Qi Yeyun had somehow learned about this matter and was already waiting for Zhu Yan on the road.
Zhu Yan and Shen Du were riding the same horse towards Furong Garden when they suddenly encountered Qi Yeyun on the way.
Shen Du slowed down the horse, listening to Qi Yeyun talk about the incident at Furong Garden as they rode.
“Master, have you heard?” Qi Yeyun asked Zhu Yan excitedly, looking up at her on the horse. “Something’s happened at Furong Garden. It’s a big case.”
Zhu Yan was confused. Being held in Shen Du’s arms like this, her body was stiff. “What exactly happened? Tell me quickly.”
Qi Yeyun was full of excitement. “I haven’t been to the scene yet, but I heard someone was hanged at Furong Garden. I don’t know the details, but it must be a major case. Master, take me with you!”
“I…”
Before Zhu Yan could respond, Shen Du whipped the horse, speeding up and leaving with Zhu Yan.
“What are you doing?” The sudden acceleration frightened Zhu Yan. She clung tightly to Shen Du, not daring to move, and complained, “I hadn’t finished speaking. Why did you suddenly speed up?”
“His information is as good as nothing. What’s the point?” Shen Du said coldly, not slowing down the horse.
As the horse galloped quickly, Zhu Yan was thoroughly alarmed, feeling her heart was about to jump out of her throat.
“Can’t you slow down? You’re scaring me to death,” Zhu Yan complained.
But Shen Du still didn’t slow down. He just looked at the woman in his arms, who was like a frightened rabbit, and the corners of his lips inexplicably curved upwards.
Watching the horse gallop away, Qi Yeyun didn’t stop but started running to keep up. Being young and without a horse, he could only run behind, the distance growing larger. But Qi Yeyun showed no sign of giving up, even seeming happy as he ran, enjoying it thoroughly.
All the way, it was truly a case of the body running ahead while the soul chased behind.
Zhu Yan was so scared she didn’t dare open her eyes. She clung tightly to Shen Du, just hoping this moment would end quickly.
After what seemed like an eternity, when Zhu Yan felt her body was about to fall apart from the jolting, the horse finally stopped.
When she came to her senses, Shen Du had already dismounted, leaving her alone on the horse’s back.
“Hey!” Zhu Yan shouted at him, “Are you just going to leave like that? Aren’t you going to help me down?”
Shen Du turned back reluctantly and looked at her, teasing, “Isn’t the Coordinator’s wife quite capable? Just get down by yourself.”
Zhu Yan was speechless with anger. Normally, she wouldn’t have asked for his help and could have easily jumped down from the horse.
But now… Not only had the ride been bumpy, but Shen Du had ridden so fast that her soul hadn’t yet returned to her body. Forget getting down, she could barely stand up on the horse’s back.
Seeing Zhu Yan silent, Shen Du was about to turn away when she called out to him again, “Stop right there. Help me down first.”
Shen Du’s lips curled up as he turned away, but when he turned back, his face was cold again.
He came to the horse’s side unwillingly, caught Zhu Yan with one hand, and lifted her down from the horse’s back. He said in a disdainful tone, “Women are so useless, yet they like to pretend to be strong.”
Zhu Yan was completely baffled by Shen Du’s words. She didn’t know what he was talking about or what he meant.
Just as Shen Du was about to move, Zhu Yan lost her balance and grabbed his arm tightly.
Her facial muscles twitched as she looked at him pleadingly, “I… my legs are weak. Let me lean on you as we go in.”
Shen Du looked displeased but slowed his pace, allowing Zhu Yan to lean on him as they limped into Furong Garden.
However, when they entered Furong Garden, both were shocked, their pupils dilating.
The once lively and prosperous place was now eerily quiet.
There was no usual opera echoing from the stage, only a small fire burning as if someone had deliberately set a slow-burning fire.
Above the flames was something like a cocoon with wings, spinning around.
From a distance, it looked like a moth, but the “moth’s” head was human!
Looking closer, the face of this person was none other than her missing brother-in-law, Han Shiyuan.
“Han Shiyuan!” Zhu Yan was shocked. Then she noticed another woman hanging not far from Han Shiyuan.
This woman also had a fire burning beneath her feet. Although it wouldn’t immediately threaten their lives, the pain of being slowly roasted was unbearable for ordinary people.
The woman’s clothes looked familiar, and when she slowly turned around, Zhu Yan was even more shocked. “Third Sister!”
Zhu Yan was so stunned by the scene before her that she almost fell. If Shen Du hadn’t supported her, she would have collapsed on the ground.
Zhu Caiwei’s situation looked more serious. She hung her head low, not saying a word, letting the rope spin her around.
At this moment, Han Shiyuan seemed to regain some consciousness. “Quick… save Caiwei!” he called out weakly.
There was no one else in Furong Garden besides them. Zhu Yan became anxious and quickly begged Shen Du to go and save them.
At this point, Zhu Caiwei also seemed to regain consciousness. Her lowered head suddenly jerked up, and she slowly raised it. Seeing the two people in front of her and recalling Han Shiyuan’s voice, she quickly looked in his direction. Seeing her beloved not far away, she was both surprised and delighted. “Shiyuan, Han Shiyuan!”
Seeing Zhu Caiwei awake, Han Shiyuan was also overjoyed and quickly comforted her, “Caiwei, don’t be afraid. We’ll be alright. Someone has come to help us. We’ll be rescued soon.”
Zhu Yan had no time to listen to their conversation. She looked at her Third Sister Zhu Caiwei in shock.
Wasn’t she at the Zhu residence just now? How did she suddenly appear here?
But now was not the time to ponder these questions. The two were in critical condition and needed to be rescued immediately.
Zhu Yan quickly grabbed Shen Du’s arm, shaking it constantly, but Shen Du seemed not to hear, his eyes coldly fixed on the two people on the stage.
“What are you standing there for? Hurry and save them! If we’re any later, they won’t survive!”
Shen Du still didn’t move. His fists clenched tightly, and after a long moment, he said in a cold voice, “Haven’t you noticed something strange here?”
Zhu Yan was frantic. At a time like this, how could she pay attention to such things?
“What could be strange? They’re about to be roasted alive. Why aren’t you going to save them?”
Hearing Zhu Yan’s words, Shen Du still didn’t move. Instead, he spoke slowly, “This case is identical to the previous Buddha Swallowing Sins case. Haven’t you noticed?”
Zhu Yan was thoroughly shocked. She let out a bitter laugh and pointed at Shen Du, shouting, “You’re truly cold-blooded and heartless! At a time like this, you’re still concerned about investigating the case? You won’t save them, right? Fine! If you won’t, I will!”
With that, Zhu Yan quickly ran to the base of the stage. However, with two people burning above, she suddenly found herself at a loss for what to do.