Gu She was Master One-Hammer’s disciple and had previously clashed with Lin Zhengyong’s school. Since even he was willing to recommend Lin Zhengyong, Old Tao and the others naturally had no reason to object.
Seeing that his illness had delayed their journey, Tao Mo immediately sat up and said breathlessly, “Let us return to Tanyang.”
Old Tao frowned. “Even if we are returning, we must wait until your fever subsides.”
Tao Mo forced himself to rally his spirits. “There is nothing seriously wrong with me.”
Gu She said, “Drink the medicine first.”
Tao Mo still wanted to say something, but everyone in the room wore expressions of disapproval, so he had no choice but to restrain himself.
Preparing the medicine took time.
Tao Mo lay back down.
He did not know how much time had passed.
He was drowsily shaken awake to find Old Tao sitting beside the bed, holding him partly upright. Hao Guozi gently blew on a spoonful of medicine several times before slowly bringing it to his lips.
As Tao Mo drank the medicine, his eyes searched all around the room. When he did not see Gu She, he could not help feeling disappointed.
Old Tao said, “Gu She has already returned ahead of us.”
“…Has he?” Tao Mo lowered his eyes and drank the medicine in small sips.
Once the bowl was empty, Old Tao helped him lie down again.
Tao Mo asked in confusion, “Did we not agree to leave after I finished the medicine?”
Old Tao said, “With Gu She going ahead to persuade them, what are you still worried about?”
Tao Mo asked in surprise, “You mean Gu She returned first to find a litigation master?”
“He did not say so, but that should be the case,” Old Tao replied. No matter how little he approved of Tao Mo and Gu She being together, he was unwilling to lie about such a small matter and hinder Gu She.
Tao Mo suddenly felt that the lingering bitterness in his mouth was not quite so strong, and the corners of his lips curved into a faint smile.
Old Tao said, “Rest properly. If your fever is gone tomorrow, we will return.”
Tao Mo closed his eyes and was about to sleep when he abruptly remembered something. Opening them again, he said, “What if the assassin attacks Gu She on the road? What will he do?”
Old Tao said, “Do not worry. I have already sent people to protect him along the way.”
Even if he had not sent anyone to protect him, Huang Guangde would probably not dare harm so much as a hair on Gu She’s head. Though Old Tao thought this, he did not say it aloud. Gu She was surrounded by mysteries. Why would the dignified son of the chancellor and a renowned talent beneath Heaven have ended up settling in a small place like Tanyang County?
If he were taking refuge from danger, the emperor was probably the only person beneath Heaven capable of posing such a threat to him. Yet if that were the case, the Chancellor Gu residence could not possibly have remained completely silent, nor would Grand Tutor Shi, who had always been at odds with Chancellor Gu, have pretended to see and hear nothing. Since Old Tao had heard no rumors of that nature, there must be another reason. As for what that reason might be… had Gu She not grown so close to Tao Mo, Old Tao would have had no interest in investigating. But now, it seemed he had no choice.
He had no wish to see Tao Mo trapped with a wolf before him and a tiger behind.
Tao Mo shifted slightly on the bed, the corners of his mouth rising as though he had thought of something pleasant. He turned over and sank into an even deeper sleep.
The doctor’s prescription proved effective.
By the following day, Tao Mo’s face and body were no longer as feverishly hot as they had been the day before.
Old Tao had originally wanted him to stay another two days for observation, but Tao Mo insisted on returning to Tanyang that very day. Unable to persuade him otherwise, Old Tao could only comply.
Since Gu Xiaojia had hired a carriage for both his return to Tanyang and his journey back to the neighboring county, Gu She had once again hired that same carriage for his departure. The Gu residence’s original carriage had been left behind.
Although Hao Guozi and Gu Xiaojia had previously found each other unpleasant, and Hao Guozi had also complained considerably about Gu She’s coldness, at this moment, he had no choice but to admit, “Gu She really is a good person. He knew Young Master was ill, so he deliberately left the carriage behind.”
Old Tao frowned slightly.
Tao Mo’s heart was already entirely inclined toward Gu She. Hao Guozi’s words were no different from adding fuel to the flames.
Unexpectedly, Adviser Jin agreed as well. “Judging from Gu She’s usual conduct, one truly would not expect him to possess such a warmhearted and attentive side.”
Tao Mo said nothing, but from his expression, Old Tao knew those words had struck directly at his heart and delighted him immensely.
Old Tao sent Hao Guozi to drive the carriage.
With Gu Xiaojia and Sang Xiaotu absent, he was the only person available to drive.
Old Tao and Adviser Jin entered the carriage compartment together.
Seeing Tao Mo prefer to sit on the hard wooden bench rather than on the cushioned seat Gu She usually occupied, Adviser Jin asked in surprise, “Master has only just recovered from a serious illness and cannot withstand hardship. Young Master Gu is not here, so there would be no harm in sitting upon his favored seat.”
Tao Mo shook his pale face. “I can endure it.”
Adviser Jin did not know what he was being so particular about, but since he had said so, he could only leave him alone.
The journey was long.
Adviser Jin and Old Tao chatted intermittently.
As Tao Mo listened, he gradually grew sleepy again.
Seeing him fall asleep, Adviser Jin and Old Tao stopped speaking and rested as well.
As Tanyang County drew nearer, Old Tao noticed that Tao Mo’s cheeks had begun reddening again. Alarmed, he rose and touched Tao Mo’s forehead, only to find it even hotter than the day before.
Adviser Jin also became anxious. “The strain of the journey must have been too much for him.”
Old Tao simply lifted Tao Mo in his arms and placed him in Gu She’s seat, then covered him with the fox fur Gu She usually used.
Tao Mo was sleeping in a daze and allowed Old Tao to arrange him as he pleased.
Adviser Jin lifted the curtain and looked outside. “We are not far now.”
Although they were supposedly not far away, they still traveled for nearly another hour.
The carriage entered Tanyang and headed directly for the county yamen.
By the time Old Tao had someone carry Tao Mo down from the carriage, Tao Mo was already somewhat delirious.
Old Tao did not dare delay. He ordered someone to summon a doctor while also having yesterday’s medicine prepared again.
Hao Guozi originally wanted to follow and help, but Adviser Jin sent him to return the carriage and instructed him to ask about Gu She’s progress while he was there. Although Hao Guozi was extremely unwilling, he knew Tao Mo had been constantly worrying about this matter and would certainly ask about it once he woke. He could only temporarily set aside his concern, drive the carriage, and head to the Gu residence.
When he arrived, neither Gu She nor Gu Xiaojia was there. They had reportedly gone to Master One-Hammer’s residence and had not yet returned, leaving only Sang Xiaotu to watch the house.
The moment Hao Guozi heard that Gu She had gone to Master One-Hammer’s residence rather than Lin Zhengyong’s, he felt the matter was doomed.
Sure enough, Sang Xiaotu sighed. “I heard Lin Zhengyong is unwilling to help.”
Hao Guozi frowned.
Thus, in the dignified Tanyang County, famed as the home of litigation masters, not a single person was willing to accept this case.
“It is not that no one dares accept it.” Master One-Hammer stroked his beard and said leisurely, “Rather, someone entrusted us not to accept it.”
A cool breeze passed through the pavilion from east to west.
Without betraying any emotion, Gu She asked, “Who entrusted you?”
Master One-Hammer answered ambiguously, “An old acquaintance.”
“Why?”
Master One-Hammer thought about it. It was hardly anything shameful, so he explained, “Back then, I lost a lawsuit, and he spared me. I owe him a favor.”
“You have lost a lawsuit?” Gu She was slightly surprised. He had thought neither Master One-Hammer nor Lin Zhengyong had ever suffered defeat in court.
Master One-Hammer smiled bitterly. “Do you think everyone is like you, with everything proceeding smoothly throughout their life?”
Gu She said nothing.
Master One-Hammer continued, “You encountered a refusal from Lin Zhengyong as well, did you not?”
Gu She remained silent.
A trace of satisfaction appeared at the corner of Master One-Hammer’s mouth. Although he knew Gu She’s temperament well, seeing Gu She abandon him without hesitation to approach his rival had still left him somewhat displeased. With a smile that was not quite a smile, he said, “I expected as much. Since that person approached me, he naturally possessed the means to silence Lin Zhengyong as well. Otherwise, asking me would have been pointless. Actually, have you considered that there is another litigation master who could take the case?”
Gu She said, “I do not appear in court.”
“If you do not wish to, why would I force you?” Master One-Hammer said. “Tanyang is known as the home of litigation masters and is filled with talented people. How could it truly be impossible to find even one?” Seeing Gu She’s faint impatience, he tactfully revealed the answer. “The person I mean is… Lu Zhenxue.”
Gu She looked at him doubtfully.
“Although Lu Zhenxue is Lin Zhengyong’s favored disciple, he has gradually distanced himself from Lin Zhengyong over the past several years and is preparing to establish a school of his own. He has a powerful background and is eager to make his name. This excellent opportunity could not be more suitable for him.” Master One-Hammer smiled broadly.
Gu She asked, “Are you not afraid your benefactor will suffer because of this?”
Master One-Hammer’s smile became meaningful. “Owing him a favor and accepting a favor from him are two different matters.”
“Thank you.” Gu She rose blandly and prepared to leave.
Master One-Hammer suddenly said, “I once thought you stood apart from all worldly concerns. I never imagined that you, too, would enter the mortal world for another person.”
Gu She asked, “And you?”
“Me?” Master One-Hammer smiled. “I have always lived amid this mundane world of red dust. I never left it.”
“So have I,” Gu She said.
“Oh?” Master One-Hammer looked unconvinced.
“It is merely that no one saw me before.” Gu She turned and walked away.
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