Front teeth to feed pigs?

This was probably something only someone with Li Cheng’s mental wiring could think of!

Gong Shilin slightly furrowed his brow. After hearing those words, he felt his front teeth trembling in the cold wind, as if they were about to freeze solid.

He swallowed and said seriously: “Li Cheng, I will do my best to help you, but you can’t demand that I give you everything in one step. I’m not a Hanlin Academy scholar. Some matters are not mine to decide. So if you want me to help you, you’ll have to wait.”

Speaking with such earnest persuasion!

Li Cheng: “Wait? Then give me an approximate time frame.”

“There is no time frame.”

“Are you deliberately toying with me?”

“I’ve already explained all the reasons I need to explain. If you continue to be so aggressive, there’s nothing I can do. At worst, you can find someone else to help! As for the resentment between us from past years, if you want to remember it, then remember it. After all, over the years, we’ve gotten by this way.” Gong Shilin had the appearance of a pig that wasn’t afraid of boiling water.

He truly had talked himself hoarse!

He’d explained a whole pile of reasoning to Li Cheng, but that person just wouldn’t listen to reason.

So saying anything more would be mostly useless words.

Might as well not help!

Seeing this fellow suddenly become tough, Li Cheng was truly worried he wouldn’t help him.

After all, at the Hanlin Academy, the only person he knew was Gong Shilin.

And others—he couldn’t threaten them!

So—

“Fine, fine. In any case, I won’t pressure you anymore, but you’d better keep this matter in mind and handle it as quickly as possible.”

Making a concession.

Only then did Gong Shilin calm down and say: “I’ll naturally keep it in mind. Just don’t keep grabbing onto me constantly from now on.”

“In any case, I’ve already said it—if you can help me accomplish this matter, all the past grudges and resentments between us will be written off. Neither of us will owe the other anything.”

“Keep your word.”

“I swear in the name of my manhood.” Li Cheng’s face was sincere.

Gong Shilin nodded, straightened out his sleeves that had been wrinkled by Li Cheng’s pulling, and said: “Fine.”

He prepared to return to the main hall.

But was blocked by Li Cheng again.

Hm?

“What now?” Gong Shilin was somewhat irritated.

He’d just come out to urinate!

Was it necessary to block him like this?

“I have another matter I want to ask you.”

“What?”

Li Cheng paused, then said seriously: “Do you know Du Mubai?”

This sudden question made Gong Shilin’s gaze involuntarily tremble, though it passed in a flash. He replied calmly: “Du Mubai! I know of him. The talented scholar from Nan Shen, who hanged himself in the study six years ago. You’re investigating his case right now, aren’t you? Why come ask me?”

“When I say ‘know,’ I don’t mean these things you’ve heard about. I’m asking whether you two had any private contact?”

“Why would you ask that?” Gong Shilin’s tone carried a trace of wariness.

Li Cheng: “Never mind why I’m suddenly asking this. Just tell me directly—did you two have any private contact or not?”

Gong Shilin: “Yes!”

“Truly yes?”

“What, is that strange?” Gong Shilin asked him back.

“My older brother said you knew each other, but I didn’t believe it.” Li Cheng was quite astonished and said incredulously: “But he never mentioned you, and you never mentioned him! What was your relationship?”

Gong Shilin’s expression remained calm as he said plainly: “Because there was really nothing worth mentioning. I met him at a poetry gathering. At the time, seeing he had talent, I chatted with him a bit more, that’s all! We were acquainted, but there wasn’t much interaction. If there was any real connection, it would be the matter of me recommending him.”

Li Cheng was puzzled: “What recommendation?”

“What? Didn’t Marquis Pingyang tell you that back then, I was the one who recommended Du Mubai to him?”

Not at all!

All along, Li Cheng had thought Du Mubai had gained his father’s appreciation through his own learning, which allowed him to enter the residence as a disciple. He never imagined it was actually his longtime mortal enemy who had recommended him.

He was instantly thunderstruck!

Seeing his astonished expression, Gong Shilin explained in detail: “Six years ago, I accidentally encountered Du Mubai at a poetry gathering. At that time, he composed a poem. Because I thought the poem was quite good, I invited him for a few cups of tea. We chatted for a bit, and I learned then that he came from humble circumstances and had no connections. As it happened, a few days later, my father brought me to your residence to visit. At that time, I brought up Du Mubai to Marquis Pingyang and recited the poem Du Mubai had written for your father to hear. Marquis Pingyang praised it greatly, and only then did he agree to let Du Mubai enter your residence as a disciple.”

“Six years ago? How did I not know about this?”

“Those few days, you happened to not be in Gao Ding! And I assumed Marquis Pingyang had told you about this matter, so I never mentioned it to you.”

I see.

Li Cheng asked again: “What about after that? Did you two have any further contact?”

“No.”

“Then on the day Du Mubai died, did you see him?”

“No! He and I weren’t that close. After recommending him, he treated me to a cup of tea, that’s all. Afterward, there was no more contact.” Gong Shilin spoke very sincerely, then asked: “But why are you asking me this question? What, do you suspect that the person who met with him that day was me?”

Li Cheng furrowed his brow deeply. “I’m just asking. If there’s nothing, then forget it.”

He had not the slightest intention of suspecting him.

He was just pondering in his heart—who exactly had Du Mubai gone to see that day?

Seeing him spacing out, Gong Shilin asked again: “What are you thinking about?”

He came back to himself: “Nothing, just random thoughts. Alright, I know what I wanted to know now.”

“Then let’s hurry back to the banquet. Don’t make them wait too long.”

Gong Shilin left first.

He’d just come out to take a piss, but unexpectedly got blocked by Li Cheng at the privy door, dragged into a whole pile of conversation.

Li Cheng stood in place for a short while before hurrying to follow.

At this time in the main hall.

That Tuo dismissed the dancing girls who had just finished performing, then said to Ji Yinshu and Jingrong: “Recently, the residence acquired several martial artists whose martial arts skills are excellent. Not only that, they can also perform sword dances. Why not have them perform a sword dance for entertainment? What do you think?”

Ji Yinshu: “We defer entirely to Your Highness’s arrangements.”

“Good!” That Tuo was pleased and called out loudly toward the entrance: “Someone come! Go summon those martial artists here. Have them perform a sword dance. This prince is in an excellent mood. If they dance well, there will be generous rewards.”

“Yes!” A voice responded from outside.

Shortly after, four strong men arrived together.

These four men were tall and burly, their bulging muscles seemingly about to burst through their clothes!

Each was dark-skinned, their gazes carrying a fierce air.

“Greetings to Your Highness.”

That Tuo’s lips held a smile: “You four, this prince has distinguished guests arriving today. You shall perform a sword dance to add to the festivities. Display all your skills. If any of you don’t put in effort, don’t blame this prince for being impolite. But if you please this prince’s guests, there will be generous rewards. Do you understand?”

“Understood!” They responded in unison.