TGCFNM -Chapter 153 Arrogant and Lawless

After arriving at the yamen, Chu Ling immediately called for the case files. But after skimming through them at a glance, she looked suspiciously at Chen Shi.

“Was this dossier written by the Gao family?”

“No,” Chen Shi replied firmly.

“Every single word in here speaks up for the Gao family. It even claims that He Shi’s cause of death was an epileptic seizure—that she became frighteningly violent and was cut down by a guard defending his master with a single strike.” Chu Ling flung the file aside. “Does the Gao family control everything in Linzhou?”

“Lord Chu… I—I was powerless,” Chen Shi said, his face full of self-reproach.

Chu Ling took a deep breath and barely suppressed her anger before turning to Wan Sanjin. “Burn this file. Conduct a new autopsy. Reopen the case.”

Su He looked at Chen Shi. “Where are He Shi’s remains?”

Chen Shi rubbed his hands helplessly. “The Gao family… threw them away.”

“Do you know where? Is there anyone willing to take me to look? Someone with at least a bit of courage?” Su He asked sternly.

After thinking for a moment, Chen Shi stepped outside and called someone in. “Coroner Su, Zhao Jiu can do it.”

Su He nodded, picked up his tools, and left with Zhao Jiu to search for the body.

Chu Ling was still in a foul mood. “Why is it taking so long to bring in the orphan girl for questioning? Has she not arrived yet?”

Chen Shi also found it strange. Just as he was about to open the door to ask someone, loud banging sounded from outside.

“Advisor Chen! The Gao family has blocked the entrance to the jail. They’re not allowing anyone through!”

A cold glint flashed across Chu Ling’s eyes. She pushed the door open and strode out. “I would like to see who dares to stop me from conducting an interrogation!”

Wan Sanjin hurriedly pulled Chen Shi along as they followed. “Some people are rushing headlong toward their own deaths. No stopping them.”

Before Chen Shi could even react, the constables had already obeyed the new magistrate’s orders and hurried to fetch the horses.

Outside the yamen, Chen Shi was just about to intervene when Wan Sanjin grabbed him. “Don’t worry. The ones who should be worried are the Gao family. Our lord is very good at making enemies.”

Chen Shi was frantic. “Those Gao family members are completely lawless!”

Wan Sanjin saw that Chu Ling had already swung onto her horse and dragged Chen Shi up as well. “Lawless? No one can outdo our lord in that. She’s the true master of arrogance and defiance.” With that, he spurred his horse after Chu Ling.

A constable looked at Chen Shi. “Advisor Chen, what should we do?”

Gritting his teeth, Chen Shi mounted his horse. “Gather the brothers. Bring your weapons. We’re going to protect our lord.”

“Yes!” the constable responded, rushing off to assemble the men.

Chu Ling pressed her heels to her horse’s flanks and asked everyone she passed, “Where’s the jail? Aren’t the Gao family blocking it?”

A passing townsman brightened and quickly pointed the way. “Young master, straight ahead, then turn left at the end.”

Chu Ling thanked him and galloped off.

The bystanders immediately began tugging at one another. “Come on, let’s go to the jail. Looks like the Gao family is causing trouble again.”

“Is there a spectacle to watch?”

“Judging by that young master just now, I guarantee there will be.”

When Wan Sanjin caught up, he saw a large crowd of townsfolk heading in the same direction and followed along.

—

Outside the jail.

A young member of the Gao family flicked his riding whip and pointed it at the jail warden. “Who gave you permission to release anyone?”

“R-Replying to Young Master, it was the newly arrived magistrate who ordered the interrogation.”

“The newly arrived magistrate? When did he arrive? Has anyone verified his official appointment document?”

The warden was so nervous he didn’t know where to put his hands. “Y-Yes, Advisor Chen confirmed it.”

“Advisor Chen? What the hell does he count for?”

“Young Master, I’m only carrying out orders.”

“Carrying out orders?” A member of the Gao family was furious. “Everyone knows my grandfather’s character. He was a kind old man. Even after that shameless mother and daughter injured his head, he generously let them off. And now this orphan repays kindness with hatred—and you still dare to stop me!”

“This orphan pretends to be pitiful just to win sympathy. It’s all for money.”

“In this matter, my Gao family is the real victim. We will not retreat another step.”

“If you refuse to handle this fairly, then we’ll take the case to the capital and ask my aunt to preside over it. The Gao family will spare no effort!”

The jailer looked anxiously at the young master of the Gao family, then at the orphan girl behind him—her feet rotting so badly she couldn’t even stand. Gritting his teeth, he simply dropped to his knees.

“Young Master, I’ll send the orphan back to the prison.”

“Send her back? Today she must kowtow and confess her guilt!”

“Who says so?”

“I say so!”

As Gao Rong’s words fell, he gripped his riding whip and turned around. A young official was riding toward them, and the townspeople parted to make way.

“Who are you?”

Chu Ling raised a brow and looked down at him from horseback. “And who are you?”

“The Gao family. Gao Rong.”

“Linzhou’s magistrate.”

Gao Rong laughed in anger. “You? A greenhorn who still smells of milk—you’re the newly appointed magistrate of Linzhou?”

Chu Ling swung down from the horse and stepped forward. “Not pleased? Then go to the capital and file a complaint. Have your aunt get you an official post.”

Gao Rong snorted, sizing Chu Ling up before speaking coldly. “I don’t care whether you’re newly appointed or not. This orphan’s mother injured my grandfather and grandmother first. Then this orphan repaid kindness with hatred. You must immediately sentence her to death by hanging.”

Folding her arms, Chu Ling gave a mocking smile. “You’re a commoner. What right do you have to order this official?”

“Oh? Three fires for a new broom?” Gao Rong sneered. “Not only is my Gao family the true victim this time, but with our influence—how dare you be so arrogant?”

Chu Ling asked seriously, “Oh? Shouldn’t I be?”

Gao Rong raised his whip and pointed it straight at Chu Ling. “Newcomer, I’ll give you one chance. Watch yourself.”

Chu Ling waved her hand in disdain. “I don’t want your Gao family’s ‘chance.’ It’s filthy.”

“You!”

Enraged, Gao Rong lashed out with his whip.

Chu Ling stepped forward and caught it, sneering. “A commoner attacking a court official—this official has no choice but to defend herself.”

With a twist of her right hand, she yanked Gao Rong forward. At the same time, she delivered a flying kick, knocking him flat to the ground. Grabbing the whip, she turned toward the men rushing to help him and lashed out.

The whip cracked sharply, slicing through the air with explosive force.

The Gao family members were instantly thrown into disarray, tumbling over one another as cries of pain rang out.

“How dare you! You actually dare!” Gao Rong shouted through clenched teeth.

Chu Ling stepped forward and planted a foot on him, smiling without warmth. “I’ve always been the one pointing at others and scolding them. No one has ever dared to point at me and lecture.”

Gao Rong groaned, glaring at her. “I’m a member of the Gao family. My aunt is the Noble Consort of the current dynasty!”

“You’re not the Noble Consort Gao’s true maternal family. You’re just basking in borrowed glory.” Chu Ling spread her hands smugly. “Right now in Linzhou City, it seems no one can suppress me. What exactly can you do?”

Wan Sanjin dismounted just in time to see Chu Ling single-handedly beating everyone into submission. He hurried to her side.

“Tsk tsk, what did they do to provoke our lord this time?” Wan Sanjin said with a laugh.

Chu Ling curved her lips into a faint smile. “Perhaps the Gao family and I simply have incompatible birth charts.”