TGCFNM -Chapter 358 It Really Is a Clash of Fates

Uncle Hong walked back slowly and sat down. “That Madam Zhao is quite ambitious. She probably wants to send her daughter into the palace to secure support for herself.”

Wan Sanjin quickly waved his hands. “Then we absolutely can’t let them succeed.”

Su He felt the same.

Uncle Hong looked at Chu Ling. “Lord Chu, are you still investigating the matter of the courtesans?”

Chu Ling nodded. “I don’t believe that being painted once could cause someone to die in seven days. I think this is definitely a man-made tragedy.”

After a moment of contemplation, Uncle Hong spoke slowly. “Actually, behind Canghua Pavilion… stands the Xuanyuan family.”

Chu Ling raised a brow. “It seems I really am incompatible by fate with the Xuanyuan family and the Si family. Back in Dongle City, those two were the first to provoke me.”

Uncle Hong couldn’t help but chuckle and shake his head. “My lord, I revealed this to you to stop you from being too rash. But now it seems I may have pushed you forward instead.”

Wan Sanjin spread his hands toward Uncle Hong. “In our lord’s eyes, anyone can be dealt with—it’s just a matter of finding the right opportunity.”

Uncle Hong narrowed his eyes. “What exactly are you planning to do?”

Chu Ling leaned closer and smiled ingratiatingly. “Uncle Hong, I want information on all the court officials—even members of the imperial clan and the great aristocratic families. Can Tianxia Zhi get that?”

Uncle Hong was startled. Thinking of the eldest young master’s letter, he frowned. “Lord Chu, what are you planning?”

“I’m not planning anything,” Chu Ling replied with utmost seriousness. “I just want to understand these officials. In case I accidentally offend someone I shouldn’t in the future.”

Uncle Hong knitted his brows. “My lord, do you think I’d believe that?”

You’ve offended just about everyone already. And now you’re worried about offending someone?

“However,” Uncle Hong continued, “we can provide the information. It’s nothing extraordinary… You may even use Tianxia Zhi’s people for tasks if needed. But there is one condition—I ask that you agree to it.”

Chu Ling raised a hand and pointed at Wan Sanjin. “You don’t want Advisor Wan involved.”

Uncle Hong shook his head. “No. The young master can do as he pleases.”

“Then what is it?” Wan Sanjin asked curiously.

Uncle Hong was frank. Looking directly at Chu Ling, he said, “Every task you assign to Tianxia Zhi will be reported to me or to the eldest young master. That means, while staying with the Wan family, you will have no secrets whatsoever. My lord, are you at ease with that?”

Chu Ling fell silent and tilted her head slightly.

Ghost Scholar spoke bluntly, “That’s inevitable. Otherwise, with no one at our disposal, things would indeed be difficult.”

“I understand.” Chu Ling looked at Uncle Hong. “So the condition I must agree to is that everything I arrange will be reported in full detail?”

Uncle Hong nodded. “Yes.”

“Then will Tianxia Zhi interfere with my plans and arrangements?” Chu Ling asked again.

Uncle Hong considered it. “That depends on the eldest young master’s decision. After all, we will not allow anything to endanger the Wan family.”

Bai Su crossed her arms and let out a cold laugh. “The Wan family is quite interesting—lending Xiao Ling manpower on one hand while keeping an eye on her on the other. You’re clearly willing to get involved, yet you still leave yourselves a fallback.”

Ghost Scholar gently patted Chu Ling. “It’s fine. No need to worry.”

Chu Ling let out a long breath and looked at Uncle Hong. “Very well. Then please provide me with all the information I requested.”

Uncle Hong rose to his feet. “I’ll have people prepare it. We’ll make it as detailed as possible and deliver it personally to the Wan residence.”

Chu Ling also stood up and expressed her thanks.

Ghost Scholar gave Chu Ling another slap on the shoulder. “Ask about the time.”

“About when can Uncle Hong get it to me?” Chu Ling asked.

With his hands clasped behind his back, Uncle Hong spoke with a hint of pride, “No more than two hours.”

Chu Ling raised a thumb. “Impressive.”

Ghost Scholar lightly shook his folding fan. “Let’s go as well. We’ll buy some things and make preparations first.”

Hearing this, Chu Ling cupped her hands in farewell. “Uncle Hong, then Magistrate Wan, Coroner Su, and I will take our leave?”

“Go on, go on. Cause less trouble,” Uncle Hong said as he personally escorted the three of them downstairs. “If you truly intend to investigate that matter, I suggest you look for Lu Shi—Lord Lu. He is the Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.”

Chu Ling nodded. “I’ll remember that.”

Uncle Hong suddenly raised a hand. “Wait. Let me add one more thing. Lord Lu and I have some acquaintance, and he’s about my age. He handles matters strictly according to proper procedure. Don’t spout nonsense in front of him. Understood?”

Wan Sanjin pointed at himself. “Uncle Hong, are you saying we spout nonsense?”

“I’m saying you’d better behave yourselves,” Uncle Hong bared his teeth irritably, then turned and left.

“Lu Shi…” Ghost Scholar fell silent for a moment. “My Lord, let’s first buy some wooden slips, thin cords, carving knives… and some wooden boards. We’ll make a simple relationship chart.”

Chu Ling nodded slightly and beckoned Wan Sanjin and Su He onto the carriage. They would buy the materials first, then return to the Wan residence.

—

As the sky gradually darkened, a carriage appeared outside the gates of the Wan residence. It was Chu Ling, Wan Sanjin, and Su He. Each of them carried a bundle that looked fairly heavy.

After a while, the carpenter’s shop delivered the lumber Chu Ling had ordered.

Steward Liu paid a rather high price and had the wood transported into Chu Ling’s courtyard.

Not long after, the bank sent several chests of books and records. Following Steward Liu’s directions, they were placed inside Chu Ling’s room as well.

Once everything had been delivered, Chu Ling opened the three wooden chests. Looking at the information on all the court officials, she couldn’t help but reach out and touch the slightly cold volumes.

Ghost Scholar stood beside her, eyes lowered as he watched, a trace of nostalgia even flickering in his gaze.

“Once you know the connections between officials, see where the great clans secretly overlap, and clearly understand the relationship between the imperial family and the officials—then taking action becomes much simpler,” Ghost Scholar said softly.

Chu Ling crouched down and began organizing the materials. Suddenly, her hand paused. She pulled out a booklet from the chest and murmured in disbelief, “Nangong Rong…”

Wan Sanjin, sorting wooden blocks nearby, said, “Nangong Rong? From the Nangong family, right?”

“Yes. The Nangong family’s Second Master—and the current Prime Minister…” Chu Ling set the booklet down and couldn’t help glancing at Ghost Scholar.

“The Emperor truly trusts the Nangong family,” Wan Sanjin remarked casually. “Nangong Baihu commands troops and forges weapons in Dongle City, the Second Master is Prime Minister… What about the Eldest Master? What does he do?”

Chu Ling flipped further down and found Nangong Zheng. “The Eldest Master—father of Nangong Jue and Nangong Baihu: Nangong Zheng. He has never entered officialdom.”

“Then he must be the clan head of the Nangong family—and Nangong Han’s father,” Wan Sanjin said, wiping the sweat from his forehead. He took Nangong Zheng’s booklet and flipped through it casually. “So it was Nangong Zheng who invited us to watch the Painting Sage paint.”

At that moment, Su He slowly turned to look at Chu Ling, speaking with some uncertainty. “Nangong Rong… In the Sun family estate, the scroll we found together with the Linglong Chessboard—the last name that wasn’t marked with red ink was Nangong Rong, wasn’t it?”

Chu Ling gave a soft hum of confirmation. “It was him.”