Finally reaching an agreement, Lu Chuichui placed the case files on the table and pointed to one of them, saying, “Based on the clue you gave me last time, I found out that one of the prostitutes named Ruyan had already reformed and given birth to a child before the incident. You mentioned that all the victims were prostitutes, so how do we explain this reformed one?”
“What?” Zhuyan exclaimed in surprise. This was indeed a significant development. She hurriedly picked up the file to examine it closely.
At that moment, Shen Du returned from the imperial court.
Upon seeing Shen Du’s serious expression, Lu Chuichui felt her heart racing. She had no desire to have any interaction with this living Yama.
If it weren’t for Zhuyan being in the Shen residence, she wouldn’t have set foot inside the Shen family’s gate even if it killed her.
“Well then, you take your time looking at it. I’ll be heading back now,” Lu Chuichui said, not waiting for Zhuyan’s response before fleeing the Shen residence as if escaping for her life.
Shen Du’s brow didn’t even twitch as he walked directly to Zhuyan.
“What did Zhang Xingwei want from you?” he asked.
Learning that Zhang Xingwei had visited, Shen Du’s face darkened like the bottom of a pot.
He had always suspected that Zhuyan’s marriage to him was arranged by Zhang Xingwei. Now, Zhang dared to visit openly, as if not considering him at all.
“Nothing much, just reminding me to act within my limits,” Zhuyan replied, her thoughts completely absorbed in the case files.
Seeing Zhuyan’s absentmindedness and her casual response, Shen Du’s heart relaxed a bit.
It was most likely just an inquiry about the case’s progress, with some added remarks reminding Zhuyan to be mindful of her position and consider the Zhu family’s affairs.
“What are you looking at?” Shen Du stepped forward to examine the text on the case files alongside Zhuyan.
The two were so close that they could hear each other’s breathing.
As if still harboring some wariness, Zhuyan was startled by Shen Du’s sudden proximity. She turned abruptly, asking, “When… when did you start standing behind me?”
“I’ve been here for a while,” Shen Du replied coldly, his gaze still fixed on the case files.
“Where’s Lu Chuichui?”
“She left.”
The question-and-answer exchange once again plunged the atmosphere into an awkward silence.
Zhuyan placed the case file on the table and pointed at the text with her finger, saying, “This is the lead Lu Chuichui brought today. Among the victims, a prostitute named Ruyan had already reformed and given birth to a child before the incident. Logically speaking, the killer had no reason to target her.”
Shen Du had also noticed this point. “Let’s go interview some people who knew her,” he suggested.
They learned that Ruyan had married a man named Xu Huansheng before her death, and the couple had been living in Qinghe Village on the outskirts of Chang’an.
Following this lead, they quickly discovered that the man embracing Ruyan was the son of a wealthy Chang’an merchant, named Du Huaien.
To their surprise, during their inquiries, the neighbors showed no astonishment upon hearing of Ruyan’s death or learning the identity of the man she was found with. They even mentioned witnessing Ruyan meeting with that man shortly after her marriage, suggesting the two were old acquaintances.
Zhuyan and Shen Du found Ruyan’s husband, Xu Huansheng. After Ruyan’s death, Xu Huansheng had been raising their child alone, living in difficult circumstances.
Xu Huansheng was a man of few words. Seeing that the visitors were officials, he knew why they had come. He politely poured tea and sent the child to be looked after by a neighbor.
“Has there… has there been any news about Yan’er?” Xu Huansheng asked, his face haggard.
In his mind, his wife was still missing, and he hadn’t yet learned of her death.
“Yes,” Zhuyan replied, “but you need to prepare yourself.”
Xu Huansheng lowered his head, his body trembling. “Has she… has she met with misfortune?”
He had long suspected this but, unable to find a body, had clung to his last shred of hope.
“When we found her, only a skeleton remained,” Shen Du said. “Xu Huansheng, do you know Du Huaien?”
Hearing this name, Xu Huansheng suddenly raised his head, filled with shock.
“Is… is Yan’er’s death related to him?”
“Du Huaien is also dead,” Zhuyan continued. “Before his death, he was found embracing your wife. We suspect they died together in a suicide pact.”
“Impossible!” Xu Huansheng exploded in anger at Zhuyan’s probing, his emotions extremely agitated. “They couldn’t have died in a suicide pact. It’s not possible.”
“Why do you say that?” Shen Du interjected.
Xu Huansheng’s emotions stabilized slightly, but his eyes were filled with pain.
“I met Yan’er in the pleasure district. I spent all my savings to buy her freedom. She promised to live a peaceful life with me. I know of this Du Huaien you mentioned. He was Yan’er’s former patron, always pestering her. And I know that in Yan’er’s heart, she had feelings for him…”
Before he could finish, Xu Huansheng covered his face in anguish. “To fulfill Yan’er’s happiness, I even promised her back then that if she liked Young Master Du, I would let her go. But she refused, saying she wanted to live a peaceful life with me. Later, when Yan’er disappeared, even though the neighbors all said she had eloped with Du Huaien, I knew it was impossible. There was no need for that. So, they must have been murdered. They couldn’t have committed suicide. Officers, you must thoroughly investigate this case and clear Yan’er’s name.”
Hearing Xu Huansheng’s account, both Zhuyan and Shen Du were moved.
It was rare to find such a devoted and selfless man in this world.
Perhaps because the atmosphere had become too oppressive, Zhuyan couldn’t think of any words to comfort Xu Huansheng. She exchanged a glance with Shen Du and stood up to leave.
Leaving Xu’s house, Zhuyan felt it necessary to inquire about the neighbors’ opinions of Ruyan.
After passing two houses, they finally came across one with an open door.
“Is anyone home?” Zhuyan knocked on the door from outside.
A man in his thirties emerged from inside. He wore plain clothes and had a proper appearance, giving an impression of simplicity and practicality.
“Who are you?” the man asked, puzzled by Zhuyan’s unfamiliar face.
“I’m an official from the Ministry of Justice investigating a case. I was passing by and wanted to ask about something. I’m feeling thirsty and wondered if I could come in for a drink of water.”
“Ah, an official! Please, come in, come in,” the man respectfully invited Zhuyan inside and poured her a bowl of water.
Zhuyan took a few sips and nodded in gratitude. “Thank you, brother. I have some questions I’d like to ask you if that’s alright?”
“Of course, of course. Our village is remote, and we rarely have officials visit. What would you like to know, madam official?”
Seeing the man’s hospitality, Zhuyan felt somewhat relieved.
“I’d like to ask about Xu Huansheng. How is he regarded in the village?”
“Him? Ah…” The man sighed helplessly. “He’s a good person, but he fell for a woman from a brothel. I heard he spent all his savings to buy her freedom. Can you imagine? Even if you spend all your money, it would be fine if she lived a good life with you. But after just a few years, she ran off with another man. What a mess.”
Zhuyan was speechless. It seemed Xu Huansheng’s story was well-known throughout the village.
“She left, and she left behind a son,” the man continued. “I guess she ran off with that man. But you know, before his wife and that man eloped, some strange things happened at my house.”
“What strange things?” Zhuyan pressed.