TGCFNM -Chapter 39 Where Could It Be?

Chu Ling was almost laughing in anger. To have come this far and still refuse to admit guilt—no wonder he was the one who orchestrated this whole scheme.

Her voice turned cold. “According to the autopsy, Shen Lizhou’s abdomen and chest both show multiple bruises. These bruises likely occurred post-mortem, quite obvious. Though he has been dead for several days, Your Honor, you can personally verify the autopsy report.”

“Student Pei was jealous of Shen Lizhou because he had already decided to compete in next year’s spring imperial examination, aiming for the top spot. But Shen Lizhou appeared—his knowledge and writing skills rivaled Pei Yuan’s, making him Pei Yuan’s greatest rival. Pei Yuan hated this enemy. At the same time, he learned that his teacher planned to recommend Shen Lizhou. In his disappointment and anger, Pei Yuan chose to hire someone to commit murder.”

As for why Pei Yuan did this, the reason was simple: competition among the sons of prominent families was fierce. Pei Yuan had come to Chengyang to study quietly, hoping to make a name for himself in the spring examination and return to the Pei family in glory.

He could not allow anyone to stand in his way.

Pei Yuan gritted his teeth. “You have no evidence!”

“Shen Lizhou’s body is evidence. The autopsy report is evidence. The other students are witnesses. Even the three Qian brothers have already revealed the truth and signed their statements. Pei Yuan, what more do you have to say?” Chu Ling asked sharply.

Finally, everyone reacted and forced Pei Yuan to his knees.

Chu Ling looked at him coolly. “You are indeed clever, gradually removing yourself from suspicion. You claimed that Yang Sheng was drugged alongside you to provide an alibi that he had no time to commit the murder. In reality, you needed Yang Sheng to testify that you were drugged, proving you couldn’t have hired a killer.”

Pei Yuan lifted his eyes, glaring at Chu Ling with hatred.

Chu Ling paid him little mind. “Do you know where your one critical mistake was?”

Pei Yuan did not answer.

“That night, when I stayed at the Mountain God Temple, you came there yourself,” Chu Ling said with a cold smile. “A murderer often returns to the scene of the crime. He wants to see the scheme he set up with his own eyes—he enjoys that thrill.”

In short, Pei Yuan was overconfident, believing he could escape. He relished manipulating others, thinking himself clever—Shen Lizhou couldn’t match him, no one could.

“Any action leaves a trace. How could you be so arrogant as to think you could escape justice?” Chu Ling said softly, then turned to Magistrate Zhang and bowed. “Your Honor, please deliver judgment.”

“Death for murder!”

“Death for murder!”

“Death for murder!”

The crowd, enraged, helped each other to stand. Several students shouted, “Pei Yuan, you will die miserably!”

“You killed Brother Shen—you must pay with your life!”

“You’ve ruined the Pei family’s hundred-year reputation!”

“You are not fit to be human!”

Pei Yuan’s eyes were bloodshot. “No, it wasn’t me! It wasn’t me! It’s you! You’re jealous! You’re framing me! The Pei family will never forgive you!”

Chu Ling opened the letter, unfolded it, and shook out two sheets of paper.

“Haha, ha—how ridiculous, how absurd,” she said, separating the two sheets, a pang of sadness in her chest. “One for Shen Lizhou, one for Pei Yuan—Master Song recommended both of them.”

Pei Yuan stared blankly at the letter, unable to believe it.

“Perhaps to prevent your arrogance, Master Song had Shen Lizhou deliver the letter. He believed that in next year’s spring examination, you both would surely rank among the top,” Chu Ling said, tossing Pei Yuan’s sheet aside and carefully refolding Shen Lizhou’s into the envelope.

“Pei Yuan, you hired a killer purely out of jealousy. Someone like you could never become the top scholar, nor serve in the Da Zhou government.” Saying this, Chu Ling ignored the crowd and walked straight out.

Wan Sanjin called out, and the others immediately followed.

Magistrate Zhang narrowed his eyes and, after a moment, looked at Pei Yuan, striking the judgment block. “Criminal Pei Yuan, do you acknowledge your guilt?”

At the Wan Sanjin estate:

Chu Ling looked at Sun Yang in surprise. “You’re leaving first?”

Sun Yang said fearfully, “I—I of course want to leave. Not only do I want to leave, I absolutely have to pass the imperial exams, otherwise… otherwise I’m doomed.”

Chu Ling smiled and handed him a small pouch. “Your travel expenses to the capital—don’t disgrace Sishui County, alright?”

Sun Yang blushed as he accepted it. “I—I will do my best.”

Wan Sanjin arranged for people and personally saw Sun Yang off.

After Sun Yang left, some of the students from Sishui County insisted on escorting Shen Lizhou’s coffin along with his mother, Mrs. Li, to ensure he could be properly laid to rest as soon as possible.

Chu Ling stood by the lakeside, watching the boat.

Shen Lizhou bowed deeply to Chu Ling. “Sir, I do not know if there is an afterlife, but if there is, I will surely strive to become an upright official like you.”

Chu Ling waved her hand. “No making wishes like that—you’ve got the wrong idea. I’m not a good official.”

Shen Lizhou slowly straightened up, gazing at the students on the boat, and said softly, “The students of Sishui County are no less than anyone else. One day, they will achieve great ambitions…”

Chu Ling watched Shen Lizhou’s figure gradually disappear, feeling a twinge of melancholy.

Wan Sanjin waved his hand in front of her. “Sir, the boat is far away. Why are you spacing out?”

Chu Ling waved him off, glancing at him sideways. “Master Wan, the young master humbles himself by serving as my advisor. I am truly fortunate for three lifetimes.”

Wan Sanjin cleared his throat awkwardly. “Sir, we… why aren’t we leaving? Right, why aren’t we hurrying back to Sishui County?”

“Wait two more days before leaving. I want to watch a little drama first.” Chu Ling stretched her arms, her eyes shining.

“What drama?” Wan Sanjin’s eyes lit up.

Chu Ling exhaled boldly and said, chest out, “Before we can watch the drama, we first have to deal with Prefect Zhang. Once that’s done, then we can watch the drama.”

Wan Sanjin looked utterly confused and immediately went to find Su He.

Su He, holding his tools, pondered, “I can read his expression—he’s about to make someone angry again.”

“Huh?” Wan Sanjin was even more astonished.

At the Prefect’s Mansion

Prefect Zhang sat at the head of the table, looking at Chu Ling seated opposite him. “County Magistrate Chu, you’ve worked hard this time. The people of Chengyang all praise you highly.”

Chu Ling smiled. “I am grateful for the kindness of Chengyang’s people!”

Zhang Prefect snorted coldly. “If you are so beloved by the people of Chengyang, why don’t I just give you my position as Prefect?”

Chu Ling was surprised. “Prefect, why would you say that?”

Zhang Prefect had someone bring over a food box—the same one Sun Yang had handed her at the government office that day, supposedly snacks from Chengyang.

“I found this in the room where County Magistrate Chu stayed.” Zhang Prefect’s expression stiffened like frost. “My brother told me that County Magistrate Chu is greedy. This time, he came to you asking for help, and you asked for fifty taels of gold in return! County Magistrate Chu, what audacity!”

After saying this, Zhang Prefect angrily waved his hand, and the food box toppled to the ground, spilling all the snacks.

Chu Ling said regretfully, “Ah, these snacks… even though they’ve been sitting for a while, it’s still a pity they’re broken.”

Zhang Prefect suddenly rose to his feet.

Chu Ling stood as well and kicked the food box aside. “There’s gold here! Where is it? Where? Prefect Zhang, surely you’re joking with me?”

Zhang Prefect’s face turned iron blue, his hands clenched tightly into fists.

How could this be?

Where’s the gold?!

Meanwhile, Sun Yang, already racing toward the capital in the carriage arranged by the Wan family, murmured to himself, “Sir, this time I really risked my life to help you. The gold is right in the corner of your county office—you’ll have to remember to dig it up yourself.”