TGCFNM -Chapter 467 Going to the Countryside

Early the next morning, the Wan Mansion was bustling as if everyone were moving house.

Five carriages had already been dispatched just to carry the luggage. Bedding and pillows were one thing, but even iron pots and spatulas had to go. One of the carriages, however, was packed full of boxes that clinked and rattled—just listening to them, it was clear they were full of porcelain bottles.

Everyone around watched in surprise, unsure what scheme this group was up to this time.

Soon, another carriage arrived at the Wan family’s back gate. One of the horses pulling it was none other than Zhuifeng, the one they were most focused on.

Zhuifeng’s hooves tapped nervously on the ground.

The carriage itself was silent, covered in a thick cloth, leaving no glimpse of what—or who—was inside.

Steward Liu stood at the gate with a calm expression, giving instructions. Once he finished, he climbed into the carriage and led everyone out of the city.

And so, word spread that day that Chu Ling had been so frightened by Prince Rui that her condition worsened, and she had left the city to avoid trouble.

With Chu Ling gone, Lu Shi suddenly became busy. Years of accumulated cases, combined with his age and worsening health, prompted him to consider retiring.

To appease him, the Emperor allowed him to temporarily step back from his duties and rest. So Lu Shi, too, left the city with his wife to recuperate.

This left the question of who would handle the case of Empress Hexiao. The Emperor hesitated.

In the end, it was Fu Qingyu who personally took over to continue the investigation.

Of course, Lu Shi’s leave was still three days away. At this point, Chu Ling and the others had spent the entire morning finally arriving at the Wan family’s estate.

Once there, Chu Ling couldn’t help but poke her head out, looking around before jumping down from the carriage and taking a deep breath of fresh air.

“This is much better,” Chu Ling said, yanking off her face cloth and exhaling a long sigh.

“I thought someone might try to block the road. We were ready to scare anyone who got in our way, but not a single person seemed curious if you were really on sick leave, my lord,” Wan Sanjin sighed, looking disappointed. He had even prepared to give them a scare.

Chu Ling: “……”

“All’s well then.” Steward Liu smiled, letting everyone go inside to rest first while arranging for the belongings to be unloaded.

Xiao Hua and Su He went to help, while Zhang Dong took care of the horses.

Chu Ling and Wan Sanjin returned to the house and spread out a map personally drawn by Wan Xing on the table.

Wan Sanjin pointed to a circled spot: “This is the place Chu Rou mentioned.”

Chu Ling traced the area with her fingertip: “From here, it would take about an hour to get there. It’s pretty far, and there are mountains nearby. If someone’s hiding in the mountains, we could be in danger.”

Wan Sanjin frowned: “True. There are a lot of trees on these mountains, easy to hide in, and easy to fall into traps… So, can we trust what Chu Rou said?”

“Half of it,” Chu Ling replied.

Chu Yue must have already known that Chu Rou had also been reborn, so she would have taken precautions. The locations Chu Rou knew might have already been changed by Chu Yue.

The reason Chu Ling said “half” is because there are only a few good hiding spots in this area.

Moreover, if Chu Yue had set a trap, when Chu Rou brought Heir Xiao there, it could be a decoy. That way, the search could be avoided, and it might even allow her to directly deal with the two of them.

“Do we have a detailed map of these mountains?” Chu Ling asked casually.

Wan Sanjin was momentarily astonished. “There really is… Master, do you think my brother might also have the ability to foresee things?”

Chu Ling blinked in confusion. “Your brother is just too clever, isn’t he?”

At such a young age, he had seemingly known everything under heaven, and he even became the richest man. Whether it was renting carriages, houses, or running teahouses and taverns—even fabric shops and cosmetic stores—the Wan family had establishments everywhere. It was terrifying!

Wan Sanjin nodded proudly. “I agree. My brother is truly smart.”

Chu Ling glanced at him and asked him to bring out the topographical map. “By the way, how does your brother even have a map like this? Is he planning to do business in these mountains? Set up a shop?”

Wan Sanjin scratched his face. “Probably planning to take it over as a hunting ground. There could be inns for visitors and restaurants for cooking game.”

Chu Ling was impressed. “Master Wan, I underestimated you before. As a member of the Wan family, you’re quite competent.”

Wan Sanjin placed his hands on his hips, beaming. “Really?”

The Ghost Scholar interrupted them, tapping Chu Ling’s shoulder with his fan, urging her to focus on the map.

Chu Ling finally remembered to study the topographical map. As she looked at the layout, it started to feel familiar. “…Is this mountain… called Banyue Mountain?”

Wan Sanjin smoothed the curled top-right corner of the map and pointed to the three characters: “Banyue Mountain.”

Chu Ling’s heart skipped a beat.

Isn’t this the very mountain where I was shot by an arrow in the book?

In the story, Chu Ling had been killed by an arrow after informing on Chu Yue’s armory.

And now, it was Chu Rou who was telling her?

“Whoa—” Chu Ling drew in a sharp breath. “Master Wan, there’s probably an armory here, but it’s unclear which side.”

The reason it’s called Banyue Mountain is that, from above, it looks like two irregular half-moons. The mountain spring flows down, visually splitting the mountain in two.

The topographical map Wan Xing provided described it similarly. Of course, the actual shape has nothing to do with the moon—the name is just for the poetic impression.

Chu Ling narrowed her eyes and studied the map carefully, speculating on where the armory might be.

Both sides of the mountain were roughly the same in size and vegetation; the only difference was the paths up the mountain. Judging by the mountain’s mass, having a tunnel on either side seemed feasible.

“Master,” Wan Sanjin called out, “why couldn’t there be one on both sides?”

“Both sides?” Chu Ling was surprised. “That wouldn’t be possible, would it?”

“Why not? Isn’t Chu Yue able to foresee things?” Wan Sanjin pointed to the map. “Master, look at this. If Chu Yue digs tunnels at the weaker points and creates an underground chamber in the center to store items and rest, wouldn’t that make perfect sense?”

Chu Ling nodded. “Makes perfect sense.”

Wan Sanjin smiled smugly, then saw Su He bringing in the poison and pulled him over, explaining his speculation. “Su He, am I impressive or what!”

Su He responded half-heartedly, then asked while looking at Wan Sanjin and Chu Ling: “So… this mountain is not small. Which direction do you plan to search for the entrance?”

“Carefully?” Wan Sanjin replied.

Chu Ling made a sour face. “That won’t work. If there really are weapons stored here, someone would be guarding the area. There’s no way we could sneak in unnoticed.”

The Ghost Scholar pointed with his fan. “Quick and decisive—use poisonous smoke to force them out!”