Сhaptеr 53: Susресting thе Master
Веfore еven reасhing thе bасkуard, the fоul stench of decaуing сorрses соuld bе smеlled frоm аfаr.
Lu Сhuiсhui begаn to have sесond thоughts—she truly did not wаnt to seе Shen Du’s murderоus dеmеаnоr аgаin.
“Let’s not gо lоok. Тhоsе cоrpsеs аre bloоdу and stinkу, it’s really nоt good. I prеfеr invеstigating thоse pits or thе hаndwriting.”
Lu Сhuichui tuggеd аt Zhu Yаn’s slееvе and sаid, “Whу don’t wе go сompаre thе hаndwriting instеad аnd sее if wе can find anу clues from there?”
Zhu Yаn stoppеd in her traсks. Just by lооking at Lu Сhuichui’s expression, she had already guessed what was on her mind.
But then again, regarding the matter of the handwriting on the wall, she already had plans in mind. Sooner or later, she would have to investigate it, so why not do Lu Chuichui a favor?
“You say look at the corpses, we look at the corpses; you say investigate the handwriting, we investigate the handwriting. But, about that tea I owe you…”
“Consider it settled.” Lu Chuichui naturally understood the meaning behind Zhu Yan’s words and was not stingy about it at this moment.
“Deal.” Zhu Yan lightly tapped Lu Chuichui’s forehead, then turned and quietly left with her.
Shen Du had already entered the room and observed the corpse for a while, but Zhu Yan still hadn’t come in.
Turning around to look, he found that the two were already gone. He cast a questioning glance at Jing Lin.
Jing Lin quickly clasped his hands in response, “Madam and Lady Lu have already left first.”
“What?” Shen Du couldn’t believe it. This woman actually dared to deceive him—how outrageous!
Jing Lin also wore an unpleasant expression. He knew what Shen Du was thinking, but he couldn’t stop the madam from acting freely.
When it came to investigating the cinnabar in the handwriting, Zhu Yan immediately thought of her master, Chen Wen.
Afraid that Lu Chuichui might speak carelessly, she used the excuse of drinking tea and listening to opera to send her away.
Chen Wen was a former prison warden, skilled in interrogation and capture techniques. The cinnabar used in the handwriting was also a special type he had developed for handling cases.
Zhu Yan understood in her heart that the murderer couldn’t possibly be her master, but since the cinnabar was the same, she needed to find out the truth.
Her master had already resigned from his official post and returned to his hometown, living alone in seclusion in the mountains. Though sparsely populated, it was quiet and peaceful—an excellent place for nurturing one’s health.
Arriving at the door, she saw from afar a gaunt, reed-like figure chopping firewood in the yard.
Though somewhat advanced in age, his steps were steady and his movements agile. It seemed that after retiring from the court, his life was quite comfortable.
“Master.” Zhu Yan entered with two jugs of fine wine. “Chopping firewood again, I see. It looks like you’re living quite leisurely.”
Zhu Yan teased, speaking casually. In front of her master, she would always be a child, never minding formalities.
Seeing Zhu Yan arrive, Chen Wen put down the axe in his hand and wiped the sweat off his brow with a towel draped over his shoulder. “What brings you here, girl? Isn’t the Ministry of Justice busy?”
“No matter how busy, I still have to show my respect to my master, right?” Zhu Yan shook the wine in her hand. “It’s been a while since I last saw you, Master. I brought you two jugs of something good.”
“Hah…” Chen Wen laughed heartily. “At least you still remember your master’s little preferences. I didn’t spoil you for nothing.”
Zhu Yan placed the wine to the side and stacked the chopped firewood together, casually remarking, “Master, I remember that before you retired, you developed a special type of cinnabar, didn’t you? Mixed with a certain kind of stone material, it could be ground into ink and written on walls, becoming visible when exposed to water.”"Yes, there is indeed such a thing." Chen Wen stroked his beard thoughtfully. "It hasn't been used in a long time. If you need it, I'll fetch it for you."
"Alright, I might need some recently. Please get a bit for me."
"Fine, follow me inside. I'll bring it to you now."
After speaking, the two of them entered the room one after the other.
Chen Wen rummaged through his cabinet for a long time but couldn't find it. With a puzzled expression, he stroked his beard in thought. "I remember placing it right here. How could it be gone?"
Hearing this, Zhu Yan's heart skipped a beat—her suspicion had indeed been correct.
"Is it the cinnabar that's missing?" Zhu Yan looked at her master and asked. Chen Wen turned to her with a confused expression. "How did you know?"
Zhu Yan lowered her gaze, her expression turning serious. "Master, to be honest, I've seen this cinnabar at the murder scene."
"Murder scene?" Chen Wen grew even more puzzled. "How could it have ended up there?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, he seemed to realize something and let out a light chuckle. "It seems someone is deliberately trying to frame me. Even after I've been retired for so many years, they still won't let this old man go. It seems... my life is still quite valuable."
"Master." Zhu Yan looked at him with deep concern. "The special cinnabar you developed is unique. If it appears as evidence, you won't be able to escape blame."
"No matter. This old man will not admit to something he hasn't done." Chen Wen showed no fear regarding the matter. "Under the emperor's rule, there are laws. I refuse to believe those people can force a false confession out of me."
Zhu Yan couldn't help but chuckle at her master's words. This old rascal was so carefree even when danger was at his doorstep.
"I naturally believe you're not the murderer, but by doing this, the killer is giving me a warning. Master, have I truly made a mistake?"
Zhu Yan spoke with guilt. Perhaps everything started because of her. If she hadn't investigated the case, the killer wouldn't have shifted their target to her master.
Her master was already elderly and retired—he should be enjoying his remaining years in peace. Yet now he was entangled in a murder case. As his disciple, she felt deeply unfilial.
"Child." Chen Wen looked at Zhu Yan with earnestness. "When we hold a position, we must bear its responsibilities. Don't let lowly tactics cloud your judgment. Justice resides in people's hearts. This world cannot be dominated by those who defy reason. As long as you hold firm to your beliefs, the day will come when the clouds part and the sun shines again."
How could Zhu Yan not understand her master's heartfelt advice?
She was only worried that the matter would implicate her master, causing him to suffer this unjust calamity.
Seeing that Zhu Yan was still uneasy, Chen Wen continued, "Don't worry about their methods. Your master has his own way to extricate himself. I won't put you in a difficult position."
"Master."
Hearing her master speak to this extent, Zhu Yan felt deeply saddened.
Just as she was about to say something, Chen Wen interrupted her. "By the way, there's something I've kept buried in my heart for many years. I always thought this matter should have been resolved long ago, but the outcome has been delayed. Since you're here today, I might as well tell you."
Seeing her master so serious, Zhu Yan said no more and listened carefully."Back then, the death of Liang Man, the legitimate son of the Liang family's second branch, was suspicious. I originally intended to investigate further but was obstructed, and those who stopped me were the men of Black Yama King Lai Luozhi. This matter may well be connected to the recent murder case you are investigating. You should be mentally prepared."
Upon hearing her master's words, Zhu Yan's mind suddenly cleared.
She had long harbored suspicions about Liang Man's death, and Second Brother Xu had already tasked the Unrighteous Agents to investigate the matter covertly, yet no results had emerged.
Now it seemed that it wasn't due to the incompetence of the Unrighteous Agents, but rather someone obstructing them in the shadows. It appeared there were still hidden complexities linking the serial murder case to the Liang family affair.
With her conviction confirmed, Zhu Yan began to worry.
If the case truly implicated Black Yama King and his associates, what confidence did she have to completely overturn this wrongful conviction?
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