TGCFNM -Chapter 34 Jealousy

The carriage suddenly fell silent.

Shen Lizhou could hardly accept the outcome. He tugged at Ghost Scholar’s sleeve, glanced at Bai Su, at Chu Ling, and even at the maid Cui Xi, who all looked back at him anxiously.

His mind was in turmoil, his eyes bloodshot. He felt as if he had fallen into an endless abyss, struggling, barely able to breathe, let alone speak.

All because of what he had said. All because those words were supposedly “exam questions,” he had been deceived by those aristocratic youths—and now lost his life?

Perhaps those leaked questions, perhaps even the so-called exam supervisors, were fake.

Could it be that these noble sons, for their own selfish desires, had killed him?

“I… I, my lord…” Shen Lizhou finally found his voice. With a pained gaze, he looked at Chu Ling and asked, “Even if I unintentionally revealed the questions, so what? We all participated in the spring imperial exam together; the rankings were still uncertain. Some of them might even be more capable than me—why would they kill me?”

Chu Ling closed her eyes, her mood heavy, and uttered two words: “Jealousy.”

Jealous of your talent, jealous of your abilities.

They feared your presence would block their path, hinder their future, and overshadow their glory. They were resentful, dissatisfied; they even believed that someone born of humble means had no right to surpass them.

That was the fundamental reason.

And it was the reason Shen Lizhou could not accept.

The carriage gradually came to a stop. Chu Ling looked at the despondent Shen Lizhou, took a deep breath, her eyes firm, and then kicked him.

“Don’t wallow in sorrow here. Being lost in grief won’t affect them in the slightest.”

“My lord…”

“Your mother lived a hard life, her body frail, yet she still clung to that one hope and came to me. She didn’t collapse, didn’t give in—she waited for the truth.”

Chu Ling stood up, turning her back to Shen Lizhou. “I only know one law of the Great Zhou: whoever kills must pay with their life!”

The curtain was lifted, and Wan Sanjin happened to be standing outside. “My lord, who are you speaking to? What do you mean, ‘whoever kills must pay with their life’?”

“Have the bodies been found?” Chu Ling asked.

Wan Sanjin nodded heavily. “The coroner Su has already conducted the autopsy inside.”

“Where were they found?” Chu Ling stepped down from the low stool Zhang Dong had set up.

“At the mass grave.” Wan Sanjin sneered. “The case hasn’t even been solved, and they just threw him there…”

Chu Ling asked, “No one saw you?”

Wan Sanjin coughed lightly. “We paid off a lot of silver, got people to cover for us, and only then were we able to retrieve the body. But it was already unrecognizable…” Wan Sanjin’s face turned pale, nearly making him vomit.

Chu Ling nodded, expression unchanged. “After Su conducts the autopsy, have the body handled and buy a new coffin. We must transport Shen Lizhou’s remains back to Sishui County for proper burial.”

“Don’t worry, my lord. The coffin is ready, but someone is watching, so it hasn’t been brought here yet.” Wan Sanjin said this, stepping aside to lead Chu Ling into the courtyard.

Shen Lizhou staggered, but still resolutely followed Ghost Scholar and the others into the courtyard.

“What is Sun Yang doing?” Chu Ling suddenly remembered and asked.

“Studying.” Wan Sanjin said, a bit surprised. “I really didn’t expect it. Whenever he has free time, he studies diligently—never slacking off.”

“Studying isn’t something to slack off on. After all, he has some skill. Go find him and have him check something for me. Once it’s done, I’ll send him the travel funds to the capital.” Chu Ling leaned close to Wan Sanjin and whispered her instructions carefully.

Wan Sanjin’s face twisted in confusion. “Why check this?”

“Just go.” Chu Ling waved him off, then sat in the courtyard waiting for Su He’s autopsy report.

About two hours later, Su He emerged, looking exhausted. He glanced at Chu Ling. “Please wait a moment, my lord.”

Chu Ling wasn’t anxious. Now that the body had been found, the evidence should be nearly complete.

Su He returned to his room, finalized the autopsy report, and handed it to Chu Ling. She carefully flipped through it, and with some statements from Shen Lizhou, everything more or less aligned.

A little later, Wan Sanjin returned—and unexpectedly, Sun Yang came along. The matter Chu Ling wanted investigated was practically at Sun Yang’s fingertips, and he explained it in detail.

Chu Ling listened attentively and carefully recorded everything Sun Yang said.

“My lord.” Sun Yang suddenly called out, stopping Chu Ling. “Shen Lizhou may not be from Sishui County, but he’s still someone from Sishui. I hope you can give him justice.”

Sun Yang’s family was better off than Shen Lizhou’s, though only slightly; otherwise, he wouldn’t have worked for Zhang Yuanwai, earning funds to travel to the capital.

“I will.” Chu Ling’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Once Magistrate Zhang finishes interrogating Cheng Qiyuan and Sun Miaolu, it’ll be nearly time to open the court session.”

Chu Ling had been busy almost the entire day. When she returned to the magistrate’s residence, she collapsed into bed immediately, even ignoring Qin Shiye, who had come specifically to see her.

Qin Shiye, holding back his anger, went to Zhang Zhifu to complain. Zhang Zhifu responded perfunctorily, simply sending someone to deliver a letter—enough for Chu Ling to see when she woke.

Bai Su and the others, bored, continued wandering around the residence, looking at everything. Cui Xi even caught sight of Magistrate Zhang’s hidden treasure in his lover’s room—a secret chamber so dazzling it nearly blinded her.

When Chu Ling woke, Xiao Hua brought a basin of hot water, and Zhang Dong stood by holding the letter.

“So Qin Shiye really is under the magistrate’s wife. He got the cold shoulder from the magistrate but still ran to complain to the wife…” Chu Ling clicked her tongue, thinking how foolish Qin Shiye was.

“My lord, Master Wan says the Yang family isn’t just a notable family in Chengyang—they also have connections in the capital. Magistrate Zhang wouldn’t dare go too far.” Zhang Dong reported.

Chu Ling laughed. “Hasn’t Zhang Zhifu already gone too far? He even got Qin Shiye to complain… though, perhaps, it was intentional.”

Chu Ling stroked her jaw. She wanted to watch the show unfold. Once this Shen Lizhou case was resolved, she’d stage a grand performance for her own entertainment.

“My lord, a letter.” Zhang Dong handed it over.

Chu Ling opened it. It was only a few lines—apparently the interrogations of the two had concluded, and the court would open tomorrow. Chu Ling’s presence was requested.

Of course she’d be present. Not only would she be there, she’d bring the victim, Shen Lizhou, with her.

“Zhang Dong, go find Master Wan and have him ready. Tomorrow, accompany me to the courthouse.” Chu Ling instructed.

Zhang Dong immediately obeyed.

Xiao Hua took the handkerchief Chu Ling handed her and asked, “My lord, have they caught the culprit?”

Chu Ling smiled lightly. “Yes, and tomorrow he’ll confess himself.”

Xiao Hua exhaled excitedly. “They caught the culprit! Then we can return to Sishui County!”

Chu Ling nodded. “Yes, finally, we can go back.”