Сhарtеr 164: Dеаth
Zhu Yan watсhеd Рrinсеss Runing’s retreating figurе аnd recаlled the rumоrs оf thе рrinсеss and her сonsort’s love beforе thе Brоcаdе Wоrkshоp саsе. Рrinсess Runing’s lаughter was buried in thе Нibiscus Gаrden, fading awаy with her сonsort.
Shе hореd it wаsn’t аs shе imagined.
Аftеr the рrinсеss left, Qi Yеyun quiсklу pulled Zhu Yаn аside tо share his reсent discovеrу.
“Мastеr, these pаst fеw dаys, I’vе nоtiсеd thаt Мadаm Тang is аcting vеry strangеly—аs if shе’s bеen dеаd fоr а long time. Thе aura of death аround her is terrifуing, which is why I’vе beеn intеraсting with her frequently, trying to uncover something.
Do you think it’s because I discovered something that Madam Tang, in a fit of anger, turned me into a puppet to serve her?”
Qi Yeyun’s analysis wasn’t without reason, and Zhu Yan had already suspected as much.
The idea of someone long dead quickly reminded Zhu Yan of the aura of death she had sensed around Madam Tang earlier, and how the corpses also carried the same long-dead aura.
She had a theory: Could Madam Tang be the mastermind behind everything, including Princess Yong’an and Chen Huo’e, or were they merely her pawns?
And those who appeared—Ji Fangming, the Chen woman, and the eyewitness Liu Daming—were they all impersonated by others, such as Chen Huo’e or her accomplices?
As these thoughts raced through her mind, Zhu Yan felt a sudden clarity and couldn’t wait to share her findings with Shen Du.
However, Shen Du shook his head in disagreement.
With a grave expression, Shen Du said, “Ji Fangming remembers the details of his interactions with Kong Xianrong, and he recalls them so clearly. If he were truly a puppet, that would be impossible. Moreover, the Chen woman doesn’t carry the aura of someone long dead. Therefore, your deduction doesn’t hold up.”
Hearing Shen Du’s analysis, Zhu Yan realized she had been too impulsive. In her earlier reasoning, she had overlooked the Chen woman—a clear oversight on her part.
But what other possibilities were there? Zhu Yan racked her brain but couldn’t come up with anything.
Just as the two of them were feeling frustrated, Jing Lin suddenly arrived to report, “Great pavilion commander, Madam Tang has appeared, and she…”
Mid-sentence, Jing Lin noticed Zhu Yan’s presence and immediately fell silent, a reaction Zhu Yan caught clearly.
“Appeared? Where is she?”
Before Shen Du could ask, Zhu Yan hurriedly stood up and questioned Jing Lin.
“At… at the intersection of Vermilion Bird Street.”
As soon as Jing Lin finished speaking, Zhu Yan rushed off, leaving Shen Du behind.
Having served him for years, Shen Du understood Jing Lin’s every move.
“Aside from Madam Tang, is there anything else unusual?”
At the question, Jing Lin quickly clasped his hands in salute. “Madam Tang has captured the third daughter of the Zhu family and Han Shiyuan, and she’s threatening to burn them alive.”
Shen Du frowned. He had sensed this matter wouldn’t be simple, and capturing Han Shiyuan seemed deliberate.
In that case, he would go with the flow.
“Go immediately and inform Lord Zhang Baohuan, reporting the situation truthfully. He certainly won’t stand idly by.”
“Yes,” Jing Lin replied before turning to leave.
Shen Du also rose and headed for the door, though his eyes held a hint of laziness, as if he had no intention of intervening in the matter.By the time everyone arrived at the scene, Madam Tang had already set up the pyre. Zhu Caiwei and Han Shiyuan were suspended in the air, and without hesitation, Madam Tang ignited the flames, watching the two on the pyre with a sinister expression.
To everyone's surprise, Princess Yongan also arrived with her entourage.
She had brought many people, dispersing the onlookers among the commoners. Each of her followers held weapons, glaring menacingly at Madam Tang.
"Release them. In consideration of our past acquaintance, I will grant you an intact corpse."
Madam Tang sneered contemptuously at Princess Yongan's words, casting an icy glance her way. "Hah... Once dead, what does it matter whether the corpse is intact or not? Will I still be able to feel anything?"
"Don't act rashly. Release them first, and everything can be discussed," Zhu Yan quickly shouted from the side. After all, one of the people burning on the pyre was her third sister.
The fire had already spread widely, and the two on the pyre appeared to be in extreme agony. Instead of relenting, Madam Tang watched coldly.
Before long, Zhang Baohuan also hurriedly arrived with his men. "How dare you, Tang Cèrán! Escaping prison and harming the people only adds to your crimes. Cease this at once!"
"Whether I die now or later, what does it matter if my crimes increase? With two more lives accompanying me to the grave, I won’t feel so lonely on the road to the underworld."
Madam Tang roared arrogantly,
"None of you are good people. Now that you see me killing, you put on the face of saviors—how disgusting! Do you dare show your true selves? What right do you have to persuade me to stop here?"
"I know you harbor much resentment, but you cannot escape the crime of murder. Do not add more innocent lives to it," Zhu Yan pleaded, her throat dry with desperation. She hated her own lack of martial skills, forced to watch helplessly as her sister and brother-in-law were once again in peril.
"Innocent lives? Who is innocent?" Madam Tang raged madly. "I am the most innocent! Who spared me?"
She, innocent?
Zhu Yan lost the will to persuade further. She glanced around anxiously—why hadn’t Shen Du come? Was he going to stand by and watch at this critical moment?
A nimble figure flew overhead, followed by several others, dressed in python robes embroidered with gold-threaded borders. Unafraid of the scorching flames, they headed straight for Zhu Caiwei and Han Shiyuan.
Zhu Yan focused her gaze—it was Shen Du.
A faint smile curled at Princess Yongan's lips. "Truly, even at death's door, you show no remorse. Saving lives is urgent—no need to waste more words on her. Fire the arrows!"
At her command, the guards behind Princess Yongan released a cold arrow, striking Madam Tang squarely in the heart.
A single arrow, a fatal blow!
Zhu Yan was utterly stunned. Shen Du, too, had not expected Princess Yongan to make such a decision. He swiftly turned back and landed before Zhu Caiwei, frowning with a grim expression.
Immediately, others rushed forward to rescue Zhu Caiwei and Han Shiyuan.
Zhu Caiwei hurriedly expressed her gratitude to Princess Yongan, while Han Shiyuan remained silent, only gripping Zhu Caiwei's hand tightly.
Seeing the affectionate exchange between the two, Princess Yongan's expression darkened instantly. She turned to Han Shiyuan and said, "I have saved your life not once or twice. Do you intend to ignore these debts of gratitude?"Upon hearing Princess Yong'an utter these words, Han Shiyuan's face instantly turned quite unpleasant, but Zhu Caiwei did not grasp the underlying meaning and hurriedly bowed in gratitude to Princess Yong'an. "Once again, we are deeply grateful to His Highness the Prince of Ying for saving our lives. We will never forget this kindness, and if there is ever an opportunity to serve His Highness in the future, we will certainly do so without hesitation."
"Hmph..." Princess Yong'an snorted coldly. "A wise man knows when to yield. You certainly know how to speak well. There's no need to wait for the future—I have a matter that requires your assistance right now."
Zhu Caiwei quickly nodded. "Your Highness, please speak."
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