Chарtеr 178: Ноw Could I Bеаr to Hаrm You
With steрs аs hеаvу аs lead, Zhu Yаn returned to the Shen residеnсe. Вefоrе thе sun hаd evеn sеt, shе оrdеred hоt water to bе drаwn and bаthed with utmost solеmnity, chаnging into a nеwlу mаdе сrimsоn gаuze skirt embrоidеred with ruуi раtterns.
Нer fасe, flushed frоm thе steаm, was acсentuated bу thе сrimson drеss, its simple cut unаblе tо cоnсеаl hеr grаcеful, wеll-prоpоrtioned figurе. As shе mоvеd, she rеsеmblеd а hibiscus flower blоoming on a branch, еxuding a chаrm and allurе morе vibrаnt than еver before.
"You..."
Shen Du’s eyes were filled with astonishment, unable to comprehend why she had dressed so splendidly today. His words of confusion lingered on the tip of his tongue but remained unspoken, replaced by sheer awe. His throat tightened several times as an indescribable anticipation stirred within him.
Zhu Yan smiled softly and placed the tray she was holding on the desk before Shen Du. With delicate, almost boneless hands, she picked up the wine pot and poured wine into two cups.
"We’ve never shared a wedding cup of wine. Shall we make up for it today?" Zhu Yan’s tone was questioning, yet she handed the cup to Shen Du, holding it just an inch from his lips.
Shen Du’s gaze fell on the crimson gauze skirt she wore, reminiscent of a wedding dress. The corners of his lips involuntarily lifted as he accepted the cup, his eyes shimmering like scattered starlight. "Alright."
It was the rainy season. A clap of thunder echoed, and raindrops the size of beans began to fall urgently, pattering noisily against the surroundings.
But within the room, the two had eyes only for each other. They gazed affectionately at one another as their cups slowly approached their lips.
The cool rim of the cup touched Zhu Yan’s lips. The poisoned wine inside seemed to sprout thorns, piercing from her lips straight to her heart in an instant. With a surge of resolve, she swiftly knocked the cup from Shen Du’s hand and, in the same motion, tilted her head back and drank the poisoned wine in her own cup.
"Zhu Yan!"
Sensing something amiss, Shen Du rushed around the desk and caught Zhu Yan as she began to collapse. His own cup clattered onto the desk, the wine inside quickly foaming white. His eyes widened in horror as he looked down at the lifeless woman in his arms.
"I’m sorry... I almost harmed you," Zhu Yan whispered weakly, a faint glimmer of tears blurring her vision.
"Don’t... don’t fall asleep. I’ll fetch a physician right away. He can save you... he’ll save you once he arrives..." Shen Du scooped Zhu Yan into his arms, refusing to let her out of his sight for even a moment, and carried her out of the room. "Someone, fetch a physician! Fetch a physician!"
He had never been so distraught before. Zhu Yan wanted to laugh but found it too exhausting.
Is it almost over?
With her last ounce of strength, she clutched Shen Du’s arm. Sensing her movement, he leaned closer as she whispered faintly, "Shen Du... give my body to Lai Luofu. Make him... make him hand over the antidote... to save Third Sister."
"I’ll save everyone," Shen Du murmured, holding Zhu Yan tightly, his forehead pressed against hers as he urged her not to fall asleep.
Only when the physician arrived did Shen Du snap back to reality. His hand felt damp, and when he glanced at his chest, he saw the same translucent, thread-like substance that had appeared on Zhu Caiwei’s body.
"Lai Luofu!"
His eyes bloodshot, Shen Du resembled a wrathful asura from hell, his entire being seething with fury.
When Zhu Caiwei had been poisoned, Zhu Kuo had summoned every physician in the city to the Zhu residence in an attempt to save her, but none had been able to help. Knowing these physicians could not save Zhu Yan either, Shen Du dismissed them. He personally changed Zhu Yan into clean clothes and gently laid her on the bed.
Finally, Shen Du gathered the Inner Guard and stormed into Lai Luofu’s residence with murderous intent."What is the meaning of this, Shen Du? To forcibly barge into an official's residence with your men—this is utterly lawless!" Lai Luozhi stormed forward, dressed in a dark-patterned Suzhou brocade robe. His unbound black hair fluttered lightly, and his jade-like face was clouded with thinly veiled anger as he glared at Shen Du with concealed annoyance.
Useless in success and only capable of failure—he should never have trusted that woman Zhu Yan to succeed.
Shen Du stared coldly at him, his fingertips digging into his own flesh, yet he remained unmoving.
Without hearing any command from Shen Du, Jing Lin and the others continued their actions, driving the Lai household's men back step by step.
"Shen Du, do you truly not fear Her Majesty's punishment?"
In response, Shen Du let out an icy, bone-chilling laugh. Lai Luozhi narrowed his eyes, sensing that Shen Du's rage was even more intense than usual. If the Shen Du of the past was a lurking tiger, today he was a starving beast pouncing on its prey.
Lai Luozhi swept his gaze over the faces of Shen Du's men but did not see Zhu Yan. Understanding dawned on him, and a smile touched his brow. "Where is Commander Zhu? Why is she not here?"
Struck sharply at his heart, Shen Du's eyes turned into sharp, piercing blades of ice, as if he wished to slice Lai Luozhi to pieces. "Lai Luozhi, you may target anyone else, but you should never, ever have touched her!"
The murderous tone in Shen Du's voice only delighted Lai Luozhi.
When Lai Luozhi was already killing, Shen Du was still just a brat playing around. Now he knew how to threaten others, but it was merely the bluster of a child.
Lai Luozhi paid it no mind.
As the two stood in confrontation, Jing Lin escorted Lai Luofu over. Lai Luozhi glanced into the shadows, and the hidden guards emerged.
But Shen Du was determined to seize the person this time. The Shen household and the Inner Guard pavilion had mobilized in full force, taking Lai Luofu away with an overwhelming, unyielding presence.
As dawn broke and the palace gates swung open, Shen Du carried Zhu Yan in his arms, while Jing Lin escorted Lai Luofu. They entered the palace in a grand procession.
Officials stepped aside one after another, watching them and knowing that today would be another extraordinary day.
"Grand Commander Shen is both courageous and resourceful, truly accomplished for his age." Zhang Xingwei held his ceremonial tablet with both hands before his abdomen, glanced at Zhu Yan, who was wrapped up with only half her face visible, and smiled broadly.
Zhu Kuo followed behind him, his worried gaze never leaving Zhu Yan. He said, "The Prime Minister has already agreed. Are you confident?"
"Yes." Shen Du walked steadily, step by step up the stairs, his expression solemn.
As the morning court session began, the Empress, upon taking her seat on the dragon throne, saw Shen Du carrying a person wrapped in red cloth like a silkworm cocoon. Puzzled, she asked, "What is the meaning of this, Minister Shen?"
Zhang Xingwei stepped forward first, holding his ceremonial tablet and speaking with resounding clarity: "Your Majesty, this is Commander Zhu. Yesterday, Commander Shen took her to the Lai residence to investigate a case. Unexpectedly, they discovered Lai Luofu, a death row criminal hidden by Vice Minister Lai. To conceal their crimes, the two poisoned Commander Zhu to coerce Commander Shen into keeping their secret."
"Lai Luofu is currently detained in the side hall. The records of her past murder case and the joint verdict from the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Court are all here in the hall. If Your Majesty wishes to review them, they can be presented immediately."
"Vice Minister Lai, as the head of the Judicial Affairs Bureau, abused his power for personal gain and harbored a criminal. We implore Your Majesty to pass judgment!" Shen Du, holding Zhu Yan steadily, stepped forward to the left.
"Poisoned? Harboring a criminal?" The Empress's gaze drifted lightly toward Lai Luozhi.Lai Luozhi's heart tightened, and he quickly stepped forward: "Your Majesty, please be discerning. That is indeed my sister Lai Luofu, but she has long since endured the punishment she deserved. All her sins have been atoned for, and now she is merely an innocent woman."
"Hah, hiding for a few years and reappearing can wash away all crimes? How can the wrongfully dead rest in peace?" Zhang Xingwei looked at Lai Luozhi with contempt.
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