TGCFNM -Chapter 307 Prefect Xue

At this moment, the members of the Wan family arrived.

Wan Sanjin immediately ordered his men to send Fuxiang’s father and the others to the inn, and then fetch a doctor.

The few constables, under Wan Sanjin’s threatening glare, crouched down with their heads in their hands—after all, one of their comrades had already been kicked unconscious earlier.

Chu Ling stepped forward, closing in on Prefect Xue. As Prefect Xue’s eyes grew increasingly fearful, Chu Ling passed him, pulled out the miniature arrow lodged in the door, and carefully placed it back into its tiny quiver.

“Who sent you?” Chu Ling asked coldly.

Prefect Xue’s eyes darted wildly, but he refused to answer.

“What’s the matter? Just a general, and yet he acts like he has more face than the royal family? Could it be that this general is plotting rebellion, aiming to become royalty himself?” Chu Ling said, then turned and looked down at Prefect Xue from above. “What do you say?”

Clutching his chest, Prefect Xue glared at Chu Ling. “I am the prefect. You are just a mere county magistrate. You dare assault an official above you? I think you have no regard for your life!”

“People aren’t strongest when they have nothing to lose. They are strongest when there’s nothing to threaten them with,” Chu Ling said, lowering her gaze. She then stepped on Prefect Xue’s fingers, and amid the prefect’s screams, waved for the villagers to leave.

Ghost Scholar stood with his hands behind his back, instructing seriously: “We are in a chaotic era of succession. Neutrality is no longer possible. Everyone has already chosen their camps. At times like this, you must prove your worth to Prince Rui. Then, ‘small matters’ like this can pass quietly.”

Chu Ling tilted her head slightly at Ghost Scholar, silently asking about the message sent yesterday.

Ghost Scholar shook his head. “It wasn’t quite the right timing, so I suggest you start with this prefect. That Uncle Hong has been in Ningzhou for so many years. He surely knows a lot, which is why he said the prefect is not a good man.”

Only after Chu Ling released her foot from Prefect Xue, who was now pale, did the prefect blow on his hands and try to curse at him in his embarrassment.

“You’ve been running wild in Ningzhou, haven’t you? Done quite a lot of things,” Chu Ling squinted and asked.

Prefect Xue gritted his teeth. “What business is that of yours? I am appointed by His Majesty. You’re just a mere county magistrate. You’re dead meat!”

With that, Prefect Xue scrambled to run, tumbling as he went.

Chu Ling thought about just grabbing him and throwing him in prison but was stopped by Ghost Scholar’s hand.

“The Yuanzhou troops are training. Leaving without permission is a serious crime, yet they still came. Seeing Prince Rui’s token didn’t frighten them, but even knowing you are connected to him, they still dared to target you. Have you ever wondered why?” Ghost Scholar asked.

Squinting at the fleeing Prefect Xue, Chu Ling said, “Because they have backing—they’re not afraid. But why?”

“Exactly, why?” Ghost Scholar withdrew his hand. “There must be a reason behind this that we can’t see yet.”

Chu Ling looked at Ghost Scholar, her gaze clear: You know.

Ghost Scholar looked at the figures still secretly watching from nearby, then at Wan Sanjin tidying up the aftermath. His eyes narrowed slightly, and in a low voice, he said, “Judging by the causes and outcomes of what just happened, there is simply some new development over in the capital.”

“New developments?” Chu Ling murmured, chewing over the words.

“The transition from old to new always brings chaos. In chaos, the one most likely to claim ultimate victory attracts the largest following. Currently, the Grand General of the Yuanzhou Army is Lian Wu, and his father, Lian Sheng, holds a post in the Ministry of War. At such a critical moment, such important positions are entrusted to the Lian family. If it weren’t for others thinking they’re just a convenient target, it would mean they’re truly trusted,” Ghost Scholar said, looking at Chu Ling.

Chu Ling caught on. “No one dares offend the Lian family now; people even curry favor with them. If I, holding Prince Rui’s token, cannot even get proper treatment from a prefect, it means the person Lian Sheng intends to support is not Prince Rui.”

Ghost Scholar nodded. “In most people’s eyes, the Qi Prince’s son, Xiao Lengjue, seems the most likely. But if we’re talking about the real contenders for the throne, it’s Prince Rui and Prince Su. The Prince He, already in his fief, seems uninvolved, but his influence there over the years is not to be underestimated.”

After laying out the situation, Ghost Scholar turned to Chu Ling, awaiting her response.

Chu Ling looked at him and suddenly smiled, lowering her voice. “You’re setting a trap for me, Teacher. If we only look at the obvious contenders, it seems the answer is Prince Su—but maybe the real answer is actually the Qi Prince’s son, Xiao Lengjue.”

“Exactly,” Ghost Scholar said, eyes showing admiration. “I told you before, the Rui and Prince Sus are educated by the royal family to dismantle the noble houses, while Xiao Lengjue is doing the opposite—he’s courting them.”

Chu Ling’s brow furrowed slightly. “The Lian family wants to become a new noble house, free from constraints. Now that they hold military power, when choosing which future ruler to serve, they’ll lean toward Xiao Lengjue.”

Ghost Scholar nodded. “That’s why the Yuanzhou Army acts with impunity—the prefect here is someone under the Qi Prince’s son, Xiao Lengjue.”

“So the first thing I need to do is find evidence that the prefect is breaking the law. This evidence must conveniently give Prince Rui some leverage to curb Xiao Lengjue’s arrogance. The next step will be dealing with that general,” Chu Ling said coldly.

Ghost Scholar reminded her, “It’s probably not Lian Wu. He has military power, and that day’s words from the young white-robed officer didn’t seem false. So it might be Lian Ci instead.”

Wan Sanjin finished organizing the men and approached Chu Ling. “Master, what should we do next?”

“This entire Ningzhou probably falls under Xiao’s jurisdiction, so even the city gate guards are likely… We’ll first return to the inn to plan carefully. If the prefect dares come to seize anyone in the next couple of days, we’ll say that although he already received a letter from the Prince Rui, he still harassed his subordinates. It must be that he didn’t accept the matter I was assigned,” Chu Ling said.

As soon as she finished, Ghost Scholar couldn’t help but smile.

Wan Sanjin looked puzzled. “This prefect is working for Prince Rui?”

“No, but that’s what we’ll claim. The more convincingly, the better,” Chu Ling instructed.

Wan Sanjin’s eyes lit up. “Master, I understand.”

“Anyway, I have Prince Rui’s token. He won’t dare harm me. And I suspect he’s rushing to write two letters—one to the Qi Prince’s son, one to the Yuanzhou Army…” Chu Ling said, then slowly descended the stone steps. “Wan Shiye, let’s return to the inn.”

She had to find Hong Shiyuan, intercept the two letters using Tianxia Zhi, swap their contents, and then send them out.

Ghost Scholar hovered beside her. “Your brazen actions today have surely shocked him. And before receiving a reply, he won’t dare act rashly. So you use this opportunity to boldly enter the prefecture office and inspect the archives.”

Chu Ling nodded. Even a small piece of incriminating evidence submitted would ensure the Prince Rui wouldn’t let his nephew off easily.

Moreover, as Hong Shiyuan said, this prefect is no good at all. Investigating him will be far too easy!

Cui Xi took Fuxiang’s arm and said earnestly, “Bodhisattva Sister, don’t worry. Master will see justice done for you!”