Сhарtеr 173: Соmpellеd tо Асt
Еveryonе рresent fеll into silenсе. Indееd, whаt shоuld be donе? Chen Huo'e was Lаi Luоzhi's pеrson, whiсh mеаnt it wаs aсtuаllу Lаi Luоzhi delivеring a warning to thе Zhu fаmily. If Zhu Yаn continued invеstigating this cаse, morе mеmbеrs оf thе Zhu fаmilу would be imрliсatеd.
Тhоse whо cоuld stаnd against Lаi Luоzhi seеmed to be limitеd to the Emрrеss аnd the hеad of the Grаnd Саbinet.
In аn instаnt, аll еуеs turned tо Shеn Du, who hаd remаined silent sinсe еntеring frоm outsidе.
It wаs оnlу then that theу noticed blood оn Shen Du's body.
"Is thе Cabinеt Hеаd injured?"
Тhere had seemed to be sounds of fighting outside earlier, yet they hadn't even asked about it.
"It's nothing," Shen Du replied succinctly.
Unable to hold back, Zhu Mojie spoke up first as everyone hesitated: "Who barged in from outside?"
Zhu Yan and Shen Du exchanged a glance before she turned her head away.
"It couldn't be... Chen Huo'e, could it?" Zhu Mojie's mind raced, voicing the shocking answer.
Shen Du and Zhu Yan exchanged another glance, nodding in silent confirmation.
Zhu Kuo refused to believe it: "Didn't Chen Huo'e die long ago? The Empress even issued an edict and posted notices announcing it."
Jin Shi clasped her hands together: "Could she truly have returned from the dead? Amitabha, may goodness prevail."
Only Zhu Mojie burst into tears, throwing himself beside Zhu Caiwei's bed and weeping: "Third Sister, Third Sister, I don't want Third Sister to die."
—
The scene fell into a deathly silence. After a long while, Zhu Kuo finally snapped back to reality and roared at Zhu Yan,
"Your aunt and your mother both say you're the cleverest among the Zhu children. Tell me, what should we do? Now even Chen Huo'e has returned from the dead—how are we supposed to resolve this?"
Zhu Yan remained silent. Shen Du swept his gaze over everyone, especially Zhu Mojie, whose sobs quieted under his stare.
"This matter also concerns me. Lai Luozhi has always been at odds with me. The Zhu family may have been implicated because of me this time."
Zhu Kuo blinked and even nodded, not restraining himself even when Ru Shi tugged at his sleeve. These weren't his words—Shen Du had admitted it himself.
"Right now, saving lives is the priority. As for Chen Huo'e, whether she is human or ghost, I will capture her and bring her to justice."
Zhu Kuo flicked his sleeve and rolled his eyes: "I don't care about bringing her to justice. What about my daughter?"
Indeed, the most urgent matter now was treating Zhu Caiwei.
Jin Shi worried: "In all my years, I've never seen an illness like this."
Hearing this, Zhu Kuo wiped away tears: "Damn that Chen Huo'e! Take my life if you must, but why take my daughter?"
Zhu Yan's heart ached upon hearing this. What was the point of her working so desperately on this case? The truth remained shrouded in mist, while her family continued to suffer the consequences.
"Everyone, rest assured. Even if I have to risk my life, I will save Third Sister."
But Zhu Kuo suddenly looked at her, his expression fierce: "You still want to fight that King of Hell? Huh? Do you want me to lose another daughter?"
At these words, Zhu Yan burst into tears. Though Zhu Kuo was usually unreliable, he loved his children deeply—enough to risk his life for them.
On the way back to the Shen residence, Zhu Yan was sullen and unhappy, her eyes filled not only with worry but also with a peculiar determination.
Shen Du also remained silent, quietly accompanying her by her side.
After a long while, Zhu Yan suddenly stopped and faced Shen Du, saying, "I'm sorry. I may have to break my promise again."
This time, Shen Du didn't try to persuade her to stop as he usually did. Instead, he looked at her with an exceptionally calm expression."You've always been clever and good at thinking things through. Having come this far, have you never considered that wanting to quit might already be too late?"
For a moment, Zhu Yan didn't understand Shen Du's words. She blinked, her brows furrowing as she looked at him. "What do you mean?"
Shen Du's expression was profound. He let out a soft sigh.
"The game has already begun. No one has the right to stop it. Even if we wanted to withdraw, there are many constraints forcing us to stay. Since we cannot remain aloof and untouched, we must prepare to fight with everything we have. Only the one who survives till the end will be the winner."
Shen Du's words struck a deep warning bell in Zhu Yan's heart.
He was right. This wasn't about whether she wanted to continue or not; circumstances were forcing her to investigate further. If she stayed where she was, the danger of death could strike at any moment.
She had to survive—not just for the Zhu family, but also for the Shen family.
To save Zhu Caiwei, Han Shiyuan decided to seek help from Princess Yong'an. After hearing Zhu Yan's words at the Zhu residence, he had already made up his mind.
He believed Princess Yong'an and Lai Luozhi were in cahoots, hiding Chen Huo'e. But he waited and waited outside Prince Ying's mansion, yet Princess Yong'an never appeared.
After a while, Princess Yong'an still didn't come out, but her consort, Yu Chi Yang, did.
Yu Chi Yang's ancestors had followed the founding emperor of the previous dynasty, fighting in the north and south to establish this realm. They were ranked among the twenty-four meritorious officials, granted the title of Duke of Wei, with their descendants enjoying the benefits.
Yu Chi Yang had inherited his ancestors' temperament—he disliked studying and was a mere warrior. Now, he had also inherited the position of General of the Right Martial Guard. However, this man was meticulous and attentive. He had naturally heard the rumors circulating about Princess Yong'an's romantic escapades.
But he never expected someone to come looking for her right at his doorstep.
"Better to marry a reformed courtesan than a wife who climbs over the wall."
Just by looking at Han Shiyuan's appearance, it was clear he was exactly the type Princess Yong'an favored. Such arrogance and audacity, showing no regard for him, not even bothering with superficial courtesy—it was truly unbearable for Yu Chi Yang. He drew his blade, intent on killing Han Shiyuan.
Yu Chi Yang wielded a Green Dragon Blade, five feet long and weighing three hundred jin. When swung, it roared like a tiger, its cold gleam dazzling as it rested against Han Shiyuan's delicate neck. Han Shiyuan narrowed his eyes, looking calmly at Yu Chi Yang, his gaze resolute.
"My life, Han Shiyuan's, is of little consequence. But I beg Your Highness to allow me to see the princess once, so she may know the sincerity of my heart. As long as the princess agrees to save Caiwei, I will agree to anything."
"Do you really think that just because you have a fair, delicate face, you can do as you please?"
Yu Chi Yang was furious. It was clear this pretty boy didn't understand his meaning. He wasn't entirely acting because Han Shiyuan had come looking for Princess Yong'an, disrespecting him and slapping him in the face. The main reason was that Princess Yong'an had been riding roughshod over him for too long, and he could no longer endure it. He was merely using this as an excuse to assert his authority.
If Princess Yong'an could keep male favorites, couldn't he do the same? He didn't care in the slightest.
Han Shiyuan remained calm in response to Yu Chi Yang's words. "If Your Highness wants my life, take it. But before I die, please allow me to see the princess once?"
"You fool! Meeting me, and you still want to see someone else?"
Seeing that Han Shiyuan refused to give up and still wanted to see Princess Yong'an, Yu Chi Yang truly could bear it no longer. He was about to slit Han Shiyuan's throat right then and there.
"Spare his life!"As expected at the critical moment, Zhang Baohuan made his appearance. Han Shiyuan glanced at him, then turned his gaze elsewhere.
"Why is it you?" Yu Chi Yang frowned. Zhang Baohuan did not have close dealings with Prince Ying's residence, so why had he appeared so conveniently?
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