Сhарtеr 115: Тhe Pitiful Siхth Sistеr
Аt thаt mоment, a tall аnd imрosing figure аpprоасhеd thе thrеe from nоt far away—it was Shen Du rеturning.
Sеeing Shеn Du stride dirесtlу tоward thеm, thе thrее quiсkly rоse to their fееt. Zhu Cаiwei and Zhu Mаnshu both gavе slight nods, bowing tо Shеn Du.
Zhu Yаn, hоwеvеr, wаs no less dirесt, immediаtеlу spеaking uр, "Yоu're baсk."
Shеn Du’s eхpression wаs unusual, his brow slightly furrоwеd аs if somеwhat displeаsеd with Zhu Yаn. "What а rаrе gаthеring оf sisters tоdаy. Whаt werе you disсussing?"
"Nothing muсh, wе wеre just саsuаllу chatting abоut family matters," Zhu Cаiwei hurriedly intеrjectеd.
Shen Du’s ехprеssion grew even more displeased, his gaze never leaving Zhu Yan from start to finish, as if waiting for her response.
Zhu Yan steadied herself, a smile curling at the corner of her lips. "Indeed, it was nothing. My sisters came to visit me, and we only talked about family affairs. What is it that my husband wishes to know?"
After hearing this, Shen Du snorted coldly, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "You’re already working for the Li family, and you’re acquainted with Lai Luozhi, even interacting with him so closely without the slightest concern for appearances. Aren’t you afraid of inviting gossip and bringing trouble upon yourself?"
"..." Zhu Yan was utterly bewildered and completely baffled, having no idea what Shen Du’s words meant.
Zhu Yan didn’t know how to respond to Shen Du, while Zhu Caiwei and Zhu Manshu, witnessing this scene, grew deeply concerned.
Just moments ago, their sixth sister had told them that she and her husband were harmonious and all was well. Now, it seemed she had merely been comforting them.
Seeing that neither of the couple spoke further and both wore gloomy expressions, the two sensed trouble.
"Since you two have matters to discuss, we’ll take our leave now."
With that, Zhu Caiwei didn’t wait for Zhu Yan to bid farewell, quickly pulling Zhu Manshu away with her.
Even after walking a good distance, she couldn’t help but glance back with a sympathetic look at Zhu Yan.
Pitiful sixth sister...
"What do you mean?" Only after watching her two sisters leave did Zhu Yan turn to question Shen Du.
Shen Du merely snorted again, the curve of his lips unnervingly strange. "What I mean, you know perfectly well."
With that, Shen Du said no more, flicking his sleeve and leaving Zhu Yan standing there in stunned silence, utterly confused.
A day later, Qi Yeyun delivered a letter.
It was sent by Lu Chuichui, stating that the Ministry of Justice’s Bureau of Judicial Affairs had received a case submitted from a lower level: a murder had occurred in Xuanping Lane, Wannian County (Chang’an City was divided into Chang’an County and Wannian County, separated east and west by Vermilion Bird Avenue, both part of Chang’an). The victim was an elderly official’s wife who had retired to her hometown.
Xu Xiangren, the constable in charge of investigating the matter, had heard that Zhu Yan had solved the case of the Buddha Swallowing Sins and had specifically submitted this case in hopes of borrowing Zhu Yan’s expertise.
Upon learning of this, Zhu Yan couldn’t help but smile faintly.
Given that she had just had a falling out with Shen Du, continuing to investigate Han Shiyuan’s case would undoubtedly lead to further disagreements.
Rather than risking another confrontation with him later, it would be better to take on another case in the meantime, allowing both of them to cool off.
With these thoughts in mind, Zhu Yan had already made up her mind. After quickly tidying up, she prepared to head to the Ministry of Justice.
Just as she and Qi Yeyun were about to leave the Shen residence, they were unexpectedly stopped by Shen Du, as if he had been deliberately waiting for her at the entrance."Where to?" The cold, interrogative tone made Qi Yeyun feel a sense of dread. Just as he was about to reply, Zhu Yan covered his mouth and answered instead, "It's too stuffy in the mansion. We're just going out for a walk."
Shen Du saw right through this woman's intentions.
She didn't even bother to come up with a proper lie. If she really just wanted to go for a walk, why would she be worried about Qi Yeyun revealing it?
"I asked for a specific location," Shen Du pressed further.
Qi Yeyun's lips twitched. It was clear that Zhu Yan didn't want Shen Du to know their plans. As an outsider and a child, he felt too awkward to speak up.
"We're just wandering around casually. Surely the Great Pavilion Commander wouldn't forbid such a trivial matter?"
Shen Du narrowed his eyes slightly. "If it's just casual wandering, then I'll join you."
Hearing this, Zhu Yan's heart sank, and she quickly said, "No need, no need. We're just taking a casual stroll. There's no need to trouble you, husband."
Only when Zhu Yan called him "husband" again did Shen Du's heart ease slightly.
This woman was truly strange. Every time she called him "husband," he felt an inexplicable comfort.
"Has something happened at the Ministry of Justice?"
Shen Du glanced at Qi Yeyun beside him and voiced his suspicion.
Zhu Yan's pupils dilated. This man was truly clever. With this, even if she wanted to lie, she couldn't.
"It's nothing major. It's just that the Unrighteous Agents have encountered a tricky case and want me to go help. We'll be back soon."
Since she had been seen through, she decided not to hide it. Zhu Yan explained to Shen Du, "I promise you, I'll be back before dinner."
Shen Du clenched his fist slightly, as if calculating something. Moments later, Jing Lin approached his side and whispered something in his ear.
Shen Du relaxed his fist and said in an indifferent tone, "Go if you want. Whether you come back for dinner or not is your business. It has nothing to do with me."
With that, Shen Du turned and left.
Faced with Shen Du's attitude today, both of them were puzzled. It wasn't until they had left the Shen residence that Qi Yeyun looked at Zhu Yan with a confused expression. "Sister, don't you think Brother-in-law was acting a bit strange today?"
Zhu Yan also furrowed her brows slightly, but she couldn't dwell on it too much at the moment. "Never mind him. His temperament has always been unpredictable. Let's not try to figure him out. The case is what's most important."
"Mhm." Qi Yeyun nodded emphatically, deeply agreeing with Zhu Yan's words.
The two arrived at the Ministry of Justice, where Lu Chuichui was already waiting. She had known Zhu Yan would come.
"What's going on?"
Zhu Yan asked while reviewing the case files, but Lu Chuichui shook her head beside her. "I'm not entirely clear on the specifics of the case either. However, Commander Xu coming to the Ministry of Justice to borrow personnel today was within my expectations."
"Oh?" Zhu Yan was somewhat curious. "Why do you say that?"
"That previous serial murder case made you famous throughout Chang'an. Later, you were promoted by His Majesty. Isn't it only natural for a rare and remarkable woman like you to be sought out for help?" Lu Chuichui said nonchalantly. "Besides, you and Commander Xu are old acquaintances. If he didn't come to you, who else could he turn to?"
Zhu Yan shot her a glare, pursed her lips, and turned her attention back to the case files.
Just then, Zhu Yan discovered unexpected information from the files: on the back of the deceased was tattooed a large fire moth!Zhu Yan's heart sank, instantly recalling Madam Tang, who also had a fire moth tattoo on her shoulder. This deceased person bore a fire moth on their back—could there be some connection between them?
With this thought, Zhu Yan decided to visit Madam Tang in prison.
Initially, Zhu Yan worried that Lu Chuichui might be afraid of Madam Tang and planned to go alone.
But Lu Chuichui, concerned for Zhu Yan, insisted on accompanying her. Zhu Yan had no choice but to relent, feeling grateful all the while for having such a loyal friend.
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