Сhарtеr 22: Рrinсе Ying
"Hahаhа..."
Тhе рeoplе in thе hall joinеd in, banging on thе tаblеs with lаughtеr. Мadam Тang was not like the plumр bеautiеs favоrеd in Сhаng'an. Неr frаmе wаs slendеr, her stature nоt tаll, deliсate as а willow swaуing in the wind—hardlу rеsеmbling а murdеrеr, but rаther morе likе the viсtim.
Yеt Zhu Yаn remаined еntirеly unaffесted. Shе rose and first рerformed а rеsрeсtful bow, saying соurtеouslу:
"Yоur Нighnеss thе Рrincе оf Ying, plеasе understand thаt I absоlutеlу do nоt mеаn tо suspect Мadam Tang. It is onlу that this morning, outsidе the Westеrn Brightnеss Тemрle, I happened to cross paths with Madam Tang. At that time, everyone was alarmed upon hearing that over a dozen coffins had been unearthed within the temple. Yet Madam Tang alone remained calm and composed, as if detached from the world. That unshakable composure, even now when I think of it, is truly extraordinary. I deeply admire it, and thus could not help but ask this question."
Zhu Yan spoke without blushing or her heart racing, which made Shen Du glance at her a few more times.
Prince Ying, Princess Yong'an, was currently the most favored by Empress Zhou Zhao. Rumors said her strategies were exceptional, no less than those of Crown Prince Li Chong. The Empress had even bestowed titles and nobility upon her. If not for Minister Zhang's faction vigorously protecting the Crown Prince, it was likely that Prince Ying would now be the one occupying the position of Crown Prince.
Among the princesses of the court, she was the only one granted the title "Your Highness."
"Oh, so that is the case. Since she comes from a distinguished family, she is naturally beyond comparison with ordinary folk." Cèrán was Madam Tang's maiden name.
Princess Yong'an did not truly intend to pursue the matter. Zhu Yan bore the title of Shen Du's wife, and she herself wished to win over the cabinet, so she shifted the topic, saying,
"In your view, is the murderer truly a woman?"
Zhu Yan answered as before: "Eighty percent likely."
"In that case, it is not entirely certain," Princess Yong'an looked toward Shen Du. "What does the Great Pavilion Commander think?"
Shen Du furrowed his brows: "Without sufficient evidence, this official dare not draw conclusions recklessly."
"Hehehe, the Great Pavilion Commander is cautious in his work, a blessing for Her Majesty. However, I do have a question."
No one responded. Madam Tang chimed in: "What question does Your Highness have?"
Princess Yong'an chuckled lightly: "This palace believes that the murderer could not possibly be a woman, much less live so far away. Over a dozen corpses—even for a man, moving them would be extremely strenuous, let alone for a woman. The corpses come from different places. If the murderer lived far away, traversing streets and alleys would take considerable time. How could a woman possibly manage that? Cèrán, what do you think?"
Madam Tang agreed: "This humble concubine thinks so as well."
Zhu Yan kept her eyes downcast, focusing on her own thoughts. This time, she dared not overstep, lowering her head to stare at her toes without making a sound.
Helplessly, from the very beginning, her hand had been held in Shen Du's palm. The earlier sting in her palm was Shen Du's warning to her.
A warning was a warning—a single glance would have sufficed. Why hold her hand? The person before them was Princess Yong'an, the Empress's most beloved daughter. Shouldn't Shen Du take this opportunity to draw a clear line with her?
"And the Great Pavilion Commander? What you said earlier aligns with this palace's thoughts, does it not?" Princess Yong'an seemed to have a naturally smiling mouth, the corners of her lips always slightly upturned with a faint smile that left others defenseless.
Shen Du's expression remained unreadable, as if the matter they discussed had nothing to do with him: "The cabinet only looks at facts and evidence, and does not engage in baseless speculation."
"Oh, is that so?" Princess Yong'an set down her silk fan, pressing her other hand against its surface. She lifted her long lashes, her tone shifting: "If this palace remembers correctly, Her Majesty did not assign the Great Pavilion Commander to investigate the serial murder case."
Rather, it was to protect the second branch of the Liang family.Such words could not be spoken openly before everyone, but Shen Du—what was he? The White King of Hell—naturally understood.
Zhu Yan felt the atmosphere gradually stiffening. So this was how the struggles among the nobility were—so fraught with tension.
Shen Du nodded, the curve of his thin lips deepening. "I will report this matter to Her Majesty myself. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness the Prince of Ying."
It was as if a polo mallet had struck into a gentle breeze, leaving only silence.
"Hehe, that would naturally be for the best. Since the Empress trusts the Great Pavilion Commander, I naturally trust him as well," Princess Yong'an observed Zhu Yan, narrowing her eyes. "It's just that I found Madam Shen's analysis of the case quite intriguing, so I asked a few more questions. Cenran, what do you think?"
"Indeed," Madam Tang picked up her fan and waved it gently, glancing sidelong at Zhu Yan with a soft voice. "Madam Shen is truly adorable. To have such insight at the tender age of sixteen, no wonder the Great Pavilion Commander dotes on her so." As she spoke, her eyes drifted to their intertwined hands.
Shen Du narrowed his eyes. "Madam Tang, you flatter me. The deep affection between you and your husband remains a beautiful tale among the people to this day. We are not worthy of such praise."
Yet he showed no intention of letting go of Zhu Yan's hand.
Zhu Yan: "..."
Madam Tang's fan-waving hand stiffened for a moment before resuming its motion. "I, too, almost believed Madam Shen's claim that a woman was the culprit. However, if it were a woman, how could she transport so many corpses from afar to this place? And why bring them to the Western Brightness Temple? The Western Brightness Temple is a royal temple, with a constant flow of worshippers and many eyes around. How could a weak woman avoid everyone's notice, transport so many corpses intact from afar, and bury them without a trace?"
"Hahaha, Cenran asks an excellent question. Madam Shen, why don't you explain?" Princess Yong'an clapped her hands, beaming with delight, like an innocent seeker of knowledge. When her phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, their contours were identical to those of Empress Zhou Zhao.
A merciless smile.
Zhu Yan, questioned, lowered her head in thought but did not answer—or rather, no matter how she answered, the outcome would be the same.
Moreover, as soon as Madam Tang drew near, Zhu Yan's chest tightened, feeling deeply oppressed.
"Ah!"
A sharp pain shot through her. Zhu Yan lifted her gaze, glanced at the others, and clasped her hands. "This humble wife does not know." She glared at Shen Du, who remained oblivious, his eyes fixed straight ahead.
"This humble wife shares the same doubts as His Highness the Prince of Ying."
"Oh?"
"Truly, you do not know?"
"How disappointing."
Princess Yong'an seemed weary, waving her hand lightly. The attendants behind her stepped forward to assist her, but then a crisp sound rang out—the jade comb adorned with floral and bird patterns from Princess Yong'an's hairpiece fell onto the table.
Zhu Yan hurriedly picked it up and handed it to Princess Yong'an, but the princess merely glanced at it briefly before withdrawing her apricot-colored half-sleeve. "What is lost is lost. Since this jade comb has no fate with me, let it serve as payment for the Great Pavilion Commander and his wife's meal, fulfilling the fate of our encounter today."
Zhu Yan: "..."
Shen Du: "..."
"Thank you, Your Highness the Prince of Ying. May Your Highness live a thousand years. Farewell, Your Highness."
The atmosphere in the hall did not improve after Princess Yong'an's departure. Shen Du and Zhu Yan sat facing each other, silent and wordless.
Jing Lin held his chopsticks, eyeing the table full of dishes, repeatedly extending his chopsticks but not daring to pick anything up.
After a long while.
Shen Du moved, the rustling of his clothes breaking the silence. He looked at Zhu Yan. "Is this all the courage the sixth daughter of the Zhu family possesses? Pale as a ghost—were you frightened by the Prince of Ying?"
Truly, he never missed an opportunity to mock her.Zhu Yan endured the pain: "If the Great Pavilion Commander doesn't let go soon, it won't just be my face turning pale anymore."
Shen Du then realized he had pulled Zhu Yan too forcefully and immediately released his grip, looking somewhat embarrassed. He cleared his throat lightly:
"Did you notice it?"
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