Chapter Thirty-Two: Writing Poems for You, Pausing Time for You

Su Qingmeng’s heart gave a tremble; she raised her eyes to look at Li Yunjie, a shimmer of tears flickering within them.

Li Yunjie was somewhat taken aback. This little lady, usually so strong-willed, could actually be moved to tears by grievance?

“Why don’t we sit down and talk?”

Su Qingmeng brushed her eyes lightly and turned to enter the room, with Li Yunjie following close behind.

“What exactly did you mean by what you just said?” Su Qingmeng asked.

“Minister Su is not turning a blind eye, but has other plans,” Li Yunjie replied, pouring Su Qingmeng a cup of wine and recounting the day’s events in detail.

Su Qingmeng listened, stunned for a long while, then downed her wine in one gulp.

“So, I wrongly accused my father.”

Li Yunjie nodded, letting out a long sigh of relief. For the sake of their father-daughter relationship, he’d truly exhausted himself.

“So, you suspect that the case of the tax silver three years ago, the Hong Lie case, and the murder of my fallen comrade are all connected to the Northern Witches?” Once she’d calmed, Su Qingmeng asked in an even tone.

“Exactly.” Li Yunjie gave a gentle laugh. “That’s why I have to re-investigate the tax silver case.”

“Aren’t you afraid of offending He Xumin?” Su Qingmeng asked, puzzled.

“Not at all, with Minister Su shielding me,” Li Yunjie replied as if it were only natural.

Su Qingmeng rolled her eyes. “You didn’t come here today just to explain yourself, did you?”

“Nothing escapes Miss Qingmeng.” Li Yunjie topped up her wine with a mischievous grin. “I do have another reason for coming today.”

“What is it?” Su Qingmeng demanded, not hiding her annoyance.

“I want to ask you to be my bodyguard.”

“What?!” Su Qingmeng’s eyes widened in disbelief. “I am the Commander of the Imperial City Patrol, responsible for the safety of the entire capital, and you want me to be your personal bodyguard?!”

“If word of this gets out, where will my dignity be?!”

“Hear me out first,” Li Yunjie sighed. “Isn’t the murderer in your subordinate’s case the same as the one in the Hong Lie case?”

Su Qingmeng nodded. “So what if that’s true?”

“If I reinvestigate the Hong Lie case, isn’t that the same as investigating your fallen comrade’s murder?”

“Yes.”

“Shouldn’t you thank me?”

“Yes.”

“Then that settles it.” Li Yunjie smacked the table. “If something happens to me, what will become of the Hong Lie case? The tax silver case? Your subordinate’s case?”

“Do you want the murderer to go unpunished?”

Su Qingmeng shook her head vigorously. “Of course not!”

“Exactly!” Li Yunjie’s brows relaxed. “So you must protect me!”

“It… almost makes sense…” Su Qingmeng muttered. “But why does it have to be me?”

“Can’t the Court of Judicial Review assign someone to protect you?” she asked.

Li Yunjie shook his head helplessly. The best fighter at the court had already been bested by him. There was still Jiang Kui, who was quite accomplished, but he had only just reached the fifth rank and was no match for Su Qingmeng.

“You’ve seen what the murderer is capable of,” Li Yunjie said gravely. “He kills without leaving a trace.”

“In the capital, besides you—a fourth-rank master—there’s probably no one who can stand against him!”

Su Qingmeng’s lips quirked, but she still hesitated.

Seeing her reluctance, Li Yunjie feigned sadness. “If this truly troubles you, Miss Qingmeng, I won’t force it.”

“Soon, the entire city will know that I’m reopening the tax silver case.”

“The killer will inevitably come for me!”

“When that happens, let me face that ruthless murderer alone!”

With that, he rose, said his farewells, and walked straight out the door.

Watching his desolate figure, Su Qingmeng felt a tumult of emotions.

Back in his room, Li Yunjie sprawled comfortably on his bed.

“Master, why did you visit Miss Qingmeng today?” Eleven asked curiously.

“To ask her to be my bodyguard,” Li Yunjie replied indifferently.

“But Master, aren’t I enough?” Eleven frowned.

“All right, all right,” Li Yunjie dismissed, “you’re the best.”

“You’re exhausted protecting me every day. Can’t I find someone to share the burden with you?”

Eleven took his words seriously and smiled with relief.

“But will Miss Qingmeng agree?” Eleven questioned. “She doesn’t seem to like you much, Master.”

“Not today.” Li Yunjie chuckled. “But she will tomorrow.”

“Why’s that?”

Li Yunjie let out a long breath. “She’s proud, not stupid.”

Eleven nodded, half understanding.

“Master.” After a moment of silence, Eleven suddenly changed the subject. “You stayed in Miss Qingmeng’s room for two full hours this time.”

“So what?”

“That’s a whole hour longer than last time!”

“Are you bored?” Li Yunjie sat up, exasperated. “Why keep such detailed records of something so trivial?”

“It’s important!” Eleven’s eyes lit up. “At this rate, Master, after a few more visits, you’ll be able to spend the night in Miss Qingmeng’s room!”

Hearing these words from Eleven, Li Yunjie was momentarily speechless.

“What does a kid like you know?”

“Who says I don’t?” Eleven retorted, widening his eyes. “Once you’re married, you share a room. That’s how you carry on the family line!”

Li Yunjie was left dumbstruck again.

Thinking it over, Eleven wasn’t as young as he looked.

But to say such things with the face of a sixteen-year-old boy was still hard for Li Yunjie to accept.

“Carrying on the family line requires affection,” Li Yunjie tried to explain. “It’s not as simple as you think.”

“But Master’s written poetry for Miss Qingmeng—how can you say there’s no affection?” Eleven argued.

With that, he began to sing to himself: “For you, I write poems, for you, I stand still, for you, I attempt the impossible…”

“Isn’t this the song you always hum, Master?”

Li Yunjie was utterly speechless.

Everything was a mess.

That was a song!

If he’d known, he wouldn’t have hummed it so carelessly.

……

The next morning.

As soon as Li Yunjie opened his door, he saw Su Qingmeng standing outside.

“Miss Qingmeng?” he asked, feigning ignorance. “What brings you here?”

Su Qingmeng shot him a reluctant glare and sighed. “Bodyguard.”

Li Yunjie understood at once and bowed in flattery. “With Miss Qingmeng to protect me, I’ll be able to roam the capital unhindered!”

“Less flattery!” Su Qingmeng snapped impatiently. “Let’s get down to business. Where do you plan to start the investigation?”

“Not today,” Li Yunjie replied with a stretch.

“No investigation?” Su Qingmeng was clearly irritated. “Then what are we doing?!”

“The tax silver case is no small matter,” Li Yunjie said gravely. “Though we have evidence, it was judged by the Minister himself. To reopen the case, we must have the Emperor’s approval. That won’t be easy.”

“So?” Su Qingmeng asked, perplexed. “What’s your plan?”

“Have you heard the saying, ‘public opinion is a formidable thing’?”

Li Yunjie’s gaze suddenly sharpened. “Before we investigate, let’s make sure this fire burns brighter!”

“What do you mean?” Su Qingmeng frowned.

“You’ll see soon enough…”