TGCFNM -Chapter 315 You Killed Someone

In truth, Chu Ling wasn’t entirely sure whether the county magistrate could really hold the prefect accountable. After all, as long as Prefect Xue refused to acknowledge Prince Rui’s decree, she would have no way to act.

Ghost Scholar lightly tapped Chu Ling’s shoulder with his folded fan. “Using the fact that this is an imperial commissioner personally appointed by Prince Rui has about a thirty percent chance of working. The rest depends on whether this man is willing to obey Prince Rui’s order.”

Chu Ling’s headache only grew worse.

“Of course,” Ghost Scholar continued, settling into the empty seat beside her, “there are other methods.” He gazed at her thoughtfully. “From what I observed today, he is greedy and lustful, highly skilled in navigating officialdom, always seeking profit and avoiding danger. Being the prefect here, no one dares to oppose him or argue with him.”

Chu Ling lowered her eyes, sinking into deep thought.

Ghost Scholar tapped the table with his fan. “A prefect of an entire province—arrogant, accustomed to ruling over the people for so long that he truly believes the citizens are tamed.”

Suddenly, Chu Ling lifted her head sharply, her eyes lighting up. She had found a way.

Looking at Wan Sanjin and Su He, she said, “I’ve got a plan, but we’ll need to act separately. We also need to persuade some of the townspeople to help us stage a grand performance at the city market tomorrow.”

Then she outlined her plan to them.

After listening carefully, Wan Sanjin said, “Seems more feasible than pretending to be an imperial commissioner.”

Su He nodded in agreement.

Chu Ling gave the final word: “Then tomorrow, we do it this way. Also, we’ll need Uncle Hong’s help.”

Wan Sanjin chuckled. “That favor Uncle Hong will definitely do. He’s genuinely worried that you’ll trick someone and end up getting arrested yourself.”

Chu Ling shook her head. “No need to worry. If it comes to that, I’d rather poison him and run.”

Su He nodded firmly. “That plan is also workable.”

Wan Sanjin suddenly sighed. “If it weren’t for needing evidence to go after Lian Ci in Yuanzhou, poisoning Prefect Xue would be the easiest and most straightforward solution.”

But unfortunately, they had to find a roundabout way to handle the case.

By evening, Hong Shiyuan finally brought the latest news. Indeed, there was a large iron mine; the smaller one was just a decoy.

Mining the large iron mine without authorization was a capital offense, punishable by confiscation of property and execution of the family.

So, as Chu Ling had initially suggested, handing it over to the Shangguan family was the best outcome. This would also avoid major conflicts with Heir Xiao.

Once this matter was handled, Chu Ling asked Uncle Hong for some men and explained her plan. After receiving his agreement, they left the money house and returned to the Fulai Inn by carriage.

Upon returning, the innkeeper immediately came over, smiling broadly. “Sir, the matter of charging one coin for meals has been settled. All the guests were ordinary townspeople. The collected coins have been given to the beggars.”

Chu Ling smiled. “Thank you for your hard work.”

The innkeeper shook his head. “This is good for Fulai Inn. Our reputation has improved, and business will only get better.”

Wan Sanjin leaned over and asked, “Did anyone come looking for trouble today?”

The innkeeper laughed mockingly. “Yes, exactly during mealtime. They even walked crookedly, but everyone could confirm that Sir and the Young Master went to the money house and nowhere else. Judging by his expression, he was furious, but since he couldn’t find anyone, he had no choice but to leave.”

Su He commented from the side, “I prepared the poison. For the next three days at least, he’ll be too weak to walk.”

Wan Sanjin wrapped his arm around Su He’s neck. “Excellent work, Forensic Officer Su!”

Su He calmly pulled out a sharp little knife. Wan Sanjin gave an awkward laugh and immediately let go of his grip.

Chu Ling thanked the innkeeper once more, had a simple dinner with the two of them, and then each went back to their rooms to rest—after all, there was another battle to fight the next day.

The next day.

The bustling marketplace was crowded as usual. Street vendors eagerly pulled people over, enthusiastically introducing and selling newly arrived fabrics.

At that moment, a sedan chair wobbled its way through the crowd. Several constables walked in front and behind it, some with blades partially drawn, glinting coldly in the sunlight. The sight alone made the townsfolk scatter in an instant, leaving the street completely empty.

A clerk from the government office jogged alongside the sedan chair, bowing his waist and flattering, “Sir, this time we’ve finally caught him red-handed! Surely we can—” He made a throat-slitting gesture.

Prefect Xue snorted coldly. “Do you really think that holding the Prince Rui token will stop me from acting? The capital now belongs to Young Master Xiao, and in the future, the entire Great Zhou will be his.”

The clerk fawned further, “Then Sir, your merit will be unmatched.”

Prefect Xue looked rather pleased. “Young Master trusts me, and I’m merely handling my current duties. As for the future, who can say for sure?”

“That’s definitely certain, absolutely certain!” the clerk gushed. “When the time comes, Sir, you and this humble dog will soar to the sky together.”

Prefect Xue chuckled, “Not a bad dog at all.”

The clerk wiped the sweat from his brow, pretending to look up the road while stretching his back. Suddenly, he saw a carriage hurtling straight toward them.

The driver looked terrified—clearly, he had lost control of the horses!

“Quick! Stop it!” the clerk shouted.

Prefect Xue’s face changed instantly as he leaned out to see and shouted, “You damned fools ahead, get out of the way, get out of the way!”

The sedan bearers panicked, causing the chair to sway wildly.

The constables rushed forward to intercept, but just one step forward and they tripped over ropes on the ground. One of the bearers stepped on a constable’s leg. In the constable’s panicked screams, his hands slipped, and the sedan almost toppled.

When the runaway horse approached, it spooked and screamed wildly, its hooves thrashing. The carriage tipped over, throwing the driver and two others from inside.

Seeing this, Hong Shiyuan immediately signaled to cut the reins of Zhuifeng, letting the horse flee first.

Zhang Dong pretended to be injured, clutching his arm and shouting, “My horse! My horse!” Then he ran through the crowd, loudly calling for help.

By now, the sedan chair finally came to a stop.

Prefect Xue threw aside the curtain, rushed out, straightened his official hat, and shouted, “Who dares block me! Get out here!”

At the wrecked carriage, an older man with a beard was crying uncontrollably, shouting, “My son! My son has died! Damn you, you murderous wretches! Give me back my son’s life!”

Prefect Xue froze.

The clerk smartly ran forward, only to see a man lying in a pool of blood. The older man next to him, his hat crooked, clutched the body, wailing—this didn’t look fake.

The clerk furrowed his brows and hurried back, saying, “Prefect, you’ve killed someone.”

Prefect Xue kicked the clerk down. “When did I hit anyone? Clearly, their horse got spooked on its own!”