“Magistrate Li has been dismissed and is under investigation. Young Master Li isn’t in Huai County. When the authorities conduct their searches, if they want to make some inquiries, wouldn’t they have to chase him all the way here?”

Someone laughed, his tone full of mockery and ridicule.

“Young Master Li has always been known as a child prodigy and conducts himself differently from others. He usually doesn’t participate in poetry and literary gatherings, fearing to become vulgar. Even when fallen on hard times, he’s still a notable figure. Could he actually be afraid of the authorities?”

The person who spoke next was tall and handsome, but there was a deliberate touch of frivolity in his expression, his words barbed and thorny.

This man was called Si Lanfeng, son of the Qiongrong Commandery’s prefect. He also had a great literary reputation in neighboring prefectures, not inferior to Li Zhaoting. However, Li Zhaoting remained reclusive, and popular rumors claimed he was superior by a degree. Si Lanfeng’s thoughts could easily be imagined.

Almost all the others voiced agreement.

Her family’s affair had ultimately implicated Li Zhaoting. Suzhen felt both pain and anger in her heart. Li Zhaoting stood at the courtyard gate with Little Four, slightly lowering his eyes—when he entered, the corners of his mouth had been slightly upturned, as if recalling some pleasant matter.

He had been quiet and reserved since childhood. At three or four, he had memorized the Four Books and Five Classics. At five or six, he could compose poetry spontaneously. In music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, he excelled at everything. His reputation as a prodigy had long spread throughout several commanderies. However, his personality was overly gentle and plain. He never participated in any literary gatherings. Usually, fellow students would visit his home to pay respects, thus earning him a reputation for arrogance. Yet he rarely made household decisions, leaving choices to his parents, such as taking concubines or matchmaking… Her brother often said he was intelligent and beautiful indeed, but lacked backbone.

She knew he simply disliked these social formalities.

She knew his goodness, and that was enough.

When she was ten, she fell into a lotus pond while playing outside. Among the crowd of young men and women who either cried in fear, hesitated to act, or went to fetch help, only he ignored the bitter winter cold, went into the water, and forcibly rescued her. From then on, he suffered from bone inflammation that caused pain every severe winter.

Her brother said she had never seen a true man of steel and didn’t recognize the virtue of iron backbone, but to her, Li Zhaoting was already a star in the sky.

His temperament was too indifferent. Over all these years, she had made his life chaotic, hoping only that he would remember her well and gradually come to like her.

These people had long harbored envy, jealousy, and hatred toward him. How could they not take this opportunity to suppress him?

“Young Master Li is merely implicated by the Feng family. Once investigated clearly, the authorities will certainly restore the Li family’s innocence. Since we all know each other, how can we treat each other with contempt?”

At this time, Song Yang—the young man who first noticed Li Zhaoting’s arrival—and two companions couldn’t help but speak a few words in his defense. Si Lanfeng smiled and said: “Indeed, we know each other. When the authorities issue wanted notices, they’ll be issued together.”

Song Yang and the others were momentarily stunned, unable to respond.

She wanted nothing more than to rush out and give Si Lanfeng and the seven or eight scholars around him a thorough beating, but could only grit her teeth as she stood hidden by the corridor pillar.

Meeting without recognition—she and he would probably be strangers from now on.

Little Four, protective of his master, clenched his fist and was about to step forward when Li Zhaoting reached out to stop him. Raising his head, he said calmly: “I’m grateful for everyone’s concern. Zhaoting is ashamed. However, regarding the authorities, you brothers need not worry for Zhaoting. If constables come to arrest me, Zhaoting will simply explain the purpose of this journey to them, and I believe there should be no problem.”

Everyone was stunned. Song Yang, puzzled, immediately asked: “Brother Zhaoting’s visit to Qiongrong Commandery is for—”

“Just passing through. Chancellor Quan sent a letter asking me to come to the capital.”

Upon hearing this, everyone was greatly shocked. One scholar asked in a trembling voice: “Chancellor Quan summoned Young Master Li—might I ask for what purpose?”

Li Zhaoting’s eyelashes fluttered as he said: “Same as all of you—to go to the capital for examinations.”

As he spoke, he looked toward Song Yang and smiled: “Zhaoting rarely travels far. I’ve always heard Brother Song has traveled extensively north and south, knowing roads and routes well. Might I ask Brother Song to travel with me? It would save this younger brother from taking many wrong turns.”

Song Yang and his companions were both shocked and delighted, bowing deeply.

Si Lanfeng’s eyes swept over Li Zhaoting, a cold smile flashing and disappearing in his gaze. When passing by Little Four, Little Four quietly extended his foot to trip him. Si Lanfeng’s eyes flickered, and as his foot landed, he kicked hard, immediately tripping Little Four.