TGCFNM -Chapter 496 Then Let Chu Ling Investigate

Fu Qingyu stepped forward slowly, clasping his hands in a formal bow. “Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, Qingyu believes that Prince Qi should not be allowed to investigate the matter of the cursed insects. After all, the Empress died because of the insects, and the one who poisoned her was none other than Concubine Lian!”

The Emperor raised a hand slightly, signaling for the screens on both sides to be pulled aside.

“Then let Chu Ling investigate!” the Emperor said coldly, flinging his sleeve as he strode out.

Eunuch Gao immediately entered the hall, supporting the Empress Dowager as she rose slowly. She walked her to Chu Ling and said with authority, “Lift your head, let Ai see.”

Chu Ling slowly raised her head, her back stiff.

But when she saw the Empress Dowager’s face, she was momentarily taken aback. The Empress Dowager was far younger than she had expected; even her hair was still black, though her eyes betrayed her age.

The Empress Dowager bent forward slowly, pinching Chu Ling’s jaw to examine her carefully. After a moment, she smiled kindly and released her grip. “Indeed, you show a certain cleverness.”

As the Empress Dowager let go, the black hand of lingering resentment that had been reaching out gradually withdrew, quietly hovering by the Empress Dowager’s side.

Chu Ling’s whole body tensed. She forced herself to ignore the malevolent spirit beside the Empress Dowager and bowed earnestly. “For the safety of the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty, I will diligently investigate the matter of the cursed insects.”

The Empress Dowager chuckled lightly, her tone unreadable. She allowed Eunuch Gao to support her as they walked away, the dark spirit following silently behind.

Prince Qi rose slowly, casting a condescending glance at Chu Ling, who was still kneeling. His gaze then shifted to Fu Qingyu, his eyes growing cold.

“Brother, I… I cannot accept this sudden revelation. I… I will take my leave first,” Prince Qi said, his eyes reddening. He bowed and stepped back.

Prince Rui glanced briefly at the kneeling Chu Ling and then at the others, before exiting first.

Prince Su also called for Prince He with a grim expression and left.

Prince He sighed and slowly walked toward the palace exit. “Who would have thought that after decades, the true culprit behind the Empress’s death was finally found… only to find that the culprit is already dead. Why investigate further?”

Once everyone had left, Wan Sanjin and Fu Qingyu hurriedly helped Chu Ling to her feet.

“Master, were you really that scared?” Wan Sanjin asked in alarm. “Is the Empress Dowager that frightening?”

Chu Ling shivered but shook her head slightly. “I’m fine.”

Fu Qingyu frowned, looking at Chu Ling with concern. “Your face looks awful, completely pale. Should we call the imperial physician to take a look?”

Chu Ling waved her hand gently. “I was tired from the journey back. During the investigation I didn’t feel it, but now that I’ve relaxed suddenly, I feel a bit weak. I’ll head back first.”

Fu Qingyu could only agree and personally escorted them out of the palace.

Outside, Lu Chong drove a carriage toward them. “Master Chu, Master Wan, I was just sending Lord Lu into the palace. Since I’m free now, why don’t I take you back?”

Chu Ling nodded in thanks, and Wan Sanjin helped her into the carriage.

After bowing to Fu Qingyu, Lu Chong drove the carriage away, taking Chu Ling and the others with him.

Fu Qingyu remained in place, reflecting on the oddity he had just witnessed: Chu Ling was clever and composed, not afraid of imperial authority. During the investigation, she had been steady. Yet, after speaking with the Empress Dowager, she was suddenly startled. Why was that?

“Young Master!” Qingtong called out excitedly. “You happen to be here—there’s a message for you.”

Fu Qingyu responded with a faint hum.

Qingtong continued, “Master Shi said that Cangning has already made arrangements, and Young Master Xiao has secretly kept the troops in place.”

Fu Qingyu pressed a hand slightly, signaling him to remain silent for now, and then led him back into the palace.

After walking for a while, Lu Chong slowed his pace, lifted the curtain, and peeked inside, asking worriedly, “Lord Chu, do you want me to take you to see a doctor?”

Chu Ling shook her head. “No need, just take us back.”

Lu Chong could only nod and escorted them back.

Chu Ling looked at Wan Sanjin and touched her own face. “Do I really look that bad?”

Wan Sanjin was genuinely shocked. “For a moment, it was as if all the blood had been drained from your face. You looked deathly pale, like you were gravely ill, and your forehead was covered in sweat.”

Chu Ling held her forehead and murmured softly, “There was a malevolent spirit near the Empress Dowager. The moment it approached, I felt an overwhelming wave of resentment, suffocating me.”

Wan Sanjin let out a low hiss and lowered his voice. “Even if you dislike the Empress Dowager, Lord, you can’t call her a malevolent spirit.”

Chu Ling exhaled lightly and leaned back into the carriage.

Bai Su clutched her clothes tightly; if she were still alive, she would have felt her heart racing.

The Ghost Scholar let out a breath. “What a powerful evil spirit.”

Bai Su’s eyes were red. “The instant that spirit reached out to touch Xiao Ling, I almost jumped in to stop it. If you hadn’t held me back, Master, we’d probably have been turned to ashes already.”

Cui Xi, holding Wangcai, was also terrified.

“It followed the Empress Dowager, we followed Lord Chu, so it was the same situation. That’s why it was fine. But if it discovered a way to touch him, that would’ve been trouble. That’s why I told you not to move,” the Ghost Scholar said, still shaken. He hadn’t expected the spirit’s hatred to be so intense.

Bai Su lightly patted Chu Ling on the shoulder. “Fortunately, Xiao Ling reacted quickly and didn’t look at that spirit.”

Chu Ling’s heart was still racing. She had never encountered a spirit shrouded in black mist before. Its oppressive aura was terrifying; one step closer, and it felt like she would be crushed instantly.

“Why is this spirit following the Empress Dowager? And why is it all black? How long has it been dead?” Cui Xi asked, holding Wangcai. Even hiding behind the Master earlier, she had been trembling.

“Probably for a very long time,” the Ghost Scholar replied softly.

Bai Su furrowed her brow. “If it follows the Empress Dowager, that means its obsession is her. And since it hasn’t harmed her and seems almost protective, it’s probably someone the Empress Dowager knew.”

Chu Ling looked at Wan Sanjin and spoke slowly. “Master Wan, I think we’re in trouble.”

Wan Sanjin blinked in confusion. “Haven’t we always been in trouble?”

Chu Ling pinched her brow. Previous troubles were always caused by people—or if it was a ghost, she could rely on Aunt Su. But this time, it was a malevolent spirit, and it was by the Empress Dowager’s side!

“Lord, how do you plan to investigate the Gu insects? Bai Zhuoxing is dead. Are you planning to investigate the Empress Dowager?” Wan Sanjin asked.

The Ghost Scholar suddenly remembered the main point. “The Gu investigation is just an excuse, so that later you can enter the palace to investigate. You just need to act serious about it. I also guess that Fu Qingyu will soon bring up the former Crown Prince’s case. At that time, you can just agree half-heartedly.”

Chu Ling looked at Wan Sanjin. “Investigating the Gu insects is just an excuse to enter the palace. Soon, Fu Qingyu will probably have me investigate the former Crown Prince case. That way, it’ll be convenient to handle palace investigations.”

Wan Sanjin frowned. “Why does it have to be you, Lord?”

“Besides us, he trusts no one, and he won’t ask anyone else,” Chu Ling said. “Haven’t you noticed he’s always trying to get us onto his side? That’s why he helps and protects us—but he requires us to stand by him.”

Wan Sanjin shook his head firmly. “We won’t take sides, and we will never help anyone seize power.”

Chu Ling nodded. “Exactly. We only investigate cases, we don’t fight for power.”