“It’s like this,” the yamen runner continued. “My relative is a poet, and their family has always been a bit crooked. My relative is a regular at the Tongming Pavilion, but it was his son who ended up dead in such a place.”
Zhu Yan, listening intently, furrowed her brow. “How did you identify the deceased?”
“Madam, his son hadn’t been missing for long. At first, everyone thought he had just disappeared. But a few days ago, when the bodies were unearthed at Ximing Temple, we brought people to identify them. My relative immediately recognized one of them as his son, and the other was a courtesan from the Tongming Pavilion.”
The bodies discovered a few days ago were likely those of Lüyun and her companion.
Zhu Yan nodded slightly, another pair of bodies had been identified.
Back at the Shen residence, the two discussed the case further.
“Lüyun and the poet’s son, according to Rong Zhui, the man’s name was Su Mu, aged twenty. Ever since Lüyun arrived at the Tongming Pavilion, Su Mu frequently visited her. He was always Lüyun’s patron, so when they both disappeared, Rong Zhui didn’t think much of it. It seems Rong Zhui is indeed not the murderer.”
Zhu Yan shared her thoughts, and Shen Du nodded slightly. Suddenly, Shen Du seemed to have an idea.
“Have you noticed that from four or five years ago to the present, there’s a recurring detail among the victims?”
Zhu Yan frowned, “What detail?”
Shen Du stood up. “The ages of these people are noticeably decreasing, or perhaps the murderer is doing it intentionally.”
Zhu Yan furrowed her brow even more. With Shen Du’s reminder, she realized it was indeed the case.
“Does this indicate anything?” Zhu Yan was still puzzled. What could the decreasing ages of the victims signify?
“What kind of person needs young people the most?” Shen Du posed the question back to Zhu Yan. “Imagine, what kind of person would need the hearts of young people?”
“All the victims had their hearts removed, and their ages are decreasing. Could it be that the murderer is old?” Zhu Yan speculated.
Shen Du neither confirmed nor denied Zhu Yan’s guess, instead murmuring to himself, “If that’s the case, it could be troublesome.”
“What do you mean?” Zhu Yan pressed.
Realizing he might have said too much, Shen Du quickly covered it with a cough. “Nothing, I was just thinking. If the murderer is indeed following this pattern, then who would be the next target?”
“Someone young, related to the brothel,” Zhu Yan stated firmly. “All the victims so far have been connected to the brothel. Even if the murderer plans to kill again, it will be related to the brothel.”
Shen Du nodded, and the two finally aligned their thoughts.
“Now that we have a direction, catching the perpetrator won’t be difficult,” Shen Du said calmly, then looked at Zhu Yan with a meaningful gaze. “We’ve worked hard these past days. Let’s rest well tonight.”
Hearing this, Zhu Yan shivered slightly, quickly crossing her arms and stepping back. “What do you mean? Are you planning to sleep with me?”
“Why not?” Shen Du teased, finding Zhu Yan’s reaction amusing.
“Not,” Zhu Yan refused without hesitation. “The Empress hasn’t given us much time, and my life is in your hands. Considering how hard I’ve worked with you on this case, at least leave me a whole body.”
Shen Du chuckled at her words, wondering what this woman was thinking all the time.
He hadn’t intended to take advantage of her, yet she had taken the conversation in that direction.
“You’re still my wife, even in death. In others’ eyes, you’re still Shen Du’s woman. What purity is there to speak of?” Shen Du felt it had been a while since he had bantered with Zhu Yan like this. Since they were on the topic, he decided to continue the playful exchange.
“That’s different,” Zhu Yan argued confidently. “What others say is their business. What we do is ours. Since you don’t like me, and I don’t like you, there’s no need for us to act like a real couple. Let’s leave each other some respect. Even in death, in the next life, we won’t have wronged the person meant for us.”
“You think quite far ahead,” Shen Du said, his tone relaxed. After a busy day, he was indeed a bit tired. After a few more jokes, he got up to leave.
“Where are you going?” Zhu Yan suddenly called out as he reached the door.
Shen Du stopped, turning to look at her. “What, can’t bear to see your husband leave?”
Zhu Yan glanced at the bed. They had shared a bed before.
Besides, with little time left, discussing the case while lying in bed might help with its progress.
“The bed is big today. If you don’t mind, we can sleep on our respective sides as usual and discuss the case. It might help with the investigation, after all…”
She trailed off, unable to finish her sentence.
“After all, what?” Shen Du asked.
“After all… we don’t have much time left,” Zhu Yan said, a hint of sadness in her voice. The Empress hadn’t given them much time, and Shen Du’s situation was becoming increasingly precarious.
Seeing Zhu Yan’s concern, Shen Du felt a strange warmth in his heart, a sense of reassurance.
“Don’t worry,” Shen Du said lightly, with a hint of teasing. “If we don’t solve the case in time, I’ll leave you a way out. Living a life of solitude with the company of a lamp and Buddha is better than being alone and lonely in old age.”
Zhu Yan’s eyes widened. Although she knew Shen Du was teasing her, she was still displeased. “Who wants to become a nun? Let me tell you, if the Empress kills you, I’ll remarry within a month. On my wedding day, I’ll have a grand celebration with a three-day opera performance at the Hibiscus Garden to mark the occasion.”
Shen Du was visibly displeased by Zhu Yan’s retort, his expression darkening. “Are you wishing for my death?”
“Of course,” Zhu Yan said, still upset. “Do you think I was worried about your time running out? I’m worried about being implicated by you. Besides, you only gave me three months to live. I’m really afraid I’ll die before you.”
For some reason, Zhu Yan’s nose tingled, and her voice choked with emotion.
Shen Du wasn’t angered by Zhu Yan’s words. Instead, he felt a strange sense of pity.
Since the day they married, this woman hadn’t had a single peaceful day with him. She hadn’t done anything wrong, yet he was teasing her like this. Wasn’t it a bit too much?
“I…” Shen Du didn’t know how to comfort her. Seeing Zhu Yan’s aggrieved expression, he clenched his fists. “It’s late. You should rest.”
With that, Shen Du turned and left.
Watching Shen Du disappear into the night, Zhu Yan felt a mix of emotions.
She had intended to keep Shen Du to discuss the case, but somehow the conversation had taken a different turn, seemingly angering him.
She hadn’t meant to provoke him. It was Shen Du who had started the conversation, making her unhappy.
Zhu Yan stood at the door, lost in thought. After about half an incense stick’s time, she finally turned slightly and closed the door.