Сhарtеr 89: Тhe Buddha Swаllоws Sins, Casе Closеd
Маdаm Таng tilted her hеad and glanced at Zhu Yаn, аs if reсognizing hеr. "Маdаm Shen, fоr thе sаkе оf our аcquaintanсе, plеase burn me tо death. Оnly if I am burnеd tо dеаth in а grеаt fire cаn I bе rebоrn frоm thе flamеs, Mаdаm Shen..."
As shе sрokе, Madam Тang knelt befоrе Zhu Yаn like а wronged child, соntinuоusly bеgging Zhu Yаn tо burn hеr tо dеath.
Zhu Yаn wаs cоmplеtely bеwilderеd; Маdam Таng hаd trulу gone mad...
Sеeing this, Shen Du was filled with helрlessness. For а madwomаn, no mаttеr what shе said, it held no credibility.
Moreover, they couldn’t get any useful information from her now.
Thus, the case was closed. Madam Tang was ultimately sentenced to execution after autumn, while Chen Wen was acquitted and released.
After settling her master, Zhu Yan remained puzzled.
The case was far from resolved, so why was Shen Du in such a hurry to close it?
Walking into the study, Zhu Yan looked at Shen Du and questioned, "Why close the case? This case isn’t over at all!"
"Madam Tang has already confessed, and everyone present can testify. Why can’t the case be closed?"
"But the hearts haven’t been found. Besides, Madam Tang is spouting nonsense and even wants us to burn her to death. Don’t you find that strange?"
"What’s strange about it?" Shen Du looked at Zhu Yan with a stern expression. "She’s already mad. Is it strange for her to say mad things?"
"But why would she ask us to burn her to death? And she has a fire moth tattoo on her shoulder. Could it be..."
"Enough." Before Zhu Yan could finish, Shen Du interrupted her. "This case is closed. No further investigation is allowed."
"You!" Zhu Yan glared angrily, clenched her fist, and was about to reprimand Shen Du when Jing Lin entered from outside.
"Great Pavilion Commander, Madam. The Zhu residence, the Ministry of Justice, and the Unrighteous Agents are holding a celebration banquet and have sent an invitation for both of you."
Hearing this, Zhu Yan swallowed the words she was about to say.
She glared fiercely at Shen Du and changed the subject. "Last time we went together, he was as aloof as an immortal untouched by worldly affairs. This time, we’ll go separately. You can go or not as you please."
With that, Zhu Yan stormed off angrily.
Jing Lin was puzzled. What had happened to Madam? Had he said something wrong? Why did she turn hostile so suddenly?
Shen Du’s eyes were also deeply somber. Jing Lin didn’t dare ask more and simply placed the invitation on the table before withdrawing.
Returning to her room, Zhu Yan changed into casual clothes and began to dress and groom herself.
Yet, the case kept replaying in her mind. If she wasn’t allowed to investigate, she would do it anyway. She was determined to get to the bottom of it.
After a simple grooming, Zhu Yan’s gaze fell on the red hairpin beside the bronze mirror.
After a moment’s thought, she decided not to wear it and stood up to leave.
But as soon as she opened the door, she collided with the tall, familiar figure standing right outside.
"You... what are you doing?"
For some reason, Zhu Yan stammered as if she had a guilty conscience.
"Where are you going in such a hurry?" Shen Du asked, his tone as cold as ever.
"To attend the banquet, of course." Zhu Yan glanced at Shen Du, who was still in his official robes and hadn’t even changed his clothes. It seemed he wouldn’t be going.
"You are not allowed to go." Shen Du’s command left Zhu Yan completely stunned."Why?" Zhu Yan retorted. The celebration banquet was for them—if neither of them attended, what was there to celebrate?
"No reason." Shen Du stared at Zhu Yan with stern authority. "I said you're not allowed to go, so you're not allowed."
"Unreasonable." Zhu Yan grew somewhat annoyed, glaring fiercely at Shen Du before adding, "You don’t have to go if you don’t want to, but I must."
With that, Zhu Yan prepared to leave, but before she could take two steps, a large hand seized her wrist tightly.
"If you insist on going, you must wear that." Shen Du pointed to the hairpin in front of the bronze mirror—the one he had personally bought for her.
Somehow, Zhu Yan’s heart felt as if it had been gently squeezed, and her expression grew distant. "This outfit I’m wearing today... doesn’t match that hairpin. I won’t wear it."
"Then change into something that does match it." Shen Du’s tone was calm but brooked no argument.
"..." Zhu Yan was speechless. "I’ve already changed into this outfit. Changing again is troublesome, and it’s getting late. Who would even see the hairpin at night?"
"I would see it." Shen Du’s attitude was unwavering.
Zhu Yan suddenly felt a bit nervous. After sizing up Shen Du, she forced a faint smile. "You haven’t even changed your clothes, so I assume you’re not going?"
"Who said I’m not going?" Shen Du took a step closer to her. "If I go, you may go. If I don’t go, you cannot go either!"
Zhu Yan swallowed hard, knowing Shen Du wasn’t joking.
But was it really appropriate for someone to be this domineering?
After much dawdling, the two finally left the Shen residence. By the time they arrived at the banquet, everyone else was already present.
"Great Pavilion Commander."
Both the Deputy Commander Xu Xiangren and the Ministry of Justice official Wu Taiming stepped forward to offer congratulations. "The successful resolution of the case is truly commendable. Please, come in."
Today’s Shen Du was different from usual. He nodded politely in response to their invitations, wearing a rare smile as he entered the banquet with the others.
Zhu Kuo had never seen such an amiable Shen Du before and felt somewhat unsettled.
He thought Zhu Yan must have angered Shen Du, and this was the calm before the storm.
"Son-in-law... no... Shen... Great Pavilion Commander, has my daughter done something wrong in your residence? If there’s any oversight on her part, I apologize on her behalf. Please don’t take it to heart—a great person like you shouldn’t dwell on the faults of a lesser one."
"..."
Zhu Kuo’s apology left Zhu Yan, standing to the side, utterly bewildered and confused.
What had she done wrong? Why was her father apologizing on her behalf?
"It’s fine." Shen Du’s tone was gentle as he looked at Zhu Kuo. "We’ve been married for many days now. I’m already accustomed to it. It’s no trouble."
Hearing Shen Du’s response, Zhu Yan’s mind exploded with disbelief.
His words made it sound as though he had truly been wronged.
Lu Chuichui, standing nearby, was also stunned. She discreetly pulled Zhu Yan aside and asked, "What’s wrong with the Great Pavilion Commander? Did he forget to take his medicine before leaving? Why is he so amiable all of a sudden?"
"You think he’s sick, don’t you?" Instead of answering Lu Chuichui’s question, Zhu Yan posed one of her own.
This left Lu Chuichui momentarily speechless. After a moment, she quickly shook her head. "No, no, that’s not what I meant. I just feel like the Great Pavilion Commander today seems a bit different from usual.""Tsk..." Zhu Yan let out a cold scoff and shot Shen Du a glare. "Who knows what kind of trick he's hiding up his sleeve?"
Hearing Zhu Yan's words, Lu Chuichui could no longer press the matter further.
At some point, Jiang Langxing had also approached the two of them. "Madam Shen, with such a change in the Great Pavilion Commander, you must have played a significant role. Why not share a few tips on how to manage a husband, so that Lord Lu can also learn a thing or two?"
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