Сhaptеr 30: Beуоnd Оrdinаrу Rеasoning
Тhe group arrived at thе rеar gаte оf thе Liаng rеsidenсе, оnlу tо discоver that the Liаng fаmily hаd alreadу discreеtly sent реорlе оut thrоugh the baсk dоor.
Shеn Du ехchаnged а glаnce with Jing Lin, whо undеrstoоd the signal and mоtioned for а fеw оf their mеn to follow.
Witnеssing this sсеne, sоmеthing suddеnlу осcurrеd tо Zhu Yan.
“Сould it bе possiblе that, givеn thе lоng-standing disсоrd bеtwеen the two brаnches of the familу, the eldest brаnch of thе Liang fаmilу killed thеir own son to frame the second branch?”
“How could that be?” Jing Lin dismissed Zhu Yan’s speculation. “The Liang family is already wealthy and powerful, with ties to the imperial family. Their son, Liang Chenzhong, had ambitions to earn scholarly honors. Aside from his infatuation with Kuang Zhanxin, a courtesan from the Blue Pavilion, there’s hardly any suspicious motive to be found. To ruin the Liang family’s future over a courtesan—there’s simply no reason to do such a thing.”
Jing Lin’s analysis was logical, but Zhu Yan still felt uneasy.
“The Liang family’s affairs have always been complex. The second branch’s younger son, Liang Man, was murdered years ago, and rumors among the neighbors pointed to the eldest branch. Yet, after all these years, there’s still no evidence to prove it. Moreover, in all our years of handling cases, we’ve walked nearly every street and alley in Chang’an and never heard of any major conflicts within the Liang family. The relationship between the two patriarchs has always been quite good. Don’t you find that rather strange?”
Jing Lin remained unconvinced. “No matter what, even a vicious tiger doesn’t eat its own cub. What parent in the world would harm their own child?”
“The Liang family’s situation simply cannot be judged by ordinary reasoning. In my opinion, there must be many things we don’t yet know.”
“Then let’s wait until we investigate further and see what the truth really is?” Jing Lin held firm to his view.
Zhu Yan knew it was pointless to argue further; Jing Lin was as stubborn as an ox and wouldn’t turn back until he hit a wall.
Just as the two were preparing to survey the Liang residence again, Shen Du suddenly spoke up from the side.
“The second branch’s original wife, Lady Wei, is a distant cousin of the Empress. After losing her beloved son, she became deranged with grief. The Empress was also heartbroken and asked me to look after her.”
Hearing Shen Du say this, Zhu Yan turned to look at him.
“So, if the eldest branch really did kill the second branch’s son, wouldn’t the Empress…”
Before Zhu Yan could finish, Shen Du nodded.
Jing Lin also grasped the implication: if Zhu Yan’s speculation were proven with evidence, how could the Empress let the eldest branch go unpunished?
Moreover, this presented an excellent opportunity to earn merit.
Not to mention him, the White King of Hell—even the Black Yama King, Lai Luozhi, would likely seize the chance if he found out.
But suddenly, Jing Lin felt something was off.
Why would the Great Pavilion Commander say such a thing at this moment? Could it be that he thought the same way?
Zhu Yan’s thoughts once again delved into the case. The more complex it became, the more necessary it was to uncover all the Liang family’s affairs to solve it.
This was a difficult challenge.
Just as Zhu Yan was considering how to approach the Liang family, she inadvertently glanced back and caught a fleeting glimpse of a dark figure in the distance.
Startled, she quickly turned around, her expression changing drastically.
“What’s wrong?”
Shen Du noticed Zhu Yan’s unusual reaction and asked.
“Is someone following us?”
Zhu Yan frowned slightly, voicing her concern.
To her surprise, both Shen Du and Jing Lin remained calm upon hearing this.
“…”
Zhu Yan was speechless, but then she realized: if she had noticed, how could they not know?
“Who are they?”Zhu Yan was somewhat puzzled. She had initially not wanted to meddle in others' affairs, but she couldn't help asking.
"Black Yama King's people have already gone to report the news to their master."
Shen Du's expression was calm, as if he had anticipated this all along.
Zhu Yan was speechless once more. Lai Luozhi's people, huh...
Her earlier unrestrained remarks would likely draw his attention.
Another person had now set their sights on her head.
Her life was at stake; she needed to think of a plan.
Shen Du remained silent, observing every change in Zhu Yan's expression.
Zhu Yan turned her attention to Shen Du. He was known as the White King of Hell, the only one who could rival Lai Luozhi.
"Husband."
The sudden shift in Zhu Yan's tone sent a shiver down Jing Lin's spine. Once those words were spoken, a request was sure to follow.
Shen Du's eyes darkened slightly. Though mentally prepared, his hand beneath his robe still clenched involuntarily.
"Speak your mind."
Shen Du's tone was cool, but Zhu Yan continued to smile brightly.
"I am the Madame Shen known throughout Chang'an City. Doesn't that make me your closest relation?"
Shen Du's eye twitched. When a woman abandoned all pretense to plead, it truly left a man at a loss.
"Let's go."
To prevent Zhu Yan from seeing the expression on his face, Shen Du turned and walked away.
Jing Lin followed closely behind. Watching their figures gradually disappear, Zhu Yan hurried to catch up.
"After all, I am the wife you married and brought home. Can't you at least hear me out?"
Shen Du did not respond, only listening coldly to what she had to say next.
"After today's events, I'm bound to be targeted by Black Yama King. Don't you feel even a little pity for your delicate wife?"
The words "delicate wife" coming from Zhu Yan's mouth nearly caused both men to stumble.
Jing Lin, in particular, lost his footing, his legs going momentarily weak.
Realizing his lapse, Jing Lin quickly clasped his fists and bowed to Shen Du in apology. "Great pavilion commander, this subordinate has an urgent matter. I beg your permission to take my leave."
"Hmm." Shen Du's muffled response gave no indication of whether he was angry.
After Jing Lin left, the cold, dark alley held only Shen Du and Zhu Yan.
Shen Du stopped and turned to look at Zhu Yan. "What exactly do you want to say?"
He asked knowingly, simply to tease her a little.
At this point, Zhu Yan no longer cared about saving face—her life was more important.
"Husband." Zhu Yan once again pushed her limits, adopting the demeanor of a delicate woman as she stepped forward, shaking Shen Du's arm and cooing, "I am your wife. You will protect me, won't you?"
"You only have three months left to live under my care anyway. It makes no difference."
"Living one more day is still living. If I can live, why not? As my husband, it's your duty to protect me, isn't it?"
The night breeze brushed past, lifting the bangs on Zhu Yan's forehead. Her beautiful face was filled with anticipation.
A particularly beautiful woman, especially when pleading, could tug at one's heartstrings in a unique way.
Shen Du felt his throat tighten, his mind momentarily thrown into disarray.
It wasn't until the night watchman passed by, the crisp sound of his gong jolting Shen Du back to his senses.
"Let's go."
Without clearly agreeing or refusing, Shen Du turned and walked away.
Almost as if fleeing in panic.
The next day.
The streets bustled with crowds coming and going.
Shen Du and Zhu Yan set out for Bright Hall to investigate the case.
But halfway there, they suddenly spotted several figures in palace robes approaching from a distance.
Sensing trouble, Shen Du turned and joked with Zhu Yan, "Today is an auspicious day. Perhaps from this day forward, you will become a widow.""Is that so?" Zhu Yan, not seeing the palace attendants, was still vexed by yesterday's events. "If it truly were so, I would certainly book the Hibiscus Garden for three consecutive days of grand opera to celebrate, and even invite Lu Chuichui's entire family to perform on stage together. Would that satisfy you, my lord?"
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