Chapter 99: Let's Use Li Su to Draw Some Blood

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Li Su returned to his room, where Song Sheng was once again furiously writing. Li Su hurriedly began his own studies, unaware of how the distillery was faring. Before leaving, he had penned a story promoting the distillery’s wine, incorporating the famous verse, “May I ask where the tavern is? A shepherd boy points to Apricot Blossom Village.”

Wei Shian’s teaching schedule had been postponed; his mind was now wholly consumed by glassmaking, to the point that he was living near the glass kiln.

After several days of interaction, the scholars at Huang Zhai recognized Li Su’s high level of knowledge. Once the exams concluded next month, Li Su would undoubtedly be admitted to Tian Zhai.

Li Su could effortlessly answer any question posed by the masters, especially displaying extraordinary skill in arithmetic, astonishing even the masters, who repeatedly expressed admiration and confessed their own inadequacy.

The students at Huang Zhai found Li Su approachable, partly because of his academic prowess and harmless nature.

Moreover, conversing with Li Su was uplifting and comfortable; he often provided perspectives on issues that they had never considered.

Most importantly, they believed Li Su must be the young master of a prominent and influential family.

Some, however, disliked him, finding him ostentatious.

Yet no one dared to provoke him; it was obvious to all that Li Su was close to Dean Wei. Though they disapproved, they refrained from antagonizing someone so well-connected.

This was the general consensus, but Wang Tao, who had just returned from a leave to the academy, thought otherwise.

He had already investigated and found that Li Su had no substantial background—merely a scholar from an obscure village in Tanzhou.

It was impossible that Li Su had any ties to Dean Wei; the rumors were likely baseless.

Wang Tao himself was a scholar at Huang Zhai but was the son of the Wang family from the capital. His father had instructed him carefully about whom to avoid at the academy, yet Li Su was not among those warned against.

His father also advised him to cultivate a good relationship with Dean Wei, though Wang Tao had met the dean only a few times.

Though Dean Wei had never held an official post in the court, many graduates from Mingyue Academy had, and Dean Wei’s elder brother was a general in the Wei family army.

Having Dean Wei’s protection would easily resolve many of the Wang family’s current problems.

Dean Wei was known for his bad temper and fierce loyalty; he feared no trouble. Even officials who served alongside him admitted that he could be beaten but rarely punished severely.

No one in the court wanted to provoke Dean Wei because of his volatile temper.

Many noble families sought Dean Wei’s protection for their children, sending them to Mingyue Academy, but so far, none had succeeded, and those willing to come were dwindling.

For the noble scions accustomed to life in the capital, coming to this academy was akin to imprisonment—no, even prison food was better. Hence, they could not endure the place.

Wang Tao did not believe that these noble children had failed while a rustic outsider like Li Su could succeed.

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Wang Tao had another reason to think it was all a rumor: the scholars claimed Li Su was the young master of some great family, which was absurd and clearly fabricated.

Li Su never explained himself, leading Wang Tao to conclude that Li Su was a liar—something Dean Wei detested most.

No one would pretend to be a young master without the fortune to back it up.

A student accompanying Wang Tao hesitantly said, “Young Master Wang, that day Dean Wei brought him into the academy, and many saw it. Later, Dean Wei even called him aside privately—I was there too.”

Wang Tao confidently replied, “Dean Wei probably heard the rumors about their relationship and called him out to reprimand him. He never approached him again afterward, right?”

This made some sense. “But his knowledge is indeed impressive; the masters praise him. He might accomplish something in the future. If you dislike him, Young Master Wang, you can simply avoid associating with him.”

Wang Tao sneered, “He’s just a peasant. Good knowledge? Ha! I have a thousand ways to make sure he fails, or even gets disqualified.”

Li Su clearly knew he and Song Sheng were at odds but still stayed close to Song Sheng—wasn’t that a provocation?

Wang Tao frowned. “Why do you always side with him?”

Yang Lei said nothing further. He could not reason with Wang Tao, but if Li Su truly was an ordinary farmer’s son, crossing Wang Tao could mean ruin.

Should he warn Li Su?

Yang Lei was torn. If Wang Tao discovered he warned Li Su, there would be consequences.

Yet the books of the sages taught him to warn others.

Even if the warning changed nothing, not giving it would weigh on his conscience.

“All right, I won’t do anything to him for now,” Wang Tao said aloud, but his mind was already scheming.

In a few days, there would be a horsemanship class. Li Su, a mere peasant, probably had never ridden a horse in his life.

Would a young master from a noble family be ignorant of horse riding? Wang Tao felt he could expose Li Su’s false identity and teach him a lesson.

He decided to let Li Su fall from the horse; whether he ended up disfigured, crippled, or trampled to death would be a matter of luck.

Wang Tao curled his lips. Being here had been suffocating; he would take out his frustration on Li Su and draw blood to relieve the itch.

He did not share his plan with Yang Lei, nor did Yang Lei ask.

Yang Lei merely whispered a warning to Li Su as they passed each other on the road, “Be careful of Wang Tao.”

Then he quickly left.

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Li Su thought over who Wang Tao was and finally settled on a candidate.

He had never spoken to Wang Tao nor had any dealings with him.

Noticing Li Su’s uneasy expression, Song Sheng asked, “What’s wrong?”

Li Su shook his head. “Nothing. By the way, do you know what kind of person Wang Tao is?”

During their time together, Li Su realized Song Sheng was taciturn but well-informed, privy to much information.

“Wang Tao...” Song Sheng’s eyes flickered with concern. Indeed, Li Su had been dragged into trouble because of him.

“Li bro, it’s my fault. I have some conflicts with Wang Tao. Since you’re close to me, he might make things difficult for you.” It was Song Sheng’s problem; he had long intended to keep his distance from Li Su but had inadvertently become close.

Yet being with Li Su was truly comfortable; Li Su’s words and deeds never made him uneasy. He was always measured and never offensive.

Song Sheng worried aloud, “Maybe you should tell the masters and move somewhere else to live. That way, Wang Tao might stop targeting you.”

Song Sheng himself was not afraid of Wang Tao. Many of Wang Tao’s antics amused him; he saw Wang Tao as a clown. But Li Su was different—Wang Tao’s methods were vicious.

Song Sheng felt guilty and a bit regretful. With his personality, he rarely found true friends and was often alone.

He believed people usually seek benefit and avoid harm, and thought Li Su would choose to maintain distance from him.

From their interactions, it was clear Li Su was earnest about his studies and got along well with many scholars, but disliked trouble.

Li Su disliked trouble but was not afraid of it.

“Qianhe, don’t overthink it. It might not even be because of you.”

“He might simply dislike me. I’m not gold; not everyone has to like me.”

“And breaking ties with you over this is impossible. I don’t let outsiders dictate my actions.” Li Su was never timid or afraid of confrontation.

Song Sheng felt that Li Su was comforting him. Otherwise, such a good person wouldn’t be targeted by Wang Tao for no reason; it must be Song Sheng’s own fault.

Song Sheng was deeply moved—Li Su had not abandoned him despite facing someone like Wang Tao.

Song Sheng then thought: Li Su did not yet know Wang Tao’s true nature; knowing it might change his mind. But even so, Song Sheng was already touched.