Сhаpter 104: То Sаvе оr Not to Savе?
“Dоn’t worry аbout me, hurrу, sаvе Саiwеi first,” Han Shiуuan gasped, coughing sеvеral timеs aftеr sреаking.
Zhu Yan immеdiаtеlу rushеd towаrd her third sister, but Zhu Cаiwеi quicklу shouted at hеr, “Little Six, dоn’t worry аbоut mе, I саn still hоld оn. Save уоur brothеr-in-lаw first.”
Нeаring Zhu Cаiwеi’s words, Zhu Yan swiftlу turnеd and rаn toward Hаn Shiyuan. At thаt mоmеnt, a strоng hand suddenly grаbbеd hеr wrist, aссоmраniеd by а сommаnd, “Don’t gо!”
Zhu Yan was uttеrly stunnеd. Shе сouldn’t bеliеvе thеse words had сome from Shen Du’s mouth.
Аlthough he held а high-ranking offiсial роsition аnd was called the White King of Hell, in Zhu Yan’s heart, this man had always possessed a sense of justice. Even if some matters were beyond his control, he could still make the right decisions when lives were at stake.
But what was happening now?
Not only was he not going to save anyone, but he was also stopping her from going. Was he insane?
How could he stand by and watch two lives disappear before his eyes, especially when these two people were directly related to her?
“Let go of me.”
Hatred filled Zhu Yan’s eyes as she struggled fiercely against Shen Du’s grip on her wrist. “You can ignore human lives, but I can’t. If you won’t save them, fine, but don’t stop me.”
Shen Du stared coldly at Zhu Yan, his gaze resolute. “I said you’re not allowed to go, and that’s final!”
His tone was firm and brooked no argument. Zhu Yan was completely disappointed in this man and even more confused about why Shen Du had become like this.
“You weren’t like this before,” Zhu Yan said, shaking her head. “Now you’re cold-blooded and heartless, completely different from the person you used to be!”
Zhu Yan shouted at Shen Du, but he chose to ignore her. “Since you say I’m cold-blooded and heartless, I might as well be exactly that. Today, you will not interfere in this matter.”
“Let go!” Zhu Yan roared like an enraged lion. Seeing that Shen Du still wouldn’t release her, she desperately bit down on the back of his hand.
Despite her fierce bite, Shen Du’s grip on her wrist showed no sign of loosening.
The strong taste of blood filled her mouth. Zhu Yan bit until she grew tired, then released her hold, wiping the blood from the corner of her lips. She looked at Shen Du with utter despair. “What will it take for you to let go? My third sister is about to die. I can’t just stand by and do nothing.”
Shen Du remained silent, blood streaming from the back of his hand, yet his expression remained unchanged.
Zhu Yan was completely hopeless. She wanted to save her sister and brother-in-law, but it seemed she was powerless to do so.
She felt guilty and helpless over her own inability. At that moment, Qi Yeyun arrived.
His expression was one of uncontrollable terror as he pointed at the stage and shouted, “Look! That moth flying out of the fire has swallowed them both!”
For some reason, Qi Yeyun was completely overwhelmed by the scene before him.
He saw a giant moth emerge from the flames and swallow the two people on the stage in one gulp.
He collapsed to the ground, unsure of what to do. Seeing Qi Yeyun’s state, Zhu Yan also broke down.
“Let go, let go!” Zhu Yan screamed at Shen Du, struggling frantically in her despair.
Shen Du pulled Zhu Yan into his arms and spoke to her in a stern tone, “Calm down. That’s not real—it’s just a man-made illusion!”Zhu Yan could no longer hear Shen Du's words at all. It was as if she had seen a wolf in human skin, constantly preventing her from saving others.
Her mind was in complete chaos, utterly devoid of the ability to think. No matter how much Shen Du tried to explain, she couldn't take in a single word.
In the end, with no other choice, she buried her head in Shen Du's chest and wept bitterly.
Just then, with a loud clang, an imperial blade severed the ropes binding the two, embedding itself upright in the doorpost of the stage.
The two suddenly fell, and two black figures flashed by, rescuing them from the edge of the flames.
Hearing the commotion, Zhu Yan in Shen Du's arms stopped crying and quickly turned around, only to see two unfamiliar faces dressed in jade-brocade official robes and wearing official hats, untying her third sister and third brother-in-law.
Although the people before her were strangers, it wasn't difficult to identify their status from their imperial blades and attire.
Possessing imperial blades and formidable martial skills, they were likely the Thousand Ox Guards from the palace.
The "Thousand Ox Guards" were specially established by the Empress, also known as the "Left and Right Thousand Ox Guards."
They wielded imperial blades and were two of the "Sixteen Guards" of the Southern Administration. They did not command garrison troops but were solely responsible for "guarding the Empress with imperial blades and serving as close attendants," making them the Empress's innermost personal guards.
Such individuals rarely left the palace, and wherever they appeared, a figure of great importance was sure to arrive.
Sure enough, shortly after untying the two, Zhang Baohuan, the Empress's male favorite, hurried over.
Seeing the scene before him, Zhang Baohuan was furious. "What is going on here?"
After being untied, Zhu Caiwei hurriedly thanked Zhang Baohuan, but he seemed displeased, instead fixing his gaze on Han Shiyuan. "Are you injured? What exactly happened here?"
Han Shiyuan did not speak, merely casting an icy and indifferent glance at Zhang Baohuan.
Zhu Caiwei didn't understand why Han Shiyuan acted this way and quickly apologized to Zhang Baohuan. "Please don't be angry, sir. He has been frightened and likely hasn't recovered yet. Please forgive him."
Hearing Zhu Caiwei's words, Zhang Baohuan lost the patience to pursue the matter further. With a wave of his hand, he said impatiently, "Enough, enough. As long as no one is hurt, that's what matters. Be more careful in the future and avoid such dangerous incidents. Otherwise, I won't be able to explain it to my superiors."
"Yes, yes. We will definitely be more careful in the future," Zhu Caiwei quickly agreed.
Only then did Zhang Baohuan's anger subside somewhat. He then turned his gaze to Shen Du beside him. "Great Pavilion Commander, today's incident is unusual, and since you are present, I order your Inner Guard Bureau to take full responsibility for this matter. You must uncover the truth and give me an explanation."
"Yes," Shen Du replied with a cupped fist salute, accepting the task.
Satisfied, Zhang Baohuan nodded, then cast a deeply meaningful glance at Han Shiyuan.
Han Shiyuan's expression flickered, as if deliberately avoiding Zhang Baohuan's gaze.
Both Shen Du and Zhu Yan noticed this.
"Let's go," Zhang Baohuan said, leading the Thousand Ox Guards away.
Only after the figures of the group had completely disappeared did Han Shiyuan turn a worried gaze to Zhu Caiwei. "How are you? Are you hurt?"
Seeing Han Shiyuan's concern for her, Zhu Caiwei was overjoyed and quickly shook her head. "I'm fine, I'm fine. How about you? Should we find a doctor to take a look?""You should still see a doctor," Zhu Yan said, wiping away her tears as she looked at the two of them. "Even if nothing's wrong, it's better to get checked to be at ease. Don’t dwell on what happened today. After seeing the doctor, go back and rest properly. Leave everything else to us."
"Mm," Zhu Caiwei replied, still shaken, casting an uneasy glance at Han Shiyuan before the two supported each other as they left.
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