TGCFNM -Chapter 463 The Palace Maid Ghost

After finding the evidence, Chu Ling simply placed it on the soft couch, then looked at the palace maid ghost.

The palace maid ghost looked at Chu Ling’s face with concern and asked, “Why are there so many rashes on your face?”

Chu Ling thought for a moment, then took out the Camellia Japonica she had found earlier from her pouch and handed it over, hesitating slightly as she spoke: “Before entering the palace today, I ran into Prince Rui and Princess Rui. Princess Rui gave me a mole.”

At that moment, Bai Su and Ghost Scholar also entered the room. Upon seeing the palace maid ghost, they instinctively stopped in their tracks.

The palace maid ghost seemed lost in some memory. Then, looking at Chu Ling, she gently parted her lips and spoke many words.

Chu Ling listened quietly.

Until the figure of the palace maid ghost gradually faded, she seemed unaware as she lightly touched Chu Ling’s face: “The further you are from the affairs inside the palace, the better. And that person who placed the evidence…”

Through Chu Ling, the ghost looked outside and saw an elderly man walking in slowly with Fu Qingyu, his gaze landing on Chu Ling, who was casually sitting on the floor.

“He is not a good person,” said the palace maid ghost. After lightly hugging Chu Ling and whispering a few more words, her figure gradually dissipated.

Chu Ling couldn’t hold back his tears, and Bai Su immediately stepped forward to embrace him.

Ghost Scholar and Cui Xi looked on worriedly, while Wangcai quietly licked Chu Ling’s hand.

Fu Qingyu hurried over, glanced at the evidence on the couch, and then looked at Chu Ling with concern: “Is your face uncomfortable?”

“Mm, when I was searching for this camellia, a weed scratched my face. It’s both painful and itchy now, like poison ivy,” Chu Ling said, wiping the corner of her eyes with the back of her hand, then slowly straightened up. “Lord Fu, and this is?”

“He is my master, and has also always protected my grandfather,” Fu Qingyu said with a gentle smile.

Fu Master stepped forward, his eyes bright and piercing: “You must be Lord Chu. I’ve long heard of your reputation.”

Chu Ling cupped his hands: “Greetings, Master Fu.”

It must be said that Fu Master perfectly matched the image a scholar would have of a royal Grand Tutor—ethereal and otherworldly, with an elegant bearing, pleasant speech, and a kind, gentle smile that immediately conveyed why he could raise the number one young master in the land.

“Lord Chu, you’ve found the evidence?” Fu Master peeked at it, a smile on his face. “No wonder you were personally praised by Lord Lu. You truly are remarkable at solving cases.”

Chu Ling felt a bit embarrassed: “Master Fu, you flatter me.”

Fu Master waved his hand slightly, a look of affectionate pride on his face: “Flattery? No, Lord Chu is indeed impressive. And for someone so young to have such talent, it makes us older folks feel ashamed.”

Chu Ling chuckled: “Lord Lu has never praised me like that. If you keep praising me like this, Master, I might just take it seriously.”

Fu Master couldn’t help but laugh out loud, then cupped his hands: “I merely passed by to take a look. Since you have matters to attend to, I shall take my leave.”

“Master… are you going to see His Majesty?” Fu Qingyu asked.

Fu Master nodded slightly, a troubled expression on his face: “The matter of Her Majesty the Empress has always been a worry for His Majesty. Let’s hope this time there’s a good outcome.” Saying this, he bid farewell and left.

Chu Ling pointed at the items and said, “Lord Fu, could you help me carry these? I’ll press on my face.” She pressed the areas with long rashes, as if trying to relieve the pain.

Fu Qingyu nodded slightly and carefully put the items away.

Chu Ling looked at Ghost Scholar: Her Master is truly a powerful figure with ethereal elegance—this Fu Master? He’s just putting on airs!

The Ghost Scholar was amused by the little expression on Chu Ling’s face, lightly tapping her forehead with his fan. “Don’t be too obvious. Stay alert for that person.”

Chu Ling nodded slightly. She certainly had to stay vigilant.

Meanwhile, Bai Su and Cui Xi, with Wangcai in tow, circled around to Chu Ling’s side and tried to leave first. This bunch—none of them were good people.

“I still trusted you and let you investigate!” Bai Su snorted indignantly, recalling Fu Qingyu’s words before entering the palace. “He knows you’re a female official, he knows you’re from the Chu family—it’s obvious he’s just trying to rope you into helping him.”

Chu Ling couldn’t help but glance at Bai Su. Her aunt seemed quite angry.

“Yes, I know. He would indeed protect you, Sanjin, and Su He, because he just wants to pull you onto his ship, make you his allies,” Bai Su said, her nostrils flaring with anger, though her words were calm. “If he truly is the Crown Prince’s orphan, then you would have the merit of aiding the throne, because you are among those he trusts and feels close to.”

“I believe his initial intentions were good. I also believe he meant no harm. But he still did it wrong.”

Chu Ling felt that her aunt was right—Fu Qingyu had indeed done wrong, squandering the trust they had in him.

Perhaps those who come into contact with power inevitably change.

When Chu Ling stepped outside, Wan Sanjin had just finished searching and walked over. Seeing the tear-streaked expression on her face, he was slightly surprised. “It doesn’t hurt, right?”

Chu Ling glared at him.

Wan Sanjin immediately understood. “Master, this poisonous herb is fierce. Perhaps we should visit Doctor Zhuang at the manor tomorrow?”

Chu Ling nodded. “Yes, we should go check.”

Su He had also returned after searching. Looking at Chu Ling and Wan Sanjin, he shrugged. “We didn’t find anything.”

Chu Ling acknowledged him with a nod. So far, she alone had accurately found the evidence that had already been placed—and it was crucial evidence.

Since the evidence was so important, Fu Qingyu would definitely want it submitted immediately. So Chu Ling and the others were arranged to be escorted out of the palace by a eunuch.

On the way in, they had a palace carriage. On the way back, there was no carriage, so they simply walked, making a stop at the manor first.

Chu Ling even asked how to treat her rash. After getting the prescription, she went to the apothecary to collect the medicine.

Once they had the medicine, they returned to the Wan residence.

Back at the residence, Chu Ling pulled the two of them into her courtyard, her expression serious.

Wan Sanjin instinctively clutched his neck. “Master, are we done for?”

Chu Ling frowned. “…Not quite.”

Su He looked at Chu Ling. “Actually, I found evidence.”

Chu Ling gasped in surprise. “You did? You didn’t say anything—wasn’t the evidence already placed earlier?”

Wan Sanjin was confused. “Already placed evidence? So we were sent to investigate on purpose?”

“Seeing the Master’s expression, I felt something was off, so I didn’t say anything,” Su He explained, taking out a small piece of broken jade, slightly larger than a fingernail. Apart from a single line, no pattern was discernible. “This probably wasn’t planted beforehand.”

Wan Sanjin took it. “The jade is fine quality. If it appeared in the palace, the person’s status isn’t low, but probably not high either… yet this pattern is too simple.”