TGCFNM -Chapter 179 Joint Investigation

Chu Ling exhaled deeply, leaning back against the chair.

The purpose of the Baizhuoxing (White Mud Gang) was already clear, and over in the capital, the people had probably been arranged, though she didn’t know when they would be sent over.

In other words, the time left for her was limited.

“Knock knock.”

Someone suddenly knocked at the door, and Chu Ling was startled. “Who is it?”

“My Lord,” Wan Sanjin called out, “Miss Siyu is here to see you.”

Chu Ling was momentarily surprised, then rose and went to open the door. “She’s here? Is it urgent?”

Wan Sanjin gestured forward. “It seems urgent. I’ve sent her to the front hall first. Hot tea has also been prepared.”

Chu Ling nodded and stepped out toward the front hall, with Wan Sanjin following.

Siyu lightly traced the rim of her teacup, lost in thought, seemingly distracted. Only when she saw Chu Ling did she smile, rise slowly, and bow. “My Lord.”

Chu Ling smiled and raised a hand, signaling her to sit. “Coming to see me so late—what’s the matter?”

Siyu nodded slightly. “The day you came looking for me, many people saw it. Zhang Bozi somehow got wind of it and pressured Boss Bao to hand someone over. Boss Bao directly protected me.”

Chu Ling’s expression showed apology. “I’m sorry for dragging you into this.”

Siyu shook her head with a smile. “It’s nothing. I’m fine, aren’t I?”

“Then, Miss Siyu, is there something else?” Chu Ling asked.

Siyu handed over a parcel she had been carrying. “After you questioned me that day, and Boss Bao protected me, many people spent money to find me, wanting me to deliver this to you.”

Wan Sanjin stood, took the parcel, and opened it. Inside were sheets of paper.

Some had writing, some only blood-stained handprints, and even several blood-written letters… Wan Sanjin kept flipping until the very last few sheets, which recorded the numerous crimes of Prefect Zhao, each sealed with a handprint.

Wan Sanjin was shocked and quickly handed them to Chu Ling. “My Lord, look!”

Chu Ling frowned deeply and looked at Siyu. “This… is it all true?”

“Yes,” Siyu nodded gently. “They know Prefect Zhao is dead, so they want me to pass this on to you.”

Chu Ling’s frown deepened further. The crimes listed were nearly endless. Not only did he impose extra taxes, but he also added arbitrary “weed taxes” and water taxes. That wasn’t all—he ran brothels, taverns, and gambling dens, forced the innocent into prostitution, exploited the people, and forcibly seized land…

“This Dongle City appears prosperous, but it survives on the blood of its surroundings. If you go outside the city and look at the people there—emaciated, sweating under the sun, farming land that isn’t even theirs—they work a whole year, yet tightening their belts they still cannot eat enough. Some even have to sell their children,” Siyu said, sighing softly.

Chu Ling folded the papers one by one, her expression growing colder. “Just build a high wall, isolate all the evil outside, and it’s as if it never existed.”

Wan Sanjin asked, “Didn’t anyone dare to report him?”

Siyu shook her head with a bitter smile. “Master Wan, who would dare? People here long ago had their spines broken—who would dare?”

Chu Ling felt a lump in her chest: yes, who would dare.

Wan Sanjin angrily said, “That Prefect Zhao… even in death, he’s lucky.”

Chu Ling’s eyes narrowed, her anger palpable. “Indeed, far too lucky. He can’t be allowed such luck… Anyway, I came here to stir up trouble, so I might as well make it even messier.”

Wan Sanjin’s eyes lit up. “My lord, what do you plan to do?”

“Tomorrow we’ll hear two cases: one, the murder of Yu Luo; the other, the murder of Prefect Zhao.” Chu Ling spoke as she retied her bundle, her tone calm and indifferent. “Miss Zhao will likely come tomorrow to tell me the truth. She’ll tell me herself exactly how her father died.”

“My lord, surely the children are innocent? Miss Zhao doesn’t seem to have done anything wrong,” Wan Sanjin said cautiously.

Chu Ling turned to look at him. “That dress she wears is woven with Yue brocade, and the jade belt at her waist is extremely rare. Even the boots on her feet are embroidered with gold thread… She never wondered where all of this came from?”

How could a prefect’s salary support a daughter so extravagantly?

Wan Sanjin frowned. “That’s true. Daughters of noble families aren’t little white rabbits.”

“I don’t want her life, but all the money her family took from the people must be returned,” Chu Ling said, then looked at Wan Sanjin. “Tomorrow, you check the relevant shops. Take Zhang Dong with you; he has experience in these matters.”

Wan Sanjin nodded.

Chu Ling looked at Siyu. “Is there anyone willing to testify?”

Siyu smiled, and then the smile broke into tears. “My lord, plenty of people are willing to testify. If even a dead person is feared, then this life is hell, and you’ll never escape it.”

Chu Ling banged the table. “Good! Then tomorrow we’ll try both cases together.”

The next day.

Just as Chu Ling had expected, Zhao Linlang came early and openly told her that the culprit was Concubine Zhen.

But Concubine Zhen hadn’t meant to kill her father—she had meant to kill her mother.

“Concubine Zhen, relying on the fact that she bore the household’s only son, wanted my father to elevate her status to be equal with my mother. But my mother comes from the Shangguan family—how could she tolerate a concubine standing equally with her? So she had someone teach Concubine Zhen a lesson, even threatening to claim the child as her own.”

“Concubine Zhen was angered and secretly looked for an opportunity to poison my mother. She just didn’t expect that my father drank that cup of tea…”

Zhao Linlang’s eyes reddened, tears welling up as she recounted the story, clearly distressed.

Chu Ling looked at her, reminded of the blood-written documents from the day before, and her voice naturally grew heavier. “Miss Zhao, this afternoon we will hold court for both cases—the Yu Luo case, and the Prefect Zhao case.”

Zhao Linlang panicked for a moment and quickly said, “I’ve already ordered that wretched woman tied up, but this is our family matter. Family shame shouldn’t be made public, so…”

“Miss Zhao, Prefect Zhao is an official appointed by the court,” Chu Ling reminded her.

Biting her lip, Zhao Linlang stood. “Very well. I will order that wretched woman to be sent to prison immediately.”

Chu Ling nodded slightly, a faint smile on her lips. “Take care, Miss Zhao.”

Zhao Linlang gave a stiff smile and bowed in farewell.

Chu Ling suppressed her own smile, stood, and followed outside.

Before long, Siyu hurried over, holding a carrier pigeon. “My lord, Boss Bao has taken the person away.”

Chu Ling nodded, took the rolled note, and unrolled it. “I told you… she couldn’t not know. She just didn’t care.”

“My lord,” Siyu said, worry in her eyes, “the trial is this afternoon.”

Chu Ling smiled. “I’ve been ready for a long time.”