TGCFNM -Chapter 368 It’s Lively Now

Old Master Song’s face turned ashen as he looked around, his brows tightly furrowed.

Cui Wan finally reacted. “Anyone chosen as courtesan queen knows she will die within seven days. But some still cling to a sliver of hope. So in the first few paintings, it’s not very obvious. The further it goes, though, the more fear appears in the woman’s expression…”

Wan Sanjin felt his scalp prickle. “So these paintings show the changes in the woman over the last seven days of her life—day by day?”

“Because of that progression, that’s probably why they sell for such high prices,” Cui Wan muttered in a low voice. “I certainly won’t be buying one. Terrifying.”

Chu Ling slowly turned to look at them, then suddenly said, “Master Wan, have Sister Song Lian paint a portrait of you.” With that, she pressed Wan Sanjin down into a seat.

Though Song Lian did not understand why, she called for someone to bring paper and brush.

Wan Sanjin felt baffled, but when it was truly his turn to be painted, he straightened his back and arranged his posture properly.

Cui Wan had been watching with knitted brows, not understanding Chu Ling’s intention. But when he saw Song Lian begin her brushwork, and then noticed Wan Sanjin’s expression, he seemed to grasp something.

“Sister Song Lian, focus mainly on the face. Sketch the rest lightly,” Chu Ling instructed.

By the time Song Lian began painting Wan Sanjin, she had also realized the point. She immediately concentrated on capturing his facial expression.

At first, Wan Sanjin found it novel. Gradually, however, his back stiffened. He wanted to move but did not dare to, and could only endure it.

After a while, Song Lian stood up. “Master Wan, it’s done.”

Wan Sanjin let out a pained breath and quickly stood to look at his portrait—only to freeze in disdain. “Why is my face so stiff? I look so rigid!”

Song Lian looked at him. “Master Wan, people are difficult to paint precisely because they are living beings. It’s hard to hold a pose without moving. And you were nervous, so you subconsciously tensed up.”

Wan Sanjin nodded. That was indeed how he had felt.

Wait!

Those paintings of the court ladies?!

He immediately turned to look at them. “These portraits truly look lifelike—because the expressions of the women are vivid and natural. But who would normally show such expressions while being painted? They knew their lifespan was shortening. That’s why their faces looked like that!”

“No wonder the paintings can fetch such high prices. It’s because each one captures something utterly unique,” Chu Ling said, feeling it was absurd.

Old Master Song slowly lowered himself into his seat, holding onto the armrest. “When a normal person is painted, perhaps she is nervous, perhaps beautiful, perhaps coquettish, perhaps slightly melancholy… But how could it be fear? And such heart-chilling fear at that…”

Chu Ling’s face turned pale. “A noble young lady falling into the dust of the pleasure quarters, and then dying seven days after becoming courtesan queen… The loss of something beautiful always brings sorrow and regret. What’s more…” She gently touched the name written on the painting. “There is only one Sishui in this world. This is the only thing she left behind. Of course it would command a high price.”

Cui Wan exhaled. “I’ll take it back and tell my friend to burn it.”

Chu Ling shook her head. “Brother Cui, I want this as evidence.”

Cui Wan thought for a moment. “Alright. But I’ll keep it for now. I’m worried you’re being watched. That’s the Canghua Tower…”

Chu Ling waved her hand dismissively. “It doesn’t matter. I was planning to move against the Canghua Tower anyway.”

Wan Sanjin looked at Cui Wan. “Still, please keep it for us first, Brother Cui. We can’t act rashly for the time being.”

Chu Ling gave a soft hum of agreement, then turned to Old Master Song. “Old Master, I have a favor to ask.”

Old Master Song nodded. “I understand. I’ll gather a few old friends and say the painting is quite good, so outsiders think you’ve come here to resell artwork.”

Chu Ling cupped her hands in thanks.

Song Lian looked at Chu Ling. “If Magistrate Chu needs help with anything, just say the word. The Song Residence will certainly do its utmost.”

Chu Ling thought for a moment. “There actually is something… Sister Song Lian, is there food?”

Song Lian relaxed and smiled. “There is.”

Chu Ling grinned. “Good. Once we’re full and well-fed, we’ll be full of energy!”

She refused to believe she couldn’t raid this Canghua Tower.

After lunch, Chu Ling and the others left the Song Residence.

Cui Wan carried the scroll tube onto his carriage. After bidding the two farewell, he departed first.

Meanwhile, Chu Ling and Wan Sanjin also boarded their carriage and returned to the Wan Residence.

—

The Wan Residence was unusually quiet that day. Hardly anyone came or went. Even Shiyu, who visited daily, did not show up.

Those who had been keeping an eye on the Wan Residence found it strange, but decided to continue watching.

That very night, however, things turned lively.

The commotion wasn’t at the Wan Residence—it was at the capital’s largest pleasure house, Canghua Tower. The kind of extravagant establishment frequented by nobles and wealthy patrons suddenly had rats.

Not just one.

There seemed to be hundreds of them.

No one knew which corner they had poured out from. They scurried everywhere, sending the courtesans into shrill screams and the men into a panic. Cries rang out nonstop. Wine and dishes were knocked over and smashed. People began fleeing toward the exits, shoving and trampling one another. The entire building descended into chaos.

Amid the turmoil, Shiyu quietly found Yunliu and slipped her a pill to suppress the gu worm inside her. Then she too melted into the panicked crowd.

By the time the brothel madam managed to barely stabilize the situation, the place was a complete disaster. Even the servants were too afraid to enter and clean up.

The distinguished guests had long since vanished—without paying, no less—and were already spreading rumors that Canghua Tower must be filthy and corrupt to harbor so many rats.

The madam was on the verge of tears. She had no choice but to temporarily settle the girls and report the matter to the authorities first thing the next morning.

Once the report was filed and a casual investigation began, it quickly came to light that a certain county magistrate—who had recently come to the capital to offer birthday congratulations—had been purchasing rats in bulk at the outrageous price of one tael of silver per rat.

Immediately, the Prefect ordered the constables to arrest him.

But just as the man was taken into custody and was about to cooperate and head to the prefectural office, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Lu Shi, suddenly appeared. Since a court official was involved, Lu Shi directly had the man escorted to the Dali Temple prison, declaring that he would personally investigate the case.

The Prefect could only withdraw in frustration. The brothel madam ground her teeth in fury and prepared to send people inside to catch the rats.

Then—

The female rats gave birth.

This brothel was utterly beyond saving.

—

Meanwhile, Chu Ling obediently followed behind Lu Shi. Watching the square-faced, righteous-looking official ahead of her—stern and naturally imposing—she couldn’t help but wonder how Uncle Hong had managed to persuade him.

Just as they turned a street corner, Uncle Hong suddenly appeared and walked straight to Chu Ling’s side.

“Lord Chu, you truly know how to stir up trouble.”

Chu Ling smiled. “Uncle Hong, Master Wan said we must protect the commoners who helped me catch the rats.”

“Rest assured, there’s no problem over there. It’s just that the young master has been acting mysteriously—I’ve no idea what he’s planning now.” Uncle Hong sighed with a headache and glanced at Chu Ling. “Lord Chu, what else have you prepared?”

“Me? Nothing at all.” Chu Ling put on an open and innocent expression.

At that moment, Lu Shi turned his head, glanced at her once, and concluded flatly, “She’s lying.”

“Cough—” Chu Ling nearly choked on her own saliva, then hurried to patch things up. “Actually, we’re still lying in wait, hoping to catch that painter who’s been secretly creating those artworks.”

Lu Shi looked at her. “Still lying. You’ve probably already figured out who the painter is and are preparing your next move.”

Chu Ling: “…”

Better to just keep her mouth shut.