Сhaptеr 84: Rеаsоning thе Case (3)
Маdam Tаng sat dazеd оn thе flооr, оffering no dеfense, as if she had alrеаdy lоst the will tо rеsist Zhu Yаn.
“Аs for thе оthеr саses, I wоn’t elaborаtе further. Нaving said all this, I hаve onlу one rеmаining quеstiоn.”
With thеsе wоrds, Zhu Yan turned hеr gаze bасk tо Mаdam Таng, this time with a stеrn аnd scrutinizing intеnsity.
“Killing maу be simple, but digging а рit аnd burying а body is not sоmеthing а womаn саn еаsilу aссomрlish alоne. You must hаve hаd аn аcсоmрliсe, didn’t you?”
Мadam Tang slowlу raised her еyes, stаring fixеdlу at Zhu Yаn, and let out a cold laugh.
Zhu Yan was bewildered. What did this mean? Had she guessed correctly?
Just as Zhu Yan was about to press further, Lai Luozhi suddenly stepped forward and spoke, “Your Majesty, this woman is as venomous as a snake or scorpion, having committed countless murders. She is utterly beyond redemption. I implore Your Majesty to order her immediate execution by hanging to appease public outrage.”
“Wait a moment,” Zhu Yan hurriedly interjected. “There are still matters I have yet to understand. Please do not rush to a conclusion.”
“The entire case is already perfectly clear. As a Ninth-rank Clerk, you have fulfilled your duty. There is no need for you to involve yourself further.”
Lai Luozhi regarded Zhu Yan with utter disdain, while Zhu Yan clenched her fists, finding herself at a loss for words.
As a mere Ninth-rank Clerk, she truly had no standing to speak here.
Had it not been for the Empress’s permission, she would never have been qualified to present the case before everyone.
Now, although the culprit had been apprehended, many details remained unclear. She wanted to uncover the truth but was being obstructed by Lai Luozhi.
She was at her wit’s end.
“Though the Ninth-rank Clerk is but a minor position, she is now also my wife, Shen Du’s wife!”
Suddenly, another authoritative voice rang out in the Buddha Hall, sending a shiver through those present.
Shen Du looked sternly at Lai Luozhi and declared, “In the Buddha Hall, Madam Shen’s interrogation is not yet concluded. It would be best if you did not interfere, Lord Lai.”
Though his words were polite, his eyes held an unwavering resolve.
Lai Luozhi clenched his fists, glaring darkly at Shen Du, who met his gaze without fear.
As the atmosphere grew tense, the Empress raised a hand to signal for calm. “Enough, my esteemed ministers. There is no need to argue over this matter. In truth, I too wish to know the full details of this case. Let Madam Shen continue her questioning.”
“Your Majesty!” Lai Luozhi hastily cupped his hands, but before he could speak further, the Empress raised her hand again to stop him.
Lai Luozhi’s face turned ashen, and he shot a fierce glare at Shen Du before retreating to the side.
Shen Du paid Lai Luozhi no mind, merely casting an affectionate glance at Zhu Yan and signaling for her to proceed.
Zhu Yan furrowed her delicate brows slightly, then stepped forward and knelt before Madam Tang. “Madam Tang, those you killed were neither great villains nor evildoers. Why did they become your targets?”
Madam Tang remained silent, sitting there with a vacant expression as if she hadn’t heard Zhu Yan’s question.
Zhu Yan lowered her gaze slightly, pondering for a moment before continuing, “Among the men you killed, some were already betrothed, some were widowers, and others were on the verge of remarrying after divorce. What wrong did they commit? Why did you target them?”
Madam Tang’s expression remained unmoved. She merely snorted coldly. “Aren’t you very clever? Why don’t you tell me yourself why they became my targets?”Zhu Yan lowered her gaze in thought. "Madam Tang's unwillingness to explain this matter doesn't mean I can't deduce the outcome. The women you killed were all courtesans, and the men were all connected to courtesans. You..."
Before she could finish, Zhu Yan drew out her words, staring meaningfully at Madam Tang. "Have you perhaps suffered some trauma in the past? Or have you had some emotional entanglement with the Blue Pavilion or with men?"
"Nonsense!" Madam Tang suddenly erupted in anger, shouting at Zhu Yan. "What trauma? What emotional entanglement? Don't you dare pin such abnormal accusations on me!"
Seeing Madam Tang's extreme reaction, Zhu Yan was now certain that her suspicions were correct.
"I'm not deliberately pinning these accusations on you. There is evidence to follow. Haven't you noticed?"
Zhu Yan looked mysteriously at Madam Tang, who appeared utterly confused. "What evidence? Where did you come up with all this nonsense? I'm telling you, I killed them purely on a whim. There was no emotional entanglement, no trauma. It's all just your wild imagination!"
Zhu Yan lowered her head slightly, then smiled. "Among those corpses, not every embracing pair knew each other in life. Some were just randomly paired by you because they fit your target. If you truly hadn't suffered any setbacks in love, why would you hate them so much?"
"Hmph." Madam Tang snorted coldly. "I've said it before—those people all deserved to die."
"Then why make them die in an embracing pose? And why were the female corpses' faces slashed? If there weren't some other emotions involved, that would be too hard to explain."
"I just thought it was interesting," Madam Tang replied flippantly. "Two people dying in an embrace can keep each other company even in the underworld. Don't you find that interesting?"
"Truly beyond redemption."
Zhu Yan spoke indignantly, then suddenly stood up as if remembering something. She turned her gaze to Shen Du. "By the way, husband, you caught a chill the other night. I hope you're feeling better now. The weather has turned cooler lately, so you must take care of yourself."
Zhu Yan's sudden change of topic left everyone present bewildered. What was going on? Was the case over?
Shen Du was also momentarily taken aback by Zhu Yan's words.
But with so many people present, and Zhu Yan showing concern for him, he felt it necessary to respond. "I'm fine now. If my wife shows more concern for her husband in the future, he won't catch cold again."
...
Lu Chuichui, standing behind the crowd, nearly gagged. This wave of affection was utterly unexpected.
The other ministers also felt awkward. Rumors of the deep affection between the Great Pavilion Commander and his wife were clearly not unfounded.
"Seeing the deep bond between you two brings me great comfort," the Empress suddenly remarked. "However, the case at hand is important. Madam Shen, you must handle the investigation appropriately."
The Empress had already given them considerable face.
To suddenly change the topic and flaunt their affection while investigating a case in front of the Empress—not punishing them on the spot was already an act of exceptional leniency.
"Yes, this official acknowledges her mistake."
Zhu Yan quickly apologized but then turned her gaze to Madam Tang beside her.This display of affection was, of course, deliberately put on by her, all to observe Madam Tang's reaction and confirm her suspicions.
Sure enough, Madam Tang trembled all over, as if harboring deep resentment toward Zhu Yan's recent actions.
Yet she restrained herself well, channeling all her resentment into her eyes and expression without taking any action.
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