TGCFNM -Chapter 78 Qingyang Flower Boat

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, two days had passed.

The flower boat parade of Qingyang began at night. By dusk, every household and every inn and restaurant had already hung up their lanterns. Once darkness fell, the entire city of Qingyang was illuminated as bright as day.

Along the streets, vendors selling snacks and trinkets lined the way all the way to the riverbank. Everywhere, young ladies and gentlemen strolled together beneath the hazy glow of lantern light, stirring all sorts of romantic imaginings.

Chu Ling sighed, “The Magpie Bridge meeting on Qixi, ah~”

Wan Sanjin stepped out of the inn holding a token. “My lord, follow me aboard. This year’s largest flower boat belongs to the Wan family.”

Xiao Hua beamed. “If we follow Master Wan, we get a boat ride!”

“There’s food on board, a poetry gathering, and we’ve even invited Miss Zhengzheng from Wanhua Pavilion to play the zither…” Wan Sanjin introduced with a grin.

With eager excitement, Chu Ling and the group boarded the flower boat.

Su He was the only exception.

As the Wan family’s grand flower boat slowly began to move, the smaller boats behind it followed, their poles pushing gently against the riverbed as they drifted forward.

In an instant, the clear river resembled a shimmering silver ribbon, adorned with radiant blooming flowers. Moonlight descended like a veil of gauze, casting a hazy glow over everything.

People along the banks waved their hands, tossing flowers into the river with all their might. Laughter rang out in waves, and the lantern vendors shouted even louder to attract customers.

Chu Ling leaned over the railing and looked down. The lake water rippled with glimmers of reflected light. A small flower lantern drifted slowly along the current, its candle flame swaying softly—exquisite and delicate.

“My lord, there’s a flower lantern!” Xiao Hua cried excitedly.

Smiling, Chu Ling patted her head. Still just a child. “Shall we have your brother fish one up for you to play with?”

“It’s a prayer lantern. It’s best not to retrieve it.”

Chu Ling turned her head.

Under the moonlight stood a man dressed in a pale moon-white robe. Tall and upright, composed and dignified. His ink-black hair flowed down, loosely tied at the crown. A pair of phoenix-shaped eyes lent him a gentle warmth—he looked every bit like an immortal descended from the moon.

Xiao Hua gasped softly. “My lord, is that the ‘Poetry Immortal’ they were talking about?”

Chu Ling said solemnly, “There is only one Poetry Immortal—Li Taibai!”

“My lord! My lord!” Wan Sanjin shouted nervously as he rushed over.

Caught off guard, Chu Ling turned her head and saw Wan Sanjin’s face. She paused, then promptly turned away.

“My lord, are you despising me?”

“I’m not! How could I? Don’t talk nonsense!”

Chu Ling swore to the heavens. Wan Sanjin was quite handsome, actually—it was just the way he had come running over that looked far too strange.

Wan Sanjin stepped sideways to stand in front of Chu Ling and looked at the man opposite them. “Haha, Qingyu, long time no see.”

Fu Qingyu curved his lips into a faint smile, his voice like jade beads falling onto a porcelain plate. “Sanjin, long time no see.”

“You’re going to the poetry gathering, right? Hurry along, haha, everyone’s waiting for you.” Wan Sanjin laughed stiffly.

“Master Wan, you know him?” Xiao Hua asked curiously.

Wan Sanjin took a moment to nod over his shoulder, then glanced at Chu Ling’s utterly innocent expression and sighed inwardly. Their lord truly had been struck by lightning—she didn’t even recognize Fu Qingyu anymore.

Fu Qingyu gave a slight nod and stepped closer to Wan Sanjin, lowering his voice. “Don’t worry. Those who know her should all be in the capital.” With that, he passed by Wan Sanjin, gave Chu Ling a gentle nod and a kindly smile, then went upstairs.

Wan Sanjin stared at Chu Ling in shock. “My lord!”

Chu Ling gazed at the stretch of prayer lanterns floating across the lake. “I recall the innkeeper of Fulai Inn mentioning that the Wan family released quite a few lanterns. Do they bear any mark?”

“Yes—they have the character ‘Wan’ on them,” Wan Sanjin replied.

Chu Ling smiled at Xiao Hua. “Go find your brother. Fishing up the Wan family’s lanterns is no problem.”

“Thank you, my lord. Thank you, Advisor Wan.” Xiao Hua ran excitedly into the cabin.

Wan Sanjin smiled as he watched her go, but when he turned back to Chu Ling, his expression grew solemn. “There are still people who recognize you, my lord. That’s dangerous.”

Chu Ling folded her arms and gazed at the river filled with floating lanterns, her voice soft as a murmur. “When I was at the General’s Manor, I loved heavy makeup. I’d pile pearl powder on my face in layers—I don’t even know how many. If he could still recognize me like that, then he’s the abnormal one.”

Wan Sanjin lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment before nodding seriously. “I think you’re right, my lord. Someone as clever as Qingyu is rare.”

Chu Ling’s features scrunched together as she looked at him in confusion. “Other than being good-looking, what virtues does he have to leave you so utterly smitten?”

Wan Sanjin replied at once, “Qingyu is an exceptional person. But he’s also too pitiful.”

Chu Ling nodded. She understood now.

In Wan Sanjin’s eyes, Fu Qingyu was the very definition of beautiful, strong, and tragic—no wonder he doted on him.

“Let’s go, let’s go—time to eat.” Chu Ling beckoned Wan Sanjin up to the third floor. She truly had no interest in those poetry gatherings and musical performances.

“Coroner Su is on the third floor, right?” Chu Ling asked.

“Su He’s been eating nonstop and doesn’t want to join the bustle on the second floor. He’s quite at ease…”

“Ah—!”

A sharp scream tore through the festive night. The nearby flower boats were still lively with drinking and laughter; many people continued releasing lanterns. Only the Wan family’s flower boat suddenly descended into chaos.

“Young Master! Young Master! Something’s happened!” A steward hurried over in panic. “Miss Zhengzheng jumped into the river at some point—she’s completely dead now! Young Master Song is making a scene!”

“My lord!” Wan Sanjin immediately looked at Chu Ling.

Chu Ling’s voice turned grave. “Let’s go take a look.”

Zhengzheng’s body lay at the stern, having just been pulled from the water. The one who retrieved her was Zhang Dong.

Zhang Dong had been helping Xiao Hua retrieve lanterns when he spotted a strip of gauze floating on the lake’s surface. Through the faint outline, he realized it was a person and immediately leapt into the water.

Xiao Hua remained on shore keeping watch. Then a singing girl who played the pipa came over. Upon seeing the person Zhang Dong had pulled up, she screamed, drawing everyone’s attention.

That Young Master Song had somehow grabbed a vase from somewhere and was clutching it in his hand, shrieking that he would smash Zhang Dong to avenge her. The people around him could barely restrain him.

When Chu Ling arrived, she cleanly and decisively kicked Young Master Song straight into the river.

“My lord…” Zhang Dong called out hesitantly.

Chu Ling swept a cold gaze over the gathered onlookers, then instructed Wan Sanjin, “Advisor Wan, have the boatman steer the vessel somewhere secluded. No one is allowed to disembark. I will question them one by one.”

“Yes, my lord.”

By then, Young Master Song had been hauled back up, drenched from head to toe and dripping miserably. He raised a hand to point at Chu Ling, about to speak, but Chu Ling shot him a sharp glare.

“I am about to assume office in Changzhou. My man went into the river to retrieve a body, and you dare attempt to injure him? Guards!”

“Here!” the ship’s steward responded at once.

Chu Ling turned to him. “Find someone to keep him under watch. I suspect he is the murderer. That performance just now was merely to mislead everyone.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Zhang Dong, Xiao Hua—carefully carry the body to the second-floor poetry hall. Gather all the candles.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Su He—conduct the autopsy!”

“Yes, my lord.”

A damp, chilling presence quietly approached Chu Ling’s back. Moist air swirled around her. She swallowed hard, the hair on her body standing on end, and slowly turned her head.

Instinctively holding her breath, she felt the cold air coil in her chest, barely suppressing the scream that threatened to escape.

“My lord?” the water ghost called softly.