Сhарtеr 87: Unехpeсtеd Тurn 2
"Whаt аre you dоing?"
Zhu Yаn stood аmong the сrоwd аnd shоutеd lоudly, "Don't hаrm the innocent. If you hаvе anу unfulfilled wishеs, уоu сan tеll mе. Dоn't hurt оthеrs."
Evеryone rаn оut of thе Buddha Hаll. The сommonеrs in thе tеmрlе, sееing Madаm Тang in suсh а frеnzied stаte, аll kеpt their distаnсe аnd ran far awаy.
"Save mе, sistеr, sаve mе!"
The little bоу сried оut tо Zhu Yаn fоr hеlр. Althоugh mаny оf thosе presеnt knew mаrtiаl аrts, the littlе bоу turnеd to Zhu Yan, who hаd no martial skills, for aid. Тhis puzzled Shen Du, whilе also stirring а strangе fеeling in his hеart.
"Don't worry, I will definitely save you," Zhu Yan quickly reassured the little boy, then turned her gaze to Madam Tang. "Is there something you still want to say to me? Don't harm others. If you want someone to accompany you in death, I can go with you. Just don't hurt anyone else."
"Madam Shen is truly magnanimous," Madam Tang laughed maniacally, her grip on the little boy not loosening in the slightest. "Even willing to sacrifice yourself to save others. If I were to drag you to your death, how heartbroken your beloved Great Pavilion Commander would be."
"Don't concern yourself with our affairs. As long as you don't harm the innocent, we can discuss anything."
Zhu Yan began to panic. Madam Tang had already gone mad, yet she still held the little boy tightly in her grasp.
If she were to lose control in a moment of madness and accidentally kill the boy, wouldn't that add another innocent life to the toll?
"You people... none of you are good!" Madam Tang pointed at everyone present with her other hand. "All of you only know me as a murderer, but none of you care how much suffering I've endured. Not a single one of you has considered my feelings or acknowledged my motives for killing. You all deserve to die, every last one of you!"
"Stop this pointless resistance. Release the child, or no one here will let you go."
Shen Du suddenly spoke coldly, only to be met with a dissatisfied glare from Zhu Yan, who whispered, "She's already like this. You can't provoke her further, or that child will lose his life."
Shen Du looked at her. "Then what brilliant idea do you have?"
Zhu Yan was speechless. She truly had no better plan, but at this moment, they absolutely could not anger Madam Tang with words.
"I don't know," Zhu Yan's eyes showed panic. "I only know that too many people have already died in this case. We can't add any more lives."
Seeing Zhu Yan's helpless expression, Shen Du felt an inexplicable pang of heartache.
He then turned his gaze to Jing Lin, signaling him to seize the opportunity and act immediately.
Jing Lin nodded in understanding. However, Madam Tang was also a martial artist and naturally understood the hints passing between them.
"Hahaha..." Madam Tang laughed wildly. "You think I can't see through your little schemes? Want to capture me, do you? Then let this child accompany me in death!"
As she spoke, Madam Tang took a paper packet from her bosom and scattered its contents into the air. The powder inside turned into sparkling embers that fell upon both her and the boy.
"Fire! They're on fire!"
The onlooking commoners began to shout. Everyone present panicked—Madam Tang was practically using sorcery.
How could powder turn into flames and fall upon them?Moreover, the fire spread extremely fast. Madam Tang was already engulfed in flames, yet she continued to laugh maniacally.
"Help! Help!"
The little boy was terrified. Seeing the flames licking toward him, he desperately tried to break free from Madam Tang's grip.
But Madam Tang held on too tightly, rendering his struggles futile.
"Be careful!"
Summoning courage from somewhere, Zhu Yan rushed forward, scooped the little boy into her arms, and forcefully pushed Madam Tang away with her elbow.
The fierce flames scorched the back of her hand, but she still held the boy tightly and rolled onto the ground.
Shen Du quickly stepped forward, took off his outer robe, and draped it over Zhu Yan, using the long sleeves to beat out the flames.
Jing Lin also swiftly ordered someone to fetch a bucket of water, which was promptly thrown over Madam Tang.
In moments, the fire was extinguished.
Madam Tang had been burned and now lay on the ground, barely clinging to life, with only a faint breath remaining.
"Quickly, restrain this madwoman! Summon the imperial physician! Call the physician to treat Madam Shen's injuries!"
The Empress was furious. Watching the scene unfold, she was both worried for Zhu Yan and enraged by the deranged Madam Tang.
After a period of chaos, the situation finally calmed down.
Zhu Yan, Shen Du, and the little boy were taken to a side room in the temple.
The imperial physician carefully treated the burn on the back of Zhu Yan's hand, while the little boy watched her with both gratitude and heartache.
"Thank you, sister, for risking your life to save me. If it weren't for you, I might have died."
Hearing the boy's innocent words, Zhu Yan chuckled softly. "You're so young, yet you speak of life and death. With me by your side, nothing will happen to you."
"Will you stay with me forever, then?"
"..."
The boy's question left everyone in the room momentarily stunned, especially Shen Du, who frowned, sensing trouble.
Was this little boy trying to steal his wife?
Zhu Yan, equally puzzled, asked in return, "What do you mean by that?"
As soon as she finished speaking, the boy suddenly knelt on the ground and bowed deeply to her. "My name is Qi Yeyun. I have admired you since I was young. I came to the temple today just to witness your brilliance in solving cases. You are not only intelligent but also incredibly brave. Today, you saved my life, so I wish to become your disciple. Please do not refuse."
"..." Zhu Yan was completely dumbfounded, never expecting someone to admire her so much.
Beside her, Shen Du's face darkened. "What does a child like you know about admiration? This is utter nonsense."
"What kind of talk is that?" Zhu Yan was displeased. "Even though he's young, he understands right from wrong. Are you jealous because he admires me?"
Shen Du's expression grew even grimmer. "Jealous of you? That's simply absurd."
"Good, then. I've decided to take this little disciple," Zhu Yan declared firmly, her words tinged with defiance.
"Thank you, Master." Qi Yeyun was a clever child. Hearing Zhu Yan's words, he immediately kowtowed in gratitude.
Seeing that the boy was only a few years younger than herself, Zhu Yan felt awkward. Suddenly, she gasped in pain as she looked at the wound on her hand. "The burn is so deep. I'm afraid it might leave a scar?"
The imperial physician sighed helplessly. "The injury is indeed severe, but I will do my best to treat Madam Shen. I will use the finest ointment to minimize the chance of scarring."Seeing the shocking burn on Zhu Yan's hand, Shen Du's heart clenched.
Women are naturally beauty-conscious. If such a scar were to remain on the back of her hand, she would surely be deeply distressed. Even if she didn't voice it, there would inevitably be reservations in her heart.
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