Jiang Huaiyu smiled awkwardly and explained, "The doctor's prescription contained sedative ingredients. Yingxiang was attacked last night and is exhausted both physically and mentally. I couldn't bear to wake her up."
She pointed to the billowing smoke from the stove and continued, "I originally wanted to prepare some food myself, but I didn't expect that I would be at a loss just to start a fire. I'm truly sorry to have troubled you, Young Master Ling."
After saying that, she clapped her hands, stood up with her stomach on her hands, and said helplessly, "Well, it seems I still have to bother Li Kui. I'll go to the restaurant later to buy food for everyone."
She didn't want to force herself to do things beyond her capabilities.
Ling Mo couldn't help but chuckle, moved a chair over for her to sit down, and then started a fire to cook.
Jiang Huaiyu was taken aback and asked in confusion, "Young Master Ling, what is this...?"
Ling Mo smiled gently and explained, "I understand your concerns. Gong Tao is here, and his identity is too sensitive to be revealed in the slightest. Therefore, reducing contact with the outside world is naturally the safest way. That's why you want to cook yourself."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Huaiyu smiled calmly and said, "That's right. Those who came last night were not friendly. If they hadn't found Gong Tao's trail outside, they would definitely have continued to monitor this place."
Therefore, caution is the best choice at this moment.
After mastering his skills, Ling Mosheng waved his sleeves and said boldly, "I'll take care of it. Li Kui and I have been wandering around for many years, spending most of our time in deep mountains and forests. If we didn't have some knowledge of cooking, we would probably be starving to death long ago. From now on, you can just call me or Li Kui for such trivial matters. You are pregnant and should not overwork yourself."
Jiang Huaiyu accepted the kindness openly and without any pretense.
Ling Mo carefully cooked a pot of fragrant porridge and prepared several refreshing and delicious side dishes, which were quite suitable for the injured people in the courtyard to enjoy.
After a night's rest and a hearty breakfast, Gong Tao's spirits had greatly improved.
After taking the medication, he leaned against the bed. Jiang Huaiyu and Ling Mo moved a chair over and sat not far away, waiting for him to reveal the truth.
However, Gong Tao did not speak immediately, but instead asked for a sharp dagger.
Jiang Huaiyu looked slightly confused and did not immediately agree.
Gong Tao smiled slightly and reassured him, "Don't worry, I'm not courting death."
Jiang Huaiyu nodded in agreement. Li Kui, who was standing behind Ling Mo, quickly drew the short knife from his waist and threw it to Gong Tao.
Gong Tao took the dagger, but used it to gently shave the beard on his face.
As his beard was removed, an old scar, about an inch long, was revealed on his chin.
Jiang Huaiyu's heart skipped a beat, a familiar feeling welled up inside her, and she quickly searched her memory, finally recalling it in a moment.
"It's a wanted poster!"
She had seen Gong Tao's face on a wanted poster when she first entered Wusu.
No wonder Gong Tao stepped forward to help her recover her belongings when she lost them on the street last time. When her eyes met Gong Tao's, a sense of familiarity washed over her, and the mystery was finally solved.
It turned out that Gong Tao had deliberately grown a full beard to cover the conspicuous scar, thus concealing his distinctive mark and preventing Jiang Huaiyu from recognizing him immediately. Only now, with this unique scar reappearing in her sight, did her memories flood back like a tide.
Gong Tao was not surprised by her reaction. He put down the dagger in his hand, sighed deeply, and slowly said, "Before I arrived in Wusu, my name was already on the wanted list. People accused me of murdering the magistrate of Anfu County."
"Another official?" Jiang Huaiyu asked, not without surprise.
Gong Tao nodded and continued, "This goes back to February, when I was still in Anfu County. Last night, Young Master Ling mentioned that he had heard of my reputation. People outside call me a chivalrous hero, saying that I enjoy upholding justice, helping others, and often taking pleasure in helping the wicked. This is not untrue, but the phrase 'taking pleasure in helping others and taking pleasure in helping the wicked' contains two layers of meaning. Although I helped the weak, I also punished those unscrupulous villains. In the eyes of these scoundrels, I naturally became a thorn in their side. Those who had suffered at my hands harbored resentment towards me."
“I hadn’t thought much about these past events until I became famous and everyone came to me for help…”
I've always despised such shady dealings, but I'll never refuse a case if the evidence is irrefutable. Whether it's a petty thief or a wealthy family exploiting the common people, I've stood up for them and spoken out for justice. In most cases, I've managed to get justice for the victims, but I've also suffered losses in confrontations—you two witnessed those scenes firsthand. Although I possess exceptional skills, I'm far from being able to take on a hundred men single-handedly like Young Master Ling. I often suffer losses when facing attacks from guards hired by wealthy families, but fortunately, such situations are rare.
Gong Tao paused briefly, then continued, "As my good deeds accumulated, my reputation gradually spread, and I received high praise from the people. However, those who suffered losses hated me to the bone and wished they could put me to death."
"However, I have always been cautious in my actions, and when I encounter trouble, I try to push it to the government to handle, and rarely take action myself. Even when I do take action, it has never caused fatal consequences. Therefore, although they are dissatisfied with me, they can hardly do anything to me."
Jiang Huaiyu suddenly asked, "Master Gong, Wusu City has been in turmoil recently. I heard that someone often sends criminals to the government, but always hides their identity. I wonder if it is you who is behind this?"
"It was indeed me who did it," Gong Tao nodded in response.
He then sighed deeply, “The root of the Ussuri Rebellion lies with me. Even though I try to avoid the government’s attention, my conscience will not be at peace if I do nothing.”
"Then, are you also implicated in the prefect's murder?" Ling Mo pressed.
"That's true. Please be patient, both of you, and let me explain slowly."
Gong Tao's gaze fell on the gently swaying curtains at the corner of the bed, a faint sense of nostalgia flashing in his eyes.
I still remember that afternoon when an elderly man with a full head of white hair walked up to me, his eyes filled with tears, and told me that his granddaughter, whom he depended on for survival, had unfortunately been seen by a wealthy man.
The wealthy merchant intended to take his granddaughter as his concubine, but the old man resolutely refused. The merchant then resorted to violence, forcibly abducting the granddaughter and severely injuring the old man, causing him to cough up blood. In desperation, he had no choice but to seek my help.
The old man told me that the wealthy merchant, already in his fifties, harbored lustful desires for a young girl. If he succeeded, his granddaughter's future would be utterly ruined.
"Upon hearing this, I was filled with rage. After learning the details, I immediately drew my sword and rushed to the rescue. However, when I arrived at the wealthy merchant's villa, I found it completely deserted."
"How is that possible?" Jiang Huaiyu asked in astonishment.
(End of this chapter)
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