TGCFNM -Chapter 22 Chengyang’s Pastries

This incident involving Prefect Cheng seemed to stir no waves at all in the capital. Only a handful of people came to make the arrest. After Chu Ling submitted all the evidence of his crimes, there was nothing more she needed to concern herself with.

Moreover, they came quickly and left just as quickly, not even staying long enough for a cup of hot tea.

Outside the county yamen, Chu Ling leaned against a pillar, resting her chin in her hand as she watched the dust kicked up by the departing steeds. She waved casually and said, “There won’t be any problems, right?”

Upon hearing this, Su He’s expression turned extremely serious. “My autopsy report was written in great detail. That faint fracture alone is enough to prove she was strangled.”

“That’s not what I meant.” Chu Ling’s face darkened slightly. “I’m worried that someone in the capital might still try to protect him. After all, it’s a time when capable officials are in short supply. With the position of Prefect of Changzhou suddenly vacant, another faction might try to insert their own person.”

Chu Ling let out a snort of laughter. All that fighting and scrambling—yet in the end, it would only serve as a wedding dress for the female lead.

“If you wish to investigate further, I can send someone,” Wan Sanjin offered.

Chu Ling sized him up. “If Advisor Wan wants to investigate, then go ahead.” With that, she waved her hand and headed into the rear offices.

Su He followed after her. “I want to eat the vegetarian dumplings Xiao Hua makes. I’ll pay.”

Wan Sanjin lingered in place for only a moment before following them inside as well. After all, the person was right under his nose—how could he not be fit to serve as an advisor?

.

Today, the people of Sishui County were busy with an important task. They had gathered mugwort, mixed it with salt water, and were preparing to thoroughly cleanse the Confucian Temple inside and out, lest any lingering ill fortune remain.

When Qi Da reported this, Chu Ling was momentarily stunned. Salt was a valuable commodity—yet they were willing to use it so freely?

“It’s said that Sun Juren took the lead,” Qi Da explained. “He said a place like the Confucian Temple shouldn’t be defiled. He even paid for the salt out of his own pocket. After all, he’s Sishui County’s first juren. I suppose he’s worried about being implicated. I heard he’s planning to sit for the spring metropolitan examination next year.”

“Isn’t he Zhang Yuanwai’s retainer?” Chu Ling asked, taking a sip of tea.

Qi Da nodded. “Sun Juren has served Zhang Yuanwai for quite some time. They say Master Zhang is finally willing to write him a recommendation letter.”

Chu Ling set down her teacup. “Then there’s nothing to worry about.”

Under the current appointment system of Great Zhou, as long as you could pass the exams and had connections, you wouldn’t lack an official post.

“Your Excellency,” Zhang Dong called from outside the door, “Sun Juren requests an audience.”

Chu Ling exchanged a glance with Qi Da. They both immediately sensed trouble. “He’s not going to ask me to personally sprinkle water at the Confucian Temple, is he?”

“You are the County Magistrate,” Qi Da said.

Chu Ling thought that made sense, and instructed Zhang Dong to invite him in.

When Sun Juren entered carrying gifts, Chu Ling immediately saw through the faintly guilty smile on his face. But within moments, he composed himself again, as though certain that Chu Ling would not refuse whatever he was about to request.

Now that was interesting.

“Qi Da, go rest,” Chu Ling instructed. “And remember what I told you—have the brothers keep a close watch on the riverways. If anything seems amiss, report it at once.”

Qi Da acknowledged the order and withdrew.

Chu Ling gestured for Sun Juren to take a seat and began calmly, “What brings you here, Sun Juren? Has Zhang Yuanwai sent word?”

“Yes—and no.” Sun Juren smiled, lifted the teacup before him, and took a sip. Suddenly, he no longer seemed in such a hurry.

Chu Ling sneered inwardly. Acting like a grandson in front of Master Zhang, then coming here to put on airs before her—he really knew how to play the fox borrowing the tiger’s might.

Having thought it through, Chu Ling stopped asking questions and simply drank her tea and ate her pastries, with no intention of speaking.

Sun Juren glanced at her several times. Finally growing anxious, he searched for something to say. “Your Excellency, these are some pastries specially sent by Magistrate Zhang of Chengyang upstream to Member Zhang.”

As he spoke, Sun Juren pushed the box toward Chu Ling slightly, the implication unspoken but clear.

Chu Ling still said nothing.

Sun Juren sighed and put on a worried expression. “Member Zhang has lost quite a bit of weight recently.”

“Are you blind?” Chu Ling frowned.

Sun Juren forced an awkward smile and continued stiffly, “Member Zhang is worried about his elder brother… Magistrate Zhang. In the territory under his jurisdiction—Chengyang—a strange murder case has recently occurred. One of the deceased just happens to be a student from our Sishui County.”

“Oh?” Chu Ling was finally interested enough to keep listening.

Sun Juren let out a breath of relief and went on. “Your Excellency also knows how difficult it is for the students of Sishui County to pursue their studies. Now that student has died tragically far from home. He had only an elderly mother, who is crying her heart out. Coincidentally, Your Excellency has recently solved several strange cases in succession. The common people praise you endlessly—you are a living ‘Blue Sky’ official!”

“Heh.” Chu Ling gave a cold laugh. “You want me to go to Chengyang to solve the case?”

“Exactly so. Your Excellency is wise!” Sun Juren immediately flattered.

“An official may not leave their jurisdiction without authorization.” Chu Ling pushed the pastry box back. “I appreciate your intention in recommending me, Scholar Sun.”

Sun Juren’s face turned pale, panic flashing across it.

Chu Ling let out a cold snort. Recommending her to solve the case—afterward Sun Yang would get a letter of commendation, while she would be the one exhausting herself. And if she accepted the bribe, she would also be leaving herself open to having a handle held over her.

“Your Excellency!” Sun Juren suddenly stood up, his face as white as paper. “Your Excellency, Magistrate Zhang has given an order. Whether you wish to go or not—you must go.”

Chu Ling slowly raised her eyes. “Are you threatening me?”

“It is not a threat. Rather, if Your Excellency goes, you may form a connection with Magistrate Zhang. That would be a tremendous benefit to you. In officialdom, officials protect one another—only then can one go far. Please consider it carefully.” Having said this, Sun Juren quickly bowed and left.

Chu Ling suddenly slammed down her teacup, grabbed the box of pastries, and chased after him.

“Your Excellency, do not act impulsively,” Ghost Scholar said, reaching out to stop her.

Chu Ling brushed him aside and chased all the way to the back gate. “Sun Yang!”

Startled, Sun Juren’s legs buckled and he nearly fell. “Your Excellency, this is the student’s elderly mother. She has come especially to pay her respects.”

Chu Ling rushed outside. She saw a stooped old woman leaning against the outer wall. Her weather-beaten face looked at Chu Ling with fear for a moment, then she immediately dropped to her knees. “This humble woman greets Your Excellency.”

Chu Ling threw down the food box and quickly helped her up. “There’s no need to kneel.”

The woman’s temples were already white with age. Her body was so frail it seemed a gust of wind could carry her away. Her pitiful, broken frame was enough to make anyone unable to bear seeing her kneel again.

“No, this humble woman must kneel.” The old woman forced herself down. Murky tears fell in great drops as she clutched Chu Ling’s sleeve like a drowning person grasping at driftwood. “Your Excellency, I beg you, I beg you to catch the one who killed my son. I beg you, I beg you.”

Chu Ling could not lift the old woman at all, so she crouched down halfway to look at her. “Magistrate Zhang will certainly handle the case impartially and find the murderer.”

The old woman bit her lip hard and shook her head desperately. “Magistrate Zhang said my son died by accident. The body has already been examined. They want to bury him on the spot and won’t let me bring his body back.”

“What!” Chu Ling glared at Sun Juren, who was standing outside.

Sun Juren swallowed nervously. “So… so we wish to invite County Magistrate—you—to personally go and take a look.”