TGCFNM -Chapter 508 Going to See Grand Tutor Sun

After finishing the trial of the case, Chu Ling left the yamen and got into the carriage.

Inside the carriage, Chu Ling leaned back against it and looked at Wan Sanjin. “So Lord Lu still hasn’t returned?”

Wan Sanjin nodded. “Uncle Lu Chong told me that the secret passage leads to another residence privately arranged by Prince Qi. After Prince Qi was arrested, a lot of evidence suddenly appeared there.”

“Suddenly?” Chu Ling froze.

Wan Sanjin nodded, his expression turning somewhat grim. “That’s what Uncle Lu Chong said. He said one of Prince Qi’s old attendants suddenly turned against him, led people to search the place, and found the evidence… After it was discovered, he said he felt too ashamed to face his master, so he smashed his head against a pillar and died.”

Chu Ling’s face darkened. “Another arranged setup. Where did Chu Yue get so many people from, and when did she manage to infiltrate them?”

Something wasn’t right!

In the original story, after Chu Yue learned about some people’s hardships, she would help if she could—it was just a small favor.

But in this life, she had begun demanding repayment.

“Advisor Wan, do you know what kind of evidence it is?” Chu Ling asked.

Wan Sanjin shook his head. “I don’t know. Uncle Lu Chong said that after you finish trying this case, you should go straight back to the residence. Everything else will be handled by Lord Lu.”

Chu Ling frowned tightly. “This matter shouldn’t have dragged Lord Lu into it.”

“I said the same thing,” Wan Sanjin replied. “But Uncle Lu Chong said it’s fine. It’s not that Lord Lu is being dragged in, nor that we caused it. It’s just that the matter is too serious—only he can investigate it.”

As he spoke, he fell silent for a moment. “My lord…”

Chu Ling looked at him. “Hmm?”

Wan Sanjin looked at her hesitantly, as if unsure whether to speak.

Seeing his troubled expression, Chu Ling asked, “Does it have something to do with Fu Qingyu?”

“More or less, but it’s not exactly worry.” Wan Sanjin let out a light breath. “Uncle Lu Chong said that Master Fu may soon be reinstated to his former post. And… Lord Lu also asked him to tell us that Fu Qingyu might soon be given an imperial marriage. The bride will be Master Fu’s student.”

“Shi Lanyu?” Chu Ling paused, stunned. “Chu Yue?”

So she would marry Fu Qingyu as Master Fu’s student rather than as the legitimate daughter of the Chu family?

“Uncle Lu Chong said that once the emperor issues the marriage decree, it’ll be the same situation as with Young Master Xiao earlier—it means the emperor is preparing to acknowledge him,” Wan Sanjin said. Then he sighed, a look of confusion appearing in his eyes. “Qingyu… it seems he’s finally about to stand in the position he’s always dreamed of.”

Chu Ling’s brows tightened. Suddenly she lifted the carriage curtain. “Zhang Dong, go to Grand Tutor Sun’s residence.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dong slowly stopped the carriage, asked a nearby passerby for directions, and then urged the carriage forward again.

“My lord, what are you going to Grand Tutor Sun’s residence for?” Wan Sanjin was startled. “Even though quite a few of his students have rotten roots, he himself doesn’t seem to have done anything bad.”

Chu Ling shook her head. “No, it’s for something else. And I also want to confirm whether what Uncle Lu Chong said is true.”

Wan Sanjin nodded. “It would indeed be good to confirm it so we can prepare. Uncle Lu Chong said Lord Lu is worried that Fu Qingyu might pull us into his faction.”

“That shouldn’t be much of a problem. We’ll just play dumb. He probably won’t do anything to us,” Chu Ling said with a reassuring smile.

Wan Sanjin let out a helpless chuckle and nodded in agreement.

—

After a short while, the carriage slowly stopped in front of the Sun residence. Zhang Dong went up and knocked on the Sun family’s gate.

Chu Ling and Wan Sanjin got out of the carriage. After the Sun household steward reported their arrival, they were invited inside.

“My lord,” Wan Sanjin said in a lowered voice, “will you feel nervous when you see Grand Tutor Sun?”

Chu Ling looked surprised. “Why would I be nervous?”

“Didn’t you empty out the Sun residence in Changzhou?” Wan Sanjin reminded her. “And among Grand Tutor Sun’s students, didn’t you uproot quite a few of them as well?”

Chu Ling suddenly reacted in realization. “Oh, right.”

Wan Sanjin froze for a moment. So their lord had completely forgotten about those grudges.

The steward of the Sun residence invited the two of them to the front hall. After asking them to wait, he withdrew.

Chu Ling simply sat down and glanced at the completely empty table. “They’re not even serving tea?”

Wan Sanjin also sat down. “Grand Tutor Sun is still angry, so he’s being stingy.”

Chu Ling raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

“Ahem!”

A dull cough sounded. Chu Ling and Wan Sanjin first leaned out to look outside. When they saw an elderly man stepping in, they slowly stood up and looked at him curiously.

Grand Tutor Sun narrowed his eyes. His gaze swept past Wan Sanjin’s face before settling on Chu Ling.

“You’ve come to see me at this time—have you chosen this moment because I’ve fallen from power and no longer have the ability to seek justice for the Sun family?”

Chu Ling nodded honestly. “Yes.”

Grand Tutor Sun gave a cold snort. “Good! You—”

“Grand Tutor Sun,” Chu Ling interrupted directly. “You’re well aware of what the Sun family has done, and you’re even more aware of the crimes committed by those students of yours. I believe you’re not someone who can’t distinguish right from wrong. That’s why I came to see you today. I know you wouldn’t refuse to meet me because of this, and I also wish to take the liberty of asking you something.”

Grand Tutor Sun seemed somewhat unwell. After glaring at Chu Ling, he supported himself on the chair and tried to sit down. Wan Sanjin quickly stepped forward to help him.

“Grand Tutor Sun only has one daughter and one granddaughter. So I suppose the reason you supported the collateral branches and built relationships with so many people was to prepare for them after your passing,” Chu Ling said.

“What, do I need you to praise me?” Grand Tutor Sun sneered.

“I’m not praising you.” Chu Ling looked serious. “You have your selfish motives, and you truly treat your family well. But along the way, I’ve only seen that some of the students under your protection are simply unworthy of living.”

Grand Tutor Sun frowned but did not speak further.

Chu Ling took a deep breath and respectfully bowed to him.

“This time, I’ve come to trouble you not for anything else. I want to ask: what kind of person exactly is Grand Tutor Fu?”

Grand Tutor Sun frowned.

“The world says that we don’t get along, and many even think I’m unworthy of the position of Grand Tutor. If not for the incident with the former Crown Prince, Grand Tutor Fu would still hold that position. And whether in the past or now, his status among scholars is unshakable. Even so, I still don’t like him—but not because of the dispute over the Grand Tutor position.”

“Then why?” Chu Ling asked.

Grand Tutor Sun frowned and said, “He lacks reverence for the imperial family.”

Chu Ling didn’t understand. What kind of problem was that? She herself had no such reverence either.

Ghost Scholar lightly patted Chu Ling’s shoulder and explained:

“Grand Tutor Fu taught the Crown Prince. And the Crown Prince excelled in every aspect—kind-hearted, diligent… In the eyes of other tutors, this would only bring relief, thinking that Great Zhou would one day have a wise ruler. But Grand Tutor Fu lacked reverence. Do you understand now, my lord?”

Chu Ling’s heart trembled. She seemed to freeze in place.

“My lord! My lord!” Wan Sanjin called out.

Chu Ling seemed to come back to her senses. She looked at Grand Tutor Sun with a serious and solemn expression.

“Grand Tutor Sun, if you wish to withdraw safely, I suggest you resign immediately. Use today—say that you were angered by me until you coughed up blood—and take your daughter and granddaughter to leave the capital at once.”

After saying this, Chu Ling signaled Wan Sanjin to leave with her.

Only long after the two of them had left did Grand Tutor Sun slowly rise from his seat, supporting himself on the armrest. Exhausted, he called the steward over.

“All these years as Grand Tutor, I believed my students were all outstanding talents. Yet I never imagined they would use my name as Grand Tutor to seek personal gain. I feel deeply ashamed. I have coughed blood and fallen seriously ill, and I wish to submit my resignation to His Majesty.”

The steward was startled, then quickly lowered his head. “Master, I understand.”

“That masked evil ghost—has she still been contacting you?” Grand Tutor Sun asked casually.

The steward frowned and nodded. “She contacted me over a month ago… Actually, when she first approached me saying she wanted to help, I was surprised. After all, Grand Tutor would certainly have helped me. But I didn’t expect that after all these years she still hasn’t given up. It’s truly strange.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Grand Tutor Sun said. “We’re leaving anyway. Tell your family to start preparing.”

After saying this, he waved his hand and slowly walked out of the front hall.

The steward also left and began making preparations.