Upon arriving at the rear courtyard of Ximing Temple, Zhu Yan found two guards stationed there.
Dressed in her official robes, Zhu Yan held the waist token she had deftly taken from Shen Du the previous day.
Showing the token, the guards did not stop her, allowing her entry.
The grand Buddhist ceremony was still ongoing, and visitors were not allowed inside. The monks had all gone to the main hall to chant and pray.
The temple was sparsely populated, making it an ideal time for investigation.
Zhu Yan entered the record room, where the backgrounds of each monk and records of daily comings and goings, such as food deliveries, were kept.
She meticulously reviewed the records, fearing she might miss something, but found no clues.
Ximing Temple, being a capital temple, had clear records of every monk and worker. Even the large number of daily visitors were under the watchful eyes of the guards, ensuring no one could bring in large bags or carts unnoticed.
Moreover, even the farmers delivering vegetables were subject to inspection due to the frequent visits of officials and nobles, making it impossible to tamper with anything.
This only deepened the mystery of the case.
How did the murderer transport the bodies here? This was not the primary crime scene. Could the bodies have appeared out of thin air?
Killing, transporting, and burying bodies is not something a single woman could easily accomplish.
If there were no accomplices, how was it done?
The case grew increasingly enigmatic, and Zhu Yan’s mind was a tangled mess, with countless threads but no clear direction.
What was the solution? Why did the murderer do this?
Lost in thought, Zhu Yan left the record room.
She was so absorbed that she didn’t notice the temple had returned to its usual bustle after the ceremony.
How was all this accomplished? What secrets lay within?
Zhu Yan was at a loss when a soft voice interrupted her thoughts.
“Madam Shen.”
Startled, Zhu Yan looked up to see Rong Zhui, looking haggard, standing behind her.
“Rong Zhui, why are you here?”
Zhu Yan was curious about Rong Zhui’s presence.
After all, her younger sister’s body was still in Ximing Temple, and she wouldn’t want to revisit this place of sorrow without reason.
Rong Zhui approached and bowed slightly. “I heard the Empress was holding a ceremony here today, so I came to see. Now that it’s over, I wanted to visit my sister’s resting place.”
Her words were reasonable, but Zhu Yan noticed tears in her eyes as if she had just been crying.
“What’s wrong?” Zhu Yan asked with concern, though they were not close, Rong Zhui was the victim’s sister.
Rong Zhui lowered her head, using a handkerchief to wipe her red eyes.
“Madam Shen, I want to take my sister’s body.”
“What?” Zhu Yan was shocked, never expecting Rong Zhui to make such a request. “How can that be? Your sister’s body is a crucial part of the case. The case isn’t solved yet, how can you…”
“It’s precisely because the case isn’t solved that I want to take her,” Rong Zhui interrupted, her emotions stirred by some unknown trigger. “It’s been half a month, and you still haven’t solved it. If this continues, my sister will never rest in peace. As her sister, I just want her to be buried properly. Is that wrong?”
Zhu Yan was momentarily speechless. Rong Zhui wasn’t wrong.
As a sister, she was thinking of her sibling. What fault was there in that?
“You…” Zhu Yan couldn’t relent.
Kuang Zhanxin and Liang Chen’s involvement was a key part of the case. Any oversight could affect the entire investigation.
Zhu Yan couldn’t let Rong Zhui take Kuang Zhanxin away.
“Rong Zhui, listen to me,” Zhu Yan quickly explained. “I understand your feelings as a sister, but Kuang Zhanxin was murdered. If we don’t catch the killer, even if you bury her, she won’t be at peace. Please wait a little longer. We’ll find the killer soon.”
“Wait, wait?” Rong Zhui couldn’t accept it. “I’ve waited so long, and you still haven’t caught the killer. How can I trust you? How long must I wait? If you can’t solve it in a year, do I wait a year? If three years, do I wait three years? Will my sister ever rest in peace? Madam Shen, please have mercy on us.”
“Rong Zhui, it’s not as you think,” Zhu Yan was anxious. “You must trust our abilities. The Empress is very concerned about this case. We will find the killer, but we need time. Please be patient. If Kuang Zhanxin’s spirit is watching, I’m sure she hates the one who harmed her.”
“Of course, my sister hates the killer, but Madam Shen, didn’t you have the clues from the start? What’s the use of keeping a body now?”
“We had the clues from the start, but we can’t be sure we’ve fully grasped everything. Any oversight could affect our search for the killer. Please be patient. Once we find the killer, I’ll return the body to you intact.”
“Heh…” Rong Zhui laughed coldly, seemingly mocking Zhu Yan. “Madam Shen, we know each other, and I don’t want to make things difficult for you, but please understand my position as a sister. My sister’s death has been a heavy blow. I just want to take her and let her rest. Why do you obstruct me? Can you live with your conscience?”
“Everything I’m doing is to clear the victim’s name and bring justice. I don’t think you want to see Kuang Zhanxin die in vain while the killer roams free. Would she rest in peace if that happened?”
“Madam Shen, your eloquence is impressive.”
Rong Zhui took a deep breath, looking skyward, as if making a significant decision. “But my mind is made up. No matter what you say, I won’t change my mind. I thought meeting you here might allow us to talk openly, but it seems we’re strangers. Since you can’t consider my position, forgive my rudeness. Goodbye.”
With that, Rong Zhui turned to leave.
“Rong Zhui.”
Zhu Yan called out, quickly following.
She didn’t know what Rong Zhui was thinking, but she couldn’t let her take Kuang Zhanxin away.