Сhарter 125: Familу Ваnquеt 1
Тhe overflоwing сoncеrn warmed Zhu Yаn’s hеаrt. Shе shооk her heаd and said,
“No, everyоnе, plеasе dоn’t оvеrthink it. I’m living verу wеll аt thе Shеn residеnce. It’s just that thе fоod dоesn’t quite suit my tаste, so I сame hоmе fоr а mеаl. Тhat’s all.”
Аftеr spеаking, Zhu Yаn hurriedlу toоk а few bites оf fоod, thеn seemed tо remember sоmеthing аnd loоked toward hеr third sistеr аnd brothеr-in-lаw bеsidе hеr.
“Вy thе wаy, Тhird Sister, уou and Вrothеr-in-Lаw shоuld be саrеful. Тhe recеnt cases are sоmewhat cоmplicаted, аnd I’m wоrried thеy might involve you.”
Hearing this, Han Shiyuan’s expression changed. “Have you found something related to us?”
“No.”
Zhu Yan shook her head while eating.
“It’s just that I feel this case isn’t simple, so I’m reminding you.”
Hearing Zhu Yan’s words, everyone finally relaxed and returned to the warm atmosphere of the evening banquet.
At that moment, a servant from the Zhu family hurried in to report that the Great Pavilion Commander had arrived.
Upon hearing this news, Zhu Yan nearly choked on her food. She quickly put down her bowl and chopsticks, taking a moment to calm herself.
Her mind was filled with confusion—why had he come too?
Before she could finish her thoughts, he had already arrived in the main hall. Seeing the entire Zhu family gathered together for a meal, he suddenly felt a stir in his heart.
“The Great Pavilion Commander is here. Quick… please take the seat of honor.”
Zhu Kuo hurriedly greeted him and instructed the servants to bring an extra set of bowls and chopsticks.
Meanwhile, Jin Shi, sitting nearby, quickly switched seats with Zhu Yan, leaving the two seats of honor for Shen Du and Zhu Yan.
After all, official rank took precedence; even within a family, one could not overstep boundaries.
Shen Du said nothing more. Sitting among everyone, he watched the lively meal of the Zhu family, his heart unusually unsettled.
It was at this moment that he suddenly understood—Zhu Yan’s steadfast and optimistic nature originated from here.
Tonight’s banquet was warm and harmonious, free from the disturbances of cases and the distinctions of official rank.
During the meal, Shen Du even remembered to serve Zhu Yan a few dishes. Although his expression was earnest and affectionate, the reactions of those present varied.
Whether it was genuine or feigned, no one could guess, nor did they dare to speculate recklessly.
After the meal, the servants prepared tea, and the family gathered once again to enjoy tea and admire the moon.
This rare moment of peace and leisure was something Shen Du also cherished.
Zhu Yan sat beside him, propping her chin with one hand as she gazed at the full moon in the sky. Suddenly, she seemed to remember something.
Turning her gaze to Han Shiyuan, she asked, “By the way, Third Brother-in-Law, on such a full moon night, have you ever thought of your own family?”
Hearing this, Han Shiyuan’s expression turned grim. “I… I no longer have a family.”
“…” Zhu Yan felt somewhat awkward and continued, “Then… how did they pass away?”
“It’s all in the past. No need to bring it up.” Han Shiyuan tactfully declined Zhu Yan’s question.
Yet his face remained shadowed, as if he were hiding something. Zhu Yan noticed this and glanced at Shen Du beside her.
Shen Du spoke up, “Are you really not going to tell everyone?”
Hearing this, everyone present sensed something amiss and turned their questioning gazes toward Han Shiyuan.
Han Shiyuan’s expression shifted slightly, a hint of panic flashing in his eyes. “Tell everyone what? Caiwei and I are truly in love. Isn’t that enough?”
“Even if two people are truly in love, they should still understand each other’s family background. What you’re doing is deceiving her into marriage, do you understand?”Shen Du's cold, relentless questioning left everyone present bewildered. Deception in marriage—this was no trivial matter.
Such a joke could not be made lightly.
"What are you talking about? What deception in marriage?"
Zhu Yan grabbed Shen Du's arm, asking in confusion.
Everyone around also fixed their gazes on Shen Du, as if hoping to get an answer from him.
Han Shiyuan's expression was extremely grim, as if he harbored unspeakable secrets—unwilling to speak himself yet afraid Shen Du would reveal them.
"What exactly is going on? Do you know something?" Zhu Yan pressed further.
Shen Du no longer held back, his eyes dark and resolute as he stared at Han Shiyuan.
"Young Master Han is the younger brother of Lord Zhang Baohuan."
Upon hearing this, everyone present was shocked. Han Shiyuan was actually Zhang Baohuan's brother—this was truly unbelievable!
Before anyone could recover, Shen Du took a step forward, scrutinizing Han Shiyuan with a piercing gaze. "Since you are Zhang Baohuan's brother, why didn't you use his status and connections to protect yourself from Princess Yong'an's harm?"
This was something Shen Du could not understand. He needed an answer from Han Shiyuan.
But upon hearing this, Han Shiyuan suddenly showed intense disgust. "What brother? I don't understand what Lord Shen is talking about. I have no relation to Lord Zhang. Lord Shen must have investigated incorrectly."
"Incorrect?" Shen Du retorted, then asked, "Then is it also incorrect that you once had an elder sister?"
Han Shiyuan's expression grew even darker, the pain and hatred in his eyes still firm, mixed with deep displeasure as he glared fiercely at Shen Du.
"Lord Shen, everyone calls you the White King of Hell, but you cannot abuse your authority to slander others. I have no relation to Zhang Baohuan—none at all. Even if you investigate more deeply, there is still no connection between us!"
Shen Du sneered. He naturally did not believe his investigation was wrong.
"The Brocade Workshop case involved many people back then. The workshop's proprietress and head seamstress were beheaded because of the case, and her entire family was executed. Does this have nothing to do with you?"
As if touching a deep wound, Han Shiyuan shuddered violently.
His fists clenched tightly, emitting cracking sounds. Everyone noticed his change and was greatly astonished.
"If the Brocade Workshop has nothing to do with you, why are you so agitated?" Shen Du continued coldly. "The head seamstress of the Brocade Workshop was your elder sister, wasn't she?"
Upon hearing this, everyone present was even more shocked, unable to contain their astonishment.
Zhu Yan immediately seemed to recall something. The Brocade Workshop case had implicated many people back then, and the head seamstress's entire family had been executed, with the punishment extending to nine degrees of kinship.
But if it was a crime punishable by extermination of nine clans, why was Han Shiyuan still alive?
Zhu Yan could not understand. There must be some greater secret behind this.
Zhang Baohuan had status and position to protect himself, which was plausible. But Han Shiyuan was likely a nobody back then—he should have been executed in that wrongful case. Why had he survived until now?
"No."
Han Shiyuan's eyes were bloodshot, as if suppressing a frenzy within him.
"You are all wrong. I have no relation to the Brocade Workshop, and even less to Zhang Baohuan!"
Han Shiyuan roared loudly, but whether there was truly no connection, everyone already understood in their hearts.The old case was brought up again, and everyone felt heartbroken. If he truly had nothing to do with these matters, why would he react so intensely?
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