Chapter 101: Putting on a Show
Two days had passed since Zhou Cheng issued the challenge, yet Li Yunji showed no sign of training. He spent his days either listening to music, savoring tea, or playing with little Xiyan, as if the challenge were nothing more than a scrap of worthless paper.
With each passing day, Su Qingmeng’s anxiety grew heavier.
Today, at last, Su Qingmeng could bear it no longer. She stormed into Li Yunji’s study, glaring fiercely. “What exactly are you planning?”
Li Yunji set down his teacup and, seeing her desperate expression, smiled calmly. “It’s not like I issued a challenge to you. Why so anxious?”
With a sharp slap, Su Qingmeng smashed the desk, snapping, “I’m afraid you’ll get beaten to death!”
Li Yunji chuckled softly. “Why, afraid of becoming a widow?”
Her face flushed red with anger, teeth clenched. “Besides your slick tongue, what skills do you possess?”
Li Yunji counted on his fingers thoughtfully. “Wealth, power, and good looks.”
Su Qingmeng rolled her eyes so hard it was as if they might spin back into her head.
Seeing Li Yunji’s shameless grin, she grew even more furious and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
No sooner had she left than Chu Qi entered carrying a food box.
Noticing Su Qingmeng’s angry retreating figure, Chu Qi asked in puzzlement, “Young master, what’s the matter with Lady Su Qingmeng?”
Li Yunji sighed lightly and shook his head. “The emperor isn’t anxious, but the eunuchs are.”
Chu Qi nodded, half understanding.
“What’s this?” Li Yunji asked, eyeing the basket in Chu Qi’s hands.
Chu Qi opened the food box, releasing a fragrant aroma. “I heard you’re going to have a fight soon, so I specially bought some chicken soup to help you recover.”
Scratching his head, Chu Qi admitted, “I know nothing about training. I only know that you need to eat and drink well to have the strength to fight.”
Li Yunji smiled faintly at the chicken soup. “Thanks.”
“No need to be polite, young master,” Chu Qi chuckled and was about to leave.
“Wait.” Li Yunji swallowed a mouthful of the soup and called out, “Prepare my horse. I need to go out.”
Though curious, Chu Qi didn’t ask further and went to ready the horse.
After finishing the soup, Li Yunji mounted his horse and rode out alone.
...
At the General’s Mansion.
In the main hall.
The moment Li Yunji arrived, Li Yi rose with a smiling face to greet him.
“My worthy nephew!”
“What brings you to your uncle’s mansion today?” Li Yi asked.
Li Yunji cupped his hands and smiled. “Uncle, I’ve been in Beiling for so long without paying you a visit. It was truly discourteous.”
“Well, today you come to make amends.”
“You flatter me, my worthy uncle,” Li Yi chuckled heartily, personally pouring tea for Li Yunji. “No one visits the Three Treasures Hall without reason. What brings you here today?”
Li Yunji took the cup, sipped lightly, and said slowly, “Uncle, as you know, my return to Beiling is to investigate the tax silver case.”
“Today, I’ve come to seek your advice on where to begin the investigation in Beiling.”
Li Yi’s brow furrowed slightly. Stroking his mustache, he pondered. “The tax silver case is deeply entangled.”
“Beiling’s officials are intricately connected; uncovering the truth will not be easy.”
“In my opinion...” Li Yi paused, glancing subtly at Li Yunji’s expression before continuing, “it must start with the accounts.”
Li Yunji let out a long sigh, nodding repeatedly in strong agreement. “Indeed.”
He raised his teacup again, blowing away the tea leaves floating on the surface, probing, “How about starting with the accounts of your own General’s Mansion, uncle?”
His expression shifted slightly, but he quickly regained composure and smiled. “It’s not that I’m evasive, but the General’s Mansion’s books are voluminous. I fear you might not manage it.”
The two exchanged a glance, and a brief silence fell over the hall.
“Uncle,” Li Yunji frowned slightly, troubled, “aren’t you making things difficult for me?”
He glanced around furtively and lowered his voice. “Could it be that there’s some unspeakable secret hidden in the General’s Mansion’s accounts?”
Li Yi frowned and waved his hand. “Nephew, be careful with your words! There’s absolutely nothing of the sort!”
After a long discussion, seeing Li Yunji’s unwillingness to relent, Li Yi finally nodded and sighed softly. “If you insist, then so be it.”
“Send someone to fetch the mansion’s account books for His Highness the Heir!”
Li Yunji’s face lit up with joy, bowing in thanks, “Thank you, uncle, for your support.”
Soon, several accountants entered the hall carrying thick ledgers, carefully placing them on the desk.
Li Yunji flipped through the books casually, smiling lightly. “Uncle, may I take these ledgers back to my residence for a thorough examination?”
Li Yi hesitated, his mustache twitching slightly, then gestured freely. “You may do as you wish.”
Their eyes met once more, and Li Yunji bowed and took his leave.
Watching Li Yunji’s figure disappear through the doorway, Li Yi’s smile slowly faded.
His gaze turned cold, an unfathomable chill settling in.
...
Back at the prince’s residence, Li Yunji carelessly tossed the ledgers into the study.
He then turned and walked to the backyard, settling into the grandmaster’s chair, swaying gently.
“Did you go to the General’s Mansion today to check the accounts?” Su Qingmeng approached quietly, her face full of doubt.
Li Yunji nodded slightly. “If not?”
Su Qingmeng snorted coldly. “I thought you might be gathering reinforcements.”
Li Yunji sneered dismissively. “To deal with someone like Zhou Cheng, a brute, no reinforcements are needed.”
“Do you have a plan?” Su Qingmeng frowned.
“Of course,” Li Yunji nodded confidently.
“Tell me!” Su Qingmeng’s eyes brightened.
She was curious about the schemes brewing in Li Yunji’s mind.
It seemed every time, he could turn danger into safety.
Li Yunji’s lips curled into a faint smile, his tone resolute. “Face him head-on.”
Su Qingmeng’s expression darkened. There was no need to say more.
After a moment of silence, Su Qingmeng glanced toward the study and asked, “Aren’t you going to investigate the ledgers you brought back?”
Li Yunji shook his head, smiling softly. “It’s just a show. No need to check.”
“What do you mean?”
“If my uncle dared to give these to me, do you think there’s anything worth finding inside?” Li Yunji countered.
“Then why did you bring them back?” Su Qingmeng pressed.
Li Yunji crossed his legs, enjoying the evening breeze. “I’ve been in Beiling for so long with no progress.”
“How can I let my uncle rest easy?”
A flicker of realization crossed Su Qingmeng’s face.
She lowered her gaze, staring at Li Yunji for a long while without moving her eyes.
“Stop staring,” Li Yunji tapped the chair’s armrest lightly, teasing, “Look too long, and you might fall in love with me.”
Su Qingmeng rolled her eyes. “In your dreams!”
With that, she swept her sleeves and left.
The sunset bathed Su Qingmeng’s retreating figure, the blush at her ear deepening beneath its glow...