Chapter Fifty: Why Should I Be Anxious?
Seeing the look of confusion on Li Yunjie’s face, Lin Mao spoke gently:
“In recent days, there have been quite a few rumors about Taihu Academy circulating in the capital.”
“It was only thanks to Your Highness’s timely intervention in solving the case that the academy’s reputation was preserved.”
“My teacher specifically instructed me to thank you in person on his behalf.”
“So that’s how it is,” Li Yunjie replied, suddenly enlightened. “It was nothing but a small favor, not worth mentioning.”
The two exchanged a smile and left the yamen together.
“Brother Lin,” Li Yunjie began again as they walked back to the inn, “may I ask you about someone?”
“Please, go ahead.”
Li Yunjie’s voice grew solemn. “In your opinion, what kind of person is Zhou Jingzhi?”
Lin Mao hesitated briefly, then sighed softly, “Junior Zhou is a straightforward man—a true gentleman.”
Li Yunjie pondered for a few moments before asking, “If he is truly a gentleman, then the real reason Zhou Jingzhi was expelled by Dean Gong years ago shouldn’t be as disgraceful as the rumors claim, should it?”
Everyone Li Yunjie had questioned about Zhou Jingzhi had described him in strikingly similar terms: a man of honor.
How could someone like that possibly have harassed the dean’s daughter?
Lin Mao was surprised at first, but then smiled. “Your Highness is indeed shrewd and discerning.”
“The truth is, there were hidden reasons behind Junior Zhou’s departure from the academy.”
“What reasons?” Li Yunjie pressed.
Lin Mao sighed deeply. “Junior Zhou believed that the reason our Da Qian’s literary tradition could not rival the northern steppes was because the Imperial College and Taihu Academy had divided the spirit of scholarship.”
“So he frequently debated the matter with our teacher, hoping that Taihu Academy would be merged into the Imperial College.”
“Naturally, many of the academy’s students strongly opposed this.”
“Over time, they grew distant from Junior Zhou.”
“In the end, he had no choice but to leave the academy.”
Li Yunjie frowned. “So Zhou Jingzhi wasn’t expelled—he left of his own accord?”
Lin Mao nodded. “After he left Qiongzhou, rumors spread in the martial world that he was expelled for harassing the dean’s daughter.”
“But all of us at the academy knew that Junior Zhou and Ling were sincerely in love.”
“It was nothing like the sordid stories people told!”
As he spoke, rare anger flashed across Lin Mao’s usually calm face.
“So did Gong Ling know about Brother Jingzhi…”
Lin Mao shook his head. “The dean feared she would be too heartbroken, so he never told Ling anything.”
Li Yunjie sighed heavily, ending the topic.
The death of Zhou Jingzhi was like a thorn in Li Yunjie’s heart. The entire case, from beginning to end, left him with a nagging sense of unease.
“What brings Your Highness to Jiangnan this time?” Lin Mao suddenly asked as Li Yunjie was lost in thought.
“I’m searching for someone,” Li Yunjie replied coolly. “Gu Xian’er.”
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Lin Mao’s expression shifted. “The Gu Xian’er you speak of—is she the master of the Bright Tower?”
“She is indeed.” Li Yunjie smiled helplessly. “Her whereabouts are elusive. My visit to Jiangnan is little more than a shot in the dark.”
Lin Mao nodded. “In that case, I will keep an eye out for you.”
Li Yunjie clasped his hands in thanks.
As they chatted and laughed, they found themselves at the Linjiang Inn without realizing it.
“Here we are.” Li Yunjie stopped at the bottom of the stairs and smiled, “Thank you, Brother Lin, for your company. Please give my regards to Dean Gong.”
With that, he turned to enter.
“Your Highness,” Lin Mao stepped forward, “since you wish to give your regards, it would be best to do so in person.”
“My teacher has been waiting for you in a private room on the second floor.”
Li Yunjie was surprised. “What a coincidence!”
Lin Mao smiled and nodded.
Li Yunjie glanced at his grimy clothes, then lifted his arm and sniffed, frowning deeply.
“Please, would you inform the Dean that I will pay my respects after I’ve freshened up in my room? I’d rather not present myself in such a state.”
With that, the two parted ways.
……
“I can’t wait any longer!” In the private room, Su Qingmeng paced back and forth, worry etched across her face.
“Don’t worry, our young master will be fine.” Eleven looked nonchalant, munching on an apple.
Su Qingmeng rolled her eyes at the unbothered Eleven. “How can you be so calm when your young master’s been taken away?”
“Our young master is of noble status. The constables wouldn’t dare harm him,” Eleven replied indifferently. “Besides, Miss Qingmeng, haven’t you always looked down on my young master?”
“Why are you so anxious now?”
“I…”
Su Qingmeng opened her mouth to retort but found herself at a loss for words.
Why am I so anxious?
She tried to convince herself it wasn’t out of concern for Li Yunjie’s safety that she was so agitated.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Su Xiyan, who was quietly admiring the Jiangnan scenery by the window, and inspiration struck. “If he’s locked up, who will help me find Gu Xian’er?”
“How will we cure Xiyan’s muteness?!”
Eleven uttered a long “oh,” a sly smile tugging at his lips.
“Never mind!” Su Qingmeng’s expression hardened. “I’m going to the yamen to demand his release!”
She grabbed her sword and strode toward the door.
As soon as she opened it, there stood Li Yunjie, hand raised, about to push it open himself.
Her hands ended up not empty after all.
At least, they landed squarely on Su Qingmeng’s chest.
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Smack!
“Scoundrel!”
Li Yunjie stood dumbfounded in the doorway, glancing at his hands, his mouth pursed.
“Why does this keep happening? Am I cursed?”
Back inside the room, Su Xiyan and Eleven hurried over to him, while Su Qingmeng sulked by the window.
“You’re back so soon, young master?” Eleven asked, full of curiosity.
“Heaven favors the good,” Li Yunjie replied, pouring himself a cup of tea and draining it in one gulp.
“So why did the constables arrest you?”
Li Yunjie took another drink. “They wanted to curry favor.”
“And, incidentally, help their master vent his anger.”
By the time Li Yunjie learned of Lin Mao’s role in solving the case, he had already pieced together the entire affair.
Song Yongnian had used the death of the Zhang family’s elder as a pretext to pin suspicion on Li Yunjie.
In the dungeon, Song had pretended to let him go, but in truth, it was all to buy goodwill.
If Li Yunjie didn’t take the bait, Song could still keep him locked up under the guise of investigation.
After a few days, once Zhang Shen was arrested and the real culprit announced, Li Yunjie would be released.
That way, Song could both retaliate against Li Yunjie and use the opportunity to send a signal to the Eastern Palace—a perfect scheme.
Unfortunately for him, Lin Mao’s intervention threw all his plans into disarray.
“What kind of favor?” Eleven asked, eyes wide with confusion, like a curious child. “And who is his master?”
Su Xiyan nodded eagerly, her eyes sparkling, awaiting Li Yunjie’s answer.
“It’s a long story,” Li Yunjie sighed. “I’ll tell you another time.”
The two instantly deflated, slumping over the table.
Li Yunjie stood, stretched, and ordered, “Eleven, fetch some hot water.”
“I need a bath.”
“Yes, young master,” Eleven replied without enthusiasm.
Su Xiyan pouted in disappointment, clearly sulking over the lack of a good story.
“Aren’t you two going to leave?” Li Yunjie put his hand to his belt. “Or do you intend to watch me bathe?”
Su Qingmeng shot Li Yunjie a glare and muttered, “Scoundrel!”
She grabbed Su Xiyan and stormed out.
No sooner had the sisters left than a familiar fragrance wafted through the room…