Сhарtеr 103: Lotus Gardеn
Qi Yеуun hаd sоmehow leаrnеd about thе matter аnd wаs аlrеаdу waiting for Zhu Yаn on the road.
Zhu Yan and Shеn Du rоde tоgethеr оn а singlе horsе, hеаding tоwаrd Lotus Gаrden, when theу suddеnly еncounterеd Qi Yeyun аlong the wау.
Shеn Du slоwеd thе hоrse’s pасe, listеning аs Qi Yеyun sрokе аbout the situаtiоn at Lоtus Garden while thеy moved fоrwаrd.
"Мastеr, have yоu hеаrd?" Qi Yeуun аskеd ехсitedlу, lоoking аt Zhu Yan оn horsebаck. "Sоmеthing hаpреnеd аt Lotus Garden—it’s а major case."
Zhu Yаn was full of cоnfusion. Hеld in Shen Du’s аrms likе this, her bоdy was stiff and tense. "What exactly happened? Tell me quickly."
Qi Yeyun brimmed with excitement. "I haven’t seen the scene myself yet, but I heard someone was hanged at Lotus Garden. I don’t know the specifics, but it’s definitely a big case. Master, take me with you."
"I—"
Before Zhu Yan could respond, Shen Du cracked the whip, speeding up and carrying Zhu Yan away.
"What’s wrong with you?"
The sudden acceleration frightened Zhu Yan, making her cling tightly to Shen Du’s embrace, not daring to move. She complained, "I hadn’t finished speaking. Why did you suddenly speed up?"
"His information is as good as saying nothing. What’s the point?" Shen Du said coldly, not slowing the whip in his hand.
The steed galloped swiftly, thoroughly alarming Zhu Yan. She felt as if her heart was about to leap out of her throat.
"Can’t you slow down? You’re scaring me to death," Zhu Yan began to complain.
Yet Shen Du still didn’t reduce the speed. Instead, looking at the woman in his arms, trembling like a frightened rabbit, the corners of his lips inexplicably curved upward.
Watching the fast horse recede into the distance, Qi Yeyun didn’t stay put but instead ran after it.
Young and without a horse, he could only chase on foot. The distance grew wider, but Qi Yeyun showed no intention of giving up. He even seemed delighted during the run, never tiring of the pursuit.
Along the way, it truly felt like the body was running ahead while the soul chased behind.
Too scared to open her eyes, Zhu Yan clung tightly to Shen Du’s embrace, wishing only for this moment to end quickly.
After what felt like an eternity, Zhu Yan felt as if her body was about to be jolted apart before the horse finally stopped.
By the time she regained her senses, Shen Du had already dismounted, leaving her alone on the horse’s back.
"Hey!" Zhu Yan shouted at him. "Are you just going to leave like that? Aren’t you going to help me down?"
Shen Du turned back reluctantly, teasing, "The Hall Leader’s Wife is quite capable, isn’t she? Just get down by yourself."
Zhu Yan was too angry to speak. Under normal circumstances, she would never have asked for his help—a simple flip would have sufficed to jump off the horse.
But now… not to mention the bumpy ride, Shen Du had driven the horse so fast that her soul hadn’t yet returned to her body. Getting off the horse was out of the question; even standing up from the saddle seemed impossible.
Seeing Zhu Yan silent, Shen Du paid no further attention and was about to turn away when Zhu Yan called out to him again, "Stop right there! Help me down first."
Shen Du’s lips curved into a smile as he turned away, but when he faced her again, his expression had returned to its usual coolness.
With clear reluctance, he approached the horse, caught Zhu Yan with one hand, and lifted her down from the saddle. In a disdainful tone, he remarked, "Women are truly useless, yet so fond of acting tough."Zhu Yan was completely baffled by Shen Du's words. She had no idea what he was talking about, let alone what he meant.
Just as Shen Du was about to move, Zhu Yan stumbled unsteadily and grabbed his arm tightly.
Her facial muscles twitched as she looked at him with pleading eyes. "I... my legs are weak. Let me lean on you to go inside."
Shen Du looked displeased but slowed his pace nonetheless, allowing Zhu Yan to cling to him as they limped into Hibiscus Garden.
However, once the two entered Hibiscus Garden, they were both shocked to the point of their pupils dilating endlessly.
What was once a lively and bustling place was now eerily quiet.
The stage, which usually echoed with opera performances, now held only a small flame, as if someone had deliberately set a slow-burning fire.
Above the flame, something resembling a cocoon with wings was spinning.
From a distance, it looked like a moth—but this so-called "moth" had a human head!
Upon closer inspection, the face was none other than her missing third brother-in-law, Han Shiyuan.
"Han Shiyuan!" Zhu Yan gasped in shock. At that moment, she also noticed a woman hanging not far from Han Shiyuan.
Beneath this woman’s feet was another small flame. Though it wouldn’t kill them immediately, the torment of smoke and fire was unbearable for any ordinary person.
The woman’s clothes looked familiar, and when she slowly turned around, Zhu Yan was so stunned she nearly lost her senses. "Third Sister!"
The sight before her almost made Zhu Yan collapse. If Shen Du hadn’t steadied her, she would have crumpled to the ground.
Zhu Caiwei’s condition appeared more severe. Her head hung low, and she remained silent, letting the rope spin her around.
Meanwhile, Han Shiyuan seemed to regain some clarity. "Quick... quick, save Caiwei!"
Though weak, Han Shiyuan managed to cry out.
Apart from them, there was no one else in Hibiscus Garden. Panicked, Zhu Yan urgently begged Shen Du to rescue them.
At that moment, Zhu Caiwei also seemed to stir. Her hanging head suddenly jerked upward, and as she slowly raised it, she saw the two figures before her, as if recalling Han Shiyuan’s voice.
She quickly turned toward the sound and, seeing her beloved not far away, exclaimed with mixed shock and joy, "Shiyuan, Han Shiyuan!"
Seeing Zhu Caiwei regain consciousness, Han Shiyuan was overjoyed and quickly reassured her, "Caiwei, don’t be afraid. We’ll be fine. Someone has come. We’ll be rescued soon."
Zhu Yan had no time to listen to their exchange. Instead, she stared in shock at her third sister, Zhu Caiwei.
Weren’t they just at the Zhu residence? How had they suddenly ended up here?
But now was not the time to dwell on that. With both in critical danger, they had to be rescued immediately.
Zhu Yan grabbed Shen Du’s arm and shook it repeatedly, but Shen Du seemed not to hear her. His cold eyes remained fixed on the two figures on the stage.
"What are you waiting for? Go save them! Any later and they won’t survive."
Shen Du still didn’t move. His fists clenched tightly, and after a long pause, he spoke in a cold, stern tone, "Haven’t you noticed something strange about this place?"
Zhu Yan was frantic with worry. How could she care about such things at a time like this?
"What strangeness? They’re about to be roasted alive. Why won’t you save them?"Shen Du remained motionless upon hearing Zhu Yan's words, instead speaking slowly, "This case is exactly the same as the previous Buddha Swallowing Sins case. Haven’t you noticed?"
Zhu Yan was utterly stunned, then let out a bitter laugh. Pointing at Shen Du, she shouted loudly, "You are truly cold-blooded and heartless! What kind of time is this, and you’re still focused on investigating the case? You won’t save them, right? Fine! If you won’t save them, I will!"
With that, Zhu Yan quickly ran to the base of the stage. But with two people burning on the platform, she suddenly found herself at a loss.
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