TGCFNM -Chapter 169 They Delivered Themselves to My Door

Chu Ling looked at the two of them, and a sudden joy rose in her heart.

She had been worrying about not having enough time to investigate the case—yet these two had conveniently delivered themselves right to her door.

“Ahem.” Chu Ling cleared her throat and asked in a low voice, “This Scholar Sun… was he ‘snatched as a son-in-law’ after the rankings were released?”

Shangguan Cheng was taken aback. “Was he?”

Shangguan Shi answered honestly, “We haven’t been at the academy long. We only heard that he admires a young lady from a prominent family—he writes poetry for her, composes couplets, even paints…”

“In this little capital, things are that open?” Chu Ling was startled. Aristocratic families value their daughters’ reputations above all else. Why would she be treated so frivolously? Was it really a case of being seized as a son-in-law?

Shangguan Cheng cursed, “Shameless.”

“Then why are you still associating with him?” Chu Ling asked with disdain.

Looking wronged, Shangguan Cheng said, “We’ve only just arrived. Sun Yuanze has indeed helped us a great deal, so we only went out today to thank him. We would never form a deep friendship with someone like that.”

Chu Ling let out a cold snort. “That’s only because you revealed your identities and were treated differently. And I’d wager it was you, Shangguan Cheng, who let it slip yourself—no one even had to investigate.”

Shangguan Cheng lowered his head. “…”

Shangguan Shi laid out everything he knew. “It’s said that the young lady from that family is a concubine-born daughter. Her mother is merely a concubine, not favored in the household. Scholar Sun has always claimed to act ‘within the bounds of propriety,’ merely expressing his admiration. He even wrote a poem about winter plum blossoms. And those plum blossoms happen to be embroidered on the lady’s handkerchief—so people speculate the two are mutually in love.”

Chu Ling immediately caught the inconsistency. “How do you know there are plum blossoms embroidered on her handkerchief?”

Shangguan Cheng replied, “Scholar Sun told us.”

Folding her arms, Chu Ling’s voice turned cold. “So what you’ve heard—or rather what all of Dongle City has heard—is that the two of them are mutually in love, correct?”

Shangguan Shi nodded. “More or less.”

Chu Ling took a deep breath. Just because a man pursued relentlessly, was a woman to be treated so lightly?

“I know this concubine-born daughter is probably not favored, and no one would speak up for her. But let me ask you one thing: up to now, has it not always been Scholar Sun expressing himself unilaterally? Has this young lady ever said a word? Has she responded even once?” Chu Ling asked.

The Shangguan brothers exchanged a glance, then shook their heads in unison.

“We arrived late and only heard about it from others,” Shangguan Shi said. After a brief pause, he added, “But quite a few people know about it. Some even call them a talented scholar and beautiful lady—a perfect match, a fine story.”

Chu Ling slammed her fist on the table with a loud bang.

“It’s nothing more than that daughter of a noble family having suffering she cannot voice. If she responds, it becomes the noble house looking down on a scholar from humble origins. If she does not respond, then to quell the rumors, they might truly marry her off. After all, what is a girl’s reputation compared to the reputation of a noble house?”

What a vicious scheme!

Shangguan Cheng raised his hand to ask, “But Scholar Sun is from Danbo Academy and has boundless prospects ahead. If this concubine-born daughter doesn’t live well at home, why shouldn’t she marry down to him?”

For the first time, Shangguan Shi felt his older brother could possibly be even more foolish. Suppressing his frustration, he explained, “If Scholar Sun truly cared for her, he wouldn’t resort to such underhanded tactics. Using these methods to force the issue is to secure a tie with the Nangong family. Even if the Nangong family here is just a branch, it would still grant him access to connections in the capital.”

Chu Ling suddenly understood and let out a mocking laugh. “No wonder he’s so eager to befriend the two young scholars of the Shangguan family. He wants to send a message to the Nangong family—packaging himself as an unpolished jade waiting to be discovered…”

“He actually dared to use us!” Shangguan Cheng fumed.

Shangguan Shi calmly asked, “If you want to investigate him, my lord, where exactly is the problem?”

Chu Ling pondered for a moment before explaining slowly, “There was once a murder at the place I’m renting. A woman died there. Someone saw Sun Yuanze go there before, and it seemed he had been entangled with that woman.”

Shangguan Cheng froze. “Sun Yuanze dared to kill someone?!”

Chu Ling straightened her posture and looked at the two of them. “After the spring examinations, you will become officials as well—perhaps magistrates in charge of your own jurisdictions. As your senior, let me tell you something you must remember: when handling a case, evidence comes first. Witness testimony, physical evidence, and the suspect’s confession. Only then can a case be concluded.”

Shangguan Cheng blinked in surprise. “Isn’t that how it’s done?”

Shangguan Shi tugged him back and looked at Chu Ling. “Rest assured, my lord. We’ll go investigate Sun Yuanze right away. I remember there’s someone from his hometown.”

Chu Ling nodded, thoroughly pleased. “Go on, then.”

Shangguan Shi responded with a “Yes,” and hurried out, dragging the still-befuddled Shangguan Cheng along.

Outside, Shangguan Cheng tried to ask more questions, but Shangguan Shi cut him off directly. “If my lord tells you to investigate a case, you’d better do it properly. He’s no ordinary official. If you don’t behave yourself, he might retaliate against you.”

Shangguan Cheng shrank his neck. “He… would he?”

“What do you think, my dear brother?” Shangguan Shi shot back.

On the verge of tears, Shangguan Cheng ground out bitterly, “He would!”

Shangguan Shi sighed, pulled him away, and they left without even finishing their tea, heading straight for Danbo Academy.

Chu Ling let out a breath and relaxed. “Alright. Someone’s investigating now.”

Xiao Hua poked her lord and asked with wide eyes, “My lord, there was a murder in the courtyard we’re renting? When did that happen?”

Chu Ling’s eyes widened: Oh no—I forgot Xiao Hua was standing right here.

“In… in my room, there was a bloodstain discovered. It must have been a trace left behind that wasn’t properly cleaned,” Chu Ling said, looking up at the sky as she began fabricating on the spot. “Didn’t I go out early this morning? I greeted someone, and he told me a few things. He said we’d better invite a monk to perform rites for the restless spirit from before. Yes—perform rites.”

Xiao Hua’s face scrunched up. “So our Master Wan spent all that money to rent a house where a murder just happened?”

“Yes. Our Master Wan does seem to carry a bit of bad luck with him,” Chu Ling said, lifting her teacup to cover up her expression.

“My lord, when we invite the monk to appease the spirit, let him perform a ritual for Master Wan too. To dispel the bad luck and all that,” Xiao Hua suggested.

Chu Ling nodded quickly. “That can certainly be arranged.”

After a short while, the proprietor of Floating Cloud Teahouse hurried upstairs. Seeing the kicked-in door of the private room, he rushed in. “My lord, perhaps you could rest next door while we repair this door?”

Chu Ling thought for a moment and said, “Go to Danbo Academy and tell them Sun Yuanze kicked the door in—quite violently. He even boasted that he’s a student of Danbo Academy, saying who would dare not give him face? Didn’t they know the Academy’s status, and how many officials in the court came from there?”

The proprietor blinked. “Ah?”

“Oh, and don’t forget to ask him for compensation. He’ll definitely pay,” Chu Ling said, giving him a reassuring look before lifting the teapot and walking out of the private room.

The attendant outside quickly led them to the neighboring private room, which had just been vacated and freshly cleaned.