TGCFNM -Chapter 114 Going to Investigate

After washing up, Chu Ling followed Bai Su’s instructions and experimented on her own foot with the silver needle. After a few pricks, she put on her shoes and socks and went to the front hall.

Xiao Hua was heating ginger soup over the stove. Seeing Chu Ling, she hurried forward to help her sit down. “Master, everyone else has already had some—you’re the only one left.” Saying that, she served Chu Ling a large bowl.

Chu Ling took it with a mix of amusement and exasperation, placing it on the table in front of her.

Su He’s autopsy report had already come out and was set aside.

Stirring the ginger soup, Chu Ling opened the report and glanced at it. “The injuries on the four deceased were likely caused after they were bound and pushed down the slope. After the fall, they weren’t dead yet, which is why there was dirt in their windpipes when they were buried alive.”

Su He nodded. “Exactly. So all four died from suffocation due to live burial.”

Wang Wei spoke up: “Master, we went around asking, but no one said they’d seen these four people. We suspect they’re not from Changzhou.”

Chu Ling hummed in acknowledgment. “Wait for Steward Zhu to arrive. Once he finishes drawing the portraits, we’ll ask in the surrounding counties.” She then set down the autopsy report.

In the front hall, Fu Qingyu and Qing Tong hadn’t left yet; they were gathered around the hall’s stove, warming books, with Wan Sanjin helping.

Wang Wei, Wang Yan, Han Jin, and Han Yin sat with frustrated expressions, staring blankly at the fire.

Chu Ling tapped the table to rouse them. “It’s understandable that after all your inquiries, you didn’t get any information. Tomorrow, when the rain stops, go ask Lord Mei for help and check every neighboring county. You must identify the victims.”

“Yes, Master,” the four responded in unison.

Wan Sanjin touched the corner of a book to check that it was dry, then set it aside. “Master, do you have any leads?”

“A little.” Chu Ling pinched the bridge of her nose and sipped her ginger soup. “The larger gambling houses in Changzhou… Master Wan, do you know them?”

Wan Sanjin hadn’t answered yet, but Fu Qingyu spoke first: “Sanjin’s eldest brother wouldn’t allow him near such places. The Wan family doesn’t have that kind of business, so he likely wouldn’t know.”

Chu Ling crossed her legs and looked at Fu Qingyu. “Do you know?”

Qing Tong’s eyes widened, and he hurriedly said, “Our master doesn’t go to places like that either.”

Just as Chu Ling was thinking about how to gather information, Su He silently raised his hand. “I’ve been there.”

Immediately, everyone in the hall turned to look at Su He, disbelief written all over their faces.

Han Jin and Han Yin exchanged a glance, recalling just a little while ago when they had helped Su He with the autopsy. Su He had his usual deadpan expression and muttered as if talking to the corpse.

Someone like him going into a gambling house would surely terrify the dealer.

“Why would you go to a gambling house?” Chu Ling asked in surprise, finding it hard to imagine Su He entering such a place.

Su He didn’t answer immediately. He raised his hand and looked seriously at Chu Ling. “My fingers are very nimble and sensitive. I can detect the subtle vibrations of the table to track the dealer’s movements.”

“And then?” Wan Sanjin pressed.

“Then I made money. It’s simple,” Su He replied.

Chu Ling was astonished. “You’re not even short of money.”

“Oh, they used to operate not far from my place, gambling day and night. It got so noisy that I kept winning their money until they moved away—and they never dared to come back,” Su He said, a strange smile creeping onto his face. “Ever since they lost so badly, that bunch of people run away whenever they see me.”

Chu Ling: “……” Who wouldn’t run?

After organizing the documents, Fu Qingyu walked to the table and asked Chu Ling, “May I look at the autopsy report?”

“Sure, go ahead.” Chu Ling finished the ginger tea in her hands.

Fu Qingyu carefully read through it, then looked at Chu Ling and asked, “How did you deduce that the killer is a gambler? What gave it away?”

“The killer is a gambler?” Wan Sanjin was startled and immediately took the autopsy report to look. Even after reading it, he couldn’t see why it would point to a gambler.

Chu Ling put down her bowl and looked at everyone. “Come now, let me explain it for free.”

Everyone gathered around and sat at the table.

Clearing her throat, Chu Ling began explaining, step by step.

“First, the deceased family of four must have been traveling by carriage, but no carriage was found at the scene—it was taken away. A large target like a carriage wouldn’t be stolen by ordinary bandits; only novices would take it. That’s point one.”

“Second, the four deceased weren’t wealthy. They were targeted because the novice killer was timid, inexperienced, and the victims were a family—easy pickings. Also, the gold bracelets on the female victim’s wrists weren’t taken, which further indicates the culprits were amateurs.”

“Third, the method of the crime was crude: the four were tied up with ropes, pushed down a hillside, and left to die, then buried in a rarely visited part of the forest. Only locals would know such a secluded spot.”

“Fourth, conclusion: locals, novices, desperate for money—likely gamblers. But this group isn’t like ordinary gamblers—they ride horses. They have horses.”

Wan Sanjin blinked in surprise. “How do you know they rode horses?”

Chu Ling’s eyes lit up. “Didn’t I run up there in the rain? I saw the hoofprints—but they’ve probably been washed away by now.”

Fu Qingyu understood. “So you asked about the biggest gambling dens… but in fact, you were narrowing it down to some spoiled young nobles.”

Chu Ling’s expression darkened slightly, and she nodded.

Chu Ling: “Wang Wei, Wang Yan, tomorrow you divide the tasks of tracking people. Take the ropes from the victims and check them one by one—where they were sold, who bought them—investigate thoroughly.”

“Yes, sir.” Wang Wei and Wang Yan responded.

Chu Ling continued, “Han Jin, Han Yin, you do the same. Once you get people from Lord Mei, send them to track others. Then, follow Coroner Su, and go gamble.”

Han Jin and Han Yin: “…Gamble, sir?”

“Don’t worry. With Coroner Su there, you won’t lose a cent,” Chu Ling said with a faint smile. “Observe carefully: who likes to gamble, who loses their temper easily, who borrows money, and whose family keeps a tight rein on them.”

“Yes, sir.” Han Jin and Han Yin nodded.

“Master Wan, tomorrow check your family’s Yunke contacts. See if anyone has been selling carriages,” Chu Ling instructed.

Wan Sanjin accepted the order. “Understood, sir. I’ll handle it.”

Fu Qingyu looked at Chu Ling’s injured leg and said, “If you don’t mind, tomorrow I’ll bring my students to help you find people.”

“The more, the better. Thank you, Young Master Fu,” Chu Ling replied, clasping her fists.

Fu Qingyu shook his head lightly. “It’s my duty.”