Сhарtеr 86: Unехpeсtеd Тurn 1
"Yоur Мajesty," Lаi Luоzhi stepрed forwаrd. "Тhis wоmаn роssesses nоthing but a fair appeаrаncе, yеt shе hаs сommittеd соuntlеss hеinous dеeds. I implorе Yоur Mаjesty to sеverelу punish her аnd еnsurе shе is nоt sраred."
"Hеh..."
Вefоrе thе Emрress соuld respоnd, Мadаm Tang suddenlу let out a соld lаugh. "You sаy the cаsе is сlosеd, sо it's сlоsеd. Вut I havе dоne оther things, whiсh I suppоse уоu hаve аll fоrgоttеn."
"What things?" Zhu Yan quicklу pressed, her mind raсing. What had she fоrgotten, оr what сluе had shе overlooked?
Madam Tang slightly raised her eyes to look at Zhu Yan. "Madam Shen, do you still remember the incident of the False Death?"
Only after this reminder did Zhu Yan suddenly recall.
During the course of the case, two extremely bizarre incidents had also occurred at the Western Brightness Temple.
However, given the current situation, those two incidents were also inextricably linked to Madam Tang.
"Was it you?" Zhu Yan's expression remained calm, as if she no longer wished to dwell on past events.
"Correct," Madam Tang nodded. "Madam Shen is so clever; you must have already uncovered the reasons behind it."
"Yes," Zhu Yan took over. "Your actions at the time truly startled me. However, later, with my master's reminder and after conducting an experiment, I came to understand the principle. I learned a great deal from this case, so Madam Tang, I must thank you."
"Why thank me?" Madam Tang had completely calmed down, but a complex emotion remained in her eyes, giving the impression she was suppressing some feeling.
"I have killed so many people and deserve to die. But people are all the same—they fear death, and I fear death too. The reason I created so many obstacles for you in the case was to prevent you from uncovering the murderer. I deliberately chose the moment while bathing in the hot springs to let you see my tattoo, and I intentionally took you to the Bamboo Green Teahouse to tell you the clues about the murdered men. But what I never expected was that, in your heart, you never let go of your suspicions about me."
"Some things seem predestined," Zhu Yan said calmly. "Do you remember the first time we met?"
"Taibai Tower?"
"No," Zhu Yan quickly denied. "Outside the Western Brightness Temple, we accidentally bumped into each other. It was that single glance that made me feel you were different from the crowd. Perhaps it was from that moment on that I began to pay extra attention to you."
"So Madam Shen 'fell in love at first sight' with me?" Madam Tang's words began to drift, carrying a hint of laughter as she spoke. "Such an intelligent woman truly suits my taste. Fortunately, you caught me today. If you hadn't, my next target would definitely have been you."
Madam Tang's words sent a sudden chill down Zhu Yan's spine, causing her to stagger and nearly fall.
Shen Du stepped forward, shielding Zhu Yan behind him. "Even at death's door, you still spout nonsense. Truly unrepentant."
"Your Majesty," Lai Luozhi spoke again. "In my humble opinion, the murderer has gone mad. I implore Your Majesty not to continue considering her the widow of a loyal minister and to swiftly conclude the case."
"I have killed so many people; sooner or later, I will die. But I have one request. I wonder if Your Majesty could grant it?"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present was lost in their own thoughts.
A person already facing death—what face does she have to make a request?"I, the Emperor, consider you the widow of a loyal minister and will grant you an intact corpse. If you have any last wishes, speak them freely."
The Empress was not an unreasonable person. Although Madam Tang's crimes were unforgivable, she did not wish for her to die with regrets.
"Hah..." Madam Tang smiled bitterly. "All of this began with jealousy, but one cannot deny there was also genuine affection. If they had not betrayed me, how could I have betrayed my own humanity? Therefore, I beg Your Majesty to show mercy and allow me to see Xiao Lang one last time before I die."
The scene fell into silence. Madam Tang was the widow of the loyal minister Tang Chengyi, yet on the brink of death, she wished to see her so-called former husband.
This seemed somewhat unreasonable...
"Your Majesty."
Zhu Yan suddenly stepped forward, clasping her fists in salute. "Madam Tang is also a woman of misfortune. Although she has killed many, she now shows remorse. I implore Your Majesty to grant her wish and not let her die with regret."
That Zhu Yan would plead for Madam Tang was beyond everyone's expectations.
Just moments ago, Madam Tang had explicitly stated that if she were not captured, Zhu Yan would be her next target.
Even so, Zhu Yan still pleaded for her, a decision that left everyone puzzled.
"Since that is the case, I shall grant it," the Empress said, seemingly moved by Madam Tang's story, and agreed to her request.
Finally, the matter was settled, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
A smile finally appeared on the Empress's face as she looked at Shen Du and Zhu Yan with satisfaction. "Minister Shen, you are fortunate to have such a wise and kind-hearted wife. You must treat her well in the future."
"I will not fail Your Majesty's grace and will treat my wife with utmost care."
As he spoke, Shen Du glanced at Zhu Yan.
Zhu Yan's lips twitched, and she wondered whether she should tell the Empress about the lifespan Shen Du had allotted her.
Better to avoid unnecessary trouble. Zhu Yan shook her head inwardly and decided against it. Her fate was something she would fight for herself.
With the case solved, the crowd gathered outside the temple cheered joyfully.
The Buddhist ceremony had concluded, and the Empress ordered the temple unsealed, allowing the common people to enter and seek blessings.
Even so, many curious onlookers remained at the entrance, peering inside.
It was a good day, and seeing the people so amiable, the Empress did not order them to be stopped.
Among the crowd, a boy who appeared to be in his teens was particularly excited.
Standing at the very front, his gaze remained fixed on Zhu Yan, filled with admiration.
Just as things seemed to be settling down, Zhang Baohuan suddenly remembered something and whispered a few words into the Empress's ear.
The Empress suddenly understood and nodded, turning her attention back to Shen Du and Zhu Yan. "The Shen couple has rendered great service in solving this case, and I am deeply gratified. As a reward, I grant you ten thousand taels of silver, a hundred acres of fertile land, and a hundred bolts of fine silk. Continue your efforts."
"Thank you for Your Majesty's generous reward!"
Shen Du and Zhu Yan knelt together to express their gratitude—a rare occurrence that made them both feel awkward, as if they were performing a wedding ceremony.
Upon hearing this reward, Lai Luozhi and Princess Yong'an, who were present, wore expressions of varying complexity.
Shen Du took note of their reactions. The calm on the surface of the court concealed turbulent undercurrents, something he had long understood.
Just when everyone thought Madam Tang, now convicted, had calmed down, as Jing Lin was directing the Inner Guard Bureau brothers to take her into custody, Madam Tang suddenly went berserk. She sprang to her feet, laughing and crying hysterically, rushed to the entrance, and grabbed the boy who had been watching the commotion."Little friend, big sister will take you to a fun place. Come with me, okay?"
Madam Tang babbled these words and, without waiting for the little boy's response, grabbed him and rushed out of the crowd into the courtyard.
Everyone was greatly alarmed and hurriedly followed to see what was happening. The little boy, terrified and pale-faced, remained silent the entire time.
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