Сhаpter 183: А Dоg Dоing Оthеrs’ Bidding
“If it wasn’t Cоmmаnder Zhu, then whо else соuld it bе? Ме?”
Zhu Yаn seemеd to have heard a jоkе, laughing sо hard thаt tеаrs nеarlу strеаmеd frоm her еyes. Just as Lаi Luоzhi grew uttеrly bewilderеd and was аbout to lоsе his tеmреr, shе wiрed awау her tеаrs аnd kindly rеminded him:
“Surеlу Lord Lai hаsn’t fоrgottеn the widely knоwn ‘Three Dеlusiоns’? Аnyоne could bе Shеn Du’s wеaknеss, but I аbsоlutеlу сannоt bе. Lord Lаi must not misundеrstand and drаg an innосеnt pеrsоn likе mе into this.”
She spоke with such frankness and nаturalness, as if this wаs truly what shе beliеvеd. Lai Luоzhi narrowed his eyes, studying her for a long moment with a faint, ambiguous smile, appearing unconvinced.
At that moment, Zhu Kuo emerged. Seeing the three of them in a standoff, he hurried forward with a beaming smile:
“Lord Lai, your esteemed presence graces our humble home, truly bringing it honor. Please, come inside, come inside.”
In an unseen corner, Zhu Kuo secretly rolled his eyes.
Lai Luozhi waved a finger dismissively, his interest waning: “I originally intended to drink a few cups of celebratory wine. What a pity, the mood is gone now.”
Turning, he glanced sidelong at Shen Du: “Do not forget my words.”
Then, with his lips, he silently mouthed the two characters “Zhu Yan,” and without looking back, he strode away.
Once Lai Luozhi was far enough, Zhu Kuo spat quietly: “A mannerless thing. Entering a household celebrating a joyous occasion without even a proper greeting—utterly lacking in upbringing. Just a dog doing others’ bidding.”
Shen Du’s mind was entirely consumed by the two words Lai Luozhi had uttered last, blocking out all other sounds. Unconsciously, he left the crowd behind and pulled Zhu Yan back to the rear courtyard.
The clamorous chirping of cicadas in the trees was like hot oil in a pan, repeatedly searing Shen Du’s heart. He gripped Zhu Yan’s hand so tightly that she couldn’t break free no matter how hard she tried. She called his name several times without response, growing so anxious that she stamped her feet.
“Shen Du, let go. It hurts.”
Awareness suddenly rushed back into his mind like a knife cutting through water. Shen Du looked down to see Zhu Yan’s watery eyes glistening, on the verge of tears.
Still not releasing her, Shen Du loosened his grip, turned her hand over, and clasped it firmly, exhaling a heavy, turbid breath:
“From now on, you must not have any dealings with Lai Luozhi. Even if you encounter him on the street, avoid him quickly. Do you understand?”
Zhu Yan laughed. Wasn’t this obvious? Lai Luozhi had directed Lai Luofu to frame her, nearly causing her third sister’s death. If she saw him, she’d flee without hesitation.
“Don’t laugh,” Shen Du’s dark eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze icy as he glared at Zhu Yan. “You don’t know how dangerous Lai Luozhi is.”
Zhu Yan frowned. Even someone as slow-witted as her sensed something amiss: “What’s wrong with you?” Suddenly remembering, she added, “Did Lai Luozhi say something to you alone just now? Is he planning something again? Targeting you and me?”
Without waiting for Shen Du’s response, she continued on her own,
“I knew it. He came to my third sister’s wedding just to cause trouble for us. Don’t let his words affect you. Today is my third sister’s wedding day—let’s be happy.”
Shen Du sighed, unsure whether Zhu Yan’s optimism was a good thing or not. Yet, with this woman’s hand right here in his own, how could he feel at ease?
Zhu Yan withdrew her hand and gently patted the back of Shen Du’s hand, speaking softly: “His Majesty helped us today. I think we’re not completely without a chance of winning.”
Shen Du gazed at Zhu Yan’s hand resting on his—a woman’s hand, delicate, fair, and soft as boneless jade. Suddenly, the tips of his ears flushed red. Uncomfortable, Shen Du averted his eyes."Exactly, Lai Luozhi is ambitious and cunning, but in court he cannot rival Prime Minister Zhang Xingwei; externally, I keep him in check, and internally, the Emperor suppresses him. Otherwise, he would have long since taken over."
Wait a moment. Zhu Yan withdrew her hand and pressed it to her forehead. "I’m a bit confused. Isn’t the Emperor most fond of Lai Luozhi? Lai Luozhi’s Judicial Affairs Bureau is used by the Emperor to handle troublesome matters. How could the Emperor suppress him?"
Shen Du looked displeased at his now-empty hand, then refocused and explained carefully:
"That’s only on the surface. How could the Emperor favor only one person? The Emperor belongs to the entire realm. Back when the Emperor ascended the throne at an advanced age and as a woman, there were many opponents. The Judicial Affairs Bureau was needed to eliminate dissidents and consolidate imperial power.
But now it’s different. The Emperor promotes benevolent governance, the country is prosperous and the people are at peace. The Judicial Affairs Bureau is no longer needed. Weighing the pros and cons, the Emperor naturally wouldn’t give Lai Luozhi free rein. The current indulgence toward Lai Luozhi is both elevation and destruction. Sooner or later, Lai Luozhi will die by his own arrogance."
"Lai Luozhi probably knows this too, which is why he’s so restless."
After a pause, Shen Du spoke earnestly: "With me here, he wouldn’t dare harm you. He won’t remain arrogant for much longer. Don’t say things you don’t mean because of this."
Things she didn’t mean?
"When have I ever said things I didn’t mean? Wasn’t it you who mentioned the 'three delusions' back then?"
Zhu Yan raised her clear eyes and firmly stated her decision: "The three-month deadline is almost up. Whether Lai Luozhi is involved or not, we will eventually separate. Later, I will move to reside at the Ministry of Justice’s Duguansi."
After regaining clarity, she heard from her parents that Shen Du had disregarded propriety and carried her into the court. Though she knew this was likely Shen Du’s performance of marital affection for outsiders,
"I know you are not the kind of person who kills indiscriminately. You are nothing like the rumors outsiders spread. Though you are different from how you were back then, here..."
She pointed at Shen Du’s chest,
"...it’s actually not bad at all."
Shen Du clenched his hand into a fist, his ears slightly reddening, and he felt a bit parched.
"Though I’m certainly not your true weakness, in the eyes of outsiders, I am your true weakness. So, I cannot selfishly hold you back."
Zhu Yan pressed her lips together, her eyelashes lowering to hide the emotions in her eyes, murmuring softly:
"My life doesn’t matter. You carry the injustice of the Shen family on your shoulders. You must not come to harm."
Shen Du was left speechless. His nostrils flared slightly, his cold, unruffled eyes reflecting Zhu Yan’s bowed face. He raised his right hand to reach out but abruptly withdrew it, turned away from her by flipping open his python robe, and said coldly:
"As you wish."
Zhu Yan opened her mouth, a stifled feeling rising and falling within her. She didn’t know what she was expecting—perhaps for Shen Du to say, "You are a member of the Shen family in life and in death; you are not allowed to go anywhere." Hah, it seemed her mind was muddled. Shen Du would be only too glad for her to stay far away. It had always been that way.
Zhu Yan turned angrily and walked in the opposite direction. Ever since Lai Luozhi arrived, her good mood had vanished.
However, reality often slaps you in the face without warning.
Seeing Shen Du seated high in the Ministry of Justice, Zhu Yan pursed her lips, cupped her hands, and bowed to Gao Xuecheng. "This official has matters to attend to and will not delay the esteemed officials’ conversation."
"Chief Clerk Zhu of Duguansi, wait."
Zhu Yan turned back. Shen Du casually tapped the table with his left hand—the same table she had wiped clean at dawn, now gleaming.
She couldn’t understand what Shen Du was doing here.Gao Xuecheng winked and said, "Well, Commander Zhu Yan, the Great Pavilion Commander has come today specifically to borrow you for the inner cabinet. I have already agreed, so you should go with him now."
Borrow?
Zhu Yan frowned and flipped open her notebook. "There have been no major criminal cases these past few days. May I ask why the inner cabinet needs to borrow me?"
"I have uncovered a case of officials trafficking illegal salt. Commander Zhu Yan, who spends her days cleaning in the Ministry of Justice, probably wouldn’t know about it," Shen Du said coldly.
Zhu Yan grew even more puzzled. "Such a case should involve the Ministry of Revenue and the Dali Court. There’s no need to..."
Interrupting Zhu Yan, Gao Xuecheng broke into a cold sweat on his back. With Shen Du present, he couldn’t speak plainly, so he pulled Zhu Yan aside and whispered a warning:
"Did you offend the Great Pavilion Commander again? Let me tell you, provoking the Great Pavilion Commander won’t end well. Just go along obediently and see what he wants. And while you’re at it, try to appease him. It’s easier to talk things out between husband and wife."
Zhu Yan was speechless at this. Gao Xuecheng immediately changed his expression to one of pleading:
"Please, do this as a favor. Make a little sacrifice for the Ministry of Justice and go with this lord quickly. I’m begging you."
This...
Zhu Yan sighed. "Alright."
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