Chарtеr 293: Тhе Firе Мoth Pаrtу 25
Zhu Yаn’s сhеeks flushed red аs shе pushed Shеn Du awaу, сhiding, “If уоu kерt your distаnce, I wouldn’t feel so wаrm.”
Sinсe сonfеssing thеir fееlings, althоugh Shеn Du nо lоngеr treаted her as rоughlу as bеfore and sеemed tо respесt hеr, hе wоuld still еmbrаce аnd drаw clоsе tо her frоm time tо timе, leaving hеr аt a lоss for how to rеspond.
Reсаlling thе cоld, mocking Shen Du whо оnсe bеlittlеd wоmеn fоr nоt knowing hоw tо eхaminе corрses оr hоld оfficiаl роsitiоns, the man befоre her now was almоst unrecognizаble.
Shen Du сhucklеd sоftly, stеpping forward to take her hand. “That won’t do. Husband and wife share one heart, and I still feel we’re not close enough.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Shen Du coughed awkwardly. But seeing Zhu Yan’s clear, beautiful eyes fixed on him, he felt he shouldn’t overthink it and composed himself, explaining:
“Yingzhou City is in turmoil now. Many have followed Mo Qianzhi away, leaving behind empty mansions of wealthy households. Many of those empty houses have underground chambers storing ice. Don’t worry—Jing Lin won’t take things from the people indiscriminately.”
Zhu Yan hadn’t expected Shen Du to explain so deliberately and naturally couldn’t put on airs. She lowered her head, picking up the confession to flip through it and hide her fluttering heart. Suddenly, her beautiful eyes narrowed as she pointed to one line:
“Ji Dafu mentioned that foreign curved blade.”
Upon closer inspection, however, she couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
“He only mentioned it briefly and didn’t know where the curved blade came from or what its purpose was.”
This wasn’t hard to explain. Ji Dafu was merely a hall master in charge of miscellaneous affairs. Even if he had seen the curved blade, he wouldn’t have dared to ask too much. Everyone knew that the fewer secrets one knew, the longer one lived.
Zhu Yan felt some regret but understood there was nothing to be done. She set down the confession and looked up, only to find Shen Du leaning over behind her, reading the confession together. In that moment, Zhu Yan’s lips brushed against Shen Du’s cheek.
Zhu Yan: …
Feeling the softness of Zhu Yan’s red lips, Shen Du was also stirred. He cupped Zhu Yan’s face, gently stroking her delicate skin with a single finger. His eyes darkened as he leaned in closer, inch by inch.
“Great Pavilion Commander…”
As expected, Jing Lin always had a knack for ruining the moment.
Shen Du turned his head. If possible, Jing Lin would never want to be stared at by such a terrifying gaze in his entire life.
“I… I’ll leave right now.” Jing Lin’s survival instincts were exceptionally strong; the chill on his neck was already unbearable.
“Stop!” Shen Du knew Jing Lin wouldn’t have rushed back without reason. Seeing Zhu Yan bury her entire face in his chest out of shyness from being caught, he couldn’t help but smile. “What is it?”
Only then did Jing Lin let out a sigh of relief and hurriedly said:
“Great Pavilion Commander, Mo Qianzhi is shouting beneath the city wall, insisting on seeing you.”
It hadn’t been long since the last incident. Why was he back already?
“Is he alone?” Shen Du asked with a grave expression, seeking confirmation.
“No, he brought a group of people, likely remnants of the Half-Faced Ghost.” Jing Lin replied.
Shen Du fell silent and gave no further instructions. Zhu Yan stole a glance at him and realized the man before her was troubled.
Noticing Zhu Yan’s furtive gaze, Shen Du turned to her with a faint smile, signaling that he was fine.
Zhu Yan’s face flushed red again, and she buried her head once more.
Shen Du turned back to Jing Lin and asked in a deep voice, “What about his wife and child?”
Jing Lin was puzzled. “They’ve been under guard at the yamen.”
“Hmm. Bring his wife and child and wait with them on the city wall.”
“Yes!”
With that, he prepared to leave with Jing Lin. But after taking a step, he remembered Zhu Yan in his arms and looked down, hesitating to speak.Zhu Yan immediately released him, the embarrassment on her face dissipating somewhat as she looked at him with a complex expression.
No matter how deranged Mo Qianzhi had become now, it could not change the fact that he had once risked his life to save Shen Du. To now force Shen Du to turn his blade against Mo Qianzhi—it went without saying how painful this must be for him. Yet...
"Why did you have to involve his wife and child?" Zhu Yan murmured softly, as if questioning Shen Du, yet also as if speaking to herself.
This question gave Shen Du pause; his actions did indeed seem reminiscent of Lai Luozhi’s style.
But Shen Du was naturally not Lai Luozhi, nor could he ever be.
Zhu Yan understood this well. If not for his promise to help her find the antidote, Shen Du would never have resorted to threatening Mo Qianzhi’s wife and child.
At this thought, a wave of self-reproach surged within her, lingering stubbornly.
But why was she worried? Was she afraid Shen Du might become the next Lai Luozhi? Her heart trembled uncontrollably at the idea. Shen Du was not Lai Luozhi; he had his own principles, and Zhu Yan believed he would never cross that line.
"Enough, I trust you."
Zhu Yan convinced herself and raised her head to meet Shen Du’s gaze directly.
"I want to go with you." Her voice was no longer as faint as before. She wanted Shen Du to know that since this concerned her, she had a responsibility to be involved.
"Absolutely not!" Shen Du rejected her proposal without hesitation. "The situation is different now. Mo Qianzhi is no longer the virtuous, people-oriented Prefect of Yingzhou. He is now Mo Qianzhi, an accomplice of the Fire Moth Party—a man bewitched by the fire moths, capable of who knows what extremes."
Shen Du was only thinking of her safety, which made her even more unwilling to hide away. "No, I must go. Don’t forget, I am your wife."
Wife.
At this critical juncture, no words stirred Shen Du more deeply than these two. He pulled Zhu Yan into his embrace.
Jing Lin felt he would be better off blind at this moment and stood up to leave, suggesting he first check on Mo Qianzhi’s wife and child to ensure their safety.
"I cannot guarantee your safety."
"I don’t care. Let me stay by your side. I’m worried about you."
"But I care." Shen Du released Zhu Yan and gazed at her intently, as if etching her into his mind. "I..."
"Alright, don’t worry. I won’t hold you back. If danger arises, I won’t repeat what happened during the city massacre last time. I’ll flee immediately, even if it means leaving you behind."
Shen Du smiled helplessly and tapped her delicate nose. "Rest assured, if I, Shen Du, cannot even protect my own woman, what else can I accomplish?"
Shen Du’s gaze deepened, making Zhu Yan somewhat uncomfortable. Her throat tightened, and she grasped his hand in return, her eyes shining brightly.
"Let’s go."
"Mm."
At that moment, Shen Du finally understood why the love stories in those novels were so intoxicating.
Truly, it was utterly captivating.
Only when they reached the foot of the city wall did Zhu Yan realize how conspicuous it was to have been holding Shen Du’s hand all the way. She forcibly broke free from his grasp and put a little distance between them.
Shen Du reached out to pull her back, somewhat displeased. "Madam, you’re abandoning me after having your way."
Zhu Yan shot him a fierce glare, ignoring his nonsense.
Shen Du knew she was easily embarrassed, and besides, this was no time for flirtation, so he let it go.
—
The city wall was slightly noisy, as if expressing dissatisfaction with those below.When Shen Du and Zhu Yan ascended, Jing Lin had already brought Mo Qianzhi's wife and children to the city wall. Seeing Shen Du arrive, Jing Lin hastily clasped his hands in greeting.
"You Shen family brat, you shameless villain!"
Mo Qianzhi's wife fiercely resisted those who had escorted them there. Upon seeing Shen Du, she began to curse loudly, her eyes filled with hatred for him.
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