Сhарtеr 140: Аm I Uglу?
Heаring Zhu Yаn’s wоrds, Shеn Du аlso realizеd thе seriousnеss of the mаttеr. Нis ехрression dаrkened, and he quickly gаvе ordеrs, “Jing Lin, go tо thе раlaсе immеdiаtеly аnd report this tо Мinister Zhаng Baohuаn.”
“Yes.” Jing Lin resрonded аnd hurriеdlу withdrеw.
Оnlу thеn did Zhu Yan feеl rеlievеd. In hеr еarliеr momеnt оf impulsivenеss, shе hadn’t сonsidered sо much. Zhang Bаоhuаn was sоmeone сlоsе to thе Еmрrеss. Еvеn if Prinсеss Yong’аn was unwilling, shе couldn’t disrеgard thе Еmрress’s fасе.
“Lеt go! Let go оf me!”
On the way, Нan Shiyuan strugglеd continuоusly, but Рrinсess Yоng’an’s people were acting on orders and dared not slack off.
The more Han Shiyuan struggled, the tighter their grip became.
Just as the group was about to reach Prince Ying’s residence, a sudden announcement made everyone stop.
“Minister Zhang has arrived.”
Everyone turned to look and saw Zhang Baohuan rushing over with his entourage, his face dark and filled with anger.
Accompanying him were Shen Du and Zhu Yan.
Princess Yong’an immediately fixed her gaze on Zhu Yan. Earlier on the street, she had noticed a familiar figure but hadn’t gotten a clear look before the person left. Now, it seemed it wasn’t her eyes playing tricks—it was someone going to tip them off.
“Your Highness the Prince of Ying.” Zhang Baohuan stepped forward to pay his respects, his smile carrying a chill. “I wonder what Young Master Han has done wrong to be treated this way by Your Highness. Even if he is unwilling, Your Highness insists on forcibly taking him back to your residence.”
“A private matter—how could it have alarmed Minister Zhang to personally come and demand his release?” Princess Yong’an said. “I just don’t know what relationship Minister Zhang has with this Han fellow.”
Zhang Baohuan pursed his lips, his expression turning stern. “Your Highness exaggerates. I am here on imperial orders to convey condolences to the Great Pavilion Commander and his wife. It so happened that the Hall Leader’s Wife mentioned this matter. The Empress dotes on Your Highness, and my actions are also for Your Highness’s sake. I urge Your Highness to reconsider.”
Han Shiyuan was still struggling. Princess Yong’an narrowed her eyes. Naturally, she had to show some restraint toward Zhang Baohuan’s status. If she didn’t release him, he would report it to the Empress.
“Today, you made a mistake. I merely intended to take you back to discipline you. Since Minister Zhang has pleaded for you, I’ll let you off this time.”
With a wave of her hand, the servants released him.
Zhu Yan quickly stepped forward to pull him back and asked with concern, “Brother-in-law, are you all right?”
Han Shiyuan shook his head and hurriedly bowed to the two of them. “Thank you, Great Pavilion Commander and your wife, for saving me.”
“No need for formalities among family.” Zhu Yan took over the conversation, then glanced gratefully at Shen Du.
However, Shen Du’s expression wasn’t very pleasant, as if she had stirred up trouble again.
Zhu Yan paid no mind. Princess Yong’an’s plan had failed, and she harbored resentment. Forced to release Han Shiyuan out of respect for Zhang Baohuan, she couldn’t help but feel indignant when she thought about Zhu Yan disrupting her plans.
Approaching Zhu Yan, she glared at her with an extremely sinister gaze and warned,
“Don’t think that just because you saved him today, I’ll let go. Anyone I set my sights on will eventually be mine. And,
the only reason I’ve spared you until now is entirely out of respect for Minister Zhang. Don’t always think you’re so capable. We’ll see about that!”
Princess Yong’an’s words left Zhu Yan speechless. Even though she knew she wasn’t Zhang Xingwei’s pawn, others would never believe it.
Not to mention others—even Shen Du probably wouldn’t believe her.A wave of disappointment washed over her. After the matter was resolved, everyone returned to their respective residences. Along the way, Zhu Yan remained sullen, her mind constantly echoing Princess Yong'an's words.
"What's wrong?" Shen Du noticed her unusual demeanor and asked, "You saved someone, yet you don't seem very happy?"
Zhu Yan knew Shen Du was teasing her, but at this moment, her heart was heavy, and she had no mood to retort.
"Nothing."
With two cold words, Zhu Yan quickened her pace and left.
Perhaps keeping some distance from Shen Du at this time would be beneficial for both of them.
Seeing Zhu Yan suddenly acting out of character, Shen Du was filled with confusion. What exactly was going on in a woman's mind? Couldn't she just speak normally?
Returning to the Shen residence, she barely sat down before standing up and walking out again. With such a big commotion today, she wondered if the people at the Zhu residence would overthink things.
Unable to set her mind at ease, Zhu Yan decided to go back and check.
Just as she stepped out of the Shen residence, she ran into Shen Du, who had returned with her.
"Didn't you just come back? Where are you going again?"
Shen Du's voice was cold, as if speaking to a stranger.
"Going home." To maintain distance, Zhu Yan simply dropped two words and hurried away.
Shen Du was puzzled and even more annoyed. Had he been too lenient with her lately, making her speak so thoughtlessly?
Wasn't this her home? Which home was she going to?
Zhu Yan returned to the Zhu residence and went straight to find her third sister. The two sisters warmly chatted about everyday matters.
Seeing her third sister's cheerful expression, she knew today's incident hadn't reached the residence. Han Shiyuan was indeed a capable man, handling matters himself and not letting those around him worry.
Thinking of this, Zhu Yan praised her third sister, "Third sister, your judgment is truly excellent. Look at third brother-in-law—good character, knowledgeable, and in terms of looks, he's one of the rarest in our Chang'an City."
Zhu Caiwei covered her mouth with a laugh. "Listen to you. Isn't the Great Pavilion Commander handsome? Holding an important position and renowned far and wide—you're the one blessed without knowing it."
Zhu Yan shook her head dismissively. "Don't mention him. He always wears a cold face all day. Not only is he naturally ugly, but with that constant cold expression, he's even more unpleasant."
The conversation between the two was completely overheard by Shen Du standing at the door.
Ugly?
This woman was calling him ugly?
He had originally intended to go in and take her home, but for some reason, his heart suddenly felt like a bottle of mixed flavors, all sorts of emotions swirling inside.
At a loss, he turned and hurried away.
Back at the Shen residence, Shen Du stood before the bronze mirror, utterly perplexed.
Sword-like eyebrows, starry eyes, a straight nose, thin lips... Everything looked perfectly fine.
Though not exceptionally handsome, he certainly didn't belong in the ugly category.
He couldn't figure it out...
"Jing Lin."
A cold call, and Jing Lin appeared at the door. "Great Pavilion Commander."
Shen Du pursed his lips, as if pondering for a long time before finally asking, "Am I... ugly?"
"..." Jing Lin froze, completely caught off guard by Shen Du's question.
Seeing Jing Lin stunned and speechless, Shen Du waved impatiently, dismissing him.
Sitting before the bronze mirror, he suddenly recalled the scene of Zhang Baohuan stepping forward to save Han Shiyuan. At that time, Zhu Yan's gaze had never left Zhang Baohuan.
This...
Could it be that he, the esteemed Great Pavilion Commander, couldn't compare to a mere Zhang Baohuan?
Or was that woman's eyesight flawed?
It must be her eyesight—no, her brain was flawed too. A shallow woman who only cared about looks.Shen Du consoled himself, thinking that a man as dashing and handsome as he was could never be associated with the word "ugly"—it was simply preposterous.
"What a blind woman."
At the Zhu residence, Zhu Yan sneezed, looked up at the sky, and found the weather clear and cloudless.
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