Zhu Yan furrowed her brows, “Could it be that they are holding a ghost wedding?”
Jiang Langxing nodded emphatically, “Madam Shen is correct; they are indeed conducting a ghost wedding.”
“…” Xu Xiangren was at a loss for words. The murderer had not yet been found, and the families were already arranging a ghost wedding. Wasn’t this too absurd?
Unsure of how to proceed, Shen Du looked at Xu Xiangren and said, “I’ll leave the matters with the Empress to you. Madam and I will head to the Liang family to see what’s happening.”
Before Xu Xiangren could respond, Shen Du had already left with Zhu Yan.
Upon arriving at the Liang residence, they saw a large, conspicuous flower arrangement above the doorframe.
A ghost wedding, conducted so openly, was unsettling.
“Do you want to go in and take a look?” Shen Du asked.
Zhu Yan shook her head. She could already imagine the scene inside without entering. It would just be the two families performing the wedding ceremony.
Moreover, there were no friends or relatives to congratulate them, and the entire hall was silent. Such a wedding was too oppressive, better not to see it.
They waited outside the Liang residence for a long time until Rong Zhui finally emerged.
Zhu Yan quickly approached her, asking in confusion, “Why did you do this?”
Rong Zhui’s face was full of sorrow, her eyes red from crying again.
“Madam Shen cannot understand the feelings of an elder sister. I won’t blame you, but Zhanxin and the young master of the Liang family truly loved each other. They couldn’t be together in life, so fulfilling their wishes in death is also good.”
Despite her words, Zhu Yan still couldn’t fully comprehend.
“Both of them are dead. Don’t you care who the murderer is?”
“Madam Shen jests,” Rong Zhui replied calmly. “Who wouldn’t care about the murderer? I hate them more than anyone. But so much time has passed, and they are no longer here. Even if we find the murderer, they are already gone. So why not bear the pain alone and fulfill my sister and the young master’s happiness?”
Hearing Rong Zhui’s words, Zhu Yan felt a heavy weight in her heart.
Rong Zhui wasn’t wrong; the sisters had always been unfortunate.
Moreover, her sister died a tragic death, unable to find happiness in life. If she could be fulfilled in death, what was wrong with that?
With the situation clear, Zhu Yan knew that saying more would be useless. She nodded politely to Rong Zhui and said calmly, “In that case, I won’t say more. But rest assured, we will find the murderer and bring justice for the deceased.”
Rong Zhui bowed to Zhu Yan, expressing her gratitude, “Thank you, Madam Shen.”
Watching Rong Zhui’s departing figure, Shen Du stood beside Zhu Yan, his mood also heavy and silent.
“Perhaps this is a sister’s love for her sibling,” Zhu Yan said proactively. “They couldn’t be together in life, but being together in death is also good. If they have spirits in heaven, they might find happiness, which would be a beautiful ending for them.”
“Not being together in life, being together in death is just a formality,” Shen Du interjected. “The Empress has ordered us to solve the case quickly. Now is not the time for sentiment. Solving the case and bringing justice is the priority.”
Shen Du’s words were like a cold shower, pulling Zhu Yan back to reality.
Zhu Yan pouted, dissatisfied with Shen Du’s words, but refrained from commenting further. After all, he was the formidable Grand Leader.
That night, they returned to the Shen residence.
Just as Zhu Yan was about to close the door, a large hand stopped it.
“What, still angry?” Shen Du’s words startled Zhu Yan, making her flustered, “The Grand Leader is busy with official duties, so staying in the study is common. How could you care if I’m angry or not?”
“You should think carefully about whose fault this is. I’ve already given you an out. If you don’t appreciate it, don’t blame me for using family discipline.”
Family discipline?
Zhu Yan was puzzled. Wasn’t locking her in the room for a day already considered family discipline?
“I’ve been locked up for a day. Isn’t that punishment enough?” Zhu Yan asked.
“Do you realize your mistake?” Shen Du’s brows furrowed, his deep eyes like an unfathomable pool.
Zhu Yan was speechless, knowing in her heart that she was at fault.
And Shen Du wasn’t wrong; he had given her an out. If she didn’t take it, it would be too much.
“Then… let’s just forget about it,” Zhu Yan said reluctantly as if she had suffered a great grievance.
Shen Du was helpless, but with the case pressing, he had no heart to argue further.
“Alright, let’s leave it at that. I’ll stay here tonight and discuss the case with you.”
Without waiting for Zhu Yan’s agreement, Shen Du entered the room.
The lights went out, and as usual, they slept on opposite sides.
“The case hasn’t been solved for so long. There must be a lot of pressure in the court. Has the Empress said anything to you?”
For some reason, Zhu Yan felt a bit worried about Shen Du’s current situation.
Shen Du rested his hand under his head, looking at the red bed curtains, his expression somewhat distracted.
“Other matters are fine, but the Empress’s order to solve the case quickly is indeed pressing.”
Zhu Yan pondered and then said, “No matter what, the case was entrusted to you by the Empress. As long as you do your best and have a clear conscience, that’s enough.”
Shen Du chuckled, not responding. Women’s thoughts were simple, but it was also a form of concern for her husband.
The room’s candles were extinguished, and perhaps due to the day’s exhaustion, even breathing soon filled the room.
The next day.
Early in the morning, Lu Chui hurriedly came, pulling Zhu Yan outside.
“It’s terrible, another body was found at Ximing Temple.”
Hearing this, Zhu Yan was shocked.
She glanced back at Shen Du, whose face was somber, with Jing Lin beside him, seemingly reporting something.
It was easy to guess that the murder at Ximing Temple added another layer of burden to Shen Du’s heart.
This was what Zhu Yan least wanted to see.
The case was unresolved, people were anxious, and now a new murder had been discovered. How could the already fearful citizens live in peace?
If word reached the Empress, what rumors would arise?
What should be done?
On the way to Ximing Temple, Lu Chui explained the situation.
This time, the body was also found in the bamboo forest of Ximing Temple, but unlike before, the burial site was almost against the temple’s wall.
Moreover, there were bloody words on the wall, eerie and frightening.
“Has the coroner been there?” Zhu Yan asked.
“Someone has been sent to invite him. He should arrive before us.”
The incident was sudden, and Lu Chui came unprepared, so they rode a fast horse to the crime scene.