TGCFNM -Chapter 157 Never Missed Once

Holding fast to the principle of “If someone delivers themselves to your door, you might as well make use of them,” Chu Ling looked at Zhuque and let out a long, troubled sigh, her expression full of difficulty.

“In truth, the Gao family has been donating incense money to the temple all along. At first, I thought they simply felt they had done too many wrongs and wanted some peace of mind. Who would have guessed that they were actually having improper dealings with the abbot, hoping to commission a gilded statue?” Chu Ling said.

Zhuque looked at her and replied, “My lord, some prominent families do indeed commission gilded statues for elders of advanced age.”

Chu Ling struck her palm. “That’s precisely where the trouble lies. If Old Master Gao uses that as a shield, there’s little I can do. But this Gao family seems to have other intentions…”

After a moment’s thought, Zhuque asked, “Does my lord wish for me to uncover the Gao family’s true purpose?”

Chu Ling nodded. “Yes. The people of the Gao family are acting furtively. I fear they may have other schemes in mind. Unfortunately, I have no one at hand suitable for such an investigation, so I can only trouble Miss Zhuque.”

Zhuque accepted at once. “My lord, I will look into it.”

“Miss Zhuque, tomorrow night I will conduct a night interrogation. An imperial eunuch must personally witness the entire process,” Chu Ling added.

Zhuque hesitated slightly.

“Of course, since I insist on holding the interrogation, I will naturally bear the responsibility alone,” Chu Ling assured her.

Zhuque immediately said, “My lord, rest assured. His Highness the Heir Xiao values you greatly. He would never allow you to be in danger.”

Chu Ling curved her lips into a faint smile. “Then I must trouble Miss Zhuque to uncover the problem as soon as possible.”

Zhuque nodded and departed from the yamen.

After she left, Chu Ling’s expression turned serious. She summoned Zhang Dong and whispered several instructions into his ear before he went off to find Master Chen.

Xiao Hua closed the door and stood guard outside. Inside the room remained only Chu Ling, Su He, and Wan Sanjin.

Su He spoke directly, “My lord, the poison has been prepared.”

Chu Ling pressed his hand down. “It’s not time yet.”

Wan Sanjin looked at her in confusion. “My lord, didn’t I already investigate that temple? The Gao family merely donated incense money and wanted to commission a golden Buddha.”

Chu Ling countered, “Is that so?”

Wan Sanjin hesitated. “Isn’t it?”

A mocking smile curved Chu Ling’s lips. “Of course not. Look at who I sent to investigate.”

“Zhuque,” Wan Sanjin replied.

“And whose person is Zhuque?” Chu Ling asked.

Wan Sanjin sighed helplessly. “My lord, aren’t you stating the obvious? Zhuque belongs to His Highness the Heir Xiao.”

Chu Ling even relaxed into her seat. “Consort Rong in the palace is closely connected to the Prince of Qi’s residence. Consort Rong and Noble Consort Gao are at odds with each other. Tell me—would His Highness the Heir Xiao be willing to let go of such a big fish as the Gao family?”

Wan Sanjin answered decisively, “No! If given the chance, His Highness would certainly take a bite out of that big fish, the Gao family.”

“Exactly.” Chu Ling looked at the two of them and explained plainly, “I sent Zhuque to investigate and insisted on taking responsibility for the night interrogation of the Gao family precisely to send a message to His Highness—whether he still intends to bite into the Gao family.”

“And if His Highness does?” Wan Sanjin asked.

“Then what Zhuque uncovers at the temple under my orders will not be the same as what you found,” Chu Ling said with a faint smile.

The Ghost Scholar threw his head back and laughed loudly, feeling immensely satisfied. “My lord, you are truly clever!”

Bai Su tugged at him. “What do you mean?”

“If His Highness has no worries holding him back and truly wants to bring down the Gao family, he will surely make an issue out of the temple matter—make it a charge of great irreverence, one so grave that His Majesty cannot simply turn a blind eye,” the Ghost Scholar said, gripping his folding fan tightly, his eyes shining brightly.

The Gao family was finished!

Only then did Su He finally react. Looking at Chu Ling, he said, “I understand now. What Sanjin uncovered was the donations of incense money and the commissioning of a golden Buddha statue. But what Zhuque uncovered is that the Gao family committed treason—casting a golden statue for a prince, intending to covet His Majesty’s throne.”

Chu Ling nodded. “Exactly.”

Wan Sanjin was first startled, then his face lit up with delight. “Well investigated! That temple wasn’t clean to begin with. Wiping them out in one sweep is perfect.”

Pouring herself a cup of tea, Chu Ling said leisurely, “Perhaps Zhuque has even prepared all the evidence already. That will make things even more convenient.”

—

The next day.

The case was originally set for retrial, but Chu Ling announced that the orphan girl’s injuries had not yet healed and that she had developed a high fever, making it impossible to open court. The hearing was postponed by another day.

In just one day, the Gao family grew smug, while the common people grew fearful.

However, since Chu Ling was still inside the yamen and had invited physicians to treat the girl, the townsfolk remained relatively stable and did not panic.

Meanwhile, the city gates were still closed, and no one from the Gao family had managed to leave.

Inside the room, Chu Ling looked at Lin Yingzhi and asked, “How is it? Can you hold on?”

Lin Yingzhi seemed as if new life had been breathed into her. Though her body was still weak, her eyes sparkled brightly. “Rest assured, my lord. Xiao Hua is holding me tightly—I can endure.”

Chu Ling praised her, “Good. You must hold on.”

Lin Yingzhi nodded firmly. “I will, my lord.”

At that moment, Chen Shi hurried over nervously to report, “My lord, everything has been arranged according to your instructions. Adviser Wan has also found many people willing to help—they’re all ready.”

Chu Ling gave a soft hum and said, “You’ve worked hard.”

“My lord, I do not find it hard. It’s just… will this really work?” Chen Shi asked worriedly. “If it fails, won’t you be the first to bear the brunt?”

Chu Ling gave him a reassuring look. “How could it fail? In this matter, I have never missed once.”

Chen Shi froze. “My lord has done this more than once?”

Chu Ling coughed lightly to cover herself. “I mean, in trying cases, I have never once failed. No matter how vile or heinous the criminal, none has ever escaped unscathed.”

Chen Shi finally relaxed, clenching his teeth as he said, “My lord, if this fails, I will advance and retreat with you.”

“It won’t fail. Absolutely not.” As Chu Ling spoke, she rose to her feet. Seeing Zhuque hurrying over outside, the smile on her lips grew wider and wider.

“The heavens that uphold justice have always stood by my side,” Chu Ling said, then stepped forward to greet Zhuque.

Zhuque handed over everything she had uncovered, her expression stern. “My lord was right. The Gao family is utterly lawless.”

Chu Ling said gratefully, “Many thanks to Miss Zhuque for your hard work. And thanks as well to the Heir Xiao for maneuvering in the capital, allowing me to proceed without worries and bring this most treacherous Gao family to justice.”

Zhuque’s heart stirred. Just as the heir had said—Lord Chu was truly a talent.

“After tonight’s night trial, we may still need the Heir Xiao to step in for what follows. He has worked tirelessly, running about because of this matter,” Chu Ling said apologetically.

Zhuque replied, “Both the heir and my lord act for the sake of the people. Zhuque deeply admires you.”

“Tonight I must trouble Miss Zhuque once more. As for that palace eunuch…” Chu Ling asked tentatively.

Zhuque nodded. “Rest assured, my lord. Everything has been arranged. The eunuch is one of ours.”

Chu Ling: “!”

Well then—there would definitely be no problems tonight.