TGCFNM -Chapter 29 Are They Trying to Destroy the Evidence?

The night wind blew gently, carrying a slight chill.

Chu Ling tightened her collar and muttered to herself, “Not in the mortuary, not in the Mountain God Temple… then where could it be? The prison?”

Su He shook his head decisively. “It’s hot during the day. A corpse won’t last long; it would start to smell. It’s impossible for it to be in the jail.”

Chu Ling turned her back, appearing to be in thought, but in fact she was silently asking with lip movements, “When did you die?”

“July 1st.”

Chu Ling’s heart skipped a beat. She asked instinctively, “What day is it today?”

“July 10th,” Su He replied. “Why?”

“Chengyang went to Sishui County, smooth journey both ways, about six days in total.” Chu Ling calculated the timeline.

“Yes, Your Honor,” Wang Long said. “The weather has been clear these days, no rain, so six days is about right.”

“Sun Yang told me that Shen Lizhou had died, and then someone immediately went to Sishui County to report it,” Chu Ling frowned. “Sending the news to Zhang Yuanwai takes time, recommending me takes time, Shen Lizhou’s mother coming to ask me takes time… so the ninth day is about right, isn’t it?”

Su He did a quick mental calculation. “About right, but after so many days, the body must have changed quite a bit.”

“An experienced coroner—would they still be able to determine the cause even if the body has been dead for ten days?” Chu Ling asked anxiously.

Su He nodded firmly. “Even if there’s only the skeleton, there will still be information to work with.”

“This is bad.” Chu Ling’s expression grew darker. “The coroner and I will go back first. Wang Long and Wang Hu, stay here and follow Master Wan’s orders.”

Wan Sanjin was surprised. “Your Honor, follow your orders?”

“Yes. Master Wan, spare no effort—find Shen Lizhou’s remains. I suspect they have either been hidden or buried. At worst, given the timing, they might be burned soon.” Chu Ling’s face was solemn, eyes blazing like fire.

Wan Sanjin was shocked—were they really trying to destroy the evidence?

How much could a poor scholar’s secrets be worth, to make someone go to such extremes?

Su He held up the small lantern from the carriage and entrusted his tools to Wan Sanjin. “These tools are my life. Protect them well.”

He had come to inspect the residence, not to carry tools around, so they could not be brought back openly.

Wan Sanjin took them solemnly. “Don’t worry.”

Chu Ling led Su He out of the courtyard, checked the route, and briskly headed toward the magistrate’s residence.

At the same time, inside the magistrate’s courtyard, Zhang Dong and Xiao Hua looked half-awake, blinking at a row of firelight in front of them.

Magistrate Zhang stood with his hands behind his back, while Master Qin’s cold gaze cut through the darkness, a stark contrast to his respectful demeanor during the day.

“Why not open the door when the magistrate himself comes?” Master Qin demanded sharply.

“It’s dark; we were asleep,” Zhang Dong replied innocently.

“Hah!” Master Qin let out a cold laugh, as if forced from his throat, his face showing contempt. “Where is your county magistrate? The magistrate himself came, and your county magistrate dares to be so rude, not coming out to pay respects?”

“Our magistrate went out,” Zhang Dong said. “Didn’t meet him when you arrived? Our magistrate even said he wanted to greet the magistrate personally.”

Advisor Qin paused, instinctively glancing back at Magistrate Zhang. Under the flickering torchlight, Zhang’s gaze was heavy, and half of his face looked stormy and unpredictable.

Qin hadn’t expected these two to play by no rules at all. They were perfectly honest in admitting that Magistrate Chu had gone out—but where had he gone?

“Where has your magistrate gone?”

Zhang Dong replied respectfully, “Master Qin, I’m but a lowly servant. How dare I inquire about my lord’s whereabouts? He only said he went out for a walk and would return shortly.”

Qin snorted coldly. “The magistrate has kindly taken you in, yet you do not truly reside here. Now that Magistrate Chu has gone missing for no reason, and you two are still here spinning words—what is your intention?”

Zhang Dong’s eyes shone with innocence. “Master Qin, we have answered every question you asked properly.”

Qin’s anger flared, and he took a large step forward, pointing at Zhang Dong. “A mere servant dares deceive the magistrate? Seize them at once!”

“Seize them? Why?” Chu Ling walked over leisurely. “Didn’t Magistrate Zhang invite us here personally to stay, as if we were brothers?”

Zhang narrowed his eyes and traced Chu Ling’s path back, finally recalling the low wall to the west—they had returned from there.

“Where did Brother Chu go?” Zhang asked, his eyes half-lidded, a smile playing on his lips.

Chu Ling delivered the prepared lie without hesitation, adding at the end, “My advisor comes from a wealthy background and refuses to endure hardship. I’ve left Wang Long and Wang Hu behind to properly supervise him and ensure the house is returned promptly!”

“Ah, for a county magistrate like me to manage these troublesome subordinates, it truly is a hardship.” Chu Ling yawned, stepped past Advisor Qin, and entered the courtyard. Suddenly, as if remembering something, she turned back toward Zhang.

“Magistrate Zhang, it’s so late—aren’t you going to rest?”

Zhang laughed heartily. “Yes, Brother Chu should rest well—there’s a case to investigate tomorrow.”

“Yes.” Chu Ling smiled. “Don’t worry, Magistrate Zhang. I will give my all to apprehend the criminal and bring them to justice!”

Zhang nodded in satisfaction and waved for everyone to leave.

Chu Ling called out again, “Magistrate, your advisor is even harder to manage than mine! At least mine acknowledges me as his master and always stands behind me.”

She sighed, shaking her head, stopping herself mid-sentence. Advisor Qin’s expression changed dramatically.

“Zhang Dong, close the gate. I need to rest.” Chu Ling turned and left.

Bang! Zhang Dong shut the gate tightly.

Qin’s face darkened as he hurried to Zhang’s side. “Magistrate, that Magistrate Chu is sowing discord!”

“Step back!” Zhang furrowed his brow, then suddenly smiled. “Don’t worry. How could I not trust you? You are the capable person my wife recommended to me.”

Qin exhaled in relief. “You see clearly, Master. Not swayed by petty tricks. Rest assured, tomorrow I will keep a close eye on Magistrate Chu.”

Zhang paused for a moment, then, back turned to Qin, said, “Handle the matters Madam arranged for you well. Tomorrow… you will accompany her.”

“Yes, Master.”

Zhang waved his hand. “Go to the east room.”

Qin frowned. The east room was where the lord’s newly hidden secondary wife, Xiao Lin, resided. Since Madam hadn’t been able to return recently, if she came back, she would likely deal with the matter immediately.

In any case, he still needed to send a letter out.

Bai Su and Cui Xi exchanged a glance. Bai Su followed Advisor Qin, while Cui Xi went with Magistrate Zhang to the east room.