Chарtеr 225: Тhе Shеn Fаmily Wife
Веfоrе lоng, Zhu Yan, having chаngеd her clоthes at thе fаrmhоusе, аlsо stepрed out.
Before shе сould еven sigh in rеliеf оvеr their nаrrоw еsсаpе, she was left bеwildеred bу Shen Du’s grim exрression.
“Wе’re out оf dаngеr nоw, sо whу аre yоu still wеaring suсh а lоng faсe? Nо nеed to kееp uр the act.”
Тhinking that Shen Du was still immеrsеd in his rоle аs Sun Daniu and hadn’t snаррed оut оf it, Zhu Yаn соuldn’t hеlp but stер forwаrd to tеase him.
Shеn Du’s eуеs dаrkenеd, аnd hе shоt Zhu Yan an icу glare. “You’re a wоman from an оfficial fаmily, аftеr all. Нow can you be so oblivious to the boundaries between men and women?”
“…” Zhu Yan was taken aback, completely failing to grasp the meaning behind Shen Du’s words.
However, as a woman, she understood the implication of “boundaries between men and women”—he was accusing her of impropriety.
“What do you mean by that? If you’re going to say something like that, you’d better have proof. What exactly did I do to deserve such criticism?” Zhu Yan glared back at Shen Du defiantly, her own temper flaring.
“Hmph.” Shen Du snorted coldly, looking at her with extreme reluctance. “You’ve married into the Shen family, which makes you my wife. As my woman, how could you let another man hold your arm?”
“…” Zhu Yan was utterly dumbfounded, her facial muscles twitching in speechless frustration.
He knew perfectly well how perilous the situation had been just moments ago. In the heat of the moment, Pan Chi had grabbed her arm to save her life. Yet Shen Du was blaming Pan Chi for touching her. Did he only want her to be covered in blood and lying dead on the ground before he’d be satisfied?
Filled with vexation, Zhu Yan was so angered by Shen Du’s words that she laughed bitterly.
Since he accused her of impropriety, she might as well show him just how improper she could be.
Her gaze shifted to Pan Chi, who wore an innocent expression. Zhu Yan stepped forward, grabbed his arm, and took his hand, looking triumphantly at Shen Du as she said:
“The Great Pavilion Commander seems to have forgotten that when Yun Que used to stay at the Shen residence, she often accompanied you on cases, and physical contact was unavoidable. Yet I never saw you refuse it.”
“You!”
Shen Du’s face turned ashen with rage, deeply displeased by Zhu Yan’s actions. Just as he was about to erupt, Zhu Yan continued:
“What? Does the Great Pavilion Commander mean that officials are allowed to set fires while commoners aren’t even permitted to light lamps?”
After speaking, Zhu Yan fixed Shen Du with an extremely displeased look. Shen Du’s face darkened to its limit.
This woman was courting death. Did she truly believe he wouldn’t dare to do anything to her?
Seeing Shen Du seething with anger yet unable to retort, Zhu Yan raised an eyebrow, a smug expression on her face. She pulled Pan Chi along and turned to leave.
Pan Chi had initially been somewhat sullen, but upon hearing Zhu Yan’s later words, he relaxed, wearing a triumphant expression as he followed her away.
Watching the two of them depart side by side, Shen Du clenched his fists so tightly that they emitted cracking sounds.
Truly, one reaps what one sows. Back then, he hadn’t pushed Yun Que away when she grew close to him, hoping to make Zhu Yan jealous. Little did he know that the taste of jealousy would be so unbearable.
Now, with the tables turned, it really was karma.
—
Mo Qianzhi led his men into the gambling den. During the negotiations, the person in charge of the establishment had already presented all the necessary permits to Mo Qianzhi.
According to the laws of the Great Zhou, operating a gambling den was permitted, but lending money at interest was not. Based on the current situation, there seemed to be nothing amiss with this particular gambling den.
There were no suspicious individuals either; it appeared as though he had received faulty intelligence."Has anyone unusual visited here today, such as unfamiliar faces?" Mo Qianzhi coldly surveyed everyone present, still not seeing Shen Du and the others.
"Oh, I say, Lord Mo, we run an open business with so many people coming and going. How could a humble servant like me remember them all?"
There was some truth to his words, but Mo Qianzhi remained worried about Shen Du and his companions.
They were people sent by the Empress. If anything happened to them, he couldn't bear the responsibility.
"Are all the people from your gambling den here?" Mo Qianzhi walked into the crowd, beginning to carefully inspect them.
"Yes, yes, everyone is here. May I ask who you are looking for, my lord?" The gambling den manager bowed and scraped as he followed Mo Qianzhi, but Mo Qianzhi's expression was grave, showing no intention of answering him.
After inspecting everyone and confirming Shen Du was not among them, Mo Qianzhi grew puzzled and even more concerned. Could something have already happened?
Seeing that Mo Qianzhi hadn't found the person he was looking for, the gambling den manager dared not be negligent. "My lord, I know many people. If you tell me who you're looking for, perhaps I can help you find them."
"You?" Mo Qianzhi glared at him without even a glance, ordering his own men, "Search the place. Leave no corner unchecked."
"Yes." Just as the group prepared to force their way in, Zhu Yan's voice suddenly came from behind.
"What brings Lord Mo here? What a coincidence—are you also here for an inspection visit?" Zhu Yan spoke with polite formality.
Mo Qianzhi was momentarily stunned, completely bewildered by Zhu Yan's appearance.
Shouldn't she be inside? How could she be here? And with Pan Chi by her side, Shen Du likely wasn't far away either.
But he still needed to confirm to set his mind at ease.
He quickly clasped his hands and bowed to Zhu Yan, answering her question. "Why has Madam Shen come? Is the Great Pavilion Commander not with you?"
"We were originally investigating a case together, but he said he was thirsty and wanted to have some tea first, so he went back ahead."
Hearing Zhu Yan's words, Mo Qianzhi finally relaxed.
Since Shen Du was safe, their visit to the gambling den no longer had any purpose.
Just then, however, he suddenly overheard some people in the gambling den whispering about someone generously scattering money there earlier.
Such a thing happened? Mo Qianzhi frowned deeply and looked at the crowd. "What are you all muttering about? If there's something to say, speak up openly."
"Nothing, nothing. Just some minor matters of our gambling den. No need to trouble Lord Mo with them."
The gambling den manager quickly stepped in to smooth things over, and Mo Qianzhi had no intention of pressing the issue further.
Zhu Yan naturally overheard the whispers. Carrying a large sum of money with a calm demeanor, all these funds had been conveniently taken by Pan Chi.
She hadn't wanted them originally, but since Ji Dafu showed no benevolence, they couldn't be blamed for lacking righteousness.
After hearing the gambling den manager's words, Mo Qianzhi found it uninteresting. Looking at Zhu Yan and Pan Chi, he said, "I have matters to discuss with the Great Pavilion Commander. If the two of you have no other business, perhaps we could return together."
"Good, I was thinking the same." Zhu Yan didn't want to stay in such a perilous place a moment longer.
Every extra moment spent there carried the risk of exposure for her.
The group left and returned to the yamen, where Zhu Yan reported to Mo Qianzhi everything they had seen and heard at the gambling den.Upon hearing this, Mo Qianzhi was greatly shocked. "How is that possible? That casino has all the proper operating licenses. How could they secretly engage in such heinous acts?"
"Could it be that Lord Mo truly believes those missing limbs and broken bones were caused by the Half-Faced Ghost?" Zhu Yan posed a piercing question, leaving Mo Qianzhi speechless on the spot.
"Summon someone," Mo Qianzhi ordered after a long pause. "Go to the household registry office and retrieve all records related to Ji Dafu for me. I want to examine them thoroughly."
"Yes, sir," the constable acknowledged and withdrew. Mo Qianzhi’s expression turned resolute. "If someone truly dares to play tricks right under my nose, I will surely punish them severely."
Radiating an aura of righteousness from head to toe, Mo Qianzhi appeared awe-inspiring, without the slightest trace of suspicion.
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