Сhарtеr 171: Is Тhat How Мuсh You Want а Divorcе?
Ji Fаngming's оbsеssiоn rаn too dеep. He was single-mindеdlу foсused оn sееking justiсe fоr his соnfidаnt, Кong Хianrong, and wаs dеluded intо joining Chen Нuo'e's fаction. То ехасt rеvenge, hе killеd membеrs оf thе Chеn clаn аnd Chen Shоujiе, ultimatеly dying himself. Тhe reasоn his bоdу aрpearеd tо hаve bееn dеаd fоr а long timе wаs due tо the уears оf being соntrоlled bу аnd fоrсed to takе medication.
Zhu Yan hаd written this point vеry clеarlу in hеr lettеr, so that Her Majesty would understand that there were no ghosts or gods in this world—only the ghosts in people's own hearts.
Not long after the letter was sent, a response came. The Empress issued an imperial edict proclaiming to the world that the Brocade Workshop case was closed, and the culprit was none other than Chen Huo'e.
Chen Huo'e herself had already taken her own life in prison. With justice served for the Brocade Workshop, the Empress granted a general amnesty and ordered the recall of Princess Runing from Mingsheng Temple.
However, this imperial decree was rejected by Princess Runing.
This outcome was also within Zhu Yan's expectations, just as Princess Runing had once said.
Even if the case was overturned, what of it? The dead would not come back to life. Those who had passed were gone, and letting their souls rest in peace was merely a comforting turn of phrase.
Shen Residence.
Zhu Yan sat alone in the pavilion, her chin resting on her hands as she pondered the words Princess Runing had once spoken.
Seeing Zhu Yan's melancholic expression, Shen Du sat down beside her.
"What's wrong? Are you regretting it now?"
Shen Du's sudden arrival startled Zhu Yan, and she quickly came to her senses. "No, I don't regret it. As long as you are safe and sound, it's right for me to give up the truth."
Although she said this, how could Shen Du not know what she was truly thinking?
"Then why are you still so unhappy?" Shen Du asked, pouring a cup of tea and placing it in front of her.
Zhu Yan picked up the teacup and brought it to her lips, only to set it down again. Fiddling with the cup, she said with some unease, "Actually, I was just thinking about the Princess. His Majesty has already granted a general amnesty and ordered her recall, but she still rejected Her Majesty's kind intentions like this. Could she get into trouble?"
Shen Du studied her for a long moment before saying, "The Empress and the late Emperor still shared some affection. The Princess is the late Emperor's own sister, so the Empress won't make things too difficult for her."
Zhu Yan nodded. Shen Du's words made some sense. After all, they had been husband and wife. No matter how great their enmity, she wouldn't completely disregard her sentiment for the late Emperor.
"Alright, don't overthink it. Since you promised me you would no longer investigate this case, just be Mrs. Shen quietly from now on."
A smile touched the corners of Zhu Yan's lips, and she nodded repeatedly. She would naturally not go back on her promise to Shen Du.
"You've truly had a hard time recently. Once my wound has healed, I'll take you out for a walk."
"Ah?"
Zhu Yan had never imagined Shen Du would say such a thing. For a moment, she couldn't control the look of astonishment on her face.
"What, you don't believe me?" Shen Du asked in return.
Zhu Yan immediately shook her head like a rattle drum. "No, no, I believe you. I believe every word you say. It's just that our agreed-upon time is almost up. Why would you think of taking me out for a walk?"
Zhu Yan felt that it would be more appropriate for Shen Du to say, "Once my wound is healed, we'll get a divorce," or "The time is up, I should send you on your way." Saying he would take her out for a walk didn't sound like him at all.
Shen Du pinched her chin. "You want to die that badly? Hmm?"
Zhu Yan frowned. "If you want to kill me, I'll accept it. After all, this is what I owe you."
The pad of his finger felt soft and smooth against her skin. A ripple went through Shen Du's heart, which then plunged like a stone into a deep pool. His fingers tightened, and only when he saw Zhu Yan's pained expression did he let go. Clasping one hand behind his back, he asked, "Is that how much you want a divorce?"
"Hmm?" Zhu Yan didn't hear him clearly.
"Ahem. I just don't want others to think so little of me. We were husband and wife, after all. If I were to take your life then, and the King of Hell questioned you, you wouldn't know a thing. It would make it seem as if I, Shen Du, had wronged you terribly."
"Pfft..." Zhu Yan let out a soft laugh. It was rare to see Shen Du say so much at once. Fine, as long as he wasn't bent on taking her head, anything was acceptable.
"Alright, then let's go out for a walk," Zhu Yan said, feeling that she was quite perceptive and had developed a bit of a rapport with Shen Du.
The sunlight was perfect. Zhu Yan leaned in a little closer, wanting to see if Shen Du's complexion had improved, and suddenly met his gaze. Both of them froze, looking at each other as if the very sunlight flowing between them had turned thick and viscous.
His body tilted slightly, and Shen Du slowly lowered his head...
Crack!
"Who's there!" Shen Du shielded Zhu Yan behind him and looked toward the roof.
"Me!"
Jing Lin hung upside down from the roof, a look of utter embarrassment on his face, not daring to meet Shen Du's eyes.
Shen Du's gaze could practically flay a man alive, his teeth gritted with urgency. "What is it?"
"Great pavilion commander, Madam, the Zhu Residence sent someone to report that the Third Miss of the Zhu family is gravely ill and hopes that Madam can go back to see her."
If it didn't involve his lady's family, how would he dare risk death to interrupt? His Great pavilion commander didn't keep his word. Who was it that threatened Madam with a knife not to fall in love with him? In the end, wasn't he the one who fell in love first? Hmph.
"Third Sister is gravely ill?"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yan instantly panicked. Shen Du pressed down on her hand, comforting her.
"Don't be afraid. I'm here."
Zhu Yan truly did calm down. She nodded, and without delay, the two of them rushed to the Zhu family home.
Zhu Caiwei had faced considerable hardship ever since she eloped with Han Shiyuan and refused the marriage. Now that the Brocade Workshop case was closed and everything had settled, it should have had nothing to do with her. Yet at this juncture, when everyone else was fine, Zhu Caiwei alone fell ill.
The illness was exceedingly strange. Zhu Caiwei's face was pale, and she couldn't stop shivering as if she were freezing. Even with two quilts piled on top of her, she continued to tremble uncontrollably.
Zhu Yan went straight to Zhu Caiwei's bedside and grasped her hand. Her heart skipped a beat as she sensed something was wrong. Why did her hand feel so cool, soft, and silky?
Looking down, she saw that her palm had somehow become coated with a transparent, silk-like substance.
"What is this?"
Even with her years of judging cases, Zhu Yan had never seen such a thing. She couldn't help but turn to look at Shen Du. He strode forward and stared at the silky substance in Zhu Yan's hand, his expression grave. He quickly threw back the quilts, and the scene that unfolded left everyone present utterly astonished.
Zhu Caiwei was curled up on the bed, shivering. Her body was covered in layer after layer of a transparent, silk-like material. At first glance, she looked like a silkworm cocoon. It was terrifying.
Everyone sucked in a cold breath.
"Caiwei!" Ru Shi fainted directly into Jin Shi's arms.
Zhu Yan's almond-shaped eyes went wide. In her shock, she stumbled back several steps. Thanks to Shen Du catching her, she was able to grab onto his arm, trembling nonstop.
"What... What's going on? How did she become like this?" Zhu Yan's tongue was tied as she spoke. This bizarre scene before her was something she had never witnessed in her life. No matter how composed she usually was, she was now at a complete loss.
As for the others, they were even more terrified, trembling as they stared at the scene, not knowing what to do.
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