“What do you mean by this?” Zhu Yan stepped forward to inquire.
Shen Du turned around and said coldly, “What are you referring to?”
“You know very well what I’m talking about.” Zhu Yan was somewhat annoyed and turned away, fuming, no longer looking at Shen Du.
Seeing Zhu Yan like this, Shen Du felt like laughing inside. To maintain his composure, he turned and said coolly to himself, “Han Shiyuan is also a member of the Hongwen Academy. Don’t you find that strange?”
Hearing this, Zhu Yan seemed to realize something.
The Hongwen Academy was difficult to enter even with money, and positions were even harder to obtain. How could Han Shiyuan, with his ordinary background, possibly get in?
Zhu Yan pondered but couldn’t figure it out, feeling there must be something fishy about this.
But seeing Shen Du’s aloof manner, Zhu Yan didn’t want to ask him directly and simply left.
Arriving at the Ministry of Justice, Zhu Yan found her good friend Lu Chuichui.
“What?” Lu Chuichui was very surprised. “You’re saying the Furong Garden case is identical to the previous one?”
Zhu Yan nodded, “Although we can’t be certain yet, I feel there’s a strong connection between the two cases. Where’s Madam Tang?”
“She should still be in prison,” Lu Chuichui said.
Zhu Yan frowned, “Should be?”
Feeling uneasy, Lu Chuichui quickly went with Zhu Yan to find Jiang Ming, the head of the Ministry of Justice.
Jiang Ming seemed completely unconcerned about this matter and assured them confidently, “The person in the prison is fine. How could they possibly leave?”
Zhu Yan didn’t believe him and insisted on seeing Madam Tang to be sure.
Seeing how persistent they were, Jiang Ming had no choice but to take them into the prison to visit Madam Tang.
But from afar, they heard the sound of people talking and chatting, with occasional laughter.
“What’s going on?” Lu Chuichui looked at Jiang Ming in confusion, and Jiang Ming also indicated he didn’t know.
Quickly arriving at the cell, they found Qi Yeyun was also there.
Even more surprisingly, Qi Yeyun was sitting in front of the cell, chatting with Madam Tang.
Moreover, Madam Tang appeared very friendly, chatting happily with Qi Yeyun.
“What are you doing?” Lu Chuichui rushed forward and pulled Qi Yeyun away, fearing Madam Tang might harm him.
Qi Yeyun was also confused by this and hurriedly explained to everyone, “It’s alright, Madam Tang is very friendly. You don’t need to worry so much.”
“Hmph.” Lu Chuichui lightly tapped Qi Yeyun’s nose, full of disdain. “You’re too young to understand. The heart is hidden behind the belly. If she wanted to kill you, you wouldn’t even have a chance to fight back.”
Jiang Ming quickly agreed, “That’s right, she’s a skilled fighter. Don’t get too close to her, lest you invite trouble.”
Hearing their words, Qi Yeyun felt embarrassed and scratched his head, “Is it really that scary? I feel she’s quite friendly.”
Madam Tang had overheard their conversation and cast a contemptuous glance at them.
Zhu Yan remained silent, simply observing Madam Tang.
Not having seen her for a while, the previously frenzied Madam Tang now seemed to have calmed down and could chat like a normal person, which was quite rare.
But what puzzled Zhu Yan was that if Madam Tang was still in prison, then all previous deductions were wrong.
If the murderer wasn’t Madam Tang, then who could it be?
Zhu Yan’s delicate eyebrows furrowed together, and at this moment, Madam Tang unexpectedly called out to her, “Lady Shen, it’s been a while. How have you been?”
Zhu Yan maintained a composed expression, devoid of any emotion, “Thank you for your concern, Madam Tang. I’m doing well.”
“Hehe…” Madam Tang chuckled lightly, her face full of disbelief. “Really? Lady Shen’s brow and eyes are filled with worry. I fear you’ve been restless these past days, haven’t you?”
“Madam Tang is overthinking. I came here merely to see if you’re still as pitiful as before. It seems you haven’t changed a bit.”
Zhu Yan’s words displeased Madam Tang and her expression darkened, “Lady Shen, don’t always think that having a bit of cleverness allows you to look down on others. There’s always someone better out there. One day you’ll pay the price for your arrogance.”
Zhu Yan lowered her head and smiled lightly, “Everyone dies sooner or later, whether as heavy as Mount Tai or as light as a feather. Even if I die, if it’s for the sake of solving a case, it would be worthy of respect. But you, facing execution in autumn, will die despised by thousands. Don’t you feel ashamed?”
Hearing Zhu Yan’s words, Madam Tang’s face turned ashen, her fists clenching tightly with audible cracks.
The tension between the two women instantly ignited, and everyone present sensed the danger.
Lu Chuichui grabbed Zhu Yan, “Why argue with a mad woman? She’s about to die anyway. Let’s not waste time on her.”
With that, Lu Chuichui prepared to leave with Zhu Yan, but suddenly Madam Tang burst into wild laughter.
“Haha…” Madam Tang gripped the prison bars, her eyes fixed intently on Zhu Yan. “You want to get to the bottom of this? It’s like ‘an ant trying to shake a tree’ – overestimating yourself. Do you think you have what it takes?”
Zhu Yan stopped in her tracks, turned to face Madam Tang, and said seriously, “Truth and falsehood can be determined in an instant. Deception can never become truth. I believe that no matter when justice will always prevail over evil. As long as I keep investigating, I will expose your conspiracy.”
“Hmph!” Madam Tang snorted coldly, her eyes flashing with murderous intent. “Lady Shen, your time of death has come.”
Zhu Yan was not intimidated by Madam Tang’s words and instead displayed a slight smile, “Is that so? Then you’d better pray I die before you do.”
“Hmph.”
Madam Tang let out a cold snort, laced with contempt. “Lady Shen, if I had known you earlier, I might have been able to save your life. Now, I can’t wait for someone as clever as you to accompany me in death.”
“Life and death are decreed by fate, wealth and honor are in heaven’s hands. My death is not for you to decide,” Zhu Yan said calmly. “I didn’t expect that even now you show no remorse. You truly are beyond help.”
With these words, Zhu Yan was pulled away by Lu Chuichui.
Leaving the prison, Lu Chuichui seemed to still be in shock, patting her chest lightly, “This Madam Tang is too frightening. Don’t ever come here again if you don’t have to. I don’t know why, but her words always give me chills, layer after layer.”
“She is a murderer after all. It’s natural for you to be afraid of her,” Zhu Yan said methodically, then her eyes darkened as she mused to herself, “But why is it like this? She’s been in prison all along, so who could the murderer be?”
“What did you say?” Lu Chuichui’s eyes widened. “Don’t tell me you suspect Madam Tang is behind the Furong Garden incident?”
Zhu Yan looked at Lu Chuichui, neither confirming nor denying, but after a moment, she lowered her gaze and asked, “Has anyone visited her recently?”