TGCFNM -Chapter 123 A Meeting

Chu Ling stood in place until the angry shouts of the villagers began to subside. She then invited Xiao Lengjue to sit aside, circled behind the desk, and struck the gavel.

“I hereby pronounce judgment: the three perpetrators shall be executed immediately. As for the members of the Gao family, who are currently in the capital, it will be handled personally by Young Master Xiao. Bring the prisoners away.”

“Yes, sir,” Wang Wei and the other three responded, helping the wardens carry off the bodies.

Xue Yang stepped forward and bowed deeply to Chu Ling. “Sir, we must escort our teacher back and lay him to rest.”

Xiao Lengjue said, “Poor master, devoted to teaching, yet struck by such misfortune. I will select the finest coffins for the four of them, so he may rest in peace.”

Xue Yang, eyes reddened, bowed again. “Thank you, Young Master.”

Xiao Lengjue turned to Chu Ling and asked, “Sir Chu, there is only this one teacher in Yushui County. Now that he has met with disaster, what will become of the students here?”

Chu Ling had already considered this. “I plan to arrange for the students to study at Cangzhu Academy in Changzhou City, though I’m unsure whether the academy will agree.”

“Of course,” the headmaster Shu called out from the crowd. “There’s room for them in the academy as well.”

Chu Ling exhaled in relief and looked at Xiao Lengjue. “The students will be properly taken care of. You needn’t worry.”

Xiao Lengjue nodded and stood to leave.

Chu Ling stepped closer, lowering her voice. “Young Master, may I have a word in private?”

Xiao Lengjue nodded.

Chu Ling led him into the magistrate’s office, closed the doors, and had Wan Sanjin bring over some items.

“Sir Chu, what is it you wish to say that requires such secrecy?” Xiao Lengjue asked directly.

Chu Ling pointed to the tray in Wan Sanjin’s hands. “Young Master, I have found some evidence, to keep in case it’s needed.” She picked up a jade pendant from the tray. “It was taken from Zeng Yuanpin. Master Wan says this jade is a high-quality piece.”

Xiao Lengjue took it, narrowing his eyes, and sneered. “Indeed, a fine piece. It’s an imperial tribute, only the Gao family possesses such items.”

“There’s more.” Chu Ling picked up a palm-sized box, opened it solemnly, revealing silver needles inside.

“I once passed through Wanzhou and heard martial artists discussing the world’s most deadly poison. There’s a poison called Fengding Red, incurable, lethal upon contact with blood. Fengding Red is as bright as fresh blood, with a scent like rotting flowers…” Chu Ling pointed to the three silver needles. “These were removed from the victim’s necks. They perfectly match the martial artists’ description.”

Xiao Lengjue took the silk-lined box with visible excitement and snapped it shut.

“Sir Chu, this matter cannot be confirmed yet. Once I return to the capital, I will have someone re-examine whether it truly is this poison.”

“Thank you for your hard work, Young Master,” Chu Ling said earnestly.

“No, it is Sir Chu who has worked hard—pursuing the criminals while sustaining injuries yourself,” Xiao Lengjue suddenly cupped his fist in salute. “The Great Zhou is fortunate to have an official like you.”

Chu Ling carefully steadied herself. “I am but a servant of the court. It is my duty to serve the Great Zhou with all my heart and life.”

Xiao Lengjue, satisfied, tucked away the box and looked at Chu Ling meaningfully. “When I said the Great Zhou is fortunate to have you, it was no mere compliment. I must leave now due to urgent matters, but when next we meet, we will drink together heartily.”

“I look forward to that meeting, Young Master,” Chu Ling bowed.

Xiao Lengjue smiled slightly, nodded, and departed.

The Ghost Scholar standing beside Chu Ling let out a faint laugh. “He knows you serve Prince Rui, yet still tries to curry favor.”

Wan Sanjin crossed his arms and said, “I didn’t expect that. I thought this person would be an ice-cold type.”

Chu Ling’s eyes flickered with caution. “He’s extremely ambitious, far from an ordinary person. It’s best we don’t make him our enemy.”

Suddenly, Wan Sanjin remembered something and looked at Chu Ling. “Su He said that the reason the Fengding Red [poison] was locked away in the imperial palace was because it’s incurable.”

Chu Ling’s expression shifted as she realized. “The Emperor feared being poisoned, so he had it secured in the palace. But the Gao family got hold of it… no wonder Young Lord Xiao was so delighted.”

This time, it would be hard for the Gao family to get away unscathed.

“Your Excellency,” Han Jin strode in and cupped his hands. “There’s a young lady outside who wishes to see you.”

Wan Sanjin immediately blocked him, frowning. “Better not see her.”

Chu Ling shook her head. “Let her in.”

“Yes, sir.” Han Jin acknowledged, then went to invite Chu Rou, who had been waiting outside, in, and closed the door again.

Chu Rou walked in slowly, giving Chu Ling a slight smile as she brushed back her hair. “I didn’t expect that last time in Qingyang, the young master would actually be an official of the court. Truly, appearances can be deceiving.”

“I bought the position myself,” Chu Ling said, grinning proudly.

Chu Rou’s eyes flickered with inner sarcasm, but her face still wore a polite smile. “Your Excellency handled the case well today.”

“I know,” Chu Ling said, hands clasped behind her back, chest out in pride. “I don’t need a civilian woman to praise me.”

Chu Rou’s smile stiffened, and then she slightly raised her brow. “I am not just any civilian woman. I am from the capital.”

Chu Ling raised an eyebrow, pretending to be surprised. “Which family, if I may ask? If I ever have the chance to serve as an official in the capital, could you possibly give me a recommendation?”

Chu Rou frowned. A look of disdain flashed across her face, but quickly disappeared. “My identity is not convenient to disclose…”

“Then why come to me?” Chu Ling seemed to have decided the person before her was a fraud. “Wan Sanjin, escort her out.”

“Wait!” Chu Rou took a deep breath. “I can give you a merit, Your Excellency, but in return, you must recommend me to the person in power of the Wan family.”

“Is that so?”

Chu Ling said this while glancing at Wan Sanjin, who nodded slightly.

Still wearing a skeptical expression, Chu Ling looked at Chu Rou. “Go ahead.”

Chu Rou held back a breath but thought of Wan Xing, then frowned and spoke. “Within half a month, Salt Transport Commissioner Yuan Jiedu will be killed. The culprit is his deputy.”

Chu Ling raised an eyebrow. Chu Rou was actually telling her this.

In the original story, it was Chu Yue who uncovered the truth behind the Salt Transport Commissioner’s death. This earned her favor with the Yuan family and, in the future, the Yuan family’s trust made Xiao Lengjue’s path to succession smoother.

“You trust me enough to tell me this? That’s a tremendous merit,” Chu Ling said slowly.

“I tell you this with conditions,” Chu Rou said, tilting her chin slightly. “Young Lord Xiao is exceptional. If Your Excellency follows him, your path of promotion will undoubtedly soar.”

“No,” Chu Ling said firmly. “You already mentioned the condition of meeting the Wan family’s person in power. You can only propose one condition.”

Chu Rou hesitated, then gritted her teeth. “Hah… offering you a smooth path and you refuse… fine. Arrange for me to meet the Wan family’s person.”

Chu Ling smiled coldly, all teeth and no warmth. “Of course.”