Help?
Or not help?
This was a philosophical question.
Gong Shilin hesitated.
She was the youngest scholar in the Hanlin Academy and was responsible for recording ancient books and records, so she had a special order in her hand. She didn't need to ask for anyone's permission to issue an edict. However, she had always adhered to her own principles and was never careless in her work. She always followed the rules of the department.
Now, Li Cheng clearly wanted to go through the back door and ask him to issue a written order to handle his personal affairs.
To him, this was nothing more than a choice between principles and kindness.
If it was before, he would not hesitate at all and would definitely reject this unreasonable request.
But —
This was the first time Li Cheng "begged" him.
It was also the first time in their lives that they discussed a matter so "peacefully" without fighting.
Seeing him hesitate for so long, Li Cheng nudged his arm.
He said anxiously, "Hey, isn't it just one or two words? Help, one word! Don't help, two words! Do you have to hesitate for so long? "
"…"
"Just give me a straightforward answer."
"…"
"Are you mute?"
"…" Gong Shilin could not breathe. After holding it in for a long time, he squeezed out a sentence, "You're making things difficult for me."
He used the word "difficult".
Which meant that there was room for negotiation!
Li Cheng's eyes lit up and his lips curled into a smile. He sat closer to him and asked tentatively, "You mean … you're willing to help me?"
"I didn't say that. It's just … I have to think about it."
"Okay, I'll give you time to think about it." Li Cheng did not continue to press him. He raised his hand and patted his thigh, "Gong Shilin, if you do me a big favor this time, I won't make things difficult for you in the future. I won't pursue what happened when we were young."
Pfft!
Gong Shilin glared at him, "Then I have to thank you?"
"That depends on the result of your consideration."
"…"
Li Cheng said again, "But you have to promise me that you can't tell anyone about me asking for a written order. Your father won't tell either. Otherwise, everyone will know."
"If I tell anyone about such a big matter, wouldn't I be causing trouble for myself?" After saying that, Gong Shilin hurriedly added, "But I don't have the intention to agree to it. I still need to consider it."
"Think about it, think about it. Think about it carefully!" Li Cheng smiled.
Gong Shilin remained silent.
Because he was too close to Li Cheng, he had to move to the side.
Then, he sat up straight.
In the past, he felt that being a scholar in the Hanlin Academy was pretty good. He could write and read books every day, living a carefree life. But now, he wished he could quit this job as soon as possible so that he wouldn't be caught by Li Cheng.
Looks like in this lifetime, he's destined to fall into that kid's hands!
The carriage continued forward and soon arrived at the Minister Residence.
Gong Shilin got off the carriage and walked into the mansion without looking back.
Li Cheng leaned against the window and shouted at his back, "Shi Lin, promise me, think about it carefully. Whether we can coexist peacefully in the future depends on you!"
The last syllable was dragged out …
Gong Shilin quickened his pace and entered the mansion.
The two servants at the door were dumbfounded.
The two of them looked at each other.
"What's going on today?"
"Yeah, what's going on? Heir Cheng … is sending young master back? Is the sun going to rise from the west? "
"Haha …"
Strange!
…
The people of the city department took Ji Yunshu's portrait and found a painter at the city gate to make many copies.
The news spread throughout the city.
It was close to evening, but Song Zhi was still strolling around the bookstore.
In less than two months, the imperial examination would be held. Whether he could become the top scorer or not was crucial!
So these days, if he wasn't reading in his room, he would brace the cold wind and run to the bookstore to read.
It wasn't because it was stylish, but because he was poor!
After all, there were too many books he wanted to read and liked. If he bought every one of them, he wouldn't be able to buy them all!
Moreover, he had to be frugal with the money Class Leader Tao gave him. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to survive two months.
So, he could only go to the bookstore to read.
It was free!
He sat there for the whole day.
The sky was getting dark.
He closed the book in his hand and put it back on the shelf, preparing to leave.
Suddenly, he heard whispers behind him.
"Did you hear? Something happened in the lodging yesterday, "a deep male voice said.
Someone replied, "It can't be that kind of thing again, right?"
"That's right!"
"Then who saw it this time?"
"I think it was a scholar from Funan. He just arrived in Gaoding yesterday and saw it on the first day he stayed in the lodging. He fell sick early this morning and was lying on the bed trembling. He kept saying that he saw a ghost. The doctor also went to see him and said that he was fine, just frightened."
"Is there really a ghost in the lodging?"
"How would I know? I didn't see it, but many people living in the lodging saw it. "
"Say, if it was so scary, why didn't they move away?" "Are you stupid? Everyone knows that the lodging is for scholars who came to Gaoding for the imperial examination. They stay there for free and even provide three meals a day. Who would be willing to leave such a good deal? Besides, although those people were frightened, nothing happened to them. So, they can just stay in their rooms obediently at night.
Got it. "
The man nodded and asked, "So, no one is going to take care of this matter?"
"Previously, the officials came to investigate, but there was nothing! And no one died, so naturally, the matter was left unsettled! "
"Strange, how strange."
…
Their conversation, Song Zhi opened his ears and listened to it.
It was the haunting of the lodging again!
He had heard about it at the teahouse previously.
He didn't expect that someone would see it again after just a few days.
He couldn't help but feel a chill down his spine.
He stood there for a while before he recovered.
He took a deep breath. Just as he walked around the large bookshelf in front of him, a figure bumped into him.
That person's body was small and frail, so this collision caused him to fall backwards.
He fell to the ground!
"Ah!"
Song Zhi hurriedly pulled him up and apologized, "My apologies, my apologies. Are you alright, young master?"
"I'm fine." The man stood up and patted his clothes. "I was the one who bumped into you. I should be the one apologizing."
This person had a candid personality and ordinary looks.
But he looked like an honest person!
Song Zhi laughed, "You're really interesting!"
Interesting?
Where did this come from?
Song Zhi's ability to chat awkwardly was probably unparalleled.
Even that man didn't know how to respond to his words.
The little man was stunned for a moment.
Then —
He smiled politely.
As a reply.
The atmosphere was a little awkward.
That person asked, "Oh right, are you here to participate in the imperial examination?"
Song Zhi nodded, "Yes!"
"Me too. What a coincidence."
"Oh."
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