Jingrong smelled the tea’s fragrance and smiled lightly.

Regarding Li Cheng’s gratitude, he only said: “Young Master Cheng, we’re each getting what we need. You don’t need to thank us.”

“How can that be? No matter what, I still need to express my thanks.”

He was quite sincere!

Ji Yunshu picked up her teacup and took a sip.

Then quickly set it down!

Seeing this, Li Cheng asked: “What’s wrong? Young Master Ji, you don’t like it?”

“No.”

“Then?”

“I’m just not used to drinking it.”

Li Cheng immediately said: “This is Gaoding’s best teahouse. Their tea has a sweet aftertaste, and many young masters like to come here. Often they sit for several hours at a time.”

“Oh? Is that so?”

“Of course! Take me for example—I love the tea here.”

Ji Yunshu: “…”

“It seems our tastes are quite different from yours, Young Master Cheng!” Jingrong spoke up.

Li Cheng frowned, wondering if he had brought them to the wrong place. Feeling somewhat embarrassed, he said, “Then how about… we change locations? I know another teahouse where the tea is quite good.”

Such enthusiasm made Jingrong and Ji Yunshu feel somewhat unaccustomed!

Ji Yunshu politely said: “No need to trouble yourself. We’re fine here.”

“But…”

“It’s snowing outside. Let’s just sit here.”

After thinking it over, Li Cheng nodded and ordered the teahouse attendant to bring another pot of good tea.

He also had them bring over two warming braziers to place nearby.

Outside, heavy snow fell, larger and more urgently than the previous days!

Nearly obscuring people’s vision!

Sitting here looking out, it was quite a beautiful scene.

Li Cheng drank several cups of tea in succession, then suddenly remembered something. He slapped his forehead and said: “Right, I almost forgot the important matter!”

Mm?

“After yesterday’s investigation, it shows the killer isn’t five chi seven cun tall, but rather five chi three like Du Mubai. That means Fang Tong, Jiang Wen, and even Bingzheng who’s locked in prison are all suspects! Their heights are all not far from Du Mubai’s, especially Fang Tong—the two are the same height.”

As soon as he said this, Ji Yunshu roughly understood his meaning: “So you sent people to find them?”

Li Cheng nodded: “The Ministry of Justice has already passed judgment. Bingzheng was sentenced to five years in prison and banned from taking the examinations for life! Fang Tong and Jiang Wen were also permanently banned from taking the examinations. After receiving their beatings from the Ministry of Justice, they rested for a few days and were planning to leave Gaoding yesterday! Fortunately, I sent people overnight to bring them back. They’re now locked in the City Department’s prison. If Du Mubai’s death truly has nothing to do with them, I’ll definitely release them. But for now, they’re suspects! They can’t leave yet!”

His approach earned Ji Yunshu’s approval.

She nodded: “Mm, you did the right thing!”

This was the first time she had praised Li Cheng.

Li Cheng immediately beamed with delight.

Jingrong’s eyes across from him flashed with coldness.

Not from jealousy!

But because he really didn’t like the infatuated, worshipful, and admiring look that young man Li Cheng showed when looking at his woman.

Li Cheng continued: “Also, I sent people to investigate that wooden raft and thick rope. There aren’t many shops selling rope in Gaoding City, so I believe we’ll have leads soon.”

Decisive and firm.

But it remained to be seen how efficiently the City Department officials worked.

Moreover—

Ji Yunshu had other concerns: “After all, this happened six years ago. Even if we can find which shop sold that kind of rope, the shopkeeper may not remember who bought it!”

Merchants came and went.

No one could guarantee they’d remember things from six years ago.

Jingrong narrowed his eyes and calmly stated: “But perhaps… that shopkeeper is someone with a good memory.”

“Exactly, exactly!” Li Cheng hurried to agree.

His voice rising quite high!

Showing his agreement.

Suddenly, another voice cut through.

“Why are you being so strange? I’ll just have one sip, it won’t kill me.”

Lang Bo’s voice came from the adjacent table.

Between the two tables was an aisle, so there was some distance.

Looking over at the sound, they saw Lang Bo’s behind lifted from his chair, half his body leaning over the table, reaching out to try to snatch the jar of wine in Bai Yin’s hands across from him.

“Give it to me.”

“You’re injured, you can’t drink.”

“I’m not a woman, and I’m not some delicate male flower like you. How can being injured mean I can’t drink wine? I’ve already endured for two days. If I keep enduring, I’ll go mad. You don’t want to watch me die, do you?”

Bai Yin’s attitude was firm. He hid the wine behind him, staring at Lang Bo who was like a hungry wolf before him, saying: “I think you’re the woman, not listening to advice.”

“You…”

“Just drink your tea.”

“I told you I’m fine.”

“In any case, you can’t drink now. If something happens, we’ll have to take care of you. It’s not worth it!”

Pfft!

So this fellow was afraid that if Lang Bo drank and hurt himself, they’d have to care for him!

Lang Bo was both agitated and helpless.

Finally, he could only sit back in his original seat.

He picked up the tea in front of him and drained it in one gulp.

Feeling stifled inside!

To prevent him from trying to snatch that jar of wine again, Bai Yin simply tossed the wine in his hand toward Jingrong.

Jingrong reached out and caught it steadily.

Then he pulled out the wine stopper and poured a cup.

And drank it.

“The tea in this teahouse isn’t much good, but the wine is quite nice.” Jingrong said this deliberately for Lang Bo to hear, the corner of his mouth smiling.

Hearing this, Lang Bo immediately turned around and glared fiercely at Bai Yin across from him.

Then muttered under his breath: “Meddling busybody!”

Bai Yin was unfazed.

While this little scene played out here, Li Cheng quietly asked Jingrong, “Who is that person? I haven’t seen him before.”

Jingrong’s expression cool, he stated simply: “A friend.”

“Then he must be quite capable too!”

“Mm.”

“What’s his name?”

“You can go ask him yourself.”

“Ask him myself?” Li Cheng stealthily glanced at Lang Bo. That fellow was tall and large, with a sword at his side. Plus, having just failed to get his wine, he was feeling quite blocked up inside. If he went over to be friendly, he definitely wouldn’t get a pleasant response. Thinking it over, he shook his head and gave up. “Never mind then.”

After all, his own martial arts foundation was weak. If a fight broke out and he had no guards nearby, he might well end up beaten black and blue.

At this moment—

An attendant cheerfully led several people upstairs.

Saying as he went: “Young ladies, go slowly! Don’t fall now.”

His attitude was excellent!

Then they saw several young ladies in fine clothing slowly walking up from below.

At a glance, they were clearly daughters of wealthy families.

Each dressed quite nobly.

Just looking at the handkerchiefs the young ladies held, they weren’t something ordinary families could afford.

However, when Li Cheng saw one particular young lady, he immediately turned his head away and opened the folding fan he carried with him.

Covering his face.

Hm?

Who had he seen?

Ji Yunshu and Jingrong exchanged glances, both puzzled.

They turned to look at the several women coming upstairs. Then they saw…