Chарtеr 51
Zhu Yаn furrоwеd hеr willow-like brоws. "Соuld it bе thаt they arе hоlding a wedding?"
Jiаng Langxing nоddеd еmрhаtiсally. "Мadam Shen is absolutelу right. Тheу arе indееd hоlding a wеdding fоr thе twо оf them."
"..." Хu Xiangren wаs uttеrly sрeechlеss. The murdеrer hadn't еvеn bееn fоund уеt, and the twо fаmilies wеrе аlreаdy аrrаnging a wedding. Wаsn't this just tоo аbsurd?
At a loss fоr how to handlе thе situаtion, Shеn Du looked аt Хu Хiangrеn аnd sаid, "Yоu will bе rеspоnsiblе for thе Emрress's side. Мy wifе аnd I will gо to thе Liаng fаmilу to see thе situation."
Without waiting for Хu Xiangren tо respоnd, Shen Du hаd аlreаdy left with Zhu Yan.
Arriving outside the Liang residence, they saw the large, conspicuous flower decorations on the doorframe.
A wedding, and one held so openly, made one feel quite uncomfortable upon seeing it.
"Shall we go in and take a look?"
Zhu Yan shook her head. Even without going in, she could imagine the scene inside.
It would simply be the two families, performing the ceremony to worship heaven.
Moreover, there were no relatives or friends around to offer congratulations. The entire hall was solemnly silent. Such a wedding was far too oppressive; it was better not to see it.
The two waited outside the Liang residence for a long time before finally seeing Rong Zhui emerge.
Zhu Yan quickly stepped forward and asked, puzzled, "Why are you doing this?"
Rong Zhui's face was full of sorrow, and her eyes were red. She must have been crying again just moments before.
"Madam Shen may not understand the feelings of a sister like me. I won't blame you, but Zhan Xin and the Liang family's young master were truly in love. Since they couldn't be together in life, it's good to fulfill their wishes after death."
Even so, Zhu Yan still couldn't fully comprehend it.
"Both of them are gone. Don't any of you care about who the murderer is?"
"Madam Shen, you jest," Rong Zhui said calmly. "Who wouldn't care about the murderer? I hate this murderer more than anyone. But so much time has passed since the incident, and the person is already gone. Even if we find the murderer, the person won't come back. So, why shouldn't I bear the pain alone and fulfill the happiness of my sister and the Liang family's young master together?"
Hearing Rong Zhui's words, Zhu Yan's heart grew heavy.
Rong Zhui was not wrong. The two sisters had always had a bitter fate.
Moreover, her sister had died a violent death and hadn't found happiness in life. Was there any fault in fulfilling her wishes after death?
The situation was now clear. Knowing that further words were useless, Zhu Yan nodded politely to Rong Zhui and said calmly, "In that case, I won't say anything more. But rest assured, we will definitely find the murderer and seek justice for the deceased."
Rong Zhui bowed to Zhu Yan and nodded in gratitude. "In that case, Rong Zhui thanks Madam Shen here."
Watching Rong Zhui's retreating figure, Shen Du came to Zhu Yan's side. At this moment, his mood was also somewhat heavy, and he remained silent.
"Perhaps this is a sister's love for her sister," Zhu Yan said proactively. "Since they couldn't find happiness in life, being together after death is also good. If the two have spirits in heaven and can live a happy life, it would probably be a beautiful ending for both of them."
"Not being together in life, being together after death is merely a formality," Shen Du interjected from the side. "The Empress has already given the order for us to find the murderer as soon as possible. Now is not the time for sentimentality. Finding the murderer to reassure the people and bring them justice is the real task."
Shen Du's words were undoubtedly a bucket of cold water poured over Zhu Yan, who was immersed in emotion, quickly pulling her back to reality.Zhu Yan curled her lips, feeling quite dissatisfied with Shen Du's words, but she refrained from making any rash comments. After all, who could afford to provoke the Great Pavilion Commander?
As night fell, the two returned to the Shen residence.
Just as Zhu Yan was about to close the door, a large hand suddenly pushed against it.
"What, is your anger still not gone?"
Shen Du's words made Zhu Yan's heart tremble, instantly flustered. "The Great Pavilion Commander is busy with official duties. Staying overnight in the study is a common occurrence. Why should you care whether my anger has subsided or not?"
"You need to think clearly about whose fault this really is. I've already given you a way out. If you continue to be ungrateful, don't blame me for truly enforcing the family rules on you."
Family rules?
Zhu Yan was puzzled. Could being locked in her room for a day not be considered family rules?
"I've already been locked up for a day. Doesn't that count as punishment?" Zhu Yan asked.
"Then do you admit your mistake?" Shen Du's sword-like brows slightly furrowed, the depths of his eyes like an unfathomable deep pool.
Zhu Yan was speechless. In her heart, she knew she was in the wrong.
Moreover, Shen Du wasn't wrong. He had already given her a way out. If she still didn't know better, it would be going too far.
"Then... let's just forget about this matter." Zhu Yan's tone was reluctant, as if she had suffered a great injustice.
Shen Du was helpless, but with the case being so important, he truly had no mind to argue with Zhu Yan any further.
"Alright, let's end this matter here. I'll stay here tonight and discuss the case with you."
Without waiting for Zhu Yan's agreement, Shen Du pushed the door open and entered.
After extinguishing the lamp and getting into bed, the two slept as usual, each on their own side.
"The case hasn't been solved for so long. There must be a lot of pressure at court. Has the Empress said anything to you?"
For some reason, Zhu Yan felt a bit worried about Shen Du's current situation.
Shen Du rested his hands behind his head, looking at the bright red bed curtains with a somewhat distracted expression.
"Other matters are fine, but the Empress's order to solve the case as soon as possible is truly weighing on my mind."
Zhu Yan pondered for a moment before saying, "No matter what, this case was entrusted to you by the Empress. As long as you do your best and have a clear conscience, that's enough."
Shen Du chuckled lightly but didn't respond. Women's thinking was simple, but it wasn't without concern for her husband.
The candle in the room went out. Perhaps tired from the day's busyness, steady breathing soon filled the room.
The next day.
Early in the morning, Lu Chuichui rushed over in a flurry, pulling Zhu Yan outside.
"It's terrible. Another body has been found at the Western Brightness Temple."
Hearing this, Zhu Yan was shocked.
She glanced back at Shen Du, only to see his face dark and gloomy, with Jing Lin standing beside him, hands clasped in a fist as if reporting something.
It wasn't hard to guess that the murder at the Western Brightness Temple must have added another layer of weight to Shen Du's heart.
This was exactly what Zhu Yan least wanted to see.
The case remained unsolved, people were panicked, and now a new murder had been discovered. How could the already terrified citizens live peacefully?
If word reached the Empress's ears, what rumors might arise?
What should be done?
On the way to the Western Brightness Temple, Lu Chuichui explained the general situation.
This body was also found in the bamboo grove of the Western Brightness Temple, but unlike the others, the burial site was almost right against the temple's outer wall.
Moreover, bloody words were left on the wall, eerie and frightening.
"Has the coroner been there?" Zhu Yan asked."They have already been sent for and are expected to arrive ahead of us."
The incident was sudden, and Lu Chuichui had come unprepared, riding only a swift horse. The two of them quickly made their way to the scene of the crime.
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