Li Zhao, oh Li Zhao, trying to compete in ruthlessness with Ji Yinshu—you’re really too green!

But that boy refused to give in, glaring sideways, suppressing the fear in his eyes.

“Stop trying to scare people. I’m telling you, my manor doesn’t welcome someone like you. Leave now.” As he spoke, he moved to push Ji Yinshu.

Bang—

Before his hand could even touch the hem of Ji Yinshu’s clothes, something forcefully struck the back of Li Zhao’s head. His entire body lurched forward, and then…

He fell sprawling on the ground with all four limbs spread out. The fish basket in his hand, originally bulging full, was also sat upon by his rear end.

Flattened!

“Ow!”

Li Zhao’s face scrunched up as he rubbed his bottom.

Uncle Ge reached out to help him up.

But Li Zhao didn’t appreciate it, shoving him away and struggling to climb up himself.

Then, burning with fury, he shouted into the distant air,

“Which bastard dares throw stones at this young master? Are you tired of living? Come out here!”

Bang—

Another pebble flew over, hitting Li Zhao squarely on the forehead.

The force was too great. His feet became unsteady and he was knocked backward to the ground again.

Ji Yinshu stood to the side completely dumbfounded, looking entirely like she was watching a good show.

Hey hey hey, Li Zhao, are you sure you’re not directing and acting this yourself?

Sorry, I didn’t bring a camera, so your dream of being a film emperor will probably be shattered!

Li Zhao gasped for breath as he climbed up from the ground again. This time, his face flushed red with anger as he pointed furiously into the distance. “Who’s playing tricks out there? Believe it or not, this young master will dig up eighteen generations of your ancestors? And bury you in there?”

Suddenly—

“You brat, do you want to bury this old man too?”

That voice carried deep, heavy force. Bold as it was, it also mixed with fury.

However, only the voice was heard, not the person.

Extremely eerie!

Yet when Li Zhao heard this voice, his face turned pale with fright. His legs shook even more violently than before as his lips trembled. “Grandfather, Grand… Grandson doesn’t mean that! How would Grandson dare bury you? Please don’t be angry, old sir. Grandson spoke nonsense. Grandfather, you…”

“You beast, get lost! Just seeing you annoys me—you’re exactly like your good-for-nothing father!”

“Yes, Grandson will leave right away.”

Li Zhao frantically lifted his robe and turned to run, disappearing without a trace.

He didn’t even want the fishing rod on the ground or the flattened fish basket.

Ji Yinshu on the side was completely dumbfounded!

It turned out the person who had spoken was none other than Old General Li, whom Jingrong called “the old eccentric.”

Uncle Ge collected the items from the ground to one side and bowed to Ji Yinshu. “Master Ji, the young master truly made you witness something laughable just now.”

She shook her head. “It’s nothing!”

“Please follow this old servant this way, Master.”

He then led her onward.

Rounding a corridor, they arrived at a pavilion situated in the courtyard.

Only one lantern was lit in the pavilion, swaying in the wind, its light also trembling faintly.

Uncle Ge led her inside, then departed!

Without saying a word.

Inside the pavilion stood a folding screen. On the screen was cast a massive shadow, seemingly holding a cup of tea and drinking.

Separating Ji Yinshu!

After a long while, Old General Li’s voice came from behind the screen.

“Please be seated, Master.”

Ji Yinshu paused for a moment, remembering the words Jingrong had reminded her of, so she said nothing and sat down cross-legged.

From the other side of the screen came another sound. “The tea on the table has just been brewed. Master, please taste it.”

“Thank you, Old General Li.”

She held the tea, her slender five fingers gently fanning it. The tea fragrance wafted to her nose.

Warm, moist air also lingered at the tip of her nose, quite comfortable.

She took a sip.

Saying, “The tea is indeed good tea. Though somewhat bitter at first taste, once it enters the throat, sweet refreshment overflows, making one comfortable.”

“Master understands tea?”

“I don’t. I’ve just drunk enough to learn a few smooth-talking phrases. I hope Old General Li won’t laugh at me.”

“Master’s refined and open air is truly extraordinary. I’ve heard that Master is a wise person. This old man coming to the capital and being able to meet Master today—what fortune!”

Ji Yinshu set down her teacup, lowering her head humbly. “You flatter me too much. Rather, it’s Old General Li who has commanded wind and cloud, swept across battlefields, fought campaigns for Great Lin, wearing armor countless times. This junior is a younger generation. Being able to sit in this pavilion drinking tea with the General is this junior’s blessing.”

After these words!

Old General Li on the other side of the screen laughed several times.

“This old man is just a rough person. Master’s words are truly pleasant to the ear, but this old man very much enjoys hearing them.”

After speaking, he raised his tea. “Today, this old man uses tea in place of wine to toast Master.”

So Ji Yinshu picked up her teacup, raised it, and took another sip.

Then—

Only then did Old General Li emerge from behind the screen.

Wearing casual clothes in black and red, the robe body was wide, both sleeves pressed at his sides yet lifted slightly by the wind. Although over sixty or seventy years old, that proud, upright bearing was still set off with great imposing dignity.

Ji Yinshu immediately stood up, cupping her hands together and lowering her head.

Old General Li slowly sat down, letting her continue cupping her hands like this while he himself unhurriedly picked up the teapot on the table and poured another cup into a new teacup.

Naturally, Ji Yinshu wasn’t annoyed!

After all, Jingrong had already given her fair warning.

It was just that this old eccentric was truly too strange in his eccentricity. First, he beat Li Zhao remotely through the air, then toasted with her through a screen using tea instead of wine. Now, he watched her cup her hands without responding.

Indeed, Jingrong hadn’t exaggerated in the slightest!

After a long while—

Old General Li finally tapped the table.

“Master should still sit down.”

“Thank you, General.”

She lifted her robe and sat down.

But her bottom had only just settled when Old General Li said, “I heard that several years ago, His Majesty eliminated the position of Director of the Criminal Justice Bureau under the Ministry of Justice, saying that if local cases had grievances, they could submit memorials directly to the Court of Judicial Review for retrial. Therefore, the powers of the Court of Judicial Review were greatly expanded, to the point where even the Ministry of Justice must look at the Court’s face.”

As expected, when talking with him, one must have patience. By rights, they should be discussing the Linjing Case, but even at this point, it hadn’t been mentioned yet.

No wonder people who fought wars against Old General Li would stop fighting upon hearing his name.

Because they could never get to the point!

Fortunately, Ji Yinshu had plenty of patience. You want to circle around? Fine, let’s circle around!

She asked, “Why does the General suddenly bring up this matter?”

Old General Li squinted his eyes. His forehead, already full of wrinkles, furrowed even more deeply.

He looked at Ji Yinshu seriously.

Asking, “What does Master think—if His Majesty were to reinstate the position of Director of the Criminal Justice Bureau, who could be competent for it?”

Hm?

Ji Yinshu thought carefully.

“It seems the General has his own ideas.”

Old General Li smiled and took a sip of tea.

“Master is exceptionally intelligent. The cases you’ve handled, if not a hundred, must be at least ten. If Master were to take the position of Director of the Criminal Justice Bureau, this old man believes it would be most appropriate.”