TGCFNM -Chapter 505 Let’s Make It Bigger

Late at night.

Four people dressed in black leapt out of the Wan Residence, then came to a simultaneous stop.

Yuan Luo, his face partially covered with a veil, looked back at the three pairs of eyes staring at him in surprise and whispered, “What are we doing?”

“I was just thinking that maybe it’s too dark and we might lose our way. Then I realized—we’ve already explored every corner of the capital; it shouldn’t be a problem,” Chu Ling replied.

Wan Sanjin and Su He nodded. They were both quite familiar with the capital.

Yuan Luo was silent for a moment. “…I thought you were worried I wouldn’t recognize the way, since I just arrived in the capital.”

Chu Ling smacked her forehead. “I forgot.”

Yuan Luo: “…”

“Just follow us, and you won’t get lost… but aren’t you going to lose that jade token at your waist?” Wan Sanjin asked.

Yuan Luo touched it. “Since we’re sneaking around under cover of night, I thought if I accidentally drop the jade token, maybe it’ll help us distance ourselves from this.”

Chu Ling gave a thumbs-up. “Excellent!”

Wan Sanjin nodded. “You were born to wear black with us and be a thief. You’re perfect for this.”

Yuan Luo: “…”

“Let’s go. We don’t want Master Mei running into us,” Su He whispered.

Chu Ling shook her head. “Don’t worry, he’s still out mining.” Saying that, she leapt up and melted into the shadows, with the other three immediately following.

After a short while, the four of them concealed themselves along the edge of a roof not far from the Xuanyuan Residence, hiding behind the canopy of a large tree and peering inside.

Yuan Luo whispered, “So many guards… can the Xuanyuan family even get out?”

Chu Ling nodded. “They can. They definitely have a way. Besides, the Xuanyuans wouldn’t dare stall or set another meeting. They’d only dare to sneak out at night to find the Prince Qi.”

Just as Chu Ling finished speaking, a commotion suddenly broke out at one corner of the Xuanyuan compound, and the other guards immediately ran over.

Taking advantage of the distraction, a figure quickly emerged from the Xuanyuan Residence, climbed into a rear gate carriage, and turned into an alley.

Chu Ling signaled, and the group immediately followed the fleeing carriage.

“Master, your calculation was really precise,” Yuan Luo whispered, his astonishment barely contained.

“I didn’t calculate anything. We actually thought we’d have to wait another half hour, so coming out late was expected. We just got lucky it coincided perfectly,” Su He explained softly, adding, “You’ve got good luck, Master.”

Chu Ling smiled awkwardly. She noticed the carriage slowing down, glanced up, and signaled for them to hide.

Sure enough, as soon as the carriage was hidden, a patrol of the Imperial Guards passed by. Once their synchronized steps faded away, Chu Ling cautiously followed the carriage, keeping a close watch.

After a while, the carriage hadn’t moved. Chu Ling realized something was wrong.

“I’ll go check.” She instructed Wan Sanjin and the others to keep watch, then leapt forward. Seeing the coachman still on the carriage, she flipped to the back and lifted the curtain.

No one was there!

Chu Ling scanned the street behind, then lightly jumped up and gestured for Wan Sanjin and the others to come. The group spread out to search.

Bai Su and Ghost Scholar, and Cui Xi also began searching. Bai Su quickly confirmed the direction.

Chu Ling regrouped everyone and resumed pursuit. Finally, they stopped in front of a house on West Street. A man in a black robe lifted his hood and knocked on the door.

The person who opened the door immediately welcomed him inside.

Chu Ling wanted to rush in after him, but Bai Su grabbed him. “Wait a bit longer.”

Chu Ling stopped in her tracks. At that moment, she saw the hooded figure coming out of the house again, carrying something, though she couldn’t tell where it was headed.

“Something’s off. That person is still inside the residence,” Su He murmured.

Chu Ling grinned. “We have a coroner with us—trying to swap someone under their nose won’t work.”

Bai Su floated down a bit, landing on the low wall of the house to peek inside, then drifted back. “There’s light inside. Someone’s talking.”

The Ghost Scholar looked at Chu Ling. “Master, what do you want to do?”

Chu Ling paused for a moment, narrowing her eyes. Then make a big scene!

“Master Wan, go to Lord Lu’s residence immediately and bring him here. Yuan Luo, return to the Wan Mansion and have Zhang Dong arrange a carriage to bring you over. He knows the palace guards patrolling just now; have him lead them here,” Chu Ling instructed.

Yuan Luo’s eyes widened in shock. “Zhang Dong knows the palace guards?”

“They’re all under Lord Mei’s command; they’re familiar with us,” Wan Sanjin added.

Though Yuan Luo didn’t know who Lord Mei was, he followed the instructions and returned to the Wan Mansion. Wan Sanjin went ahead to fetch Lord Lu.

“Middle of the night… Lord Lu will probably be so angry he might hit Sanjin,” Su He whispered.

Chu Ling chuckled. “We need to catch them in the act. That way, they can’t deny anything.”

“And me? Do I poison them?” Su He asked.

The Ghost Scholar interrupted, “Not yet. Let’s first see what they’re saying. Stay hidden; Bai Su and I will listen in.”

Chu Ling nodded slightly. “No action yet. Let’s scout first.”

Su He nodded, and the two carefully approached the yard beside the house, crouching by the wall for cover.

Once the distance was set, Bai Su and the Ghost Scholar floated over.

Inside the house:

Xuanyuan Zheng paced anxiously, “What am I supposed to do… What can I possibly do?”

Prince Qi frowned, looking at him with disgust. Did he really leave his coughing princess behind just to witness this pitiful, panicked display?

“You asked me for help, yet all I see is you running around in a frenzy,” the Prince Qi said coldly.

Xuanyuan Zheng suddenly stopped, looking at Prince Qi. “Why don’t you just kill Chu Ling for me?”

The Prince Qi snorted. “Evidence of your subordinates’ embezzlement has already been sent to the Emperor. Killing Chu Ling won’t help.”

Xuanyuan Zheng’s eyes reddened in panic. “Then what else can I do?”

“What about the Empress Dowager…” the Prince Qi probed.

“The Empress Dowager will avoid involvement!” Xuanyuan Zheng gritted his teeth, his face extremely grim. “The cursed insects… this matter… sigh… as for the embezzlement, if I just sever ties, swear I have nothing to do with it, maybe the Empress Dowager could help me—but the cursed insects are the problem!”

“The cursed insects can be handled too,” the Prince Qi sneered. “Just claim it’s unrelated to you. Who can really force you with a knife to admit involvement? That’s a coerced confession. I’ll speak for you if needed.”

Xuanyuan Zheng relaxed slightly. “Right… I just need to claim it’s unrelated to me. The Empress Dowager will help.”

“Have you cleared all traces? Make sure no one searches Xuanyuan Residence and finds evidence,” the Prince Qi reminded him.

Xuanyuan Zheng frowned. “There’s something in a vase in my study… I’ll destroy it when I get back.”

The Prince Qi shot him a cold glance and stood. “I’m leaving then.”

“Wait!” Xuanyuan Zheng suddenly called out. “Those silver coins from the embezzlement—you got a share too. Where did you put them?”

“That’s none of your business. Just know we’re partners, and our bond is unbreakable, isn’t it?” the Prince Qi sneered.

He was about to leave when a sudden dizziness hit him.

“Not good!” Prince Qi grabbed the doorframe, trying to call for help, but collapsed straight down.

Xuanyuan Zheng’s legs gave way as well, and he fell to the ground.