TGCFNM -Chapter 373 Lu Shi Tries the Case

After being spoken to like that, Chu Ling showed no reaction at all. She simply stood there casually and at ease, which inexplicably made Prefect Fang burn with anger.

At this moment, Lu Shi slowly spoke:

“If it cannot be proven that the rats were released into the pleasure house by Magistrate Chu, then this case cannot proceed… Madam of the pleasure house, do you have any witnesses or evidence to prove that this was done by Magistrate Chu?”

The brothel madam immediately grew nervous. How could she possibly have any evidence? She had gone to look for Xuanyuan Hong because Xu Shiyin had mysteriously disappeared—and the Court of Judicial Review was investigating him…

No. She had to cut off the tail to save herself.

“Actually… I—I’m not entirely certain. Perhaps there has been a mistake.” The madam gave an awkward smile. “After my establishment in the capital suffered this disaster, I simply had no choice but to leave the capital for now.”

Lu Shi turned to Prefect Fang. “Prefect Fang, when the brothel madam reported the case, did she provide any evidence or witnesses? Or was it merely her word alone?”

Prefect Fang frowned slightly. “There were no witnesses or evidence. Only that many people on the street that day saw Chu Ling paying to purchase rats.”

Chu Ling spoke coldly, “Without witnesses, Prefect, you cannot make reckless accusations. Otherwise, even if this reaches the imperial court, I will sue for malicious framing.”

Prefect Fang clenched his teeth, veins bulging on the back of his hand.

Chu Ling then looked at the brothel madam. “Are you still going to accuse me?”

Thinking only of leaving the capital as quickly as possible, the madam hurriedly shook her head. “Perhaps I was mistaken. I was wrong. I withdraw the accusation.” With that, she stood to leave.

Chu Ling stretched out a hand to stop her. “The Prefect hasn’t spoken yet.”

Prefect Fang’s expression darkened. “Since the brothel madam no longer wishes to press charges, this case is closed.”

Xuanyuan Hong pushed himself up from the armrest. After casting an unfriendly glance at Wan Sanjin, he said, “Since the case is concluded, I shall take my leave.”

Chu Ling raised her hand again to block him. “Since your case is finished, let’s hear mine.”

“I accuse the Canghua Tower and the Xuanyuan family of colluding together—using the Painting Sage Xu Shiyin’s artworks to sell for profit, causing the deaths of eight courtesans. The evidence is conclusive. I request Prefect Fang to try the case.”

“Chu Ling, you are not a family member of the courtesans, nor do you have standing to report this case.” Prefect Fang waved his hand. “Court dismissed.”

“What if one of the courtesans herself reports it?”

Shiyu rushed in from outside, eyes red with emotion. “Liu family’s Shiyu comes to report a case! I accuse the brothel madam of causing the deaths of eight courtesans, and of colluding with Pan Shoucai, Chen Cuiyan, and Assistant Minister of Works Tao Jing to profit from paintings. I am a witness—and can also be considered evidence.”

Prefect Fang gripped the desk tightly. His gaze involuntarily swept the room before landing briefly on Xuanyuan Hong—then quickly withdrawing.

Ghost Scholar lightly fanned himself with his folding fan. “Who would have thought that Prefect Fang and Xuanyuan Hong were once good friends…”

“If this move truly brings down Xuanyuan Hong, and it succeeds in the end, I’m afraid Chu Ling will earn Prefect Fang’s resentment,” Bai Su said worriedly.

Ghost Scholar tilted his head toward Chu Ling, who looked utterly confident. He shook his head slightly, unconcerned. “She has a plan.”

Chu Ling suddenly cupped her hands toward Lu Shi. “Lord Lu, among those implicated in the brothel madam’s conspiracy is the court official Tao Jing—and the Xuanyuan clan… Is it appropriate for this matter to be tried by Prefect Fang, who was once a fellow student and close friend of Xuanyuan Hong?”

The moment these words were spoken, Prefect Fang was the first to be startled.

Back in their youth, because of political upheaval, they had been forced into a dramatic falling-out, appearing to sever ties completely and never associate again.

And yet Chu Ling was so young—how did she know they had once been friends?

Lu Shi slowly rose to his feet and looked at Prefect Fang. “What does Prefect Fang have to say?”

Prefect Fang cupped his hands and stepped aside. “It would be better for Lord Lu to preside over this trial. After all, it involves the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works.”

Lu Shi gave a faint hum of acknowledgment. He first called a few constables and ordered them to bring in Pan Shoucai, Chen Cuiyan, and Tao Jing.

Seated beneath the plaque, Lu Shi struck the sounding block lightly and looked toward Chu Ling. “You accuse these men. Do you have evidence?”

Chu Ling spoke first, “One moment.”

Lu Shi gestured for her to continue.

Chu Ling pressed the brothel madam—who was attempting to slip away—down onto her knees before slowly speaking. “I have already uncovered the full sequence of events. Everything I am about to say is supported by evidence and witnesses. I ask Lord Lu to hear me out before rendering judgment.”

Lu Shi lifted a hand slightly, signaling her to proceed.

With her hands clasped behind her back, Chu Ling looked at the brothel madam, then swept her gaze briefly over Xuanyuan Hong before speaking.

“When I first arrived in the capital, I was invited to observe the Painting Sage’s ceremony. It was then that I learned of the so-called ‘Seven-Day Flower Sacrifice.’

“‘Seven-Day Flower Sacrifice’—as the name implies—means that once a courtesan becomes the Flower Queen, she is destined to die within seven days. There are even rumors among the common people that it is because the Painting Sage’s portrait resembles the subject too closely, drawing out her soul and causing her death.”

“But the truth is that this is all a conspiracy—a profit-driven scheme orchestrated by the brothel madam.”

The madam immediately cried out, “I’ve been wronged! I’ve been wronged! Magistrate Chu, she—”

Chu Ling kicked her sharply. The madam’s cries were cut off as she fell to the ground, groaning in pain.

“How dare you use force without authorization?” Prefect Fang shouted angrily.

“Unauthorized?” Chu Ling frowned. “I kicked her openly with my foot—I used no instruments of torture. How can the Prefect accuse me so casually? Is it that a court official seeking justice for the people is less credible than a guilty madam crying thief?”

Prefect Fang flicked his sleeve. “Sophistry. Utter nonsense.”

Unbothered, Chu Ling turned her head slightly and continued.

“First, in Canghua Tower, there is a highly concealed small chamber called the Listening Pavilion. Tao Jing, Pan Shoucai, Chen Cuiyan, and the Painting Sage Xu Shiyin would gather there. At that time, the madam would bring in the shortlisted candidates for Flower Queen and ask for their opinions.”

Shiyu stepped forward and said clearly, word by word, “What my lord says is entirely true. Shiyu can testify—because I myself was one of the selected commodities.”

Lu Shi gave a slight nod, signaling Chu Ling to go on.

“Once the four men confirmed the candidate for Flower Queen, the brothel madam would claim that the Flower Queen must maintain a slender waist and would coax them into consuming Hundred-Flower Soup. But aside from floral fragrance, there was something else in that soup…”

As she spoke, Chu Ling looked outside, where Yunliu was slowly approaching.

Supported by Xiao Hua, Yunliu walked into the courtroom, visibly exhausted. She bowed faintly in greeting, barely able to remain standing.

Wan Sanjin immediately brought over a chair so she could sit while answering.

Just as Prefect Fang was about to object, Lu Shi said, “Let her sit while she speaks. Your complexion is poor—are you gravely ill?”

Yunliu began to sob softly. “My lord, I am indeed gravely ill. Ever since I was chosen as Flower Queen, I have been allowed to eat nothing but Hundred-Flower Soup every day. And within that soup was something that would take my life. It is precisely because of that thing that the Flower Queens are doomed to die within seven days!”

Lu Shi frowned. “Poison?”

Chu Ling shook her head.

“It was a gu insect—the Beauty Gu.”