Upon arriving at the front hall, everyone took their seats, and the servants of the Zhu residence brought tea.
The porcelain cups with glazed chrysanthemum patterns were from the Yue kiln, and the tea leaves within had a rich, mellow fragrance – a rare treat for guests.
Zhu Yan couldn’t understand the situation. At that moment, she wanted nothing more than to stand up and directly ask her father and Shen Du if they were hiding something from her.
Shen Du and Zhu Kuo engaged in casual conversation, with Zhu Kuo constantly agreeing.
Amidst their chat, Zhu Kuo suddenly mentioned, “My daughter has been married into the Shen family for many days now, yet she hasn’t returned for a visit. I suppose official duties are keeping her busy. The Grand Minister must be very understanding.”
Hearing this, Shen Du didn’t offer any explanation but casually replied, “It has indeed been quite busy recently. The unsolved serial killings in Chang’an, which also involve the Liang family, have truly left us with little time to spare.”
“Oh…” Zhu Kuo responded with feigned understanding, “Does this mean the Liang family is connected to the murder case?”
“You talk too much,” Jin Shi, sitting nearby, glared at Zhu Kuo disapprovingly. “What does it matter to you whether the Liang family is involved in the case or not? The serial killings are already causing enough anxiety. Are you looking for more trouble?”
Jing Lin was taken aback. If he remembered correctly, Jin Shi was Zhu Kuo’s concubine. He began to understand where Zhu Yan’s behavior came from.
“Madam’s words are misplaced,” Zhu Kuo faced Jin Shi’s unreasonable attitude without annoyance, seemingly accustomed to it. “The Liang family has always behaved strangely, and I happen to know a little secret about them.”
Hearing this, Zhu Yan and Shen Du immediately sensed something.
After exchanging glances, Zhu Yan stood up and asked, “Father, do you know something about the Liang family?”
“Uh…” Zhu Kuo realized he had said too much and his expression became evasive. “It’s nothing important, and it happened so long ago. Mentioning it now would probably be useless.”
“Whether it’s useful or not, we’ll decide. Father, please speak freely,” Zhu Yan urged.
The core of the serial killings case centered around the Liang family. If her father truly knew something, it could potentially lead to a breakthrough in the case.
Shen Du also turned his inquiring gaze towards Zhu Kuo, waiting for his explanation.
Zhu Kuo laughed awkwardly, then fell into reminiscence. “I remember it was before the incident with the Liang family’s eldest son. I once saw Liang Jiren at the pharmacy, asking the shopkeeper about the effects of Dischidia. Later, I learned that after the death of the second branch’s son, the madam went mad and filled a room with Dischidia plants. I suppose Liang Jiren was worried about being poisoned, so he went to inquire about it.”
“What’s so special about that?” Jin Shi interjected again. “Hasn’t there always been a rumor that the main branch killed the second branch’s son? Perhaps Liang Jiren was just afraid the second branch would retaliate against him.”
The speaker meant no harm, but the listeners found meaning.
Zhu Yan and Shen Du both seemed to realize something simultaneously.
Shen Du stood up to take his leave, “I suddenly remembered some matters to attend to at home, so I won’t stay any longer.”
Zhu Yan quickly agreed, “Yes, yes, I almost forgot. It’s getting late, we should hurry back.”
After saying this, they hastily left the Zhu residence together.
However, their sudden departure left the Zhu family bewildered.
Jin Shi’s eyes filled with sorrow as she watched their retreating figures and sighed, “What important matters could there be? It’s clear that Xiao Liu is afraid of the White King of Hell and rushes to leave. That Grand Minister, one day, I must give him a good talking to.”
Zhu Kuo and his principal wife, Ru Shi, looked at Jin Shi’s self-pity with helplessness.
Marrying a man known as the White King of Hell would inevitably bring some hardships. Only someone with Jin Shi’s temperament would dare to indulge in such momentary verbal satisfaction.
After leaving the Zhu residence, the couple had no intention of returning to the Shen manor.
“Jing Lin, give me the sketch. To find the Local Constable and investigate the Liang family’s past, especially Liang Jiren’s movements before Liang Chenzhong’s death,” Shen Du ordered.
“Yes,” Jing Lin had just responded and was about to leave when Zhu Yan suddenly stopped him.
“Wait.” She lowered her eyes in thought for a moment. “Not just Liang Chenzhong’s death, but also investigate thoroughly the events before the death of the second branch’s son, Liang Man.”
As Zhu Yan finished speaking, Jing Lin looked questioningly at Shen Du.
After all, he only took orders from Shen Du alone. Even though Zhu Yan was Shen Du’s wife, he still had to consider the situation.
Shen Du nodded slightly in agreement, and only then did Jing Lin acknowledge and leave.
Zhu Yan followed Shen Du to the Bijiang Gold Shop, where the sketch they held had originated.
After obtaining information about the artist from the shop owner, they hurried to another location without delay.
This artist was nominally under the Huajian Painting Shop in the Fengle Market where the Liang family resided.
Seeing Shen Du and Zhu Yan arrive, the artist was startled at first, then quickly came forward to welcome them.
“The Grand Minister and Madam have graced us with your presence. I apologize for not welcoming you from afar. Please, come in quickly.”
The two sat down in the shop’s guest room. After serving exquisite tea, the artist appeared somewhat nervous.
“May I ask if the Grand Minister and Madam have come to commission a painting?”
Shen Du looked at Zhu Yan, who cleared her throat and said, “We’ll discuss painting another time. Right now, we need your help with something.”
The artist was flattered and quickly bowed, saying, “To be able to assist the Grand Minister and Madam is this humble one’s duty. How can you speak of helping? You truly honor me too much.”
Zhu Yan covered her mouth and laughed lightly, but at this moment she noticed Shen Du staring at her with a serious gaze.
It seemed he was warning her that the case was not a matter to be taken lightly.
She knew all too well that when it came to investigating cases, she was more dedicated than anyone. It was just that the current atmosphere felt too oppressive, so she had made a small joke.
Zhu Yan regained her composure and took the sketch from Shen Du’s hand, placing it on the table. “Artist, please take a look at this painting. Did it come from your shop?”
The artist stepped forward and carefully examined the sketch on the table. “This painting… although it’s a forgery, the brushstrokes bear a strong resemblance to the original. It’s a high-quality imitation, but the original must have come from here.”
“Are you certain?” Zhu Yan asked again for confirmation.
The artist nodded seriously, “The original painting was done by me, so I remember it clearly.”
“Oh?” Zhu Yan was curious. “If that’s the case, do you remember who brought this special pattern for you to paint back then?”
The artist fell into reminiscence, stroking his beard lightly. “I remember now. Back then, it was a man who brought this special pattern for me to paint. He was accompanied by a woman.”
“A woman?” Shen Du’s eyes suddenly turned cold.
He and Zhu Yan both thought of the same person.
“Who was that woman? Do you remember?” Zhu Yan quickly inquired.
“I believe she was a courtesan from the Pingkang Ward in the East Market, named Lan Yudie.”
Upon hearing this, both Zhu Yan and Shen Du’s faces darkened.
“Lan Yudie? Are you sure you’re not mistaken?” Zhu Yan asked again for confirmation. With lives at stake, she had to be cautious about every detail.
“I’m not mistaken,” the artist quickly said. “Although it’s been three years, this pattern was too unique, so my impression is still quite vivid. And since Miss Lan was from Pingkang Ward, I paid extra attention.”
“Let’s go to Pingkang Ward,” Shen Du commanded as soon as the artist finished speaking.