TGCFNM -Chapter 95 Wan Xing

Outside the government office.

A carriage slowly came to a stop. A slightly plump man jumped down first, set a footstool in place, and lightly knocked on the carriage door.

“Young Master, we’ve arrived.”

A soft acknowledgment came from inside. A man dressed in a dark ink-colored robe stepped down unhurriedly. His sharp eyes swept over the casually open main gate.

“There isn’t even a guard at the door?”

“Young Master, didn’t those commoners along the way say it already? The Young Master here is so hungry he’s even eating bugs now.”

“It seems the Sun family really gave them a show of force. Come in with me.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

“And have people start preparing to move the Wan family’s businesses into Changzhou. Also, Sanjin doesn’t know how long he’ll be staying here. Open the bank first.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

After entering the government office, Wan Xing looked around, uncertain which way to go—when he suddenly heard a familiar burst of laughter.

A smile appeared on Wan Xing’s face. “This way.”

“The Young Master sounds quite happy,” Steward Zhu couldn’t help but curl his lips in amusement.

“He is happy. So happy he’s forgotten to go home.” Wan Xing shook his head helplessly as he followed the sound, walking through an open courtyard gate.

“Haha! My lord, you’re out of pebbles—but I still have some!” Wan Sanjin shouted excitedly, flinging out more than a dozen stones in rapid succession.

Chu Ling let out a cold laugh and nimbly dodged them.

At that moment, Su He had just stepped out from behind Chu Ling. Before he could react, more than a dozen soybean-sized pebbles smacked straight into his face.

The courtyard fell instantly silent.

Steward Zhu froze. Their Young Master… had he actually learned to hit people now?

Su He calmly pulled out a packet of powder from his belt. In the blink of an eye, he leapt forward.

Wan Sanjin jumped in fright and quickly dodged aside.

Wan Xing’s eyelid twitched as he immediately reached out to pull someone back.

But Su He had already rushed forward. Steward Zhu instantly stepped in front of Wan Xing and raised both arms to block.

A packet of powder scattered into the air. Su He immediately retreated, avoiding the wind’s direction.

“Ah-choo! Ah-choo! Ah-choo—!” Steward Zhu sneezed repeatedly, staring blankly at Su He, who had just poisoned him.

“Big Brother!” Wan Sanjin shouted excitedly. “You finally came!”

Wan Xing was just about to speak when Steward Zhu suddenly turned to look at Wan Sanjin.

“Hahahahaha! Young Master, Young Master, how could you hit people? Hahahahaha! Young Master—hahahahahaha!”

Wan Sanjin looked utterly confused. “…Steward Zhu, what are you laughing at?”

“I don’t know! Hahahahaha! Young Master—hahahahaha! Eldest Young Master, I can’t stop! Hahahahaha—!”

“This substance is called the Laughing Poison,” Su He said calmly. “I just developed it.”

Steward Zhu was already laughing to the point of tears. “Hahahahaha! Young sir—hahahahaha—do you have an antidote? Hahahahaha!”

Su He: “…I haven’t had time to make one yet.”

“Hahahahaha! Young sir—hahahahaha—how long am I going to laugh? Hahahahaha!” Steward Zhu looked on the verge of tears. What kind of poison was this?

“The effects last about half an hour,” Su He replied. “Just endure it. It’ll pass.”

“Hahahahaha! Half an hour? I have to laugh for half an hour? Hahahahaha?” Steward Zhu truly wanted to cry.

Su He nodded, then promptly hid behind Chu Ling.

Wan Sanjin clicked his tongue and immediately walked over, holding out his hand toward Su He. “Give me a few packets.”

“There’s only this one.” Su He slapped his hand away.

“Your Excellency, you have to testify for me—Su He owes me several packets of Laughing Poison,” Wan Sanjin said.

Chu Ling gave a soft hum of acknowledgment and looked at Wan Xing. “How did you get in?”

“The front gate was wide open,” Wan Xing replied.

Chu Ling: “……”

She immediately turned her head and shot the others a glare.

.

Half an hour later.

Steward Zhu lay stiffly in his chair, his face pale and drained of color. His entire body was limp, his eyes vacant, looking as though he had just been fished out of the water. He couldn’t even lift his hands.

Wan Sanjin clicked his tongue in admiration. “This poison is impressive.”

Wan Xing pressed a hand down on him, shot him an annoyed glare, then turned to Chu Ling and asked, “Magistrate Chu… is this how you usually… get along so well?”

Chu Ling thought about it carefully. “More or less.”

Wan Xing hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back.

Chu Ling quickly explained, “But don’t be upset. Your younger brother once even propped up a corpse to fake a resurrection just to anger Su He, claiming his autopsy was wrong.”

Wan Xing: “…… No, I meant that when my brother started out by throwing stones at people, you didn’t get angry either.”

“Oh, he can’t beat me. He still hasn’t mastered qinggong, but he runs faster and faster these days.” Chu Ling even gave a thumbs-up. His time in Sishui County hadn’t been wasted.

Wan Xing: “……”

“Elder Brother of Master Wan, don’t worry. Although Master Wan is the only one who still can’t master qinggong, he’s been working very hard.” Xiao Hua set down the tea and even pushed a plate of pastries toward him.

Wan Xing: “…… Fine. I’m not worried.”

“Xiao Hua, is the door shut?” Chu Ling asked.

“Yes, Your Excellency. It’s closed.”

“Good. Have Zhang Dong stand guard. If anyone comes, report immediately.” After giving the instructions, Chu Ling returned to her room to fetch something.

Xiao Hua withdrew as well.

Soon, Chu Ling came back, holding a folded piece of paper. She handed it to Wan Xing.

Wan Xing composed himself, his expression turning serious as he unfolded it. “Magistrate Chu truly trusts the Wan family to mine the silver ore?”

Chu Ling lowered her voice. “Master Wan said you’d find a way to skim a little off the top for me.”

Wan Xing clasped his fists. “Naturally.”

“Alright then. Once your side confirms everything and people arrive from the capital, I’ll report the matter to Prince Rui.” Chu Ling said. “No problem?”

Wan Xing smiled. “Rest assured, Magistrate Chu.”

Taking the opportunity, Wan Sanjin pulled out the mixed silver. “Big Brother, look—this silver is actually circulating on the market.”

Wan Xing’s hawk-like eyes darkened instantly at the sight of it.

Wan Sanjin explained where the silver had come from and also voiced Chu Ling’s concerns. “Big Brother, there’s something wrong with this silver.”

Wan Xing rose and bowed to Chu Ling. “Thank you for the reminder, Magistrate Chu. I’ll send my men to investigate at once. And thank you as well for the invitation last time.”

Chu Ling stood too. “No need to be polite. After all, I often stay at Fulai Inn without paying.”

“Your Excellency, don’t you still have a set of chess to sell to the Wan family?” Wan Sanjin reminded her.

“Chess?” Wan Xing was startled.

Wan Sanjin explained the origin of the chessboard and pieces. Meanwhile, Chu Ling laboriously returned to her room once more and brought out the chessboard and all the pieces, stacking them on the stone table.

The moment Wan Xing saw the chessboard, surprise had already surfaced on his face. But when he saw the chess pieces taken out as well, he looked as if struck by lightning, staring at Chu Ling in utter shock.

“Your Excellency… this is the Linglong Chess set. There is only one set in the entire world. Everyone knows that this was commissioned by Prince Su, crafted by master artisans, and personally presented to the Empress Dowager on the occasion of her sixtieth birthday.”