Chарtеr 209: Тhе Мо Residenсе Ваnquеt (1)
With two casеs undеr investigatiоn simultaneоuslу, Zhu Yаn wаs оvеrwhelmed with wоrk. From the current persреctivе, the murdеr wеарons in thе twо саsеs werе different, and it rеmаined unknоwn whether the рerpеtrator wаs thе sаmе реrsоn. The оnlу cоmmоnаlities wеre thе firе moth mark оn thе victims' bоdies and the disрlayed сhаrgеs.
While hаndling the casеs, shе аlso hаd tо соnstаntlу worrу аbout Ji Dаfu interfеring again.
Рerhарs thе intimidatiоn frоm Раn Chi last time hаd taken effect, аs several dаys pаssed withоut Ji Dаfu visiting the уamen again.
However, news of the Half-Faced Ghost eating people spread like wildfire among the populace. Wherever she went, Zhu Yan could hear people whispering about these rumors.
Moreover, regarding the matter of the Half-Faced Ghost, the common people turned pale at the mention, appearing both deeply reverent and fearful.
Zhu Yan had also come to understand much, but such rumors could only frighten ordinary folk. For her and Shen Du, they were nothing but fantasy.
After all, both of them had come with missions.
Although Shen Du had previously told her that Mo Qianzhi had no issues, she still felt a lingering unease.
She had to personally verify things to finally set her mind at ease.
But to understand a person, one must understand those around him. After pondering for a long time, Zhu Yan conceived a plan.
Madam Mo appeared very kind-faced and seemed like someone easy to get along with. To understand Mo Qianzhi, it might be best to start with his wife.
Thinking this, Zhu Yan began planning how to approach Madam Mo and under what pretext.
What she didn’t expect was that, while she was still contemplating, a sudden knock came at the door.
Opening the door, Zhu Yan was even more surprised to see that it was Madam Mo.
"Madam Shen," Madam Mo greeted Zhu Yan with great courtesy upon seeing her, her gentle demeanor fully displayed.
"Madam Mo, what brings you here? Please, come in quickly." Zhu Yan promptly stepped aside and invited Madam Mo into the room.
Madam Mo did not stand on ceremony, nodding slightly as she followed Zhu Yan inside. After they were seated, Zhu Yan hurriedly poured a cup of tea for Madam Mo.
"Madam Shen, there's no need for this," Madam Mo quickly raised both hands in a polite gesture.
Although Zhu Yan was younger than her, her status was higher. Having Zhu Yan personally pour tea for her was something she felt she could hardly accept.
"Madam Mo, what are you saying? We have been imposing on you for many days, all thanks to the care of Mo Qianzhi and yourself. It should have been me visiting you, but I got caught up with the cases and forgot. Seeing you come today truly fills Zhu Yan with shame."
"The cases must keep you very busy; it must be hard on you and the Great Pavilion Commander," Madam Mo said humbly. "It's just that my husband is always occupied with official duties and failed to host a welcoming banquet for you and the Great Pavilion Commander upon your arrival. I truly feel guilty about this."
"Mo Qianzhi's diligence and integrity in governance are commendable; you need not blame yourself for that," Zhu Yan quickly reassured. "The people here are fortunate to have an official like Mo Qianzhi as their parent-official."
"While that may be true, proper etiquette should still be observed. The reason I came to see you today, Madam Shen, is to inform you that I have arranged a family banquet at our residence tonight. I hope you and the Great Pavilion Commander can attend, allowing me to make up for the missed welcoming banquet and fulfill my duties as host."“Madam Mo, there’s no need to be so polite. We came here under orders to investigate the case, and it’s already been several days. There’s really no need to go to such lengths.”
Zhu Yan said this, but in her heart, she couldn’t wait to attend the banquet.
Whether it was a welcoming feast or a family dinner, what truly mattered was getting closer to Madam Mo.
“Madam Shen, since you and the Great Pavilion Commander arrived, you’ve been busy with the case every day, not even having a proper meal. Please don’t refuse me any longer.”
Zhu Yan put on a troubled expression and reluctantly nodded.
Only then did Madam Mo leave happily.
When Shen Du learned of this, he didn’t say much, but he was deeply puzzled by the surprise and excitement Zhu Yan showed.
“It’s not like you’ve never attended a banquet before. Is it really worth being this happy?”
Shen Du removed his outer robe, preparing to change into fresh clothes for the banquet.
Zhu Yan, however, had already made thorough preparations and was ready to leave at any moment. “This time is different from the others. I was still thinking of ways to get close to them, but they came to me first. This gives me the perfect opportunity.”
Shen Du lifted the corner of his lips slightly. “It’s fine if you want to learn more about him, but you must still be cautious.”
“I understand,” Zhu Yan nodded repeatedly. “Hurry up, don’t be late.”
The two of them went to the banquet together.
What they hadn’t expected was that Mo Qianzhi was not only personally upright and honest, but the other officials in Yingzhou also appeared remarkably incorruptible.
The food on the table was quite simple, consisting of dishes ordinary people would eat. No one present seemed surprised or taken aback, as if it were completely normal.
Moreover, their every gesture was warm and natural, and even their speech put people at ease.
Such behavior made Zhu Yan begin to doubt the truth of the rebellion rumors.
Could it really be, as Shen Du had said, that these rumors were deliberately spread to the Empress by rival factions?
“Great Pavilion Commander,” Mo Qianzhi poured a cup of wine and raised it toward Shen Du. “In recent days, we’ve been so occupied with the case that we haven’t been able to properly host a welcoming feast for you. Please forgive our oversight.”
“You are too kind, Lord Mo,” Shen Du quickly raised his cup in response. “We are old acquaintances after all, so there’s no need for such formalities. Moreover, Lord Mo is diligent in governance, honest and upright, and works tirelessly for the people—a true blessing to them. We deeply admire you.”
As soon as Shen Du finished speaking, another elderly official, well past sixty, raised his cup and said, “Exactly, exactly! We’re all familiar faces here, no need for such politeness. Back in the day, our Lord Mo was even Lord Shen’s…”
“Ahem!” Before he could finish, Mo Qianzhi suddenly let out a sharp cough, cutting him off.
The elderly official’s expression shifted abruptly, but he seemed to understand why Mo Qianzhi had done so. Forcing a smile, he awkwardly continued,
“Today is meant to be a welcoming feast, and here I am rambling off-topic. Come, everyone, raise your cups and toast to the arrival of the Great Pavilion Commander and Madam Shen.”
As his words fell, the others also raised their cups and drank together.
The atmosphere returned to its earlier harmony, but after what had just happened, both Shen Du and Zhu Yan were left with their own thoughts.
Though neither showed any discomfort on their faces, Zhu Yan had clearly sensed that Mo Qianzhi was deliberately avoiding any connection to the current Shen Du.Come to think of it, the last time they met, Shen Du was still a convicted criminal, but now he had risen rapidly to become the Empress's favorite.
No one dared to ponder too deeply how much power such a person wielded, nor did they dare to speculate casually about his thoughts.
Keeping a certain distance from him was simply a way to protect themselves.
The other officials, understanding this implicitly, also fell silent and refrained from speaking further.
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