TGCFNM -Chapter 476 Trust No One

After confirming their plan, the group felt relieved and went back to rest. Steward Liu had already prepared hot water for them to wash away their fatigue.

When Chu Ling and the others woke up and came out for lunch at noon, Mei Gao happened to arrive as well.

Feeling Mei Gao’s resentment, Chu Ling and the others instinctively shrank their necks and sat down obediently next to Madam Lu, behaving in a way that was almost painfully well-mannered.

Madam Lu looked at them kindly: “Eat more, you all look so thin…” She then turned her head to Lu Shi and added, “These children are really well-behaved.”

Lu Shi cast a glance at their three foolish faces, utterly unable to understand how his wife could be fooled by these three little monkeys.

He then looked at Mei Gao: “Lord Mei, please sit.”

Mei Gao bowed: “Lord Lu,” and took a seat.

Steward Liu had the servants prepare an extra set of chopsticks and bowls, then quickly left, as they would be eating elsewhere.

Mei Gao glared at Chu Ling and the others with deep resentment: “Lord Chu, how much longer do I have to guard?”

Su He carefully raised his head: “It shouldn’t be too long. Once the poisonous fog clears, you can go in to move the weapons and even dig the gold mine.”

Wan Sanjin nodded: “Lord Mei, we’re good friends. No need to thank us.”

Chu Ling added: “Lord Mei, it’s all thanks to you. You might even get a promotion, take down that Xiao Yunsheng, and go straight from deputy to main position.”

Mei Gao was on the verge of tears from anger: “Do you know what my subordinates told me? They said: ‘Lord Mei, at some point, a miasma appeared on Half-Moon Mountain, spreading across the entire mountain. Even a wild pheasant would collapse halfway! How am I supposed to get in?’”

Chu Ling immediately buried her head in his bowl.

Wan Sanjin did the same.

Su He paused for a moment, then also buried his head in his bowl.

Only Lu Shi felt a pang of sympathy. He looked at Mei Gao and asked, “It’s spreading across the whole mountain? Is there any sign it’s dissipating?”

“Not at all!” Mei Gao’s hair practically stood on end with anger as he stared daggers at the three of them.

Madam Lu, seeing the three engrossed in their meal, took some dishes and placed them in their bowls.

Mei Gao, frustrated and aggrieved, could barely speak to Lu Shi.

Lu Shi patted his shoulder, aware of his grievance, but since it was his wife, he dared not say a word.

“I asked about it,” Lu Shi said with a sigh, “They’ve prepared more than twenty incense sticks, each as thick as an arm and over three feet long. Once lit, they’re hard to extinguish.” What a bunch of troublesome little things!

Mei Gao felt like crying.

“They say the passages inside are interconnected, so they just randomly walked around lighting one wherever they went. And it seems they even found a ventilation point, which is why the fog spreads so quickly. But still, each stick is only arm-thick. It should take a day or two to clear…” Lu Shi patted his shoulder, unsure how else to comfort him.

Mei Gao felt a headache coming on.

“Even after it clears, some residual poison remains,” Su He suddenly spoke up. “And we don’t have the antidote yet. Lord Mei, once you go in, remember to tightly cover your mouth and nose.”

Taking the opportunity, Wan Sanjin comforted him while picking up food: “Su He said the fog won’t kill, it’ll just make you sleep for ten days to half a month.”

Chu Ling added with a mouthful of food: “You might starve to death, Lord Mei, so make sure you eat well first.”

Mei Gao: “…”

He really wanted to lock these three up in the Dali Temple prison forever and never let them out in this lifetime!

“By the way, Qinglong is back,” Mei Gao suddenly said.

Chu Ling asked with surprise, “Qinglong is back, huh?” She then turned to Wan Sanjin and Su He. “Qinglong still owes me twenty-one thousand taels of silver.”

“Currently, he’s hiding his identity and has disguised himself as Jiang Wu, guarding the city gate,” Mei Gao added.

Chu Ling and the others were delighted—they could go back and catch up with Qinglong.

Mei Gao was happy too; he could finally eat properly.

But as they finished and were about to leave, the cheerful waves and laughter of Chu Ling and the others weighed on his heart again.

After Mei Gao left, Lu Shi looked at the group. “Really, just twenty-some incense sticks?”

Su He nodded seriously. “No lies there.”

Lu Shi’s brows instinctively furrowed.

Su He’s eyes shifted elsewhere. “I added just a tiny little something. The gas might be slightly stronger, and the sleep lasts a little longer. After being pricked awake and eating something, the side effects aren’t too bad.”

Lu Shi: “……”

As Lu Shi pondered whether they were hiding anything else, Lu Chong and Han Yin returned after finishing lunch together.

The reason Lu Chong lingered a bit after delivering the message was because the Wan family had invited him over, which is why he returned with Han Yin.

And precisely because he had been invited, Lu Chong realized the situation was even bigger than he had imagined.

Lu Shi turned to him, serious. “What’s going on?”

“Besides the gold mine rumors intentionally spread by Lord Chu at the start, someone else has spread other information,” Lu Chong took a deep breath. “They say someone is plotting a rebellion, which is why large quantities of weapons have been stockpiled in Half-Moon Mountain. Moreover, some imperial officials pocketed relief grain in past years. That grain was embezzled, later exchanged for new grain at low prices, and hidden somewhere.”

“This matter has already reached the palace. The Emperor is furious and has ordered a thorough investigation. Young Master Fu volunteered to take on the case and wants to investigate alongside Young Master Xiao. They are currently waiting for Heir Xiao’s reply.”

Chu Ling exchanged a glance with Wan Sanjin and Su He: Heir Xiao is probably still unconscious, but it should be possible to prick him awake if needed.

“Also, the matter involving Empress Hexiao is temporarily put aside—first, we’ll investigate the rebels,” Lu Chong said.

Chu Ling immediately sensed something was off. If Chu Yue wanted someone to admit Fu Qingyu’s identity, the investigation into Empress Hexiao should have been inevitable. How could it suddenly be abandoned?

Moreover, Fu Qingyu giving up on this matter to focus on the rebellion case seemed odd.

And he wants Heir Xiao involved too?

Unless both the Empress Hexiao case and the rebellion case are actually Chu Yue’s plan.

“Lord Lu,” Chu Ling suddenly asked, “can I participate?”

Lu Shi frowned slightly. After studying Chu Ling’s expression carefully, he said, “If you already have a plan in mind, then go ahead.”

Lu Chong smiled wryly. “Young Master Fu has already informed the Emperor and requested that Lord Chu and the others join the investigation.”

Chu Ling pounded her palm: She had guessed right!

Lu Shi glanced at her. “Even if you already suspect something, you must hide it well, especially regarding the rebellion case. Don’t show off, remember to stay safe. Let the two others handle things publicly, and quietly gather clues to find out who orchestrated this entire scheme.”

Chu Ling nodded, committing it all to memory.

“Also,” Lu Shi said with sorrow, pointing upwards, “trust no one.”

Lu Chong paused, then lowered his head.

Ghost Scholar closed his eyes and sadly patted Chu Ling’s shoulder. “Trust no one.”