Сhаpter 216: Thе Wifе Might Bе Stolen Аwау
Раn Сhi was puzzlеd by the sudden departurе оf thesе pеорlе. Hе stерреd forwаrd, scratching his nесk as hе looked аt Zhu Yan and аsked, “Who аrе thеу? Whу did thеу leavе аs soоn аs thеy sаw me? Dо I lоok like а ghоst or sоmething?”
Zhu Yan was bоth amused and ехаspеrated. Who in thе wоrld wоuld cоmраrе thеmsеlves tо а ghost?
“It’s nоthing, just somе friends of оurs yоu dоn’t knоw,” Zhu Yan ехрlаined somewhаt flusteredly, trying to еase the аwkwardness.
Рan Сhi nоdded mеaningfully. He truly didn’t know those people, but their footsteps were light, and they made no sound when walking—they were undoubtedly imperial guards of the highest caliber.
However, considering Shen Du’s status, it made perfect sense for him to associate with such people.
“By the way, have you found anything on your end?” Pan Chi changed the subject.
Zhu Yan seized the opportunity to reply, “Nothing major, but I have a strong feeling that this Ji Dafu is quite suspicious. It’s best to keep a close eye on him.”
“Hmm…” Pan Chi stroked his chin, nodding with a thoughtful expression. “Then let’s have someone follow him discreetly. As for me, I’ve made some discoveries. Do you have anything urgent to attend to? If not, let’s discuss this in detail.”
“No matter how important other matters are, they pale in comparison to this case. What have you found? Tell me quickly.”
“I went to investigate the location where Liu Zongyuan’s body was discovered, hoping to find clues about the last person he saw. However, judging by the footprints at the scene, the last person he encountered had a very light build, unlike Ji Dafu. It must have been someone else.”
Zhu Yan also nodded thoughtfully. “That’s strange. If the two of them weren’t entangled, why would he be silenced?”
Pan Chi furrowed his brows. “If you truly suspect Ji Dafu is involved, why don’t we investigate him first? Do you have any leads on him?”
Zhu Yan smiled faintly. “I’ve just received some information. This Ji Dafu is involved in usury. Why don’t we start by checking out the place where he lends money?”
Pan Chi nodded meaningfully. “Makes sense. Let’s go take a look together.”
The two of them hit it off immediately, chatting away as if they had completely forgotten about Shen Du. Watching their retreating figures, Shen Du clenched his fists tightly.
Did they think he didn’t exist? Why were they chatting so animatedly without ever asking for his opinion?
As Zhu Yan and Pan Chi walked and talked, they seemed to drift to other topics, and Zhu Yan even broke into a smile, which only deepened Shen Du’s displeasure.
Seeing this, Shen Du’s heart sank. If things continued like this, the case might remain unsolved, but his wife might end up being stolen away by someone else.
He couldn’t let that happen. The case could wait, but he couldn’t afford to lose his wife.
His clenched fists made cracking sounds as a thought sprouted in his mind: he should take Zhu Yan back to the capital.
Enough was enough. He could no longer tolerate this and had to take her away.
Firm in his resolve, he was about to step forward and catch up with the two when he suddenly heard faint rustling sounds behind him.
Someone was following them!
This thought flashed through Shen Du’s mind, adding to the weight of his already troubled heart.Without a second thought, he turned and rushed to the alley entrance at top speed, drawing the long sword from his waist and pressing it against the other person's neck.
When he saw who stood before him, Shen Du was visibly surprised—it was actually Mo Qianzhi!
"Lord Mo?" Shen Du sheathed his sword, looking at Mo Qianzhi with confusion. "What are you doing here?"
Mo Qianzhi's face was pale, clearly frightened by Shen Du's earlier action. He quickly composed himself and spoke with lingering fear, "I... I just received a tip that someone was causing trouble for you, disrupting your investigation, so I hurried over to check."
Shen Du's eyes darkened, finding no fault with Mo Qianzhi's explanation.
"It's already been handled," Shen Du said coldly, unable to suppress his growing suspicion of Mo Qianzhi.
From the incident until now, less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Mo Qianzhi had already arrived at the scene. His informants were truly fast.
Put another way, perhaps every move he and Zhu Yan made was under Mo Qianzhi's watch.
Being monitored while working was truly infuriating.
Seeing Shen Du's grim expression, Mo Qianzhi steadied his breathing and bowed to him. "Great Pavilion Commander, the Half-Faced Ghost case has remained unsolved for many years. You must be especially careful during your investigation."
Mo Qianzhi's words carried deep meaning, which Shen Du couldn't fully grasp at the moment, but he had no desire to discuss the case right now.
Regarding the old Shen family case, Mo Qianzhi was also among those who knew the truth. Now that they finally had a moment alone, Shen Du naturally wanted to ask some useful questions.
"Lord Mo," Shen Du said coldly, his tone firm as he looked at him. "When the Shen family was wronged all those years ago, you were among those who knew the truth. I was still young at the time, so some details are not clear in my memory. I wonder if you might have the leisure to discuss the events of that year with me in detail."
Hearing this, Mo Qianzhi naturally understood his meaning. However, he did not proceed to recount those matters to Shen Du. Instead, his expression darkened, showing clear reluctance.
"What? Is Lord Mo unwilling to speak?"
Seeing Mo Qianzhi's expression, Shen Du felt deeply displeased.
After all, Mo Qianzhi had been his father's student. And now, with no one else around, he still refused to speak about the events of that year. Could it be that he intended to stand by and watch the wrongful case sink into oblivion?
When Shen Du pressed again, Mo Qianzhi's expression grew even heavier. After a long silence, he finally seemed to gather his courage and looked at Shen Du, saying,
"Great Pavilion Commander, many years have passed since those events. Moreover, you are now at the peak of your career, with a bright future and great achievements. There is no need to dwell on matters of the past."
"What do you mean by that, Lord Mo?" Shen Du asked calmly, his tone so even that it was impossible to discern his emotions.
Mo Qianzhi lowered his head slightly before continuing, "The suffering of being consigned to the inner palace is beyond what ordinary people can endure. Since you have emerged from it, Young Master, you should no longer dwell on seeking revenge or uncovering the truth."
Shen Du's eyes flickered with emotion. It had been a long time since he had heard himself addressed as "Young Master."
"Since you still call me Young Master, I still regard you as someone from the past. The Shen family has been wronged for many years. As a member of the Shen family, I have no choice but to investigate.""Young Master." Mo Qianzhi helplessly closed his eyes for a moment, then as if mustering all his courage, he clasped his fists and said, "You are now deeply trusted by the Empress. As long as you act with caution, your future is limitless. Why must you entangle yourself with the events of the past?"
"You only need to tell me the truth. There is no need to ask about anything else." Shen Du seemed to have lost his patience, issuing an ultimatum.
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