Сhaptеr 187: Yingzhоu Рrеfеctural Govеrnоr Mo Qiаnzhi
Heаring Мо Qiаnzhi sау this, Zhu Yan cоuldn’t help but feel a bit awkwаrd. Тheу had trаvеlеd а greаt distаnсе, nоt evеn having a sip оf wаter bеfore diving straight intо the investigаtion. It all sееmеd rаthеr rushеd.
Shеn Du, howevеr, аpреаred unfаzed, his ехpressiоn unсhangеd as he remаined silent.
"Hоw саn this be? Тhe Great Раviliоn Cоmmаndеr hаs trаvеled аll this wаy. Еven if thеre’s no wеlcоming bаnquеt, at lеаst tеа should be prеpared to greеt him. To havе nothing at аll now is сlеarlу a sign of disrespect toward the Great Pavilion Commander."
Upon hearing this, Mo Qianzhi’s face turned exceptionally grim. Just as he was about to explain, Shen Du waved his hand and said, "It’s fine. We’re here to investigate the case, not for an outing. The sooner we can close the case, the sooner we can return to Chang’an to report."
With Shen Du having spoken, the two of them said nothing more and followed Mo Qianzhi toward the prefectural governor’s residence.
Zhu Yan was somewhat puzzled. Although Mo Qianzhi had a reputation for being diligent in governance and caring for the people, his attitude toward Shen Du seemed noticeably perfunctory.
Walking behind Mo Qianzhi, Zhu Yan tugged at Shen Du’s sleeve and whispered, "This Governor Mo doesn’t seem very friendly toward you. And knowing you were coming, he didn’t even prepare a welcoming banquet. Clearly, he holds some prejudice against you."
Zhu Yan’s tone carried a hint of sarcasm. Shen Du held such a high-ranking position, yet even a minor prefectural governor seemed to disregard him. It was truly a pity that he had rushed here with such fervor to resolve the issue.
Shen Du, however, paid no heed to Zhu Yan’s words, merely curling the corner of his lips with a meaningful expression.
Due to past events, Shen Du had always viewed Mo Qianzhi through a favorable lens. He was a good official, diligent in governance and caring for the people, always putting the people’s interests first. What was a welcoming banquet compared to that? Being able to serve the people was what truly mattered.
Seeing that Shen Du ignored her, Zhu Yan grew even more puzzled. "What’s wrong with you? I’m speaking up for you, and you don’t even bother to respond. Have you gone mute?"
Only then did Shen Du glance at Zhu Yan with disdain. "He is famously diligent and honest, a rare good official. Rather than empty gestures like welcoming banquets, it’s better to get straight to solving the case."
"Tsk…" Zhu Yan curled her lips, unconvinced. Even the coldest and proudest people enjoyed flattery. Besides, no one ever praised Shen Du under normal circumstances. He probably secretly longed for others’ approval and admiration.
As she thought this, Zhu Yan lightly patted the token hidden in her bosom. It had been given to her by the Unrighteous Agents Commander Xu Xiangren and could command the local Unrighteous Agents. It might even save her life in a crisis, so she had to keep it safe. Shen Du, however, knew nothing about this.
Shen Du went with the prefectural governor to retrieve the case files, while Zhu Yan entered alone to examine the corpse. As she stepped into the foul-smelling morgue and was about to lift the white cloth, a cold voice suddenly stopped her. "Who goes there?"
In that instant, a figure flashed by, and the next moment, a dagger was pressed against her neck.
Zhu Yan’s heart skipped a beat. Could someone have mistaken her for a corpse thief?
"Sneaking around like this, you’re definitely no good person. Are you connected to the murderer?"
The person behind her questioned coldly, his voice magnetic. Unfortunately, Zhu Yan hadn’t even seen his face before the dagger was at her throat.Upon hearing the question, Zhu Yan widened her eyes in surprise. "I'm connected to the murderer? Yes, you're right—I'm here to investigate the killer."
Zhu Yan tried her best to remain calm. Based on the words spoken by the person behind her just now, she could conclude that he was not the murderer.
But with a blade pressed against her neck, she couldn't help feeling uneasy.
Hearing Zhu Yan's response, the person behind her seemed to grow suspicious as well, his tone softening considerably. "What business does a woman have investigating a case? Leave quickly."
After saying this, he pushed Zhu Yan aside and walked to the door, scolding the guards outside for their negligence. "Are you asleep? How could you let a delicate woman in here?"
The two guards looked at each other in confusion, but before they could explain, the man turned back to Zhu Yan and said, "Do you know what you were about to uncover just now? That was a headless corpse—terrifying. Don’t scare yourself sleepless tonight. You should leave this place as soon as possible."
His words carried a hint of disdain, and his aloof, cold expression deeply captured Zhu Yan’s attention.
This man was about the same height as Shen Du, with skin as fair and delicate as a woman’s, and a visible air of heroism between his brows.
He was a rare beauty among men.
But why would such an extraordinary man appear in a place like this? Could it be that he was connected to the victim in this case?
On one hand, Zhu Yan was captivated by the man’s stunning appearance; on the other, her mind wandered with wild thoughts, completely forgetting the man’s question.
Seeing that Zhu Yan did not respond, the man in front of her waved a hand in front of her face, looking puzzled. He thought to himself: Such a beautiful girl—could she be a fool?
"Hehe..." Unconsciously, Zhu Yan suddenly let out a silly giggle, nearly drooling. Only then did the man realize that this woman was admiring his looks.
Faced with such a scene, the man felt deeply helpless.
Being handsome was simply unavoidable—wherever he went, he became the center of attention. He was already accustomed to such situations.
At that moment, Shen Du and Mo Qianzhi also entered. Seeing the scene before him, Shen Du immediately felt uneasy.
Zhu Yan was staring blankly at this unknown man, seemingly even drooling. The man was not only young but also exceptionally handsome. In all these years in Chang’an, there had only been one man as handsome as this, but that person had long since left the city. The thought stirred a wave of jealousy in Shen Du’s heart.
"What’s going on? How could unrelated people be allowed into an important investigation site so casually?"
Shen Du spoke coldly, his tone filled with reproach.
Mo Qianzhi quickly clasped his hands and explained, "Chief Shen, you’ve misunderstood. This gentleman here is none other than the renowned folk detective, Master Pan Chi. He has come to assist this humble official in solving the case and is not an unrelated person."
Upon hearing this, Shen Du immediately realized that this man was Pan Chi, the only son of Jiangnan Governor Pan Duanlian and a descendant of Pan An.
This man was truly extraordinary—young, accomplished, and unconventional. Like Li Taibai, he traveled far and wide, writing unconventional poetry and solving cases, earning admiration among the common people.
What was even rarer was that not only did he possess a stunningly handsome face, but he was also exceptionally gentle to others. It was rumored that the women who fell deeply in love with him could line up all the way from here to Chang’an!
As for those rumors, he didn’t care to dwell on them.Yet now even Zhu Yan was captivated by this man, and right before his eyes, she was acting like a lovesick fool, looking as if she wished she could marry him on the spot. How could he tolerate this!
"Ahem!" Shen Du let out an unwilling, cold cough, instantly pulling Zhu Yan's wandering thoughts back to reality.
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