Standing beside the corpse, Zhu Yan felt anxious. She wasn’t sure if her experiment would succeed, but the matter was too important not to verify personally.
Taking a deep breath, Zhu Yan suddenly tossed the cat she was holding toward the corpse.
The cat, startled, let out a loud “meow” and leaped over the body.
An eerie scene unfolded. As the cat jumped over the corpse, the body on the wooden board suddenly sat up.
“Ah!” Lu Chui Chui screamed in fright, quickly turning to hug Jiang Lang Xing, burying her head in his chest, unable to look.
Jiang Lang Xing was equally stunned. He had never witnessed such a bizarre event in his life. Could this be the legendary “resurrected corpse”?
Zhu Yan’s tightly furrowed brow relaxed. This scene confirmed her suspicion that someone was manipulating events behind the scenes, and it wasn’t some divine retribution.
The series of tricks was meant to confuse the public and make the case more complicated.
Zhu Yan glanced towards the door and unexpectedly saw Lu Chui Chui half-hanging onto Jiang Lang Xing, whose hands were awkwardly suspended in the air, looking bewildered.
“What are you two doing?” Zhu Yan asked, her eyes showing not only shock but also a hint of amusement.
Realizing her loss of composure, Lu Chui Chui quickly stepped away from Jiang Lang Xing. “What are you doing? Why are you so close to me?”
Lu Chui Chui’s counterattack left both Jiang Lang Xing and Zhu Yan dumbfounded.
“Are you being reasonable?” Jiang Lang Xing asked, puzzled. “You were the one who jumped into my arms, not the other way around. Instead of being grateful, you turn around and blame me. How can there be such a woman who distorts the truth?”
Lu Chui Chui’s face turned pale at Jiang Lang Xing’s words, yet she maintained a haughty demeanor, pointing at Zhu Yan, the instigator. “So what if I did? Isn’t it natural for a girl to be scared by such things? It’s all Liu Niang’s doing. Why are you scolding me?”
Lu Chui Chui’s ability to shift blame and criticize indirectly was truly impressive.
Not only Jiang Lang Xing, but even Zhu Yan couldn’t help but admire her.
“Heh…” Jiang Lang Xing chuckled lightly, a look of disdain on his face. “Yes, a girl would be scared by such things, right, Madam Shen?”
Zhu Yan felt a wave of exasperation. Was Jiang Lang Xing implying she wasn’t a woman because she wasn’t scared?
Lu Chui Chui stomped her foot in anger, feeling that Jiang Lang Xing was clearly saying she was more cowardly than Zhu Yan!
This man was indeed no good!
Zhu Yan, uninterested in their bickering, took the lead and left.
Lu Chui Chui shouted from behind, “Liu Niang, don’t go, help us settle this!”
Jiang Lang Xing glanced helplessly at Lu Chui Chui. “Anyone with eyes can see who’s right and wrong. What’s there to settle? But, Lord Lu, next time you encounter such a situation, it’s better to have someone like me accompany you. If the person you hug doesn’t have some skills, both of you might end up in the mud.”
“You!” Lu Chui Chui was so angry she jumped up. How could this man’s words be so infuriating?
Jiang Lang Xing ignored her and quickly left.
With the sky darkening and having witnessed such a terrifying scene, Lu Chui Chui, now as frightened as a startled rabbit, hurriedly chased after Jiang Lang Xing, “Don’t go, wait for me.”
Jiang Lang Xing smirked but deliberately slowed his pace.
In the Imperial Palace, within the Imperial Study.
“Your Majesty,” Lai Luo Zhi knelt before the desk, earnestly reporting, “The serial murder case cannot be delayed any longer. The entire city of Chang’an is in a state of panic. The temple has seen incidents of ‘resurrected corpses’ and bleeding Buddha statues, causing innocent citizens to live in fear. Your Majesty must make a decisive decision.”
Empress Zhou Zhao felt helpless. Someone she had always trusted was entangled in this case, unable to extricate themselves. What was the reason?
Officials continuously reported Shen Du’s inefficiency. Even Lai Luo Zhi and Zhang Xing Wei, who rarely agreed, were on the same side, making Shen Du’s current situation difficult.
Seeing the Empress remain silent, Lai Luo Zhi understood her thoughts and continued, “I know Your Majesty trusts the Internal Affairs Office, but the situation is dire. Your Majesty’s trust cannot silence the public’s doubts. I implore Your Majesty to let me handle this case. I will do my utmost to solve it quickly, fulfilling the expectations of Your Majesty and the people.”
Lai Luo Zhi’s words were logical and irrefutable.
However, the Empress had other plans. “Lai Aiqing, there’s no need to rush. I am also concerned about this matter. I have already summoned Prince Ying to the palace. Let’s discuss it further once he arrives.”
“Your Majesty,” Lai Luo Zhi tried to argue, but the Empress raised her hand to stop him.
“This matter is settled. The palace has received a new batch of fine tea. Lai Aiqing, why not sit and enjoy the tea with me while we wait for Prince Ying?”
Lai Luo Zhi’s expression was unpleasant, but after a quick consideration, he bowed, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for the tea.”
A palace maid placed the prepared tea on the table. Lai Luo Zhi sat to the side, never once glancing at the tea.
The Empress glanced at him, understanding his thoughts. However, the court’s power dynamics were not a trivial matter, and she couldn’t rely on one person’s opinion alone.
After about half a cup of tea’s time, a voice announced from the door, “Prince Ying has arrived.”
“Your son greets Mother Empress. Long live Mother Empress.”
“Prince Ying, no need for formalities. Rise and take a seat.”
“Thank you, Mother Empress.”
Once Princess Yong’an was seated, she noticed Lai Luo Zhi sitting opposite and nodded slightly in greeting.
Lai Luo Zhi quickly stood and bowed, “Minister greets Prince Ying.”
“No need for formalities, Lord Lai,” Princess Yong’an replied, returning the bow, and they both sat down.
After the formalities, the Empress turned to Princess Yong’an and got straight to the point, “You must have heard about the murder case in Chang’an. Shen Du of the Internal Affairs Office has yet to solve it. I want to hear your opinion.”
Princess Yong’an quickly stood, thought for a moment, and earnestly said, “Shen Du of the Internal Affairs Office was personally promoted by Mother Empress. He must have exceptional abilities to hold his current position. Although the case remains unsolved, progress is being made daily. I believe… we should give them more time to solve it.”
Princess Yong’an’s words resonated with the Empress, easing her furrowed brow.
Lai Luo Zhi, dissatisfied, stood and said, “Prince Ying, I must disagree. The Internal Affairs Office may have its skills, but the fact remains that the case is unsolved. The city is in panic, with citizens living in fear, locking their doors afternoon. Even the capital’s temples are experiencing strange events. If we don’t make a decision now, should we let this continue?”
Lai Luo Zhi’s words were like a challenge, causing Princess Yong’an’s expression to change slightly.
“While the city is indeed anxious, it’s because they care about the case. The temple’s strange events have been addressed by the abbot’s rituals. Changing investigators now would only unsettle the people further. If the Internal Affairs Office can’t solve it, handing it over to someone else would only raise more suspicions. However, Lord Lai is right; the case shouldn’t be delayed.”
“Prince Ying speaks wisely,” the Empress said thoughtfully. “Let’s give the Internal Affairs Office a deadline. If they can’t solve it in ten days, the case will be handed over to the Court of Justice.”
“Your Majesty is wise!”
Though Lai Luo Zhi was still dissatisfied with the decision, he understood that the Empress had made a concession, and he needed to recognize the current situation.