Сhapter 129: Еvеn Brothеrs Keер Сlеаr Аccоunts
"What proposal?" Shеn Du аsked сoldlу, his fасе as dаrk аs thе bоttоm of а pot, which immеdiаtelу made Jing Lin swallоw back hаlf of what hе wаs аbоut tо sау.
After hеsitаting for а lоng timе, Jing Lin stammеred, "It's nоthing mаjor. It's just that I fееl I've fоllowed yоu, the Great Раviliоn Cоmmander, for sо mаnу yеаrs, аnd уоu'vе treаtеd me likе familу. I'm very grаteful in mу hеаrt. But аs thе sауing goes, evеn brothers keep сlear aсcounts. Yоu seе, I'vе beеn working diligently in the residence for so long. Could my monthly allowance be increased a bit as well?"
Jing Lin carefully laid out all his thoughts, then looked at Shen Du's expression.
Sure enough, the Great Pavilion Commander's face darkened even more. What was even more awkward was that he seemed not to have heard what he was saying at all.
His gaze was fixed in the distance, as if he were pondering something. What should he do now?
Should he say it again? Would that anger him?
Jing Lin found himself in a difficult position. After thinking for a moment, he spoke again, "Great Pavilion Commander, I—"
"Leave!" Before he could finish, Shen Du suddenly snapped coldly. Jing Lin trembled all over and quickly clasped his hands, saying, "Yes."
Jing Lin hurried away, only coming back to his senses when he was far off. It felt as if he had narrowly escaped death from the King of Hell himself. He let out a long sigh. Was today an unlucky day or what? Why did he have to bring up the matter of increasing his monthly allowance at such a critical moment? He was truly asking for trouble.
Jing Lin felt some regret but couldn't understand the reason behind it. He was also puzzled. Why was the Great Pavilion Commander so angry early in the morning? Could it be related to his wife?
Just as Jing Lin was struggling to figure it out, he suddenly saw Zhu Yan emerge from a guest room not far away.
"..." Jing Lin didn't know how to express his inner thoughts, but suddenly it seemed as if he understood something.
Could it be that the Great Pavilion Commander was angry precisely because his wife had moved into the guest room? If so... wasn't he once again being scolded for no reason?
Zhu Yan didn't notice Jing Lin in the distance and headed straight toward Yun Que's quarters.
Although her impression of this woman wasn't good, she was, after all, an important figure in the case.
Some things had to be set aside, as investigating the case was what mattered most.
She knocked on the door, and it soon opened. When Yun Que saw Zhu Yan, her face showed surprise.
"Hall Leader's Wife?" Yun Que looked Zhu Yan up and down. "What brings you here?"
As she spoke, she glanced around, as if expecting someone else.
"It's just me. No need to look," Zhu Yan said. "I came to see you for no other reason than to learn more about the case from back then."
"So that's it," Yun Que replied somewhat indifferently. "I came to seek justice from the Great Pavilion Commander. It has nothing to do with you, so your visit is in vain. I don't intend to tell you anything."
"Then have you heard about the recent serial murder case in Chang'an City?"
"Yes," Yun Que nodded. She had heard about it as soon as she entered Chang'an City. "That case is shrouded in mystery and carries an eerie aura. It was already the talk of the town when I first arrived. But it's been solved now. What does it have to do with anything?"
"Do you know who solved it?" Zhu Yan continued.
"Of course, it was the Great Pavilion Commander," Yun Que said, her face lighting up with admiration. "He's so handsome, so dashing, and so clever. He's simply the perfect candidate."Zhu Yan was nearly infuriated to the point of vomiting blood by Yun Que's words. Did this girl have nothing else on her mind? Carrying such a grave injustice, she still had the mood to consider her own lifelong matters—truly carefree.
"What is it?" Yun Que seemed to sense something and glanced at Zhu Yan. "Don't tell me you were involved in that case too?"
"You guessed right. That case was solved by him and me together," Zhu Yan admitted frankly. "So, you'd better tell me everything you know. I can help you overturn the verdict."
Though Zhu Yan spoke with righteous conviction, Yun Que still seemed distrustful, even curling her lips. "Even if you had heaven-defying abilities, I wouldn't believe it. Take that murder case, for example. If the Great Pavilion Commander hadn't secretly helped you, could you have solved it smoothly?"
Zhu Yan was somewhat speechless, her fists gradually clenching. Catching the culprit in that case indeed had an inseparable connection to Shen Du.
But now, the topic was the wrongful case of the Brocade Workshop. She only wanted to remind Yun Que that she could help overturn the verdict, never expecting Yun Que to be so ungrateful.
Just then, Shen Du suddenly walked in from outside. Seeing Zhu Yan there, he showed no surprise on his face.
Instead, he treated her as if she were air, sitting to one side without even a glance.
"The Great Pavilion Commander is here."
As soon as Yun Que saw Shen Du arrive, she immediately became exceptionally enthusiastic, pouring tea and inquiring warmly, completely like a different person.
Zhu Yan's expression turned somewhat unpleasant as she sat silently to one side. If not for the case, she wouldn't be here making herself conspicuous.
She understood in her heart that Shen Du had come for the case as well, and she also wanted to know the inside details.
Seeing Zhu Yan unmoved, Shen Du couldn't help but glance at her before turning to Yun Que and asking, "I'd like to learn about what happened back then."
"Of course," Yun Que, clearly biased against Zhu Yan, beamed like a flower before recounting the events of that year:
Her parents were suppliers for the Brocade Workshop in the south back then, with a deep relationship. Before the incident, Kong Xianrong and his wife, the owners of the Brocade Workshop, had even sent people to deliver the next quarter's orders and deposit to the Yun family in Jiangnan. They also mentioned the summer clothing, implying that once the summer garments were finished and delivered to the palace, they would travel to the south for leisure.
Who knew the agreement would be broken, leading to a life-and-death separation? The Yun couple often felt sorrowful, offering sacrifices every year and occasionally discussing Kong Xianrong and his wife's business practices and conduct. Having grown up immersed in such conversations, Yun Que, though a woman, had always harbored this dream: to seek justice for the Brocade Workshop.
But though her parents often mentioned it at home, they never spoke a word about it to outsiders, keeping it deeply secret and forbidding her from getting involved. So, she ran away secretly to appeal for justice, only to mistakenly take the official from the Judicial Affairs Bureau as the White King of Hell, Shen Du, nearly losing her life in the process.
Hearing this, Shen Du and Zhu Yan had a rough outline of the case.
Neither spoke a word, each pondering their own thoughts on the case.
At that moment, Yun Que presented the supply order and receipts before the two. "I was afraid you wouldn't believe me, so I brought evidence."
Looking at the documents on the table, both hesitated.
The case had happened so long ago. Even with material evidence, witness testimony or more substantial proof was still needed. After all, it was an old case, and investigating it would pose certain difficulties.Seeing the two still silent, Yun Que lowered her voice and leaned closer to Zhu Yan. "Look, the Great Pavilion Commander looks so handsome when he's thinking."
Zhu Yan's lips twitched. She gave Yun Que a surprised glance, then couldn't help but turn her head to look at Shen Du.
He sat there with a dark expression, staring at the desk, silent as if deep in thought.
It had to be said, this man's appearance was indeed flawless. But so what? In the end, they were not on the same path.
At that moment, Yun Que suddenly remembered Lai Luozhi's evil deeds and shuddered.
Compared to the Shen Du before her, it was like heaven and earth.
An idea suddenly came to her mind. She leaned closer to Zhu Yan again and said, "A perfect man like this, you should cherish him well. Don't keep thinking about that divorce matter all day, otherwise, I'll dislike you."
Zhu Yan didn't understand Yun Que's meaning and frowned. "What do you mean?"
Yun Que lowered her head, her cheeks flushed, then looked at Shen Du with an extremely affectionate gaze. "I've decided, after this case is solved, I'll stay. I won't leave."
"..." Zhu Yan was completely stunned. She blinked, looking at the girl before her with great surprise. "You plan to stay at the Shen residence?"
Yun Que nodded, then cast a haughty glance at her. "The reason I advise you not to divorce is that I think you're capable. After I marry in, we can keep each other company. Otherwise, I'd be very lonely."
Zhu Yan was utterly speechless. She stood there in a daze, her lips twitching uncontrollably.
It's good for a woman to be confident, but overconfidence might make people think there's something wrong with her head.
Zhu Yan shook her head. Seeing Shen Du still silent, she stood up, took the supply list and receipts, and left the room.
"Why are you leaving? I haven't finished speaking yet," Yun Que tried to call Zhu Yan back, but Zhu Yan left without looking back.
Yun Que's shouting brought Shen Du back to his senses. Seeing Zhu Yan leave, he also stood up to depart.
But as soon as he rose, Yun Que grabbed his arm, her face blooming with enthusiasm like a flower, infinitely gentle as she said, "Great Pavilion Commander, where are you going? You've finally come, and you haven't even had tea yet."
Shen Du's eyes were filled with impatience. He couldn't be bothered to respond to Yun Que's question, shook off her hand, and left directly.
Watching Shen Du's retreating figure, Yun Que not only wasn't angry but became even more infatuated. "Even the way he gets angry is so handsome..."
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