Li Cheng knew the stakes involved!

He also understood Left Chancellor Gong’s underlying meaning.

He had to make a choice between justice and the relationship between the Li and Gong families.

And this was undoubtedly an enormous dilemma.

Seeing him weighing the options, Left Chancellor Gong set down the tea in his hand and walked over.

He patted his shoulder.

“Ah Cheng! I’ll say it again—the truth of the case is still unknown, but if you insist that this case is related to Shilin, you’re not unaware of what that will mean. So think it through carefully before you act. I don’t want our two families to end unpleasantly.”

Li Cheng’s unfathomably deep eyes looked at the cunning and calculating chancellor before him.

He knew he couldn’t outmaneuver him!

Unless he took forceful action!

He looked back at the guards he had brought, then said to Left Chancellor Gong: “Elder Gong, don’t make this difficult for me.”

“I’m not making things difficult for you—I’m asking you to consider the big picture.”

The phrase “consider the big picture” clearly put pressure on Li Cheng!

For a moment, he didn’t know how to respond.

He was also very clear that if he insisted on taking Gong Shilin away, the consequences would be even more terrible than he anticipated.

The relationship between the Li and Gong families was like a massive net, and he was like a fish caught in that giant net.

Once a life-or-death struggle began,

It would be mutual destruction!

Left Chancellor Gong slowly leaned close to his ear, saying softly: “With just one word from you, the dead can become living, the black can become white.”

Uh!

Li Cheng’s gaze darkened.

His hands hanging at his sides couldn’t help but clench into fists.

Left Chancellor Gong not only wanted him to leave with his people, but also wanted him to cover things up secretly.

This went against morality and conscience.

He didn’t make any response, nor was there the slightest hint of yielding in his eyes. After a long while, he finally said: “Can I… see Gong Shilin?”

“I will not let you see him.”

“I have some things I want to ask him face to face. After I’ve asked, I can leave with my people first.”

But Left Chancellor Gong’s attitude was resolute. He vigorously waved his wide sleeves, turned his back, and said: “No matter what, before this matter is resolved, I will not let anyone see Shilin.”

Li Cheng knew that today he couldn’t take Gong Shilin away.

And Left Chancellor Gong’s words about “the dead can become living, the black can become white” were indeed worth deep consideration.

After all, the relationship between the Li and Gong families was right there in the open.

In the end, he still left the Left Chancellor’s residence with his guards.

…

In the rear courtyard of the chancellor’s residence, in a secluded building, Gong Shilin was locked inside.

The door had a lock on it.

Two servants stood guard outside.

Not even a fly could get in.

After being locked inside, Gong Shilin sat behind the writing desk and began writing something on white paper with his brush.

He wrote very quickly.

Without a single pause throughout.

But who knew exactly what he was writing?

Until a voice came from the doorway: “Master.”

Then came the clanging sound of the lock being opened.

He finished writing the last character and immediately stopped his brush.

He folded the paper filled with writing and quickly tucked it into his sleeve, not even caring whether the ink had dried yet.

As soon as the door opened, Left Chancellor Gong walked in.

The servant closed the door again.

Left Chancellor Gong’s expression was tense: “I’ve already sent Li Cheng away.”

Gong Shilin walked around the square table before him, his face full of worry: “Father, what good does it do if you can save me for now? I know exactly what kind of person Li Cheng is—he won’t let me off because of this. He’ll definitely come again. Father, you should just…”

“I absolutely will not stand by and watch you be taken to the City Administration Department for interrogation!” Left Chancellor Gong was very agitated.

“Father!”

“You’re my only son. If something happens to you, what am I to do? What use would everything I’ve achieved today be?”

Gong Shilin suddenly knelt down, crying out loudly: “Father, it’s my fault. Why must you take on the crime of harboring me? How can I have peace of mind?”

“Slap!”

This slap was exceptionally loud.

And harsh.

Left Chancellor Gong’s hand that swung down paused in the air.

His palm felt numb.

Gong Shilin was directly knocked to the ground.

Blood appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Left Chancellor Gong said through tears: “Listen to me—I will not let anything happen to you, and I absolutely will not let you go to your death.”

His voice boomed like a great bell!

Echoing throughout the entire room.

Gong Shilin lay on the ground, sighing deeply.

His hands clenched tightly into fists.

In the end, he still couldn’t be more stubborn than his father.

…

At the City Administration Department, Li Cheng returned empty-handed.

And as soon as he returned, he sat in the main hall.

Silent.

He just sat there quietly like that.

Ji Yinshu and Jingrong had originally been waiting for him to bring someone back.

They didn’t see Gong Shilin, but Li Cheng looked like this.

The two exchanged glances, already understanding.

Who was Gong Shilin? He was Left Chancellor Gong’s son!

To bring him in for questioning was indeed thorny.

“The case has already found clues for you. The rest, you handle yourself. If you bring the person in, just let me know!” These were the words Ji Yinshu said before leaving.

Li Cheng didn’t respond.

He just kept sitting there.

No one in the City Administration Department dared to go up and say anything.

When it got dark, an old official finally stepped forward: “Lord Li, it’s very late.”

Reminding him.

Li Cheng looked outside and only then realized it had gotten so late.

He sighed deeply, waving his hand: “Don’t worry about me anymore, all of you go.”

“My lord, you…”

“It’s fine!”

“I’ll be right outside. If my lord has any instructions, just say so.” The old official withdrew.

And Li Cheng didn’t sit much longer either, eventually getting up and leaving.

He returned home.

Before even entering, he realized what would happen shortly.

Sure enough, as soon as he entered,

A servant hurriedly ran over, saying: “That… Young Master, you’ve finally returned. The master and eldest young master have been waiting for you in the hall for a long time.”

He said “Mm.”

And headed toward the main hall.

Marquis Pingyang sat in the main seat, his expression stern, his gaze sharp as a torch.

Li Qiao sat on the left side.

“Father, Elder Brother.” He called out.

Marquis Pingyang asked: “Tell me, how do you plan to handle this?”

“Is Father asking about Du Mubai’s case?”

“I’ve already met with your Elder Gong. He said that today you led the City Administration Department’s guards in great force to the chancellor’s residence to arrest someone, repeatedly saying you wanted to bring Gong Shilin in for questioning.”

“Yes!”

“So have you truly found evidence proving that Du Mubai’s death is related to him?”

“Yes!”

“Where’s the evidence?”

“After I bring Gong Shilin to the Ministry of Justice for questioning, I will naturally produce the evidence.” Li Cheng said this.

“Bang!” Marquis Pingyang raised his hand and slammed the table, rising abruptly and saying, “Do you know that if you take Shilin to the Ministry of Justice, it’s equivalent to publicly making our Li family enemies with the Gong family!”

Li Cheng remained very calm, though his expression was grave. Facing the furious Marquis Pingyang before him, he only replied: “Are you saying that for the sake of the two families’ relationship, Father wants me to turn a blind eye?”

“You…”