As they arrived at the Liang family’s back door, they discovered that the Liang family had already quietly sent people out.
Shendu gave Jinglin a look, and Jinglin understood, signaling a few brothers to follow.
Witnessing this, Zhuyan suddenly had a thought.
“Is it possible that, due to the long-standing discord between the two branches, the main branch of the Liang family killed their son to frame the second branch?”
“How could that be?” Jinglin refuted Zhuyan’s speculation. “The Liang family is already wealthy and powerful, with connections to the royal family. Their son, Liang Chenzhong, had aspirations for scholarly success. Besides his infatuation with Kuang Zhanxin, a courtesan, there’s hardly any suspicion. Ruining the Liang family’s future over a brothel girl makes no sense.”
Jinglin’s analysis was logical, but Zhuyan still felt uneasy.
“The Liang family’s affairs are complex. The second son of the second branch, Liang Man, was killed years ago. Rumors suggest the main branch was responsible, but even after all these years, there’s no evidence. We’ve investigated cases all over Chang’an for years but never heard of any major rifts in the Liang family. The relationship between the two branch masters seems good. Don’t you find this strange?”
Jinglin remained unconvinced. “Regardless, even a tiger doesn’t eat its cubs. What parents would harm their child?”
“The Liang family’s situation can’t be judged by normal standards. In my opinion, there must be much we don’t know.”
“Then let’s wait until we investigate further and see what the truth is,” Jinglin stood firm in his view.
Zhuyan knew the further argument was futile. Jinglin was stubborn as an ox, never changing course until he hit a wall.
As the two were about to observe the Liang family again, Shendu suddenly spoke.
“The second branch’s original wife, Madam Wei, is a distant relative of the Empress. After losing her beloved son, she became deranged. The Empress was saddened and had me look after her.”
Hearing Shendu say this, Zhuyan turned to look at him.
“So, if the main branch killed someone from the second branch, wouldn’t the Empress…”
Before Zhuyan could finish, Shendu nodded.
Jinglin also grasped the implication. If Zhuyan’s speculation was proven true, how could the Empress let the main branch off?
Moreover, this could be a good opportunity to gain merit.
Not just the White King of Hell, even the Black King of Hell would seize such a chance if he knew.
But something felt off to Jinglin. Why would the Grand Chamberlain say this now? Could he be thinking the same?
Zhuyan’s thoughts returned to the case. It was becoming more complex. To solve it, they needed to know everything about the Liang family.
This was a challenge.
As Zhuyan was considering how to approach the Liang family, she casually glanced back and caught a glimpse of a dark figure flashing by in the distance.
Startled, Zhuyan quickly turned around, her expression changing dramatically.
“What’s wrong?” Shendu noticed Zhuyan’s unusual behavior and asked.
“Is someone following us?” Zhuyan furrowed her brows, expressing her concern.
To her surprise, Shendu and Jinglin remained calm upon hearing this news.
“…”
Zhuyan was speechless but quickly realized that if she had noticed, they must have known too.
“Who are they?” Zhuyan asked, curious despite not wanting to meddle.
“Lai Luozhi’s people. They’ve probably already reported to their master,” Shendu replied calmly as if he had anticipated this.
Zhuyan was speechless again. Lai Luozhi’s people, huh…
Her careless words earlier might have caught his attention.
Another person now had designs on her life.
Her life was at stake; she needed to find a way out.
Shendu remained silent, observing the changes in Zhuyan’s expression.
Zhuyan turned her attention to Shendu, the so-called White King of Hell, the only one who could stand against Lai Luozhi.
“Husband,” Zhuyan’s tone suddenly changed, making Jinglin shudder. This address surely meant she had a favor to ask.
Shendu’s eyes deepened. Though prepared, his hand under his robe still clenched involuntarily.
“Speak your mind,” Shendu’s tone was cold.
Zhuyan continued smiling, “I’m known throughout Chang’an as Madam Shen. Aren’t I your closest relation?”
Shendu’s eye twitched. When a woman begged shamelessly, it was hard for a man to resist.
“Let’s go,” Shendu turned to leave, not wanting Zhuyan to see his expression.
Jinglin followed closely. As the two figures gradually disappeared, Zhuyan hurried to catch up.
“I’m your wedded wife after all. Can’t you at least hear me out?”
Shendu didn’t respond but listened coldly to her next words.
“After today’s events, I’m sure to be targeted by the Black King of Hell. Don’t you have any pity for your delicate wife?”
The words “delicate wife” coming from Zhuyan’s mouth nearly made the two men stumble.
Jinglin, in particular, almost lost his footing.
Realizing his lapse, Jinglin quickly bowed to Shendu, “Grand Chamberlain, I have an urgent need. Please allow me to take my leave.”
“Mm,” Shendu responded dully, his mood unclear.
After Jinglin left, only Shendu and Zhuyan remained in the dark alley.
Shendu stopped and turned to Zhuyan, “What exactly do you want to say?”
He knew but was toying with her.
At this point, Zhuyan didn’t care about face. Her life was at stake, after all.
“Husband,” Zhuyan lowered her standards further, acting like a demure woman. She stepped forward, tugging at Shendu’s sleeve coquettishly, “I’m your wife. You’ll protect me, won’t you?”
“You only have three months to live in my hands anyway. It doesn’t matter much.”
“Living one more day is still living. Why not live if I can? As my husband, don’t you have a responsibility to protect me?”
The night breeze blew, lifting Zhuyan’s bangs. Her beautiful face was full of expectation.
A particularly beautiful woman, even when begging, was especially heart-stirring.
Shendu felt his throat tighten, his heart momentarily losing its bearings.
It wasn’t until the night watchman passed by, that the crisp sound of his gong brought Shendu back to his senses.
“Let’s go,” he said, turning to leave.
It was unclear whether he had agreed or not. He seemed to be fleeing in haste.
The next day.
The bustling crowd moved to and fro on the street.
Shendu and Zhuyan set out for Tongming Hall to investigate the case.
Halfway there, they suddenly saw several people in palace robes walking towards them from a distance.
Shendu sensed trouble and turned to joke with Zhuyan, “Today is an auspicious day. Perhaps from today on, you’ll be a widow.”
“Is that so?” Zhuyan hadn’t noticed the palace people and was still troubled by yesterday’s events. “If that’s the case, I’ll surely book the grand opera at Furong Garden for three days of continuous performances to celebrate. I’ll even invite the entire Lu Chuichui family to sing on stage. Would that satisfy you, husband?”