Сhарtеr 76: Changing Disguises tо Сatch thе Killer
Аt thаt mоmеnt, а lоud shout suddenlу rang out from the crowd, аnd а livelу figure арреarеd in еvеrуоne’s linе of sight.
Lu Chuichui саme tо Zhu Yan’s side, grabbеd her arm, аnd said with unusual ехсitеmеnt, “I finаllу found yоu аll. Thе Вuddhist сerеmonу tоday is rеаlly livеly. We must squeеze to the frоnt lаtеr, offеr incense рrорerlу, аnd gеt sоmе blеssings.”
As sооn as Lu Сhuichui finishеd speаking, she nоtiсеd that оnlу Jiаng Lаngxing was smiling at hеr, while the others all wоre heavу exрressiоns.
Sеnsing the аwkward atmosphere, she looked at everyone somewhat embarrassed. “What… what’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?”
Jing Lin let out a light cough, and Lu Chuichui’s mind felt as if struck by thunder. She suddenly remembered that today was the final deadline the Empress had given Shen Du.
They were here to investigate the case, so how could they possibly be in the mood to attend the Buddhist ceremony?
She really was thoughtless to have forgotten such a thing.
Seeing Lu Chuichui’s awkward expression, Jiang Langxing quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “The Great Pavilion Commander and the others still have matters to attend to. If you want to offer incense, I’ll accompany you.”
No one spoke, and Lu Chuichui declined Jiang Langxing’s offer. “Forget it. The matter at hand is urgent, so of course the case is more important.”
After saying this, Lu Chuichui turned to Zhu Yan with a serious expression. “So, how’s the case going? Has the killer been caught?”
Zhu Yan shook her head. “We’re only one step away. Although it’s a bit dangerous, the chances of success are high. But someone is unwilling, so we haven’t been able to act.”
There was a hint of frustration in her words, while Shen Du’s face was unusually dark, as if a storm was about to break.
Hearing this, Lu Chuichui was puzzled. “At a time like this, how could anyone still be unwilling?”
As she spoke, she glanced at Shen Du beside her. She knew exactly who was unwilling, but with lives at stake, wasn’t he worried the Empress would have his head?
Jiang Langxing pulled Lu Chuichui aside, coughed lightly twice, and lowered his voice. “The situation is quite complicated right now, so don’t ask too many questions. The Buddhist ceremony is grand today—go enjoy yourself first. I’ll come find you when I have time.”
“Are you joking?” Lu Chuichui responded without hesitation. “The Great Pavilion Commander’s life is at stake, and my good friend is in deep trouble. How can I just focus on my own fun and ignore all this?”
“You can’t help,” Jiang Langxing said to Lu Chuichui with a hint of helplessness, then explained the situation to her.
After listening, Lu Chuichui’s expression also turned serious. But she clenched her fists, walked to Zhu Yan’s side, and after thinking for a long time, she spoke up. “Liu Niang, since you know the killer’s target and the Great Pavilion Commander can’t bear to let you go… why not… let me go instead?”
As soon as Lu Chuichui said this, everyone was shocked. Lu Chuichui had always been timid by nature, yet at this critical moment, she actually volunteered—it was truly remarkable.
But Jiang Langxing was the first to object. “How can that work? It’s too dangerous. Don’t you know that?”
“It’s precisely because I know it’s dangerous that I’m recommending myself,” Lu Chuichui declared, puffing out her chest with righteous determination. “After all, I’m a Ninth-rank Clerk. Although this case isn’t my responsibility, I’ve been involved in it. And right now, all of you have your own tasks, so I’m the most suitable. Don’t hesitate any longer.”Hearing Lu Chuichui say this, the gloom in Shen Du's eyes finally eased a bit.
"No." Zhu Yan immediately rejected Lu Chuichui's decision. "This case was something I pleaded with Chief Wu to investigate thoroughly. If I hadn't intervened, the case might have been solved long ago. Now we're only one step away, so it's only right that I see it through to the end."
"But do you know how dangerous this is?" Shen Du voiced his concern, worried that Zhu Yan might encounter danger.
"Of course there's danger, but with your protection, I won't lose my life. Besides, if we know there's danger and still send someone else, wouldn't that be throwing others into the fire?" Zhu Yan looked seriously at Shen Du. "Other people's lives matter too. I can't bring myself to risk someone else's life."
Shen Du understood Zhu Yan's temperament well—once she decided on something, she would see it through to the end.
Even if he overturned her argument now, she would quietly carry out her plan in secret.
Rather than letting her fall into danger without his knowledge, it was better to keep her under his watchful eye.
Having thought this through, Shen Du no longer tried to stop her, though his deep eyes still held worry. "You must stay alive and wait for our rescue. If we can't arrive in time, you have to hold on, understand?"
Shen Du practically forced these words out through gritted teeth. As he spoke, his fists clenched tightly, trembling slightly without him even realizing it.
He didn't know when he had started worrying so much about this woman's safety—something that surprised even himself.
"Don't worry." Zhu Yan quickly nodded, offering Shen Du a reassuring smile. "A fortune teller once said I'd live to be a hundred. If you don't kill me, no one else can take my life."
Zhu Yan tried to respond to Shen Du in a teasing tone, hoping to ease his tension.
But from the depths of Shen Du's eyes, she could still see that his worry outweighed everything else.
"Liu Niang." Lu Chuichui was still uneasy and stepped forward to grab Zhu Yan's arm. "Maybe you should reconsider. We're about the same age, but you're well-known. I'm different—they're not familiar with me. It would be quite suitable for me to step forward."
Zhu Yan patted the back of Lu Chuichui's hand to comfort her. "Whether it's suitable or not, only I know in my heart. You're my only friend—how could I let you take the risk in this situation? By the way, I remember I still owe you a meal. After this matter is over, I'll pay you back with interest."
Despite Zhu Yan's lighthearted tone, Lu Chuichui was still filled with worry, clinging to Zhu Yan as if they were parting forever.
The Buddhist ceremony continued. Amid the surging crowd, Zhang Baohuan stood atop a palanquin carried by over a hundred people, dressed in an embroidered blue robe and holding a jade flute.
The palanquin was adorned with gold and silver, draped with brocade and flowers, and its tassels were made of pearls—truly magnificent and noble to the utmost.
Zhang Baohuan's face was delicate and refined. Holding the jade flute, he occasionally struck various immortal-like poses.
From a distance, he truly resembled Han Xiangzi, one of the Eight Immortals, descending to the mortal world with an air of transcendent grace.
After a moment, the palanquin stopped in front of Western Brightness Temple.
Zhang Baohuan stepped forward to personally assist the Empress in alighting. Dressed in a majestic dragon robe, the Empress appeared even more regal and imposing, radiating an aura of pride and authority.After completing a series of intricate rituals, the Empress began to offer incense. Zhang Baohuan stood to one side, raising his head toward the sky and proclaiming, "Our Empress has personally arrived at this esteemed temple to pray for blessings. May heaven bestow auspicious signs, signifying the flourishing fortune of the Great Zhou, favorable weather, and a peaceful nation with prosperous people."
As Zhang Baohuan's words fell, the Empress had just finished offering incense and was rising to her feet when a sudden burst of colorful light descended from the sky, enveloping her.
From nowhere in the sky, two phoenixes appeared, circling gracefully and emitting clear, enchanting cries that left everyone in awe.
"The Bodhisattva has manifested! The Bodhisattva has manifested!"
Someone among the commoners cried out, and the crowd was utterly astonished, losing all composure at the sight before them.
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