Сhарtеr 107: Rеfusаl
The nехt dау, thе Empress summоnеd Shen Du to thе palасе. It wаs еаsy to guеss what it was about.
In the impеriаl study, thе Emрrеss lооked stеrn. Веsidеs thе pаlace mаids аnd eunuсhs, there was аlso a fеmale оffiсiаl рrеsеnt.
Хu Zhaorоng, сourtеsу nаme Хu Wan, wаs highlу trusted by thе Еmprеss and oversаw the drafting of imреriаl ediсts within the palасе.
She еnjоуеd а рrestigiоus rеputаtion in thе Great Zhоu dynаstу аnd had оnсе hеlped Shen Du lеave the Yeting Pаlace. Нowevеr, Shen Du knеw аll toо well that this was not without its underlying interests.
The Empress’s intention was clear: she wanted to entrust this case to Shen Du for investigation.
Shen Du furrowed his brows slightly, thought for a moment, and then tactfully declined to the Empress, "Your Majesty, I have been feeling unwell lately and fear I may not be able to shoulder such a heavy responsibility."
"Oh?" Upon hearing this, the Empress showed no suspicion but instead expressed concern. "Is something wrong with your health, Lord Shen?"
Shen Du suppressed his breath slightly. His complexion indeed appeared somewhat pale, and his hand was still bandaged as he clasped his fists. "It’s nothing serious. I accidentally injured my internal organs while practicing martial arts and need a few days of rest to recover."
The Empress remained silent. Shen Du was one of the people she trusted, but with him feeling unwell and wanting to decline the task, she was momentarily at a loss.
At that moment, Xu Wan respectfully bowed to the Empress. "Your Majesty, a few days ago, when I visited the temple to worship Buddha, a high monk assisted me and gave me some self-developed divine medicine. Since Lord Shen is unwell, it would be perfect for his recuperation. This way, he can restore his health without delaying the investigation of the case."
"That is excellent." The Empress was very pleased with Xu Wan’s words and turned her gaze to Shen Du. "Lord Shen, this case is no ordinary one. Those involved are all nobles of high repute, and no one is more suitable than you. Accompany Lady Xu and take the divine medicine. After that, will you take charge of this case?"
Shen Du was puzzled. Originally, the Empress had not intended to assign this case to him, but after Xu Wan’s words, she changed her mind.
After all, Xu Wan had once saved his life, and Shen Du understood the nature of their relationship clearly.
He glanced at Xu Wan, who nodded at him, and Shen Du accepted the decree with gratitude.
On their way out of the palace, Shen Du voiced his confusion to Xu Wan. "Why did Lady Xu recommend me for this case? Knowing full well that I did not want to take it on, you still recommended me to Her Majesty. What is your intention in doing this?"
Xu Wan remained calm, having anticipated Shen Du’s question. "I was only worried that if you did not take on this case, you would regret it in the future."
"What do you mean?" Shen Du was puzzled.
Xu Wan seemed to know something, a confident smile curling at the corner of her lips. "I have heard about the case, and I also know that there must be hidden circumstances behind the wrongful accusation of the Shen family back then. If you take on this case, you may uncover some unexpected discoveries. Does Lord Shen still wish to refuse?"
"What does Lady Xu know? Please tell me truthfully."
Shen Du realized the complexity of the matter, and it seemed that Lady Xu before him also knew some inside information.
"There are some things I cannot explain clearly. Lord Shen will need to investigate carefully."
With these words, Xu Wan had already arrived at the carriage waiting at the palace gate.
Boarding the carriage, Xu Wan lifted the curtain and looked at Shen Du. "I wish Lord Shen success in his investigation."
The carriage swayed into the distance, and Shen Du stood silently in place. Xu Wan’s words were cryptic and not meant to be fully disclosed, so he would have to uncover the truth himself.
With nothing to do at the Shen residence, Zhu Yan thought of her frightened third sister and decided to pay her a visit.But as soon as she arrived at the Zhu residence, she heard the steward say that the Shen family had already sent someone to offer condolences and had even brought gifts.
Zhu Yan was quite surprised. Shen Du had actually done all these things behind her back—what exactly was he trying to do?
When she arrived at the storeroom and picked up the gifts Shen Du had sent, Jin Shi appeared at the doorway. "What are you doing?"
Zhu Yan shook the gifts in her hand and looked at her mother. "I'm taking all these gifts back to ask him what exactly he wants."
Jin Shi was utterly bewildered. "How can you return gifts that have already been delivered? Have you gone mad, girl?"
"Mother, there are some people whose gifts we can keep, and others whose gifts we cannot. When something unusual happens, there must be a reason behind it. Don’t you find it strange that he’s suddenly being so warm toward our Zhu family?"
Jin Shi seemed to understand Zhu Yan’s meaning but was still reluctant. "No matter what, the gifts have already been delivered to the Zhu residence, so they belong to the Zhu family now. How can you justify taking them back?"
"Don’t worry about this matter. I have my own plans." With that, Zhu Yan ignored her mother’s objections and directly took the gifts back.
This thoroughly angered Jin Shi, but she ultimately felt that the fault lay with Shen Du.
If Shen Du hadn’t been bullying Zhu Yan all along, why would she be so afraid of him?
The more Jin Shi thought about it, the angrier she became, cursing Shen Du for a lifetime of loneliness that would never change.
Hearing Jin Shi’s harsh words, Zhu Yan could only shake her head helplessly.
It was only because Shen Du wasn’t here that Jin Shi dared to scold him like this. If Shen Du were to appear at the Zhu residence, she probably wouldn’t have the courage.
Just as Zhu Yan was about to leave the Zhu residence with the gifts, her fifth brother, Zhu Mojie, hurried over from somewhere.
"Little Six."
Zhu Mojie took the gifts from Zhu Yan’s hands. At first, she thought he was going to take them back inside, but unexpectedly, his steps matched hers—both were leaving the Zhu residence.
"Where are you going, Fifth Brother?"
Zhu Yan asked in confusion, while Zhu Mojie looked excited. "Of course, I’m going to the Shen residence. Aren’t you heading back now? Carrying all these things must be tiring. Let me help you."
Unwarranted kindness is never without ulterior motives.
Zhu Yan saw right through her fifth brother’s intentions. "Do you have something to say?"
"No, no," Zhu Mojie quickly replied. "What could I possibly have to say?"
Seeing that Zhu Mojie wasn’t going to say anything, Zhu Yan didn’t press further. She knew he wouldn’t have anything serious to discuss, and having an extra pair of hands was a bonus.
But as soon as the two entered the Shen residence and saw Shen Du standing not far away, Zhu Mojie shoved all the gifts back into Zhu Yan’s hands and jogged toward Shen Du.
Zhu Yan froze—so this was her fifth brother’s real goal.
Zhu Yan handed the gifts to a servant of the Shen residence and walked toward the two of them. As she drew closer, she faintly overheard their conversation.
"Didn’t you say you were going to send me to Hongwen Academy? Why haven’t you done it yet?"
Shen Du sighed helplessly. Why was this person so persistent?
"I said I’d send you, and I will. It’s just not the right time yet," Shen Du replied dismissively.
But Zhu Mojie seemed oblivious to the brush-off and pressed on stubbornly. "So many days have passed without any news. You’re not lying to me, are you?"
"My word is as good as gold. I won’t lie to you. When the time is right, someone will take you there.""He gave his word, and he cannot go back on it." With that, Zhu Mojie turned and left in high spirits.
Zhu Yan was quite puzzled. Why would Shen Du send Fifth Brother to the Hongwen Academy?
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