These words left Lu Chuichui and Jiang Langxing utterly astonished.
All their actions had been within the murderer’s plan. The killer knew their every move, yet they hadn’t even seen the culprit’s face. Even now, their only suspect was an executed dead man.
It was too bizarre. Could this all be the work of supernatural forces?
“That’s terrifying,” Lu Chuichui said, shaking her head. “Hearing you say this, I can’t imagine anyone but ghosts being capable of such feats. They know our every move, yet our only suspect is a dead man. It’s truly frightening to think about.”
Lu Chuichui’s voice trembled, her face pale. It was clear that their words had truly scared her.
Seeing this, Jiang Langxing looked concerned. “Lady Lu, don’t be afraid. I’ll protect you. No ghost will harm you.”
Lu Chuichui pursed her lips, completely unappreciative of Jiang Langxing’s goodwill. “You’re just an ordinary man. What can you do? If this case is the work of ghosts, even a hundred lives like yours couldn’t protect me in the slightest.”
“There are no supernatural beings in this world. Even if there were, they would be born of human hearts,” Zhu Yan immediately refuted Lu Chuichui’s words, trying to comfort her. “Don’t worry. Jiang Langxing is a skilled martial artist. If he says he can do it, he can. With him protecting you, no one can harm you.”
“Hmph.” Lu Chuichui snorted lightly, now distrusting even Zhu Yan’s words. “At a time like this, you’re still taking his side? He might protect me for a while, but can he protect me forever? You keep saying you don’t believe in the supernatural, but how do you explain this case? We have no evidence that this is human doing. How can I be at ease?”
With that, Lu Chuichui left the main hall, visibly displeased.
Watching her leave, Jiang Langxing furrowed his brow, his face full of worry.
Zhu Yan opened her mouth, wanting to comfort Jiang Langxing, but didn’t know what to say.
Everyone could see Jiang Langxing’s feelings for Lu Chuichui. Why couldn’t Lu Chuichui see it herself?
It’s always clearer to the bystander than to the person involved.
Xu Xiangren seemed to notice something too. Seeing Jiang Langxing’s worried expression, he lowered his head and smiled lightly. “Matters of the heart can’t be rushed. Take it slow. She’ll understand one day.”
Even Old Xu had noticed. Zhu Yan could only look on helplessly.
After discussing the case with Xu Xiangren, it was already dusk.
Xu Xiangren offered to escort Zhu Yan home, but she refused.
For some reason, she found herself inexplicably worried about Shen Du seeing them together.
As she approached the Shen residence, Zhu Yan couldn’t help but smile. What was wrong with her? Was she worried about Shen Du being jealous?
When Zhu Yan returned to the mansion, Jinglin immediately informed her that Shen Du had already eaten dinner and didn’t want to be disturbed.
Zhu Yan was puzzled, but her mind was preoccupied with the case. She had no energy to argue with Shen Du, so she quickly ate a simple meal and retired to her room to rest.
The next day, Zhu Yan initially wanted to find Shen Du, but remembering yesterday’s message, she turned and went to the Ministry of Justice instead.
If he didn’t want her to disturb him, she might as well enjoy some peace herself. Why not?
Zhuque Street in Chang’an was a bustling thoroughfare in the heart of the city. On normal days, it was crowded with pedestrians, and the calls of street vendors were constant.
Lai Luozhi was patrolling the street with his men when suddenly a woman blocked their path.
The woman looked about seventeen or eighteen, her hair disheveled and clothes dirty, appearing like a traveler who had rushed from afar.
Upon seeing Lai Luozhi, she fell to her knees, kowtowing and crying out about an injustice.
Lai Luozhi was confused and frowned, ignoring the woman. But she continued, “Sir, this humble woman truly has an injustice to report. Please, sir, help me. Many died unjustly in the Jinxiu Fang case years ago. Please investigate, sir.”
Hearing the woman mention an old case, Lai Luozhi immediately lost interest. “Where did this mad woman come from? Quickly remove her. Don’t block my way.”
“Yes, sir,” his subordinates responded, moving to drag the woman away.
But the woman was persistent and surprisingly strong. When they tried to pull her away, she became even more frantic.
She pushed away those who approached and, in her desperation, jumped into the cauldron Lai Luozhi had brought. She declared, “If you won’t address my grievance, I won’t leave. Even if you burn me alive, I’ll die to prove my point.”
“Hmph.” Lai Luozhi snorted coldly. “Where did this mad woman come from, to be so unreasonable and disrespectful!”
“Great Minister, every word this humble woman speaks is true. The Jinxiu Fang case was indeed unjust. Please, Minister, investigate!”
Hearing this title, Lai Luozhi was startled. The woman had mistaken him for Shen Du!
“What makes you think I would take on this case?” Lai Luozhi suddenly asked. The woman became excited.
“The Great Minister is known for his integrity and wouldn’t ignore the grievances of the common people. This humble woman has come to seek justice for an unjust case. Please, Minister, accept it. If you don’t agree, I’m willing to die to prove my sincerity!”
Hearing this, Lai Luozhi grew even more angry. How could he tolerate someone praising Shen Du to his face?
“Light the fire!” he ordered.
Everyone was shocked. Lai Luozhi was known for his unwavering orders. Was he going to execute her in front of the public?
His subordinates dared not delay. They quickly set up a fire and placed the woman over it.
The onlookers didn’t dare speak, watching the scene with heavy hearts, feeling the woman’s fate was undeserved.
Once the fire was lit, the woman quickly began jumping from the heat. Who could endure such pain from smoke and fire?
Seeing that the “White King of Hell” wouldn’t take her case and was instead punishing her, the woman felt resentful. Just as she was about to jump to the top of the urn to continue cursing,
she saw a group of officials in robes hurrying over from a distance.
“Stop!” Shen Du shouted, drawing everyone’s attention. “What are you doing?”
Lai Luozhi coldly glanced at Shen Du. “This troublemaker insulted me in public. I’m merely teaching her a lesson. Don’t interfere in matters that don’t concern you.”
Shen Du ignored him and waved his hand. Jinglin led men to rescue the woman.
Surprisingly, as soon as they rescued her from the urn, instead of showing gratitude, she jumped back in, continuing to cry about injustice.
It was rare to see someone so disregarding their own life.
Shen Du felt helpless, but as an official, he couldn’t stand by and watch a life be extinguished.
“Deputy Lai,” Shen Du looked at Lai Luozhi, “This is Zhuque Street in Chang’an. The public is watching. Deputy Lai shouldn’t take a life so casually.”
“Take a life casually?” Lai Luozhi looked at Shen Du with disdain. “Hasn’t the Great Minister of the Grand Secretariat taken many lives casually?”
Shen Du remained silent, but their conversation was heard by the woman in the urn.
Great Minister of the Grand Secretariat!
So this newcomer was the real White King of Hell, the Great Minister!