Seeing this scene, Zhuyan was filled with anger, but considering the importance of the current case, she could only swallow her resentment.
Lost in thought, Zhuyan leaned against the doorframe and looked up, and in that glance, she noticed something peculiar.
“Jinglin,” Zhuyan called out loudly. Jinglin immediately became alert and looked towards her.
Zhuyan pointed to the ceiling beam, “Go and see if there’s anything on the beam.”
Before Jinglin could act, Shen Du turned and leaped onto the beam in one swift motion.
This display caused Yunque to clap and cheer, as if ready to offer her heart and liver in adoration of the man before her.
Everyone felt Yunque’s reaction was a bit excessive. Qi Yeyun pursed his lips, “Has she never seen a man before? Is it really necessary?”
His words reached Yunque’s ears, but she paid no attention, merely glancing at Qi Yeyun before fully immersing herself in her emotions.
Zhuyan shook her head helplessly, then turned her gaze to Shen Du on the beam.
“Take two steps forward. There’s a hidden compartment on the left side of the beam. See if there are any clues inside.”
Following Zhuyan’s instructions, Shen Du took two steps forward, crouched down, and felt the beam with his hand.
Indeed, there was a hidden compartment containing what appeared to be scraps of paper.
They looked like fragments of correspondence but had been torn to pieces. Why would torn-up documents be stored in a hidden compartment in the ceiling beam?
Shen Du came down from the beam, and Zhuyan quickly approached him. After all, this was her discovery.
“What is it?” Yunque hurriedly stood on Shen Du’s other side, her posture even closer than Zhuyan’s.
Shen Du moved his feet with great displeasure, stepping closer to Zhuyan.
Zhuyan also glared at Yunque before looking at what was in Shen Du’s hand.
These paper scraps seemed to have been torn up long ago. Many of the characters were illegible, making it impossible to piece together. However, one piece, though blurry, was barely recognizable: Jinxiu Fang!
These three simple characters provided a valuable clue for those present.
Zhuyan grabbed the paper scrap with “Jinxiu Fang” written on it and turned to leave.
“What are you doing? The Grand Prefect discovered that!” Yunque shouted from behind.
Zhuyan paid no attention. Shen Du showed no intention of following her, only giving Yunque a displeased look before leading the others away.
Arriving at a teahouse, Zhuyan waited for a long time before finally seeing Xu Xiangren.
“Second Brother Xu,” Zhuyan called out from afar. Xu Xiangren saw her and walked over, sitting opposite her.
“You called me here so urgently. Has something happened?” Xu Xiangren asked, his expression concerned.
“I’ve found some clues, but I’m not certain. I wanted to ask for your help in verifying them,” Zhuyan said, placing the paper scraps in front of Xu Xiangren.
Xu Xiangren picked up the scraps, his deep gaze suggesting he had thought of something. “Alright, I’ll go back and verify this. I’ll inform you immediately if I find anything.”
“Mm,” Zhuyan nodded, then looked at Xu Xiangren seriously. “Second Brother Xu, if this case is truly related to Chen Huoe’s case from years ago, what do you plan to do?”
Xu Xiangren hesitated, “If that’s the case, then I’ll just let her die again.”
His eyes grew darker as he continued, “Whether human or ghost, we must give the people an explanation. Even if she’s returned from the dead, I’ll make her die again.”
Zhuyan lowered her head, “Then be careful. I’m worried…”
“No need to worry,” Xu Xiangren interrupted before Zhuyan could finish. “What others can discover, we Local Constablen can also find. What others can’t find, we can still uncover. Go back and wait for my news. As soon as I have any information, I’ll let you know immediately.”
Zhuyan nodded. Xu Xiangren left without even drinking his tea.
Thinking Xu Xiangren would find clues quickly, Zhuyan decided to wait at the teahouse for a while.
However, after waiting for a long time with no sign of him, she finally decided to return.
Back at the Shen mansion, before even entering, she could hear Yunque’s cheers from inside.
“The Grand Prefect is truly brilliant. You should have seen it! His martial arts were incredibly profound. With just one spin, he flew up to the ceiling beam. Everyone present applauded. Isn’t that amazing?”
Entering the mansion, Zhuyan saw a group of servants gathered around Yunque, listening to her recount the day’s events.
It was as if she was telling some strange legend, and they were listening with great interest.
Zhuyan couldn’t bear to watch anymore and turned to leave. On her way, she encountered the Shen mansion’s steward.
“Steward,” Zhuyan called out to him, giving him a meaningful look. “Our Shen mansion doesn’t keep useless people. If this continues, sooner or later, the Grand Prefect will drive them out of the mansion.”
The steward glanced in the direction of the crowd and quickly nodded, admitting his mistake. “Yes, yes, Madam’s admonishment is correct. I’ll handle this matter right away.”
Satisfied with the response, Zhuyan turned and left.
After she had gone, the steward looked back at Zhuyan’s retreating figure. The madam had never before asserted her authority in the mansion, so why today? She had suddenly taken on the air of the lady of the house, ordering him about, and she carried herself with remarkable stability, looking extraordinarily graceful. This was truly the proper Madam Shen.
The old steward dispersed the gathered servants, leaving Yunque neglected once again.
She glared at the old steward with displeasure, complaining, “What’s wrong with letting everyone rest for a while? After a busy day, can’t they just chat with me?”
“Oh my,” the old steward said apologetically. “Miss Yunque, you’re too kind. You ask the servants to keep you company, and how could they refuse? But we all receive our pay from the Shen mansion, working for the Grand Prefect. Gathering us all here to chat instead of working, well, that’s not quite right, is it, Miss Yunque?”
Yunque was left speechless by the old steward’s words, wanting to argue but finding no reason to.
She could only accept her misfortune. When under someone’s roof, one must bow one’s head.
Learning of the steward’s handling of the situation, Zhuyan felt as if a weight had been lifted from her chest. But then she found herself surprised by her reaction.
What was wrong with her? Why did she find this woman so irritating no matter how she looked at her?
Lost in thought, Zhuyan walked to Shen Du’s study. It was already dusk, but Shen Du wasn’t in his study. She didn’t know where he had gone.
Yunque had already returned, so Shen Du should have been back too. Why wasn’t he here? Zhuyan was puzzled.
Feeling that her attitude today hadn’t been good, she decided to actively seek him out and apologize.
Just as Zhuyan was about to leave, Jiang Langxing of the Local Constablen arrived at the Shen mansion. “Madam Prefect,” he called out.
Zhuyan quickly turned to him, “Why are you here? Lord Lu isn’t here.”
Hearing Zhuyan’s teasing, Jiang Langxing’s face reddened. “I came here to see you, Madam Prefect, not Lord Lu. Why do you always bring up Lord Lu?”
Seeing Jiang Langxing’s reddening cheeks, Zhuyan let out a light laugh. “What did you want to see me about?”