Chapter 115: Witchcraft Runes

Two days passed.

The sweltering heat, briefly washed away by the torrential rains of previous days, had returned with a vengeance, plunging Beiling back into a state of scorching misery. Li Yunji and his entourage had retreated once more into the study.

During these idle days, Li Yunji had been busy upgrading his air-conditioned room. He had Su Xiyan add a "Swift Wind Talisman" in front of the ice blocks, which not only conserved materials but also significantly improved the cooling effect. Li Yunji lay comfortably on a grand armchair, savoring chilled watermelon with a look of utter ease.

Outside the door, Chuyi walked in carrying a massive watermelon. The coolness inside the room instantly invigorated him, sweeping away the oppressive heat. Su Xiyan glanced down at the half-watermelon in her hand, and suddenly, it didn't taste sweet anymore.

"Chuyi, didn't we already have melons in the manor?" Eleven asked, frowning as he looked at the giant fruit in Chuyi's hands. "Why did you buy another one?"

Chuyi set the melon down and chuckled, "This one was a gift; it didn't cost a cent."

Eleven’s eyes lit up. "A melon this big, for free?"

Chuyi nodded vigorously. "The melon seller recognized me as being from the Prince's Manor. He said this melon was incredibly sweet and insisted I bring it for the Young Master to taste."

Eleven furrowed his brow, sensing a conspiracy. He knew full well what kind of reputation his master had in Beiling. A gift of melon? Unless the intention was to poison him.

Hearing Chuyi's words, Li Yunji’s expression shifted slightly. He straightened up from the armchair, his gaze sweeping sharply over the melon. "What did the seller look like?"

Chuyi paused to recall, then described, "He was burly, with a scar on his face that looked like a burn."

Li Yunji became instantly alert. He walked quickly to the melon and examined it closely for a moment, finally discovering a faint crack on the rind. With a swift motion of his knife, he split the melon along the crack; tucked inside the pulp was a strip of cloth.

The handwriting on the cloth was scrawled and messy—not so much writing as it was a series of strange symbols. Su Qingmeng leaned in, studied the strip carefully, and knitted her brows. "It looks like witchcraft runes."

"You recognize it?" Li Yunji asked, puzzled.

Su Qingmeng shook her head. "I've only seen it a few times in the official archives."

Li Yunji sighed softly and tucked the cloth away.

"Who sent this message?" Su Qingmeng pressed.

Li Yunji’s lips curled slightly as he said in a low voice, "Chen Jingshan."

It was an unexpected name. Su Qingmeng’s mind went blank for a moment. A series of questions surged in her head: Didn't he have a massive falling out with you at the Ministry of Justice? How did you suddenly get back in touch?

Su Qingmeng took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, and stared at Li Yunji, waiting for him to explain.

Li Yunji casually picked up a slice of watermelon and began eating, explaining leisurely, "Before I headed south to the Jiangnan region, I carefully reviewed the archives at the Ministry of Justice, especially the cases handled by Hong Lie back in the day."

"As it turns out, Hong Lie had already discovered clues regarding the secret outposts of Mobei within the capital long ago. He just never made them public, choosing instead to hide the evidence in the seams of the case files."

Li Yunji paused, looked up at Su Qingmeng, and continued, "At the time, I was buried deep in the tax silver case and couldn't spare the effort, so I passed the lead to Chen Jingshan. We each took a side—he investigated the witchcraft, I tracked the outposts. We attacked from both flanks. One shouldn't put all their eggs in one basket."

Upon hearing this, Eleven sighed and whispered to Chuyi, "Actually, the Young Master only stopped investigating because he found out Gu Xian'er was in Jiangnan and was anxious to find her to treat the Su sisters. Even if he didn't say it outright, I could tell." His tone carried a hint of teasing. Chuyi nodded in understanding.

Su Qingmeng remained confused after hearing this. "If Chen Jingshan was investigating outposts in the capital, why would he suddenly appear in Beiling?"

Li Yunji took a bite of watermelon and leaned back into his armchair, speaking languidly, "The Mobei witchcraft clan was involved in the tax silver case, and the trail of that silver eventually led to Beiling. It wouldn't be difficult for Chen Jingshan to track that down if he put in a little effort."

Su Qingmeng brainstormed for a quarter of an hour before finally realizing with an "Oh!" of enlightenment.

"Do you trust him that much?" she asked tentatively. Given their past grievances, she felt this was highly irregular.

Li Yunji replied calmly, a faint smile on his lips, "A man who can spend three months crouching in freezing snow just to crack a single case—someone as obsessively righteous as he is—is worth trusting." A flash of approval crossed Li Yunji’s eyes. "If he sets his mind on something, ten oxen couldn't pull him back. Such a person would never abandon the pursuit of truth over a petty grudge."

Su Qingmeng couldn't help but nod. After a moment of silence, her doubts began to fade. She had heard of Chen Jingshan's temperament; the very case Li Yunji mentioned had been the talk of the capital. It was precisely because of that perseverance that he had caught the eye of Xu Changfeng and been promoted to the position of Junior Minister.

"So this was your 'ghostly scheme'?" Su Qingmeng recalled what Li Yunji had said to her by the pond a few days ago, and her heart trembled. "You even guessed this?" If he could truly predict all this, then Li Yunji was nothing short of divine.

"Do you take me for a god?" Li Yunji scoffed. "I don't have that kind of power. This time, it was just luck."

Su Qingmeng nodded, still half-believing.

...

After dinner, Li Yunji went out alone. He strolled along the street until he reached the Star-Plucking Pavilion. He bought two flasks of Spring Wine downstairs, then used some silver to loosen the innkeeper's tongue to find out which room Gu Xian'er was staying in.

Carrying the fine wine, he raised his hand, just about to knock on the door, when it suddenly swung open. Li Yunji instantly felt that his bribe money had gone to waste.

Gu Xian'er stood there in an orange dress, her eyes crinkling with a smile. "What a rarity. The Young Master has actually come to see me of his own accord today."

Li Yunji returned the smile and said calmly, "Doctor Gu helped me with such a huge favor a few days ago, the least I could do is show some appreciation."

The two entered the room and sat opposite each other. Li Yunji placed the two flasks of Spring Wine on the table. "This is the signature wine of the Star-Plucking Pavilion. The texture is mellow and the aftertaste is soft—it suits your temperament perfectly."

Gu Xian'er took the flask, popped the red seal, and sniffed it delicately. "Two flasks of Spring Wine, and you think you can fob me off with that?"

"Of course not," Li Yunji said with a light laugh. "Whatever Doctor Gu wants, just say the word. As long as it is within my power, I will do it without hesitation."

Gu Xian'er’s lips curled into a cunning smile. "Doesn't the Young Master know what I want?" She suddenly looked dejected. "It's just that the Young Master is unwilling to give it to me."

Li Yunji raised an eyebrow. It wasn't that he was unwilling; it was just impossible to give...

"Doctor Gu, there is plenty of time ahead," Li Yunji forced a smile. "Once I settle my affairs here, I will surely grant it!"

Gu Xian'er’s face lit up with joy. "You said it yourself."

Li Yunji nodded solemnly. *She's such a beautiful woman, and she's being so proactive—why should I play the fool?*

"Tell me, then," Gu Xian'er said, her smile fading slightly as she took a sip of the wine. "What is the reason for your visit today?"

Li Yunji took a deep breath, pulled the strip of cloth from his sleeve, and placed it on the table. Gu Xian'er stared at the cloth, her expression gradually becoming grave.