If Li Cheng hadn’t arrived in time, Song Zhi would have already been branded with the crime of murder by now.

So he had indeed done a good deed!

Worth being commended.

But Li Wenshu didn’t think so. She considered more factors.

So she thought more deeply.

She said: “You’re not wrong to help people, but don’t help just because you see something happening. The official circles have their ways. As the saying goes, those not in a position shouldn’t meddle in its affairs—no one can overstep boundaries. Moreover, first, you’re not a person in the court, and second, you’re not a person from the Yiwu yamen. Getting involved in this matter is ultimately inappropriate. If you encounter any trouble afterward, not only you yourself, but Father will also be implicated by you.”

“How could it be that serious?”

Li Cheng was dismissive and drank a sip of tea.

But Li Wenshu grasped his hand and told him seriously and earnestly: “Acheng, why can’t you ever grow up? Father is Marquis Pingyang, holding a high official position. He’s the person the King of Huyi values most. Every step he takes cannot have the slightest error. Although he’s deeply respected by the ministers in court, it’s precisely because of this that countless eyes are watching our Li family. If you cause trouble outside and a death occurs, even if Father with his current position could protect you, at that time the voices of public opinion would be difficult to quell. For the sake of justice, Father, as Marquis Pingyang, would definitely steel his heart. At that time, even if you cry, you could only cry in the Hall of the King of Hell.”

Uh!

These words were truly too severe!

After hearing them, Li Cheng couldn’t swallow the tea in his mouth for a long time.

His eyes went blank!

Staring at his elder sister.

Li Wenshu continued: “You must control yourself and not cause any disasters. The lives of everyone in our Li family, high and low, are all suspended together.”

It took Li Cheng a while to finally swallow the tea. Frowning, he said: “Elder Sister, you’re just scaring me. Father is an important minister, and the King of Huyi also gives him face.”

“I’m not scaring you at all. If you commit an error and the King of Huyi openly helps exonerate you, where would the sovereign’s dignity be? Where would the court’s order be? Father has always been clear in rewards and punishments, upright and unyielding. If you make a mistake, he naturally won’t shield you.”

“But Father is the current Marquis Pingyang. During the internal chaos back then, if Father hadn’t performed great merit, could the current King of Huyi have ascended to the throne?”

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Wenshu scolded: “You dare speak such nonsense!”

“Elder Sister…”

“What you just said—saying it in front of me is one thing, but if you say it out loud and it reaches the King of Huyi’s ears, it would be enough to have our entire Li family executed.”

Uh!

Li Cheng: “…”

Li Wenshu was ultimately a woman who had studied and was extremely intelligent. She saw the situation’s larger picture much more clearly than Li Cheng, this idle young master.

Sometimes, she also resented why she wasn’t born male!

If she were male, she would definitely be even more formidable than her father.

Li Cheng’s face turned pale. After a long silence, he said: “I understand now. I definitely won’t cause any major disasters, and I won’t say such things again.”

“It’s best that you understand.”

“I understand, I understand.” He forced a smile.

But Li Wenshu’s words just now had still deeply struck him.

In the past, he had relied on being Marquis Pingyang’s son. When walking in Gaoding, he floated along, walked sideways. Now, he truly should restrain himself.

After all, the higher a person’s official position, the more tightly watched their actions became. One mistake, and everyone could pull them down.

At that time, when the wall falls, everyone pushes!

Thinking of this, his back turned cold.

At this moment, the maid went to tell the waiter to serve the dishes, and a table of fine food was brought up.

Though called fine food, it was actually all mostly vegetarian dishes.

Although Li Cheng was hungry, looking at the dishes before him, he had no appetite at all.

“Elder Sister, don’t you know what I like to eat? How did you order all these dishes?” He put down his chopsticks.

Li Wenshu said: “You eat meat and fish every day—it’s not good for your health. Today, eat some vegetarian food.”

“This…”

“Your elder sister ate vegetarian food for two years at Nanyin Academy and wasn’t like you.”

“That’s you, Elder Sister, not me.” Li Cheng said, “Elder Sister, you’re either reciting Buddhist scriptures or studying the books of sages all day. Your temperament has long been set. If I go one meal without eating meat, or if you lock me in a room for a day, I’ll be driven mad.”

So pitiful!

Li Wenshu had been a quiet and obedient child since childhood. And because she was the eldest daughter, she naturally understood things earlier and matured sooner. She never made Marquis Pingyang worry about her, so her temperament naturally became well-behaved.

She had a completely different temperament from Li Cheng!

One flamboyant and unruly, one quiet and steady.

Marquis Pingyang would sometimes sigh that Li Cheng and Li Wenshu both came from the same womb—how could the difference be so great? If only his son had half of his sister’s qualities, his position as Marquis would be much more secure.

In the end, Li Wenshu really couldn’t stand her brother’s complaining and had to order him several more meat dishes.

But that boy just couldn’t sit still. While eating, he gossiped about his elder sister’s affairs.

“Elder Sister, I heard that this time, knowing you’ve completed your studies, Father has already begun looking for a good marriage match for you. Did you know?”

A marriage match?

She didn’t know: “Who said so?”

“I heard from elder brother’s letter. It seems the other party is also a scholar, and moreover from a prominent family, well-matched with our Li family. But as for exactly who it is, I don’t know. I’ve asked elder brother many times, but he just won’t say. Probably… it hasn’t been settled yet.” He stuffed a piece of meat into his mouth.

Li Wenshu didn’t respond to him.

But her gaze darkened.

Li Cheng perceived her thoughts and inquired carefully: “Elder Sister, could it be you still can’t forget that Young Master Du?”

Young Master Du!

Du Mubai—a name deeply imprinted in Li Wenshu’s heart.

All these years, she had never mentioned him!

Today, when Li Cheng asked her this way, memories seemed to surge up violently.

She remembered she had once said that if she were to marry in this life, she would marry someone with profound learning and brilliant talent.

And that person called Du Mubai almost met all the criteria.

She collected her thoughts, her expression nonchalant, and said: “Why do you ask about past matters? If Father has truly already arranged a marriage match for me, I will naturally follow his wishes.”

“But Elder Sister…”

Before he could finish speaking—

“Why do you have so much to say today?”

Li Wenshu’s tone was rather heavy as she glared at him fiercely.

Li Cheng was startled and immediately shut his mouth!

He said nothing more.

He began eating with his head down.

But from time to time, he observed his elder sister’s expression. He knew that even though so many years had passed and his elder sister hadn’t mentioned that name again, Du Mubai was still a barrier in her heart.

In this life, she probably would find it difficult to cross over it.

Because Li Cheng had to take over Song Zhi’s case, their travel schedule would also be delayed.

They found an inn, planning to stay there first and wait until the case was concluded.

Coincidentally, they ended up staying at the same inn as Jingrong.