TGCFNM -Chapter 425 Wu Ting Escapes from Prison

Wan Mansion.

A few of them—idly preparing to go fishing in the back garden—were interrupted by the sudden arrival of a sealed message. Everyone stared at the messenger in stunned silence.

Chu Ling was shocked: “Wu Ting has escaped from prison?”

Wan Sanjin paused: “How could someone escape from the Dali Temple prison? Does he know how to pick locks like our master?”

Su He quickly asked, “So… are we supposed to go after Wu Ting?”

“Yes. Lord Lu didn’t want to intervene personally, so he asked Lord Chu and the others to pretend to be taking a leisurely stroll, run into him, and capture him. Once caught, Wu Ting should be sent directly back to the Dali Temple, or it would be too dangerous.”

Chu Ling’s expression shifted slightly. “Do we have a general direction?”

The man nodded. “He’s heading outside the city.”

Wan Sanjin immediately ordered the preparation of a carriage. Zhang Dong and Xiao Hua went to prepare some inconspicuous snacks and tea, while Su He went back to his residence to fetch a few things.

Once everyone was ready, they left Wan Mansion through the back gate.

Meanwhile, Steward Liu had to send another letter to Manager Hong, explaining that they had gone out.

“Wu Ting has injuries; he shouldn’t be able to run fast,” Wan Sanjin said, lifting the curtain to glance outside.

Chu Ling shook her head. “Since he escaped, someone must have helped him. That person will also ensure he gets out of the city.”

“Is this helping him, or harming him?” Su He couldn’t figure it out.

Chu Ling’s expression darkened slightly. “Naturally, it’s harming him. Once Wu Ting leaves the city, the Si family will track him. He only has a dead end ahead of him.”

Wan Sanjin frowned in confusion: “Normally, in a trial, the Si family is also the victim. Wu Ting might even face the death penalty. Why take matters into their own hands?”

Chu Ling explained: “It’s still because of the Jade Guanyin. The Si family doesn’t believe Wu Ting is unaware of what’s inside it. Now that he’s appeared again, they’re terrified. They have to kill him—they can’t let him reveal anything.”

Su He’s face showed shock. “Then someone must have told Wu Ting something to persuade him to escape, and the Si family will try to kill him… So the result will be: Si Yuanqi is alive again, Wu Ting dies, the Jade Guanyin resurfaces, the Si family’s secret gets investigated, and the Si family is finished.”

Chu Ling’s hand curled slightly. “Perhaps that person’s next move is to expose the secret inside the Jade Guanyin, throwing the Si family into irreversible ruin.”

Wan Sanjin rubbed his arm. “Hearing you speak, my hair stands on end, and my scalp tingles.”

“We must find Wu Ting. We have to know exactly what that person told him!” Chu Ling said, eyes grave.

“Also,” Su He reminded them, “how could that person even enter the Dali Temple prison—and then release Wu Ting?”

Chu Ling closed her eyes. This person’s plan was vast, and the hidden power backing them was unimaginable.

If they weren’t caught soon, it could bring even greater trouble.

Right—this mysterious person from the rebirth has a time limit. What if she had moved some events in the book ahead of schedule?

The latter part of the book deals with the floods in Sishui County, which shouldn’t be a problem. Then, the Chu family is released, leading up to the Lantern Blessing Festival, where the male and female leads fully open their hearts.

The female lead’s hidden forces begin to surface, while the male lead starts gaining support from court officials. All prior preparations gradually begin to take effect.

“Xiao Lengjue, the young master Xiao, is returning to the capital soon, right?” Chu Ling suddenly said.

Wan Sanjin paused. “I guess so.”

“With Xiao Lengjue returning, Chu Rou will definitely come back too. And the Lantern Blessing Festival…” Chu Ling felt a headache coming.

“What Lantern Blessing Festival?” Wan Sanjin looked puzzled.

Chu Ling spoke softly, “If Chu Rou makes a meritorious deed and helps Xiao Lengjue, perhaps the Emperor will release the Chu family. In gratitude, the Chu family would surely organize a blessing lantern festival to thank the Emperor for his great favor.”

Wan Sanjin almost laughed out loud. “What you’re saying sounds exactly like it’s real.”

Chu Ling pressed her temple. She was speaking about the events in the book, but she wasn’t certain whether Chu Rou would actually help.

Or perhaps… should she test Xiao Lengjue? After all, he was already betrothed to Chu Yue. He would need to break off the engagement with Chu Yue before he could marry Sun Yingshou.

“Master!” Outside, Zhang Dong called urgently, “Someone on horseback has overtaken us!”

Wan Sanjin’s expression darkened. “This is bad!”

Chu Ling made a swift decision. “Use your lightness skills to catch up. If anyone asks, just say we’re seeing who can run farther. It’s best to reach Wu Ting first and detain him.”

Wan Sanjin and Su He immediately nodded and hurried out.

Chu Ling left Xiao Hua behind to keep up appearances and instructed Zhang Dong to maintain normal pace, so as not to arouse suspicion.

Then she glanced back at Ghost Scholar and the others before leaping forward in one motion.

The Ghost Scholar and the rest floated directly behind her, following along.

Wu Huan stared nervously at the horses ahead, eyes wide. “My brother is already injured. Why are so many people chasing him?”

“They suspect Wu Ting has accomplices; otherwise he wouldn’t be able to escape from prison,” Ghost Scholar said, his expression darkening as he continued, “That’s exactly their purpose.”

Ahead, Wan Sanjin and Su He finally caught up, and the performance began.

“My dead brother, wait for me! Can’t I be first? I’ll treat you to roasted pigeon!” Wan Sanjin shouted wildly.

Su He snorted coldly, stiff-faced. “No, I’m first!”

Wan Sanjin shouted again, “I’m stronger than you! Just wait, I’ll definitely surpass you, ahhhh!”

Su He had no words left, so he joined in, screaming “ahhhh!” as well.

The Si family riders beside them were momentarily stunned, unsure where these two madmen had come from. But since their paths coincided, all they could do was speed up silently while listening to the two competing.

At this moment, Chu Ling finally caught up.

Wan Sanjin shouted, “Quick! Increase speed, a ghost is catching up! If she catches us, she’ll kill us!”

Su He gritted his teeth and accelerated.

Wan Sanjin exhaled, thinking that even when he chased Feng before, he had never felt this exhausted.

Chu Ling also hurried after them, while Bai Su quickened her pace to help locate Wu Ting.

“Xiaoling, turn at the fork ahead!” Bai Su reminded.

Chu Ling abruptly changed direction. Wan Sanjin glanced back and pretended to accidentally veer toward the Si family side.

Su He immediately understood. A pouch of powder appeared in his hand, and with a flick of the wind, the powder drifted backward.

Seeing Su He pause for a moment, Wan Sanjin immediately decided to follow Chu Ling.

Finally, Chu Ling saw the injured Wu Ting. He walked slowly, dragging a long trail of blood, a mark that hadn’t been there on the way.

“Wu Ting, come back with me!” Chu Ling shouted, swooping down and grabbing him.

Wu Ting looked pale, staring at her. “Master Chu, leave immediately. Don’t bother with me!”

Chu Ling was momentarily stunned. “No. Master Lu ordered me to bring you back, otherwise you’ll surely die at the hands of the Si family.”

Wu Ting looked at her pleadingly. “Master, please don’t interfere.”