TGCFNM -Chapter 218 Climbing Over the Wall into the Qi Residence

After bidding farewell to Master Wang, Chu Ling returned to the magistrate’s office with Liu Shu. She had him write down his testimony and press his thumbprint on it before allowing him to leave.

At the same time, one of Boss Bao’s underlings came to report the latest news.

Qi Shizhao—Master Qi’s son—had gone secretly to Wantong Money House early that morning. He stayed there in a private meeting for nearly an hour before slipping away quietly.

Afterward, Zhang Sanma closed up Wantong Money House and sneaked off to Ruyi Gambling House.

After thanking the informant, Chu Ling asked him to pass a message to Boss Bao: keep a close watch on Zhang Sanma and find out who was really behind Wantong Money House and Jixiang Gambling House.

Once he received the order, Zhang Dong escorted the man out through the rear gate of the yamen.

Chu Ling sat upright in her chair and said gravely to Wan Sanjin and the others, “It looks like Wantong Money House and Ruyi Gambling House may have the same owner behind them. The lending methods used in the gambling house have been applied elsewhere. Master Qi is so wealthy because he makes money through moneylending—black-hearted money.”

“The interest rates on those loans are terrifyingly high. Didn’t anyone think something was wrong?” Wan Sanjin frowned.

Fu Qingyu disagreed. “Some people can’t do the math. Others think they can repay it. And the people borrowing money are those in urgent need. When someone urgently needs cash, they’ll borrow wherever they can.”

Chu Ling tapped the table lightly, murmuring, “Lin Zhu and Master Qi both borrowed money through guarantors. One used Zhang Sanma from Wantong Money House, and the other used a man named Qin Changfeng. Zhang Dong investigated—Qin Changfeng is the manager of Jixiang Restaurant…”

“Your Honor suspects these establishments are backed by the same person?” Fu Qingyu asked.

Chu Ling nodded, even speaking with a hint of certainty. “This lending scheme was absolutely devised by the same person. So our focus should be on Ruyi Gambling House.”

“Not investigate Wantong Money House, but Ruyi Gambling House?” Wan Sanjin didn’t quite understand. Wouldn’t it be easier to find out who was behind a money house?

Chu Ling shook her head and looked at Wan Sanjin. “Everyone knows that Tiansheng Grand Money House is backed by the Wan family. That gives people a sense of trust, so they’re willing to deposit their money there. But Wantong Money House, as a money house, is barely known. That’s too strange. It’s clearly just a front. And that front exists to cover up Ruyi Gambling House.”

Wan Sanjin rubbed his chin. “How about Su He and I go check out the gambling house?”

Chu Ling’s eyes lit up. “Sounds good. You two go to Ruyi Gambling House and gather information. I’ll make a trip to the Qi residence on Linhe Street.”

“Alright, we’ll split up,” Wan Sanjin said as he stood and headed out.

Chu Ling also prepared to change clothes before leaving.

Fu Qingyu stopped her. “Since I was the one who reported the case, why not let me go with you?”

Chu Ling’s eyes shifted as she suddenly recalled that Master Qi had been Fu Qingyu’s enlightenment teacher—and that he was currently staying at their yamen.

“Young Master Fu, you take Qing Tong and enter through the front gate. Go find Qi Shizhao and tell him… tell him that it’s not appropriate for me to keep detaining Master Qi’s body. Discuss with him how to bring the body back as soon as possible, so your teacher may be laid to rest in peace.”

Fu Qingyu nodded. “That’s certainly fine. But if I’m going to meet Qi Shizhao, how will you get into the Qi residence?”

“I’ll climb over the wall,” Chu Ling replied.

Fu Qingyu looked puzzled. “In broad daylight, Your Honor? You’re climbing over the wall into the Qi residence?”

Chu Ling raised an eyebrow. “Exactly. No one would expect it. Who would imagine someone climbing over their wall in the middle of the day? It’s called doing the opposite of what’s expected—it’s safer.”

Fu Qingyu tilted his head and thought about it. That… actually made sense.

But—

“Your Honor, you’re climbing in to search for clues? So I need to keep Qi Shizhao occupied, right?” Fu Qingyu asked.

Chu Ling nodded firmly. “Right.”

Fu Qingyu let out a helpless chuckle and agreed. “Rest assured, Your Honor. I won’t fail the mission.”

Chu Ling hummed in approval. “Then let’s prepare quickly and head out.”

“Alright,” Fu Qingyu responded.

—

Half an hour later, at the back gate of the magistrate’s office.

Fu Qingyu and Qing Tong boarded the carriage, and Qing Tong urged it into a light trot toward Linhe Street.

Inside the carriage, Chu Ling was dressed entirely in black. Tucked into her sleeves was a strip of cloth to cover her face, and at her waist were neatly secured silver needles. Everything was ready.

Fu Qingyu looked at her outfit, hesitating as if he wanted to speak but held back.

Chu Ling raised her eyes to him. “What is it?”

“Your Excellency… won’t this attire be a bit too conspicuous in broad daylight?” Fu Qingyu asked uncertainly.

Chu Ling waved her hand. “It’s fine. I’ve already thought of a countermeasure. If anyone asks, I’ll say I’m administering silver-needle treatment and worried that blood might spurt onto white clothing and show too clearly, so I changed into black.”

Fu Qingyu pointed at himself. “Your Excellency… the one you’re sticking needles into won’t be me, will it?”

“It is you,” Chu Ling replied matter-of-factly. “You’re the best excuse. Otherwise, how would I explain chasing you all the way to the Qi residence?”

Fu Qingyu pressed his lips together briefly, then said firmly, “Rest assured, Your Excellency. I’ll do my best to stall Young Master Qi. Search to your heart’s content.”

Chu Ling smiled. “Good.”

—

Soon, the carriage came to a gradual stop.

Fu Qingyu lifted the curtain and stepped out, walking forward to knock on the Qi residence’s main gate.

Meanwhile, Qing Tong followed instructions and guided the carriage to the rear courtyard of the Qi residence before departing.

Once the surroundings quieted down, Chu Ling covered her face with the cloth and stepped out of the carriage. Crouching slightly, she surveyed the area, then turned in a low voice to Madam Qi beside her. “You’ve been here before, haven’t you?”

Madam Qi nodded. “A few times.”

“Good. Show me the way. Where is Qi Shizhao’s study?” Chu Ling asked quietly.

After thinking for a moment, Madam Qi drifted forward, and Chu Ling carefully followed behind her.

As Madam Qi floated along, she glanced at the vast residence and the maids and servants passing by from time to time. A trace of resentment inevitably surfaced in her voice. “They have so many servants, yet they wouldn’t even spare one or two for me.”

Chu Ling replied in a low voice, “When they came to propose marriage, you should’ve refused righteously. No matter what the matchmaker said, could your parents really have held a knife to your neck?”

“But I had already reached marriageable age,” Madam Qi said softly.

Chu Ling rolled her eyes bluntly. “And after you married in, you were far too agreeable—doing whatever they told you. A person only lives once. If you’re not a little selfish, you’ll just exhaust yourself to death.”

Madam Qi’s eyes widened slightly. “Once married, a wife should regard her husband as heaven.”

Chu Ling couldn’t help cursing under her breath. “Nonsense. What kind of ‘heaven’ is your husband? If that heaven is this awful, it should’ve been kicked aside long ago. Even if you washed clothes for others outside, you could at least earn some money. But being a slave under him, you didn’t get a single coin.”

“Your Excellency, what you’re saying… it goes somewhat against propriety,” Madam Qi said in a hushed voice.

Leaning against a wall and peering inside, Chu Ling waited until several maids had walked away before lowering her voice again. “That depends on who set those rules of propriety. If men made them, of course they’d make them beneficial to themselves. That’s why I don’t follow them.”

Madam Qi blinked in surprise. “Ah?”

“Are we there?” Chu Ling asked quietly.

Madam Qi nodded at once. “We’re here. This is their most secret study. When I merely approached it before, I was scolded harshly. I’m certain this is the place.”

Chu Ling responded softly with an “Alright.” With a light leap, she stepped onto the roof tiles and vaulted inside.