TGCFNM -Chapter 14 Can’t Find Him

“Can’t find him?”

Chu Ling looked suspiciously at the eight constables. A juren wasn’t some common cabbage you could find anywhere. In a remote place like this, where such talents were as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns, how could they possibly not find one?

“Sir, aside from Scholar Sun, the juren who serves as a guest at Master Zhang’s residence, there truly isn’t anyone else,” Qi Da said helplessly. Between three villages and the entire Sishui County, they had searched high and low, and there was only this one juren.

“Perhaps he moved away years ago, which is why you didn’t find any record of him,” Chu Ling said with certainty, nodding to herself. That had to be it.

Qi Da immediately shook his head. “Sir, in a small place like this, producing a juren is a joyous event known to everyone. There really isn’t another one.”

The Ghost Scholar turned to look at Chu Ling. “Sishui County is remote. If it had truly produced a juren, I’m afraid there wouldn’t be a single person who didn’t know about it.”

How could that be?

Chu Ling absently toyed with the jade in her hand. Logically, that didn’t make sense. Could it be that Wu Lianzhi was actually from out of town—and that juren as well?

“There’s another matter, Sir,” Qi Da said, clearly scheming, sidling up with a fawning smile. Lowering his voice, he added, “I heard that your medicine cured Prefect Cheng’s daughter?”

It took Chu Ling a moment to recall that Qi Da was referring to the young woman from the apothecary yesterday.

“She’s the prefect’s daughter? What are she and her mother doing in Sishui County?” Chu Ling fixed Qi Da with a stare. “You must have investigated this thoroughly, right?”

Qi Da rubbed his hands together and chuckled. “When Prefect Cheng was young, he once stayed at the Sishui County Confucian Temple to study. Although he’s too busy to return now, his wife and daughter came to fulfill a vow at the temple. That’s common knowledge. Besides, Madam Cheng is selecting a son-in-law.”

“Selecting a son-in-law?”

“That’s right. Recently, many scholars have been flocking to the Confucian Temple every day, hoping to rise to the top in a single leap. But how could those types compare to you, Sir? You’re already the county magistrate, outstanding among men, and you even saved Prefect Cheng’s daughter… Heh heh, when your happy day comes, you must treat us to wedding wine.”

Qi Da waggled his eyebrows as he grinned. Chu Ling grabbed a book and hurled it at him.

“I tell you to find a juren and you can’t, yet you’re eyeing someone else’s daughter? Let me tell you—she didn’t want to go through blind dates in Sishui County, which is why she tried to end her life. No mother would really force her daughter to die. I reckon they’ll be leaving soon. You’d better focus on investigating the case!”

Qi Da scratched his head. “How could that be? Madam Cheng is even planning to hold a literary competition to choose a husband. They’re already setting up a stage.”

“Where?”

“Outside the Confucian Temple!” Qi Da brightened again. “Sir, won’t you give it a try? Prefect Cheng’s official career has been smooth sailing. It’s said his teacher is some high-ranking official in the capital. If you became his son-in-law, perhaps one day you could follow your father-in-law to the capital and take up a post there.”

Chu Ling forced a smile that didn’t reach her eyes and glared at Qi Da. “I think Sishui County is quite fine as it is. If Constable Qi can’t find the clues I need, I’ll strip you of your post!”

“Sir, Sir! I’ll go investigate right away!” Qi Da exclaimed, hastily leading his men out in a rush.

With a loud bang, Chu Ling shut the door and cursed, “Is that Madam Cheng out of her mind? Her own daughter already threatened death—why is she still insisting on forcing her to marry in Sishui County?”

“The daughter of a prefect choosing a husband in Sishui County? That is indeed rather strange,” Ghost Scholar agreed.

“Miss! Miss!” Cui Xi burst through the door and hurried to Chu Ling’s side. “Wu Lianzhi remembered something! Her husband usually stayed at the Confucian Temple for quiet study. She delivered things to him there several times and even buried a brocade pouch beneath the osmanthus tree in the temple, hoping he would pass the exams with high honors.”

“The Confucian Temple again?” Chu Ling replied.

Cui Xi blinked in confusion. “Miss, did you forget? When we took the boat to Sishui County, we passed by the Confucian Temple. The boatman even introduced it, saying the temple was blessed by the Star of Literature. The scholars who studied there were all exceptionally talented, and many people from surrounding areas went there to stay temporarily.”

Chu Ling slapped the table and looked at Ghost Scholar. “Master, they were scholars staying temporarily—not locals of Sishui County!” No wonder they couldn’t find anything no matter how they searched.

“Master, let’s go to the Confucian Temple first,” Chu Ling said. She had to dig up the brocade pouch before anything else.

After leaving the county office, Ghost Scholar didn’t even need to remind her—Chu Ling could already sense someone following behind. Casually, she picked up a stone from the roadside and decisively hurled it toward a certain spot.

When she heard a muffled groan, she nodded in satisfaction and continued forward.

“This one is truly persistent,” Ghost Scholar shook his head.

Chu Ling couldn’t even be bothered with the fellow anymore and quickened her pace toward the Confucian Temple. Only when she reached its gates did she realize it was indeed as lively as Qi Da had described.

The platform for the literary marriage competition had almost been completed. A steward-like figure was directing people to hang up red silk decorations. Wooden placards were being adjusted into position. Everything was nearly ready—just waiting for Miss Cheng herself.

Though she was probably still unconscious. Chu Ling couldn’t understand how a mother could be so heartless.

She walked past the busy workers and stepped onto the stone stairs toward the temple entrance. Before she could enter, someone blocked her path.

“What are you doing? Do you think this Confucian Temple is somewhere you can trespass? Don’t you know Madam Cheng is temporarily residing here?” The steward barked loudly and raised his hand to shove her away.

Chu Ling slapped his hand aside. “Open your dog’s eyes and look carefully! I am the magistrate of Sishui County. This is the Confucian Temple of Sishui County! Madam Cheng has inns available but chooses to occupy the temple instead. I haven’t even settled that matter with you yet—and you dare to block me?”

The steward clutched his face and stared at her in shock. “Our Madam Cheng is the prefect’s wife!”

Chu Ling stepped up one more stair, looked down at him—and kicked him down the steps. “I’ll say it again. I am the magistrate of Sishui County. Here, I am the highest authority. If you still want to leave Sishui County in one piece, you’d better abide by Sishui County’s rules.”

“You—!” The steward rubbed his waist, about to speak again.

Chu Ling looked down at him coldly. “The prefect’s wife, for her own selfish interests, occupies the Confucian Temple, disturbing the people and preventing scholars from studying in peace. Even if this matter is brought before the imperial court, I will not be afraid.”

“My lord jests,” Nanny Zhao quickly stepped forward with a placating smile when she sensed things going badly. “The Confucian Temple of Sishui County naturally belongs to the magistrate to enter as he pleases. Moreover, Your Excellency saved our young lady’s life. It’s just that there are female family members residing here. As a man, my lord should not trouble himself arguing with women.”

Chu Ling immediately put on a smile as well. “As the saying goes, even when beating a dog, one must consider its owner. I just didn’t expect that the prefect’s dog would dare to bite people.”

Nanny Zhao laughed awkwardly.

Chu Ling’s expression turned serious again. “I will only go to the front hall, not the rear courtyard.”

“Yes, yes, my lord. Please, enter as you wish.” Nanny Zhao quickly stepped aside.

Chu Ling walked in first, with Ghost Scholar following behind. “Just a steward from the prefect’s residence, yet he acts so arrogantly. I must admit, I am rather surprised,” Ghost Scholar remarked.

Chu Ling shook her aching hand. “That’s why I did it on purpose. Servants like that deserve a lesson.”

Outside the temple, the steward was still fuming. Grabbing a passing scholar, he demanded angrily, “Is your county magistrate always such a rogue?”

The scholar blinked. “Our magistrate? Yes, he’s like that.”

Another passerby chimed in, “That’s right. Our magistrate has always been that way—completely arrogant.”