TGCFNM -Chapter 529 Bringing Disaster

The hunting assembly began under the gaze of countless onlookers, yet it ended in a rush.

Afterward, rumors even began to spread—people said that a demonic wind had risen in the hunting forest, and that no one who entered could come out unscathed.

So, in order to dispel the rumors, Mei Gao, who had been busy supervising mining work, was sent to the hunting forest.

The moment Mei Gao arrived, he sensed something was wrong at a glance. When he noticed the hesitant look on his subordinate Chen Bai’s face, what else was there he couldn’t understand?

“Lord Mei, your friend…”

Mei Gao suddenly raised his hand to stop him. “I know. Don’t say any more. I understand…”

Chen Bai looked as if he was about to cry. “Lord Mei, what should we do now? Should we go in?”

“Wait. Wait until tonight… Tonight, you first take everyone away. Tomorrow during the day, we should probably be able to go in,” Mei Gao said, speaking from experience.

Chen Bai immediately relaxed with relief and went off to make the arrangements.

Meanwhile, Mei Gao also went to find someone to make face coverings. At the same time, he thought to himself that once this matter was over, he would definitely pay a visit in person. He had to ask that Lord Chu face-to-face whether the silver he owed still needed to be repaid or not!

That night.

Wan Xing entered the hunting forest with a solemn expression, bringing people along with him. Unexpectedly, they didn’t discover a single guard. To avoid falling into a trap, they even sent someone to test the area, only to confirm that there truly was no one guarding it.

Uncle Hong looked puzzled. “Did Lord Chu and the young master… even arrange things with Lord Mei?”

Wan Xing replied, “No one guarding it is even better. Send everyone in—finish it quickly.”

After acknowledging the order, Uncle Hong asked again, “If we encounter other men in black, then…?”

“Deal with them directly,” Wan Xing said calmly. “If Chu Yue asks later, just say we know nothing.”

“So we’re not cooperating anymore?” Uncle Hong looked at Wan Xing. “Didn’t Chu Yue say she has something the eldest young master wants?”

“That’s what she thinks I want.” Wan Xing sneered, then immediately ordered everyone to begin. “Be careful when carrying the tiger—they want to raise it.”

Uncle Hong couldn’t help but laugh helplessly, but he quickly complied and led the group deeper into the dense forest.

—

The next day.

Wan Xing returned to the Wan residence. Seeing the expectant expressions on everyone’s faces, he smiled helplessly.

“No serious injuries. They just need to recuperate.”

Wan Sanjin happily pushed Wan Xing down into a seat and began kneading his shoulders. “I knew it—big brother is the best big brother.”

Wan Xing looked at him with resignation. “You lot really have the courage to defy the heavens.”

“It’s fine. This time we’ve got Lord Lu taking the heat,” Chu Ling said without the slightest trace of nervousness. “By the way, Young Master Wan, has the matter about Lanyue been spread yet?”

“It’s already in preparation—about to begin,” Wan Xing reassured them. “And this matter will definitely spread throughout the entire capital. But… are you all prepared?”

Chu Ling tilted her head. “Prepared for what?”

“Once this matter comes out, it will clearly point to Chu Yue knowing you were behind it. That means you’ll officially be at war,” Wan Xing said, raising the corner of his eyes slightly. “Have you really thought it through? Fu Qingyu is the orphan of the Crown Prince.”

Chu Ling’s expression remained calm. “He isn’t.”

Wan Xing froze for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter. “Fine, fine—do whatever you want.”

Chu Ling looked at Wan Xing, studying him. “So you’re not cooperating with Chu Yue anymore?”

“Mm. No more cooperation.” Wan Xing nodded. “Because I’ve already obtained what I wanted.”

“So, have you found the den where she gathers the beggars?” Chu Ling asked deliberately.

Wan Xing replied, “Of course.”

Wan Sanjin’s eyes lit up instantly. “Then we should wipe them out in one go! We absolutely can’t leave them with people they can use.”

Wan Xing shook his head, clearly disagreeing. “I suggest that at this stage, you shouldn’t completely tear your faces apart with her. Don’t force her into a corner. Otherwise, her counterattack will be extremely severe.”

Chu Ling understood. “So we have to wait for an opportunity, right?”

Wan Xing nodded slightly. Then he slowly stood up and looked at them. “You need to wait for an opportunity—an opportunity to kill with a borrowed knife.”

After saying that, he left.

Once Wan Xing was gone, Chu Ling began thinking about how they could kill with a borrowed knife.

Just as she was pondering, Steward Liu suddenly came to report that Prince He had arrived in person.

Chu Ling froze for a moment, then sprang to her feet. “What is he doing here?”

“To see you,” Prince He said with a loud laugh. “What? Am I some kind of ferocious beast, making all of you so nervous?”

Chu Ling and the others immediately bowed in greeting.

Steward Liu looked troubled. After all, this was a prince—it wouldn’t be proper to keep him waiting, so he had no choice but to invite him in.

Prince He glanced at Steward Liu and smiled. “No matter. It was I who came unannounced.”

Steward Liu bowed in acknowledgment and quickly went to arrange tea.

Prince He casually pulled out a chair and sat down, looking at Chu Ling and the others. “I didn’t attend yesterday, but I’ve heard that all of you made quite a splash in front of Father Emperor.”

“Huh?” Chu Ling immediately shook her head. “Your Highness, you must have heard wrong.”

The smile on Prince He’s face wouldn’t fade. “How could I have heard wrong? Eunuch Zhang suffered quite a bit. For the first time in many years, Father Emperor actually sent him back to rest and had a young eunuch take his place.”

Chu Ling looked miserable. “Your Highness, it was just that the soil in the hunting forest wasn’t very good.”

Prince He burst out laughing. “Father Emperor personally said that only Lord Lu can handle you all. He said your temperaments are good, but you’re a bit too lazy. Now that I’ve come to see for myself today, it really is as he said—every one of you looks bored out of your minds. Aren’t you going to the government office to handle official business?”

Chu Ling’s expression tightened. After secretly observing Prince He’s expression, her eyes turned slightly before she spoke loudly, “Your Highness, the reason this official does not go is because I feel I am not worthy.”

“Oh?” Prince He looked intrigued.

Chu Ling coughed lightly and spoke seriously. “This official’s ability is quite ordinary. Being specially allowed by His Majesty to attend the birthday banquet this time is already an immense imperial grace. As for the position of Prefect of the Capital, this official cannot take it, nor should I.”

“But this was a favor personally requested for you by Young Master Fu,” Prince He said with a smile in his eyes. “What, do you think Young Master Fu did something wrong?”

Chu Ling nodded decisively. “Yes. Young Master Fu was wrong. The position of Capital Prefect should belong to the most capable person.”

“Is that so?” Prince He looked at Chu Ling with amusement. “But if you refuse to take the post, then the Chu family will have to send someone else to take it.”

Chu Ling’s expression changed drastically as she suddenly looked at Prince He.

Prince He’s smile remained as he simply watched her.

Chu Ling pressed her dry lips together. “Wasn’t the Chu family imprisoned? And besides… who else in the Chu family could take the position?”

“I’ve heard it’s a young master from the second branch,” Prince He said. “He was adopted by the second branch when he was young, specifically to suppress the Third Miss’s ill-fated destiny.”

Looking at Chu Ling’s shocked expression, he continued, “I just met this young master of the second branch. Not only is he imposing and dignified, but he’s also very knowledgeable. He hates evil as if it were an enemy and possesses excellent martial skills. Even His Majesty praised him highly.”

After glancing at Prince He’s expression, Chu Ling suddenly let out a cold snort. “Since when did the second branch have a son? He must have just appeared out of nowhere.”

Seeing Chu Ling unhappy, Prince He actually found it amusing. “They say the second branch kept him hidden all this time. After all, they were worried about the Third Miss’s ill-fated destiny… whether it might bring disaster upon the Great Zhou.”