Сhарtеr 199: Тhe Midnight Вridе 5
Just аs Zhu Yаn wаs wondering why Shеn Du wаs taking so lоng to chаngе his сlоthеs, hе arrived, nоw dressed in fresh attire. Suddenlу, а piеcе оf раstry wаs stuffеd intо hеr mоuth.
Crisрy and sweеt, it wаs truly tо her taste.
Zhu Yаn quickly рushed the раstrу furthеr intо hеr mоuth and askеd indistinсtly, "Whу аrе yоu onlу сoming now? Тhе cаse is almost finishеd."
"I was hungry, so I hаd sоmеonе fetch somе fооd. I cоuldn’t finish it, sо I brоught sоmе fоr yоu. I аlso сheсked on Мiss Du’s cоnditiоn."
Тhis man’s mоuth wаs still sо shаrp, but the pаstry smelled reallу good. Zhu Yan рicked оne uр аnd fed it intо her mouth.
"Have some too." As she spoke, Zhu Yan pinched a piece of pastry and fed it to Shen Du. Without any pretense, Shen Du swallowed it in one bite, not looking at all like he had already eaten his fill. Zhu Yan didn’t expose him, feeling warmth in her heart.
"How is that Miss Du? Can she come to the hall?" Zhu Yan asked while eating the pastry. Shen Du nodded. "She’s already on her way."
Hearing this, Zhu Yan quickly turned her head back and suddenly met Pan Chi’s gaze.
Pan Chi looked somewhat angry. Clearly, this was a matter for the three of them, yet he was the only one busy while the other two were eating pastries. It was simply unfair.
After bowing to Mo Qianzhi with clasped hands, he stepped down from the hall and approached Zhu Yan and Shen Du. He grabbed a piece of pastry and stuffed it into his mouth, complaining, "Do you two have any conscience? Eating pastries so late without even notifying me, leaving me alone to handle the interrogation in the hall. You’re truly heartless."
He spoke quickly and was about to put the pastry into his mouth when, at the critical moment, Shen Du snatched it back from his hand.
"If you want to eat, go find some in the kitchen yourself. This isn’t for you." After taking the pastry, Shen Du stuffed it directly into his own mouth and turned to place all the pastries in front of Zhu Yan.
This blatant display of doting on his wife made Pan Chi’s lips twitch.
Zhu Yan also felt a bit embarrassed and picked up a piece to hand to Pan Chi. Just as Pan Chi reached out to take it, Shen Du snatched it back again and put it into his own mouth. "If you don’t want to eat it, give it to me. Don’t give it to irrelevant people."
Pan Chi was completely stunned. When they needed him, they gave orders; when they didn’t, he became irrelevant?
Zhu Yan’s hand hung in the air, unsure of what to do, while Shen Du acted as if nothing had happened. After swallowing the pastry in his mouth, he gave the two of them a meaningful look. "Miss Du is here."
Zhu Yan quickly turned around, while Pan Chi, taking advantage of Shen Du’s inattention, grabbed several pieces of pastry from the plate and hurriedly stuffed them into his mouth.
Seeing this, Zhu Yan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Two grown men were acting like children, sulking and bickering.
Du Xiaowan was brought forward, but she looked utterly unwell—pale, weary, and weeping with sorrow.
But on second thought, it made sense. Being abducted on her wedding night was truly humiliating. If her husband held a grudge against her because of this, how could she ever face others again?
Seeing their daughter appear, Du Fusheng and his wife rushed to embrace Du Xiaowan, lamenting her misfortune while cursing the culprit with all their might.At that moment, Young Master Li Zimo stepped forward and declared, "Miss Du, there is no need for sorrow. We have already performed the wedding rites before heaven and earth, making you my wife. Tonight's incident was sudden and beyond your control. I, Li Zimo, swear to the heavens that I will never hold this matter against you. I ask that you trust in my sincerity."
Hearing Li Zimo's words, Du Xiaowan felt somewhat comforted. She looked at him with deep gratitude, but as it was their first meeting, a hint of shyness lingered in her eyes, and her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, making her already beautiful appearance even more charming.
Seeing Du Xiaowan's shyness, Li Zimo also felt gratified. To have such a beautiful wife in this lifetime—what more could one ask for?
But as he recalled the events that had transpired, she found it truly difficult to speak.
After all, a woman's reputation was of utmost importance. If word of this spread, she would find it impossible to stand tall in society.
Seeing Miss Du's troubled expression, Zhu Yan stepped forward.
"Miss Du, I know that women value their reputation, making it difficult for you to speak. But have you considered that if the culprit is not caught, more young women will fall victim to this monster? Others may not be as fortunate as you, Miss Du, to be rescued at the critical moment. Can you truly bear to see them destroyed by this demon?"
Miss Du lowered her head, her brow furrowed with distress.
"My wife."
Li Zimo suddenly stepped forward, addressing her as "wife," which brought tears to Du Xiaowan's eyes.
"For my wife to return safely is my greatest fortune. Yet, if the culprit is not brought to justice, my heart will never find peace. Moreover, what this official says is true—not everyone will be as fortunate as my wife. I, Li Zimo, have already vowed not to hold this against you, and I will never let it come between us. Let us work together to help this official catch the culprit and restore peace to the people's lives. What do you say?"
Hearing Li Zimo speak this way, Du Xiaowan turned her gaze to her parents, who both nodded in agreement.
Only then did Du Xiaowan calm her nerves and begin to recount the events.
"After the wedding ceremony, I met the bridesmaid in the bridal chamber, but then I fainted for some unknown reason. When I woke up, everything was pitch black, a cloth was stuffed in my mouth, and I couldn't see who had taken me. I was terrified and unable to cry out. All I knew was that I was stuffed into a sack and carried over someone's shoulder as they ran. It felt like a long time before I was set down, and then another person came..."
At this point, Du Xiaowan lowered her head even further, her expression growing uneasy. Li Zimo quickly stepped forward to comfort her, helping her regain some composure.
"Another person came later. Did you hear what they said?" Zhu Yan pressed.
Du Xiaowan lowered her head even more, biting her lip lightly as if struggling to speak. By now, even if she remained silent, everyone understood.
To abduct a bride on her wedding night could only be for one purpose.
And since another person had arrived later, it was highly likely that they were the culprit. Zhu Yan had no choice but to ask.
"Miss Du, I know some things are truly difficult to say. You may remain silent on certain matters. Just share the important details."
Zhu Yan's words were considerate, and Du Xiaowan nodded slightly upon hearing them."I thought that person had come to save me, but I never imagined the two were accomplices. They discussed how to share me between them, and the words they spoke were truly unspeakable—I cannot bring myself to repeat them."
"It is utterly despicable."
Li Zimo suddenly grew furious, clenching his fists and looking at everyone present with righteous indignation.
"Honorable officials, my wife has suffered such humiliation. I implore you to ensure the perpetrators are severely punished."
"Rest assured, Mr. Li. Once Miss Du finishes recounting the events, we will not allow the criminals to escape justice." Mo Qianzhi quickly offered reassurance.
Only then did Li Zimo swallow his anger, his gaze filled with heartache as he looked at his wife.
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