Сhарter 35: Soаking in thе Ноt Sрrings
The mediсinаl hot spring рool wаs аt а реrfеct temрerature, with rising steam cаrrуing a fаint, refrеshing hеrbаl frаgranсе.
Sоаking hеre rеgularly would undоubtеdly strеngthen the bodу, making it an еxcеllеnt рlасе fоr health рrеservаtiоn.
Еntering thе pооl, Zhu Yan quietlу sаvorеd the moment’s trаnquility, her eуеs slightlу lowеred. The sеnsаtiоn was inсrеdiblу sооthing.
Мadаm Тang fоllowеd closеly bеhind, sеttling intо the wаtеr bеsidе her. “How is it? Тhe medicinal spring fеels quite eхtraordinаry, dоеsn’t it?”
“Mm.” Zhu Yаn let her guard down slightly and nodded, lifting her gaze to Madam Tang. However, her attention was immediately drawn to a red mark on Madam Tang’s shoulder.
It was a red mark resembling a birthmark, about the size of a palm. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was a tattoo.
A fiery red tattoo...
In this era, tattoos were uncommon, typically seen only on criminals or members of certain special sects.
Where, then, did Madam Tang’s tattoo come from?
Noticing Zhu Yan’s lingering gaze on the tattoo on her shoulder, Madam Tang lowered her eyes and smiled, offering an explanation. “This is a fire moth. There’s a legend about it—it’s said that as long as it doesn’t die by accident, it will live forever.”
Zhu Yan was taken aback. She had never seen such a thing before, nor had she heard such a legend.
Madam Tang lowered her gaze, a hint of melancholy in her expression, as if recalling some past events.
“Many years ago, out of youthful ignorance, I joined a sect. The fire moth was the symbol of that sect. Though many years have passed and I’ve long since moved on, this mark can never be washed away.”
Zhu Yan nodded, not fully understanding. “I imagine Madam Tang was quite a spirited woman in her youth. Zhu Yan admires that.”
Madam Tang scooped some medicinal spring water and gently patted her slender neck, smiling faintly. “Life is only a few short decades. If there’s something you want to do, don’t hesitate. Once youth has passed, even if you still have the desire to pursue your dreams, you may lack the strength.”
“Madam Tang speaks wisely. Zhu Yan will remember this.”
Zhu Yan quickly agreed. Although she still regarded Madam Tang as a suspect in her heart, she wasn’t foolish enough to contradict her under the current circumstances.
“Lady Shen is naturally intelligent and shares a deep bond with the Great Pavilion Commander. Entrusting the serial murder case in Chang’an to the two of you is truly reassuring. However, it’s been quite some time now, and the case still hasn’t been closed. Have you encountered any difficulties?”
Zhu Yan had known all along that Madam Tang wouldn’t invite her to soak in the medicinal hot spring without a reason.
Now that the topic was brought up, it was clear Madam Tang wanted to learn about the progress of the case.
“What difficulties could there be?” Zhu Yan said casually. “The case is progressing smoothly. As long as no one deliberately stirs up trouble, the culprit will soon be caught.”
“Lady Shen, you jest. This case was entrusted to you by Her Majesty the Empress. Who would dare to interfere?”
“Madam Tang is absolutely right. It’s merely Zhu Yan overthinking things.”
Hearing this, Madam Tang said no more.
Zhu Yan was far too clever. Trying to extract details about the case’s progress from her was likely impossible.
Just as the two were resting with their eyes closed, a palace maid entered from behind to deliver a message. “Lady Shen, Her Highness the Princess has ordered that after you change your clothes, you are to proceed directly to the side hall. The Princess has matters to discuss with you.”
The palace maid delivering the message was none other than the head stewardess of this place, a voice Zhu Yan recognized."Alright, I'll go right away."
Upon receiving the summons, Zhu Yan no longer lingered on the sensation the medicinal spring had given her.
She rose and headed to the changing room.
Seeing Zhu Yan depart, Madam Tang did not stay long either, soon getting up to leave.
What Zhu Yan was thinking, Madam Tang understood perfectly. To dispel Zhu Yan's suspicions of her, after changing clothes, Madam Tang once again walked alongside Zhu Yan.
"As long as the serial murder case remains unsolved, people's hearts will always be uneasy. I wonder if Madam Shen has any suspects in mind?"
Madam Tang's words carried hidden meaning, which Zhu Yan grasped immediately.
With a light smile, she responded, "Suspects naturally exist. If this case has nothing to do with Madam Tang, I would advise Madam Tang not to inquire too much about it. After all, I hold an official position, and revealing too much would be inconvenient."
Zhu Yan tactfully declined Madam Tang's question, and this exchange left Madam Tang visibly discomfited.
No matter what, she was a close friend of the princess. Though Zhu Yan was Shen Du's wife, she was merely a low-ranking ninth-grade official—how dare she reject her so bluntly?
It truly showed no regard for her.
Having been thoroughly rebuffed, Madam Tang said no more, though a shadow darkened her eyes.
Arriving at a corridor junction, Zhu Yan politely bowed to Madam Tang. "I must go to the side hall to meet with the princess. Please feel free to go your own way, Madam Tang."
Having refused to walk together with Madam Tang, Madam Tang had no retort and could only nod politely before they parted ways.
However, shortly after separating from Zhu Yan, a firm voice sounded behind Madam Tang. "Zhu Yan is no ordinary woman. You would do well to tread carefully."
Hearing this warning, Madam Tang turned in alarm to find Princess Yong'an standing behind her, her expression somber, her deep, clear eyes seemingly already contemplating some countermeasure.
"Your Highness."
Madam Tang showed timidity, stepping aside.
Princess Yong'an gazed into the distance, walking past Madam Tang, her profound eyes flickering with an unusual light. "Her eyes are unlike those of ordinary people—clear and transparent, much like Kuang Zhanxin of Pingkang Ward. When dealing with her, you must remain extremely vigilant and not let your guard down."
"Yes, I humbly heed Your Highness's guidance."
Upon arriving at the side hall, Zhu Yan waited for half the time it takes to drink a cup of tea but still saw no sign of Princess Yong'an.
She couldn't help but wonder: the princess had summoned her to the side hall for discussions, yet after waiting so long, no one had come. Had something happened to the princess? Or did the princess know she was with Madam Tang and was deliberately delaying?
With no one else around, Zhu Yan sat in a chair, picking up the tea prepared for her on the table, yet she hesitated to bring it to her lips.
Her mind kept returning to the tattoo on Madam Tang's shoulder, recalling the scenes from examining the bodies days earlier.
The fire moth mark, the moth-shaped jade, the fire moth tattoo...
Could it be that the deaths of those victims were somehow connected to a martial arts sect?
Madam Tang's suspicion grew stronger, yet the case also became increasingly complex—a tangled web with no clear thread to follow.
Just as Zhu Yan was lost in thought, a gentle voice reached her ears. "What are you thinking about?"
Zhu Yan quickly snapped back to reality. Princess Yong'an had somehow arrived beside her. She hurriedly rose and bowed to the princess. "Your Highness the Prince of Ying.""Since it's just the two of us here, there's no need for formalities." Princess Yong'an now wore a kind expression, as if she were a long-lost sister catching up with Zhu Yan.
"I've been here for quite some time and noticed you've been lost in thought and silent. What might you be thinking about?"
As she spoke, Princess Yong'an had already taken the main seat, her pink skirt edged with gold thread draped to one side, while the Butterfly Plays with Peony Silk Fan in her hand swayed gently.
"Nothing."
Zhu Yan shook her head. "In reply to His Highness the Prince of Ying, this official... this official was merely distracted by His Highness's long absence. I beg Your Highness's forgiveness."
Princess Yong'an lightly touched her hairpin with slender fingers and said with a faint smile, "I had some matters to attend to earlier, which is why I arrived late."
"Your Highness's affairs are naturally important. This official will simply wait."
"We are not meeting for the first time, so why be so distant? There are no others here—please sit and speak with me."
"Thank you, Your Highness the Prince of Ying."
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