is this?”

“Mizi wine.”

Uh!

Gong Shilin was astonished. “Didn’t you say this wine would wait until…”

His words came to an abrupt stop.

As if the latter part of that sentence couldn’t be said.

But Na Tuo across from him laughed heartily and said, “That’s right, I did say this premium Mizi wine would wait until the day I ascended to be Great King before opening the jar, but today I can’t wait any longer.”

“What exactly has happened?”

“Haven’t you heard?” Na Tuo asked.

Gong Shilin thought for a moment and seemed to suddenly understand.

He asked, “Is it about Du Mubai’s case this time?”

“Right, it’s Du Mubai’s case.”

“Then I understand now.”

This was indeed the right time to drink this wine.

So Gong Shilin took another sip.

But he also had some concerns and said, “Atuo, you still need to be careful. Don’t celebrate some matters too early.”

Na Tuo naturally knew this. He said, “Don’t worry, I’m not that careless.”

When the two were together, their conversation was also quite relaxed.

A moment later, Na Tuo asked him, “Recently you’ve been so idle, why haven’t you been coming to my manor?”

“I told you I’ve been busy.”

“You’re good at making excuses.”

Gong Shilin didn’t want to say more.

He was too lazy to continue discussing this topic with him.

He said, “You called me here today just to celebrate with you?”

“I suppose so. Also, it’s been too long since I’ve seen you, so I had someone notify you to come.”

“By the way, I can’t stay here long. There are still some matters at the Hanlin Academy later.”

“If you want to leave, I can’t stop you. However, there’s one more matter I want to discuss with you.”

“What?”

“That Master Ji—you know about him, right?” Na Tuo asked.

Master Ji—wasn’t that Ji Yunshu?

Gong Shilin said, “I know. He’s the one Li Cheng invited to overturn the case. The fact that Du Mubai was murdered was also discovered by her. How could I not know about her? It’s just… we haven’t met face to face.”

Na Tuo said, “Then let you two meet.”

“What do you mean?”

“Tomorrow evening, I’ll hold a banquet at my manor and invite her over.”

“Tomorrow?”

“What, is that not suitable?”

“It’s not that, but in the current situation, you’d better not get involved. It’s better to stay out of it.”

Na Tuo smiled. “It’s not as serious as you say. No matter what, she helped Li Cheng with the case. As a prince, it’s appropriate for me to recognize and reward talent. Even if word reaches Father King’s ears, it’s just a trivial matter. Who would dare make a big deal of it?”

Gong Shilin knew he couldn’t dissuade him. “Then do as you please.”

“Good then. Tomorrow remember to come. Don’t make me send someone to fetch you again.”

“Alright.”

Today, it was Na Tuo who called him here. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have come either.

“Come, continue drinking.”

Suddenly—

A voice came from outside the door: “Your Highness.”

From far to near.

A maid ran over in a panic and stood outside the door.

Na Tuo had always hated people being so flustered before him. He immediately frowned and asked with displeasure, “What is it?”

“The Princess Consort just fainted.”

“You’re notifying this prince over such a small matter?”

“It’s just…”

“Quickly get out. If you dare disturb this prince’s mood again over such matters, this prince will take your life.”

The maid trembled violently.

Shaking unsteadily.

She performed a courtesy. “Yes!”

Just as she was about to withdraw.

Gong Shilin called out, “Wait.”

Then he said to Na Tuo, “You should still go take a look.”

Na Tuo snorted, his face full of anger. “What’s there to see? Isn’t she just a woman? If she died, I’d be more at ease instead.”

“But she is your Princess Consort after all. If something really happened, it wouldn’t sound good when word gets out. Don’t let anyone catch you in any wrongdoing.”

With this said, Na Tuo came to his senses.

He thought about it.

“You’re right.” Na Tuo stood up. “Then wait here for me a moment. I’ll go and come right back.”

Gong Shilin was just about to tell him he really needed to return to the Hanlin Academy, but with a turn of his head, Na Tuo had already left.

No choice—he could only wait here first.

He looked at the cup of tea before him that he had drunk half of. His gaze couldn’t help but deepen.

The hand placed inside his robe also couldn’t help but tighten somewhat.