The horse carrying her stopped after passing the Duke's mansion.
"Why did you stop?" Li Xi asked, puzzled.
She looked up at the Duke's mansion, where the vermilion gate stood majestically, its lintel carved with intricate patterns, revealing a solemnity and majesty honed by the passage of time.
The horse neighed softly, reminding her to dismount.
Why did you bring me here?
The Duke's Mansion? Oh, right, this is Qin Xiaolin's home.
The gatekeeper saw her from afar and hurried over with a big smile, clearly recognizing her: "Oh, it's General Li! Are you here to see my third young master?"
Li Xi: "I... I just happened to be passing by. Is your young master home?"
The servant said regretfully, "My third young master has gone out and his return date is uncertain. Don't worry, I will inform you as soon as he returns."
"No need, I just happened to be passing by and asked. You go ahead with your business." Li Xi said and rode away.
The sudden sense of loss puzzled her; what was she regretting?
Back at the government office, her deputy, Shen Congyun, was hunched over his desk handling official business.
Looking up, his eyes lit up when he saw the person entering: "General, you're finally back! These past few days have been packed with official duties. I'm too slow to handle much, and many things have been waiting for you to come back and deal with."
He scratched his head sheepishly.
Li Xi: "Thank you for your hard work. Take these and have some tea with the brothers. Let them come in first; we have work to do."
She tossed a bulging purse onto the table.
Vice General Shen was overjoyed: "Thank you, General! I'll call them in right away!"
Investigating the matter of the Censor and the Imperial Censor. It's not exactly difficult, but it's certainly not easy either; there are quite a few obstacles.
But they have their own set of methods for doing things in this line of work.
Although Li Xi has been in a daze these days, she still acts with the same decisiveness and efficiency.
Before long, after assigning tasks, everyone went out to investigate.
It is said that Wang Youzhi, the Censor, and Li Muyun, the Censor of the Supervisory Yuan, had no private dealings.
They went to court and returned home every day according to the established routine.
Like most civil officials, he would occasionally go to teahouses to listen to operas or to study in a library to interact with students.
Wang Youzhi was gentle and refined, and his words always carried a scholarly air.
He was adept at discerning the truth from the smallest details, and often made insightful remarks in court debates, earning him admiration.
Li Muyun, on the other hand, was known for his uprightness, integrity, and impartiality.
His eyes were sharp, able to see through the hypocrisy and greed in officialdom, and he ruthlessly exposed the truth.
Outsiders have a positive view of the two.
The evidence they presented will naturally be verified, and from this perspective, the two seem to have no problems.
On this day of rest, Wang Youzhi, the Censor, set off early in the morning by carriage.
They drove straight out of the city until they arrived at a fishing spot.
Far from the hustle and bustle, surrounded by lush forests, the crystal-clear streams shimmer with silver light under the sun, like the purest eyes of nature.
Wang You got off the carriage, stretched his limbs, and his face was filled with a long-lost sense of ease and comfort.
He instructed his attendants to prepare fishing gear, and then strolled to the stream, finding a spot with a wide view and gentle current to sit down.
The attendants quickly and orderly arranged everything. Wang Youzhi took the fishing rod and gently cast it into the water with skillful and elegant movements.
Upon hearing that Lord Wang had arrived, the owner of the fishing pond rushed over to greet him. "Lord Wang, your presence is truly an honor! I apologize for not being able to welcome you properly. I have heard that you enjoy fishing, so I have prepared the finest bait for you. I hope you will have a pleasant day."
Wang Youzhi's demeanor exuded the elegance of a scholar. He smiled calmly and said, "Shopkeeper, you flatter me. I came here simply to find a quiet place and steal a half-day of leisure from my busy life. The scenery here is beautiful, with clear water flowing around the rocks and fish swimming happily. It is a rare and pleasant time in the world."
After speaking, he leisurely cast his fishing rod, enjoying the tranquility.
"In that case, I won't disturb your enjoyment any longer. Please let me know if you need anything." The shopkeeper bowed tactfully and prepared to leave.
Wang Youzhi nodded slightly, gesturing that there was no need for further formalities, and let the boss leave on his own.
His entourage stood guard around him, and other fishing enthusiasts dared not approach.
About half an hour later, a middle-aged scholar dressed in a rather elegant manner, holding a delicate folding fan, walked up to him.
His gaze lingered briefly on Wang Youzhi. "Lord Wang has such refined tastes. To be able to find such a tranquil place to fish in this noisy world is truly the mark of a master."
The middle-aged scholar's voice was gentle and refined, carrying a hint of respect and curiosity.
Wang Youzhi did not turn around, but focused on the pole. "So it's Mr. Li. I've long admired your name. It's a pleasure to meet you today. Although this place is not a paradise, it has a unique charm because of its tranquil atmosphere."
Mr. Li gently waved his folding fan, took a few steps closer, and his gaze fell on the shimmering water. He said, "What Lord Wang said is very true. A calm mind leads to a far-reaching spirit. Such a state is beyond the reach of ordinary people. I wonder if Lord Wang had any success fishing today?"
Wang Youzhi smiled slightly and pointed to the fish basket beside him, which was completely empty.
"The joy of fishing lies in the scenery of mountains and rivers, where the heart moves with the fish and the mind flows with the water. As for how many fish you catch, that is secondary."
Upon hearing this, Mr. Li nodded in agreement, then changed the subject: "Lord Wang's insight is truly admirable. I wonder if you would mind if I cast my line here?"
"Of course, this is a natural fishing spot with beautiful scenery. It would be a great pleasure to enjoy this view and the fun of fishing with Mr. Li."
After saying this, Wang Youzhi moved slightly to make room for Mr. Li to fish. At the same time, he took out a straw hat from his bag and said with a smile, "In spring, the sunlight is getting stronger. Mr. Li, wearing this straw hat will not only shield you from the sun, but also add a touch of the elegance of a scholar."
Mr. Li accepted the straw hat with a grateful smile, gently put it on, and immediately felt a sense of ease and composure.
He took the fishing rod off his back and began to carefully adjust the fishing line and hook. Every movement was so calm and unhurried, as if he were having a silent conversation with the mountains and rivers.
"Lord Wang, as the ancients said, 'It is better to share happiness than to enjoy it alone.' Today, with you by my side, my joy is even greater. I wonder if you have any insights you would like to share with me?"
As Mr. Li spoke, he baited the hook and gently cast it into the river, creating delicate ripples on the surface.
Upon hearing this, Wang Youzhi gazed intently into the distance, and after a moment slowly said, "I wouldn't call it insights, just some reflections. Life is like fishing; it requires patience, but even more so, wisdom. For a fish to bite, the time must be right, and the bait must be suitable."
Most importantly, regardless of how much you catch, you should maintain a calm and balanced mindset, enjoying the process to truly appreciate its fun and deeper meaning.
After listening, Mr. Li nodded thoughtfully.
The two fell silent, with only the babbling of the river, the chirping of birds, and the occasional splash of fish leaping out of the water.
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