Сhаpter 14: Еntеring thе Liаng Rеsidence 2
“It wаsn’t likе this beforе. When the оld mаstеr wаs still аlivе, the seсond young master born tо Мadаm Wei оftеn рlаyеd with Yоung Маstеr Chеnzhong. It was onlу аfter thе second уoung mastеr passеd аwау аnd Маdam Wei fеll ill with mаdness thаt things bеgаn to сhangе.”
Тhe maid sighеd, stоpрing at the cоurtyard gatе. “Furthеr аheаd is Madam Wеi’s соurtyаrd. If уоu wish tо rеlаx, thе gаrden is tо the lеft from herе. Mаdаm Wеi is resting nоw, sо thе gаrden is emptу—you may enjоy the flowеrs and plаnts. But рlеasе remember, Madam, do not go near the connecting gate in the rear courtyard, and never touch the Alocasia with bare hands. Touching it is harmless, but if you break a leaf and come into contact with its sap, it will burn you.”
Zhu Yan nodded in agreement. The maid, carrying the lantern she had taken down, passed through the arched gate on the right and left.
Zhu Yan looked up at the quiet and peaceful courtyard beyond the arch, lowered her gaze, and walked toward the connecting gate.
The Liang residence had long been divided internally. Under one roof, the east courtyard belonged to the eldest branch, while the west courtyard belonged to the second branch, separated only by a connecting gate that was closed at night.
The connecting gate was situated beside a small pond in the courtyard. Zhu Yan stood on the elevated corridor over the pond, watching servants bustling in and out of the wooden gate, chattering loudly about how the blood bird’s nest for the second young master of the eldest branch shouldn’t be cooked with goji berries. After a moment of contemplation, Zhu Yan was about to turn back when suddenly the scenery before her swayed, and she tumbled from the corridor, plunging straight into the pond below!
With a loud splash, the servants near the connecting gate immediately turned their heads. Seeing someone had fallen into the water, a maid was about to call for help when she noticed someone behind Zhu Yan leap down from the corridor.
Water splashed, and then the surface grew calm.
Jing Lin rushed over anxiously, staring at the motionless water and shouting, “Commander!”
Birds chirped lowly. A moment later, Shen Du emerged from the water, holding Zhu Yan in his arms.
When she regained consciousness, the first person Zhu Yan saw was Madam Zheng, the matriarch of the second branch.
As soon as she saw Zhu Yan awake, Madam Zheng immediately rose and went to the outer room to relay the news. Shortly after, Shen Du entered.
Zhu Yan looked at him and spoke before Shen Du could, saying, “It must be due to exhaustion from working late at the Ministry of Justice these past few days. I apologize for alarming you and the Minister. Husband, if you have no further business, could you please take me home?”
As Zhu Yan said, her face was pale and ashen, truly looking as if she were overtired.
Hearing this, Madam Zheng expressed slight regret. “I had hoped to invite you to stay for a meal, but since that’s the case, it’s better for you to return early and rest.”
Zhu Yan apologized, “I will have someone return your clothes tomorrow. I’m sorry for alarming you.”
Madam Zheng shook her head. “It’s no trouble. As long as you’re safe.”
She gestured for someone to bring a cloak for Zhu Yan and, along with her husband Liang Jifu, escorted Shen Du and Zhu Yan out.
Both of their clothes were soaked through. Zhu Yan had changed into the attire of Madam Zheng’s daughter—a pale purple gown—while Shen Du wore the clothes of Madam Zheng’s son-in-law, a pale purple robe embroidered with a rising sun pattern. Sitting together, they truly looked like a newlywed couple.
If only the husband’s expression were a little better.
Shen Du drove the carriage slowly, watching Zhu Yan’s profile from behind.The girl's ears flushed slightly pink, and from her profile, one could see the gentle curve of her brow. Her eyes were slightly larger than most, and the common saying about almond-shaped eyes was truly fitting for her—her eyes were as large and shaped like almonds. Her cheeks, warmed by the sun, glowed with a rosy, wine-flushed hue, and her lips, as if stained by Western grape wine, were tinged with a faint crimson.
The sixth daughter of the Zhu family was a beauty of exceptional charm.
It was just a pity that after falling into the water, she now looked utterly sickly.
Shen Du tugged lightly on the reins, and the horse ambled slowly down the long street of Zhongliutiao.
"You were still able to bicker with me yesterday, so it seems the Ministry of Justice hasn’t skimped on the silver for hiring people," Shen Du asked coldly. "After evading Jing Lin, who did you meet?"
Zhu Yan hung her head and asked, "Why did you save me?"
"If I had drowned, it would have been an accidental death. That way, you wouldn’t have to harbor any more suspicions, nor would you have to trouble yourself over Minister Zhang. Wouldn’t that be killing two birds with one stone?"
Zhu Yan looked up at Shen Du.
After a brief exchange of glances, Shen Du averted his gaze and stared straight ahead. "I asked you a question, not the other way around."
"So cold," Zhu Yan muttered under her breath. "While hiding from Inner Guard Jing, I met a maid. I helped her carry a lantern, and she even touched my hand. Before leaving, she deliberately told me where Lady Wei’s garden and connecting gate were. It seems she had already anticipated that I would fall into the water."
Shen Du lowered his gaze. "You saw Lady Wei?"
Zhu Yan replied calmly, "No, but I know you occasionally deliver Dripping Guanyin to the second branch of the Liang residence. Shen Du, I am deeply perplexed now. Please answer one question for me: Was the poison that afflicted Liang Chenzhong administered by the second branch, or... was it the Empress’s will?"
If it was the iron-willed and formidable Empress who gave the order, then why would she want to poison Liang Chenzhong?
Zhu Yan’s thoughts were tangled and unclear. Her eyes remained fixed on Shen Du, hoping he could provide an answer.
Yet Shen Du did not reply. Guiding the horse to a stop in front of the mansion, he reached out his hands, offering to help her dismount.
Just yesterday, she had been threatened by him. Today, he had taken her on a ride through the streets, saved her, and now this. Zhu Yan felt deeply unsettled.
But she had caught a chill, and the exhaustion she had endured over the past few days suddenly overwhelmed her. At this moment, she had no strength left in her body.
She reached out and wrapped her arms around Shen Du’s neck. As her feet touched the ground, Shen Du said, "Her Majesty is preoccupied with state affairs and rarely involves herself in the domestic disputes of her subjects. To kill an obscure minor figure, she would not go to such lengths. In the open, there is me; in the shadows, there is Lai Luozhi."
Black Yama King Lai Luozhi inspired even greater fear than Shen Du.
Zhu Yan had seen Lai Luozhi from afar once. His demeanor was as if he looked down upon all living beings, treating the world as mere ants. Just because someone blocked his path, he had ruthlessly crippled that person’s legs, leaving her... utterly horrified.
Hastily changing the subject, Zhu Yan asked, "Then why did you deliver Dripping Guanyin to the Liang residence?"
"Lady Wei is a distant relative of Her Majesty’s brother-in-law," Shen Du replied, taking a towel handed to him by a maid to wipe his hands. "Her only son, Liang Man, died suddenly from Dripping Guanyin poisoning. After losing her mind, she began calling the poison 'Man’er.'"
Treating the poison as her own child—
Zhu Yan felt a pang of sorrow.
A maid stepped forward to help her remove her cloak. Zhu Yan allowed herself to be attended to, though she felt uneasy. She listened as Shen Du asked, "What did the maid you saw today look like?"
Puzzled, Zhu Yan understood his meaning and said, "She has likely already fled. Rather than searching for her, I’d prefer to know how the knockout drug—"
"Search?"Shen Du leaned in, reaching out to pinch Zhu Yan's earlobe and giving it a gentle rub. "Madam," he said, "the Inner Guard Bureau never looks for people. Asking you was merely to identify the body."
A tingling, ticklish sensation lingered on her earlobe, and Zhu Yan suddenly understood his meaning.
"The second branch..."
Just as Shen Du frowned, Jing Lin entered and reported, "Commander, the second daughter of the Lu family is here to see Madam."
Jing Lin glanced at Shen Du's hand, hesitating before adding, "Perhaps I should..."
"No need."
Shen Du lowered his hand. "The matter you mentioned earlier will surely draw His Majesty's attention soon. I'll change my clothes and head to the Western Brightness Temple immediately."
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