TGCFNM -Chapter 535 Who Else Can Be Used

Just as the furious Chu Yue was about to go find Chu Ling to settle accounts, another message came from Fu Qingyu in the palace, asking her to wait a little longer.

Chu Yue could do nothing but swallow her anger for the time being.

Meanwhile, Chu Ling and the others, hated and cursed by Chu Yue, were enjoying good food, good drink, and a comfortable sleep. The next day, they even took gifts to visit Prince He, who was temporarily staying in the capital.

However, Prince He didn’t keep them long; after a few simple words, Chu Ling and Wan Sanjin left.

After leaving, they didn’t return to the Wàn residence, but went straight to the Lu residence.

Returning to the residence from his office, Lu Shi was surprised to see the two “monkeys.” Although it seemed they had come just to amuse his wife, it was clear they had a purpose.

So, Lu Shi called them into the study.

Glancing at them, Lu Shi said, “Speak. What’s the matter?”

Chu Ling’s expression was serious. “Prince He used information about Chu family’s second branch as leverage, asking us to investigate that abandoned house on the outskirts of the capital. He also said the house owner’s surname was Qín and told us to come find you.”

Lu Shi paused with his hand on the case files, looking at Chu Ling in surprise. “So… it was you who caused all this?”

Chu Ling gave a sly grin, and the meaning was clear.

Lu Shi couldn’t help but chuckle and shook his head. “Mei Gao didn’t mention a word about you guys.”

Wan Sanjin, feeling a little guilty, turned his head. Lu Shi noticed immediately and asked directly, “What did you do? You look like you have something to hide.”

“Lord Mei treats us so well… truly a good friend,” Wan Sanjin said sincerely, deeply moved.

Lu Shi: “…Anyway, this fire won’t reach you, but you should still be careful yourselves.”

Chu Ling and Wan Sanjin nodded in unison, then looked at Lu Shi expectantly.

After a moment of silence, Lu Shi looked at them and said, “Since Prince He sent you, I’ll tell you a little. This case was originally handled by me, though there are no case files left… because the higher-ups didn’t allow it.”

With a sigh, Lu Shi pressed his hand down and motioned for them to sit.

“Even after all these years, I still remember a woodcutter who stumbled in, reporting the case. He was covered in blood and barely conscious. But the moment he mentioned that household’s lady, he burst into tears. He said she was a good person; whenever he delivered firewood, they treated him with courtesy, and once even let him stay the night.”

“I followed him all the way to the outskirts of the capital. Before we even reached the house, the stench of blood hit me—I was terrified. I went in with Lu Chong…”

“It was nothing short of hell…”

Lu Shi’s eyes still carried a trace of that fear as he looked at the two of them. “There were corpses everywhere—servants, maids, elderly stewards, cooks wielding knives desperately… even officials who had once firmly stood by the Crown Prince.”

“My instincts told me something was wrong, so I followed the trail of bodies further inside… Until, in one room, I saw the Crown Princess, already dead, and the wet nurse who had taken a blade for her, lying dead by her side.”

Chu Ling was shocked: A wet nurse? Was this the one who had cared for the Crown Princess since childhood, or a later-hired one?

Lu Shi continued, “Lu Chong personally brought his wife to examine her. The Crown Princess was likely weak and feeble, which is why she was sitting in a chair… And in a way, she died with some dignity, because there were no major injuries on her body—only her eyes were wide open, as if questioning someone, refusing to close even in death.”

“At that time, I immediately reported back to the capital, but I didn’t expect to first hear that the Crown Prince had taken his own life in the Eastern Palace. Moreover, the Emperor had already concluded that the late Crown Prince had committed suicide out of fear, with the charge of treason confirmed, evidence irrefutable, and even Lord Nangong personally testifying…”

“But the massacre of the entire family was a separate major case. Even if the Crown Prince had died, it should have been investigated. Yet when I requested imperial permission to investigate it, I was told that Prince Qi was in charge of the case. Soon after, the case was closed, with the conclusion that a wild beast had descended from the mountains, causing the entire household to perish.”

Chu Ling felt a surge of indignation. “This is outrageous! How could it possibly have been a wild beast?”

“Yes, how could it be?” Lu Shi could only laugh bitterly. “Yet that was the final conclusion. That’s why I used my connections to investigate further.”

Chu Ling and Wan Sanjin held their breath, waiting.

Lu Shi slammed his fist on the table. “I can confirm that they were all killed, and the killer’s method was clean and efficient—clearly aimed at silencing them. At that moment, I thought, who could possibly have the ability to silently kill so many people? That’s why I warned you not to trust anyone—especially those in power!”

Lu Shi’s eyes were bloodshot, his face full of sorrow.

Chu Ling’s nose tingled. “Lord Lu…”

Lu Shi exhaled deeply, pressing his palms hard against the table. “The reason I’m willing to reveal everything to you is because of Prince He. Prince He, a man who normally keeps his distance, suddenly brought up this matter on his own. That means the events from seventeen years ago can be brought up again.”

Chu Ling nodded sharply.

Lu Shi looked at her, a trace of worry in his eyes. “You’ve probably guessed something. Do you think you can handle this case?”

“I can.” Chu Ling answered firmly, then added with conviction, “I can!”

Lu Shi let out a long breath. “This case has no eyewitnesses, no physical evidence, no autopsy report… so you’ll have to figure out a way.”

“Lastly, there’s one more thing I must tell you.”

Chu Ling nodded. “Please, go on.”

Lu Shi spoke slowly, his voice heavy. “Lu Chong’s wife said that at the time, the Crown Princess had likely just given birth and hadn’t even reached a full month postpartum.”

Wan Sanjin’s mouth dropped in shock. “So, Fu Qingyu still had a younger brother or sister?”

“The Crown Prince had two children,” Chu Ling murmured softly. “Lord Lu, I’ve taken note, but that isn’t the main point. The main focus, in my opinion, lies with the Nangong family.”

“Nangong Rong?” Lu Shi asked.

Chu Ling nodded. “Even after the old case of the Crown Prince was reopened and Fu Qingyu’s identity was acknowledged, Nangong Rong, who gave false testimony at the time, suffered no consequences. That doesn’t seem right.”

“Yes. The Emperor still trusts him, as if forgetting the whole matter,” Lu Shi said.

Chu Ling frowned. “Logically, the Crown Princess had just given birth and was resting, so there’s no way she could have summoned all the officials to the residence… Plus, given the urgency at the time, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess wouldn’t have been the type to involve others in a doomed situation. So those officials likely received the information from elsewhere, which is why they all rushed over.”

Lu Shi nodded. “Something was indeed off, but it doesn’t match Nangong Rong’s timeline. I checked.”

Chu Ling replied, “I think the same. He didn’t have time to report the news… So, besides Nangong Rong, who else could have been involved…”