Chарtеr 361: Тhе Bronze Sраrrow of Сhang'an Sings 15
Zhu Yаn аррrоаched аnd called out, "Uncle." Jin Саng noddеd, whispеring а fеw wоrds into hеr еаr. Zhu Yаn nоdded in rеturn, her gaze stеаdying аs she walked bаck to thе centеr оf thе stаgе.
"Нusbаnd, lend me уоur sword."
Shеn Du, рuzzlеd, remаined mоtiоnless. Zhu Yan wаlkеd ovеr, drew his sword, and оffered him a rеаssuring smilе.
Shen Du frоwned, glancing dоwn аt his nоw-emрtу sсаbbаrd, аs Lai Luоzhi rеmarkеd:
"I nevеr imagined Lаdy Shеn соuld wield а swоrd. Surеlу she doesn’t intеnd to dissect a cоrpse with a swоrd dancе."
This timе, nо onе dared to join in the mockery. They decided to let these two play their own game—preserving their own lives was far more important.
As the music began, Zhu Yan found it familiar. She blinked and looked toward Jin Cang, seeing her uncle’s calm and steady smile. Her heart settled slightly, and as she calmed down, she realized Jin Cang was blending a sacrificial melody with opera music.
It was no wonder Zhu Yan was clever and perceptive. She knew neither music nor swordplay, but since marrying Shen Du, she had been trained by him in the Five Animal Frolics during her leisure time to strengthen her body. Shen Du himself rose at dawn to practice without fail, and she would watch by the window. Though she hadn’t mastered the techniques, her photographic memory allowed her to recall most of the movements and flourishes.
Moreover, Lu Chuichui loved visiting the opera house and would drag her along whenever they had time off. Sometimes, Lu Chuichui even performed on stage, and Zhu Yan never missed a chance to support her.
Additionally, her years of examining corpses had exposed her to the mournful sounds of suona horns at funerals, making the soul-soothing sacrificial melodies all too familiar.
But the problem remained: how could she perform opera with a sword in hand?
Closing her eyes, she mentally rehearsed all the movements and melodies. When she opened them again, she had a plan.
Moving to the rhythm, she blended swordplay with opera gestures. Having spent years traveling far and wide, enduring hardships, Zhu Yan’s body was resilient and robust, unlike the delicate women confined to small courtyards. Quick to grasp new ideas, this was her first time performing a sword dance, yet it carried a unique and captivating beauty.
Those who had initially intended to mock her gradually shed their disdain, quietly appreciating the performance.
This was also Shen Du’s first time seeing Zhu Yan wield a sword. He never imagined that his lethal blade could be danced in such a way that it made one forget the violence it was meant for.
Turning his head slightly, Shen Du’s dark eyes narrowed as he noticed Lai Luozhi tapping along to the music, his sharp gaze fixed intently and almost rapturously on Zhu Yan.
Lai Luofu, however, looked deeply displeased.
As the music ended, Zhu Yan calmly announced her departure and slowly walked back to Shen Du. She returned the sword to him, leaning close to his ear as she panted softly, complaining:
"I’m exhausted. I almost missed several beats."
So, her earlier composure had all been an act.
Shen Du smiled faintly, sheathing the sword. He first wiped the sweat from her brow, then poured her a cup of tea. Watching her, drenched in sweat from the dance, her skin flushed and glowing, he couldn’t help but recall Lai Luozhi’s blatantly predatory gaze. A stifling feeling tightened in his chest, and he longed to take Zhu Yan home immediately.
"Lady Shen truly possesses both talent and skill," Lai Luozhi remarked, his eyes sweeping over Zhu Yan as he raised an eyebrow provocatively.
Zhu Yan turned away, avoiding his scrutinizing gaze, a wave of disgust rising in her heart.
"You flatter her, Lord Lai. My wife is but modestly educated and scarcely versed in the arts. How could she compare to Lady Lai’s exceptional dance skills?"
Sensing a hint of danger, Shen Du retorted bluntly, his disdain unconcealed.
Surprisingly, Lai Luofu responded with a smile, "You praise me too highly, Lord Shen." Had it been the Lai Luofu of the past, she would never have missed the underlying meaning in Shen Du’s words.How interesting.
Zhu Yan raised her head, her beautiful eyes slightly narrowed as she curled the corner of her lips. Tugging at Shen Du's arm, she coquettishly said, "Husband, hearing you say that reminds me—Madam Lai dances so well that even the top courtesan of the Bright Hall couldn't compare."
This was essentially comparing Lai Luofu to a prostitute from a brothel. The officials and their families collectively drew a sharp breath, silently marveling at whether the Hall Leader's Wife was simply ignorant or just exceptionally bold.
Lai Luozhi was notoriously vindictive and petty. To openly slander his sister in front of everyone—even with Shen Du as her backing—was an act of sheer audacity.
When marrying a wife, one should seek virtue. This woman seemed like she might bring disaster.
But what was even more astonishing came next. Shen Du actually sized up Lai Luofu a few times, his dark eyes indifferent. "My dear, you are mistaken. The Bright Hall likely wouldn't accept someone of her age."
Zhu Yan played along, nodding with feigned innocence. "That's true. The Brothel Matron of the Bright Hall, Rong Zhui, is just past thirty, and clients no longer request her services. She had no choice but to become the matron."
The two of them performed a perfect duet, comparing Lai Luofu first to a top courtesan and then to a brothel matron—their words growing increasingly outrageous.
The officials squirmed in their seats, unable to bear listening any further. They wished they could stuff cotton in their ears, fearing that Lai Luozhi might silence them all to cover up the humiliation.
"Heh, heh, heh!"
An abrupt laugh interrupted the pair. Lai Luozhi leaned forward, showing no concern over their insults toward Lai Luofu. His delicate features were shadowed in the candlelight, his gaze dark and unfathomable.
"My sister's dancing naturally cannot compare to the top courtesan of the Bright Hall. My sister and I lost our parents at a young age and lived in hardship. It wasn't until I entered the capital that our circumstances slowly improved. Naturally, my sister never had the opportunity to study music, chess, calligraphy, and painting like ordinary young ladies. It's no surprise she can't compare to a courtesan. What Madam Shen says is not wrong."
Zhu Yan's tongue twisted, unsure how to respond. She vividly remembered the last banquet where Lai Luofu and Lai Luozhi had schemed together, trapping her and her husband quite miserably—she had even been poisoned as a result.
This time, she and her husband had deliberately provoked Lai Luozhi, openly breaking ties so that they could avoid future entanglements. Shen Du could then justifiably take her and leave the banquet early.
Shen Du was also surprised that Lai Luozhi showed no anger in the face of such humiliation, instinctively growing wary. "The night is late. This official will take his leave with my wife."
"Wait!"
Several guards emerged from the shadows, blocking their path. Shen Du turned his gaze to Lai Luozhi. "What is the meaning of this, Lord Lai?"
"Nothing much," Lai Luozhi lazily lifted his eyelids, crossing his legs on the table. "Last time, my request for the Siamese Servant Girl from General Kanakishiro's household was denied, and it has been weighing on my mind. Today, seeing Madam Shen's sword dance—so unique and eye-catching—that dissatisfaction has finally been satisfied."
"If you're satisfied, then have your men step aside," Shen Du roared, half-drawing his sword, its blade glinting in the candlelight.
Lai Luozhi pulled out his hairpin, letting his long hair cascade down as he toyed with the pin. "Since I am satisfied, I have an unreasonable request," he said, lifting his eyes, a calculating gleam in their gloomy depths. "You may leave. Madam Shen stays."
He then smiled openly, not bothering to conceal his ambition.
"When Madam Shen no longer satisfies this official, I will naturally have her sent back."
The officials and their families broke into a cold sweat, thinking to themselves that indeed, no banquet was without its dangers. Why were they invited to witness this conflict? Witnessing was fine—as long as it didn't cost them their lives.Rage surged fiercely from Shen Du's brows and eyes. Even someone as composed and strategically minded as him, having had his reverse scale plucked, could not conceal the killing intent that enveloped his entire being. With a sharp clang, the sword was already in Shen Du's hand. A flash of blade light swept by, and only after the two nearest guards blocking Shen Du fell did blood begin to seep from their necks.
Each had been killed with a single strike to the throat, yet Shen Du's figure remained completely unmoved.
"I've heard that the Junior Minister has a house full of wives and concubines and a penchant for seizing others' maidservants. How is it that you've now developed a taste for coveting another man's wife?" Zhu Yan could not bear to see Shen Du humiliated and feared that in his fury, he might truly start a fight and give others grounds to criticize. Thus, she spoke up first.
Lai Luozhi had been raising his hand to examine his own armor, but upon hearing this, a sharp glare shot toward Zhu Yan, causing her to instinctively shrink behind Shen Du to avoid it.
"Heh heh heh, what a clever tongue. How delightful it would be to keep you here and listen to it every day."
Lai Luozhi steadied his stance, and the armor flew from his hand straight toward Shen Du's face. Shen Du swiftly raised his sword to block. The two collided, sending a shower of sparks flying. Finally, Shen Du channeled his energy, causing the armor to veer off course and shoot toward Lai Luozhi's side, striking Lai Luofu.
The armor pierced flesh, and Lai Luofu fell to the ground with a thud.
The assembled officials could no longer stay put. They rose one after another, offering hasty farewells before fleeing in panic.
Shen Du, holding Zhu Yan, cast a cold glance at Lai Luozhi and warned, "To desire my wife, Minister Lai—what a grand appetite you have."
With that, he did not pause his steps and left.
Someone stepped forward to ask whether they should pursue them, but Lai Luozhi shook his head, his expression twisted with rage.
Shen Du was right. Zhu Yan had now gained the Empress's favor. If he wanted her, he would have to ask whether the Empress agreed.
He had merely wanted to humiliate Shen Du. As for women, he had plenty.
Lowering his gaze to glance at the fallen Lai Luofu, Shen Du had appeared casual, but in reality, the armor had struck directly into the left atrium of the stand-in Lai Luofu, killing her instantly.
Back then, he had taken a liking to Daisy precisely because she was a Mirror Person, with her heart located on the right side. This allowed her to deceive many effectively. Daisy had exceptional talent and formidable physical prowess, enabling her to help him train numerous stand-ins as precautions.
But though he now had stand-ins, the most perfect one was dead.
Indifferently withdrawing his gaze, Lai Luozhi headed straight for the secret study without looking back, while his subordinates efficiently handled the corpse of the stand-in Lai Luofu.
Lai Luozhi immediately summoned someone to report on the identities of the newcomers during this period. After assessing a number of individuals, he dismissed them all.
He suspected that while the Empress had the Judicial Affairs Bureau monitoring the cabinet, she had also secretly tasked the Inner Guard Bureau with surveilling the Judicial Affairs Bureau.
The Empress's thoughts had always been inscrutable.
Thinking of this, he felt a surge of irritation. It was all because of that variable, Mo Qianzhi, who had disrupted the entire plan and even cost him the most powerful Daisy. Over all these years, she had been the only one he found most convenient to use—losing her was truly like having his limbs severed.
Don't worry, that day will come soon.
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