TGCFNM -Chapter 363 Catching Rats

Shiyu stayed at the Wan residence a little longer. After her complexion improved slightly, she took the wine Chu Ling had given her along with the banknotes from Wan Sanjin, then rose and left.

Once Shiyu had been seen off, Wan Sanjin looked at Chu Ling and asked, “Sir, what do we do next?”

Chu Ling thought for a moment. “Those few were discussing selling Shiyu’s painting to Cui Wan. That means Cui Wan is currently in the capital. Your elder brother has some connections with him, so I’ll trouble you to have him help us stall Cui Wan first—pretend to go along with them and express willingness to buy at a high price.”

Wan Sanjin nodded and prepared to head out to find Uncle Hong and arrange for someone.

Chu Ling then looked at Su He. “After the previous flower queens died, I heard their bodies were thrown directly into the mass graves. When it comes to news about corpses, you either ask the coroner or the charity morgue.”

Su He gave a soft “mm.” “I’ll head out as well.”

Chu Ling glanced at the drops of blood scattered beside the stone table and the wine barrel nearby. Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Aunt Su, it seems someone who raises gu has come to the capital again.”

Bai Su’s face was full of fury. “They’re impossible to wipe out!”

Chu Ling’s gaze turned cold. “If they can’t be wiped out, then we’ll dig them up and finish them cleanly!”

—

There was quite a bit of activity at the Wan residence today. Many people hurried out of the estate, no one quite sure where they were going.

The Wan family made no effort to conceal it. It was just that the visiting county magistrate from out of town suddenly taking his coachman and maid out to buy groceries was rather puzzling.

Chu Ling didn’t mind. She simply sat at the front of the carriage, smiling as she greeted passersby and even pulling some of them into casual conversation.

As they chatted, everyone gradually grew familiar with him, and their words became bolder.

“Young Master Chu, at this hour you won’t be able to buy fresh vegetables. You need to head out earlier!”

“Ah, there were some matters at home that delayed us.” Chu Ling wore a worried expression. “We usually keep the house quite clean, but for some reason, rats have shown up.”

An old man chuckled and chimed in, “Young Master Chu, that must mean some scraps of food were left in a corner. Those sharp-nosed rats smelled it. Usually they hide under beds, in cracks by the walls, or up near the roof beams.”

Chu Ling stretched her neck forward eagerly. “Sir, do you know how to deal with rats?”

“Just scatter some poison and that’ll do. Let me tell you—take some toxic leaves, roll them into little balls, coat them with dough paste, and place them in the corners…”

The old man explained carefully, and Chu Ling listened attentively.

After a while, Chu Ling said gratefully, “Thank you, sir. I just bought a few taels’ worth of meat—please take it home and make some soup.”

The old man initially wanted to refuse, but Chu Ling quickly added, “I actually have another matter I’d like to trouble you with.”

Only then did the old man accept it somewhat embarrassed. “Young Master Chu, what do you need help with?”

Chu Ling’s eyes shifted, and she revealed a troubled expression. “Well… it’s a bit difficult. My steward says the rat in our residence has become a spirit. Ordinary tricks might not work. He told me to find some pregnant female rats to lure that rat spirit out.”

The old man’s expression changed. Catching rats?

Chu Ling sighed in frustration. “The steward even said they have to be the kind that are about to give birth. Tell me, where am I supposed to find rats like that? The moment one shows its head, it gets beaten to death… The steward has no choice either. That rat chewed through some brocade at home—truly a headache. He also said that if we can find them, he’ll pay one tael of silver per rat.”

The old man’s hand tightened. “One tael?!”

“Sir, we’re staying at the Wan residence. The Wan family has money,” Chu Ling replied calmly.

The old man’s breathing quickened. “Young Master Chu… how many do you need?”

“The steward didn’t specify. He said some might not meet the requirements, but since people would have gone to the trouble of catching them, we’d still give a token payment—perhaps a few dozen copper coins,” Chu Ling added.

The old man looked excited. “Young Master Chu, I’ll catch them!”

The people around gradually gathered closer. Looking at Chu Ling, they asked, “Do you still need more? I can catch them too, I can!”

Chu Ling smiled in satisfaction. “Yes, yes, we need more. Any that don’t meet the requirements—just kill them. Those that do, I’ll pay one tael per rat… If anyone wants to catch them, remember to protect your mouth and nose. Wrap yourself up tightly, and put several layers of cloth around your hands. Don’t let the rats bite you.”

“Alright, I’ll catch them! I’ll make sure to bring you the big ones, Young Master!”

“I’ll catch them too!”

“Me too!”

“When do you need them, Young Master?”

Chu Ling smiled brightly. “The sooner the better—tonight would be ideal. Someone will collect them at the back gate of the Wan Residence. But if anyone asks, say I asked you to catch grasshoppers. After all, my silver is limited. It wouldn’t be good if too many people knew.”

“Yes, understood. I’ll go right away.”

“Young Master, I’m off to catch them.”

“Young Master, wait for us—we’re going now!”

With that, the crowd scattered in a rush, jogging off immediately.

Chu Ling waved at the townspeople, then looked at Zhang Dong. “Let’s go back.” She finished speaking and climbed into the carriage.

Inside, Steward Liu took a deep breath when he saw her enter. “My lord, when did I ever say those things?”

Chu Ling gave an awkward smile. “Just borrowing Steward Liu’s name for a bit. Just… borrowing it.”

The moment Steward Liu imagined people delivering rats to the Wan Residence, his scalp went numb. “My lord, what are you planning to do?”

“Me? I have my uses. Don’t worry—I absolutely won’t let the rats enter the Wan Residence gates.” Chu Ling patted her chest in assurance.

Steward Liu cautiously lifted a corner of the carriage curtain. “My lord, in this capital, how many pairs of eyes are watching you? Even if you told the commoners it’s grasshoppers, someone will certainly know you want rats. You’ve practically laid the secret out in the open.”

Chu Ling nodded. “I did it on purpose.”

Steward Liu responded with an “Oh”—so it was inten—“On purpose?”

Chu Ling folded her arms and nodded. Once Zhang Dong had driven the carriage to a quieter area, she lowered her voice. “I’m planning to release them all into the Canghua Tower.”

Steward Liu’s eyes widened. Just imagining the largest pleasure house in the capital, Canghua Tower, suddenly flooded from every direction with countless rats made his hair stand on end and his scalp prickle.

“My lord, you bought the rats, and then rats appear in Canghua Tower. If someone reports it to the authorities, you’ll be arrested!” Xiao Hua said seriously.

Chu Ling nodded and raised her brows smugly. “I’ll definitely be arrested.”

Steward Liu finally understood. “So when you said ‘on purpose,’ you meant you’re deliberately getting yourself arrested? Why?”

“To create an alibi, and to delay the time before Shiyu is targeted.” Leaning against the carriage wall, Chu Ling added, “If handled properly, I can accomplish quite a lot.”

Steward Liu felt inexplicably both nervous and excited. “Then please be careful, my lord. Is there anything else we should do?”

“Yes. Help me inspect the goods. The rats must be lively and vigorous. And since female rats need time to give birth, I won’t have anything to worry about for now,” Chu Ling said.

Hearing that, Steward Liu’s scalp tingled again.

Meanwhile, Xiao Hua was already calculating. “They’re female rats? Then we’ll need to prepare some food for them—and secretly release them into Canghua Tower.”

Chu Ling nodded approvingly. “Xiao Hua is really clever!”