Ji Fangming’s obsession ran too deep. Determined to seek justice for his confidant Kong Xianrong, he was deceived into joining Chen Huo’e’s faction. In his quest for vengeance, he aimed to kill Chen Shi and Chen Shoujie, ultimately leading to his demise. His corpse appeared to have been dead for a long time due to years of being controlled by drugs.
Zhu Yan had clearly explained this in her letter, helping the Emperor understand that there were no such things as ghosts or spirits in this world – only the demons in people’s hearts.
Shortly after the letter was sent, a response arrived. The Empress issued an edict to the entire nation, declaring that the Jinxiu Fang case was closed and that Chen Huo’e was indeed the culprit.
Chen Huo’e had already committed suicide in prison. With the Jinxiu Fang case resolved, the Empress granted a general amnesty and ordered the recall of Princess Runing from Mingsheng Temple.
However, Princess Runing refused this imperial edict.
This outcome was within Zhu Yan’s expectations, just as Princess Runing had once said. Even if the case was overturned, it wouldn’t change anything. The dead couldn’t be brought back to life. The departed had already gone, and the notion of allowing souls to rest in peace was merely a comforting phrase.
At the Shen residence.
Zhu Yan sat alone under a pavilion, her chin resting on her hands as she pondered Princess Runing’s words.
Noticing Zhu Yan’s melancholic expression, Shen Du sat down beside her.
“What’s wrong? Do you regret it now?” Shen Du’s sudden appearance startled Zhu Yan, who quickly snapped out of her reverie.
“No, I don’t regret it. As long as you’re safe, I should be willing to give up the truth,” she replied.
Though she said this, Shen Du knew what was truly in her heart.
“Then why do you look so gloomy?” Shen Du asked, pouring a cup of tea and placing it in front of Zhu Yan.
Zhu Yan picked up the teacup, brought it to her lips, then set it down again. She fidgeted with the cup, saying hesitantly, “I’m thinking about the Princess. The Empress was already granted a general amnesty and ordered her return, but she still refused the Empress’s goodwill. Won’t this bring trouble upon herself?”
Shen Du studied her for a long while before responding, “The Empress and the late Emperor still shared some affection. The Princess is also the late Emperor’s younger sister. The Empress won’t do anything too unseemly.”
Zhu Yan nodded. Shen Du’s words made sense. After all, even with great enmity between spouses, one would still consider the feelings of the late Emperor.
“Alright, don’t think too much about it. You’ve promised me you won’t investigate this case anymore. From now on, just be content with being Madam Shen.”
Zhu Yan’s lips curved into a smile as she nodded repeatedly. She would never go back on her promise to Shen Du.
“You’ve been through a lot lately. Once my wounds heal, I’ll take you out for a trip.”
“Huh?” Zhu Yan never imagined Shen Du would say such a thing. She couldn’t hide the surprise on her face.
“What, you don’t believe me?” Shen Du asked.
Zhu Yan shook her head vigorously. “No, no, I believe you. I believe every word you say. It’s just that our agreed time is almost up. Why would you suddenly want to take me out?”
Zhu Yan thought it would be more like Shen Du to say, “Once my wounds heal, let’s get a divorce” or “When the time comes, I’ll send you on your way.” Saying he wanted to take her out didn’t sound like something Shen Du would say at all.
Shen Du pinched her chin. “You’re that eager to die? Hm?”
Zhu Yan frowned. “If you want to kill me, I’ll accept it. After all, this is what I owe you.”
The soft touch of her skin sent ripples through Shen Du’s heart, which sank into a deep pool. His fingers tightened, successfully eliciting a pained expression from Zhu Yan before he released her. With one hand behind his back, he asked, “Are you that eager for a divorce?”
“Hm?” Zhu Yan didn’t hear clearly.
“Ahem,” Shen Du cleared his throat. “I just don’t want others to think so little of me. After all, we’ve been husband and wife. If I were to take your life then, when you face the King of Hell and he asks you questions you can’t answer, he might think I, Shen Du, had mistreated you terribly.”
“Pfft…” Zhu Yan let out a soft laugh. It was rare to hear Shen Du speak so much at once. Well, as long as he wasn’t dead set on taking her head, anything was fine.
“Alright then, let’s go out for a trip,” Zhu Yan said, feeling she had developed some understanding with Shen Du.
The sunlight was just right. Zhu Yan leaned closer, wanting to see if Shen Du’s complexion had improved. Suddenly, she found herself caught in his gaze. They both froze, staring at each other as if the sunlight flowing between them had become viscous.
Shen Du’s body inclined slightly as he slowly lowered his head…
“Crack!”
“Who’s there?” Shen Du shielded Zhu Yan behind him, looking towards the roof.
“It’s me!” Jing Lin hung upside down from the roof, his face full of embarrassment, not daring to meet Shen Du’s eyes.
Shen Du’s eyes could almost flay a person alive, his teeth gritted with urgency. “What is it?”
“Grand Coordinator, Madam, the Zhu family has sent someone to report that the Third Miss of the Zhu family is gravely ill. They hope Madam can return to see her.”
If it hadn’t involved Madam’s natal family, he wouldn’t have dared risk his life to interrupt. His Grand Coordinator was going back on his word. Who was it that had threatened Madam with a knife, warning her not to fall in love with him? In the end, he was the one who fell in love first. Hmph.
“Third Sister is gravely ill?” Upon hearing this, Zhu Yan immediately panicked. Shen Du pressed down on her hand, comforting her:
“Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”
Zhu Yan truly calmed down. She nodded, and without delay, they both rushed to the Zhu family residence.
Since Zhu Caiwei had eloped with Han Shiyuan to avoid an arranged marriage, her life had been quite tumultuous. Now that the Jinxiu Fang case was closed and everything had settled, Zhu Caiwei shouldn’t have been involved at all. Yet at this crucial moment, when everyone else was fine, only Zhu Caiwei fell ill.
This illness was very strange. Zhu Caiwei’s face was pale, and she couldn’t stop shivering as if she were very cold. Even with two quilts covering her, she still trembled incessantly.
Zhu Yan rushed to Zhu Caiwei’s bedside and grasped her hand. Her heart skipped a beat as she sensed something amiss. Why did her hand feel so cold and soft?
Looking down, she saw that her palm was somehow covered in a layer of transparent, thread-like substance.
“What is this?”
Despite her years of solving cases, Zhu Yan had never seen anything like this. She turned to look at Shen Du, who quickly stepped forward. Staring at the thread-like substance in Zhu Yan’s hand, his expression grew serious. He hastily pulled back the quilt, and the sight before them shocked everyone present.
Zhu Caiwei was curled up on the bed, shivering. Her body was covered in layer upon layer of transparent, thread-like substance. At first glance, she looked like a silkworm cocoon, which was terrifying.
Everyone gasped in shock.
“Caiwei.” Madam Ru fainted directly into Madam Jin’s arms.
Zhu Yan’s eyes widened in shock. She stumbled backward several steps, fortunately caught by Shen Du. She clung to his arm, trembling continuously.
“W-what… what’s going on? How did she end up like this?” Zhu Yan stuttered, her tongue tripping over the words. This eerie sight before her was unlike anything she had ever seen in her life. Even with her usual composure, she was at a loss.
The others were even worse off, all frightened out of their wits, shivering as they stared at the scene before them, not knowing what to do.