TGCFNM -Chapter 159 Run, Quickly

After returning to the rear office, Chu Ling pulled off the hood in one swift motion and let out a long breath. After steadying herself, she said, “That thing really strains the neck.”

Zhuque came over and looked at her. “My lord, the Heir Apparent asked me to tell you not to worry. The Gao family won’t be able to stir up any more trouble. The other families that colluded with them will also be uprooted completely.”

Chu Ling lowered her eyes and chuckled softly. She didn’t question why news from the Heir Apparent Xiao had arrived so quickly. She simply said, “The Heir Apparent has worked hard.”

“It’s Lord Chu who has worked hard. It was your reminder that led me to find the evidence. Only then were we able to bring the Gao family to justice.” Zhuque cupped his hands in salute and turned to leave.

Chu Ling hugged the hood and clicked her tongue lightly. “If the Gao family and those other households are confiscated together, I’m afraid quite a bit of wealth will be uncovered.”

Prince Rui had a silver mine. The Heir Apparent Xiao had also begun accumulating funds—but it was still far from enough.

In the book, it was Wan Xing who voluntarily donated half of his family fortune to help the male and female leads overthrow the former dynasty’s rule.

But now, whether Wan Xing would still support the Heir Apparent Xiao was hard to say—because the female lead, that crucial link, was gone.

“Tell your elder brother to be careful. The richest man’s money will definitely be watched,” Chu Ling reminded Wan Sanjin.

Wan Sanjin looked troubled as well. “Father mentioned before that once the Wan family grew this powerful, it was only a matter of time before we’d be targeted. But elder brother said at least the Wan family still has room to maneuver. Some smaller merchants, on the other hand, might one day be crushed outright—without even a scrap left.”

Chu Ling spoke softly, “Yes. Things are so chaotic now. Perhaps your brother is the one preparing for a rainy day.”

Just then, Chen Shi hurried over and looked at Chu Ling. “My lord, many of the casually judged cases in Linzhou City are connected to the Gao family and those other colluding households. Can we reopen them and issue heavier sentences?”

“Yes.” Chu Ling nodded. “Re-judge them and post public notices. The Gao family and the others will likely be confiscated soon. It’s best to impose fines quickly and distribute the compensation.”

Chen Shi’s eyes lit up, but then he asked worriedly, “My lord, will that really work?”

“Why wouldn’t it? In Linzhou right now, I’m the highest-ranking official.” Chu Ling gave him a reassuring look, then told him to rest for the day. Anything else could wait until tomorrow.

—

Early the next morning.

Feeling refreshed, Chu Ling stretched her back. After breakfast, she went to Qingyu Bookshop to perform acupuncture.

When she had just finished and was about to leave, Wan Sanjin burst in, flustered, and grabbed Chu Ling’s arm, gasping for breath. “My lord!”

Chu Ling blinked. “What is it? Were you chased by a wild dog?”

“More frightening than a wild dog.” Wan Sanjin frowned, clearly tense. “The new prefect of Linzhou City is arriving. At the earliest tonight, at the latest tomorrow morning.”

Chu Ling tightly gripped the rolled-up golden needles and forced a stiff smile at Fu Qingyu. “Young Master Fu, how about you come with us and make a quick escape first?”

Fu Qingyu nodded blankly.

Chu Ling immediately tugged Wan Sanjin and rushed outside. “Come on, hurry back and pack. We need to run while we still have time.”

Wan Sanjin shouted, “What about the Gao family?”

Chu Ling halted mid-step. “Let’s find Zhuque first.” With that, the two changed direction and dashed toward Fulai Inn.

At Fulai Inn, Zhuque opened the door to find Chu Ling and Wan Sanjin panting heavily. He asked in surprise, “My lord, don’t you know qinggong?”

Chu Ling braced herself against the door and caught her breath. “I haven’t mastered it well. And there are too many street vendors outside. If I stepped on something and broke it, that would be troublesome.”

Zhuque let out an “Oh,” then looked at her. “Does my lord need something?”

Chu Ling gave a light cough. After her eyes darted about for a moment, she spoke with complete sincerity, “I was originally just passing through Linzhou. But the crimes committed by the Gao family here are truly too numerous to record. Moreover, Young Master Xiao has also put considerable effort into this matter. So, in order to resolve the Gao family case, I said that I had come to investigate under Young Master Xiao’s orders.”

Zhuque raised her brows slightly, her tone equally sincere. “What you said, my lord, does not seem wrong.”

Chu Ling nodded emphatically. “To be honest, the Gao family matter relied entirely on the Young Master’s support behind the scenes. Otherwise, it would never have gone so smoothly.”

Zhuque smiled. “You have worked hard as well, my lord.”

Chu Ling waved her hand. “How could I be considered hardworking? It is the Young Master who has worked hard… But I’ve just received news that something has happened in Sishui County. I must return immediately, so I won’t be able to wait for the newly appointed official to arrive and formally hand over the case. So this…”

Zhuque understood at once. “Rest assured, my lord. The Young Master instructed me to remain in Linzhou to handle the subsequent matters. When the new official arrives, I will take care of handing over the case.”

Chu Ling let out a long breath of relief. “With that, I’m at ease. As expected, Young Master Xiao has thought of everything.”

“My lord is leaving now?” Zhuque asked.

Chu Ling sighed and hummed in response, then immediately tugged Wan Sanjin along and left.

After returning to the yamen, Chu Ling sought out Master Chen at once. After briefly explaining the situation, she patted his shoulder. “With Young Master Xiao intervening, the Gao family will absolutely never be able to turn things around this time. You can rest assured.”

Master Chen smiled and patted his chest in assurance. “My lord, I’m not worried. I posted the public notices early this morning—the fines have already been imposed, and the people have all been thrown into prison.”

Chu Ling let out a breath of relief and bade him farewell. “I must leave first. Take care of yourself.”

Master Chen’s eyes reddened. “My lord, may your journey be smooth.”

Chu Ling responded with a nod. After she and Wan Sanjin quickly packed their belongings, she went to the medical clinic to see the old physician.

After the case had concluded, Lin Yingzhi had nowhere to go and could not remain at the yamen. So she followed the old physician to the clinic and helped his wife gather medicinal herbs in the backyard.

When Chu Ling arrived, Lin Yingzhi pushed her wheelchair forward and greeted her with a smile. “My lord, you’ve come.”

“Yes. There’s something urgent in my county—I must leave,” Chu Ling said, glancing at Su He.

Su He handed over a stack of papers. “Prescriptions.”

“Prescriptions?” Lin Yingzhi froze for a moment as she accepted them.

Chu Ling nodded. “I found these in an ancient medical text. They’re all remedies specifically for women’s illnesses. I’ve already spoken with the old physician—he’ll teach you when the time comes. Consider it a way for you to earn a living. Of course, you can also help more people like yourself.”

Lin Yingzhi gripped the prescriptions tightly and nodded earnestly, her eyes brimming with tears. “Rest assured, my lord. I will work hard, and I will certainly help more people in need.”

After finishing her matters, Chu Ling bid farewell to Lin Yingzhi and the old physician. She then went to Fulai Inn to collect her belongings before boarding the carriage and heading toward the city gates.

The gate guards glanced at Chu Ling and waved her through. “My lord, have a safe journey.”

Chu Ling waved back. Once outside the city, she saw Qingtong waiting with a carriage. As soon as the two parties met up, they quickly set off.

Wan Sanjin lifted the curtain and called out, “Qingyu, what about your bookshop? Have all the books been delivered?”

“My family has come to take over,” Qingyu replied with a smile. “Where to next?”

Wan Sanjin turned to look at Chu Ling.

“Changhe County,” Chu Ling said.

She was going to dig up poison-insect grass.