TGCFNM -Chapter 445 I Never Practiced Calligraphy

The three of them still couldn’t figure out what was wrong, so they went to the room with the character relationship chart.

They lit all the lamps and then laid a mat on the floor, sitting down to study the chart.

“The Si family cut this part out,” Wan Sanjin pointed to a section, explaining it to Su He.

Su He squinted. Looking at those characters was like staring at a bunch of wriggling worms. It was hard to believe these were actually writing—harder still that someone could read them, and even more absurd that someone could write them!

“Sanjin, I’m really curious—how did you learn to write like this?” Su He asked sincerely.

Wan Sanjin let out a small “Ah!” “I never practiced calligraphy. I just write so it can be read.”

Su He: “……”

Chu Ling couldn’t make sense of it either. It was understandable in ordinary people, but Wan Sanjin had studied beside Master Fu since childhood. Writing like this… wouldn’t Master Fu have corrected him a few times?

“You mean Master Fu never made you practice calligraphy?” Chu Ling asked.

Wan Sanjin shook his head. “No. The Master said that since your eldest brother wouldn’t want you to work hard anyway, and you don’t lack money, and there’s no need to keep score, there’s no need to suffer over this.”

Chu Ling felt a strange sense rising in her chest. “That can’t be right… he’s a Master after all. As a teacher, shouldn’t he at least teach the basics?”

Wan Sanjin shrugged. “Maybe. Anyway, I don’t really need it.”

Chu Ling found it odd too, but for now she pushed the matter aside and focused on studying the relationship chart.

“I was originally planning to take things slowly, step by step, but Chu Yue’s sudden appearance messed up my plan. I don’t know what she intends to do, and I can’t guess her purpose. So instead of waiting for her next move, it’s better for us to take action ourselves.”

Chu Ling stood, walked to the chart, and pointed at it.

“Currently, there are two noble families left: the Xuanyuan family and the Nangong family,” Chu Ling said. “The Xuanyuan family is the Empress Dowager’s maternal family, and the Nangong family is one the Emperor trusts.”

“Back when the former Crown Prince’s rebellion was exposed, Nangong Rong survived the purge and later became Chancellor. He is deeply trusted by the Emperor. The current head of the Nangong family is Nangong Rong’s elder brother. The family head has a son and a daughter: the son, Nangong Han, and the daughter, Nangong Jing—who is the White Tiger before the Emperor.”

“The White Tiger originally oversaw weapons manufacturing in Dongle City, but was suddenly recalled. The reason for the recall might be that Chu Rou contacted Nangong Han about something… At the time, I guessed it might be a marriage arrangement between Heir Xiao and Nangong Jing. But it turned out the marriage was actually given to Sun Yingshou. Nevertheless, this shows the Emperor had no intention of letting Xiao Lengjue inherit the throne.”

“Sun Yingshou’s grandfather, Grand Tutor Sun, is said to have students all over the world, but more likely he was just cultivating connections everywhere. These ties are weak and easily broken, so Grand Tutor Sun doesn’t need to worry too much.”

Wan Sanjin also stood up and asked according to Chu Ling’s pointing: “So, the next target is the noble families?”

“The Courtesan case was cut off directly. Aside from Xuanyuan Hong dying, the Xuanyuan family is peaceful. We’re not capable of really moving the noble families,” Chu Ling shrugged. “People like us can’t do anything major.”

“There will be a chance,” Ghost Scholar floated over.

Chu Ling pretended to seriously study the chart, stepping aside and resting her chin while looking at it.

Ghost Scholar lifted his fan and pointed at the diagram. “You’re right, my lord. Slowly drawing it out no longer works. It’s time to use a few major incidents to throw the capital into complete chaos—and also to unsettle Chu Yue, who can foresee the future.”

“Start with the Nangong and Xuanyuan families,” Ghost Scholar continued, glancing at Chu Ling. “I remember once those two families cooperated in mining, and the mine collapsed, killing many people… Back then, the Nangong family secretly reported it, claiming it was Xuanyuan’s recklessness in seeking credit that caused it—all to rush the extraction of enough silver to present to the Empress Dowager for her birthday.”

“But the Xuanyuan family wasn’t aware, because the emperor didn’t pursue the matter at the time.”

Chu Ling’s eyes widened involuntarily. Ghost Scholar even knows this?!

“Besides those two noble families, there are certain court officials… The crown prince incident involved officials like Liu Yuansheng, Qi Wang, Tian Chi, and others. They were all silenced to varying degrees. Among them, the most important figure is General Chu.” Ghost Scholar said.

Chu Ling exhaled lightly, her face tense. Wan Sanjin glanced at her curiously.

“You remember the silver the lord once took from the general’s treasury? That silver was official coin, but its color was off… This could very well be evidence of the crown prince’s rebellion back then,” Ghost Scholar explained.

Chu Ling’s expression darkened. Could it be that the late crown prince was killed because of the General Chu’s household?

Ghost Scholar seemed to read her thoughts and shook his head. “The death of the crown prince had nothing to do with General Chu. I tend to think someone planted the evidence in the general’s household, but General Chu ultimately chose not to reveal it… which is understandable. Back then, anyone who trusted the Empress Dowager or came forward as a witness ended up dead without a proper burial.”

“General Chu probably kept silent to protect his family’s safety.”

Chu Ling licked her dry lips. She had thought the silver was plundered by the general’s household, so when it came out…

“Xiao Ling, take this silver with you—it’s evidence.”

“Xiao Ling, also take this tiger tally. When the time comes, it could save your life!”

“Xiao Ling, live well. Even if you can’t take revenge, it’s alright—you must live well… Your mother and father will always pray to the Bodhisattva to protect you.”

“Remember to keep your distance from the main branch of the family. Also, your grandfather’s only concern has ever been the Chu family—you cannot trust him.”

Chu Ling froze for a moment, as if struck by something. A dull ache rose in her chest, her eyes stung, and tears fell uncontrollably.

Wan Sanjin jumped. “My lord, why are you crying?”

Chu Ling turned away, still stunned, her eyes red as tears streamed down her cheeks. “I… I don’t know… it’s like I… I heard my father and mother speaking…”

Wan Sanjin comforted her gently. “My lord, perhaps it’s just a hallucination. But if you feel like crying, just cry.”

Chu Ling wiped her tears, shook her head, and turned back to the character relationship diagram.

Ghost Scholar lightly patted her head and continued, “The officials I mentioned, behind the scenes, are all corrupt. Let the world investigate directly—once they’ve done that, they’ll shift blame onto each other…”

“Also, Chu Yue wants to kill you, and the secret may lie in the general’s household. But I don’t suggest investigating it now. I advise you to avoid Chu Yue for the time being.”

Chu Ling nodded ever so slightly, silently agreeing.