“Chen Huoe,” he paused, “Oh no, it’s better to call him Lai Luofu.”
Hearing this response, she furrowed her brow: “But to conclude it’s Lai Luofu based on just a smoke trick seems hasty. What if Lai Luofu taught other Fire Moth Party members illusion techniques? After all, though difficult, illusions can be learned.”
Given the materials and principles, she could perform simple illusions too.
The room fell so silent you could hear a pin drop.
Shen Du opened his palm for Zhu Yan to see, stating confidently: “It’s her. I’ve fought her several times. No matter how much time passes, I can recognize any opponent I’ve faced even once.”
“Though she tried hard to conceal the traces of our encounters, it was in vain.”
Zhu Yan believed this. As if possessed, she took Shen Du’s outstretched hand and held it between her own. After a moment’s thought, she said:
“Then that means he must be the leader of Guangchun Hall.”
That day at Guangchun Hall, that so-called master kept calling out “Chief Chen, Chief Chen.” So that’s what it was about.
“However, he may just be the figurehead leader. The real mastermind is likely that person in the imperial court,” Shen Du added. Zhu Yan knew what he meant without it being spelled out.
Lai Luofu’s trickery and constantly changing identities to cultivate power for Lai Luoyi were truly frightening.
Thinking it through, Zhu Yan shuddered: “What if he hadn’t just established the Fire Moth Party in Yingzhou, but throughout the entire Great Zhou? What should we do then?”
Shen Du looked at their intertwined hands. Shamefully, he realized that he wasn’t as inflexible as before. There would come a day when he’d be willing to do things he once disdained, hoping to have this woman by his side for life.
Shen Du gestured for her to continue.
Zhu Yan raised one hand and counted off her fingers: “This organization has existed for at least a decade or more. That person is also the Deputy Chief Judge of the Court of Judicial Review – a high-ranking, powerful position with deep roots that will be hard to uproot. He’s also roped in Mo Qianzi. Even just in Yingzhou City, the next steps won’t be easy.”
“Given that person’s way of doing things, it’s impossible he only has a base in Yingzhou. Back when Chen Huoe committed crimes in other provinces, it was likely to conceal bases there, which is why Chen Huoe came out to take responsibility for all the crimes.”
The listener nodded approvingly, clearly agreeing with her analysis. Then, as if struck by a thought, he seemed momentarily dazed. Zhu Yan naturally noticed.
“What’s wrong?”
“Her Majesty ordered us to investigate the Fire Moth Party. Does she know who the mastermind behind it is?”
They both fell silent again.
Lai Luoyi had long been greatly valued by the Empress, handling matters ruthlessly. He was the Empress’s perfect executioner displayed before the people. Could the Empress accept such a good weapon one day turning its muzzle on herself?
Lost in thought, Zhu Yan suddenly clicked her tongue and lightly struck the table, though not too loudly.
Hearing the sound, Shen Du immediately looked at her.
“Her Majesty is using us as tools,” she said discontentedly, with a hint of anger, striking the table again. “Ordering us around, isn’t that just…”
But Shen Du shook his head, stopping her from continuing.
Then came a soft sigh.
Their gazes met. Zhu Yan slightly pursed her lips, feeling somewhat uneasy. Even though Shen Du hadn’t said anything, she understood his implied meaning. The Empress was maneuvering behind the scenes, seeing the entire Great Zhou. What the ultimate purpose of all this planning was, Shen Du wouldn’t let her guess, and she couldn’t figure it out anyway.
She had once been just a minor ninth-rank Scribe in the Ministry of Justice. Now at most, she bore the title of Madam Shen. How could her strategies compare to the Empress’s?
Before she could collect her thoughts, she felt herself being pulled into an embrace, her head bumping against a solid chest. Before she could react, Shen Du’s arm was around her shoulders, not allowing her to move.
“You don’t need to be like this,” Shen Du’s voice came from above, enveloping her. “No matter how Her Majesty arranges things, I will keep you safe.”
Keep you safe?
For a moment, she was stunned, warmth spreading through her heart and lungs. She hadn’t realized it before, but since entering Yingzhou, she discovered that her abilities to examine corpses and judge cases weren’t all that remarkable. Especially recently, it had been because of her holding things back that Shen Du had to look out for her, delaying progress and directly leading to Mo Qianzi and the men in black escaping successfully. But Zhu Yan didn’t feel too embarrassed about it, after all, Shen Du had said it was intentionally arranged that way. Although she shouldn’t, there was a bit of secret joy in Shen Du being so considerate of her. What surprised her was Shen Du’s recent changes. Ever since that day when he had opened up about his feelings, his words and actions became increasingly unrestrained, even directly stating he would keep her safe. In Zhu Yan’s heart, the previous Shen Du would likely have been disgusted by her inability to protect herself in chaos.
Zhu Yan turned these words over in her mind several times, then looked up at Shen Du again, meeting his eyes.
Zhu Yan blushed and hastily lowered her head, but Shen Du used one hand to tilt her chin up, forcing her to look at him, a smile on his lips. “What is my wife hiding from?”
Zhu Yan was flustered, her cheeks flushed pink as she rambled, “What you said earlier, you must keep your word. If anything happens to me, you’re responsible. Especially my family, you need to look after them. And also…”
Shen Du leaned in, his lips covering hers, silencing Zhu Yan’s unspoken words. This time Shen Du didn’t kiss for long, but it was very gentle. He quickly released her, seeing Zhu Yan’s pink lips glistening, her starry eyes rippling like water. He couldn’t help but feel moved, reaching out to lightly tap her nose: “Don’t let anything happen. With me here, you’ll be fine.”
With that, he pulled Zhu Yan back into his embrace. Surrounded by Shen Du’s scent, Zhu Yan felt at ease.
But then she thought of that woven bamboo pig. Though it somewhat spoiled the mood, she couldn’t control herself. She frowned, wondering if he knew who the pig’s owner was.
The two were in perfect sync, neither speaking to disturb this moment of tranquility.
Recently, with so many incidents occurring, times like this when they could quietly be together were rare.
But the person outside could no longer bear to watch.
He was passing by the window and happened to see this scene.
Already injured, he felt as if someone had taken a file to his wounds. He made as if to cover his face, then peered in through the window again.
The people inside naturally heard the noise from outside. Shen Du looked toward the window in displeasure, which also caused Zhu Yan to look over.
It was none other than Pan Chi, leaning on the windowsill despite his injuries.
Shen Du flicked his fingers, sending a small object flying. The discovered intruder was startled and stumbled backward, nearly falling to the ground.
Zhu Yan sheepishly pushed Shen Du away, seeing his clear reluctance. Amused in her heart, she gave him a bashful glare before getting up and moving to one side.
Shen Du remained nonchalant, pouring himself a cup of tea.
“It’s all your fault!” Zhu Yan cupped her face, trying to cool the heat in her cheeks as she walked toward the door.
Strange, why hasn’t he come in yet?