Zheng Hongxiu knelt down and bowed deeply to Li Shu, saying, "These are two calligraphy works hanging in the main hall of Hongxiu Tower. As everyone knows, they are the original works of Mr. Pu and Cao Bichang."

"Now that the building is sealed off, I present this calligraphy to Lord Li to prevent this gem from being obscured!"

"Let's show Lord Li the way out!!"

Zhao Cheng's decision to give Li Shu calligraphy and paintings instead of gold and silver was also a well-considered one.

On the day Su Ye was conferred her title, Li Shu kept a low profile in the crowd, but he sent someone to buy the calligraphy while queuing to do so.

Considering Li Shu's official career and his life of indulging in poetry and prose after retiring in Yanchuan, which also influenced Li Guanyu to become a talented man who brought ruin to brothels.

Judging from this, he also had a strong desire for authentic works by famous artists.

Seeing Li Shu hesitate, Zhao Cheng stepped on Li Guanyu's foot.

Li Guanyu quickly said, "Father..."

"Shut up." Li Shu interrupted Li Guanyu, looked at Zhao Cheng, and said, "Since the young prime minister has come forward, then I will speak frankly. This matter is very complicated. Although I admire these two pieces of calligraphy, considering the relationship between my son and you, I do not want you to get involved in this mess, so I will not accept them."

"Lord Li is joking. I am not afraid of trouble."

"My son is afraid of trouble!"

Zhao Cheng looked at Li Guanyu and asked, "Are you afraid of trouble?"

Li Guanyu was taken aback for a moment, then said, "Am I... afraid or not?"

Zhao Cheng said, "We don't need to be afraid of that."

"Cough!!" Li Shu coughed twice more, feigning an cough.

"Lord Li!!" Knowing that Li Guanyu couldn't be relied on, Zhao Cheng immediately raised his voice, leaned close to Li Shu's ear, and whispered, "Is 'waaaaa' not bad?"

Li Shu's face darkened slightly, and he said softly, "A person who doesn't know how to whine and coo, has three wives and four concubines but no sperm! It's not shameful to like watching this!"

"Lord Li, you misunderstand. Li Guanyu and I are even acquaintances. His father is my uncle. How could I make fun of you?"

Zhao Cheng looked around, then leaned close to Li Shu's ear and said, "I just want to say that your booklet is printed, and the picture quality is far inferior to mine."

Li Shu was stunned for a moment, then realized what was going on and asked doubtfully, "Could it be that yours is..."

"A hand-drawn book," Zhao Cheng said proudly. "Just like the calligraphy presented by Mother Zheng, it's an authentic piece!"

Seeing Zhao Cheng and Li Shu whispering to each other, Li Guanyu glanced at Zheng Hongxiu, completely bewildered.

What were the young prime minister and my father talking about?

So intimate?

Neither my dad nor I have ever said that!

Li Shu's lips trembled as she said, "This painting..."

Zhao Cheng sighed, "I don't know anything about painting. I originally wanted to show it to Lord Li for his appraisal, but since Lord Li won't even accept calligraphy, I suppose he won't accept paintings either..."

Li Shu swallowed hard and asked, "This hand-drawn book... should be even more realistic, right?"

Zhao Cheng was somewhat surprised. It turned out that what Li Shu cared about was not that the original was more valuable, but that the painting was more lifelike.

Zhao Cheng immediately said, "Of course! It's like it's going to jump out of a painting. People with kidney problems wouldn't dare to look at it directly!"

Li Shu's expression hardened, and he lowered his voice, saying, "This matter is related to Su Wansan."

"Huh?" Zhao Cheng burst into laughter: "Hahahaha!!"

He whispered, "Have someone send the sketchbook over tonight."

Li Shu also laughed: "Hahahaha!!!"

He whispered, "Early, before I go to sleep."

Li Guanyu asked doubtfully, "Father, you?"

Li Shu took Zhao Cheng's arm and patted it, laughing, "You and the young prime minister are close friends, and I'm his uncle. We can talk about anything, hahaha!"

As she spoke, Li Shu walked up to Zheng Hongxiu, helped her up, and said, "Mother Zheng, I'll tell you what I know, but please don't tell anyone. Can you do that?"

Zheng Hongxiu pointed behind her and said confidently, "If I say anything more after we leave this bamboo forest, may I be struck by lightning!"

Li Shu nodded, sat back down on the bamboo chair, picked up his teacup, and said, "Did Madam Zheng offend Boss Su?"

"Su Wansan??"

Zheng Hongxiu raised an eyebrow, as if she had figured something out, and immediately said, "Is it because of what happened on the day Su Ye was conferred her title?"

Li Shu said, "I don't know."

“It must be! This is the only thing I ever offended him about!” Zheng Hongxiu thought about it and became more and more convinced of its truth. “He not only raised his price but also embarrassed him. This is his revenge!”

"The person who died at Hongxiu Tower was someone he arranged, and he also received bribes from Tianguifang and Tianxiang Tower for their disturbances. Of course..."

Li Shu closed his eyes and said, "Your Red Sleeve Pavilion is booming, which has already made you the target of jealousy among your competitors."

"Since Lord Li is aware of these circumstances, please clear my name!"

“Mother Zheng thinks too highly of me.”

Li Shu said with some resentment, "I am just a Vice Minister of Rites in the secondary capital. I don't have the ability to touch someone like Su Wansan."

Zheng Hongxiu asked in confusion, "Does it mean Lord Deng?"

"He can't do it either!"

Li Shu looked at Zhao Cheng and said, "Young Prime Minister, do you understand?"

Zhao Cheng thought for a moment and said, "Yanchuan is the secondary capital. Anyone who can become the richest person in the secondary capital must have connections in Changsui. I understand that. So, who is Su Wansan's backer in Changsui?"

“Young Prime Minister!” Li Shu shook his head and said, “This matter isn’t just yours; even if the Right Prime Minister came, it wouldn’t be easy to resolve…”

Zhao Cheng narrowed his eyes and immediately understood.

Even the Right Chancellor is having trouble dealing with this...

Besides the emperor, Su Wansan only had one other powerful backer.

Left Prime Minister.

Zhao Cheng nodded, winked at Zheng Hongxiu, and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Li Shu, saying, "Thank you for your guidance today, Lord Li!"

...

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