Сhарtеr 194: Хu Jizе
Zhu Yan loоkеd аt thе сrowd with an aроlogetiс exрrеssiоn. "I knоw it's lаtе, and waiting hеre is agonizing for everуоne. Вut until the mаttеr is сlаrified, wе trulу саnnоt leаve this plaсе. I ask fоr your understаnding."
"It's reallу something," sоmеоnе rеmаrkеd. "Who would hаvе thought suсh а thing сould hаpреn? The twо nеwlywеds are a рerfect mаtсh, а union mаde in heavеn. Whо wоuld want tо tеаr thеm арart?"
"Тhаt's prеcisеly the issuе," Zhu Yan quiсklу rеspоndеd. "Sоmеtimes the most unеxpected things hаppen. Тodaу's incidеnt оcсurred precisely because no one was prepared, giving the culprit an opportunity."
"But just because one person committed a crime, must we all suffer? I'm so exhausted I can barely keep my eyes open. Sir, please hurry up."
"Of course, of course," Zhu Yan replied to the woman before turning a serious gaze to everyone. "Until the investigation is complete, everyone is a suspect. May I ask who the groomsman is? I have some questions and would like to speak with him. Could he step forward?"
"Xu Jize, the official is calling for you. Come out and answer!"
Someone in the crowd shouted, causing a stir. But then, to everyone's surprise, they realized Xu Jize was not among them.
"I saw Constable Mo take a few people out for questioning earlier. Xu Jize might be among them. Perhaps you should wait a moment, sir, and see."
Another voice answered from the crowd. Zhu Yan steadied herself and could only wait.
Shortly after, Constable Mo from the duty room returned with several guests he had questioned.
As Zhu Yan expected, the groomsman Xu Jize was not among them.
"How is another person missing?"
"Exactly. Why do people keep disappearing one after another?"
The crowd murmured among themselves, not once suspecting Xu Jize.
Zhu Yan, however, thought differently. As a newcomer, she knew little about anyone present and had only formed a vague impression of Xu Jize based on the descriptions from the crowd.
With the suspect still undetermined and Xu Jize now missing, he was highly suspicious.
Some constables hurriedly tried to calm the guests, while Mo Qianzhi approached Zhu Yan's side. "Madam Shen, do you suspect Xu Jize?"
Zhu Yan's frown deepened, her expression stern. "Until the suspect is confirmed, everyone is under suspicion. Everything depends on evidence. His absence at this moment is merely speculation."
Hearing this, Mo Qianzhi chuckled lightly, looking pleased. "Indeed, you are from the Great Pavilion Commander's office. Your words and actions are so distinctive."
Intrigued by Mo Qianzhi's remark, Zhu Yan asked, "From your tone, Lord Mo, it seems you are quite familiar with the Great Pavilion Commander?"
Mo Qianzhi smiled without answering, then turned to attend to other matters.
Zhu Yan watched Mo Qianzhi's retreating figure, lost in thought. She had been ordered to investigate him, and this man seemed to possess extraordinary qualities.
Outwardly, he appeared diligent and incorruptible, but what kind of person he truly was in private remained difficult to discern.
Meanwhile, Shen Du and Pan Chi, along with several brothers from the Grand Cabinet, were in pursuit.
Along the way, Pan Chi continued to grumble incessantly. "Isn't it too much to mobilize so many of us to catch a single thief who stole the bride? In my opinion, you should lead the pursuit with them. I should return to ensure Lord Zhu's safety."As soon as he finished speaking, Pan Chi suddenly stopped in his tracks. Thinking of something and acting on it immediately was his usual style—he never cared about others’ opinions, acting on impulse and following his whims. In any case, he simply disliked being with Shen Du, that cold-faced King of Hell.
However, the moment he turned around, a sword was pressed against his shoulder.
"My wife is not as weak as you think. All you need to do is come with me to pursue the thieves."
Shen Du spoke coldly, his hand holding the long sword showing no mercy. If this man dared to take another step forward, a fierce battle between the two would surely erupt.
"Great Pavilion Commander, do you really believe Lord Zhu’s luck is that good?" Pan Chi remained motionless, his back turned to Shen Du, deliberately emphasizing the words "Lord Zhu." "What if this is just a trap set by the thieves, or what if they deliberately laid this scheme with the real target being Lord Zhu?"
Pan Chi’s words sank heavily in Shen Du’s heart, and his eyes turned a few degrees colder.
He had already considered this possibility. If this had happened in Chang’an, there might have been some chance of it being true. But now they were far from home, and Jing Lin was accompanying him and Zhu Yan.
What thief would dare to target her?
This man simply thought that since he wasn’t by Zhu Yan’s side now, it would give him more time to spend with her.
How cunning.
In truth, Pan Chi was merely making up excuses, never expecting that Shen Du, blinded by concern, would jump to conclusions.
"I have already sent people to stay behind and protect her. There’s no need for you to worry about my wife’s safety, Pan Gongzi. For now, capturing the thieves is our priority."
Hearing Shen Du say this, Pan Chi felt truly helpless. He naturally knew that Shen Du would never leave Zhu Yan alone in that place.
But he simply didn’t want to pursue the thieves with Shen Du. Moreover, he was a detective, not a constable, and certainly not Shen Du’s subordinate. Why should he follow Shen Du’s arrangements in everything?
He was deeply annoyed, having only wanted to find an excuse to leave this place, yet he was still stopped by him.
Seeing that Pan Chi no longer spoke, a hint of pleasure stirred in Shen Du’s heart. He had finally won back a round. It was a pity, though, that Zhu Yan hadn’t witnessed this scene.
"Pan Gongzi, we can’t afford to waste any more time. Let’s go."
As he spoke, the sword in Shen Du’s hand pressed a little closer toward Pan Chi.
Pan Chi’s face darkened with helplessness, and he reluctantly pushed Shen Du’s hand away, walking ahead.
Seeing this, Shen Du showed no annoyance at all. Instead, a meaningful curve lifted the corner of his lips as he elegantly twirled the sword in his hand and sheathed it.
Trying to outwit him? Still too green.
The group continued searching along the road, but they had only walked a short distance when they saw a panicked figure stumbling toward them under the dim moonlight ahead.
"Who goes there?" Pan Chi immediately called out upon seeing this. Due to the poor light, he couldn’t make out the person’s appearance, but from their demeanor, he could tell it was a man.
The others also halted their steps, and Shen Du grew alert, his gaze fixed intently on the approaching figure.
The person appeared extremely flustered, and as if deaf to Pan Chi’s question, they continued stumbling forward.
What on earth had happened? Could it be that some monstrous beast was chasing them from behind?
Shen Du was puzzled. Seeing that the man was about to collide with them, he directly waved his hand and pushed Pan Chi, who was beside him, into the middle of the road to block the way.
Pan Chi looked shocked, his expression filled with disbelief as he stared at Shen Du.Even with his extensive knowledge, profound wisdom, and unparalleled martial prowess, he never could have imagined that Shen Du, a dignified Great Pavilion Commander, would be so utterly devoid of principles and scruples as to toss him out to block the way.
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