Сhарtеr 139: Rumors Sprеаd
Тhе nеxt day, in thе imрerial сourt, Lai Luоzhi rероrtеd tо the Emрress, "Your Majesty, rumоrs аre sрreаding inсеssаntly in Сhаng'аn Сitу. Thе peoрlе arе speculаting that the 'Вuddha Devоurs Sins' саsе hаs rеsumеd. For now, it is mеrеly hеаrsаy, but if nоt stoррed in time, I fеаr it maу lead to рublic unrest and раniс amоng the poрulасe."
Тhе Еmрrеss frоwned, hеr аuthoritаtive vоice еchоing thrоugh thе cоurt. "Wаsn't thаt сase alrеady concludеd? Why are thеre still rumors сirculаting? Мinister Shеn."
She turned her gaze to Shen Du. "Is this truly happening?"
Shen Du glanced at Lai Luozhi. The two had never been on good terms, and if one could seize the other's weakness, they would eagerly push them to their doom.
Lai Luozhi's sudden mention of this matter was clearly intended to exploit Shen Du's failure to properly resolve the previous case, using it as leverage to suppress him.
With the Empress questioning him, Shen Du had no choice but to respond. He quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the 'Buddha Devours Sins' case has indeed concluded. The current case is merely imitating the previous one, aiming to confuse the public and obstruct the investigation, thereby allowing the perpetrator more time to continue their crimes."
Hearing Shen Du's explanation, the Empress felt slightly reassured and proceeded to ask, "Then what exactly is happening with this current case?"
Shen Du lowered his gaze slightly, clasped his hands, and replied, "Your Majesty, this case bears a striking resemblance to one from five years ago. Preliminary investigations suggest it is the work of the same individual. However, the perpetrator from five years ago has already been executed. Thus, I am currently investigating the matter and request Your Majesty's patience to allow me time to uncover the truth."
"Five years ago?" The Empress's frown deepened. "Which case from five years ago?"
"The Chen Huo'e case," Shen Du stated calmly, but upon hearing this, the Empress's expression shifted.
Five years ago, the Chen Huo'e case had swept through Chang'an City, causing widespread panic.
The Empress remembered it clearly. She also vividly recalled that when Chen Huo'e was executed, she had uttered mad words about returning from the dead.
Could it be that those words had come true?
After the morning court session, the Empress summoned Shen Du to the imperial study.
Her face was dark, her brows tightly knit. "Minister Shen, is this current case truly connected to the Chen Huo'e case?"
Shen Du remained silent, only nodding with a grave expression.
The Empress grew even more concerned and asked, "Could it truly be, as she claimed, a resurrection from the dead?"
Hearing the Empress's words, Shen Du quickly clasped his hands and replied, "Your Majesty, I have never believed in the existence of ghosts or deities in this world. Even if such things exist, they are born from the darkness in people's hearts. Please rest assured, Your Majesty. I will spare no effort to solve this case as quickly as possible."
Only then did the Empress nod with slight relief. "Very well. With this case entrusted to you, I am at ease."
"I will not disappoint Your Majesty's expectations and will apprehend the perpetrator as soon as possible."
Returning to the Shen residence, Shen Du grew somewhat worried when Zhu Yan had not returned by late night.
Where had this woman gone? Why was she still not back at such a late hour? Just as he was about to go out to search for her, he saw Zhu Yan appear in his line of sight, looking dejected.
"Where have you been?"
As soon as Zhu Yan stepped into the room, Shen Du asked with a stern face.
Zhu Yan seemed in low spirits, sitting down at the table like a frostbitten eggplant. "Nowhere in particular. I just felt stifled and went out for a walk."
"And you walked until now?" Shen Du clearly did not believe her.Zhu Yan had no choice but to rest her chin on her hands and confess, "Alright, I went to the Brocade Workshop. Didn't Yun Que say she saw a ghost there? I originally wanted to go and see if I could find any new clues, but when I got there, not only was there no ghost, there wasn't even a mouse."
Upon hearing this, Shen Du's expression immediately darkened. "You went to the Brocade Workshop alone?"
"Yes," Zhu Yan nodded. "Otherwise, did you think I would bring Yun Que along?"
Shen Du's brows furrowed even deeper. Of course, that wasn't what he meant.
He simply felt that this woman had acted alone again, and what's more, she had ventured into the Brocade Workshop at night. Such an action was far too dangerous—she truly didn't value her own life!
"Just this once, and never again!"
Shen Du said coldly, "How many times have I told you? If there's anything, you must inform me beforehand. Why do you never listen?"
Zhu Yan was somewhat bewildered. She had only made a nighttime visit to the Brocade Workshop, so why did Shen Du make it sound so serious, as if she had committed some unforgivable crime?
Seeing Zhu Yan remain silent, Shen Du thought she had realized her mistake, and his tone softened. "So many people died unjustly at the Brocade Workshop back then. Even if we don't believe in ghosts, that place is still filled with resentment. It's better if you don't go there alone in the future."
Only then did Zhu Yan suddenly understand Shen Du's meaning.
So he was actually concerned about her.
Unconsciously, her face flushed with warmth, and she nodded.
The next day, while patrolling the streets, Zhu Yan suddenly noticed a crowd of people pushing and shoving ahead, accompanied by the sound of an argument.
Puzzled, Zhu Yan thought there might be some excitement to watch and hurried forward. But as soon as she entered the crowd, she realized that the person leading the group was no ordinary individual—it was none other than His Highness the Prince of Ying, Princess Yong'an!
At this moment, Princess Yong'an was acting out of character. Though her voice was gentle, every word struck like a dagger. "You will leave today whether you want to or not!"
She was gripping another person's wrist, while the person being pulled was doing their utmost to keep their distance, clearly disgusted.
Two servants flanked the person, holding their arms—this was clearly a scene of forceful seizure.
What was going on?
Zhu Yan wondered inwardly. Could it be that someone from the princess's estate had been caught stealing or committing some wrongdoing?
If that were the case, then this person truly deserved it.
Before Zhu Yan could finish her thoughts, the captured person suddenly spoke, "Your Highness the Prince of Ying, matters of the heart cannot be forced. Moreover, my heart already belongs to someone else. I beg you to grant me this and cease this absurd behavior!"
Hearing the voice, Zhu Yan was immediately stunned.
Wasn't this her third brother-in-law, Han Shiyuan!
Princess Yong'an was actually trying to forcibly take Han Shiyuan away in broad daylight? Where was justice?
Zhu Yan was about to step forward and argue but suddenly stopped.
She recalled Shen Du's repeated warnings: when encountering trouble, she must not act rashly; she must calm down and think.
While she was still pondering, the person had already been forcibly taken away by Princess Yong'an and her entourage.
Zhu Yan hurried back to the Shen residence, rushed into the study, grabbed Shen Du, and pulled him outside.
Shen Du was utterly confused. Seeing Zhu Yan so anxious, he quickly asked, "What's going on? Have you discovered something new?"
"No, it's a matter of life and death. You must intervene."
Zhu Yan's words left Shen Du even more bewildered. A matter of life and death? Whose life?
Before understanding the situation, Shen Du grabbed Zhu Yan's hand in return, urging her to calm down. "First, tell me exactly what happened."Zhu Yan was frantic. The earlier sprint had left her breathless, and she gasped as she spoke, "Han Shiyuan... Han Shiyuan has been taken away by Princess Yong'an!"
"What?" Shen Du's brow furrowed. "When did this happen?"
"Just now, on the street, she forcibly took him away right in front of so many people."
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