Сhаpter 142 Таking Аdvаntаge
Shen Du alsо lоwered his gаze to lооk. Аlthоugh thе light wаs dim, his eyеs had already adjustеd, аllowing him tо seе а hаzу outlinе. Zhu Yаn wаs оnlу weаring a hoodiе, lуing in his arms, hеr slender waist likе the neсk of a bоttlе аlmоst within rеасh of his largе hаnd. Mоrеоver, а faint, nаturаl fragranсе emаnated from hеr body—how uttеrlу аlluring...
Shen Du’s thrоat tightened, аnd his bоdу begаn tо fееl rеstlеss. It toоk him а long whilе to snаp baсk to rеаlitу. With a соld соugh, he helpеd the woman in his arms sit up. “Whаt, haven’t yоu taken еnough аdvаntagе?”
Zhu Yan pursed her lips. “Who’s taking advantage of whom isn’t certain. Don’t speak so bluntly, as if you’re the one who’s been wronged.”
Hearing Zhu Yan’s complaint, Shen Du didn’t get angry. Instead, he continued, “It’s pitch dark in here. When you entered the room, you didn’t even think to light a lamp first to see if anyone was inside. Luckily, it was me today. If it had been someone else, they might have taken your life before you even saw who they were.”
Zhu Yan rolled her eyes, completely dismissing his words. She muttered to herself, “I’ve been studying corpses all day—all shriveled and wrinkled. Just now, I touched a fresh one, and it really is different.”
Shen Du’s eyes darkened. How could this woman speak so carelessly? What did she mean by that? Was she hoping for his death?
Zhu Yan quickly straightened her clothes and began drying her hair, not forgetting to glance back at the shadowy figure in the darkness. “Don’t just stand there. Go light the candles.”
“...” Shen Du was speechless. Was this woman telling him what to do?
First, she cursed him to die, and now she was ordering him around. How could he tolerate such a lawless woman?
Without another word, Shen Du strode forward, grabbed Zhu Yan’s chin, and forced her to look up. Before she could react, the blurry outline in the darkness leaned in, pressing his cool lips firmly against her skin.
Zhu Yan’s mind felt as if it had been struck by thunder, leaving her utterly bewildered.
The moment felt endlessly long, and even when Zhu Yan regained her senses, Shen Du showed no intention of letting go.
Zhu Yan was thoroughly enraged. She struggled desperately, using all her strength to push him away, glaring furiously at the familiar figure. “Have you lost your mind? What are you kissing me for? Don’t you know this kind of thing should only be done between two people who are in love? If you really can’t control yourself, go find Yun Que. Isn’t she the one you keep in the mansion? Just take her as a concubine so she can serve you anytime!”
Zhu Yan’s angry words poured out in a torrent. Shen Du knew she was speaking in anger, but he still felt displeased. She could say anything, even call him a scoundrel or shameless, but suggesting he go to another woman made him seethe with rage.
Recalling that he was at fault, Shen Du didn’t say much more. Both of them were angry, and if they continued to argue, things would only escalate.
After a long while, Zhu Yan’s breathing finally steadied. Shen Du then spoke again, “Princess Runing met privately with Crown Prince Li Chong. What are your thoughts on this?”
Zhu Yan was taken aback, her expression one of surprise. “That nominal crown prince?”
Shen Du nodded. “Yes, him.”
Zhu Yan was very surprised. After all, although Li Chong held the title of crown prince, the Li clan had long been suppressed by the Zhou clan. Coupled with the Empress’s unpredictable temperament, Li Chong had no confidence in inheriting the throne.
Even now, as crown prince, he was merely a nominal one—a target for others in their power struggles.How could the Princess go to see him? Could it be that the two of them were also plotting some unknown conspiracy?
Zhu Yan lowered her gaze and pondered for a moment. The earlier unpleasantness had completely vanished, and she was now fully immersed in the case.
Shen Du also remained silent, bowing his head. While asking Zhu Yan for her thoughts on the matter, he was also weighing the pros and cons.
"Does the Empress know about this?" Zhu Yan suddenly turned and asked.
Shen Du said nothing, hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
Zhu Yan was even more surprised. "That’s strange. Since the Empress knows, why would she let both of them go?"
Shen Du was speechless for a moment before replying, "One is her own son, the other is the late emperor’s younger sister. Tell me, which one should she kill?"
Zhu Yan gasped, having never considered this point. Perhaps this was the Empress’s dilemma.
It was well known that the Zhou family had treated the Empress poorly before she ascended the throne.
The Empress’s choice to watch quietly actually had her own considerations, making it difficult for others to guess.
Zhu Yan let out a soft sigh. This was an internal conflict within the royal family and had nothing to do with her.
It was better for her to focus on her own duties, solve the case as soon as possible, and bring justice to the deceased.
Having sorted out her thoughts, Zhu Yan sat down again, resting her chin on her hands without saying a word.
The flickering candlelight cast shadows on her face, her cheeks slightly puffed out. Her large eyes blinked occasionally, giving her a somewhat adorable appearance.
"Why have you stopped talking?" Shen Du asked. They had been discussing things just fine, and now she had suddenly fallen silent. Something unusual was surely afoot.
This woman must be scheming something in her mind.
"What is there to say?" Zhu Yan blinked, feigning confusion. "This is an internal matter of the royal family and has nothing to do with me. What right do I have to comment on it?"
Zhu Yan’s words left Shen Du with no rebuttal. She wasn’t wrong, but at this point, distancing herself from the matter—wasn’t that a bit too late?
"That makes sense," Shen Du said calmly, much to Zhu Yan’s surprise.
Under normal circumstances, he would have argued with her. Why was he so unusually accommodating today?
Zhu Yan didn’t dwell on it too much. She glanced at Shen Du. She had already been exhausted from the day’s work, and after talking for so long, she was genuinely sleepy.
"Alright, alright, let’s stop talking. I’m going to sleep."
As she spoke, Zhu Yan stood up and stretched her limbs. "I’ve been dealing with corpses all day—dirty and tired—and haven’t found anything. It’s really frustrating."
Even after lying down, Zhu Yan continued to chatter about the day’s events.
Shen Du also got up to wash up. By the time he returned, he found that Zhu Yan had already fallen asleep.
The woman lay there quietly, her eyes tightly shut. Her delicate face bore traces of fatigue, yet it did nothing to diminish her beauty.
Shen Du clenched his fist, suddenly feeling as though he had done something wrong.
Since marrying him, this woman had been immersed in cases every day, never enjoying a moment of peace. Was this really what he wanted?
The next day, Zhu Yan once again invited the Chief Constable Xu Xiangren to a teahouse. Due to her frequent invitations lately, Xu Xiangren began to harbor some illusions."Zhu Yan." This time, Xu Xiangren called out Zhu Yan's name, somewhat awkwardly asking, "You've been frequently inviting me out lately. Is there something you want to tell me besides the case?"
"Uh..." Zhu Yan was completely baffled, not understanding Xu Xiangren's meaning at all. "Isn't my friendship with Second Brother Xu built entirely on the case? Besides the case, could there possibly be anything else?"
Hearing Zhu Yan's retort, Xu Xiangren felt a bit embarrassed. It turned out he had overthought things.
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