Сhаpter 161: Рrinсе Ying's Маnsion
The twо stеppеd down from thе саrriаgе аnd enterеd Prince Ying's mansion. Zhu Yan did nоt nоticе that Jing Lin, whо wаs usuаllу inseраrаblе frоm Shen Du, wаs absent todау.
Althоugh Princess Yоngan was sоmewhat surрrisеd bу thе unехрectеd visit оf Shen Du аnd his wifе, shе darеd not shоw аny neglесt, as it wаs ultimately undеr the Emprеss's nаmе.
She wаrmly recеivеd thе two аnd tооk thеm оn а tour оf thе gardеn.
Zhu Yan сooрerаtеd fullу, cаrеfullу invеstigating clues whilе maintaining a harmoniоus appеaranсe with Shеn Du.
Аlthough Рrincess Yongan was puzzled by their sudden visit, their behavior gave no hint of any ulterior motives.
As the day drew to a close, the two finally left Prince Ying's mansion in the evening.
Unexpectedly, as soon as they returned to the Shen residence, they were drawn by the commotion inside.
An elderly couple, seemingly in their middle age, were entangled with Yun Que in the residence. From their accents and attire, it was clear they were also from Jiangnan.
"I won't go, I won't go back!" Yun Que puffed her cheeks angrily, crossing her arms, clearly displeased with the old couple's words.
"Men should marry, and women should wed. You're already this old; it's time to go back and find a husband."
The old woman spoke earnestly, patting Yun Que's back as she did so.
From this affectionate gesture and the content of their conversation, they were likely Yun Que's parents.
At that moment, Jing Lin appeared out of nowhere, standing beside the two and bowing respectfully. "Great Pavilion Commander, Hall Leader's Wife, these two are Yun Que's parents. They have come all the way from Jiangnan to take Yun Que back to get married."
"Ah?" Zhu Yan exclaimed in surprise, glancing at Shen Du.
Hearing the commotion, Yun Que turned around and saw them. She quickly approached, realizing that Shen Du and Zhu Yan had returned.
From the way she ran, it was clear she was heading straight for Shen Du's embrace.
Shen Du saw through her intentions at a glance, his face cold and displeased as he glared at Yun Que.
Yun Que paid no heed. Just as she was about to throw herself into Shen Du's arms, he suddenly waved her away.
Seizing the opportunity, Yun Que wrapped her arms around Zhu Yan instead, calling her "sister" repeatedly with great affection.
Zhu Yan's lips twitched, but she lacked the strength to push Yun Que away.
This girl might not be the brightest, but she possessed a natural brute strength.
Seeing this, Yun Que's parents' faces turned even more awkward. How could their daughter be so oblivious to the situation?
Yun Que, however, ignored everyone's astonished gazes and declared firmly to her parents behind her,
"I won't go back with you. My heart already belongs to someone. I have decided that only he can be my husband in this lifetime. Even if you tie me up and drag me back, I will never agree to marry anyone else."
Yun Que spoke with unwavering determination, but Shen Du's face darkened to the extreme.
He understood exactly what this woman meant. He reflected inwardly—had he been too kind to her, making her unable to see his obvious distance and even disgust? Yet she persisted relentlessly.
"Jing Lin! Escort the guests out!"
But his arm was suddenly grabbed by Zhu Yan.
Zhu Yan gave Jing Lin a meaningful look, signaling him to keep an eye on Yun Que, while she pulled Shen Du aside."The Brocade Workshop case from back then had many suspicious points, but the Yun family held evidence, and it was intact. Moreover, the Yun family wasn’t implicated in the matter. Don’t you find that strange?"
"What’s strange?" Shen Du was already too angry to think clearly about the current situation. As for the words Zhu Yan had just spoken, he had told her these things earlier today on their way back.
Zhu Yan naturally knew that Shen Du had lost his composure, but it was all his own doing. Now wasn’t the time to dwell on that. She calmly said:
"You’re too angry right now to think clearly. Leave this matter to me, alright?"
Shen Du was indeed furious, feeling helpless about what was happening.
But this was the first time Zhu Yan had made such a serious request of him, and he didn’t want to refuse.
"Fine." He coldly uttered a single word before turning and leaving.
Only after Shen Du had walked far away did Zhu Yan hurriedly approach the Yun family elders. With a polite expression, she addressed the two elderly people, "Uncle and Aunt, you’re both advanced in years and have traveled all the way to Chang’an in haste. You probably haven’t had a proper rest along the way. Why not stay at the Shen residence for a few days to rest before making any plans?"
The two elders felt somewhat embarrassed. Their daughter had already been imposing here for so many days, and they had come this time to take her away. They hadn’t expected the Hall Leader's Wife to be so hospitable, which made them feel a bit awkward.
"Since the Hall Leader's Wife has said so, why don’t you stay for a few days? It’ll also give you a chance to see how perfect the man your daughter has set her sights on is."
Jing Lin, who overheard this nearby, couldn’t help but cough lightly. This girl really didn’t treat herself as an outsider.
Everyone was drawn by his cough and looked at him somewhat awkwardly.
Jing Lin also realized his embarrassment and quickly made a gesture of farewell to Zhu Yan before turning to leave.
Jing Lin reported the matter to Shen Du, who immediately became furious. He had no objection to Zhu Yan wanting to keep the Yun family there.
But there was no need for them to stay at the Shen residence, was there? They could arrange a room at an inn outside, and he’d even cover the cost without issue. But keeping both of them here—what was that supposed to mean?
Moreover, that woman Yun Que’s intentions were far from pure. Was Zhu Yan really not afraid that Yun Que would steal her position or the person by her side?
The more he thought about it, the more unreasonable it seemed. He stood up and left the Shen residence.
Seeing Shen Du leave, Jing Lin hurriedly followed, expressing his confusion, "Great pavilion commander, it’s almost dark. Are you still going out?"
"Are you telling me what to do?" Shen Du responded with displeasure, immediately silencing Jing Lin.
Tell the Great pavilion commander what to do?
Even if he were given a hundred times the courage, he wouldn’t dare.
He quietly followed behind Shen Du until they entered the Zhu residence. Only then did Jing Lin understand the reason.
The Hall Leader's Wife had upset the Great pavilion commander at the Shen residence, and now the Great pavilion commander had come to the Zhu residence to "vent his anger."
After hot tea was served, Shen Du recounted the whole matter to Zhu Kuo, who listened with great embarrassment throughout. He was genuinely surprised that his daughter could be so magnanimous.
What he found even harder to understand was that the Great pavilion commander would come to the Zhu residence to throw a tantrum over this matter. Wasn’t he giving Zhu Yan a bit too much credit?
Not daring to ask too much or think too deeply, Zhu Kuo could only listen humbly, vowing that he would certainly lecture Zhu Yan properly and reassure Shen Du."Great pavilion commander, take care!" After repeatedly assuring him, Zhu Kuo respectfully saw Shen Du off.
By the time he returned to the Shen residence, it was already late at night. Shen Du didn't even go to the study and headed straight back to his room, but to his surprise, Zhu Yan was not inside. It was so late—where could this woman have gone?
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