TGCFNM -Chapter 333 Going to the Song Family

After washing up, Chu Ling changed into casual clothes and went to the front hall.

Xiao Hua excitedly called out to her, “Master! Master! The cook here is amazing—so many dishes I’ve never seen before!”

Chu Ling sat down, picked up her chopsticks, and was stunned. “This must have been brought in from a fancy restaurant, right?”

Steward Liu smiled from the side. “It’s the Wan family’s cook. The eldest young master requested it.”

Chu Ling thanked him for the effort and began eating.

She couldn’t help but think—she really wanted to somehow “borrow” this cook for herself!

After lunch, everyone stayed in the front hall to drink tea.

Xiao Hua wanted to go learn cooking from the cook and had no plans to go out in the afternoon. Zhang Dong thought that Zhuifeng and Xiao Hei had a tiring journey and decided to fix the horses’ hooves.

Su He, however, wanted to go collect corpses.

Chu Ling paused, holding her teacup. “We just arrived, and you’re not even going to rest?”

Su He shook his head, saying rest wasn’t necessary—but he needed people. “Give me Han Jin, Han Yin, Wang Wei, and Wang Yan. I heard there are many corpses at the burial mound nearby, so I need help.”

Chu Ling instinctively glanced at the four of them. They looked pale as death at Su He’s request—but still agreed.

Wan Sanjin patted the nearest, Han Yin, on the shoulder. “You’ve all worked hard.”

Han Yin awkwardly smiled. “It’s not really hard. We’re used to following Coroner Su. It’s just… we just finished eating.”

Su He silently set down his teacup, stood, and said, “I think we should take a short rest before heading out. Let’s all go rest.”

Chu Ling couldn’t help but laugh and quickly waved them off to rest.

After everyone left, Wan Sanjin said, “Then I’ll go with you, Master, to deliver the message. After that, we’ll go see Qingyu and give him the divine water.”

Chu Ling asked curiously, “By the way, you’re close friends with Fu Qingyu and that Shi Lanyu. Why don’t you give one to him too?”

Also… why do both of their names have ‘yu’ in them? Could they be relatives?

Wan Sanjin crossed his arms and shook his head. “Shi Lanyu is very mysterious. We studied together for so many years, but I don’t even know where his parents live or who they are. The master forbade asking.”

Chu Ling asked again, “So… are those two close?”

Wan Sanjin thought carefully. “Among the master’s disciples, the three of us never intended to take the imperial exams, so we naturally became closer. Those two seem on good terms and often gather to discuss writings, but it’s clear that Qingyu prefers to be with me more.”

Chu Ling: “…Perhaps smart people repel each other.”

Wan Sanjin narrowed his eyes. “Master, are you insulting me?”

Chu Ling covered it up. “Not at all. I just mean that your aura matches Fu Qingyu better. You two are the true friends.”

Wan Sanjin nodded firmly—naturally, that was true.

Chu Ling finished her tea and stood. “Let’s go. Get ready—we’re going to see Miss Song Lian.”

Wan Sanjin finished his tea as well and rose.

A little while later, a carriage was waiting at the front gate. Steward Liu personally harnessed the horses, preparing to send them over.

Bai Su floated ahead of Chu Ling, observing Steward Liu for a moment, then said, “He knows martial arts.”

Chu Ling understood immediately—Wan Xing had sent Steward Liu because he worried about his younger brother. Not only could he manage the household, but he could also serve as a bodyguard.

“Thank you for your hard work, Steward Liu,” Chu Ling said, then got into the carriage.

Wan Sanjin nodded in thanks and followed her in.

Steward Liu smiled at the corner of his mouth, flicked the whip lightly, and guided the carriage forward. After reaching a busy street corner, he paused briefly, bought some pastries, and handed them into the carriage.

“Although we’re just delivering a message, arriving empty-handed wouldn’t be proper. These pastries aren’t expensive, so giving them shouldn’t seem inappropriate,” Steward Liu said with a smile.

Chu Ling thanked him again. “Alright, I’ll remember that next time.”

Wan Sanjin asked, “Steward Liu, are these pastries any good? I’d like to take some for Qingyu, and on the way back, a few for Su He and the others.”

Steward Liu shook his head. “They’re ordinary. Not as good as what our cook makes at home.”

Chu Ling paused. “…I was thinking of just buying a couple of pastries here and sending them to Prince Rui’s mansion.”

Steward Liu’s heart skipped a beat, and he looked at Chu Ling anxiously. “Sir, if you intend to send gifts to a prince, I should prepare them properly.”

Wan Sanjin widened his eyes and quickly added, “Sir, I suggest you listen to Steward Liu.”

Chu Ling shrugged. “Fine.”

She just wanted to save some money. Besides, would a prince really open the gift in front of her?

Steward Liu exhaled lightly and resumed driving.

Passing through the bustling streets, the carriage slowly made its way toward the western part of the capital. Here, the houses were orderly and similar in size. The roads were clean, and hardly anyone loitered outside. The occasional passerby behaved with impeccable manners.

Chu Ling looked around for a while, then bored, lowered the curtain.

“Is it like this everywhere in the capital?” she asked.

Wan Sanjin poked her lightly, somewhat stunned. “Sir, this area is where the officials live. How could you forget?”

Chu Ling was taken aback. “Song Lian is the daughter of an official?”

“Then no wonder the Lian family and the Song family agreed on a marriage—clearly a match of equals,” Wan Sanjin said in surprise. “Sir, you must have stayed at home all the time back then, right?”

Chu Ling nodded. She really didn’t go out.

Wan Sanjin suddenly understood. “Ah, that explains it.”

At that moment, the carriage slowed to a stop. Steward Liu set up a low stool, and Chu Ling and Wan Sanjin got out one by one, glancing at the sign above the gate that read “Song Residence.”

“What does the Song family do?” Chu Ling asked again.

Wan Sanjin shook his head. “I don’t know.”

Chu Ling was surprised. “Weren’t you studying in the capital?”

Wan Sanjin silently looked at her, his expression seemingly saying: You didn’t know either, did you?

Steward Liu cleared his throat to interrupt them. “The patriarch of the Song family was originally a court painter. His eldest son became Vice Minister of Rites, and his second son Vice Minister of Revenue. The two brothers got along well and continued living together after marriage. The Song family has seven grandchildren, but Miss Song Lian is their only daughter, so she is highly cherished.”

Chu Ling frowned. “Then why does Lian Ci want to arrange a marriage, and the Song family doesn’t object?”

“Nowadays, the Lian family is at the height of its power, even more formidable than the Gao family was back then. Coupled with the Lians’ parental favoritism, the Song family dares not confront them directly and can only reluctantly comply,” Steward Liu explained.

Wan Sanjin shook his head, unconcerned. “What a pity. Lian Wu is decisive and ruthless; he would have simply eliminated Lian Ci. So even if the parents are partial, it doesn’t matter. Lian Wu is the one holding military power now.”

Steward Liu smiled. “That’s why the information you and the young master brought back will greatly relieve the Song family’s urgent worries and help quell rumors in the capital.”

Having said that, Steward Liu stepped up the stone steps and knocked on the door.