MLIAM Chapter 71

Chapter 71: Showing Off

Chapter 71: Showing Off. The sunlight spilled on the back of the horse, illuminating the incomparably handsome youth…

The old man trembled, several streaks of blood appearing on his neck the moment Yu Shuli’s wooden splinter pricked him.

He staggered backward, Chen Li kicking him in front of Yu Shuli. “Explain yourself properly.”

The old man tremblingly raised his head, meeting Yu Shuli’s seemingly smiling eyes.

His heart sank suddenly.

He hadn’t expected that Yu Shuli, the person, was completely different from the rumors. Not a simple brute at all, even very clever.

Now that things had come to this, the old man could only brazen it out, stubbornly denying that he had done it on purpose, insisting that Yu Shuli’s horse had kicked him.

Seeing this, Yu Shuli didn’t panic.

He had Cang Xu bring the horse over, and in front of everyone, bought a piece of white cloth from a fabric store on the side and laid it on the ground. He also borrowed ink from a calligraphy and painting shop nearby.

Faced with the puzzled gazes of the crowd, Yu Shuli led the horse, dipped its hooves in ink, and took the horse for a few laps.

The horse’s hooves left black ink marks, leaving clear imprints on the white cloth.

“Take your clothes off.” Yu Shuli looked down at the old man.

At this point, who couldn’t understand what Yu Shuli wanted to do?

He wanted to directly confront him with the horse hoof prints in front of the common people.

The old man’s thin, bony fingers tightly gripped his clothes, refusing to take them off even if it meant death.

His face was as pale as paper as he argued, “In short… it was your horse that kicked me!”

Yu Shuli sneered, “Then take them off, and we’ll examine them properly in public. If it was my horse that kicked you,” using the remaining ink, he drew up a written statement, holding it up for everyone to see, “Everyone, be witnesses. If it really was my horse that kicked him, I will cover all of this old man’s family’s living expenses for the rest of their lives, and provide them with a hundred acres of fertile land.”

A wave of gasps rippled through the crowd. No one had expected Yu Shuli to be so forthright.

Chen Li patted Yu Shuli’s shoulder and said seriously, “I believe you! I’ll help you pay for this, brother. Let’s examine him!”

“No need, Wei Yan has money.”

Chen Li hissed, “You really are a spendthrift.”

“Isn’t his money meant for me to spend?” Yu Shuli raised his eyebrows and looked at the old man. “What do you say?”

The old man lowered his head slightly, but still didn’t react.

At this time, the onlookers finally understood:

“This old man, isn’t he deliberately trying to scam us?”

“He’s just seeing that our State Protector Duke is kind-hearted, right? Wanting to freeload a sum of money?”

“Look at his age. If the scam succeeds, given the State Protector Duke’s personality, his descendants would really enjoy good fortune, never having to worry about food and clothing for the rest of their lives.”

“Could it be because someone sees that the State Protector Duke is currently the Emperor’s favorite, so they’re jealous and deliberately trying to frame him…”

“Who can say for sure? We commoners should talk less about the affairs of the court, just know it in our hearts…”

The onlookers were completely clear-headed. In reality, further struggling was useless. The old man stole a glance at Yu Shuli, not speaking.

The scene remained deadlocked, the sun standing directly overhead, until someone said they were going to report it to the authorities, calling for The Censorate. Only then, out of fear of public anger, did the old man reluctantly hunch his back, wanting to turn around and leave.

Someone reminded Yu Shuli, “State Protector Duke, he’s trying to run!”

The old man’s face showed sudden realization. “I… maybe it’s because I’m old… I remembered wrong.”

“I don’t think you’re that old.” Yu Shuli smiled, blocking his path. “You can still fake falls and scam people. Very scary.”

“I, as a person, won’t be merciful to evil people.” Yu Shuli waved to Cang Xu, who was anxiously watching from the side. “Come over and take his clothes off.”

Cang Xu was stunned for a moment, then responded and came over, forcefully taking action.

“You… what are you doing… I already said I saw wrong!” The old man trembled, trying to dodge, but how could he escape Cang Xu?

Cang Xu grabbed him and pressed him down forcefully, taking off the old man’s outer garment while grumbling to Yu Shuli, “State Protector Duke, why do you have to handle such small matters yourself? It’s a waste of time. What if you can’t make it this afternoon…”

Yu Shuli glanced at the sun. “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”

“You know what you’re doing, but I’m going to get scolded again when I go back.”

Yu Shuli chuckled, “When I get to The Imperial Palace, I’ll put in a good word for you with Wei Yan, okay? He won’t dare to punish you.”

Cang Xu sighed, “You better be.”

The old man’s outer garment was stripped off and placed next to the cloth that the horse’s hooves had just stepped on for comparison.

The crowd saw clearly with their own eyes that Yu Shuli’s horse’s hooves were different in size and shape from ordinary horse hooves, and even more different from the marks on the old man’s clothes.

Seeing the conclusive evidence, the old man unable to refute, Yu Shuli explained, “My horse is a warhorse from the army. The hoof trimming techniques of my army’s horse keepers are different from those outside, so the hooves they trim will appear more refined, and the horse will be more comfortable.”

With the incident settled, the people from The Censorate finally arrived.

The leading official was none other than Wu Peng. He had already heard the truth of the matter from the people, and with a sullen face, glanced at Yu Shuli, then at the disheartened old man on the ground. “The Capital City is not a place you can try to scam people.”

He ordered to the people behind him in a cold voice, “Take him away!” seeming very imposing.

Seeing that Yu Shuli was ignoring him, Wu Peng sized up his new Official Uniform, and then greeted him, “Junior General, long time no see.”

“What Junior General? This person is now the State Protector Duke!” Chen Li glanced at Wu Peng, who looked shifty-eyed and pretentious, and said unpleasantly, “Who are you? Are you blind or just deaf? Don’t you know to ask around about our State Protector Duke’s great name?”

Wu Peng had originally intended to continue to needle Yu Shuli, but unexpectedly, a thorny youth popped up on the side.

He looked annoyed. “Who are you?”

“Hey, what’s it to you who I am?” Chen Li took a step forward, about to say something, but Yu Shuli grabbed him and gave him a warning look.

“Wu Peng, I’m in a hurry, I don’t have time to waste words with you.” He pointed to the old man. “I’m handing the person over to you, but if you can’t get anything out of him, I’ll go ask your superior how they’re employing people.”

Wu Peng’s superior was none other than his cousin Wei Yan?

Using his cousin to suppress him, even if he couldn’t stand Yu Shuli, he could only lower himself at this time. As long as his cousin wasn’t dead, he wouldn’t dare to rebel.

Therefore, Wu Peng, always itching with hatred, could only grit his teeth and look at Yu Shuli. “State Protector Duke, rest assured.”

Watching Yu Shuli go to the side to get water to wipe the horse’s hooves, he couldn’t help but reveal a gloating smile. “I heard that the State Protector Duke is also responsible for the martial arts test this afternoon? It’s still a long way from here to the martial arts field, you better not be late. If you’re late and delay the spring imperial examination, the Emperor will blame you… even if my cousin protects you, you won’t escape punishment…”

“Don’t worry.” Yu Shuli’s expression was calm. He finished wiping the horse’s hooves and smoothed its mane. “Besides you, no one thinks I’ll be late.”

He turned his head. “So… the joke you want to see, you obviously won’t see.”

Yu Shuli pulled the reins and nimbly mounted the horse. “Of course, I understand the feelings of a rat in a sewer peeking at the sunlight, but…” he showed a disdainful sneer, “I really don’t think much of you at all.”

“You!” Wu Peng’s face turned ashen.

“I really don’t know how Wei Yan could have a cousin like you.” Yu Shuli shook his head in frustration. “Ugh, I forgot he had such a relative. If I had known, I wouldn’t have agreed to their marriage. It’s disgusting.”

Wu Peng, criticized by him, was naturally burning with anger. Just as he was about to retort, Yu Shuli had already raised his whip and galloped away, leaving only a sentence: “If you don’t handle the case well, I’ll have Wei Yan remove you from your position.”

“You dare to bend the law for your own benefit! I’m going to sue you to the Emperor!” Wu Peng chased after him a couple of steps in a fit of anger, only managing to get a face full of dust.

Unable to vent his anger, he was forced to swallow it back into his stomach. His eyes were dark, and he gnashed his teeth. “Yu Shuli…”

After The Censorate arrived, the scene was quickly cleared. Seeing that there was no excitement to watch, the people could only leave one by one.

Yu Shuli just left with his horse like that, the carts scattered all over the ground, Cang Xu dutifully cleaning up the aftermath for Yu Shuli.

Wu Peng watched Cang Xu finish his work, and seeing that he was immediately going to borrow a horse from The Censorate to chase after Yu Shuli, he transferred all his anger onto Cang Xu. “Cang Xu, in the end, you’re just a guard. Don’t think that just because the Prime Minister sent you to his side, you’ll have a chance to get close to him. You petty officials just like to have all sorts of fanciful ideas. I advise you to save your energy. My cousin is not someone to be trifled with.”

“This subordinate is only doing his duty.” Cang Xu’s expression was cold. “It is Commander Wu who is being narrow-minded.”

Chen Li stared at the two of them with amusement. “Tsk, tsk…”

He sized Wu Peng up and down, intuitively feeling that the other person’s tone couldn’t hide his sourness. “Who said it, it’s clear as day. I say, who are you? Turns out you’re just a toad wanting to eat swan meat? You wish.” He put his hands on his hips. “If I tell the Prime Minister about this, you’re afraid you won’t be able to handle it.”

Wu Peng put on a cold face and pretended to be stupid. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I can see it.” Chen Li said in a low voice, “I reckon that Guard Cang is scolding you for being a lunatic in his heart. You yourself were watching our State Protector Duke intently, but you turn around and throw dirt on Guard Cang… You want to be clean? I’m afraid it won’t work, right?”

Wu Peng’s face was extremely ugly, his thoughts exposed. “Who was watching him intently? A grown man, marrying a man is already shameful. It’s clear that he climbed to his position by stepping on my cousin. Yet he’s still so swaggering and arrogant, shameless!”

“Your cousin doesn’t think he’s shameful.” Chen Li spat at him. “He treasures him very much, so you won’t have a chance in this lifetime. You’re like what the State Protector Duke said, be a rat for the rest of your life. Did you really think he couldn’t see your filthy thoughts? He just didn’t put you in his eyes at all. He only cursed you a couple of times today because you were so disgusting. You’re the one who’s getting excited on your own.”

“What are you? You dare to criticize me?” Wu Peng was furious and stepped forward, wanting to use his official rank to suppress him. “Seeing a fifth-rank minister like me outside, you don’t even bow and kneel, and now you dare to insult me?! Are you asking for a beating?!”

Remembering the loss he had suffered at Yu Shuli’s hands before, and thinking about the laws that Wei Yan had told him about before, he suddenly felt much more confident and shouted, “This kind of behavior of yours will not only land you in jail, but you’ll also have to pay a fine!”

Chen Li smiled contemptuously. “Go to jail? I’m not afraid. I cursed you in a straightforward manner, and I’m telling the truth, so naturally there will be people to bail me out. As for paying a fine?” He clicked his tongue. “I’m even less afraid of that. My family’s wealth can buy your dog life a hundred times over!”

Wu Peng’s face turned purple with anger.

Apart from Yu Shuli, he had never seen such a difficult person.

Disgusting! Really disgusting!

Why are there always these annoying flies around Yu Shuli?!

The people from The Censorate, having finished their work, were about to return when they saw Wu Peng and Chen Li cursing at each other as if no one else was around. For a moment, they were also a little embarrassed.

They looked at Cang Xu, asking for help with their eyes.

Cang Xu’s forehead twitched. “Let’s go back first, don’t bother with them.” He glanced at Chen Li, who was in battle mode, and reminded him gently, “Deputy General Chen, time is running out. Didn’t the State Protector Duke say to try not to be late? Even if you’re destined to be late now, you should at least show up?”

Chen Li looked at the sun and realized things were not good.

“Damn it, there’s no time, I’ll curse you another day.” He glared at Wu Peng. “Also, to respond to what you said earlier, your father here is a proper fifth-rank official, one rank above you. Next time you see me, remember to kowtow.” He didn’t think much of The Censorate’s good horses at all. Instead, he hurriedly went to borrow a donkey cart, paid the money, and ran off cursing.

Wu Peng gritted his teeth, hearing the name of that Deputy General Chen, and was once again so angry that he lost his voice.

He was slapped in the face again! Damnable!

*

Above the martial arts field, the bright sun shone in the sky.

“The auspicious hour has arrived!” Gonggong Li loudly announced the opening of the spring imperial examination, having timed the moment. He still hadn’t seen Yu Shuli’s figure, and couldn’t help but feel a panic in his heart.

Even with Wei Yan protecting him, Yu Shuli would definitely be punished for being late. But for the spring imperial examination, Yu Shuli, as an interviewer, even if he didn’t value it, shouldn’t be absent.

Could something have happened?

Being late was a small matter, but something happening was a big matter. Gonggong Li was terribly flustered.

Wei Yan was sitting upright on the high platform, right next to the Emperor, and at this time, gave Gonggong Li a look.

Seeing the signal, Gonggong Li finally breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that Yu Shuli probably wouldn’t be able to appear, but he should be fine.

However, since that was the case, his pre-arranged opening performance would have to be canceled. They would have to use another plan.

Fortunately, Gonggong Li was clever and capable, and had prepared a backup plan long ago.

He proclaimed in a shrill voice, “Please—the opening martial arts master!”

As soon as the words fell, a fine horse came against the wind from the other end of the field, the youth on the horse radiant and full of spirit, his ink-black hair tied up high.

From afar, everyone felt that he was tall and slender, graceful in demeanor, and his face must also be like an immortal. Every one of his movements seemed to have been tempered thousands of times, all composure and confidence in his gestures.

With a shout, the youth released the reins in his hand. Just as everyone was worried that he would fall off his horse, his palm happened to support him on the horse’s back, not only easily turning around, but also standing up straight on the horse, only for a short time. For the purpose of the performance, he seemed to be suppressing his level.

Soon after, he returned to riding backwards, lying on the horse’s back.

He faced everyone, cupping his hands in salute. “Showing off!”

Riding a horse backwards, a method of riding that no one had ever seen before, almost everyone was shocked. The timid even covered their eyes, not daring to look again.

The youth, however, was completely unaware. After a few breaths, he quickly exerted force in his waist and abdomen again, and while his body turned, he skillfully held the reins again.

In this back and forth movement, he not only sat firmly on the horse’s back, but also held a sleeve arrow in his hand, no one knew when.

Almost without aiming, he looked at the target range in the distance, and with two “whooshing” arrows, both hit the bullseye without the slightest deviation.

The youth had absolute confidence in himself. Without turning his head, he skillfully reined the horse back.

The horse seemed to feel its master’s heroic spirit and fighting spirit, running extremely fast.

Everything happened too quickly. After a long silence, the crowd, having witnessed such a legendary equestrian skill, burst into cheers.

When the person performing the equestrian show got closer, everyone could see clearly that this person was none other than the current State Protector Duke, Yu Shuli.

The former Flying Dragon General, naturally, had real skills.

And with today’s opening being so shocking, one could imagine—how wonderful his comments and selections today would be.

The Emperor’s cloudy eyes moved, with a glimmer of brightness, clapping his hands and cheering, “Good! Reward him! Reward the General!”

“Your Majesty, it’s the State Protector Duke.” Wei Yan reminded him gently.

“Oh, oh, oh… I’m old and muddled, I forgot. Reward the State Protector Duke!”

Only then did Wei Yan nod silently, then raise his eyes, his gaze locked on the field.

The sunlight shone on the back of the horse, illuminating the incomparably handsome youth, shimmering with dazzling light. The horse’s mane fluttered in the wind, the two interacting with each other, outlining a moving picture.

Wei Yan’s heartbeat gradually increased, seeing the youth looking over at him, showing a bright smile.