Chapter Sixty-Five: A Night Visit to the Song Mansion

“Night investigation at the Song residence?”

Inside her chamber, Su Qingmeng’s face was full of doubt. “Weren’t the father and son of the Song clan already brought to justice? Why would you still go to the Song residence?”

Li Yunjie spoke in a low voice, “Song Yongnian’s annual salary is only a hundred taels, yet the decoration in his mansion far exceeds what his salary could afford.”

Recalling the scene from last night’s visit to the Song residence, even the enormous Taihu stone in the courtyard was worth a fortune.

Not to mention the gilded beams and painted rafters—clearly, there was a vast amount of unexplained wealth behind it.

“If that’s the case, we’ll find out when the Ministry of Justice searches the premises,” Su Qingmeng frowned slightly. “Why take the risk?”

“Think about it,” Li Yunjie looked at Su Qingmeng’s not-so-bright expression and sighed softly, “The Ministry of Justice—whose command is it under?”

Su Qingmeng’s eyes darted. “The Crown Prince!”

“And Song Yongnian?”

“He’s under the Crown Prince too!” A sudden flash of insight crossed Su Qingmeng’s mind. “I see, you’re worried the Ministry will falsify the accounts and hide the Song residence’s wealth!”

Li Yunjie nodded, his gaze deep. “That’s why I must investigate the Song residence before the Ministry’s people arrive.”

“Reasonable,” Su Qingmeng agreed. “Then what are you waiting for? Let’s go!”

Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Matters of investigation and solving cases had always fascinated Su Qingmeng since childhood.

Originally, when she entered government service, it was with the intention of joining the Court of Judicature and Revision. Unfortunately, she failed the entry examination.

In the end, relying on her martial prowess, she was recruited into the Imperial City Guards.

After all, the Imperial City Guards didn’t require intellect; the higher your cultivation, the higher your position.

Watching Li Yunjie enter the Court of Judicature and Revision effortlessly had made her so angry she ground her teeth.

She didn’t speak to him for days.

“What’s the rush?” Li Yunjie glanced at the sky; the sun had just set. “Besides, you can’t go.”

“Why not?” Su Qingmeng’s face instantly darkened.

“If we both leave, what about the girl?” Li Yunjie turned to look at Su Xiyan, sleeping soundly on the bed.

Su Qingmeng was silent for a long moment, sighing helplessly.

She glanced at the deepening dusk and sighed again.

Li Yunjie saw through her thoughts and comforted her kindly, “There’s no need to be so discouraged. Right now, I’m at odds with the Crown Prince. I expect there will be many such occasions in the future.”

Su Qingmeng responded with an “oh,” her expression blank as she walked away.

...

Midnight.

Song residence.

Seals covered the gates; several guards patrolled outside the walls, torches in hand.

Li Yunjie and Eleven, dressed in dark clothes, hid in the shadows.

Seizing a gap in the patrol, they vaulted smoothly into the back courtyard.

“Master,” Eleven whispered, “Where should we begin?”

Li Yunjie pondered for a moment and then, suppressing his voice, said, “The main chamber.”

Most people, when it comes to ill-gotten wealth, guard it carefully.

They keep it where they know best—such as their own bedroom.

Li Yunjie crept to the main chamber, gently pushed open the door, and lit a firestarter.

In the dim light, golden nanmu furniture was everywhere.

Famous painters’ calligraphy and paintings crowded the walls.

Even the carved patterns on the doors seemed crafted by renowned artisans.

The Song residence’s luxury far exceeded Li Yunjie’s expectations.

He moved to the desk; aside from some messy official documents, there were no useful clues.

Suddenly, Li Yunjie’s eyes caught something amiss on the desk.

Looking closer, he found a hidden compartment underneath.

He reached in and pulled out its contents—a ledger from the Song residence.

“This corrupt official,” Li Yunjie muttered angrily as he flipped through the ledger, “so much has been extorted from the people.”

Just then, Eleven darted to his side. “Master, there’s movement.”

Li Yunjie quickly extinguished the firestarter and hid under the desk.

Sure enough, after a few breaths, the door opened again.

Two more entered—one stout, one thin, both dressed in black.

“This corrupt Song Yongnian!” the stout man whispered, “He’s taken so much of our money over the years. It’s time he coughed some up!”

The thin man hushed him, “Enough chatter. Search quickly.”

They began ransacking the room.

Barely half a minute passed before more footsteps sounded outside!

The two black-clad men, panicked, also hid under the desk.

The scene grew awkward.

The stout man even forgot to extinguish his firestarter.

Eight eyes met. Four pairs glanced at one another, each raising a hand in a silent gesture for quiet.

Eleven heard footsteps approaching and hurriedly extinguished the firestarter in the stout man’s hand.

“This corrupt Song Yongnian!” the newcomer cursed quietly. “Where could he have hidden the money?”

Li Yunjie frowned.

A woman?

No time to consider further; her footsteps drew closer.

“Show yourselves!”

Suddenly, a crisp sword sound rang out, and the desk split apart!

Fortunately, all of them were quick; they leapt away, narrowly escaping.

In the pitch-black room, tension rose instantly.

Three factions occupied separate corners, swords drawn.

“Miss swordswoman,” the thin man spoke first, “You’re here to steal the silver from Song’s residence too?”

“What do you mean ‘steal’?!” the stout man interrupted. “We’re just reclaiming what’s rightfully ours!”

The woman hesitated for a few breaths, then followed his line, “Song Yongnian was insatiable. He benefited from me for years. Now that he’s fallen, it’s only right he returns some.”

“So we’re all kindred spirits!” Li Yunjie said, his mind working quickly. “Since we’re all on the same side, why not cooperate?”

Better to resolve things quietly than make a commotion and attract attention.

“To show my sincerity, I’m willing to share the ledger I just found.”

The two black-clad men readily agreed.

Only the last-arriving woman seemed unsure.

“Miss swordswoman?” Li Yunjie whispered, “What do you think?”

She glanced to both sides, her brow furrowed.

After a moment’s thought, she sheathed her sword and replied coolly, “Very well.”

They each relit their firestarters.

The woman and the other two began examining the ledger, while Li Yunjie searched elsewhere.

“Corrupt official!” the stout man spat, reading the ledger, “He even extorted money from seventy-year-old widows!”

“Disgraceful! Exile is too light—I say he deserves slow slicing!” the thin man said angrily.

Li Yunjie clicked his tongue.

He thought the man had a point.

After searching the room for some time, aside from valuable paintings and calligraphy, nothing else appeared.

“That can’t be right,” the stout man said in frustration. “This corrupt official’s mansion is lavish—there must be more than just paintings, surely some silver notes?”

“Could he have transferred the assets already?” the thin man wondered.

“Impossible,” Li Yunjie said firmly. “Song Yongnian was arrested last night and sentenced today—when would he have had time to move his assets?”

Their eyes locked onto him, all asking in unison, “How do you know this so well?”

Li Yunjie frowned and forced a smile, “A relative of mine works at the office—he told me.”

They gave a dubious “oh.”

“If that’s the case, where would he keep the silver?” the thin man asked, puzzled. “We searched every room before coming here and found nothing.”

Li Yunjie stroked his chin, pushed past the others, and carefully examined the room’s layout.

Suddenly, the wooden rack behind the desk, where scrolls were stored, caught his attention.

He approached and looked at an inconspicuous white-glazed porcelain vase in the corner, reaching out to pick it up.

But the white-glazed vase would not budge...