"Whoosh!"
Suddenly, Qiao Zizhan’s sword turned, heading straight for Li Qingmu’s throat, causing exclamations of fright among those around them.
"Brother Li, watch out!"
Su Shi was even more panicked, wanting to rush forward to stop him, but with no strength to bind a chicken, how could he contend with Qiao Zizhan, whose swordsmanship was not bad?
Li Qingmu’s gaze was cool as he watched the sword stab directly toward him. Just as it was about to hit him, he slightly leaned to the side, letting the sword brush past, yet it still tore his sleeve, with a slight trace of blood seeping from his arm.
"Zizhan, calm down, calm down!"
Seeing Li Qingmu injured, several Imperial Censors went up to restrain Qiao Zizhan, not because they were protecting Li Qingmu, but because, here in the Imperial Censorate, committing murder would infuriate the Emperor.
"Brother Li, your arm... go and get it bandaged!"
Su Shi went up to support Li Qingmu, looking at his arm. Fortunately, the wound was shallow, just a skin scratch.
"Why didn’t you fight back?"
Qiao Zizhan was actually very calm all along.
The reason he sought out Li Qingmu for a duel was to see what this man was truly capable of. Initially, he declined, making him think the man was nothing special, but after several exchanges, he realized the man was hiding his abilities.
This man’s martial arts were decent; he seed to be dodging with great effort, but in reality, he was at ease. His final sword strike was ant as the ultimate test. If the man lacked skill, he would have ducked, but he rely sidestepped and allowed himself to be injured.
He was showing weakness!
Why?
This man still wanted to keep so tricks up his sleeve!
This shows shrewdness!
A man with shrewdness, cunning, and skills—it was no wonder that his aunt had lost to him!
And this question was his final probe, to see what kind of attitude this man held!
Li Qingmu looked up and said calmly, "You are a mber of the imperial family, while I’m just a lowly official. Not to ntion my diocre skills can’t beat you, even if they could, I wouldn’t dare!"
"Ha, you do know fear?"
Qiao Zizhan sneered; this man certainly knew how to pretend!
The key was that he acted as if he were sincere, how annoying!
"Clang!"
He tossed his sword on the ground coldly and said, "This ti you win! I hope you can keep winning!"
With that, he left, ignoring the stunned expressions around him.
"Brother Li, what does he an by that?"
No matter how clever Su Shi was, he couldn’t make heads or tails of it. Qiao Zizhan, usually poised and amiable as the talented man of Shengjing City, what was going on with him today?
Frantic and exasperated, where was the deanor of a distinguished scholar or gentleman?
What exactly did Li Qingmu do to him?
Not only Su Shi had this doubt, others did too.
"Imperial Censor Li is quite impressive, eting enemies wherever he goes. It seems Imperial Censor Li is surrounded by foes, ambushed on all sides!"
Imperial Censor Zheng, who had mocked Li Qingmu a few days ago, suddenly let out a contemptuous laugh, eyes filled with glee.
Seeing the misfortune of soone you dislike, why does it feel so satisfying?
Su Shi frowned, displeased, "Zheng Shimao, Brother Li never offended you, why do you have to be so aggressive?"
Zheng Shimao sneered, "I’m just speaking the truth! Why, is that wrong?"
"You..."
Li Qingmu went up to stop Su Shi who wanted to argue with Zheng Shimao, shaking his head lightly. At the side, Huang Hua, who was lying on the ground, suddenly jumped up and raised his hand, "I know, Brother Qiao failed the imperial exam."
Liu Yi, standing nearby, nodded, "That’s right, Zizhan failed the exam, while Imperial Censor Li, just a Scholar, made it to the eleventh place. Hahaha, Zizhan’s discontent is understandable; I also feel there’s sothing fishy about it!"
"Could it be that the exam papers got mixed up?"
"It’s highly possible, we should investigate the papers!"
"Brother Qiao seed to have gone to check it a couple of days ago, but with no results."
Soone murmured, and the noisy atmosphere quieted down considerably.
Qiao Zizhan himself went to check the papers but found no results. Does that an... there was no mistake? Or is there a deeper conspiracy involved?
While everyone was diving into conspiracy theories, thinking they could use this matter against him, Su Shi suddenly said, "Have you all forgotten sothing? Brother Li was the top scorer in the academy exam in Ling’an City; he had the capability. Back when you took the academy exams, who among you got first place?"
Uh...
Instantly, there was a deadly silence!
In the air, there seed to be the sound of slapping, crackling away.
With just one sentence, Su Shi silenced all the doubters, receiving murderous glares from his colleagues in return.
Brother, that’s not cool. You could have said this privately, but announcing it publicly? Do we have no dignity?
...
Li Qingmu returned ho to find his young wife looking upset.
"I heard that at the Imperial Censorate, you got injured?"
Long Yue sat upright in the chair, imdiately questioning with a murderous tone.
Li Qingmu was slightly embarrassed, "Dear, it’s just a minor injury, rely a scratch..."
He was speechless; the wound had been treated so it was not visible, and he had changed clothes. How did she get the news so quickly?
"That Qiao Zizhan caused you trouble, why didn’t you fight back? Was everything Grandpa taught you in vain?"
Long Yue was very protective of her man. He had suffered severe injuries before; now, even a scratch made her heart ache. How could she allow him to be wounded by a sword?
What if the sword was poisoned?
Sotis won tend to overthink.
Li Qingmu shook his head with a smile, "Dear, we must keep a low profile. Being too conspicuous will only invite the Emperor’s suspicion."
"But that Emperor is..."
"Yue’er!"
Li Qingmu suddenly looked at her sternly, stopping her from speaking further. Long Yue realized she misspoke and lowered her head.
Seeing that dark head, Li Qingmu’s heart softened. He reached out to pull her close, saying softly, "Yue’er, it’s not that I’m doing this on purpose, but... we must seek revenge for ourselves, don’t you think? Seeking revenge with external help, does it really count as revenge?"
Long Yue nodded gently. How could she not understand this reasoning? It’s just...
"I’m worried you’ll suffer... A Mu, you’ve already suffered so much. I really can’t bear it, truly..."
Long Yue’s words were soft like a warm stove, warming Li Qingmu’s heart. He bowed his head, gently caressing her hair, inhaling her subtle fragrance, feeling completely at peace.
"Silly girl, how am I suffering? With you by my side, it’s not hard at all, truly!" He paused and then continued, "Moreover, it’s safer like this. I have neither a maternal family nor direct descent. Going into those circles would be like throwing a lamb into a tiger’s den."
Long Yue understood this reasoning. That wooden hairpin was not a ticket to wealth and status but a ans of protection.
Unless absolutely necessary, Li Qingmu’s heritage wouldn’t be revealed. If exposed now, he would truly die without a body!
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