TGCFNM -Chapter 144 The Two Shangguan Brothers

In the forest, by the fire they had built.

The two Shangguan brothers crouched together in fear, while their few guards, stiff-legged and awkward, stood nearby, eyes sharply fixed on the maid tending the fire.

“That maid’s fire poker looks ordinary, but the force behind it is terrifying.”

“Indeed, I feel like she was holding back—otherwise my leg would’ve been broken.”

“They didn’t even intend to kill anyone. We were the ones trying to snatch someone else’s prized horse.”

The two brothers turned to each other, their gazes lingering. One had blood on his nose, the other had a black eye.

“Second young masters… really, you can’t blame them. In the jianghu, it’s rare to see people who don’t kill.”

Shangguan Cheng gritted his teeth and whispered, “These are officials. What jianghu are court officials walking through?”

Shangguan Shi tugged at his brother’s sleeve. “Officials who can fight aren’t common either, and they aren’t afraid of power.”

Shangguan Cheng: “?”

…Powerful?

“Over there,” Chu Ling called out. “What does the Shangguan family do?”

Shangguan Cheng: “…”

Shangguan Shi: “…Oh, so you don’t know.”

The four guards: “…”

“My father is Minister of Works,” Shangguan Cheng said with faint pride. “My grandfather was once a first-rank chancellor, now retired at home. Our ancestors were founding heroes of the empire.”

Chu Ling took a sip of soup. “And you’re not even an official yourself? What happened—didn’t study properly, failed the imperial exams?”

“Not at all!” Shangguan Cheng shot up… but after squatting so long, his legs went weak and he collapsed flat on the ground.

Shangguan Shi quickly explained, “We… we could take official positions directly, but father said we shouldn’t, so he ordered us to take the spring imperial exams next year.”

Chu Ling raised an eyebrow. This Minister of Works actually thinks clearly. “Then instead of staying in the capital to study, you roam around? And even try to forcibly buy court officials’ horses?”

Shangguan Cheng got to his feet. “That horse has excellent build, a fast horse! And you had it pull a carriage?”

“Zhuifeng is a wild horse,” Zhang Dong said.

Shangguan Shi’s eyes lit up. “No wonder… but how did you tame a wild horse? Aren’t wild horses supposed to resist and never submit?”

Zhang Dong looked at Zhuifeng, who raised his head proudly.

“Feed it the best forage?” Zhang Dong guessed.

Shangguan Shi exclaimed—so it was that simple?

Chu Ling waved his hand. “Enough. Leave quickly if you want to live. But if you dare send someone for revenge, I guarantee you won’t return.”

Shangguan Shi slowly stood, cupped his fists in thanks, helped his brother up, and with their four limping guards, mounted their horses and immediately rode off.

Wan Sanjin watched their retreating figures and sighed. “With this delay, we’ll probably only reach the post station after dark.”

“These aristocratic sons, if they see something they like, they buy it with money. Ordinary people wouldn’t dare refuse,” Chu Ling said, putting down her bowl. She thought they really needed a proper lesson.

After finishing their meal and tidying up, they continued their journey.

By nightfall, the group finally reached the post station safely. Just as the carriage stopped, rain began to patter down from the sky.

The courier at the post station invited them in. After seeing Chu Ling’s Bi-Hu token, he immediately arranged lodging and hurriedly brought hot water.

After a simple wash-up, Chu Ling and the others felt refreshed and went downstairs. They ordered a few dishes and a pot of tea and sat down.

“Sir,” Wan Sanjin said quietly, “it seems the inn is full.”

“Strange, with so much going on lately?” Chu Ling sipped her tea. Just as she put down her cup, people began trickling down from the upper floor, and the main hall quickly became lively.

Bai Su scanned the room, frowning. “Strange. It looks lively, but everyone seems on edge.”

The Ghost Scholar hummed in agreement. “And no one is loudly ordering wine from the couriers. Everyone is drinking tea.”

Chu Ling looked at Wan Sanjin and the others, lowering his voice. “Eat quickly. After finishing, go rest. Stay alert tonight—I have a bad feeling about this.”

After taking a sip of tea, Wan Sanjin whispered, “Definitely something’s off. It feels like they’re waiting for something… or fearing something.”

Bai Su’s eyes lit up. “Indeed, Master Wan, you have a keen eye.”

The Ghost Scholar glanced at Chu Ling, then cautiously rose and walked a short distance outside, passing through the wooden door.

Wangcai suddenly barked several times, and holding Cui Xi in his mouth, he followed outside.

Chu Ling put down her chopsticks and gestured to the others, instantly tensing.

At that moment, the Ghost Scholar returned with Cui Xi and Wangcai. Looking at Chu Ling, he said directly, “A coffin is being carried here by soldiers.”

Chu Ling was momentarily taken aback, a puzzled expression crossing his face.

A single coffin—and yet everyone here is so tense?

At that moment, all the couriers at the post station opened the doors and surged outside.

Chu Ling signaled the others to stand, and they moved to the side. As soon as they were in position, faint gasps of fear came from nearby.

Chu Ling turned her head.

The two Shangguan brothers instinctively covered their mouths and tried to move aside, but the space was crowded, leaving them stuck in place, nervously watching Chu Ling.

“No hitting today,” Chu Ling said seriously.

Shangguan Chéng lowered his hands, looking embarrassed. “I won’t make the same mistake twice… Sir.”

Chu Ling crossed her arms, a faint smile on her face, and looked at the two. “You two know something, don’t you? Hmm?”

Shangguan Chéng turned his head, vowing not to say a word.

Shangguan Shí spoke honestly: “The leader of the Qingqi Army was assassinated. Among the young generation of the Nangong family, he was the most promising. His sudden death threw the Nangong family into chaos. I estimate they will not let this go easily.”

Chu Ling nodded. “…The Nangong family has a military tradition?”

Shangguan Shí: “…No, not exactly. It’s just that this one individual was outstanding and became the leader of the Qingqi Army.”

The Ghost Scholar tapped Chu Ling lightly with his fan, explaining: “In the Great Zhōu dynasty, there are four major aristocratic families: Shangguan, Nangong, Xuānyuán, and the Sī family. Each generation, one member rises to a core position in the court. Beneath the emperor are the princely houses. The functioning of the empire relies on them.”

Bai Su sneered. “That’s why it’s so hard for humble families to produce someone outstanding. That poor scholar in Changzhou wanted to commit suicide because he saw no hope.”

Chu Ling silently asked: What about the imperial examinations?

The Ghost Scholar shook his head. “Exams may seem fair, but a scholar like Lù Zheng can only make money to buy books by copying them, while aristocratic children have famous tutors from a young age and never worry about food or clothing. Sir, their starting points are different, and the resources they have access to are different. If exams continue as before, humble families will rarely produce top scholars.”

“The former Crown Prince once tried to reform the exams,” Bai Su said softly.

Chu Ling gazed at the wide-open doors and silently sighed: It seems it failed.