TGCFNM -Chapter 16 A Much-Told Tale

Chu Ling walked faster and faster. Floating beside her, the Ghost Scholar remained silent.

Qi Da and the others hurried after her and quickly blocked her path. “My lord, that was the Prefect!”

“The Prefect doesn’t like a grand ceremony. If I went over, I’d only offend him. Avoiding him is not a bad thing,” Chu Ling said, pinching the invitation card and lightly patting Qi Da on the shoulder with a smile. “Don’t worry. Prefect Cheng won’t make trouble for a minor official like me.”

Qi Da scratched his head. “Really?”

Chu Ling gave a fake smile. “Of course it’s true.”

Qi Da thought it made sense and broke into a bright grin. “My lord, if it were another prefect, they might not be so easy to deal with. But Prefect Cheng—he shouldn’t trouble you.”

“Oh? And how would you know that? I asked you to investigate a common woman, and you went to investigate the Prefect instead?” Chu Ling shot him a disdainful glance, feeling the urge to knock him on the head again.

Qi Da’s eyes widened. “My lord, this is a famous story passed down in Sishui County. I wouldn’t dare investigate the Prefect.”

“A famous story? What—did Prefect Cheng study hard for years at the Confucian temple and pass the imperial examination in one go?” Chu Ling raised an eyebrow.

Qi Da rubbed his hands together and pointed toward a tea stall not far away. “My lord, that happened even earlier. Shall we go have a pot of tea?”

Chu Ling weighed the money pouch in her hand and agreed.

Qi Da cheered and hurried ahead to the tea stall. He ordered fresh tea and two plates of snacks, then wiped down the table and chairs while waiting for Chu Ling to arrive.

“Master, I wasn’t mistaken. That half jade disc was hanging from Prefect Cheng’s waist,” Chu Ling said, lowering her brows and eyes, lost in thought.

“‘A poor wife must not be cast aside!’ This Prefect Cheng is nothing more than another sanctimonious hypocrite,” the Ghost Scholar said indignantly. The mere thought of Wu Lianzhi’s tragic state made him wish he could lay hands on the Prefect and strangle him to avenge her.

Chu Ling walked over and sat down at the tea stall, looking somewhat listless as she asked Qi Da, “All right, tell me. What’s this famous story?”

Qi Da didn’t keep her in suspense. Clearing his throat, he began.

The more Chu Ling listened, the more something felt off. The more she heard, the more astonished she became—until she suddenly slammed the table and stood up. “Is what you’re saying true?”

“Of course it’s true!” Qi Da replied immediately. “The Feng family of Yunchuan—that’s a powerful clan! If they didn’t want to honor a marriage agreement with a poor boy, they could have simply refused.”

“But the Feng family didn’t do that. Even though the Cheng family had fallen on hard times, the Fengs still honored the engagement. They even provided a generous dowry and married Miss Feng off in grand fashion to that humble dwelling. Miss Feng went from being a noble daughter to the wife of a mere scholar. She cared for her mother-in-law and endured hardships without complaint. Meanwhile, Prefect Cheng studied diligently at the Confucian temple and eventually passed the examination, becoming a provincial graduate. Later, he brought his wife and daughter to pay respects to his father-in-law. His father-in-law funded his journey to the capital, and Prefect Cheng did not disappoint—he passed the metropolitan examination and became a jinshi, entering official service.”

“My lord, Miss Feng truly had a discerning eye. She didn’t despise Prefect Cheng for being poor and must have endured countless hardships after marrying into that family. That’s why, to this day, Prefect Cheng has never taken a concubine and has only one daughter, whom he cherishes like a pearl in his palm.”

As Qi Da spoke, he couldn’t help but sigh with admiration. Prefect Cheng and Madam Cheng were truly paragons of their age.

Chu Ling abruptly stood up. After placing some silver on the table, she said, “Eat and drink your fill and go watch the excitement. Don’t wait for me.”

She retraced her steps. Behind where Prefect Cheng had been standing earlier was an inn—he must be staying there.

Sure enough, when Chu Ling arrived, the Cheng household steward happened to walk out of the inn and nearly collided with her.

“You—!”

“I have urgent business with the Prefect. You must report it immediately. If you delay my official matters, I will hold you accountable,” Chu Ling said coldly, folding her arms and waiting without looking at the steward’s ugly expression.

Grinding his teeth, the steward went back inside to report her arrival.

“It seems… Prefect Cheng may have been deceived?” the Ghost Scholar sighed.

Chu Ling was not entirely certain, so she had to meet in person and ask a few questions herself.

After a short while, the steward came out with a stiff expression. Bowing respectfully with cupped hands, he said, “My lord, please come in. My master is in the Earth-Number Room on the second floor.”

Chu Ling gave a soft acknowledgement and strode into the inn, heading straight for the second floor.

Only one room upstairs had its doors wide open. Standing outside, Chu Ling knocked lightly. “Your subordinate pays respects to Prefect Cheng.”

“No need for formalities. Come in,” Prefect Cheng said as he set down his teacup upon seeing her. “I have just learned that you are the one who saved my daughter’s life. If you have any personal requests, I will grant them. But matters of public duty are another matter.”

When he was young, Prefect Cheng must have been a dignified and handsome man. Even now, with a calm glance, he carried an aura of authority that needed no display of anger to command respect.

Chu Ling stepped inside. “My lord, may I sit?”

“Please.”

“My lord, to be frank, I did not come here on a whim. After much thought, I felt I should speak up.” As she spoke, she solemnly handed over the invitation card. “Madam Cheng gave this to me yesterday, hoping I would attend as a witness.”

Prefect Cheng took the card and smiled faintly. “My wife is indeed thoughtful.”

Chu Ling smiled in return. “The deep affection between you and Madam is truly enviable.”

His expression seemed to soften slightly. Looking at her, he asked, “What is the issue with the invitation?”

Chu Ling furrowed her brows and sighed, speaking gravely. “That day, I saw how resolute Miss Cheng was. The wound on her neck was shocking—just a little more and she would not have survived. I could not help but think… Perhaps Miss Cheng does not wish to choose a husband here in Sishui County, and so resorted to forcing the matter with her life…”

Prefect Cheng raised a hand to interrupt her. “Back then, while I buried myself in my studies, my household was supported entirely by my wife. My daughter, though only a small child, endured great hardship. At just two years old, she was sallow and thin…”

Recalling the past, his eyes reddened. “And so, I have been overly indulgent with my only daughter. It nearly led to a catastrophe… For the sake of a man, she actually spent money to hire bandits to harm the woman who was betrothed to him.”

Chu Ling frowned upon hearing this.

“As the saying goes, ‘If a child is not taught, it is the father’s fault.’” Prefect Cheng held the invitation, his face filled with helplessness. “After discussing it with my wife, we decided to arrange a marriage for her as soon as possible. We hope that once she becomes someone’s wife, she will mend her ways. But I worry that within my own jurisdiction she would remain arrogant and harm others. So I proposed coming here.”

Chu Ling understood. “So it was not Madam who suggested coming here to arrange the marriage—it was you.”

Prefect Cheng nodded.

Chu Ling rose to her feet. “Then I wish Miss Cheng the best in finding a good match.” With that, she bowed and withdrew, leaving the inn.

“Master, to the Confucian Temple. I must see Madam Cheng with my own eyes,” Chu Ling said, her expression unsettled and her steps quickening.

Last time at the pharmacy she had not seen clearly. This time, she would confirm it herself.

Upon arriving at the Confucian Temple, Qi Da and the others had already secured a spot. After welcoming Chu Ling over, he said, “This seat was specially arranged for you by Madam Cheng.”

Chu Ling nodded absentmindedly.

“Oh—Madam Cheng has arrived!” Qi Da called out again.

Chu Ling immediately looked up.

Before her, Madam Cheng wore a crimson long skirt embroidered with golden apricot blossoms. In her hair was a gold-and-jade clustered hairpin, and a jade bi disk carved with auspicious clouds hung at her waist. She walked with measured steps, every inch of her bearing elegant and dignified.

Then Chu Ling thought of Wu Lianzhi in her coarse floral cloth jacket and patched, bound-hem linen trousers.

The same face—yet worlds apart.