Upon hearing Zhu Yan’s question, the expressions of the two madams present turned somewhat unpleasant.
Zhu Yan continued, “Madam Liu, I want to know about the past relationship between Liang Chenzhong and Liang Man.”
As expected, upon hearing this, Madam Liu’s face turned pale again, her eyes filled with sorrow, as if reminded of the pain of losing her son.
“You mean Chenzhong? He and Liang Man got along quite well. They often played together as children, like playmates,” Madam Liu replied.
Before Zhu Yan could ask further, Madam Zheng interjected, “Childhood playmates, but that was when they were young. As they grew up, they rarely interacted, and their relationship faded.”
Madam Liu glanced at Madam Zheng, her eyes showing a hint of something unsaid, but she remained silent.
Zhu Yan was puzzled. The two madams seemed to have different views on the Liang family’s two young masters, and it felt like they were hiding something.
“Madam Zheng,” Zhu Yan turned her gaze to Madam Zheng, “the two young masters often played together as children but grew apart as they grew older. Do you know why?”
“What else could it be? Children grow up and have their concerns, naturally becoming distant,” Madam Zheng replied reasonably.
At this moment, Madam Tang suddenly spoke, “Madam Shen, you came here to investigate the case, yet you’re asking about the two young masters. Are you suspecting the Liang family?”
Upon hearing this, the two madams’ expressions changed instantly, and they looked at Zhu Yan with questioning eyes.
Zhu Yan quickly explained, “Of course not. The matter of the eldest young master is related to the case. I just want to know more about his personal life.”
“Hehe…” Madam Tang chuckled, clearly not believing Zhu Yan’s explanation. She waved her silk fan, “The Liang family is highly valued by the court, loyal to His Majesty, and holds a significant position. Not only His Highness the Prince, but even the Empress herself holds them in high regard.
The eldest young master of the Liang family is ambitious and, if successful, will surely hold a high position in the court. At that time, the future of the Liang family will be bright. Why would anyone want to ruin such a promising future? Unless someone is mad, who would kill their own favored son? Madam Shen, do you think the Liang family would destroy their future?”
Madam Tang’s words were clear and seemed to see through Zhu Yan’s thoughts, exposing her inner thoughts to everyone present.
This reasoning targeted Zhu Yan’s actions as unreasonable.
It also caused Madam Liu and Madam Zheng to share a common dissatisfaction with her.
Zhu Yan was momentarily speechless, her expression quite unpleasant. Madam Tang was indeed formidable, always able to expose others effortlessly.
“Madam Tang, you’re overthinking it,” Zhu Yan tried to defend herself, “I came here just to inquire about the two young masters, with no other intentions, and certainly not suspecting the Liang family. I understand the principle that even a tiger does not eat its cubs.”
Despite her defense, the two madams seemed unconvinced.
Zhu Yan had anticipated this. Given the relationship between the Liang family and Madam Tang, her words were powerless in their presence.
The expressions of the two madams remained unpleasant.
Although they said nothing more, Zhu Yan could feel an invisible barrier forming between them.
The atmosphere was somewhat stiff, and knowing she was unwelcome, Zhu Yan stood up to take her leave, “I have matters to attend to at the Ministry of Justice, so I won’t disturb you any longer.”
The others were eager for her to leave.
There was no attempt to persuade her to stay, and Madam Tang didn’t even rise, merely watching Zhu Yan leave.
As Zhu Yan walked out of the guest room, she suddenly heard a shout from behind, “Flying, flying…”
Turning towards the sound, she saw Madam Wei dressed in a peculiar outfit, somehow having climbed onto the roof, jumping back and forth.
“Danger!”
Zhu Yan shouted in alarm, but before the words were out, Madam Wei leaped from the roof!
At that critical moment, a thought exploded in Zhu Yan’s mind.
Why did Madam Wei’s clothes look so familiar, as if she had seen them somewhere before?
Madam Wei was muttering to herself, saying something incomprehensible. Zhu Yan quickly went to check on her and discovered that Madam Wei’s clothes resembled a moth!
To be precise, they looked like the moth-shaped jade they had found in the case!
“What is going on?”
In an instant, the place was in chaos.
The madams rushed over, and the maids and servants helped carry Madam Wei back to the guest room.
Zhu Yan wanted to follow up and check on the situation but was stopped by Madam Tang.
“Madam Shen, do you not have enough trouble already?”
Madam Tang’s words carried a hidden meaning, and Zhu Yan understood immediately.
“What do you mean, Madam Tang? I’m just concerned about Madam Wei’s injuries.”
“Madam Wei’s injuries will be handled by the Liang family and the physician. There’s no need for you to worry. In this situation, if you go, it might upset the other two madams. Wouldn’t that be asking for trouble, Madam Shen?”
Though Madam Tang’s words were harsh, they were not without reason.
Zhu Yan lowered her eyes in thought and decided to leave.
Just as she exited the Liang residence, Lu Chuchu hurried over.
“I guessed you’d be here. Come quickly, we need to go to the Ministry of Justice. Something big has happened.”
Lu Chuchu grabbed Zhu Yan and started running towards the Ministry of Justice, leaving Zhu Yan puzzled.
“What happened? Is there another death?”
Zhu Yan felt like she was going crazy, unable to handle another death.
“No, it’s not a death, it’s a living person.”
Lu Chuchu quickly explained, glancing back at Zhu Yan with a strange look.
Hearing this, Zhu Yan’s tense heart finally relaxed a bit.
“What’s going on? Why make such a fuss over a living person?”
Zhu Yan slowed her pace, pulling away from Lu Chuchu’s grip, feeling a bit tired.
Seeing Zhu Yan’s lack of urgency, Lu Chuchu was anxious, “The Ministry of Justice has caught a suspect. Do you know who it is?”
Zhu Yan’s heart sank. Did they catch a suspect? The current suspects were Rong Zhui and Liang Jiren.
But neither had made a move, so could it be…
“Is it Master?” Zhu Yan voiced her thoughts, her tone trembling.
Lu Chuchu was shocked, her jaw nearly dropping, “How did you know?”
“Hehe…” Zhu Yan chuckled bitterly. She had anticipated this.
The cinnabar on the characters was specially formulated by her master. If she could discover this, others could too. She just hadn’t mentioned it, silently worrying instead.
Now her worries had become a reality. Her master was old, and the Ministry of Justice was a harsh place. Even a normal person would suffer there. Could her master withstand such cruelty?
Zhu Yan quickened her pace, leaving Lu Chuchu struggling to keep up.