TGCFNM -Chapter 428 The Long Night

The Si family’s crimes weren’t just recorded in blood on the walls of the Dàlǐ Temple prison—they had also been sent to the prefectural office and had even spread into the hands of many others.

As a result, Prefect Fang went straight to the palace to report to the emperor.

As expected, once the emperor learned of it, he was furious. He didn’t even allow Prefect Fang to investigate further and immediately ordered the arrest of every member of the Si family.

At this moment, the Empress Dowager suddenly intervened. Citing the matter’s connection to the former crown prince, she demanded a public trial to restore the former crown prince’s innocence.

Whether or not the former crown prince had intentions of rebellion, this particular matter was not his doing, and the truth had to be made known to the world.

The emperor’s gaze was heavy, and he agreed to her request.

When Prefect Fang emerged from the palace, the back of his clothes was soaked through with cold sweat. Even a single gust of wind sent shivers down his spine.

And the direction in which the palace guards were heading immediately afterward made him feel icy dread throughout his body.

The Si family was finished.

Moreover, the downfall of the Si family would pull many other matters—and many people—into the chaos. Tomorrow, the capital would be turned upside down.

The noble families’ estates were brightly lit, and the populace was anxious.

The imperial family watched silently, maintaining complete stillness.

In the dead of night, several people slipped out of the rear gate of the Wan residence, carrying the token of Prince Ruì. They claimed they were going out of the city to meet Master Wan, and were released by Mei Gao’s subordinates.

Of course, Mei Gao’s men knew they were lying, but they let them go anyway. If the group couldn’t leave normally, who knew whether they might try another way to escape—something that could be far worse.

Following the route given by Uncle Hong, the group exited the city, changed direction, and headed down toward the cliff to find Wu Ting’s body.

In any case, it had to be buried on site. At least that would give him some peace in death.

At the same time, at the Fu residence:

Qingtong hurried toward Fu Qingyu’s room, handing over a letter.

After reading it, Fu Qingyu glanced at the signature and his eyes grew slightly cold. “Does he not know… it’s not yet the time?”

Qingtong opened his mouth but spoke cautiously: “Perhaps… he only wishes to ask for your opinion, sir.”

Fu Qingyu snorted coldly and immediately set the letter alight in the brazier. “He’s not asking for my opinion. He’s simply waiting, and he wants me to be ready.”

Qingtong dared not say more.

Fu Qingyu suddenly frowned and looked at him. “Those people over there haven’t set their eyes on Sanjin and the others, have they?”

“Of course not. Young Master Wan and Master Chu are lively every day, right under everyone’s eyes. There’s nothing to spy on,” Qingtong replied carefully.

Fu Qingyu exhaled in relief.

Qingtong glanced cautiously at him again. “By the way, sir, Blue Master sent a birthday gift for you. He said he had planned to return sooner, but someone at home fell ill, so he won’t be back for another half month.”

“Troublesome of him,” Fu Qingyu said lightly, waving Qingtong away.

Qingtong immediately bowed and left.

Fu Qingyu looked up through the open window at the high-hanging moon, slowly reaching his hand toward it… “Soon… really soon?”

Outside the city.

Chu Ling and the others, covered in dirt and dust, piled up a small mound of earth. They then set up a wooden marker, writing “Wu Ting’s Grave” on it. Wiping the sweat from her brow, she prepared to pick up their tools and leave.

Wan Sanjin looked at the mound with a twinge of regret. “Even in death, he cannot rest, all just to bring down the Si family.”

Chu Ling propped herself on her iron spade, her eyes lowering slightly. “Someone forced him into this. I don’t know why, but this way he can fulfill his promise to that person and, at the same time, draw attention to the Si family in a tragic way.”

“Master,” Wan Sanjin called softly, his gaze fixed on the small mound, “will Lord Lu be able to track down that mysterious young master?”

Chu Ling shook her head. She wasn’t sure. “But we can investigate too. I refuse to believe we can’t catch a trace of him!”

A reborn person with such a determined purpose would surely not give up so easily. As long as he made another move, she would have a chance to catch him!

Su He nodded. “We can investigate! I’ve already taken some of Wu Ting’s blood. We can check what poison it contains. We should also carefully examine the poisoned alcohol.”

Chu Ling acknowledged this, leading the group out from the pit and walking along a small path. After an hour of walking, they finally saw Zhuifeng resting, with several carriages beside him.

Wan Xing reached out to stroke Zhuifeng’s mane. The horse swished its tail and looked at the approaching group.

Wan Sanjin hesitated, stepping closer. Using the dim light from the carriage, he squinted to get a better look.

Wan Xing saw the five approaching figures in the dark and caught the scent of blood on them. Just as he was about to ask if they were hurt, a man with a painted face came close.

Instinctively, Wan Xing pressed his hand against the man’s forehead. “Who are you?!”

Wan Sanjin froze. “Brother! It’s me! Your dear little brother!”

Wan Xing frowned in disgust, looking at the black mud smeared on his hand, then glanced at the nearly unrecognizable faces of the others. Speechless, he asked, “Did you roll down the mountain? Face-first?”

Chu Ling stepped forward to explain. “No, we went to retrieve a corpse. After finding it, we buried it.” She raised her sleeve to wipe the sweat off her brow—climbing up here had been exhausting.

Wan Xing looked utterly shocked, staring at the barely recognizable group. Tentatively, he called, “Master Chu?”

“Yes, it’s me.” Chu Ling warmly introduced the others. “The one you were pressing is your brother Wan Sanjin. Watching beside him is Coroner Su. I’m Chu Ling. The one holding Zhuifeng is Zhang Dong. And the one cheerfully greeting Steward Zhu is Xiao Hua.”

Wan Xing: “…”

“Young Master Wan, why did you take so long? You kept saying you’d return, but never did. Did you encounter mountain bandits on the way?” Chu Ling asked curiously.

Wan Xing: “… Personal matters delayed me, but I still made a profit.”

Chu Ling sighed. Having someone with a business mind is really useful. Even delayed by personal matters, he still finds time to earn money.

“Brother! Brother, stop pressing me!” Wan Sanjin pushed Wan Xing’s hand away, noticing mud smeared on his sleeve. He tried patting it off, but only made it dirtier.

Wan Xing flinched, glanced down, and gave up trying to clean it.

“You… you… you all…” Wan Xing was at a loss for words. He turned his head, took a deep breath, and then turned back: “Step back a little. The blood scent on you is too strong!”

Wan Sanjin felt wronged. “Brother, are you disgusted with us?”

“Yes!” Wan Xing pressed his temple, a mix of helplessness and frustration.

“You had people from the entire empire at your disposal, and you didn’t think to call for help?” Wan Xing looked at them, even laughing angrily. “A government official, the second son of the richest family in the city, out at midnight burying a corpse? Were you trying to draw attention to yourselves?”

Chu Ling suddenly realized, “Oh right, we could have sent people.”

Wan Sanjin also realized, “Yeah, Su He could have come alone to perform the autopsy. Why did we have to come?” He glanced at Su He.

Su He, with a corpse-like expression, chuckled, “And why would I tell you?”

Wan Sanjin: Makes sense.