Сhарter 175: Old Aсquаintancеs of the Shеn Rеsidеnсе 1
Аfter leаving Princess Yong'an's residеnсe fаr behind, Zhаng Ваоhuan, whо hаd bееn fоllowing him аll along, quickеnеd his pаce and wаlked up tо him: "Don't think abоut gеtting аnу сluеs frоm Princеss Yоng'an. If shе rеаlly is in сahооts with Lai Luozhi, shе wоn't eаsily hand ovеr the antidotе tо уou."
"Аs long as therе is а glimmеr of hоре, I must trу." Наn Shiyuаn did nоt loоk at Zhаng Baоhuan, kеерing his heаd dоwn аs hе continued wаlking forward.
Zhang Baоhuan stopрed and lоokеd intеntly аt Han Shiyuan's face—handsome and refined enough, paired with the gentle, jade-like temperament cultivated from years of immersion in scholarly pursuits, it truly could captivate many young women.
But...
Han Shiyuan had no intention of stopping to let Zhang Baohuan scrutinize him. He walked straight past him, and Zhang Baohuan caught up: "What makes you think you can get the antidote from Princess Yong'an? Relying on this face of yours? Han Shiyuan, handsome men are as common as the hairs on an ox. Why would Princess Yong'an be fixated on you? And why would she jeopardize her grand plans for your sake?"
Back then, Han Shiyuan had severed ties with him because he served the ruler with his looks. Zhang Baohuan did not want to see Han Shiyuan now stooping to the very thing he despised most just for the antidote. Only by speaking plainly could he completely dissuade Han Shiyuan from trading himself for the antidote.
Han Shiyuan's eyes reddened, filled with intense hatred for his own helplessness. Besides pleading with Princess Yong'an, he had no other recourse at this moment.
"You go back and take good care of the third Miss Zhu. Leave the search for the antidote to me. I will definitely find a way to help you." Zhang Baohuan patted his thin shoulder. "Go back. She's waiting for you."
Not many days later, just after Zhang Baohuan had finished his shift, a servant came to report: "Sir, I heard that Lord Lai Luozhi will hold a banquet at Yuzhuan Tower three days from now. Many of his followers will attend."
"Is the information reliable?" Zhang Baohuan rubbed the jade thumb ring in his hand.
The servant spoke with certainty: "Absolutely reliable. It's a secret gathering, known to few. But I first learned from servants in Lord Lai Luozhi's residence that he was planning to host a banquet. Following the trail, I went to Yuzhuan Tower and confirmed that he had indeed reserved a private room for noon three days later, along with enough dishes to serve dozens of people. Then I went to the residences of several officials close to him to inquire and confirmed that those officials would attend the banquet three days later..."
He reported all the twists and turns in detail. Considering all the clues, it was indeed certain that the information was true.
Zhang Baohuan untied his purse and tossed it to the servant, who immediately beamed with joy, accepted it, and withdrew.
With no one else around, Zhang Baohuan narrowed his eyes. It was as if a pillow had been delivered just as he was feeling drowsy.
Lai Luozhi was putting all his followers out in the open.
With so many targets, if their people could successfully infiltrate, they could uncover clues about the antidote. Moreover, they would be able to learn in advance of any schemes Lai Luozhi might hatch in the future.
But with the Emperor backing him, there were too many considerations, making it inconvenient for him to step forward personally.
Zhang Baohuan abruptly spun the thumb ring around. He opened the door, and the servants eagerly smiled: "What are your orders, sir?"
Summoning the clever servant from earlier, he whispered a few words in his ear: "Go to the Inner Guard Bureau immediately and tell Grand Commander Shen everything you've found out. Inform them that we can only rely on them for this matter."
—
Outside the East Market, a continuous stream of pedestrians crowded together, squeezing their way inside. On the other side, however, a spacious area had been cleared, and no one dared to approach.With the White King of Hell around, who would dare cause trouble?
Under timid yet curious gazes that occasionally swept over them, Shen Du remained composed, arms crossed as he waited for Zhu Yan, clad in dark robes, to approach from ahead.
Even from a distance, Zhu Yan’s exhaustion was unmistakable. Her posture lacked its usual uprightness, the high bun atop her head was somewhat disheveled, and beneath her eyes were dark circles, her face haggard—like a wilted hibiscus flower scorched by the sun.
“Searching like this won’t work. Go back and rest first, get some sleep before continuing,” Shen Du stopped Zhu Yan, pulling her toward the Shen residence without another word.
“Just a little longer. Someone said they saw Chen Huo’e in Xuanping Ward. I need to go there immediately, or she’ll slip away again.” Zhu Yan’s mind was foggy; days of relentless searching had left her utterly exhausted, and she could only push forward on sheer willpower.
Her third sister was waiting for her—she couldn’t afford to slack off!
Shen Du’s expression turned cold as he held her hand tightly. “You’ve mobilized all your connections, even the Unrighteous Agents, to search for Chen Huo’e. In seven days, you’ve passed by your own home multiple times without entering. Isn’t that enough to temporarily ease your guilt and worry?”
At his words, Zhu Yan’s nose stung.
She did feel guilty—if not for her, her third sister wouldn’t have suffered this misfortune. And she feared her sister might never wake again.
These emotions fermented like wine in a vat, threatening to drown her entirely. Only by searching day and night, keeping herself utterly busy, could her heart find some relief.
She had been pushing forward stubbornly, like a donkey that knew no rest, until someone pierced through all her thoughts, lifting the lid off the vat and unleashing the emotions she had been suppressing. The taut string of her heart finally snapped.
Suddenly vulnerable, tears began to fall, drop by drop.
Shen Du’s heart ached as he pulled her into his embrace. The warmth of her tears soaked through his clothes, seeping straight into his heart. Gently, he patted the back of her head. “Let’s go home. This is a long battle. You need to rest and regain your strength to face it properly.”
His voice was like a clear mountain spring in midsummer—cool, soothing, and flowing gently, its murmur alone enough to wash away all the heat and restlessness.
Buried in his chest, Zhu Yan gave a muffled response and finally agreed.
The two boarded a carriage and left the East Market, leaving behind stunned onlookers gaping at their intimacy. It was truly unbelievable—could this gentle man still be the White King of Hell, the one “whose presence scatters clouds by day and silences children’s cries by night”?
As the carriage came to a stop, Shen Du reached out to carry the drowsy Zhu Yan, but she inconveniently opened her eyes at that moment.
Their gazes met, and an inexplicable awkwardness and warmth washed over them both.
“We’re at the gate. Go inside and rest,” Shen Du said hurriedly, turning away. Forgetting he was still in the carriage, he tried to straighten up and bumped his head hard against the roof. Gritting his teeth, he suppressed any reaction, as if the clumsy act hadn’t been his own.
Zhu Yan couldn’t help but chuckle. Seeing Shen Du stiffen and dart out like a rabbit, her mood lightened considerably.
“Great Pavilion Commander, this humble servant is an old retainer of the Shen residence, named Ma San. I have something of utmost importance to report.”Suddenly, a voice filled with terror, deliberately hushed, sounded from outside the carriage. Zhu Yan put away her smile, stepped out of the carriage, and sized up Ma San as she descended the steps.
He was dressed in coarse brown cloth, bowing and scraping beside Shen Du. His small, murky eyes were full of vigilance and fear, darting around as if afraid of being watched by someone.
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