TGCFNM -Chapter 544 Thinking About the Next Step

After Uncle Hong left, Lu Shi had Wan Sanjin clear a space, then sat down and looked at the two of them. “Speak. What happened?”

Chu Ling sat cross-legged and recounted how she had deliberately gone to an abandoned estate in the suburbs to investigate a case as a pretext to enter the palace.

She then explained everything that happened after entering the palace—who issued the edict, who received it, what the Empress Dowager said to her, and then what happened when she later met Fu Qingyu. Everything was repeated in detail.

“When we left Fu Qingyu’s residence, Yuan Luo said he had seen Gui Wushuang. Looking back, it was probably someone luring him there,” Chu Ling said.

Yuan Luo felt a bit guilty. “Everything started because of me.”

Wan Sanjin shook his head. “Not really. If it weren’t for Qingtong going out to ‘treat his injuries,’ and if Fu Qingyu hadn’t talked to us for a while, we wouldn’t have fallen into Chu Yue’s trap.”

Lu Shi nodded, gesturing for Chu Ling to continue.

So Chu Ling went on to explain how they decided to look for Gui Wushuang. Since Yuan Luo mentioned seeing dozens of beautiful women, they immediately suspected it was the Beauty Gu and followed, hiding in the shadows.

Chu Ling frowned. “Coincidentally, at that moment, Chu Yue appeared and shot a soldier. That’s when Gui Wushuang discovered us and ordered the heavily armed guards there to kill us.”

Wan Sanjin added from the side, “So we were forced to fight back until Commander Ban and Fu Qingyu arrived. We ended up tangled in an explanation that made no sense, and just then, Eunuch Zhang arrived and summoned all of us to the Imperial Study.”

As for what happened inside the Imperial Study, Wan Sanjin recounted everything.

Lu Shi listened and frowned, glancing at Chu Ling. “You’re sharp-tongued, no doubt, but those few are the truly sinister ones—calculating every step, digging traps with every word, wishing to take your life.”

Chu Ling nodded vigorously. “They are definitely heartless.”

“All right, no further issues,” Lu Shi said, motioning for Wan Sanjin to help him stand. “The Emperor will certainly know it was the Empress Dowager, so even if the ministers remonstrate tomorrow, he might not actually punish you. But appearances need to be handled properly.”

Su He understood. “Then I’ll poison a few more people tonight.”

Lu Shi thought for a moment. “I’ll give you a list and have Lu Chong escort you. Conveniently, there have been some troublesome people around lately.”

Chu Ling raised an eyebrow, shocked. “This… is something Lord Lu would do?”

Lu Shi snorted. “Special times call for special measures.”

Su He nodded. “This is simple. Leave it to me.”

Lu Shi looked at Chu Ling. “According to what you said, Chu Yue has considerable influence and many allies. If you have Hong Shiyuan place the Lanyue matter on her, she’ll definitely know it was you. She’ll likely resolve to take action against you.”

“She’s always been against us anyway, because I’m useless to her,” Chu Ling said, spreading her hands in innocent frustration. “So this is me saving myself.”

“If Chu Yue wants to move against you, there are only a few options: one, act personally; two, act through Fu Qingyu. But as it stands, Fu Qingyu doesn’t intend to wipe you out—he still wants your help, so no problem. Three, act through the Empress Dowager. After this incident, she’ll probably be more restrained, so just watch her personally and you’ll be fine.”

Chu Ling nodded, suddenly remembering a suspicion, and looked at Yuan Luo.

Yuan Luo understood. “I’ll keep watch for you. Your affairs in the court, you handle yourselves.”

With that, Yuan Luo went out to keep watch.

Chu Ling looked at Lu Shi, feeling conflicted. Should she say it or not…

Lu Shi studied her expression carefully and asked, “This involves a lot of people? The former crown prince? The Empress Dowager?”

Chu Ling nodded slightly. “All of them, and also General Chu.”

“Then speak. I’m listening,” Lu Shi said.

Chu Ling nodded and recounted her suspicion that the Nangong family had aligned with the Empress Dowager. She also mentioned the fake official silver of the Chu family, Chu Yue’s reliance on it, and, finally, in an uncertain tone, spoke of Chu Rou’s ability to foresee the future—and that Chu Yue seemed to share a similar ability.

Lu Shi squinted slightly as he looked at Chu Ling. “I don’t know if this foresight is real, but if we take it as true, it could explain Chu Yue’s actions… But just because they foresee the future, does it mean it will definitely happen?”

“All things follow patterns. Once an old pattern is broken, a new one emerges… If she can foresee, then she will try to change things. And once she changes, changes will follow. While she is making changes, we are making changes too. Everyone is changing. She’s not above us… So, foresight isn’t something to worry about,” Lu Shi said.

She bowed. “Lord Lu, I’ve noted it.”

“As for the official silver—if she can use it as a bargaining chip to make the Nangong family side with either the Empress Dowager or Fu Qingyu, then the silver is also the key to breaking her scheme… If that’s the case, why isn’t she worried?” Lu Shi lowered his gaze in thought, then suddenly looked up sharply at Chu Ling.

Chu Ling’s heart skipped a beat and she instinctively swallowed.

“She thinks you won’t dare use the silver as leverage because it would implicate you. As long as you don’t dare, no one else will. And if the Chu family is safe, she is safe too,” Lu Shi said, looking at Chu Ling. “Right now, Fu Qingyu has the support of the Nangong family, the only great clan, and also the Empress Dowager. As the legitimate daughter of the General’s household, Chu Yue will find it easier to gain the support of the Zhou soldiers. They just need one opportunity.”

“Then His Majesty… what’s with the insect magic and the quest for immortality?” Wan Sanjin muttered.

Lu Shi shook his head slightly. “He may seek it, but he still holds considerable power. Otherwise, why would the Empress Dowager test him step by step instead of seizing everything at once? She doesn’t have absolute certainty either.”

Chu Ling suddenly realized that both the Ghost Scholar and Lord Lu shared a trait: once they no longer cared about imperial power, their words became fearless, almost mocking in tone.

Lu Shi glanced at her. “Don’t make up stories about me in your head. I only know what I know because Prince Rui discovered some things.”

Chu Ling shook her head vigorously. “I didn’t.”

Lu Shi gave her a sidelong glance. “Yeah, right.”

“Then, Lord Lu, are you siding with Prince Rui now?” Wan Sanjin asked Chu Ling. “If so, we’ll join too—we’re all in the same boat.”

“I’m not siding with anyone!” Lu Shi snapped and slapped the air.

Wan Sanjin flinched and pulled his arms in to avoid it.

“All I know is, if things continue according to their plans, the Zhou won’t survive. The Dayuan will absorb it, the people will be displaced, and this world will become like a hell. How can I ever return home to live peacefully?” Lu Shi glared at them, then left the prison with Su He. After letting Yuan Luo in, he locked the cell.

“You all should reflect on yourselves in there and think carefully about the next step,” Lu Shi said, deliberately glancing at Chu Ling before turning to leave.

The Ghost Scholar spoke softly, “Master said a few more words, and Lord Lu figured it out.”

Chu Ling pressed her hands against the prison bars, pitifully saying, “I do need to think about the next step. I can’t just harm the enemy a thousand and hurt myself eight hundred.”

“That’s wrong,” Wan Sanjin shook his head. “If the other party is Chu Yue, then Master would probably be the one harming herself a thousand while only wounding her eight hundred.”