Сhарtеr 49: Perрlехing аnd Вewildering
Arriving аt thе backуard of Wеstеrn Вrightnеss Теmple, shе found two guards stationed thеrе as wеll.
At this mоmеnt, Zhu Yаn wаs dressеd in оffiсiаl rоbes, hоlding the waist tokеn shе had tаken from Shen Du thе day bеfore.
Uроn рrеsеnting thе tоken, the guаrds nо longеr оbstruсted hеr and аllоwed her tо еnter.
Тhe Buddhist cеremony wаs still оngоing, making it inсonvenient fоr dеvоteеs tо еntеr, аnd thе monks in thе tеmplе had аll gone tо the mаin hаll tо chаnt sutrаs аnd рray.
Thе temple was spаrsely pоpulatеd at this timе, рresеnting a perfect opportunity for investigation.
Zhu Yan arrived at the record-keeping room, which contained records of each monk’s background and daily entries and exits, such as those delivering vegetarian meals.
Zhu Yan examined the records meticulously, fearing any oversight, but after a thorough check, she found no clues.
Western Brightness Temple was a capital temple, and every monk and servant here had clear records of their origins. Even though the number of devotees entering and exiting daily was enormous, they all moved under the watchful eyes of the guards. Indeed, no one carrying sacks or pushing flatbed carts could enter freely.
Moreover, even the vegetable farmers delivering produce had to undergo inspections by the guards, as officials and nobles often stayed or dined at Western Brightness Temple, making it impossible to tamper with anything.
This, in turn, cast even greater suspicion over the entire case.
How did the murderer transport the bodies here? This was not the primary crime scene. Could the bodies have fallen from the sky?
Killing, transporting the bodies, digging pits, and burying them—these were not tasks a woman could easily accomplish alone.
If there were no accomplices, how was this achieved?
The case grew increasingly perplexing and bewildering. Zhu Yan’s mind felt like a tangled mess, as if there were countless connections, yet she couldn’t find a single thread to follow.
What should she do? Why would the murderer do this?
Lost in thought, Zhu Yan had already left the record-keeping room.
She didn’t even notice that the temple’s Buddhist ceremony had concluded, and the usual bustle had returned.
How was all of this accomplished? What secrets lay within?
Zhu Yan pondered endlessly but couldn’t find an answer. Just then, a soft call interrupted her thoughts.
“Madam Shen.”
Zhu Yan quickly looked up and followed the voice to see Rong Zhui, her face haggard, standing behind her at some unknown time.
“Rong Zhui, why are you here?”
Zhu Yan was very curious about Rong Zhui’s appearance.
After all, the body of her younger sister was still in Western Brightness Temple. If there were no other matters, she wouldn’t want to set foot in this sorrowful place again.
Rong Zhui stepped forward and bowed slightly. “I heard that the Empress was holding a Buddhist ceremony here today, so I came to see. Now that the ceremony has concluded, I wanted to come here to see Zhan Xin.”
Her words were reasonable, but Zhu Yan could see at a glance that her eyes were filled with tears, as if she had just been crying.
“What’s wrong?” Zhu Yan asked with concern. Although she wasn’t familiar with Rong Zhui, she was, after all, the victim’s sister.
Rong Zhui lowered her head slightly, took out a handkerchief, and gently wiped her reddened eyes.
“Madam Shen, I want to take my sister’s body away.”
“What?” Zhu Yan was shocked, never having imagined that Rong Zhui would have such an idea. “How can that be? Your sister’s body is the most crucial part of the entire case. The case hasn’t been solved yet. How can you…”
“It’s precisely because the case hasn’t been solved that I want to take her away.” Before Zhu Yan could finish speaking, Rong Zhui interrupted.Her emotions were somewhat agitated, as if she had been provoked by something. "It's been half a month, and you still haven't closed the case. If this continues, how will my sister ever find peace? As her older sister, I only want to give her a proper burial. Is that wrong?"
Zhu Yan was momentarily speechless. Rong Zhui wasn't wrong.
What fault could there be in an older sister caring for her younger sister?
"You..." Zhu Yan still couldn't relent.
The matter between Kuang Zhanxin and Liang Chenzhong was a crucial clue in the entire case. Any oversight could affect the progress of the investigation.
Zhu Yan absolutely could not let Rong Zhui take Kuang Zhanxin away.
"Rong Zhui, listen to me," Zhu Yan quickly explained. "I understand how you feel as an older sister, but Kuang Zhanxin was murdered. If we don't catch the killer, even if you bury her, she won't rest in peace. Please wait a little longer. We'll find the killer soon."
"Wait, wait?" Rong Zhui couldn't accept this. "I've waited so long already, and you still haven't caught the killer. How can I trust you? How much longer must I wait? If you can't solve the case in a year, do I have to wait a year? If you can't solve it in three years, must I wait three? Does my sister not deserve peace? Madam Shen, please be merciful and let us go."
"Rong Zhui, it's not as you think," Zhu Yan grew anxious as well. "You must trust our capabilities. Right now, the Empress is also paying great attention to this case. We will not disappoint and will uncover the killer, but we need some time. Please remain calm. If Kuang Zhanxin's spirit is watching, I believe she too despises the one who harmed her."
"Of course my sister despises the killer, but Madam Shen, didn't you already have these clues from the start? What use is keeping a corpse now?"
"We did have the clues from the start, but we can't guarantee we have everything. Any oversight could directly affect our goal of finding the killer. Please don't rush. Once we catch the killer, I will return the body to you intact."
"Hah..." Rong Zhui let out a cold laugh, as if mocking Zhu Yan. "Madam Shen, we've known each other for a while, and I don't want to make things too difficult for you. But can't you also understand how I feel as an older sister? My sister's departure has already devastated me. Now I want to take her away and give her a proper burial, yet you still stand in my way. Madam Shen, can you live with yourself?"
"Everything I do is to clear the deceased's name as soon as possible and give her justice. I don't think you would want to stand by and watch Kuang Zhanxin die without reason while the killer remains free. If that were to happen, do you think Kuang Zhanxin would rest in peace?"
"Madam Shen, your eloquence is truly admirable."
Rong Zhui took a deep breath and looked up at the sky, forcing back the tears in her eyes, as if making a difficult decision. "But my mind is made up. No matter how much Madam Shen says, I won't change my mind. Meeting you here today, I had hoped to share my thoughts and open my heart to you. I never imagined that Madam Shen and I are strangers after all. Since Madam Shen cannot consider my perspective, I must apologize for my rudeness. Farewell."
After saying this, Rong Zhui turned and left.
"Rong Zhui!"
Zhu Yan exclaimed in surprise and hurried after her.She had no idea what Rong Zhui was thinking, but letting him take Kuang Zhanxin away now was absolutely out of the question.
OpenNovel