Chapter Thirty-One: Reinvestigating the Old Case

Several days had passed since the martial demonstration had concluded.

With Xu Changfeng’s intervention, all discussion of the matter inside the Court of Justice ceased abruptly, as if it had never occurred.

“So be it. Saves me from having people ask about the method for electrolyzing water every day,” Li Yunjie murmured.

“The weather is pleasant today,” he remarked, stretching languidly in the Investigation Bureau. “Perfect for solving cases.”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a knock sounded at the door.

“Come in.”

Jiang Kui opened the door and handed him a dossier.

“Sir, Master Xu asked me to pass this to you.”

“He said it should have reached you sooner,” Jiang Kui recalled. “But in the past days, you were busy with the martial demonstration and likely too occupied.”

“A case, really?” Li Yunjie muttered as he took the dossier. “My words really do carry weight...”

He unfolded it and his brows drew together.

The dossier recorded an old, unsolved murder case.

What struck Li Yunjie as odd was that the victim was Hong Lie, former chief justice of the Court of Justice.

Moreover, the manner of death was uncannily similar to the recent case involving the palace guard!

It was almost certain the killer was the same person.

“But how did Master Xu know I would investigate this case?” Li Yunjie mused. “Could it have been Su Ming who told him?”

He pondered this.

For now, it seemed Xu Changfeng and Su Ming were allied.

He put away the dossier, his expression grave. “Jiang Kui, do you know this Hong Lie?”

At the mention of the name, Jiang Kui immediately grew solemn.

“Chief Justice Hong Lie was a prodigy in solving cases.”

“He cracked countless mysteries! A model for us all!”

Jiang Kui’s voice was fervent, his eyes full of admiration. Then a trace of sorrow flashed across his face. “But heaven is jealous of talent—three years ago, during an investigation, Chief Justice Hong died suddenly from overwork.”

“A tragic loss!”

“Investigating a case?” Li Yunjie sensed a whiff of conspiracy, his brows tightly knit. “Which case?”

Jiang Kui thought for a moment, then his eyes lit up. “The theft of the tax silver in Yongzhou.”

“I recall Chief Justice Hong saying the case was riddled with suspicions, likely far-reaching.”

Li Yunjie’s heart was jolted.

Three years ago, the case had stirred the entire city.

Yongzhou, the richest city in the Dayan Dynasty, collected vast sums in tax silver each year.

Rumor had it that a year’s taxes from Yongzhou could surpass those of the other eight provinces combined over three years.

“Wasn’t the case closed?” Li Yunjie asked, puzzled.

He remembered it had been concluded as a bandit ambush.

The Sage was enraged, dispatching the capital’s magistrate with five thousand imperial guards, who destroyed nearly all the bandit dens along the route.

“The case was closed,” Jiang Kui said gravely. “But the tax silver was never recovered.”

“The bandit leaders were stubborn—they refused to reveal the silver’s whereabouts even at death’s door.”

“The Minister of Justice ordered them beheaded publicly, their clans exterminated!”

“The execution was personally overseen by Prime Minister Su.”

Li Yunjie listened, his brows furrowed.

The case was indeed full of anomalies.

Firstly, the amount of tax silver was enormous, and the escort was full of experts.

Unlikely that mere bandits could ambush them.

Secondly, even if the bandits had the courage to challenge the court, after seizing the silver, why didn’t they flee? Why wait to be wiped out by the imperial guards?

It made no sense.

So Hong Lie sensed something was amiss and secretly investigated—only to be silenced.

And the killer was the same as the one who murdered the palace guard.

In other words, this case might be connected to the northern shaman tribe!

“Chief Justice Hong was right. The case is indeed far-reaching...” Li Yunjie muttered.

Jiang Kui grew tense. “Sir, what do you mean by that?”

Li Yunjie pondered for a long while, drew a deep breath, and said firmly, “Spread my orders. I will personally re-examine the tax silver case from three years ago!”

Jiang Kui’s face changed at these words. He quickly closed the door, his expression wary. “Sir, be careful what you say!”

“This case was judged by the Minister of Justice himself. You mustn’t take such a risk!”

Li Yunjie understood Jiang Kui’s concern.

He snorted coldly, his gaze sharp. “If the verdict is wrong, it must be reviewed. That’s the rule!”

Jiang Kui trembled, looking at Li Yunjie with newfound respect.

“But...” Jiang Kui hesitated, uneasy.

“Rest assured.” Li Yunjie smiled brightly, patting his shoulder. “If blame comes from above, I alone will bear it. The Court of Justice will remain untouched!”

Jiang Kui shook his head fiercely. “I would never abandon you!”

“Then what made you hesitate?”

Jiang Kui’s gaze wavered, and he sighed softly. “I was overthinking.”

Then he stepped back and saluted solemnly. “Please rest assured, sir. If you wish to investigate, my colleagues and I will give our utmost support!”

His tone was resolute, his inner fervor unmistakable.

With that, he turned briskly and strode out.

“Master,” Eleven stepped forward. “By doing this, you’re essentially declaring war on the Minister of Justice. Are you sure?”

Li Yunjie replied with a question. “Eleven, have you ever considered—what if those bandits were wrongly executed?”

“What if the crime of exterminating their clans was fabricated?”

Eleven pursed his lips and asked, “If you want to investigate, couldn’t you do it in secret?”

“Why make such a show of it?”

Li Yunjie’s lips curled. “If I didn’t, how would anyone know I’m investigating?”

Eleven scratched his head, confused.

“Don’t worry about it.” Li Yunjie ruffled his hair, smiling. “I know what I’m doing.”

He glanced at the sky—it was nearly dusk.

Li Yunjie packed his things and prepared to leave work.

Returning to the Prime Minister’s residence, he headed straight for the main hall.

“You’re here.”

Su Ming sat upright, his gaze deep as he watched Li Yunjie.

“Father-in-law, it seems you knew I would seek you out?” Li Yunjie said directly.

Su Ming merely smiled.

“The dossier on Hong Lie’s case—you had Master Xu pass it to me, didn’t you?” Li Yunjie said calmly. “You already knew the palace guard’s case was closely linked to the tax silver case from three years ago.”

“So you wish to use my hand to reopen that old case?”

Su Ming nodded slowly, a look of satisfaction in his eyes. “You’re not without insight.”

So it’s you, old fox. Li Yunjie cursed inwardly.

You won’t investigate yourself, but toss this hot potato to me?!

“How did you know I would revisit the case?”

“I guessed,” Su Ming replied with a laugh. “When you solved the Taihu Academy case, your first reaction—I remember it well.”

“It wasn’t relief for your own survival.”

“You sought justice for those two overlooked guards.”

“With your temperament, how could you ignore a wrongful case?”

Li Yunjie paused, silent for a moment before speaking again. “Then why are you confident I can solve it?”

Su Ming walked to his side. “You cracked the academy frame-up in a day, exposed the northern spy ring in half. Such talent for solving cases—I’ve never seen another like you.”

Li Yunjie snorted.

Su Ming’s words were praise on the surface, but beneath, they were a trap.

This old man has me exactly where he wants.

“Father-in-law flatters me,” Li Yunjie replied, bowing slightly. “Since you’ve entrusted this case to me, you must have clues?”

Su Ming, a sly old fox, never fought unprepared. Li Yunjie knew this well.

Choosing this moment to hand over the case—he must be prepared.

Su Ming smiled and drew a secret letter from his sleeve, handing it to Li Yunjie.

Li Yunjie scanned the handwriting, his brows furrowing.

The letter listed an address.

“What’s this?”

“You’ll know when you get there.”

Though he had doubts, Li Yunjie tucked the letter into his robe and left.

“Investigate the case boldly. I’ll handle matters at court for you,” Su Ming called after him.

Li Yunjie paused, glanced back at Su Ming with a complicated look, cursing inwardly:

If not for you, old fox, I wouldn’t be dragged into this!

Who else would help me if not you?

You’d better do as you say!

“Thank you, father-in-law,” Li Yunjie said, bowing with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

...

Night deepened. Li Yunjie sat by the window, lost in thought.

“Master,” Eleven asked softly, cracking melon seeds. “It’s late—aren’t you going to sleep?”

Li Yunjie sighed. “I’m waiting for someone.”

Eleven’s gaze followed Li Yunjie’s line of sight.

“Who?”

At that moment, a shadow flitted across the rooftop.

“She’s back,” Li Yunjie said, grinning.

He rose, walked toward Su Qingmeng’s chamber.

“Miss Qingmeng,” he called, knocking gently.

“What now?!” Su Qingmeng’s voice was impatient.

“I’d like to discuss something.”

She opened the door, frowning. “What is it this time?”

Li Yunjie looked her up and down, smiling. “Investigating alone these days must be exhausting?”

Su Qingmeng tensed, stammering, “In-investigating what case?”

“What nonsense are you spouting?!”

Li Yunjie drew a deep breath and spoke rapidly.

“The mud on your shoes is still wet—you were out recently.”

“Your breathing is uneven, meaning you’ve exerted yourself.”

“The dark circles under your eyes show you haven’t slept well.”

“And most absurd, your nightwear is peeking out, young lady.”

Li Yunjie tugged at the black garment barely concealed beneath her purple robe.

Su Qingmeng blushed, hastily tucking the nightwear into her sleeve.

“I know,” Li Yunjie sighed. “You’ve been troubled by the guard’s death.”

“So you’ve been investigating in secret.”

She turned away, silent.

“You won’t find clues this way,” Li Yunjie said quietly. “The Drunken Moon Tower case alerted the enemy—the northern spies will hide their identity even deeper...”

“So you won’t investigate?!” Su Qingmeng interrupted angrily. “Will you stand by, like my father, indifferent to murder?”

“Using my dead brother to secure yourself a position?!”

Li Yunjie was stunned.

No wonder she hadn’t spoken to Su Ming lately.

Even their memorial rituals were held separately.

She was angry at Su Ming’s inaction!

“At least you’re loyal and righteous,” Li Yunjie said quietly. “But you’ve misunderstood your father...”