Сhаpter 42: Рrоgrеss in thе Сase
Finallу rеaching аn agreеmеnt, Lu Сhuiсhui рlаced thе case file on the tаblе and рointеd tо оnе of thе dосumеnts. "Вasеd on the hints yоu gаve mе last time, I found thаt one оf the Cоurtеsаns, nаmеd Ruуаn, had alrеаdy lеft thе рrofеssion tо mаrry and hаvе a сhild before thе incident oссurrеd. You sаid all the victims wеrе Сourtеsаns, sо whаt аbоut this onе whо left thе prоfession?"
"Whаt?"
Zhu Yan wаs аstоnished. Тhis wаs indееd a significant brеakthrough, and she hurriedlу picked uр the cаse filе tо eхamine it carefully.
Just then, Shen Du returned from court.
Seeing Shen Du's stern expression, Lu Chuichui panicked. She had no desire to have any interaction with this living judge of the underworld.
If it weren't for Zhu Yan being at the Shen residence, she would never have set foot inside the Shen family's gates.
"Well, take your time looking. I'll head back first."
After saying this, Lu Chuichui didn't wait for Zhu Yan's response and fled the Shen residence as if running for her life.
Shen Du didn't even bat an eye. He went straight to Zhu Yan.
"What did Zhang Xingwei want with you?"
Upon learning that Zhang Xingwei had come to visit, Shen Du's face darkened like the bottom of a pot.
He had long suspected that Zhu Yan's marriage to him was orchestrated by Zhang Xingwei. Now, to make matters worse, Zhang Xingwei had the audacity to visit openly, as if Shen Du didn't exist.
"Nothing much. He just told me to weigh my actions carefully."
Zhu Yan, completely absorbed in the case file, didn't even notice who was standing behind her.
Seeing Zhu Yan distracted and answering so casually, Shen Du relaxed slightly inside.
Most likely, Zhang Xingwei had come to inquire about the progress of the case and added some remarks reminding Zhu Yan to be mindful of her status and consider the Zhu family's affairs.
"What are you looking at?"
Shen Du stepped forward and began reading the text on the case file alongside Zhu Yan.
They were so close that they could hear each other's breathing.
Perhaps because Zhu Yan still harbored some vigilance, Shen Du's sudden proximity startled her like a frightened bird. She turned abruptly. "You... when did you stand behind me?"
"I've been here for a while," Shen Du said coldly, his gaze still fixed on the case file.
"Where's Lu Chuichui?"
"She left."
With this exchange, the atmosphere grew tense again.
Zhu Yan placed the case file on the table and pointed to the text. "This is the clue Lu Chuichui brought today. Among the victims, there was a Courtesan named Ruyan who had already left the profession to marry and have a child before the incident. Logically, the killer would have no reason to target her."
Shen Du also noticed this point. "Let's go. We should visit people who knew her."
During her lifetime, Ruyan had married a man named Xu Huansheng, and the two had lived in Qinghe Village on the outskirts of Chang'an.
Following this lead, they quickly learned that the man Ruyan was found embracing was the son of a wealthy merchant in Chang'an, named Du Huaien.
To their surprise, during their visits, the neighbors showed no surprise upon hearing of Ruyan's death or learning the identity of the man she was found with.
They even mentioned that shortly after Ruyan married into the village, they had witnessed her meeting with that man, suggesting the two were likely old acquaintances.
Zhu Yan and Shen Du found Ruyan's husband, Xu Huansheng. After Ruyan's death, Xu Huansheng lived alone with their child, leading a difficult life.
Xu Huansheng was a man of few words. Seeing that the visitors were officials, he understood their purpose. He politely served tea and entrusted his child to a neighbor for care.
"Is there... any news about Yan'er?" Xu Huansheng looked haggard.
In his mind, his wife was still missing, unaware that she had already died.
"Yes," Zhu Yan replied. "But you need to prepare yourself."Xu Huansheng hung his head very low, his body trembling. "Has she... has she met with misfortune?"
He had long suspected this, but with the body never found, he had clung to a final shred of hope.
"When we found her, only a skeleton remained," Shen Du spoke up. "Xu Huansheng, do you know Du Huaien?"
At the mention of this name, Xu Huansheng abruptly looked up, his face full of shock.
"This... Yan'er's death is related to him?"
"Du Huaien is also dead," Zhu Yan took over. "Before dying, he was found embracing your wife. We suspect they committed suicide together."
"Impossible!"
Zhu Yan's probing provoked an immediate outburst of anger from Xu Huansheng, his emotions unusually agitated. "They couldn't have committed suicide together, absolutely not."
"Why do you say that?" Shen Du took over again.
Xu Huansheng's emotions stabilized slightly, his eyes filled with pain.
"I met Yan'er in a pleasure house. I spent all my family's wealth to redeem her, and she promised to live a stable life with me. I also know of Du Huaien—he was Yan'er's former patron, always pestering her. And I knew that in Yan'er's heart, she liked him too..."
Before he could finish, Xu Huansheng covered his face in agony. "To ensure Yan'er's happiness, I once promised her that if she liked Mr. Du, I would let her go. But she refused, saying she wanted to live peacefully with me. Later, when Yan'er disappeared, even though the neighbors all said she had eloped with Du Huaien, I knew it was impossible—there was no need for it. So, they must have been murdered; they would never have taken their own lives. Sirs, you must thoroughly investigate this case and clear Yan'er's name."
Listening to Xu Huansheng's account, both Zhu Yan and Shen Du were deeply moved.
In this world, there were few men so devoted and willing to sacrifice.
Perhaps because the atmosphere was too oppressive, Zhu Yan couldn't think of any words to comfort Xu Huansheng. She exchanged a glance with Shen Du, then stood up and left.
After leaving the Xu residence, Zhu Yan felt it was still necessary to inquire about the neighbors' views on Ruyan.
After passing two households, she finally saw a house with its door open.
"Is anyone there?" Zhu Yan stood outside and knocked.
A man in his thirties, robust and dressed in plain clothes, came out. He had a decent appearance, giving off a simple and pragmatic impression.
"Who are you?" Seeing Zhu Yan was unfamiliar, the man asked with confusion.
"I'm an officer from the Ministry of Justice, investigating a case. I'm passing through and wanted to ask a few things. I'm also thirsty, so I thought I'd come in and ask for a bowl of water."
"An officer! Please come in, come in," the man quickly invited Zhu Yan inside respectfully and poured her a bowl of water.
Zhu Yan took a few sips and nodded in thanks. "Thank you, brother. I have some matters I'd like to ask you about. Would it be convenient?"
"Of course, of course. Our village is remote, and officers rarely visit. What would you like to know, sir?"
Seeing how hospitable the man was, Zhu Yan felt slightly relieved.
"I'd like to ask about Xu Huansheng. How is he regarded in the village?""You're talking about him, ah..." The elder brother sighed helplessly. "He's a good man, but he just happened to fall for a woman from the Blue Pavilion. I heard he spent all his family fortune to buy her freedom. I mean, if she had settled down and lived a proper life with him after he gave up everything, it would have been one thing. But not even a few years later, she ran off with another man. What kind of mess is that?"
"..." Zhu Yan was speechless. It seemed Xu Huansheng's story was already common knowledge in the village.
"She left, and she even left behind a son," the elder brother continued. "I suspect she ran off with that man. But come to think of it, before his wife eloped with that man, some strange things happened in my house."
"What strange things?" Zhu Yan pressed.
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