Chapter 57

Chapter 57

“Indeed, while others may recommend Master Zhuang, I, your husband, can do the same. In the future, my dear, there’s no need to seek afar when what you need is close at hand. Once this case is settled, I shall personally escort you up the mountain to study!”

That evening, after gently placing Shen Anning on the bed, Lu Suian’s gaze suddenly fixed upon her, and he spoke these words with profound meaning.

His tone, both in and out of context, seemed to carry a subtle warning.

He had, it turned out, already surmised her “clandestine” trip up the mountain with Pei Yujin that day.

Shen Anning was momentarily stunned, realizing only then that his special visit to the lakeside pavilion that night had been precisely to address this matter.

Silently, she retreated to the innermost part of the canopy bed, a dawning realization washing over her: Ah, he had specifically returned tonight to settle old scores with her.

Well, she thought, she wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

Shen Anning quietly rolled to the farthest edge of the bed, putting as much distance as possible between herself and this "debt collector."

Lu Suian observed Shen Anning’s guilty silence, a faint smile playing on his lips. Having achieved his objective, he strode away, content.

Only after watching his dark silhouette merge into the inky blackness of the night did Shen Anning slowly withdraw her gaze.

Lifting her eyes again, she stared at the familiar bed curtains. She hadn't expected to find herself back in the main chamber so inexplicably, nor had she anticipated Lu Suian’s actions—that he would actually... carry her back.

Perhaps it was the drastic, sudden changes across her two lifetimes, or perhaps events were subtly, yet inexorably, spiraling beyond Shen Anning’s control, leaving her unsure how to navigate her own existence.

After Lu Suian left, Shen Anning spent that night on the canopy bed, knees drawn to her chest, her thoughts a tangled mess. Sleep eluded her for a long time.

Beyond the subtle shifts in her relationship with Lu Suian, the unsettling shadow of the case loomed large.

She had believed that by meticulously revealing all information about the killer to Lu Suian, they could swiftly identify and apprehend the culprit, thereby preventing further victims. Yet, it turned out Lu Suian had already discovered this very lead. This meant her painstaking efforts had been in vain. Even with her intervention, the trajectory of fate seemed to mirror her past life; what was destined to happen would still happen, and her presence changed nothing.

A sudden wave of powerlessness washed over her.

That night, Lu Suian did not return home.

Before going to sleep, Shen Anning had specifically dispatched someone to monitor the Dali Temple. The next morning, just as she awoke, she heard a courtyard servant rush in, breathless, to report: “Madam, another dismembered female body was fished out of the moat in the southern city this morning—the remains are incomplete, and it’s another woman—”

The moment those words were uttered, the entire Chuanze Residence erupted into chaos.

Shen Anning’s expression immediately grew somber.

It appeared Lu Suian had not successfully apprehended the suspect overnight. And indeed, with only a single lead and a capital city of millions, tracking down a suspect whose name and appearance were unknown was no easy feat.

“Continue the investigation, and report back immediately.”

Shen Anning closely monitored the developments.

By noon, another report arrived: more fragmented remains had been discovered in a cesspool.

Two murders in a single day, both involving incomplete bodies—the brutality was staggering. News of this cruel, serial dismemberment case, once leaked, instantly spread like wildfire throughout the capital, causing an uproar. The entire city was gripped by unprecedented fear and anxiety.

That day, as the sun set, every household with female members locked their women indoors, forbidding them from venturing out. In an instant, half the city’s women vanished from the streets. All citizens, whether hurrying along or whispering nervously, were gripped by a profound silence, as if fearing to speak.

Within the Marquis Estate, too, everyone was abuzz with discussion about the case. Especially since the lead investigator hailed from their own household, the attention here was even more intense than elsewhere. Even Marquis Lu Jingrong dispatched men to stake out the Dali Temple, closely monitoring the situation.

Over the next two days, two more bodies were discovered in the city. Without exception, all victims were women, and the killer’s methods grew increasingly skilled and efficient. Six deaths in six days, each body incomplete. Public outrage reached a fever pitch, and the case even reached the palace. The Emperor himself inquired about it and issued an immediate edict, commanding the Dali Temple to solve the case within three days to restore public peace.

For four full days, Lu Suian neither returned home nor closed his eyes. It wasn’t until the evening of the sixth day that Shen Anning, breaking all precedent, ordered the kitchen to send a meal to the Dali Temple as a gesture of appreciation. She also took the opportunity to dispatch a letter to the Shen family’s old residence.

Only Shen Anning knew that the seventh victim in her previous life had been Princess Fuyang. Today was the sixth day, and tomorrow, one more woman would be murdered.

She had been powerless to help the first six victims because their identities were unknown, making it impossible for her to intervene. But for this seventh victim, Shen Anning clearly knew her identity. If she couldn't stop the killer, perhaps she could stop the victim?

However, in her previous life, Princess Fuyang had died early, and Shen Anning had never interacted with her. In this life, she only knew Princess Fuyang to be arrogant and overbearing, with her nose in the air—not an easy person to deal with.

Yet, despite this, a life was still a life.

After much deliberation, Shen Anning instructed the Shen family to secretly deliver a letter to the Princess’s residence.

She hoped that, considering the widespread impact of the case, Princess Fuyang would be struck by fear and choose not to go out that day.

The next morning, at the Princess’s residence, the moment Princess Fuyang awoke, a maid immediately approached to attend her: “Princess, Linglong Pavilion has been reserved for today. Would you prefer to personally select jewelry there, or shall the owner of Linglong Pavilion bring everything to your residence for your selection?”

Princess Fuyang replied languidly, “My mother returns from her fief next month—I must personally choose a gift for her.”

She paused, then added, “The autumn hunt is at the end of the month, isn’t it? Let’s go. Today, we’ll stop by the royal equestrian grounds for practice. I intend to dominate this year’s autumn hunt and show those sheltered ladies what true valor looks like.”

With that, Princess Fuyang pushed aside the bed curtains and rose.

After washing and dressing, Princess Fuyang, whip in hand, led over a dozen maids and guards and grandly exited the residence.

However, just as they reached the gate of the Grand Princess’s residence, a guard rushed over to report: “Princess, someone left a letter at the gate, but we don’t know who or when.”

Fuyang was initially uninterested, but seeing the guard hesitate, she asked, “Oh? What kind of letter is it?”

The guard had no choice but to present the already-opened letter. Fuyang unfolded it, and her eyebrows shot up. Inside lay a talisman bearing a chilling “凶” (ominous) character, followed by a few eerie words: *“Those who go out today will die!”*

Seeing Princess Fuyang staring intently at the words, a maid immediately stepped forward to glance at the letter. One look was enough to drain the color from her face. Recalling the rumors circulating outside, the maid quickly said, “Princess, the capital has been quite unsettled lately. There’s talk of a serial killer still at large, and many have already died, yet he hasn’t been apprehended. Princess, this talisman is deeply inauspicious. Perhaps you should postpone your outing. The Grand Princess won’t return until next month anyway; you can still personally select her gift after the autumn hunt.”

The guard had no recourse but to hand over the already-unsealed letter. Fuyang unfolded it—her brows arching sharply in surprise. Within lay a talisman marked with a sinister "misfortune" character, beneath which were scrawled a few ominous words: *"Those who venture forth this day shall meet their end!"*

With that, Fuyang imperiously strode out of the residence.

When Shen Anning learned that Princess Fuyang had gone out regardless, she instantly cursed under her breath, “Fool!” Truly seeking death. It infuriated her.

She had risked everything, acting with desperate courage, to warn her. If anyone discovered her ability to foresee the future, she herself would be held accountable.

It seemed Heaven willed these deaths, and mortals were powerless to stop them.

Yet, after her anger subsided, and after much hesitation, Shen Anning ultimately relented, moved by compassion. She finally ordered a carriage prepared: “I’ve heard Linglong Pavilion in the southern city is the capital’s finest jewelry store. Recently, they’ve expanded into clothing. With autumn approaching—and nothing else to do today—let’s go see what’s new. We can also pick out some autumn clothes for Hu Zi, Mu-ge, and the others.”

Shen Anning said this.

Chun Qi was surprised: “Madam, it’s unstable outside lately—perhaps you should go another day.” Glancing at the weather, she added, “The Indian summer persists; I expect it’ll stay warm for a while longer.”

Shen Anning had no rebuttal. After a moment’s thought, she added, “Have the kitchen prepare extra food. The young master has been working tirelessly on the case; we’ll deliver it on our way.”

Chun Qi relaxed, realizing Madam’s trip to Linglong Pavilion was merely a pretext—her real intention was to check on the young master.

So she immediately and eagerly instructed the kitchen to prepare.

After some preparation, Shen Anning finally boarded the carriage and set out slowly for Linglong Pavilion.

Upon arrival, she noticed Linglong Pavilion had put up a "No Visitors Today" sign, refusing entry to all outsiders. Seeing this, Shen Anning felt a sense of relief.

In her previous life, she had heard that Princess Fuyang was brutally murdered at this very place. Though her body remained intact, her head had been severed, making her death more gruesome than the others'.

After that incident, the Grand Princess sank into deep despair and passed away within a few years.

Seeing that Linglong Pavilion was closed to outsiders today, Shen Anning thought that Princess Fuyang might be able to avoid this disaster.

Just as she was about to leave, she soon heard commotion in the distance. A grand procession approached majestically from the street, and even from afar, the leading guard could be heard shouting, "Make way—the Princess's carriage is passing through!"

Shen Anning abruptly lifted the carriage curtain and saw the Grand Princess's procession heading straight toward Linglong Pavilion. The owner of Linglong Pavilion personally came out to greet them, and only then did she realize that the pavilion had been reserved by Princess Fuyang for the day.

Shen Anning's face fell.