Сhарtеr 29: Мadam Wеi
Zhu Yаn wаs аbоut to speаk whеn she uneхpeсtеdlу mеt Shеn Du’s сold gazе, his sword-like brows slightly lowerеd in wаrning.
Warning hеr not tо mеddlе.
Uрon sесоnd thоught, shе reаlized this was a mаttеr of thе Liang family’s intеrnal affаirs, and she trulу shоuld nоt intеrfеrе, еven though shе sуmpаthizеd with Сuier.
“Nоw that this mаttеr has beеn сlarifiеd, let us discuss the mаtter of yоur sоn.”
Shеn Du spоke again, his tоnе still indiffеrent, соmрlеtеlу unaffесted bу what hаd just transpirеd.
At thе mеntiоn of Liаng Сhеnzhоng, Madam Liu’s fаce filled with sorrow, аnd her previоusly furious dеmeаnоr instantlу reverted to a sickly state.
Holding a handkerchief to her mouth, she coughed lightly a few times and excused herself from the front hall, citing physical discomfort.
Only after Madam Liu had left did Madam Zheng’s expression relax slightly.
Turning to Shen Du and Zhu Yan, she forced a faint smile. “With such an incident occurring in our household today, I apologize for the embarrassment. Since Chenzhong’s passing, my sister-in-law has grown increasingly despondent and fell ill. Today, she likely made a rare appearance upon hearing that the Liang family had been wronged, only for it to turn out to be a misunderstanding in the end.”
“We understand.”
Zhu Yan quickly responded, “Some matters can be discussed with you as well. After all, having been in the Liang family for many years, you must know some things about the eldest Liang son.”
Madam Zheng’s implication was a polite dismissal of the two, but having come all this way, Zhu Yan could not let such an opportunity slip away.
Seeing that it would be difficult to refuse, Madam Zheng’s expression turned somewhat strained, but she nodded and said, “In that case, Madam Shen, please feel free to ask whatever questions you have.”
Zhu Yan raised the corners of her lips and glanced at Shen Du, who was seated beside her. “We would like to know about the relationship between the eldest Liang son and the Brocade Workshop.”
At the mention of the Brocade Workshop, Zhu Yan caught a flicker of panic in Madam Zheng’s eyes, though it vanished as quickly as it appeared.
“Didn’t the Brocade Workshop close down six years ago…? How could Chenzhong have any connection to it?”
Madam Zheng evaded the question, and Shen Du noticed it as well.
Seeing that Madam Zheng was deliberately concealing something, Zhu Yan persisted, unwilling to give up. Just as she was about to speak, Shen Du interrupted her.
“Since your son has no connection to the Brocade Workshop, it seems we were overthinking things.”
Zhu Yan looked at Shen Du in surprise. His expression was calm, and he did not even glance in her direction. “It is getting late. We should take our leave.”
Before Zhu Yan could say anything more, Shen Du had already taken her by the arm and led her away.
By the time she regained her senses, they were already in the courtyard.
Zhu Yan was deeply dissatisfied with Shen Du’s actions, but with the Liang family’s eyes and ears everywhere, she could not make a scene. Instead, she lowered her voice and questioned him.
“Madam Zheng is clearly hiding something. Why didn’t you let me press further?”
“Even if you had pressed her, she would not have answered you. Rather than that, it is better to feign retreat to advance.”
Shen Du responded succinctly, but Zhu Yan was not satisfied with this explanation.
She had come to the Liang family with great difficulty and finally secured an opportunity to speak with Madam Zheng, only to have it dismantled by Shen Du.
Who knew when she would have another chance to speak with Madam Zheng in such detail again?
At the entrance of the Liang residence, several servants were restraining Cuier, preparing to escort her out of the estate. But just then, a sudden cry rang out: “Madam Wei has run out!”
Instantly, chaos erupted in the Liang family courtyard as servants and maids rushed out the gate to bring Madam Wei back.
However, upon seeing the pool of chicken blood on the dark-colored gate, Madam Wei burst into loud laughter, as if she had gone mad.
“Madam Wei has had another episode. Take her back quickly.”The steward anxiously shouted, while maids and servants forcibly restrained Madam Wei, leading her toward the direction of the backyard.
"Man'er..."
Madam Wei suddenly calmed down, her expression vacant and her eyes dazed. "Man'er..."
Seeing Madam Wei in such a frenzied state, Zhu Yan was taken aback.
She had previously doubted whether Madam Wei had truly gone mad from the pain of losing her beloved son, but now it seemed she might have overthought it.
"What are you thinking?"
Shen Du seemed to see through her thoughts, asking in a deep voice.
"Nothing, nothing at all."
Zhu Yan didn’t want Shen Du to read her mind again—he would surely mock her mercilessly.
The commotion alarmed everyone in the Liang household, and even Madam Liu, who had returned to her room to rest, was helped out.
Seeing Liang Chenzhong’s parents emerge, Madam Wei suddenly burst into laughter again. After laughing, her expression turned to resentment, and she pointed at the two of them, unleashing a torrent of curses. "You have such cruel hearts, comparable to demons and monsters. I thought you were merely snakes that devour people, but I never imagined you could be more vicious than tigers. You will face retribution, you will face retribution! Hahaha..."
Madam Wei’s mad ramblings made Zhu Yan’s heart tighten, and even Shen Du slightly furrowed his brows, sensing something amiss.
Upon hearing these words, the faces of the Liang couple turned deathly pale, as if something unspeakable had been exposed.
"Utter madness!" Madam Liu was furious. "What are you all standing around for? Hurry and take her away. Do you want to stay here and become a laughingstock?"
Madam Liu’s words sent a shiver through the servants and maids, who quickly escorted Madam Wei out of everyone’s sight.
Even so, Madam Wei’s words—"You will face retribution"—seemed to echo faintly throughout the entire Liang residence.
After this disturbance, Liang Jiren, the head of the main branch who had not appeared during their last visit, looked extremely displeased. He stepped forward and bowed to Shen Du, his awkward expression masking his pallor.
"Great Pavilion Commander, please forgive the disturbance. Today’s events in the residence have been rather chaotic and disorderly. It is already late, and we should have invited you both to stay for dinner, but there are still many matters in the household that require my attention, so I must regretfully not keep you."
"Lord Liang, there is no need for apologies. I have already instructed my household to prepare dinner. We shall take our leave now."
Shen Du responded coldly to Liang Jiren’s words and directly led everyone away.
Zhu Yan pursed her lips. She had been with Shen Du the entire time—when had he instructed anyone to prepare dinner at home?
Mention of dinner reminded her that she was indeed hungry.
Upon returning to the residence, Zhu Yan pondered and decided it was necessary to visit the Bright Hall.
Although the matter of the chicken blood had been resolved through her explanation, she still didn’t know Rong Zhui well enough.
Today’s events had nothing to do with her, but she couldn’t guarantee that Rong Zhui wouldn’t do something extreme for the sake of her younger sister, Kuang Zhanxin, in the future.
However, just as Zhu Yan was about to leave her room, she saw a familiar figure appear at the door.
Tall and straight, cold and aloof.
"Are you going out?"
Shen Du asked knowingly, his underlying meaning clear—he wanted to know where she was going.
"Yes," Zhu Yan didn’t hide it. "I’m going to the Bright Hall. I’ll be back soon."
"You are not allowed to go," Shen Du stopped her. "There are matters to attend to tonight. You must stay with me."
"I have important matters too, so let’s each tend to our own affairs without interfering, alright?"
"No."
Shen Du forbade it. "Has Madam forgotten what I once said? If anyone is found investigating privately, they will be dealt with as if forming cliques for personal gain. Could it be that Madam wishes to test this?"Shen Du's words sent a chill straight to Zhu Yan's core.
She knew he wasn't joking with her.
"Then... is this important matter related to the case?"
"Of course."
Zhu Yan felt a slight sense of relief. "Where are we going?"
"The Liang family."
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