TGCFNM -Chapter 308 There’s a Way

Not long after Chu Ling and the others returned to the inn, as expected, Prefect Xue arrived with his men, shouting that he wanted Chu Ling to come out and pay for his actions.

Of course, Chu Ling did not go out. It was Wan Sanjin who went, delivering Chu Ling’s instructions word for word. At the end, he even cast a deliberately ambiguous glance before turning and leaving.

Prefect Xue froze in place. Since when did he become someone under Prince Rui’s protection? And why is he jealous of a mere county magistrate?

One of the nearby constables whispered, “Oh, so he’s one of the master’s own men. Then… maybe we can let it slide?”

“Let it slide? Let it slide my foot!” Prefect Xue ground his teeth. “Move out first!”

Chu Ling, watching from a second-floor window, furrowed her brow. “As Master said, he’s not a fool. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to serve as a prefect.”

Ghost Scholar chuckled lightly. “Indeed, he’s no fool. But the path he has walked through officialdom for years is the orthodox one—full of deceit, intrigue, and hidden schemes. So there’s no need to worry too much.”

Chu Ling closed the window and sat down, looking at Ghost Scholar.

Ghost Scholar continued: “Those tactics won’t work on you because you don’t play by the usual rules. Take today, for example—when you kicked him, he would naturally wonder why a mere county magistrate dared to kick him. Even with Prince Rui backing you, he’s technically your superior. But you acted simply because you couldn’t tolerate him oppressing the people.”

Chu Ling nodded. “So his grand arrival today is actually a probe.”

“Exactly. Now we mustn’t let him figure out your method yet. We wait until Uncle Hong intercepts the letter first, and only then will we see its contents,” Ghost Scholar said.

Chu Ling exhaled lightly, then asked, “I’m thinking of replacing the record with the actual events that happened here. Master, what do you think?”

Ghost Scholar shook his head. “Not a good idea. Even mimicking handwriting can be detected. And you’ve forgotten something.”

Chu Ling blinked, puzzled. Forgot what?

“That day at lunch, Uncle Hong said that in the capital, anyone who even mentions the Yuanzhou army will die,” Ghost Scholar said, gently shaking his folding fan. “What does that tell you? It means that even if you told Prince Xiao and Prince Rui everything exactly as it happened here, no one would act. They’d only suppress it.”

Chu Ling looked at Ghost Scholar and asked, “So what should I do?”

Ghost Scholar said bluntly, “Simple. Act first, report later. The capital will find a way to suppress it, so just investigate as you see fit.”

Chu Ling nodded. “I’m not afraid to investigate.”

Ghost Scholar continued, “As for the letter… just wet it a bit, stomp on it a few times, blur some words—make the contents unclear enough to arouse suspicion.”

“You don’t think the capital will check it?” Chu Ling asked curiously.

Ghost Scholar shook his head. “They won’t. Right now, everyone is walking on eggshells. A vague letter could be good news, or bad news, so it will be temporarily set aside.”

Chu Ling’s eyes lit up. “If it’s set aside, that gives me a chance.”

“Exactly!” Ghost Scholar snapped the fan shut. “Go, investigate Prefect Xue thoroughly—peel him like an onion!”

Chu Ling took a deep breath. “Master, the deputy general fled back to Yuanzhou thinking I wouldn’t dare investigate. Being a lowly commoner, he believed he could escape unscathed, especially with family backing. But I will investigate. I will see him sentenced to death.”

Ghost Scholar frowned, thinking carefully. “There’s a chance. First handle the Ningzhou matter, then move to Yuanzhou. But you can’t start by saying it’s for Fuxiang and the others. You need another angle—focus on the fact that they illegally increased taxes.”

“Taxes?” Chu Ling asked.

“Road tolls. You frame it as taxation. Collecting extra taxes privately is a serious crime. He’ll object, and that’s when your opportunity comes. But don’t implicate the entire family for now. Since their full strength is unclear, just arrest Lian Ci for questioning,” Ghost Scholar instructed.

Chu Ling nodded. “I’ve noted it down.”

The Ghost Scholar slowly stood, looking at Chu Ling. “Go see them. Ask them, too. Calm them down, and tell them that you will fight for their justice… My lord, the families of the ten-thousand-Yuanzhou army—that’s an enormous number of people. They will become your strength.”

Chu Ling looked at the Ghost Scholar and nodded firmly. “I will.”

She would make sure to fight for their justice!

—

Stepping out of the room, Chu Ling walked to the few rooms at the end of the long corridor.

The doors were half-closed. Inside, people were bustling about, trying to suppress cries of pain, though sometimes the sounds slipped out despite their efforts.

When Wan Sanjin saw Chu Ling, he came over quietly. “The inn has been closed to all guests. Everyone here is recovering from their injuries. Uncle Hong sent people to watch over them secretly. The Fulai Inn is safe now.”

“Mm. Has Su He returned?” Chu Ling asked.

Wan Sanjin shook his head. “Not yet, but he’s being watched over, so nothing will happen to him.”

Chu Ling spoke softly, “I want to wait until Fuxiang has had the postmortem. Then, have Uncle Wu take people along with Fuxiang’s father back to Ping’an Village, and then send them to Tianjian City to lay Fuxiang to rest. We’ll first handle Ningzhou, and then go to Yuanzhou to fight for justice.”

“Uncle Wu mentioned the same thing. He feels it’s too unsafe here, so once everyone recovers a bit, he plans to hurry them along to take all of Ping’an Village to Tianjian City,” Wan Sanjin said, his eyes reddening as he lowered his head. “My lord, on this journey, I’ve never felt so powerless.”

“You’re not powerless. I have a way.” Chu Ling looked at the half-closed doors. “The laws of the Great Zhou are not for show, and power is not a free pass from punishment. If someone commits a crime, they must face the law! No matter who they are!”

Uncle Wu hurried out, holding a prescription. Seeing Chu Ling standing outside, he had a thousand things he wanted to ask, but after a moment’s thought, he stepped aside. “My lord, go see Fuxiang’s father.”

Chu Ling nodded and walked in with Wan Sanjin.

By the bedside, Fuxiang’s father lay with eyes bloodshot, face pressed to the bed. In less than a day, it seemed as if ten years had passed—he looked significantly older.

Hearing the sound, he slowly turned his head toward Chu Ling. “My lord… you’ve come.”

Fuxiang rushed forward, crying out, “Father! Father, how are you? Father!”

Chu Ling’s nose tightened, and she approached. “I’m late… I’m sorry.”

Fuxiang’s father shook his head slightly. “Even as a county magistrate, you risked your life to save us. We understand. You’ve already done your best.”

Chu Ling shook her head gently.

His lips trembled, and after a long pause, he finally resolved himself. “My lord… I heard from Brother Wu that you’re investigating the case. Don’t… don’t investigate anymore. We’ll be fine as it is. If you get dragged into this any further… what would happen? What would happen…”

Chu Ling choked back her tears and looked at him. “Once… once your injuries heal, Uncle Wu will take you all—take all of Ping’an Village—to Tianjian City… then… then you’ll be safe.”

Fuxiang’s father bit his lips tightly, letting out a painful sob. Tears ran down his cheeks as he buried himself in his arms, unable to hold back his crying any longer.

But his daughter… would never make it to Tianjian City.