TGCFNM -Chapter 168 The Familiar Two Scallions

Chu Ling pinched the bridge of her nose. After a moment, she sighed inwardly: Forget it. Good advice cannot save a ghost bent on dying.

This Yu Luo was not only deeply trapped in her obsession—she probably believed until her very death that Sun Yuanze truly loved her. Her lingering fixation was most likely tied to him as well.

Since Chu Ling had encountered the female ghost Yu Luo, she could not simply turn a blind eye. She decided she would investigate this Scholar Sun and see whether he was a modern-day Chen Shimei—or merely a swindler doomed to die.

—

The next day.

After resting well, Chu Ling and the others prepared to split up and investigate separately.

Su He decided to head to the mass grave to collect corpses and see if there was anything worth studying.

Wan Sanjin went to Fulai Inn to contact Wan family businesses and make inquiries—about that Physician Gu, or about whether there had been any unrest after the assassination of the Qingqi Army’s leader in the area.

As for Chu Ling, she brought Zhang Dong and Xiao Hua to the teahouse.

Where was the liveliest place? The best place to gather information? That would certainly be a teahouse.

Preferably Fuyun Teahouse—because no payment was required. A familiar face was enough.

Wan Sanjin first escorted them to a private room at Fuyun Teahouse before taking his leave.

Chu Ling ordered two pots of tea and several plates of pastries. She handed one pot to Zhang Dong. “You’ve worked hard. Go downstairs and ask around—see if anything noteworthy has happened in the city recently.”

Zhang Dong accepted it and went downstairs to speak with the attendants who had accompanied other young masters.

Xiao Hua looked at Chu Ling. “My lord, how are we going to ask?”

Chu Ling poured herself a cup of tea and then one for Xiao Hua. Smiling, she asked, “Look at Coroner Su. He went alone to the mass grave to collect corpses. Why do you think he dared to go?”

Xiao Hua replied matter-of-factly, “My lord, isn’t it normal for Coroner Su to collect corpses?”

Chu Ling thought to herself: That’s true.

She decided to be blunt. “Coroner Su has money. He paid people to go with him. Otherwise, alone, he could only carry back one at most.”

Xiao Hua scrunched up her face. “My lord, the way you say it makes it sound like he’s picking fruit…”

Chu Ling lifted her teacup and coughed lightly to change the subject. “So, since I have money, I naturally have ways to get answers.”

Xiao Hua wrinkled her nose in concern. “My lord… do you actually have money?”

Chu Ling replied as if it were obvious. “Of course. I can withdraw directly from Tiansheng Bank. Young Master Wan said I could take an advance. Once the silver mine is fully excavated, we’ll make up the difference.”

As the two were talking, a commotion suddenly erupted outside, the noise drawing closer and closer.

Frowning, Chu Ling muttered irritably, “Don’t tell me someone’s trying to snatch our private room again…”

“Bang—!”

Someone kicked the door open and tumbled in, rolling across the floor before landing at Chu Ling’s feet.

Chu Ling glanced down, spotted the man’s outstretched finger, and calmly stepped on it.

“Ahhh—!”

“Let go! Let go!”

“Ahhh—!”

Chu Ling waved her hand in front of his eyes. “I did let go.”

“Let go of my foot! Let go of my foot! Quickly, let go of my foot—ahhhhh!”

Chu Ling looked at him coldly. “No.”

“You know who I am? I’m a student of Danbo Academy Hall—ahhhhhh…!”

Chu Ling sipped her tea leisurely, her expression indifferent. “I’ve only just arrived and can barely recognize the roads. How would I know which scallion you are?”

Xiao Hua tugged lightly at Chu Ling’s sleeve. “My lord, there are two scallions over there that you do recognize.”

Hmm?

Only then did Chu Ling lift her eyes to look. Sure enough, standing at the doorway were two scallions she was familiar with.

Shangguan Cheng looked flustered, clutching his younger brother’s arm as he asked in a trembling voice, “Why is he here?”

Shangguan Shi was stunned for quite a while before pulling his brother inside. He bowed respectfully toward Chu Ling. “Lord Chu.”

Chu Ling gave a soft hum and raised a brow with a smile. “Instead of studying properly in the capital, you’ve come all the way to this little capital? It may be lively and prosperous here, but don’t end up unable to finish your studies while picking up plenty of tricks for amusement instead.”

Shangguan Shi replied respectfully, “Please rest assured, my lord. My brother and I will study diligently.”

Chu Ling nodded in satisfaction—then pressed her foot down harder once more.

“Ahhhhhhh—!”

Startled by the sudden scream, Shangguan Shi finally remembered there was another person present. He hurriedly cupped his hands. “My lord, could you spare him? Student Sun only wished to warmly host us. It was because there was no private room available that he resorted to this improper method.”

Chu Ling let out an “Oh?” “If I weren’t the one inside today, would it have been surrendered?”

Shangguan Cheng muttered honestly, “Naturally. We are students of Danbo Academy Hall.”

Feigning sudden realization, Chu Ling applied a bit more force before finally withdrawing her foot. She looked down at the student with a mournful face. “If you want to snatch something from someone, you’d better first see who your target is. This time, for the sake of the Shangguan brothers, I’ll let you off. But if there’s a next time, I’ll break your legs and throw you off the building.”

The student scrambled to his feet at once. Ignoring his swollen hand that had been stepped on, he tugged down his long sleeve to cover it. “I was blind and failed to recognize Mount Tai, offending you, my lord. Are you the newly appointed official of Dongle City?”

The Shangguan brothers were both taken aback and couldn’t help glancing at Chu Ling.

Ordinarily, an imperial official should remain within their assigned jurisdiction. Unless dispatched by imperial decree, it would be impossible for them to appear here.

Chu Ling calmly gave a hum. “The commander of the Qingqi Army was killed, and Dongle City is leaderless. Bai Hu must escort her elder brother back, so I’ve been temporarily asked to assist. Once she arrives, I’ll leave.”

The Shangguan brothers suddenly understood. So that was the case.

Sun Yuanze, however, froze. This person actually had ties to the Qingqi Army?

At that moment, Cui Xi crouched beside Chu Ling and tugged gently at her sleeve, whispering, “Miss, didn’t Yu Luo refuse to leave and stay in the courtyard? I went to chat with her. She talked all night about her sweetheart—said he has a black mole at his temple, some ‘Wenqu Star descended to earth’ or something… The one whose foot you stepped on also has a mole at his temple.”

Chu Ling was momentarily startled. Found without any effort at all?

“What’s your name?” Chu Ling asked.

“Sun Yuanze.” He cupped his hands in salute, switching to the standard gentle smile of a refined gentleman, as though the person who had been screaming in agony earlier wasn’t him at all.

Chu Ling looked at the Shangguan brothers and deliberately mentioned her temporary residence. “I’m staying for now at the Tao family house on Zhumen Street. There’s a flourishing osmanthus tree in the courtyard.”

The Shangguan brothers were still somewhat confused, but Sun Yuanze had already gone pale, lowering his head guiltily.

Chu Ling inwardly shook her head. What was left to investigate in this case? Wasn’t it simply that Sun Yuanze wanted to climb higher and killed someone for it?

“Would you like to visit?” Chu Ling asked with a smile.

Sun Yuanze hurriedly bowed deeply. “I shall not disturb my lord and the two young masters. I will take my leave at once.” With that, he scurried away.

Chu Ling gestured for the Shangguan brothers to sit down and looked at them. “How did you end up getting mixed up with him?”

Shangguan Cheng spoke first. “My lord, please don’t look down on students from humble backgrounds. There are many outstanding individuals among them.”

Chu Ling gave a faint hum and cast him a disdainful glance. “But a truly impoverished student wouldn’t be able to afford Danbo Academy Hall.”

Shangguan Shi looked at Chu Ling and ventured a guess. “My lord… does Sun Yuanze have a problem?”

Chu Ling gave a slight nod.