TGCFNM -Chapter 489 Hoping for a Peaceful Night

The next day, after Xuanwu visited secretly, Chu Ling told him about her plan.

As soon as Xuanwu heard it, he immediately pounded his chest in agreement, promising to come by every two days and to keep a constant watch on Zhuque’s movements, ensuring she wouldn’t notice anything.

Hearing this, Chu Ling finally relaxed. She gave the innkeeper the pre-checked information from Tianxia Zhi in batches, so that every time Xuanwu came, he could get fresh intelligence—and he could also report back to Zhuque to dispel her doubts.

Once everything was arranged, that very night, Chu Ling and the others took the opportunity to move ahead first.

Cangning County

To passersby or locals, this was just a typical small county town. Galloping carriages kicked up dust, street vendors shouted louder and louder, stalls sold cloth and pottery, and scholars in long robes held their books high as they walked forward…

No one would ever guess that this was actually a hideout for the “rebels.”

Zhang Dong led the horse slowly along the road, asking passing townsfolk about inns available for long-term rent.

The locals looked at him curiously, then glanced at the carriage behind him, before pointing toward the road they had come from: “Keep going straight. On the paved stone road, there’s a place called Fulai Inn.”

Zhang Dong cupped his hands in thanks and followed the direction the townsfolk indicated, moving forward slowly.

Inside the carriage, Chu Ling looked at Wan Sanjin in surprise: “Didn’t your brother say there were no Wan family businesses here?”

Wan Sanjin nodded: “Same name, probably.”

The Ghost Scholar shook his head: “Something’s not right. The Wan family has huge holdings—Fulai Inns are everywhere. If someone deliberately chooses the same name, that inn clearly doesn’t understand business.”

Chu Ling also felt uneasy, lowering her voice: “Merchants need to be tactful. How could anyone knowingly pick the same name as the famous Wan family Fulai Inn? So either the innkeeper is new and inexperienced, or he did it on purpose.”

Su He nodded silently: “The deliberate option seems more likely.”

Wan Sanjin thought for a moment, then asked Su He to help him stick on a fake beard. He also put on a tall hat favored by local gentry, smoothed his mustache, and tidied his clothes. “I’ll pretend to run the business. You, sir, are my accountant, and Su He is my nephew.”

Having said this, Wan Sanjin couldn’t help but smile proudly.

Chu Ling rolled her eyes at him, while Su He stared blankly, expressionless as a corpse.

Wan Sanjin shrank his neck: “Just a few days, only a few days. Once the investigation is done, we’ll be heading back to Liangzhou anyway.”

At that moment, the carriage stopped.

Wan Sanjin jumped up as if pricked by a needle, flung open the curtain, and stepped out.

Zhang Dong was startled at his sudden action but quickly put down the low stool and extended a hand: “Master, we’ve arrived.”

Wan Sanjin grunted deeply, grabbed Zhang Dong’s hand, and slowly got down from the carriage.

Then Chu Ling, Su He, and the others also got down.

The inn’s staff came out to greet them. Wan Sanjin gave a flurry of instructions, acting like a newly rich rustic who wanted the very best of everything.

The staff smiled and responded repeatedly, leading them inside.

The innkeeper also came out to greet them, arranged the best rooms, and immediately ordered hot water to be sent up from the kitchen.

The group, like other weary travelers, washed up simply, then asked the innkeeper to prepare a table full of fine dishes, which were delivered to Chu Ling’s room.

Wan Sanjin and the others took this opportunity to gather together.

After Zhang Dong thanked the innkeeper, he closed the door like any ordinary guest and stood by the entrance to keep watch.

As soon as the door was shut, Xiao Hua and the others immediately sat down, whispering that they were starving.

Wan Sanjin served each of them a bowl of soup.

Chu Ling told Zhang Dong he didn’t need to stand guard. If the inn really had problems, no matter how careful they were, someone would notice. It was better for him to be comfortable.

Su He held his bowl and looked at everyone, suggesting, “Why don’t we each sprinkle some poison outside our doors tonight? We’ll sleep more securely that way.”

Chu Ling thought it was necessary. Even if they were investigating a case, that could wait until tomorrow. Tonight, they needed proper rest to restore their energy.

Wan Sanjin sat down and murmured, “This inn isn’t normal.”

“What’s abnormal about it?” Chu Ling asked quickly.

Wan Sanjin furrowed his brows. “I’ve seen my family do business for twenty years, I know how it works. But this place is different—they’re observing guests, not running a business.”

“Could this be Chu Yue’s doing?” Su He frowned. He looked up and realized everyone was staring at him.

“How didn’t I think of that? Only Chu Yue would dare use the Fulai Inn as a front,” Wan Sanjin said, and everyone’s brows tightened.

Chu Ling sighed and rubbed her forehead. “Earlier, Su He’s comment could have been speculation. Now that you’ve said it, it’s basically certain.”

Wan Sanjin stroked his beard. “Sir, are you discriminating against me?”

“No, I value you,” Chu Ling sighed. As she lowered her head to start drinking her soup, she quietly asked, “There’s no poison in the food, right?”

Su He smacked his forehead and silently set down his bowl.

Zhang Dong and Xiao Hua did the same, although everyone had already eaten a little.

Wan Sanjin chuckled, “Sir, we’re in the same boat.”

Chu Ling’s face tightened as she took out silver needles to test for poison, while Su He carefully inspected the dishes Chu Ling had tested.

After a while, the results came back: there was indeed poison, but only in small amounts.

“Not enough to kill—probably meant to check our identities under the cover of night,” Su He said.

Chu Ling frowned. “Tonight, the poison outside our doors needs to be stronger. Su He, you can’t slack off.”

Wan Sanjin looked at Su He. “Then… can we still eat?”

“Eat. We already took the Hundred-Poison Pills; this amount won’t hurt,” Su He said casually.

So everyone continued their meal. After finishing, they had the servants clear the dishes, and the group stayed in the room to talk.

When night fell deep, everyone returned to their rooms and turned off the lights to rest.

Chu Ling, a bit tired, leaned on the bed, gritting her teeth. “Su He said this little poison wouldn’t matter… now I’m so drowsy I just want to sleep.”

“Su He said it only makes you drowsy, not unconscious,” Bai Su smiled. “Relax. We’ll guard the doors. And you’ve already spread poison, right? Plus, there are mechanisms in the room.”

Chu Ling touched the tiny arrows on her wrist; the two additional ones had been made by the Wan family’s blacksmith. Not as good as the originals, but sufficient for a trap.

“Hope tonight is peaceful,” Chu Ling murmured. Otherwise, she didn’t mind tearing off the mask and confronting things directly.