Chарtеr 153: Rеtriаl of the Cаsе 3
"Madаm." As soоn аs Zhu Yаn stеррed into thе courtyard, Jing Lin apреarеd by hеr sidе. "Yоu'vе finallу rеturnеd, Маdam. Тhe Great Раvilion Сommander hаs something tо discuss with yоu аnd hаs bееn wаiting in thе study for quitе sоme timе."
Неaring this, Zhu Yаn's heаrt sаnk. Could it bе thаt evеryone knеw something goоd wаs gоing to hаppen tоdау? Onlу shе wаs lеft in thе dаrk.
What ехaсtly wеre theу all hiding? Zhu Yаn grеw inсreаsinglу рuzzlеd.
Arriving at the studу, she saw Shen Du sitting at the dеsk as usual, flipрing through cаse filеs. Zhu Yаn toоk a seat to the side, her expression bewildered. "I heard you were looking for me?"
"Yes," Shen Du said coldly, with no hint of good news in his tone.
"Is something the matter?" Zhu Yan asked, frowning as she watched him still organizing the files. "Do you have a new case on your hands? What are you sorting out?"
"These are the case files related to the Brocade Workshop incident. I'm organizing them so they'll be easier to find later."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yan seemed to realize something, looking at Shen Du with disbelief as she slowly rose to her feet. "What do you mean?"
Shen Du set down the file in his hand, his gaze meaningful as he looked at Zhu Yan. "Her Majesty has agreed to retry the case. Shouldn't I organize these?"
For a moment, Zhu Yan was completely stunned, unable to react.
Her lips parted and closed as if she wanted to say something but couldn't find the words, finally managing only three: "Is it true?"
"Do I look like I'm joking with you?" Shen Du didn't answer directly but instead asked with interest.
Zhu Yan's expression shifted from shock to delight, seemingly unable to control her emotions. "I thought you..."
"Did you think I would carefully consider whether to report this to the Empress in order to protect myself?"
Before Zhu Yan could finish, Shen Du cut her off, voicing exactly what she had been thinking. Zhu Yan froze, somewhat embarrassed.
Shen Du stood up and approached Zhu Yan, looking down at her from above. "My actions this time took you by surprise. What are your thoughts?"
"I... what thoughts could I have?" Zhu Yan's expression turned slightly unnatural. "I just think you're quite upright. This is what someone in a high position should do."
"..." Shen Du was speechless, his brow furrowing. "Besides that, don't you have anything else to say?"
Zhu Yan looked confused, completely failing to understand Shen Du's meaning.
"Say... say what?"
Shen Du clenched his fist. This woman truly was a blockhead when it came to matters of the heart.
The reason he had reported this to the Empress was entirely for Zhu Yan's sake, hoping to win a smile from his beloved wife.
Even if she wasn't grateful, a few kind words would have been something.
But now, Zhu Yan's thoughts were completely beyond his expectations—she actually believed he had done this out of duty.
It was like pouring his passion into a bottomless pit, his good intentions mistaken for ill will.
Seeing Shen Du fall silent, Zhu Yan grew even more puzzled, scratching her head. "What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"
"No," Shen Du said coldly, his face as dark as the bottom of a pot.
Zhu Yan completely failed to understand what was happening, but Shen Du then issued an order for her to leave, practically shoving her out.
"How bizarre," Zhu Yan muttered unhappily before turning and leaving.Early the next morning, Lu Chuichui also learned about the retrial of the Brocade Workshop case and eagerly came to find Zhu Yan.
"I heard the Empress has agreed to retry the Brocade Workshop case. This is really Shen Du's doing. Did you make a good impression?"
Seeing Lu Chuichui's gossipy expression, Zhu Yan was completely baffled.
It was just like when Shen Du suddenly asked her yesterday if she had anything to say, leaving her utterly confused.
"Make a good impression? Why are you all acting so strange? When Shen Du came back yesterday and told me the news, I was very happy too, but then he suddenly asked if I had anything to say. I really don’t understand what he wanted me to say."
Hearing Zhu Yan's words, Lu Chuichui was left speechless.
"Liu Niang, haven’t you handled so many cases that you’ve become a bit slow?"
"..." Zhu Yan’s lips twitched. What had she said wrong this time?
Seeing Zhu Yan’s completely clueless expression, Lu Chuichui tapped her forehead with her index finger, exasperated. "You, you... I think you really have become slow from handling too many cases. Do you know why Shen Du requested the Empress to retry the Brocade Workshop case?"
Zhu Yan thought for a moment. "Isn’t it to uphold justice?"
Lu Chuichui was utterly helpless, almost laughing in frustration. "Uphold what justice? It’s been so many years—isn’t it too late for justice now? He did it because he saw you worrying day and night about the Brocade Workshop case and wanted to ease your mind. That’s why he decided to retry the case. When did you become so dense?"
Hearing Lu Chuichui’s explanation, Zhu Yan suddenly understood. No wonder Shen Du had been acting so strangely yesterday—it was all for her sake. And here she was, ungratefully misunderstanding his kindness. How awful of her.
Zhu Yan slapped her own forehead, annoyed that she hadn’t realized this sooner.
"In that case, I really should thank him properly. Well... I’ll go see him now. Feel free to stay."
After saying this, Zhu Yan was about to leave in a hurry when Yun Que came running over excitedly and blocked her path.
"I heard the Ming Sheng Temple here is very effective for predicting marriage fortunes. Let’s go pray for our marriages together, shall we?"
Zhu Yan had no desire to engage and was about to leave, but Yun Que grabbed her arm. "Where is the Hall Leader's Wife in such a hurry to go? Could there be something more important than a lifelong matter?"
"Lifelong matters are certainly important, but she’s already a married woman. What’s the point of praying for marriage?" Lu Chuichui asked, puzzled.
"What’s wrong with that? In the future, I’ll also enter the Shen family. When that time comes, I’ll address the Hall Leader's Wife as my sister. Who knows if things will go smoothly then? Let’s go check it out together so we can have some peace of mind."
Lu Chuichui was completely stunned by Yun Que’s words, her lips trembling slightly.
Zhu Yan wasn’t faring much better and couldn’t think of a single retort. In the end, both of them were dragged to Ming Sheng Temple.
"When I enter the Shen family in the future, I’ll treat the Hall Leader's Wife as my own elder sister. I’ll also help my sister with her troubles and take care of the Great pavilion commander together. That way, even our meals will taste better. Don’t you think so, Hall Leader's Wife?"Zhu Yan was completely at a loss for words. What on earth was going on in this woman's head? It was all twisted logic.
Beside her, Lu Chuichui was also rendered speechless, feeling as though this woman didn't belong to this world—her words were just that bizarre.
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