Chapter Twenty-Two: Breaking the Case in Qingshui

General Deng remained there, unable to make a decision, wrestling with hesitation. Meanwhile, Zhou Fulin and Zhou Fuxin both wore puzzled expressions, though their eyes betrayed more hostility towards Li Zisheng than confusion. The thought they shared was simple: after this matter, they would ensure Li Zisheng paid dearly, so he would know the consequences of crossing their path. Each silently resolved that Li Zisheng was simply too troublesome to be tolerated.

Li Zisheng, no fool himself, noticed the change in their demeanor. Though their gazes grew increasingly hostile, the enmity was already established. As the saying goes, too many debts do not weigh one down—he might as well accrue still more. It would be best if he could provoke these lackeys into making the first move, so he might have cause to strike back. However, if things were to drag on and accumulate gradually, allowing the Zhou family to slowly plot, he would only find himself in a more difficult position.

His first target as the Inspector of the Twenty-two Circuits within Guannei Dao was none other than Zhou Fulin. As for General Deng’s plan, he would have to let it go for now. He felt a pang of regret towards the general, but trusted that Deng, being an enlightened man, would eventually understand the necessity of his actions. For the moment, he had no choice.

“General Deng, it is said that spring rain is as precious as oil. This rare, drizzling spring rain is the key to verifying this letter,” Li Zisheng began, aware of General Deng’s hesitation. By pointing this out, he meant to remind the general that if the letter was not examined now, it would only become more difficult later; if it was examined immediately, the evidence would still be valid. After all, things had already come to a head with Zhou Fulin, and there was little more to say.

His words were both consolation and warning.

General Deng was not a fool. After Li Zisheng spoke, he realized that though he was in a difficult position—caught between a rock and a hard place—if he retreated now, he would be left with nothing but empty hands and disappointment.

So, sitting in the seat of honor, General Deng glanced at Master Lin, who responded with a reassuring nod. Steeling his resolve, Deng Qing looked at Li Zisheng.

“Zisheng, are you certain? If you are not, let us discuss this later instead,” the general said, as if making a momentous decision.

“Rest assured, General. I am fully confident,” Li Zisheng replied, his tone firm, casting a feigned, angry look at Zhou Fulin.

He certainly had ample reason to view Zhou Fulin with such suspicion. Zhou had plotted in secret, gravely injured Fang Zhongzheng, and brought in the useless Zhou Linqing. The intent was obvious—he meant to target Li Zisheng.

Li Zisheng did not know why Zhou Fulin, whom he had never met, had resorted to such a malicious scheme against him. But since he had been provoked, he would not let Zhou off easily.

The look Li Zisheng gave Zhou Fulin unsettled the latter, making him more composed. After all, Li Zisheng was still a youth, unskilled at hiding his feelings. Zhou felt certain that Li had guessed his intent in pairing him with Zhou Linqing, and harbored resentment. To Zhou, this was simply the behavior of an inexperienced youth, nothing to fear. He wondered why Master Kong at home worried so much about this child—he was nothing but a paper tiger.

“General, please hand the letter to this student.”

Master Lin passed the letter to Li Zisheng, who skimmed it, then walked to the doorway and tossed the letter into a wooden basin standing there. He then carried the basin into the room.

By now, the basin had accumulated quite a bit of water, and the letter floated atop it.

General Deng was startled, then asked in a cold voice, “Li Zisheng, do you realize how precious that letter is? Are you making a mockery of this investigation? You had best give me a good explanation, or else, even though you are a candidate in this examination, I will show you no mercy.”

No one present could quite understand his actions. Throwing the letter into a basin of water appeared inexplicable—anyone might think he was deliberately destroying the general’s evidence.

Yet, two people in the room began to show strange expressions: the Zhou brothers, Zhou Fulin and Zhou Fuxin. Though puzzled, the memory of their household’s skilled artisan reassured them somewhat, and they watched events unfold.

“Li Zisheng, what are you doing?” Even Zhong Bai, who was on Li’s side, grew anxious. This was beyond his control now. If he angered General Deng, he could not bear the consequences. He had only wanted Li Zisheng to stir up some trouble, but the young man’s boldness had led him to destroy the critical evidence at such a moment. Was this not shooting oneself in the foot? He began thinking of ways to salvage the situation.

He started towards the center of the room, preparing to take the blame for Li Zisheng. If necessary, he would invoke his own superior to shield himself from the general’s wrath. If General Deng beat him to death, the blame would be great indeed. Fortunately, the surnamed Huang had yet to arrive; otherwise, his own standing with his superior would be at risk.

But just as Zhong Bai took a step forward, Li Zisheng stopped him.

“Master Zhong, there is no need to worry. It’s all right. General Deng, please be patient a moment longer,” Li Zisheng said calmly.

General Deng snorted, glancing at Li Zisheng, then at Zhong Bai, but finally said nothing.

“General, the time has come. Please come over to the basin,” someone called, and the crowd gathered around.

The letter floating in the basin began to change—its characters seemed to come alive, separating one by one in a neat, orderly fashion.

“General, the handwriting on this letter is indeed that of Fang Zhongzheng, and every word was written by his own hand. However, Fang himself knows nothing of this letter as a whole. It has been pieced together from fragments by someone else,” Li Zisheng said evenly.

General Deng and the others were stunned by this revelation; even the Zhou brothers, who knew more than most, were caught off guard. The academy’s steward was so shaken that his composure crumbled once again.

“You mean to say it was assembled from fragments? But the letter appears seamless—if it had been cut and reassembled, there would be obvious marks, yet this letter is perfectly intact, without a single flaw. How do you explain that?” General Deng asked, still confused. In truth, everyone present shared this question in their hearts.