TGCFNM -Chapter 15 The Magistrate of Sishui County Acts Lawlessly

After entering the Confucian Temple, Chu Ling wore a faint, ambiguous smile. Fixing her gaze on Nanny Zhao, she gave a pointed warning:

“It would be best if I do not find out that someone is following me. Otherwise, I will not let the matter rest.”

Nanny Zhao bowed respectfully. “My lord jests. You and my master serve in the same court. Though the lands under your jurisdictions are not close, who knows? Perhaps one day fate will bring you nearer.”

Chu Ling curled her lips. Was that a threat?

“Truly—using others’ power to bully,” she said with a sidelong glance before turning and leaving.

The Ghost Scholar floated beside her and advised, “Officials are not permitted to leave their jurisdiction without authorization. My lord need not worry.”

Chu Ling shook her head. She was not worried at all—only puzzled. “The Prefect is merely one rank above me. Yet the people in his residence behave with such arrogance.”

That was hardly reasonable.

Her brows knitted together. “Scholar, do you remember what Qi Da said? He claimed Prefect Cheng has a teacher in the capital. And from what Qi Da discovered, that teacher’s rank is not low—perhaps high enough that he can transfer someone to the capital at will.”

The Ghost Scholar paused mid-air, his expression meaningful. “My lord, you know how remote Sishui County is. For a minor constable in such a remote place to know such detailed information—this is not right.”

“Qi Da is straightforward to a fault; he wouldn’t fabricate this. The only possibility is that someone is deliberately spreading these rumors, using Miss Cheng’s literary competition for marriage as a pretext.” Chu Ling shook her head. She truly could not discern the motive of whoever was circulating such information.

“My lord, we’ve arrived. It’s here,” the Ghost Scholar said, pointing to an apricot tree outside the Confucian Temple.

Chu Ling acknowledged him with a soft sound and glanced around a few times.

“No one followed. Rest assured,” the Ghost Scholar added.

Chu Ling nodded. Picking up a shard of broken roof tile from the ground, she began digging at the spot Wu Lianzhi had described. She had barely dug a short distance before she found the brocade pouch Wu Lianzhi mentioned.

Chu Ling retrieved the pouch, shook off the dirt, slipped it casually into her sleeve, and then filled the soil back in.

“Master, let’s return,” she said, heading out of the Confucian Temple. As she descended the stone steps, she noticed that the raised platform nearby was nearly finished being constructed.

At that moment, Nanny Zhao appeared again. Seeing Chu Ling, she bowed and presented an invitation card. “My lord, this was personally entrusted to me by my mistress to deliver to you. She asks that you be sure to attend.”

Chu Ling opened it and skimmed the contents. It stated that her daughter would soon hold a literary contest to choose a husband, and they wished for the Magistrate of Sishui County to serve as a witness—this was also Prefect Cheng’s wish. The signature read: Madam Cheng, née Feng.

With a sharp snap, Chu Ling closed the invitation and gave a slight nod, indicating her acceptance.

On the way back, the Ghost Scholar sighed with emotion. “So both Prefect Cheng and Madam Cheng wish for Miss Cheng to choose her husband here in Sishui County.”

“If Prefect Cheng truly has a powerful teacher in the capital, as the rumors say, then Miss Cheng’s good marriage prospects should be in the capital,” Chu Ling said as she walked along the streets of the remote Sishui County, surveying the small, distant town.

The Ghost Scholar stroked his beard. “Perhaps the Prefect truly intends to go to the capital, yet senses the undercurrents and turbulence there. He might wish for his daughter to live an ordinary life instead.”

Chu Ling gave a slight nod. That was indeed possible.

After returning to the yamen, Chu Ling instructed Cui Xi to bring Wu Lianzhi over. Then, in front of her, she opened the brocade pouch and took out a jade bi-disc.

The jade was of fine quality, smooth and warm in texture, carved with auspicious cloud patterns.

But it was only half of a disc.

Wu Lianzhi stared blankly at the jade bi. Fragments of past memories surged forth—blurred pieces beginning to surface in her mind.

Suddenly, she clutched her head tightly, her face contorted in pain as she collapsed to the ground. A wailing scream escaped her control. In the end, she could only bite down hard on her own lips, allowing blood to flow freely.

“Well? Do you remember anything?” Chu Ling asked, kneeling down on one knee.

Wu Lianzhi shook her head in pain.

Chu Ling sighed and had Cui Xi help Wu Lianzhi back to rest, telling her not to think about it for now. Then she tucked the jade bi back into the brocade pouch.

After Wu Lianzhi had been helped away, Chu Ling stared at the tightly shut door and murmured, “Just what kind of past could have caused her such suffering?”

“My lord, come take a look!” Ghost Scholar suddenly called out. “The fabric used for this brocade pouch has not faded; the color is steady and dignified. Inside, it is embroidered with gold thread forming auspicious cloud patterns pressed firmly into the weave. If this old man’s guess is correct, this is top-grade Yunchuan brocade. Yunchuan brocade is produced in very limited quantities. Aside from use in the palace, only the Feng family of Yunchuan possesses it.”

Ghost Scholar had once been fortunate enough to see a noble consort wearing it. Under lamplight, the gold threads shimmered faintly in and out of view, and from time to time golden peonies would emerge from the fabric, stunning all who saw it.

Chu Ling: “…Scholar, where exactly is Yunchuan?”

“Yunchuan… If one were to travel by boat to the Confucian Temple in Sishui County, it would take about a month,” Ghost Scholar replied uncertainly.

“This case seems to have run into a dead end. I can’t possibly make a trip to Yunchuan,” Chu Ling said, taking a deep breath, feeling a tightness in her chest.

“My lord might as well visit the Confucian Temple again tomorrow. There are lodgings there—perhaps some clues can be found,” Ghost Scholar suggested.

Chu Ling nodded. That was the only option for now.

The next day.

Chu Ling deliberately changed into her official robes and, invitation card in hand, headed toward the Confucian Temple.

In the eyes of the people of Sishui County, their county magistrate often wandered about the county alone. So seeing her head alone to the Confucian Temple to join in the excitement was perfectly normal.

Besides, they were going too!

It was the prefect’s daughter, after all, who had come to Sishui County to choose a husband. What great fortune that was! No one knew which scholar would be lucky enough—whoever was chosen would truly soar to the heavens in a single step.

Chu Ling adjusted her official hat and spoke softly with Ghost Scholar at her side.

Qi Da suddenly popped out from who knew where, bringing a group of constables with him. He stepped forward and said, “My lord, if you were going to the Confucian Temple, you should have told us in advance. If I hadn’t had sharp eyes and spotted you, how could we help add to your prestige?”

“Prestige?” Chu Ling blinked in surprise and turned around. She saw that aside from Qi Da, the seven other constables had fanned out behind her, standing tall and straight, even managing to project a bit of imposing presence.

“I’m going to watch the excitement—what prestige do I need?” Chu Ling lifted the invitation card as if about to smack Qi Da with it.

Qi Da dodged and said solemnly, “My lord, the Prefect himself has come in person. If you don’t bring us along, wouldn’t that make it seem like you don’t take him seriously? Even if his jurisdiction isn’t here, his rank is still higher than yours!”

“Prefect Cheng is here?” Chu Ling asked in surprise, glancing sideways at Ghost Scholar. “Then I really ought to go greet him.”

Just as Chu Ling was about to step forward, Qi Da suddenly tugged at her sleeve and quickly whispered with wide eyes, “My lord, he’s right up ahead.”

Looking into the distance, Chu Ling saw a middle-aged man in a blue robe standing with his hands clasped behind his back. The steward who had strutted about arrogantly yesterday now stood before him with his head lowered, apparently receiving instructions.

Though dressed plainly, the official authority about him was unmistakable—the bearing of someone long steeped in officialdom.

Chu Ling strode forward. Just as she was about to speak, Prefect Cheng looked her up and down and frowned displeasedly.

“I am here only for my daughter’s matter, making a private visit. There is no need to create such a grand display. I do not like it. If there are any banquets or the like, I will not attend them either.”

Chu Ling smiled. “Prefect, you jest. I am merely taking my subordinates to the Confucian Temple to watch the excitement. I happened to encounter you and came to pay my respects. If you prefer not to be disturbed, then I shall take my leave.”

With that, Chu Ling cupped her hands slightly in salute and turned to leave without hesitation.

Behind her, Qi Da and the other constables were utterly stunned before hastily apologizing and withdrawing.

The steward’s face showed indignation. “My lord, this is the little county magistrate of Sishui County—arrogant and utterly lawless!”