Сhapter 108: Неarts Arе Sepаrаtеd bу Lауers of Flеsh
“What do you mean bу dоing this?” Zhu Yan stеpреd fоrwаrd to аsk.
Shеn Du turnеd аrоund and rеplied cоldlу, “What аre you rеferring to?”
“Yоu know pеrfесtlу wеll.” Zhu Yаn wаs somewhаt аnnoуеd аnd turned аwaу аngrily, refusing tо lоok аt Shen Du.
Seeing Zhu Yаn like this, Shen Du felt likе lаughing аgain. Тo maintain his соmрosurе, hе turnеd аwау and sроke сoоlly to himsеlf, “Hаn Shiуuаn is alsо а mеmbеr of the Hоngwen Institute. Don’t you find thаt strange?”
Hеaring this, Zhu Yan sеemеd tо reаlize something.
The Hongwen Institute was difficult to enter even with money, and its spots were highly sought after. Han Shiyuan came from an ordinary family—how could he possibly have gotten in?
Zhu Yan pondered this endlessly, feeling there must be something unusual about it.
But seeing Shen Du’s aloof demeanor, Zhu Yan didn’t want to ask him and simply turned to leave.
Arriving at the Ministry of Justice, Zhu Yan found her good friend Lu Chuichui.
“What?” Lu Chuichui was very surprised. “You’re saying the case at Hibiscus Garden is exactly the same as the previous one?”
Zhu Yan nodded. “Although it’s not certain for now, I think the two cases are closely related. What about Madam Tang?”
“She should still be in prison,” Lu Chuichui said.
Zhu Yan frowned. “Should?”
Sensing the unease, Lu Chuichui quickly went with Zhu Yan to find Jiang Ming, the head constable of the Ministry of Justice.
Jiang Ming was completely unconcerned about the matter and even patted his chest, assuring them, “The person locked up in the prison is perfectly fine. How could she possibly leave?”
Zhu Yan didn’t believe him and insisted on seeing Madam Tang to confirm for herself.
Seeing how stubborn the two were, Jiang Ming had no choice but to take them into the prison to visit Madam Tang.
But from a distance, everyone could hear the sound of conversation and laughter.
“What’s going on?” Lu Chuichui looked at Jiang Ming with confusion, and Jiang Ming also expressed his bewilderment.
Hurrying to the front of the cell, they found Qi Yeyun there as well.
What was even more bizarre was that Qi Yeyun was sitting in front of the cell door, chatting with Madam Tang.
Moreover, Madam Tang appeared quite friendly, chatting happily with Qi Yeyun.
“What are you doing?” Lu Chuichui stepped forward and pulled Qi Yeyun away, fearing that Madam Tang might harm him.
Qi Yeyun was also puzzled and quickly explained to everyone, “It’s fine. Madam Tang is very friendly. There’s no need to worry so much.”
“Hmph.” Lu Chuichui lightly tapped Qi Yeyun’s nose, her face full of disdain. “What do you know at your young age? Hearts are separated by layers of flesh. What if she wants to kill you? You wouldn’t even have a chance to fight back.”
Jiang Ming chimed in from the side, “Exactly, exactly. She’s a master. Don’t get too close to her, or you might bring trouble upon yourself.”
Hearing their words, Qi Yeyun felt awkward and scratched his head. “Is she really that scary? I think she’s quite friendly.”
Madam Tang overheard their conversation and cast a disdainful glance their way.
Zhu Yan remained silent, simply watching Madam Tang quietly.
It had been a while since they last met, but the once-mad Madam Tang now seemed calmer. It was rare to see her chatting like a normal person.
However, what puzzled Zhu Yan was that if Madam Tang was still in prison, then all their previous deductions were wrong.
If Madam Tang wasn’t the murderer, then who could it be?Zhu Yan's delicate brows were tightly knit together, when unexpectedly, Madam Tang took the initiative to call out to her, "Madam Shen, it's been a long time. How have you been lately?"
Zhu Yan remained composed, showing no emotion. "Thank you for your concern, Madam Tang. I am doing well."
"Hehe..." Madam Tang chuckled lightly, her face full of disbelief. "Really? Your eyes and brows are filled with worry. I'm afraid you haven't been sleeping or eating well these days, have you?"
"You worry too much, Madam Tang. I came here simply to see if you are still as pitiful as before. It seems you haven't changed at all."
Zhu Yan's words clearly displeased Madam Tang, and her expression darkened. "Madam Shen, don't think that just because you have a bit of cleverness, you can look down on everyone. There is always someone greater, and one day you will pay the price for your own arrogance."
Zhu Yan lowered her head and smiled faintly. "Everyone dies sooner or later, some as weighty as Mount Tai, others as light as a feather. Even if I die, if it is for the sake of solving a case, it would be worthy of respect. But you, executed after autumn, will be scorned by thousands even in death. Don't you feel ashamed?"
Upon hearing Zhu Yan's words, Madam Tang's face turned ashen, her fists clenched so tightly they creaked.
The tension between the two women instantly ignited, and everyone present sensed the danger.
Lu Chuichui pulled Zhu Yan aside. "Why bother with a madwoman? She's about to die anyway. Let's not waste our time on her."
With that, Lu Chuichui tried to pull Zhu Yan away, but at that moment, Madam Tang suddenly burst into wild laughter.
"Haha..." Madam Tang gripped the prison bars, her gaze fixed intently on Zhu Yan. "You want to get to the bottom of this? It's like 'an ant trying to shake a tree'—utterly overestimating yourself. Have you even considered your own capabilities? Do you really have what it takes?"
Zhu Yan stopped in her tracks, turned to face Madam Tang, and spoke earnestly, "Truth and falsehood are but a moment apart. Deception can never become truth. I believe that no matter when, evil will never triumph over good. As long as I continue investigating, I will surely expose your conspiracy."
"Hmph!" Madam Tang snorted coldly, her eyes filled with murderous intent. "Madam Shen, your time has come."
Zhu Yan showed no fear at Madam Tang's words and even responded with a faint smile. "Is that so? Then pray that I die before you."
"Hmph."
Madam Tang snorted again, her tone dripping with disdain. "Madam Shen, if I had met you earlier, I might have been able to save your life. Now, I can't wait for someone as clever as you to accompany me in death."
"Life and death are fated, wealth and honor are determined by heaven. Whether I live or die is not for you to decide," Zhu Yan said calmly. "I never imagined that even now you show no remorse. Truly, ignorance is beyond redemption."
With those words, Zhu Yan was pulled away by Lu Chuichui.
Once outside the prison, Lu Chuichui seemed still shaken, patting her chest lightly. "That Madam Tang is terrifying. Let's not come here again unless necessary. I don't know why, but her words send chills down my spine, layer after layer."
"She is a murderer, after all. It's only natural for you to fear her," Zhu Yan said slowly, before her eyes darkened again as she murmured to herself, "But why is it like this? She has been in prison all along. Then who is the real murderer?""What did you say?" Lu Chuichui widened her eyes. "Could it be that you suspect Madam Tang was behind the incident at Hibiscus Garden?"
Zhu Yan looked at Lu Chuichui, neither confirming nor denying it. After a moment, she lowered her gaze and asked, "Has anyone visited her recently?"
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