TGCFNM -Chapter 115 Found Out

The next day, in the afternoon.

Zhang Dong hurriedly carried a letter to the backyard and handed it to Chu Ling.

“Sir, it says here they’ve been found. The entire family is from Yushui County.”

Chu Ling opened the letter and showed it to Tao Sanniang standing behind her.

Zhang Dong continued, “Sir, Master Fu’s student said that the person in question is a highly respected scholar from Yushui County. He died unexpectedly while traveling, which has angered many. It seems the local students are planning to come here to seek justice.”

Chu Ling nodded and put the letter down. “If any students come here to raise complaints, tell them that I am investigating the case and hope they will cooperate. Also, ask who lent Master Zhou the carriage.”

Zhang Dong cupped his hands in acknowledgment and stepped back.

Wan Sanjin quickly came in afterward, looking at Chu Ling. “Sir, I went to Yunke to inquire. No one came to sell a carriage, but the steward said he saw a simple wooden carriage made of planks, one he had never seen in Changzhou before.”

Chu Ling asked quickly, “Where did he see it?”

Wan Sanjin replied, “At the front gate street. The person driving the carriage seemed to be delivering vegetables… The steward said that usually, vegetables are delivered by a flat cart, and this was the first time he saw a carriage being used. I followed up and found that he delivered vegetables to a few households—the list is here.”

Chu Ling took the list Wan Sanjin had written: “The He family, the Yan family, the Zeng family…”

“Yes,” Wan Sanjin sat down and continued, “They’re some of the wealthier households in Changzhou, but because the Sun family suddenly rose to power, business became a bit difficult. Now that the Sun family is gone, things have eased somewhat.”

Chu Ling nodded. The carriage was most likely handed over casually by some young master, and it must be connected to one of these households.

Shortly afterward, Wang Wei and Wang Yan returned.

Wang Wei spoke first, “Sir, we’ve checked. The hemp rope was bought at a miscellaneous goods shop in Changzhou. People usually buy this type of rope to tie livestock; it’s strong and doesn’t break easily.”

“Were you able to find out who bought it?” Chu Ling asked.

“Butcher Hu’s family,” Wang Yan said. “We asked Butcher Hu. He said the Zeng family was holding a banquet and ordered meat to be delivered, which needed to be inspected during slaughter. After the slaughter, Butcher Hu intended to wash the rope and take it back, but a group of young masters stopped him to make trouble, so he just threw the rope aside and left.”

Wang Wei added, “Butcher Hu said that if you need him, he is willing to come and testify.”

Chu Ling was moved. “Good.”

A while later, Su He also returned with others.

Han Jin was carrying a bundle that looked heavy. As he approached, he dropped it onto the stone table with a thud, and some silver almost spilled out.

Wan Sanjin was startled and quickly poured a cup of tea for Su He. “You won so much?”

Su He calmly nodded.

Han Yin quickly reported, “Sir, we found them: one named He Tianzong, one named Yan Lei, and one named Zeng Yuanpin. The three are friends who grew up together and studied at Cangzhu Academy. Three months ago, they were punished by Headmaster Shu for cheating on a major exam. Since then, they stopped attending the academy and fell into gambling.”

Han Jin continued, “From what we’ve learned, the three of them were always of like mind—not good people. Poor students, poorly disciplined, they loved wandering the streets causing trouble… Later, they went to a gambling house, won, and from there, they couldn’t stop.”

Wan Sanjin confirmed, “Looks like it’s them.”

“Coroner Su’s autopsy shows that the victims were likely killed about five days ago,” Chu Ling said thoughtfully. “Did the three of them also suddenly get gambling money at that time?”

Han Jin’s expression darkened as he nodded. “We asked the gambling house; yes, they did.”

Tao Sanniang, pale-faced, added, “There were five on horseback, plus seven or eight henchmen.”

Chu Ling looked at everyone with a very determined expression. “We can be sure now—the three are definitely the killers, but they’re not the only ones. There are others involved.”

After all, kidnapping, digging a pit, and burying someone all require manpower. So these three must have had helpers.

Wan Sanjin asked, “Sir, what should we do now?”

“Arrest them directly.” Chu Ling’s eyes turned icy. “I have both eyewitnesses and evidence. Tonight we interrogate them to get the accomplices; tomorrow we hold court and try the case.”

“Yes, Your Honor.” Wan Sanjin received the order and, along with Wang Wei and three others, went straight to make the arrests.

Half an hour later.

Chu Ling hadn’t received news of the arrests, but Steward Zhu came running.

Sweat streaming down his face, Zhu wiped it frantically. “Your Honor, it seems they simply won’t be taken. They’ve stationed a line of thugs at the door, saying anyone who steps forward will be cut down without mercy.”

Chu Ling was barely containing a laugh. “Resisting arrest?”

Steward Zhu frowned and nodded. “Those people mean business—they’ve already drawn their knives.”

Ghost Scholar’s expression was peculiar. “A whole line of thugs… did they foresee this?”

Chu Ling pushed herself up on her cane. “I had someone show them the portrait, so they must have recognized it. In their fear, they warned their families. Now, the front is blocking people, but the real culprits have long fled.”

Anger instantly flared in Steward Zhu’s eyes. “Your Honor, what do we do now?”

“There’s only one road out of the city—they can’t escape.” Chu Ling sneered coldly, looking at Steward Zhu. “You go to the city gate and relay the message to Lord Mei Gao. Get him to help apprehend them.”

Steward Zhu saluted. “Understood, Your Honor. I’ll go immediately.”

After Steward Zhu left, Zhang Dong hurried over, frowning. “Your Honor, the students from Yushui County have arrived. They’re all gathered outside the yamen demanding answers—I can’t calm them down.”

Chu Ling raised a hand to soothe him. “It’s fine, I was planning to see them anyway. Go bring Zhuifeng out here and have him wait at the yamen gate.”

“Yes, Your Honor.” Zhang Dong turned and quickly led the horse.

Chu Ling leaned on her cane and slowly walked to the yamen gate.

As the main gate opened, dozens of students surged forward, but when they saw Chu Ling, they all paused and stepped back.

Supporting herself on the cane, Chu Ling asked gently, “Are you all students of Master Zhou?”

“Yes!” they shouted in unison, eyes red and glistening.

“Your Honor, our master died so unjustly!”

“Your Honor, I want to avenge my master!”

“Your Honor, who… who did it?!”

Chu Ling raised a hand, and gradually the crowd quieted down.

“Who lent Master Zhou the carriage? Step forward.” She watched as one person came forward and asked, “Was it you who lent it?”

“Yes, I’m the student Xue Yang.”

“Good, Xue Yang.” Chu Ling slowly descended the steps with her cane, taking hold of Zhuifeng. “Xue Yang, follow Zhang Dong. Go and inspect the carriage—see if it belongs to your family.”

“Yes, Your Honor.”

With that, Chu Ling vaulted onto her horse, looking down at the students. “Do you want to catch the killer?”

“Yes!” the students shouted angrily.

Chu Ling tightened the reins, her eyes turning cold. “Good. Now follow me to apprehend the murderer.”

“Yes, Your Honor!”

“Drive—”

With a squeeze of her horse’s sides, Zhuifeng sprinted forward.