TGCFNM -Chapter 176 Temporary Custody

Chu Ling had Zhao Linlang fetch a silver hairpin, one end sharpened slightly.

Zhao Linlang didn’t understand why, but still had someone bring it. Once it was handed to Chu Ling, she immediately jabbed it toward Magistrate Zhao’s wrist.

The silver hairpin turned black.

“Poisoned,” Chu Ling said, carefully handing over the silver needle. “It should be some kind of slow-acting poison… he’s been poisoned for quite a while.”

“How could this be?” Zhao Linlang asked in shock. “Who would dare poison my father?”

Chu Ling shrugged. “I don’t know that, but I can confirm he’s poisoned. If you don’t believe me, you could call a coroner—it would show the same result.”

Zhao Linlang still hesitated, glancing at her mother.

Mrs. Zhao’s expression remained calm. She said evenly, “I don’t know. We’ve long been living in separate quarters.”

Zhao Linlang gave Chu Ling a slightly embarrassed look.

Chu Ling pretended not to notice, focusing carefully on Magistrate Zhao’s severely ill face, frowning in thought.

Bai Su glanced over and said, “His body was probably not very healthy. He may have suffered from chest obstruction. His complexion is pale, his lips slightly purple. Ask what he looked like before he died.”

Chu Ling looked at Zhao Linlang. “What did Magistrate Zhao look like before he died?”

“My father suddenly couldn’t catch his breath. Even taking ginseng slices didn’t help… his eyes were wide open…” Zhao Linlang couldn’t continue and broke down in tears.

Bai Su confirmed, “Died from chest obstruction.”

Chu Ling also said, “It looks like chest obstruction, but why are there signs of poisoning?”

“You’ll need an autopsy to be certain,” Bai Su reminded.

Chu Ling turned to Zhao Linlang. “Miss Zhao, are you willing to have an autopsy performed on Magistrate Zhao?”

Before Zhao Linlang could answer, Mrs. Zhao slammed her hand on the table, her expression fierce. “No! He’s already dead, and now you want to cut him into pieces? I won’t allow it!”

Zhao Linlang bit her lip and softly said, “I’m sorry, sir… we won’t perform an autopsy.”

Chu Ling’s gaze shifted slightly. “That’s fine, no autopsy also works—it will just take more time. So, Miss Zhao, you want to know how your father died?”

Zhao Linlang glanced at her mother, whose expression was unpleasant, then resolutely said, “I want to know.”

Chu Ling nodded. “Very well. But you’ll need to wait—I have to investigate… Also, one more thing. I need to borrow the main hall of the magistrate’s office for a while.”

“What do you plan to do, sir?” Zhao Linlang asked.

Chu Ling sighed. “Of course, one thing at a time. I need to hold a trial first, and catch a murderer.”

Zhao Linlang smiled bitterly at her. “Sir… my father is already dead. The office is leaderless now. Since you are a friend of Miss Nangong, you can naturally take temporary custody.”

Chu Ling nodded with relief. “Alright then, I’ll take temporary custody.”

Mrs. Zhao sized up Chu Ling, stepping forward to ask, “Are you from the Nangong family?”

Chu Ling returned her gaze with an evaluating look. “And you? Which family are you from?”

“The Shangguan family,” Mrs. Zhao said proudly.

Chu Ling suddenly realized and said, “My apologies, my apologies.”

Wan Sanjin stifled a smile, tugged at Chu Ling’s sleeve, and said loudly, “My lord, we still need to continue investigating the case. Once this case is resolved and judged, we can move on to Perfect Zhao’s case.”

Chu Ling’s expression turned serious. “You’re right. I won’t bother you further—let’s go.”

Madam Zhao’s face darkened as she stepped forward to block the way. “There’s no need to investigate my husband’s case. It’s unnecessary.”

“Mother!” Zhao Linlang shouted angrily. “Why can’t we investigate?”

Madam Zhao snorted coldly. “While people are alive, they can’t find peace; and after they’re dead, there’s still so much fuss? He clearly had chronic health problems and simply didn’t survive.”

Zhao Linlang stared at her mother in disbelief. Seeing that Madam Zhao remained unmoved, she gritted her teeth and declared, “I want to investigate! I must find out how my father died! Mother, you can’t stop me!”

Madam Zhao clenched her handkerchief. “Fine, fine, fine! Go investigate—make it an upheaval if you must!” She said this, then hurled the newly replaced porcelain cup to the ground and strode out past Chu Ling and the others.

The concubines in the room began wailing again.

Zhao Linlang felt a splitting headache and shouted, “Everyone, get out! From now on, not a single step into this room without my permission!”

The concubines were startled. Fearfully supporting one another, they quickly ran out.

Chu Ling glanced around, then exchanged a look with Wan Sanjin before turning to Zhao Linlang. “Miss Zhao, we’ll be going first.”

Zhao Linlang awkwardly brushed a stray lock of hair from her forehead. “Sorry, my lord. I’ll see you out.”

Chu Ling thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.

On the way out, Chu Ling leaned in and quietly asked, “This Dr. Gu—is he the same Dr. Gu from the Green Cavalry?”

“Yes. My lord, you know him?” Zhao Linlang asked in surprise.

Chu Ling hesitated a moment before deciding to tell the truth. “I met Miss Nangong at the post station. She was sending Nangong Jue back to the capital and asked me to investigate how he died. After having the coroner examine the body, I discovered that Nangong Jue was murdered. The most likely culprit is Dr. Gu.”

“How could that be?” Zhao Linlang’s eyes were full of disbelief. “I’ve seen him several times—he’s so old.”

“Age can be disguised,” Chu Ling said. “I’m not certain whether he had accomplices, but he was definitely involved.”

Zhao Linlang stopped in her tracks, her face suddenly pale. “My lord, but at that time my father’s complexion really did improve a lot.”

Chu Ling exhaled heavily. “There is a type of medicine that can temporarily restore vitality—but at the cost of the patient’s remaining life.”

“But the prescription itself is fine.” Zhao Linlang pulled the prescription from her sleeve. “I was worried someone would misuse it, so I put it away immediately.”

Chu Ling took the prescription and unfolded it for Bai Su to examine.

Wan Sanjin tugged at Chu Ling. “My lord, you’re holding it at the wrong angle.”

Chu Ling cleared her throat. “It’s the glare.”

Wan Sanjin leaned in to look, muttering, “Where’s the glare?”

“This medicine is fine,” Bai Su confirmed. “It’s all restorative herbs, but the weak cannot fully benefit. Some of the herbs are extremely potent. As you said, they can overdraw someone’s remaining vitality, making them appear much healthier in the short term.”

Chu Ling returned the prescription. “The prescription itself is fine, but giving it to Perfect Zhao is a problem. He suffers from chest obstruction—long-term use would harm him rather than help.”

Zhao Linlang stared at the prescription in disbelief, asking cautiously, “Then why didn’t anyone tell us? Did the doctors deliberately withhold it?”

Bai Su exclaimed, “Oh no! Xiao Ling, you have to dispel her doubts quickly.”

Chu Ling had no time for detailed explanations, so she put on a solemn expression and said, “Most people wouldn’t notice any problem with this prescription because it’s genuinely excellent. The doctor who prescribed it isn’t ordinary either. Had I not happened to encounter another patient with chest obstruction, I wouldn’t have been able to confirm it either.”