TGCFNM -Chapter 550 Visiting Xiao Yunsheng

After returning to the capital, Chu Ling went to the Residence of Prince Su to visit Xiao Yunsheng, who was still recuperating.

Princess Su personally led her to Xiao Yunsheng’s courtyard. Along the way, she asked with concern how Chu Ling had been recently, then sighed deeply and said helplessly, “It’s really a complete mess…”

Chu Ling tilted her head to look at her and spoke softly, “The Empress Dowager held my jaw and examined me several times.”

Princess Su’s heart skipped a beat. She looked at Chu Ling anxiously and said, “Don’t be afraid, she… is already old.”

Chu Ling deliberately lowered her voice. “Didn’t anyone think of killing her?”

Princess Su froze mid-step, her fingers instinctively curling together. “There was never any chance.”

Chu Ling exhaled sharply, then changed the subject to ask about Xiao Yunsheng’s health.

Princess Su replied, “He’s doing okay. The recovery is going fairly well, but for now, both his father and I don’t want him to return yet…”

“There’s currently a brigade commander in the palace,” Chu Ling said.

“Mm, he used to be under Xiao Yunsheng. He’s probably just acting temporarily… By the time of the birthday banquet, he’ll figure out a way to return,” Princess Su said softly. She then had the servants open the door and led Chu Ling inside.

Madam Xiao smiled upon seeing the visitors and bowed slightly. “Mother told me about it. That day, it was all thanks to Lord Chu.”

Chu Ling waved her hand and smiled sheepishly. “It wasn’t just me—everyone helped.”

Madam Xiao smiled gently and invited them in, then stepped out herself.

Chu Ling and Princess Su approached Xiao Yunsheng’s bedside. He seemed almost fully recovered, leaning against the edge of the bed, a book freshly placed on the nearby table.

“I was a bit surprised that Lord Chu came to see me,” Xiao Yunsheng said with a smile, gesturing for Chu Ling to sit.

Princess Su and Chu Ling sat across from him. She looked at Xiao Yunsheng and said, “When this child suddenly appeared at the door holding an arrowhead, I immediately knew something was wrong.” Saying this, she handed the arrowhead over.

Xiao Yunsheng took it and frowned. “This looks somewhat similar to the one that injured me, though it has fewer barbs… But if this one hit, it would likely be fatal.”

Chu Ling nodded and said softly, “These past two days, I’ve been investigating the abandoned manor in the suburbs. Besides finding this arrowhead, I discovered many other traces that match these arrows. So I suspect it comes from an organization—or perhaps a family—that produces these arrows exclusively.”

Xiao Yunsheng looked at Chu Ling. “Do you have any suspects, Lord Chu?”

“Mm.” Chu Ling nodded straightforwardly. “Initially, I suspected Chu Yue, because I know she has a grudge against Young Master Xiao. She might have lured him over and shot him in advance to start a fight, ensuring Young Master Xiao would die outside the city… But then I suddenly remembered that night when I went to see Princess Qi, I ran into Chu Yue. I didn’t know her purpose, but she poisoned my face, and I poisoned her arm in return.”

Xiao Yunsheng nodded after hearing her explanation. “I understand your meaning, Lord Chu. Someone who’s just been poisoned wouldn’t recover fully in such a short time…”

Chu Ling nodded. “Yes.”

“To be honest, the moment that long arrow came flying at me that day, I felt an overwhelming pressure, completely inescapable,” Xiao Yunsheng said, his expression serious and solemn. “By the time I realized what was happening, I had already fallen to the ground, my limbs numb and immobile. At that moment, I wondered what kind of master could achieve such a feat.”

Princess Su frowned. “There shouldn’t be anyone using a bow under Lengjue’s command, and Suzaku’s strength isn’t that formidable either.”

“Which is why I suspect it was Nangong Jing, the White Tiger,” Chu Ling said, looking at Xiao Yunsheng as she explained the cooperation between the Nangong family and Chu Yue, and how they sided with the Empress Dowager and Fu Qingyu.

Xiao Yunsheng’s mouth opened in shock, disbelief written all over his face. “I knew Fu Qingyu and the Empress Dowager were together, but I never expected that the eldest lady of the Chu family and the White Tiger were involved as well.”

“Actually, before this, we never took Chu Yue seriously. Just one person—what harm could they really do?” the Princess Su said in a low voice, glancing at Chu Ling. “We are also taking action, but we cannot reveal too much to you. This is also for your safety.”

Chu Ling nodded, understanding.

Suddenly, Xiao Yunsheng reacted sharply. “The abandoned estate outside the capital—using this arrow to kill the former Crown Princess and the officials who supported the former Crown Prince… they used this kind of arrow… and Nangong Jing used the same type.”

Chu Ling nodded, confirming her suspicion that the former Crown Princess’s death was at the hands of the Nangong family.

Xiao Yunsheng shook his head in confusion. “That doesn’t make sense. How could the Nangong family team up with Chu Yue out of fear that the official silver would be exposed? From the start, they were clearly people of the Empress Dowager…”

The Princess Su gasped, clenching her fists.

Ghost Scholar’s expression darkened slightly, and he spoke quickly. “Let me organize this: Nangong Rong betrayed them, claiming the former Crown Prince rebelled, serving as an important witness. The gold and silver that the Crown Prince supposedly amassed were evidence… The gold has already been discovered and submitted, but the official silver was never traced.”

“The official silver is tax silver. Once minted, it should enter the national treasury. But this batch never did. Instead, it was given to General Chu as proof that the Crown Prince hadn’t rebelled. Yet General Chu, overcautious, didn’t hand the silver over.”

“So… the Crown Prince noticed something wrong with the official silver. He was about to report it, but someone slandered him—claiming he embezzled it and was preparing a rebellion!”

After saying this, Ghost Scholar staggered, his body unsteady.

Bai Su was startled and hurriedly steadied him.

Chu Ling felt a jolt in her heart, her voice trembling faintly. “The Crown Prince discovered the tampered official silver and tried to report it, but he was slandered as greedy and rebellious… and in the end, was hanged inside the Eastern Palace…”

“Hanged?” Xiao Yunsheng’s face turned pale as he looked at Princess Su.

The Princess Su instinctively clutched her chest, her expression slightly drained.

“How could the Chu family’s batch of fake official silver have controlled the Nangong family? This was a trap set by the Nangong family from the very start. The Nangong family has always been the Empress Dowager’s people,” Chu Ling suddenly stood up, eyes wide with shock and disbelief. “Isn’t the Empress Dowager’s maternal family supposed to be the Xuanyuan clan? Why the Nangong family?”

“I know a little,” Princess Su said, her face darkening. “A few years ago, the old matriarch of the Nangong family passed away. She often entered the palace to accompany the Empress Dowager; they were very close.”

“That old matriarch… could her surname have been Yang?” Chu Ling murmured.

Princess Su nodded. “Yes, Yang. She was reportedly once a young lady from a prominent household. Later, her family declined, but somehow, she managed to marry into the Nangong family.”