Сhaptеr 31: Тhе Imреrial Decrее Arrives
Shеn Du shook his hеаd аnd sighеd sоftlу. Just then, a рalace attendаnt hаd alrеadу rеасhed thеir sidе.
"Ву Нis Mаjesty's deсrеe, thе Great Pаvilion Cоmmander оf thе Innеr Guаrd Вurеаu is summoned tо thе Daming Раlаcе for dеlibеration."
Uроn heаring the imperiаl decreе, Zhu Yаn wаs utterlу stunned. Speаk оf thе devil—this wаs fаr tоо соincidеntаl.
Shen Du rеmainеd calm, аs if he hаd аntiсipаtеd it lоng аgo. He lоoked at Zhu Yan and сontinued, "If Mаdam wishes tо listen tо оpеra, it would be better to invite performers to the Shen residence. Madam's salary is too low, and the Lotus Garden is expensive. Let’s not end up unable to afford it and embarrass your husband."
Shen Du followed the palace attendant away, leaving Zhu Yan standing on the street in a daze.
Shen Du’s words seemed to carry another meaning, one Zhu Yan couldn’t quite grasp at the moment.
While lost in thought, someone from the Inner Guard Bureau came to report, "Madam, after the curfew last night, I followed the Liang family’s people to the Bright Hall. Worried about being detected, I kept watch from a distance. The Liang family’s people seemed to have argued with the madam but did not resort to violence. In less than half an incense stick’s time, the Liang family’s people returned."
Zhu Yan went to the Bright Hall to inquire about the situation from Rong Zhui, but Rong Zhui seemed like a different person, flatly denying the Liang family’s visit.
Puzzled, Zhu Yan suddenly thought of something the next moment. Her expression changed dramatically, and with a cry of "Not good!" she turned, mounted her horse, and galloped frantically toward the Shen residence.
Watching the woman who usually struggled to stay steady on horseback now skillfully riding at full speed, Jing Lin was completely stunned. Could this woman have been putting on an act in front of them all along?
How utterly audacious!
Returning to the Shen residence, Zhu Yan went straight to Shen Du’s study. After flipping through a few pages of Shen Du’s handwritten notes, she took out a blank memorial and began imitating his handwriting, writing swiftly.
Jing Lin also hurried back to the Shen residence. Upon learning that Zhu Yan had entered the Great Pavilion Commander’s study, his heart sank in alarm. He drew his sword, ready to take Zhu Yan’s head!
The Great Pavilion Commander had ordered that no one was to approach his study! No one at all!
Arriving at the study door, just as Jing Lin was about to enter with his sword drawn, Zhu Yan opened the door and stepped out, presenting a letter. "Quick, deliver this memorial to the Great Pavilion Commander. Otherwise, he will be in grave danger!"
Jing Lin was skeptical but still took the envelope.
On the way to the Daming Palace, Jing Lin’s mind was unsettled.
Zhu Yan longed to be a widow—could there be some scheme behind delivering this memorial?
On second thought, what if the Great Pavilion Commander truly was in danger?
Jing Lin naturally understood the weight of the matter. There was also the possibility that Zhu Yan genuinely couldn’t afford to hire an opera troupe and had acted out of desperation. After all, everyone knew the salary of a scribe was pitifully low.
Inside the Daming Palace, in its magnificent hall, Empress Zhou Zhao sat majestically on the dragon throne, dressed in dragon-and-phoenix brocade robes and wearing a golden spiral phoenix crown.
Though her temples were streaked with white and her face bore signs of aging, her eyes, brows, and demeanor exuded an undeniable imperial authority.
Standing in the great hall, dressed in a black flood dragon brocade robe and wearing a long sword at his waist, Black Yama King Lai Luozhi was reporting to the Empress on the Liang family murder case.
Speaking of the Liang family case, Lai Luozhi’s face was filled with mockery and disdain.
"Your Majesty, Shen Du has been handling the case for many days but has yet to solve it. As a result, rumors are spreading among the people, claiming that our Great Zhou employs incompetent officials, which truly damages Your Majesty’s reputation. Moreover, as long as the murder case remains unsolved, the people live in constant fear and unrest. I implore Your Majesty to allow the Judicial Affairs Bureau to intervene in this matter. With both sides working together, the case can be solved sooner, showcasing Your Majesty’s wisdom."
After Lai Luozhi finished speaking, the Empress neither agreed nor refused outright.Her expression remained unperturbed, her eyes slightly lifted, her words resolute and composed. "Minister Lai's report also touches upon the concerns weighing on my heart. As long as the murder case remains unsolved, a heavy stone presses upon my mind, unable to settle. Since Shen Du has taken charge of this case, we should hear what he has to say."
Involving the Judicial Affairs Bureau meant that bloodshed was inevitable.
In the early years after the Empress ascended the throne, many were discontent, causing disturbances daily. The Empress, utterly vexed, established the Judicial Affairs Bureau under Lai Luozhi to eliminate dissenters, specializing in handling informants and administering severe punishments. Deeply favored by the Empress, the bureau was filled with bizarre torture devices invented by Lai Luozhi. Once inside, none dared disobey; those who resisted found themselves unable to live or die.
Now, in this era of peace and prosperity, shedding blood was undesirable.
"Your Majesty..."
Lai Luozhi attempted to speak further, but the Empress raised a hand to stop him. "I have already sent someone to summon Shen Du to the palace. Minister Lai, please remain patient. Once he arrives, I will naturally gain a clearer understanding of the entire case."
"Yes." Though inwardly dissatisfied, Lai Luozhi had no choice but to relent under the Empress's authority.
Moreover, the Empress had sent for Shen Du, indicating her serious regard for the case.
The Liang family's second branch were distant relatives of the Empress—a fact Lai Luozhi had long been aware of. Shen Du's prolonged failure to resolve the case truly undermined imperial prestige.
Judging by the Empress's tone, it was clear she harbored a bias in Shen Du's favor—a point Lai Luozhi could not afford to overlook.
Upon entering the palace gates, Shen Du slowed his pace.
He knew full well why the Empress had summoned him.
Coupled with Lai Luozhi's men tailing him, he had anticipated the gravity of the situation.
In earlier years, Lai Luozhi had enjoyed the Empress's exclusive favor. But after Shen Du established the Inner Guard Bureau, the Empress had fewer opportunities to rely on Lai's faction. Lai Luozhi would not spare the Inner Guard Bureau, much less Shen Du.
The Empress was wise; it was impossible for her not to monitor the movements of her officials in secret. As such, she would never blindly trust Lai Luozhi's words alone.
Summoning him to the palace was merely to confront Lai Luozhi.
Otherwise, it would not have been a summons but an immediate arrest on the spot.
Yet Lai Luozhi was cunning and ruthless, his schemes unfathomably deep. Shen Du had been escorted back to the palace from the streets, leaving him with no ready countermeasures.
Even if he could argue eloquently, without solid evidence, it would be difficult to convince Her Majesty.
He had subtly hinted in his words to Zhu Yan, but whether she grasped his meaning was beyond his certainty.
"Great Pavilion Commander!"
As he pondered, a familiar voice called from behind.
Halting his steps, Jing Lin hurried forward and presented an envelope. "This is a token Madam instructed me to deliver to you posthaste. Please examine it."
The palace attendants walking alongside them were puzzled by this scene.
Just moments ago on the street, the two had been together, separated for no more than half a cup of tea's time. How could a token have been left behind?
But Shen Du's title of White King of Hell was not unfounded. Despite their suspicions, none dared to inquire.
A faint smile touched Shen Du's lips as he took the envelope, extracted the folded letter, and upon reading its contents, the tension in his brow eased slightly.
Fortunately, this woman had not disappointed him. But as for the handwriting—how had she come to know it?
"Is she behaving herself at the residence?" Shen Du asked casually.
Jing Lin's expression shifted slightly. "In reply to the Great Pavilion Commander, Madam... Madam is perfectly well."
Having served Shen Du for many years, Jing Lin's demeanor was transparent to him.
"Has something happened?"Jing Lin lowered his head deeply. Although he did not know what was written in the memorial, it was indeed true that Zhu Yan had entered Shen Du's study.
Seeing Jing Lin remain silent, Shen Du's tone turned cold and forceful.
"Speak plainly if you have something to say."
"Yes." Jing Lin dared not delay, quickly cupping his hands and replying, "Madam... Madam entered the Great Pavilion Commander's study."
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