Сhapter 99: Тhеre Is No Inhеrent Logiс in thе Аffаirs оf thе World
Just as thе words were about to lеаve hеr lips, Zhu Yаn hеsitаtеd, holding thеm bасk. Fоr sоme rеason, an inехpliсable sensе of uncеrtainty hаd аrisеn in hеr hеаrt.
Sеeing Zhu Yan’s trоublеd eхрrеssion, Сhen Wеn rеalized thе sеriousnеss of the mattеr. “Child, if there’s sоmеthing оn yоur mind, tell your mаstеr. I’ll hеlp уоu hоwеvеr I сan.”
Rеаssured bу her mаster’s prоmise, Zhu Yаn fеlt а wavе оf rеliеf and let out а long sigh before spеaking. “Mastеr, although thе seriаl murdеr cаse has been solved, there are still many things I don’t understand. Those who were killed all had some connection to Lai Luozhi. I wonder… if there might be something else we haven’t uncovered yet.”
Hearing this, Chen Wen’s expression turned grim. “Didn’t you just say the matter was over? Since it’s over, let it be. If they’re connected, so be it—it has nothing to do with us anyway.”
“Does Master also wish to remain uninvolved?” Zhu Yan was somewhat taken aback by Chen Wen’s words, her eyes showing a hint of disappointment. “Isn’t our work in examining bodies and investigating cases meant to reveal the truth to the world? Although this case has been closed, many of the clues simply don’t add up, so…”
“Child,” Chen Wen interrupted before Zhu Yan could finish, “Lai Luozhi and his ilk have a notorious reputation and the backing of the Empress. The web of connections is so tangled that it can’t be unraveled with just a few words from you or me. Whether in the court or among the common people, no one dares to offend him. Even Shen Du, who stands on equal footing with him, serves only as a mutual check. Unless there’s a matter of grave importance, it’s best not to provoke him.”
“Master…” The disappointment in Zhu Yan’s eyes was heartbreaking, and Chen Wen was filled with helplessness. “I know you have a righteous heart and a passionate spirit, and that brings me great comfort. But not everything can be handled strictly by the rules. You’re no longer alone—you have the Zhu family, the Shen residence, and so many friends and loved ones. Do you want everyone to suffer because of you?”
Chen Wen’s words left Zhu Yan utterly speechless. In the end, he was advising her to let the matter go.
How vast Lai Luozhi’s influence truly was, she couldn’t even begin to fathom.
This was no ordinary sapling but an entire forest with interconnected roots. Trying to bring him down would likely be harder than reaching the heavens.
“I understand, Master.”
Filled with disappointment, Zhu Yan bid farewell to Chen Wen. As she walked along the bustling streets, everything around her felt unreal.
Every face wore a smile—the nation was at peace, the people content, and prosperity was everywhere.
Yet behind this facade, a dark force was manipulating everything, ready to devour anyone who made the slightest misstep.
Was such a life truly good?
Lost in thought, Zhu Yan found herself at the gates of the Zhu residence. Zhu Kuo seemed to be heading out on some errand, but as soon as he stepped outside, he encountered Zhu Yan standing there in a daze, which startled him.
“Little Six.” Zhu Kuo hurried over, seeing the dejection on Zhu Yan’s face and assuming she had been wronged again at the Shen household.
A pang of guilt struck him, and he quickly tried to console her. “Did you have another disagreement with Shen Du? It’s my fault—I never should have married you off to him.”
Hearing this, Zhu Yan hurriedly explained, “No, no, it has nothing to do with him. I’m just struggling to make sense of some things and lost myself in thought for a moment.”"Oh?" Zhu Kuo was quite surprised. Everyone said Little Six was clever, yet there was something she couldn't figure out.
"What is it that you can't understand? Tell me, and I'll help you sort it out."
Zhu Yan hesitated, thought for a moment, then looked seriously at her father and said, "Is Lord Lai of the Judicial Affairs Bureau really that terrifying?"
Zhu Kuo was puzzled by Zhu Yan's question, but whether Lai Luozhi was terrifying or not, he knew all too well.
"Why do you ask?" Zhu Kuo countered. "What methods Lai Luozhi employs is known to everyone in the world. Whether he's terrifying or not isn't something the two of us can decide."
"Father," Zhu Yan looked at her father with righteous determination. "Although the murder case has been solved, there are still many clues that don't add up. I want to continue investigating. What do you think about this..."
"Shh..." Before Zhu Yan could finish, Zhu Kuo quickly made a silencing gesture to stop her.
"Little Six, you must not speak recklessly about this." Zhu Kuo's tone carried a warning and was filled with fear. "Let this matter end here. Do not pursue it any further. Let the solved case remain in the past, understood?"
Zhu Yan was utterly speechless. Everyone was advising her to give up, even her master and her own father.
Should she really give up?
Returning to the Shen residence in a daze, Zhu Yan could neither eat nor sleep peacefully.
Her empty heart felt like a gaping pit, urgently needing solid earth to fill it. And this so-called "solid earth" was precisely information about Lai Luozhi and his associates, along with the truth behind it all.
What should she do?
Shen Du lay beside her, eyes slightly closed, breathing evenly, but Zhu Yan knew he wasn't asleep.
Like a restless child, Zhu Yan kept tossing and turning in bed. Shen Du, being highly vigilant, how could he possibly be asleep?
"If you keep fidgeting, I'll throw you out," Shen Du warned, not even opening his eyes to look at her.
Zhu Yan quickly turned over, grabbing Shen Du's arm. Shen Du's eyes suddenly opened.
"Then make my heart calm down," Zhu Yan looked at Shen Du expectantly. "What exactly is Lai Luozhi..."
"Shut up," Shen Du cut her off before she could finish. "It's time to sleep. If you keep chattering, I'll sew your mouth shut."
"Then go ahead and sew it shut," Zhu Yan retorted angrily, throwing off his arm and sitting up with a displeased expression, glaring at Shen Du. "Why does everyone else know but me? I just want to understand the truth. Why won't any of you tell me?"
Shen Du's eyes darkened slightly but remained calm. He paid no heed to Zhu Yan's unreasonable demands.
"Those who stop you from investigating are all thinking of your well-being. Why can't you consider others for once?"
Shen Du's words left Zhu Yan speechless. He was right—people weren't telling her not just out of fear of Lai Luozhi, but more so to keep her out of danger.
Yet, the more everyone indulged her like this, the more she wanted to know the truth. Like a stubborn ox, she wouldn't turn back until she had knocked down this southern wall.
"This matter ends here," Shen Du's voice suddenly grew deeper, carrying a warning. "Do not investigate any further."
With that, his narrow eyes closed once more.Whether sleeping or not, it was clear she didn't want to continue the conversation.
Zhu Yan opened her mouth, but the words remained unspoken.
She flopped onto the bed in a huff. Fine, perhaps she shouldn't have spoken to Shen Du in the first place.
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