Сhарtеr 226: Wrong Direсtiоn
Sооn, thе yamen runnеrs рresentеd all the rесоrds соnсerning Ji Dafu bеfore everyonе. Мo Qiаnzhi eхаminеd thеm baсk аnd fоrth sеvеral timеs, fearing he might hаvе missed аny clues.
“Imрossible,” Мo Qianzhi sаid аftеr соnfirming оnсe morе, рlaсing thе rеcоrds on thе tаble and lооking at thе peoрle beforе him. “Тhеse rеcords clеаrlу show Ji Dаfu’s аffаirs. Не wаs just an оrdinаry mеrchаnt with tracеablе асtivities, withоut thе slightеst hint оf suspicion. Сould it be that you’vе made a mistаke?”
“Huh?” Zhu Yаn was fillеd with сonfusiоn. Everything that had happened today was something she had personally experienced—how could it be a mistake?
Full of disbelief, she stepped forward to examine the materials herself, but they were exactly as Mo Qianzhi had described.
Could they really have made a mistake?
Shen Du and Pan Chi also furrowed their brows, lost in thought. How could they have been mistaken? If there was an error, it must lie in these records.
Seeing that no one spoke further, Mo Qianzhi continued:
“Esteemed officials, forgive my bluntness, but I have served in Gannan Circuit for many years and have never heard of the Fire Moth Party. Although today’s events are suspicious, the facts are laid out here. Without evidence, it is difficult for me to act.
Moreover, what we are currently investigating is the Half-Faced Ghost murder case. Could it be that today’s events were deliberately planted by the culprit to mislead us and steer our investigation in the wrong direction?”
Although Mo Qianzhi placed all the blame on the culprit, the three people present understood that he was implying they had easily fallen into the culprit’s trap, leading to the current situation.
After these words, no one in the room spoke further. Shen Du, however, remained deep in thought, his brow furrowed as he pondered the sequence of events.
After a long while, he finally said, “Magistrate Mo’s reasoning is not without merit, and it is highly likely to be the case. Perhaps we truly have fallen into the culprit’s scheme.”
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yan’s expression immediately turned grim, especially as she felt she had let Pan Chi down—after all, today’s events had been initiated by her.
“If that’s the case, this culprit is quite interesting, making things so complicated that I almost believed it,” Pan Chi remarked, teasingly looking at Zhu Yan as he asked, “You must also find it hard to understand—they made it seem so real.”
Zhu Yan shot him an annoyed glance. “I didn’t do it on purpose. Besides, when we entered, that man with the severed arm really did look like he was about to die.”
“I’m not blaming you,” Pan Chi quickly explained, sensing the implication in her words. “In fact, I admire your ability to adapt. Today truly opened my eyes.”
“Really? Did my performance today not embarrass you?” Zhu Yan was easily appeased, and Pan Chi’s few words made her smile.
“Of course it’s true. I admire your courage. Speaking of admiration, I’ve never really admired a woman in my life, but you—”
“Ahem!” Shen Du suddenly let out a cold cough, cutting off their conversation.
The two of them whispering and occasionally laughing irritated him greatly. When discussing a case, one should approach it with seriousness, yet they were treating it so lightly.
As if realizing their mistake, the two immediately fell silent.
Shen Du turned his gaze to Mo Qianzhi:"Lord Mo, today's events are truly peculiar. Although there is no evidence, we cannot afford to be careless. To prevent certain individuals from taking advantage of the chaos, I request that you lead the way so I may inspect the military camp's defensive arrangements in Yingzhou. It would also be an opportunity to review the region's overall security work."
"Yes, I will make the arrangements immediately." With that, Mo Qianzhi hurried away.
Meanwhile, Zhu Yan, standing to the side, curled her lips in disdain, showing no intention of joining.
Seeing this, Shen Du paid no heed to whether Zhu Yan was willing or not. He stepped forward, grabbed her wrist, and commanded, "You're coming with me."
"I'll go too." Noticing that Shen Du was taking Zhu Yan along, Pan Chi quickly volunteered.
In response, Shen Du shot him a fierce glare. "I'm taking my wife out for some leisure. What business is it of yours?"
Pan Chi was momentarily stunned. "Who takes someone to a military camp for leisure? Couldn't you come up with a better excuse? I'm not buying it."
"Believe it or not, you are not allowed to follow today." Shen Du issued his final ultimatum, his tone firm and leaving no room for negotiation.
As the atmosphere grew tense, Zhu Yan quickly stepped in to mediate. "Alright, alright, it's not exactly a pleasant place. Why insist on tagging along?"
Hearing Zhu Yan say this, Pan Chi stopped arguing. His eyes darting, he hatched a plan and hurried over to whisper in Zhu Yan's ear, "I'll continue the investigation first and wait for you at the Kelaiju Tavern."
After speaking, he distanced himself from her again. "I heard they've recently introduced several new dishes that are quite delicious. Plus, with so many patrons coming and going, we might uncover some other leads."
Just as Zhu Yan was about to ask for details, the grip on her wrist tightened abruptly. Only then did she realize Shen Du was still holding her wrist.
She glanced at Shen Du's expression—his terrifyingly dark countenance was even gloomier than the bottom of a pot—and fear instantly rose within her.
"I'm talking to you. Why look at his face? Ignore him." As he spoke, Pan Chi actually grabbed Zhu Yan's arm, his words dripping with provocation, which greatly displeased Shen Du.
Today's events were already vexing enough, and Pan Chi, far from avoiding trouble, seemed intent on escalating it. Without further thought, Shen Du lifted his foot and kicked toward Pan Chi.
Pan Chi, quick-eyed and nimble, dodged Shen Du's attack with a swift sidestep, leaping to a distance. He looked at Zhu Yan with a smile. "You must come. We'll meet without fail."
With that, he vanished from their sight before they could react.
He was truly asking for a beating. Shen Du's expression had turned murderous, and Zhu Yan dared not even breathe heavily beside him.
She couldn't understand whether Pan Chi was helping her or harming her by provoking Shen Du to such fury.
Sure enough, once only the two of them remained in the room, Shen Du tightened his grip on Zhu Yan's wrist, pulling her firmly into his embrace. He asked in a low voice, "What did he just say to you? Where is this 'meeting without fail'?"
Zhu Yan stiffened all over. The murderous aura emanating from Shen Du felt capable of shattering her into pieces.
Aside from the tension in her heart, her body was also enduring immense torment.
The large hand around her waist was unyieldingly firm, like an iron clamp, rendering her immobile.
"N-nothing, just..."
"Great Pavilion Commander."
Before Zhu Yan could finish her sentence, Mo Qianzhi's voice suddenly rang out, saving her life."I have made all the preparations. When will the Great Pavilion Commander set off?"
Seizing the rare opportunity of a timely interruption, Zhu Yan quickly pushed Shen Du away and said, "Alright, alright, let's not keep Lord Mo waiting any longer."
Seeing that matters had come to this, Shen Du said nothing more. With a cold expression, he led Zhu Yan out.
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