Chapter 229: Finding Trouble

He Lingchuan spent nearly three taels of silver on one meal, tipping the change to the waiter. It was very expensive, and he couldn't put it on a tab! He really needed to find a way to make more money.

Xiangyun Garden was Dunyu City's largest entertainment venue, where famous performers from Xiazhou took turns appearing. Guests could also listen to storytelling, play chess, paint, play pitch-pot, conduct business discussions, or even request a private room – an exclusive VIP box located at the back, quiet and less crowded – if they wanted a moment of peace when feeling troubled.

As soon as He Lingchuan entered Xiangyun Garden, he requested a private room upstairs, but the tea server looked troubled."Young master, the upstairs rooms are all full. Would you like a good seat downstairs instead?""No," He Lingchuan replied, having encountered such situations many times. He lifted his chin slightly. "Do those people deserve to sit up there?"Maotao, ever the sycophant, chimed in, "This is the eldest son of Governor He, the esteemed Mr. He. His presence honors your establishment!"The tea server was startled. Was this the important figure who arrived in the city yesterday?"But, but..."Before he could finish, someone approached and said, "Young Master He, my master is willing to give up his private room upstairs. Please come this way!"He Lingchuan scoffed and ignored the tea server. "Lead the way."

The attendant led He Lingchuan to the second floor, to a private room directly above and to the side of the stage—the best viewing spot. The room was empty, of course. He Lingchuan settled in casually and waved the attendant away without asking who his master was. The tea server followed, quickly setting out tea, snacks, and a fruit platter. The medicine ape, Lingguang, hopped onto the table and slowly began peeling an orange. It had been with He Lingchuan for about ten days and had visibly gained weight. The rock wolf, always the most eye-catching companion, had just eaten its fill and now, with nothing else to do, lay down under the table and began to sleep.

He Lingchuan stayed there for two hours, first listening to a few plays and appreciating several performers. As the sun began to set, two layers of black cloth were hung over the windows on all sides, and the charcoal braziers were moved behind the curtains in the corner, plunging the hall into darkness. Although it wasn't pitch black, objects beyond a certain distance became invisible.

A slight rustling sound came from the stage, starting faintly and then growing into a continuous chorus of summer night insects. The rock wolf, which had been sound asleep, twitched its ears. When the insect chorus was at its liveliest, frogs joined in. People in the hall closed their eyes, truly feeling as if they were beside a summer night pond, listening to this vibrant symphony.

Next came the flapping of wings, a few hoarse cries, and the gurgling of water—herons had arrived. As soon as they appeared, the insects and frogs fell silent. Then, human voices emerged from the pond's edge: men and women, first whispering intimately, then engaging in crude, playful banter, giggling together. The sounds that followed were unsuitable for children and would lead to immediate censorship if written down.

After a while, all sound from the stage ceased. He Lingchuan's hearing had greatly improved, and he now heard soft footsteps leaving the stage. Soon, the black cloths around the room were removed, and the setting sun once again cast its remaining light throughout the hall. The stage, of course, was empty.

What had just been performed was ventriloquism. From the sound of the footsteps, He Lingchuan knew that only one person had staged this entire "symphony." That person's vocal skills were truly impressive. Young Master He naturally led the applause, grandly tossing out a silver ingot. "Excellent! A reward!"

As the applause thundered, the attendant from earlier returned and quietly delivered a message: "Young Master He, my master requests your presence!"He Lingchuan acted as if he hadn't heard, and Maotao, arms crossed, snorted, "Which one?"The attendant cursed inwardly. His master had given up his private room and paid for it, yet this man didn't even bother to ask who he was – truly thick-skinned. But outwardly, he remained respectful: "My master's surname is Li, his given name is Shuang, and he is ranked tenth in his clan."He Lingchuan scoffed. The real host had only just revealed himself; he certainly had patience. "Lead the way."

The attendant led He Lingchuan through two doors to a private room in the back hall. After turning through several connecting corridors, the sounds of opera and the clamor from the front hall faded completely. The attendant pushed open a door. "Please enter!"The noble young man inside stood up and bowed to He Lingchuan. "Greetings, Young Master He. I am Li Shuang!""Oh, hello," He Lingchuan said with a hint of surprise. "So it's Young Master Li." He responded vaguely, but he knew this was Li Rong's sixth son, ranked tenth among his generation in the clan. The Zhandian incident yesterday meant Li Shuang hadn't appeared at all, likely because he wasn't in Dunyu at the time.

He was probably in his early twenties, with a fair complexion, long eyes, regular features, and a pleasant, sunny smile. He Lingchuan remembered that this was the descendant Li Zhao, the old man, had most favored during his lifetime, even intending for him to inherit his legacy.He Lingchuan took a seat amidst Li Shuang's eager welcome. A maid immediately came forward to pour tea, and a four-color fruit platter was already on the table."What do you need me for, Young Master Li?""To be honest, I'm here specifically about the Li family incident," Li Shuang said, his expression serious and to the point. "This was a grave mistake made by the Li family; my father and eldest uncle were too impulsive. At that time, I was at Sanxiangyuan and couldn't dissuade them. Having rushed back to Dunyu today, I immediately came to Young Master He for help.""Help?" He Lingchuan asked, surprised. "Has the Li family already decided who will attend the funeral and who will go to prison?"Li Shuang glanced at the guards behind He Lingchuan and hesitated. He Lingchuan gestured with his head, and Maotao led his men out, closing the door behind them. However, the medicine ape and the rock wolf remained. The rock wolf lay stretched out by the tea table, its large head facing Li Shuang.Li Shuang subtly shifted back a little before speaking. "Yes, the clan has held several meetings and demanded that my eldest uncle handle Grandfather's funeral arrangements."

That meant Li Rong, Li Shuang's father, was to turn himself in. Of course, he wouldn't do it voluntarily. In the past two days, Li Zhi and Li Rong had undoubtedly done everything in their power to rally clan members and push each other into the fire. This game was like being chased by a bear: you don't need to outrun the bear, just your sibling. It seemed Li Zhi had temporarily gained the upper hand.

He Lingchuan raised an eyebrow. "Who was it, initially, who personally proposed using private soldiers?"Li Shuang remained silent, offering only a bitter smile. Observing his demeanor, He Lingchuan guessed that it was Li Rong who had most likely called for the private soldiers and attacked the Zhandian family. In that case, the Li family hadn't been wrong to push him to surrender; Li Zhi must have leveraged this point to win over clan members and get Li Rong into trouble.He Lingchuan took a sip of tea and personally peeled a walnut to feed to the medicine ape. "With irrefutable human and material evidence, even if we wanted to clear him, it wouldn't be justifiable legally," He Lingchuan said with a forced smile. "Young Master Li, are you trying to put my father and me in a difficult position?""But it was my eldest uncle's men who killed the pregnant woman; my father actually restrained the others, telling them to be gentler," Li Shuang countered, shaking his head. "It's clearly unfair for all the blame to fall solely on my father. Since Governor He intends to uphold justice, then the rights and wrongs should be thoroughly examined.""Indeed, the rights and wrongs, the intricacies, should be carefully weighed," He Lingchuan leaned back. "Tell me, what are your thoughts?""My father is also grieving his father's death, and I hope Governor He can grant him an extension so he can mourn Grandfather for a few days," Li Shuang said softly. "My eldest uncle hasn't been declared innocent either; he's just out on bail and will be tried with my father in two months, correct?"He Lingchuan rubbed his chin. "That should be the case." He wasn't entirely clear on the legal procedures himself, but he understood his father's general intent.

Li Shuang took a piece of paper from his sleeve and spread it on the table. He Lingchuan, with a sidelong glance, noted it wasn't a bank draft."These are shares in six of the Li family's Xiangpu Jì shops, with dividends paid every six months. They are now at Governor He's disposal, for public or private use."He Lingchuan eyed him askance. "What does this mean?" He had indeed seen the Xiangpu Jì sign on the main street that morning while shopping; its facade looked impressive, seemingly specializing in ready-to-wear clothing and cosmetics. So, bribery in Dunyu wasn't done with money, but with shares? How fashionable."It's just a small token of respect. If my father can remain at home for ten more days, I am willing to offer three Stamen Grass plants as a gift," Li Shuang whispered. "Does Young Master He know what Stamen Grass is?"He Lingchuan replied indifferently, "Tell me, enlighten me.""I wouldn't dare," Li Shuang chuckled. "Stamen Grass is one of the main ingredients for refining Longevity Pills, and it's incredibly difficult to find on the market.""Longevity Pills?" He Lingchuan was startled. "Eating them extends life?""Yes.""You wouldn't happen to have the recipe, would you?""Young Master, you jest. How could my family possess such a treasure?" Li Shuang shook his head. "It's said the recipe is a gift from the gods, and only royal families might know a thing or two. But the recipe often changes; only this main ingredient remains constant, which is why Stamen Grass's price has remained astronomically high for years, with demand far outstripping supply.""How did the Li family acquire such a treasure?"Li Shuang smiled bitterly. "Only Grandfather knew that." Li Zhao was dead, meaning the origin of the herb had been taken with him to his grave, out of reach for He Lingchuan and his father.

As a servant passed outside, the rock wolf raised its head alertly. He Lingchuan reached out and stroked the wolf's head. "Young Master Li, if you wish to save your father, you should start with Dunyu's current urgent needs. Ancheng has contributed greatly to border defense; only then can merits offset wrongdoings."What did that mean? Li Shuang's expression shifted slightly."Governor He had expected you to come to me for something else," He Lingchuan said with a disappointed look. "After all, once both Li Zhi and Li Rong are imprisoned, the vast Li family will seemingly be left without a head."These words struck Li Shuang directly, and his eye twitched. With his grandfather's sudden passing, the helmsmen had become the brothers Li Zhi and Li Rong. If both brothers were also imprisoned, who would then lead the immense Li family? He had been pondering this very question for the past two days.He Lingchuan added, "I heard that when Old Master Li was alive, he admired you the most and intended to groom you to take over?"Li Shuang exhaled softly. "I understand Governor He's meaning."He Lingchuan stood up, and the medicine ape immediately hopped onto his shoulder. Seeing him turn to leave, disregarding the share contract on the table, Li Shuang couldn't help but say, "Young Master He, this share contract...""Keep it for your own dividends," He Lingchuan said with a solemn expression. "Governor He does not accept private bribes!"