“This humble official is Zhuyan, a ninth-rank scribe of the Ministry of Justice. I pay my respects to Your Majesty,” Zhuyan quickly bowed.
Upon hearing her introduction, the Empress recalled, “So you’re the sixth daughter of the Zhu family, and the current wife of the Secretariat Director.”
Hearing this, Shen Du hastily stepped forward, cupped his hands, and bowed. “Your Majesty, please forgive me. It’s my fault for not disciplining my wife properly, allowing her to speak nonsense and disrupt Your Majesty’s trial. I beg Your Majesty’s mercy, please don’t hold it against my unworthy wife.”
“It’s alright,” the Empress was quite magnanimous. She rather admired Zhuyan’s courage. “I’ve always appreciated talented women. Madam Shen is not only capable but also brave. This is truly rare.”
“Your Majesty is too kind. This humble official doesn’t deserve such praise,” Zhuyan quickly responded, only to receive a fierce glare from Shen Du.
The Empress observed this scene but said nothing more. She simply continued discussing the case, “I’ve long heard that Madam Shen is exceptionally intelligent, particularly in case analysis and deduction. Now that Tang Ceran refuses to confess, does Madam Shen have any insights?”
“Your Majesty,” Zhuyan bowed to the Empress. “Since Madam Tang refuses to confess, she must either feel no remorse for her crimes or believe that my husband and I lack solid evidence and have arrested her without cause. I request Your Majesty grant me some time to analyze the case with you, so we may reveal Madam Tang’s motive.”
As soon as Zhuyan spoke, everyone present became alert.
Everyone was both curious and fearful about this case. Now that the true culprit was caught but refused to confess, it truly puzzled everyone.
Even the Empress was quite satisfied with Zhuyan’s performance and nodded for her to continue.
Given the Empress’s permission, Zhuyan gained courage. She stepped forward, looked at Madam Tang seriously, and said, “Madam Tang, since this case began, you were the first suspect I identified. Until just now, I was still wondering why you would kill people. But your recent ravings have given me an answer.”
Madam Tang was stunned, then let out a cold laugh, clearly disdainful of Zhuyan’s words. “Don’t try to trap me with your words. So what if you identified a suspect? Without solid evidence, don’t think you can make me submit to the law.”
“We’re not in a hurry for that solid evidence,” Zhuyan remained calm. “Let’s first deduce the case and discuss your motive.”
As Zhuyan began to analyze the case, everyone held their breath and listened intently.
Even Lu Chuichui, standing at a distance, unconsciously moved closer to hear Zhuyan’s conclusion about the case.
“First, all the deceased women shared certain physical similarities, whether in their eyes, nose, or mannerisms. They all resembled someone in some way. Moreover, they all came from the brothels of Pingkang Ward, which is another common point.
As for the male victims, their common point is even more obvious. They were all killed for their indulgence in brothels or obsession with courtesans. Objectively speaking, these men weren’t exactly good people, but they didn’t deserve to die for it.”
“Silence!” Zhuyan had barely begun when Madam Tang as if gone mad, tried to stop her from continuing.
“What do you know? You’re talking nonsense and showing off. No matter how eloquently you speak, no one will believe a word of it.”
“Whether they believe me or not, everyone will judge for themselves,” Zhuyan looked at Madam Tang with a contemptuous expression. “But what intrigues me is, if Madam Tang is so sure I’m talking nonsense, why try to stop me from continuing?”
“You’re just fabricating lies!” Madam Tang shouted at Zhuyan. “Do you think I’ll confess if you do this? Let me tell you, if you dare to keep spouting nonsense, I’ll tear your mouth apart.”
“Are you afraid?” Zhuyan provocatively raised her voice. “Those courtesans I mentioned earlier, they all bore some resemblance to you, at least three parts if not seven. So I dare say, the women you killed must be related to someone very close to you.”
“Shut up!” Madam Tang completely lost control. With unexpected strength, she broke free from her ropes and struck out at Zhuyan’s vital points.
Zhuyan was shocked. She hadn’t anticipated Madam Tang’s sudden attack.
Moreover, Madam Tang had martial arts skills. If she struck a vital point, wouldn’t Zhuyan lose her life for nothing?
Zhuyan kept retreating. Even the Empress’s eyes showed shock.
Everyone present was alarmed by this scene. Lu Chuichui was so frightened he almost cried out.
Before he could shout “Protect her!”, Madam Tang had already reached Zhuyan.
Just as that palm was about to strike Zhuyan’s head, it suddenly stopped, as if controlled by someone.
Zhuyan lost her balance and fell sitting on the ground. At this moment, Madam Tang’s wrist was tightly grasped by a iron-like large hand.
“You!” Madam Tang was furious and embarrassed. Seeing Shen Du intervene, her eyes burned with anger. “Weren’t you supposed to have no feelings for your wife? Yet you save her at this moment. You’ve certainly hidden it well!”
“My feelings for my wife have always been deep. I don’t know where Madam Tang heard that we were at odds,” Shen Du righteously warned Madam Tang, while casting a concerned glance at Zhuyan.
This scene seemed to further provoke Madam Tang.
“How dare you live so happily! You people should all die, all of you!”
Madam Tang shook off Shen Du’s hand and attacked Zhuyan again.
Now she was like an enraged lion, her eyes blood-red, her expression showing she would stop at nothing to take Zhuyan’s life.
“Don’t even think about harming her!”
Shen Du also spoke harshly, stepping forward to engage Madam Tang.
Madam Tang was in a frenzy, her moves chaotic. Shen Du subdued her in just two or three moves.
After restraining her, he didn’t forget to ask Zhuyan, “Are you alright?”
Zhuyan shook her head and stood up shakily.
Looking at Shen Du, who had saved her at the critical moment, she felt a strange emotion in her heart.
But now was not the time for sentimentality. Realizing her loss of composure, she quickly apologized to the Empress.
The Empress was only concerned whether the shock had frightened Zhuyan and showed no intention of blaming her, which relieved Zhuyan considerably.
After reporting her safety, Zhuyan quickly tidied her clothes and began to continue analyzing the case.
Madam Tang, to prevent Zhuyan from speaking, shouted at her like a madwoman.
Left with no choice, Shen Du had to gag Madam Tang with a cloth.
The Buddha Hall finally returned to silence. Despite Madam Tang’s desperate struggles, she couldn’t move under Shen Du’s restraint.
Everyone broke out in a cold sweat over the recent scene. Madam Tang’s anger was truly terrifying.
It was as if the virtuous, gentle Madam Tang they had known was a completely different person from the one before them now.