TGCFNM -Chapter 375 Sealing the Brothel

With Lord Lu Shi’s personal verdict, the Courtesan case was officially concluded.

Those implicated—Pan Shoucai and Chen Cuiyan—were thrown into prison, and all their shops were sealed.

The residence of the so-called Painting Sage, Xu Shiyin, was sealed, his property confiscated, and his title of “Painting Sage” stripped. After being imprisoned, he would be retried the following day together with Pan Shoucai and Chen Cuiyan.

Xuanyuan Hong was taken into custody by the Court of Judicial Review, pending Lord Lu’s memorial to the Emperor before a final decision could be made.

As for Tao Jing, a court official and Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, he was found guilty of severe embezzlement. It was even discovered that he had long since built a grand mansion in a neighboring county near his hometown. The account books clearly recorded the amount of silver he had embezzled. He was therefore sentenced directly to death and temporarily imprisoned.

The brothel madam had committed countless evils, but since she had already died a miserable death, Lord Lu Shi ordered the brothel sealed. All gold and silver obtained from it were confiscated by the court, and compensation was to be given to the girls of the establishment.

Thus, the capital’s number one brothel, Canghua Tower, ceased to exist.

—

Chu Ling stood before Canghua Tower, watching people moving in and out. When she saw Shiyu stepping out with a bundle in hand, she smiled and beckoned.

Shiyu led the girls over and lowered her voice. “My lord, as you instructed earlier, we took some of the jewelry we usually wear.”

Chu Ling nodded approvingly and replied softly, “You were already frightened, so you left in a hurry—who would know what you were wearing on your head? Besides, this matter does not focus on you, so it won’t cause trouble.”

Shiyu felt a little embarrassed, tense as though she had done something “bad,” yet also secretly satisfied.

“The capital is not a good place to stay,” Chu Ling said gently. “Go to Tiansheng Grand Bank. Exchange the jewelry for banknotes and hide them carefully. Travel together in a group.”

Shiyu smiled and nodded. “Yunliu and I cannot leave, but the others who wish to go will take the silver and depart. I’ve arranged for someone to escort them back to their hometowns.”

“Good. Go on.” Chu Ling pointed ahead. “Carriages have been prepared there for you. Don’t be afraid—go home.”

The young maid beside Shiyu clutched tightly to her arm, still visibly frightened.

Shiyu lowered her gaze and gently patted the girl before speaking in a low voice, “My lord, once a woman has entered a brothel, even if she leaves, she will be despised for the rest of her life… Yunliu and I cannot leave because of our families, so I’ve already prepared myself. I’m not afraid.”

Chu Ling pondered for a moment before replying, “I’ll teach you what to say. Tell them that sacrificing yourself for your family is what a filial daughter ought to do. Even if given another chance, you would still devote everything to your family. Filial piety outweighs all—if they dare criticize you, accuse them of being unfilial. In Great Zhou, unfilial conduct is a grave crime.”

Shiyu’s eyes lit up, and she smiled brightly.

“Thank you for your guidance, my lord.”

Chu Ling sighed. “Remember—kind people are easily bullied. So don’t be afraid. There’s no need to fear anyone. Only filthy vermin hiding in gutters point fingers at others. Have you ever seen a decent person casually spitting contempt at someone?”

Shiyu nodded firmly. “My lord, I will remember.”

Chu Ling hummed in acknowledgment and waved again. “Go on. Hurry home. Do you have enough silver?”

Shiyu pressed her lips into a smile and answered softly, “It’s enough. Yunliu has enough as well.”

Chu Ling blinked and smiled, urging them to return home quickly.

After the brothel was emptied, official seals were pasted across its gates. Meanwhile, Su He and Wan Sanjin carried a coffin out through the back door.

Chu Ling stepped forward. “Let’s go. We’ll bury the courtesan… we’ll bury this young lady.”

Wan Sanjin and Su He responded and lifted the coffin onto a handcart. The two pushed from behind, while Zhang Dong pulled from the front with a rope. Xiao Hua, who had just returned after buying candied hawthorn skewers, handed one to each of them. Then, with effortless ease, she pulled the cart forward with one hand, moving swiftly and lightly.

Chu Ling bit into her candied hawthorn. “I really envy Xiao Hua’s strength.”

Su He and Wan Sanjin didn’t even exert any strength; they were just lightly supporting her. Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement—who wouldn’t be envious?

On the way, Chu Ling ran into the townsfolk who had helped her catch the rats. Each of them winked or made faces at her, then quickly turned away to mind their own business.

Suppressing a laugh, Chu Ling casually asked the price of live fish and was told that one would be sent to her directly at the Wan residence.

Chu Ling thanked them and waved goodbye.

At the street corner, inside a carriage, Ge Chong cast a glance at her from afar, then lowered the carriage curtain. He looked at the person sitting opposite and lightly bowed, smiling: “Your Highness, although Lord Chu’s methods are unconventional, he is indeed a capable official.”

Prince Rui responded with a soft “hmm”: “I was a little worried at first, but seeing his skills—he even managed to recruit Lu Shi—I realize he has connections… Also, about him hitting someone with a sack in the middle of the night, let it be covered up.”

Ge Chong replied quietly, “Your Highness need not worry. The Wan family has already intervened.”

“The Wan family… they’re truly unpredictable,” Prince Rui said with a slight frown. “Let’s put them aside for now and focus on the others. Something feels off.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Ge Chong said carefully, then asked cautiously, “Your Highness, regarding the Xuanyuan family, shall we escalate things?”

“Has the Fourth Prince taken action?” Prince Rui asked.

“Prince Su has already tested the waters. If Your Highness acts, he will surely follow immediately. After all… the time has come,” Ge Chong replied.

Prince Rui closed his eyes briefly. “Make the arrangements.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Outside the capital.

When Chu Ling and the others brought the coffin, Steward Liu had already come forward to greet them: “My Lord, the pit is ready. The tombstone has been replaced with wood, so it won’t attract attention.”

Chu Ling nodded and had people carefully lower the coffin into the pit.

Steward Liu directed everyone to gradually cover it with earth.

Su He looked at Chu Ling. “My Lord, the skeleton beside the box you found belongs to a woman. She was probably killed after discovering something…”

Chu Ling nodded. “That seems likely.”

“What name should we put on the tombstone?” Wan Sanjin asked.

Chu Ling thought for a moment and smiled slightly. “Write ‘Yan’er.’ Flying freely everywhere suits her.”

Wan Sanjin nodded. “Alright, Su He can write it.”

Su He took out a small knife he always carried and carved the characters “Yan’er” into the wood. Once the mound of earth was ready, they pressed it firmly into the ground, embedding it deeply.

Steward Liu approached. “My Lord, it’s buried. We can leave now.”

Chu Ling nodded. Just as she was about to leave, she saw a familiar face and happily waved: “Head Warden!”

The head warden froze in place, unable to believe he would run into her here—and that she was so cheerful running toward him.

“Head Warden, what are you doing? Burning paper offerings?” Chu Ling asked.

The warden stepped back. “Bringing some tributes and burning paper.”

“Oh,” Chu Ling said, then laughed: “Come on, I’ll treat you to a meal.”