“Oh no!” Shen Du and Zhu Yan exclaimed simultaneously as they realized something, startling the others present.
“What’s wrong?” Jiang Langxing quickly inquired. At the door, Jing Lin looked at them with a serious expression.
Neither Shen Du nor Zhu Yan answered Jiang Langxing’s question. They simply gazed at each other, seemingly communicating through their eyes alone.
“What day is it today?” Shen Du suddenly asked, his eyes fixed intently on Zhu Yan as if seeking an answer from her.
Instead of answering his question, Zhu Yan countered, “Why did they appear at Ximing Temple?”
“Their hearts were removed!”
“The female victim’s face was disfigured!”
“She’ll strike again today, for the last time!”
They spoke the final sentence in unison.
The other two present realized something was amiss. Though they didn’t understand why Shen Du and Zhu Yan were suddenly talking to themselves this way, the content of their words related to the case or a major event about to unfold.
“Are you saying the killer will strike today?” Jiang Langxing asked, fully alert.
Shen Du nodded firmly. “The more chaotic it is, the easier it is for the killer to act. We can’t let this continue.”
With that, Shen Du made to leave. Jiang Langxing and Jing Lin quickly followed, and Zhu Yan stepped forward, saying, “I’ll go with you.”
But Shen Du stopped her. “You stay at the Shen residence. It’s safer for you to remain at home until we can identify the killer’s target.”
“No,” Zhu Yan refused outright. “You’re not the only one who thought of the killer striking again today. I need to go and see the truth for myself.”
“Now is not the time to argue about this,” Shen Du said urgently. “If you’re in danger, I might not be able to protect you. So, you must stay here.”
This was the first time Shen Du had given her a direct order, leaving no room for refusal or rebuttal.
As soon as he finished speaking, he left hurriedly with the other two men.
Watching them leave, Zhu Yan clenched her fists. The killer would strike again today, and she couldn’t miss such an opportunity.
After some thought, a mischievous smile played on her lips.
Zhu Yan disguised herself and snuck out through the back door of the Shen residence.
But she had barely taken a few steps when Jing Lin suddenly appeared beside her.
“The Grand Secretariat guessed correctly. He knew Madam wouldn’t obey so quietly.”
Caught by Jing Lin, Zhu Yan felt somewhat embarrassed. “Weren’t you supposed to go with Shen Du to catch the killer? Why are you back?”
“The Grand Secretariat was worried you might act on your own and was concerned for your safety. So, he sent me to escort you.”
“Escort me?” Zhu Yan was puzzled. “Does that mean Shen Du agreed to let me join the hunt for the killer?”
Jing Lin rolled his eyes and said sarcastically, “If we didn’t bring you along, would you stay quietly at home, Madam?”
Zhu Yan was speechless. Of course, she wouldn’t.
Zhu Yan followed Jing Lin into the crowd, but then she realized another serious problem.
Today was the grand Buddhist ceremony, and everyone in the city wanted to attend to receive blessings.
With this sea of people, how could they possibly find the killer?
Conversely, in such a situation, it would be all too easy for the killer to choose a target.
Several people could disappear without anyone noticing, and by the time it was discovered, it would likely be too late.
This added significant difficulty to their task of catching the killer.
The crowded streets made it hard for the two to maintain their bearings. Even with Jing Lin’s martial skills, it was challenging to move through the throng with Zhu Yan in tow.
After a long struggle, Jing Lin managed to bring Zhu Yan to Shen Du’s side.
Shen Du gave Zhu Yan a slightly reproachful look but was taken aback by her disguise.
“What are you doing?”
Zhu Yan shrugged, looking helpless. “What else could I do? I thought you weren’t going to take me along.”
Hearing this, Shen Du understood her meaning. This woman truly gave him no peace of mind.
Even if he hadn’t brought her along, she would have acted on her own.
She hadn’t considered how dangerous her actions could be.
“I knew you wouldn’t stay put,” Shen Du said resignedly, seemingly accustomed to her behavior. After this cold reprimand, he said no more.
Zhu Yan pouted, muttering under her breath, “I’m part of this case too. Who told you not to bring me along?”
“Enough,” Shen Du commanded, having somehow heard her muttering. His icy tone was an order.
“Stay close to me. Don’t stray even half a step.”
“Yes, your humble wife obeys,” Zhu Yan replied obediently, curtsying to Shen Du. This scene made Jing Lin shudder.
This woman… she could be both tough and coy. To have such a woman as a wife, the Grand Secretariat truly had his hands full.
The Buddhist ceremony was tied to the nation’s fortune. Not only was the Empress attending, but high officials, including Lai Luozhi and Shen Du, had been invited as well.
At this moment, the Empress was touring the streets in her phoenix palanquin, her majestic presence inspiring reverence wherever she passed.
Shen Du and Zhu Yan moved with the crowd, but their minds were focused on catching the killer.
They shared the same thoughts, both aware of the difficulty of their task.
Just then, Shen Du spotted Lai Luozhi and his group not far ahead.
They were only a few meters away and would meet in moments. In a split-second decision, Shen Du pushed Zhu Yan into the crowd.
He didn’t want Lai Luozhi to see Zhu Yan, or rather, he wanted to protect her.
Zhu Yan was quickly swept away by the crowd. When she realized Shen Du had pushed her, she looked bewildered.
Hadn’t he just told her to stay close? Why had he suddenly pushed her away?
Jing Lin’s lips parted, about to speak, but he held back.
The Local Constable officer Jiang Langxing understood and moved through the crowd towards Zhu Yan.
At that moment, Lai Luozhi also spotted Shen Du.
Before Shen Du could approach, Lai Luozhi and his group came to meet him.
He wore a smile, but it was the kind that concealed daggers, the sort that made one want to punch him.
“Lord Shen is truly carefree. With your head about to roll, you still have time to attend this Buddhist ceremony. Are you worried about your next reincarnation and seeking Buddha’s blessing for a swift rebirth?”
Lai Luozhi’s mockery was met with Shen Du’s disdainful snort. “A dog’s mouth can’t produce ivory. If you don’t speak, no one will mistake you for a mute.”
Hearing this, Lai Luozhi wasn’t angered but rather seemed pleased. “Lord Shen, your words are so unpleasant. As colleagues, we’re just concerned for you. Today’s ceremony is grand, with so many people offering incense that many can’t even reach the burner. If Lord Shen wishes to offer incense, I can open a convenient path for you, ensuring you have unobstructed access.”
Shen Du gave Lai Luozhi a cold look. He knew this man approached with ill intent but hadn’t expected such long-winded nonsense.
“It’s still uncertain whose head will roll. Lord Lai, don’t be too hasty in your predictions.”
“Is that so?” Lai Luozhi’s tone was light, his expression confident. “I hear you still haven’t caught the killer.”
“There’s still half a day left. Why is Lord Lai in such a hurry?”
Lai Luozhi, left speechless by Shen Du’s retort, laughed coldly after his face had cycled through various expressions.
“Let’s see how long you can keep up this arrogance. I just wanted to remind you to keep the Internal Affairs seal safe. I’m quite fastidious, you see. If I have to take over and the seal is dirty, I’d have to make a new one. Wouldn’t that be too much trouble?”
As he finished speaking, Lai Luozhi adjusted his sleeves, brushing off some dust.
“Lord Lai is overthinking,” Shen Du replied, his tone still cold but with added authority. “Everything in my Internal Affairs Bureau belongs to me, Shen Du. No one else can touch even a fraction of it. As for how you acquired things in your Procuratorate, Lord Lai knows best. You worry my seal will dirty your hands, while I worry your Procuratorate can’t accommodate my grand seal.”
“Lord Shen should mind his words,” Lai Luozhi’s tone suddenly changed, his previously smug face turning serious. “We’ve been keeping each other in check for years, never mentioning cabinet affairs. Is Lord Shen breaking this long-standing rule?”
“The ceremony is grand, with many citizens paying homage. If Lord Lai has time to bandy words with me here, you’d be better off arranging some manpower to strengthen security and do something useful.”
Their conversation grew heated, neither willing to back down. As the Empress’s right and left arms, they always harbored thoughts of outdoing each other.
Shen Du, not wishing to engage further, retorted to Lai Luozhi’s words and then entered the crowd to search for Zhu Yan.