TGCFNM -Chapter 63 Setting Off by Boat

Early August.

With the affairs in Sishui County temporarily settled, Chu Ling left the river matters in Qi Da’s hands and instructed him to keep watch over the county. She then led her group to the ferry and boarded a boat, preparing to head to Changzhou.

Unlike last time, the people of Sishui County all knew they wouldn’t be back for a few months, so many of them came to see them off.

As the boat gradually moved farther from shore, Chu Ling waved toward the bank and then returned to the cabin.

“Are we stopping along the way this time?” Wan Sanjin asked.

Chu Ling shook her head. “Let’s go straight to Chengyang. Once there, we’ll rent a carriage, head to Wanzhou first, then detour to Qingyang, and finally take a boat from Qingyang to Changzhou.”

She wanted to take a look at Qingyang.

Wan Sanjin stretched his legs and said, “When we reach Qingyang, we have to try Sanyang Wine—it’s a true masterpiece among liquors.”

Zhang Dong looked a bit worried. “Passing through Chengyang this time… won’t Prefect Zhang cause trouble?”

Chu Ling touched the token at her waist. This time, Prefect Zhang wouldn’t dare.

Three days later.

After disembarking, Chu Ling and her party followed the same route they had taken before, renting an ox cart to enter Chengyang City. Along the road, the local villagers saw Chu Ling and eagerly came over.

“Your Honor, you’ve come to Chengyang again?”

“Your Honor, is there another case this time?”

“Your Honor, the Mountain God Temple has been repaired.”

Chu Ling smiled and responded to each greeting. “We’ll rest in Chengyang for the night. Tomorrow we’ll rent a carriage to Wanzhou.”

“Then, Your Honor, rent from my place—we have all sizes.”

“All right,” Chu Ling said with a smile, bidding farewell before taking her party to the Fulai Inn. After washing up, she lay down to rest.

The next morning.

After getting ready, Chu Ling went downstairs for breakfast.

Xiao Hua arranged the bowls and chopsticks and said, “Your Honor, that Master Qin has been sneaking peeks several times.”

Chu Ling snorted. “Ignore him.”

“Your Honor, the carriage has been arranged,” Wan Sanjin said, holding a bowl. “The person assigned to escort you happens to be from Yunkelai. They have branches everywhere, so you can return it directly when done.”

Chu Ling took a sip of porridge. “Yunkelai is your family’s business too?”

Wan Sanjin nodded.

Chu Ling couldn’t help but marvel—this Wan family’s wealth was truly staggering.

After breakfast, the innkeeper had already prepared the dry provisions for the journey and placed them on the carriage outside.

After bidding farewell to the innkeeper, the group boarded the carriage.

Zhang Dong lightly patted Zhiqufeng’s rear. “Zhiqufeng, let’s go.”

The horse immediately started trotting.

Once out of the city, Zhang Dong guided Zhiqufeng along the official road. The scenery on both sides blurred past quickly, though the carriage remained steady, with no significant bumps.

As Chu Ling was admiring the large carriage, Xiao Hua lifted the curtain. “Your Honor, someone is waiting up ahead.”

Chu Ling leaned out to look. “Yang Huaishan?”

Zhang Dong let out a soft exhale and stopped the carriage.

Yang Huaishan led his horse over and bowed to Chu Ling. “Master Chu.”

Chu Ling stepped forward, looking at him. “I was wondering why Master Qin had been sneaking around so secretly. Turns out he wasn’t spying on me for Prefect Zhang—it was for you?”

Yang Huaishan clasped his fists and bowed even lower. “Master Qin is currently helping in my aunt’s shop and no longer serves as a clerk.”

“What do you need from me?” Chu Ling asked directly.

Yang Huaishan slowly straightened up. “I would like to ask you to come with me to Wanzhou and help catch a murderer.”

Chu Ling gave him a faint, amused look.

“Master, this is truly a personal request of mine, because the Wanzhou government has already officially closed the case,” Yang Huaishan said with some difficulty.

Chu Ling shook her head slightly. “We are indeed passing through Wanzhou, but we don’t plan to stop there…”

Yang Huaishan immediately handed the bundle on his back to Zhang Dong. When Zhang Dong instinctively took it, his arm sank under the weight, almost causing him to fall off the carriage.

The bundle opened slightly, revealing a piece of wood—dark, glossy, and emitting a faint, unusual fragrance.

Zhang Dong was surprised. “This wood is so heavy?”

Yang Huaishan said, “I am asking you for help. If I were to give you gold or silver, wouldn’t that tarnish your reputation? You seek justice for the people, and shouldn’t be burdened by wealth. So my aunt gave me this wood—her dowry, acquired years ago. It carries a subtle fragrance that can calm and focus the mind…”

The more Chu Ling listened, the more she frowned. Why couldn’t they just give her gold? She wanted gold!

“This stick…” Wan Sanjin tried lifting it. “Probably only Xiao Hua could handle it, but it would work well for hitting someone.”

Chu Ling’s eyes lit up. She remembered a young female general from her childhood story, wielding a short stick in battle.

“Fine, I’ll take the case,” Chu Ling said, letting Yang Huaishan ride alongside their carriage so they could enter Wanzhou together.

Once in the carriage, Chu Ling tried lifting the wood herself, then handed it to Xiao Hua. “Try it.”

Xiao Hua took it easily. The dark stick, about the length of her forearm, twirled effortlessly in her hands. She sniffed it and asked, “Master, should we split this wood to make incense sachets?”

Chu Ling shook her head. “No. I’m giving it to you as a weapon, to hit people.”

Xiao Hua happily played with it for a while. “Thank you, Master. What should we call it?”

“Firewood Stick,” Chu Ling said.

Su He: “…That name is really plain.”

Riding from Chengyang to Wanzhou took nearly a full day. Chu Ling and the group left early in the morning, rested and ate at noon, then continued traveling. By the time they arrived in Wanzhou, the sun had fully set, and the city gates were closing.

The group went straight to the Fulai Inn. After washing up, they ate and went to rest, agreeing to accompany Yang Huaishan on the investigation the next day.

Late at night, the moon hung pale in the sky.

Suddenly, the inn’s main hall on the first floor erupted in noise, growing louder and louder. Tables and chairs were overturned, and some people had begun fighting.

“What’s going on!” Wan Sanjin shouted, running downstairs with hair disheveled.

The innkeeper of Fulai was quick and grabbed him. “Young master, someone said their things were stolen, so a fight broke out.”

Wan Sanjin, still in his cloak, looked over. Two people were fighting, while the others tried to separate them—but there was already blood, overturned tables, and countless broken teacups.

“Over something stolen? Is it really worth fighting over?” Wan Sanjin frowned.

“Stolen? Life’s been stolen!” The two fighting glared viciously, the tips of their knives still dripping blood.

Wan Sanjin smiled faintly, threatening. “I am the Wan family’s young master. If you have the guts, try touching me.”

“Shut up!” Chu Ling snapped, slamming open the door and standing on the second floor. Her fingers whitened as she gripped the railing, her face full of irritation as she glared down at everyone.

From departing Sishui County to Chengyang, then arriving in Wanzhou, these many days, today was the first day she could truly rest—yet here she was, woken up by a commotion!

Disturbing one’s peaceful sleep is unacceptable—like water going down the wrong way!