Suddenly, a shout arose from the crowd, and a lively figure appeared in everyone’s sight.
Lu Chuichui came to Zhu Yan’s side, grabbing her arm excitedly. “I finally found you all! The ceremony is so lively today. We must push to the front later to offer incense and receive blessings.”
As Lu Chuichui finished speaking, she noticed only Jiang Langxing smiling at her, while the others wore grave expressions.
Realizing the atmosphere was off, she looked at everyone awkwardly. “What… what’s wrong? Did I say something inappropriate?”
Jing Lin let out a light cough, and Lu Chuichui’s mind exploded like a thunderclap as she suddenly remembered that today was the Empress’s final deadline for Shen Du.
They must be here to investigate the case, how could they be in the mood to attend the ceremony?
She truly was thoughtless to have forgotten such an important matter.
Seeing Lu Chuichui’s embarrassment, Jiang Langxing quickly tried to smooth things over. “The Grand Secretariat and the others have business to attend to. If you want to offer incense, I can accompany you.”
No one else spoke, and Lu Chuichui declined Jiang Langxing’s kind offer. “Never mind. The matter at hand is urgent; the case is more important right now.”
She then turned to Zhu Yan with a serious expression. “How’s the case progressing? Have you caught the killer?”
Zhu Yan shook her head. “We’re down to the last step. It’s dangerous, but our chances of success are high. However, someone is unwilling, so we can’t act.”
Her words carried a hint of resentment, while Shen Du’s face was exceptionally gloomy as if a storm was brewing.
Hearing this, Lu Chuichui was bewildered. “At a time like this, how can anyone be unwilling?”
As she spoke, she glanced at Shen Du beside her. She knew who was unwilling, but with lives at stake, wasn’t he worried about losing his head to the Empress?
Jiang Langxing pulled Lu Chuichui aside, coughed lightly, and lowered his voice. “The situation is complicated. Don’t ask too many questions. The ceremony is grand today; why don’t you go enjoy yourself? I’ll find you when we’re free.”
“Are you joking?” Lu Chuichui responded without hesitation. “The Grand Secretariat’s life is on the line, and my good friend is in trouble. How can I just enjoy myself and ignore all this?”
“You can’t help,” Jiang Langxing said with slight resignation, then explained the situation to her.
After listening, Lu Chuichui’s expression grew serious. She clenched her fists, walked to Zhu Yan’s side, and after pondering for a while, said, “Sixth Sister since you know the killer’s target and the Grand Secretariat is unwilling to risk you… why don’t I go instead?”
Lu Chuichui’s words shocked everyone. Known for her timidity, it was extraordinary for her to volunteer at such a crucial moment.
Jiang Langxing was the first to object. “How can that be? It’s too dangerous, don’t you know?”
“It’s precisely because I know it’s dangerous that I’m volunteering,” Lu Chuichui said, puffing out her chest righteously. “I may be just a ninth-rank scribe, but I’ve been involved in this case. Right now, you all have your tasks, and I’m the most suitable. Don’t argue about it.”
Hearing Lu Chuichui’s words, the darkness in Shen Du’s eyes finally softened a bit.
“No,” Zhu Yan immediately rejected Lu Chuichui’s decision. “I insisted on investigating this case thoroughly. If I hadn’t intervened, it might have been solved already. Now, with only the last step remaining, I should see it through to the end.”
“But do you know how dangerous it is?” Shen Du voiced his concern, worried about Zhu Yan’s safety.
“Of course there’s danger, but with your protection, I won’t lose my life. Besides, knowing the danger, how can we send someone else? Wouldn’t that be throwing others into peril?” Zhu Yan looked at Shen Du earnestly. “Other people’s lives matter too. I can’t risk someone else’s life for this.”
Shen Du understood Zhu Yan’s temperament. Once she decided on something, she would see it through to the end.
Even if he overruled her now, she would carry out her plan in secret.
Rather than letting her face unknown dangers alone, it was better to keep her under his watchful eye.
Realizing this, Shen Du stopped objecting, though his deep eyes still showed concern. “You must stay alive, wait for our rescue. If we can’t arrive in time, you must hold on, understand?”
Shen Du almost squeezed these words through his teeth. As he spoke, his fists were tightly clenched, trembling imperceptibly.
He was surprised to find himself so worried about this woman’s safety, a realization that caught him off guard.
“Don’t worry,” Zhu Yan nodded quickly, giving Shen Du a reassuring smile. “A fortune teller once said I’d live to a hundred. If you don’t kill me, no one else can take my life.”
Zhu Yan tried to respond to Shen Du in a joking tone to ease his tension.
But in Shen Du’s eyes, Zhu Yan could still see that his concern outweighed everything else.
“Sixth Sister,” Lu Chuichui was still uneasy and stepped forward to grab Zhu Yan’s arm. “Why don’t you reconsider? We’re about the same age, but you’re well-known, and I’m not. They’re not familiar with me, so it might be more suitable for me to go.”
Zhu Yan patted Lu Chuichui’s hand reassuringly. “Only I know what’s suitable. You’re my only friend; how could I let you take such a risk in this situation? Oh, I remember I still owe you a meal. After this is over, I’ll repay you with interest.”
Despite Zhu Yan’s light tone, Lu Chuichui was still full of worry, reluctant to part with Zhu Yan as if facing a life-or-death separation.
The Buddhist ceremony continued. Amidst the surging crowd, Zhang Baohuan, dressed in a brocade cyan robe and holding a jade flute, stood atop a palanquin carried by over a hundred people.
The palanquin was adorned with gold and silver, with brocade curtains and flowers suspended above. Even the hanging tassels were made of pearls, truly a sight of extreme luxury and nobility.
Zhang Baohuan, with her delicate features, held the jade flute and occasionally struck various celestial poses.
From a distance, she truly resembled Han Xiangzi of the Eight Immortals descending to the mortal world, with an air of otherworldly grace.
Moments later, the palanquin stopped in front of Ximing Temple.
Zhang Baohuan stepped forward to personally assist the Empress in descending. The dragon robe exuded authority, appearing even more magnificent and imposing on the Empress, full of pride.
After a series of complex procedures, the Empress began to offer incense. Zhang Baohuan stood to the side, raising her head to the sky, and proclaimed, “Our Empress has personally come to this esteemed temple to pray for blessings. May the heavens bestow auspicious signs to show that the Great Zhou Dynasty’s fortunes are prosperous, with favorable weather and a peaceful nation.”
As Zhang Baohuan finished speaking, the Empress had just completed offering incense and was rising. Suddenly, a beam of colorful light appeared in the sky, falling upon the Empress.
Even in the air, two colorful phoenixes appeared from nowhere, circling and emitting clear, melodious calls, amazing the onlookers.
“The Bodhisattva has shown a sign! The Bodhisattva has shown a sign!”
Someone in the crowd shouted, and the people were completely shocked and overwhelmed by the scene before them.