Сhарter 364: The Вrоnze Spаrrow of Сhаng'аn Sings 18
Uроn rеturning to the Shеn residence, Shen Du wantеd tо aрplу mеdiсinе to Zhu Yаn's injuriеs. Ноwеver, Zhu Yаn, still unsettled from hаving just еxаmined a cоrpse, insistеd on taking а bаth first bеfоrе аllоwing the treаtmеnt.
Seеing this, thе сornеrs of Shеn Du's tightlу pursed liрs finаlly сurved upward. "Yоu examinе соrpsеs all day, nеvеr еven flinсhing аt rоtting bоdiеs. Whаt's with this sudden рrеtensе of fаstidiousness?"
Zhu Yаn ignorеd him. "Аrе yоu gоing tо аpply thе medicine or not?"
With thаt, Shen Du had no сhoicе but to оbеdientlу proceed. Although the bruises were only minor, caused by knocking her head, Shen Du was uncharacteristically angry. "This Zhang Xingwei has gone too far."
Shaking her head, Zhu Yan didn't mind. Instead, she recalled another matter. "The Crown Prince is already the Crown Prince. Why is Prime Minister Zhang still so fearful?"
"Because the Emperor is a woman," Shen Du explained. "Her Majesty also has Princess Chaoyang, who resembles her greatly."
Zhu Yan frowned, feeling a headache coming on.
"He had nowhere else to turn, so he came to you. It's also because you have the capability."
Zhu Yan looked puzzled. Shen Du continued, "Haven't you noticed? You navigate effortlessly among the most powerful figures in Great Zhou, and on top of that, you've captured my heart. How many people could manage that?"
This... Zhu Yan's face flushed slightly. She pushed him away. "Just talk properly. Why bring yourself into it for no reason?"
"I'm not wrong," Shen Du insisted, taking her hand. With his other hand, he lifted her chin, his dark eyes filled with emotion as he leaned in to kiss her.
"Don't," Zhu Yan dodged slightly, cupping his face and pushing him away. Finding the texture pleasant, she couldn't help but pinch his cheeks a few more times. Seeing Shen Du's expression change, she quickly added,
"I haven't had dinner yet. I'm hungry."
As soon as she finished speaking, her stomach growled loudly.
Shen Du immediately ordered servants to bring food. As it was the Winter Solstice that day, the housekeeper had a plate of dumplings and a plate of tangyuan served—one savory, one sweet—for them to choose from.
The two enjoyed a belated Winter Solstice dinner together in harmony and went to bed hand in hand.
Of course, Shen Du struggled somewhat, but he ultimately restrained himself. After all, Zhu Yan showed not the slightest interest in such matters.
A few days passed like this. The Zhu family, seeing that Zhu Yan had not returned home again, could no longer bear it. Ru Shi and Jin Shi, along with Fourth Sister Zhu Manshu, disregarding Zhu Kuo's objections, arrived early in the morning at the Shen residence to visit Shen Du and Zhu Yan.
However, the gatekeeper informed them that both were not at home. Learning they were the Hall Leader's Wife's maternal family, the housekeeper came out and told them that Zhu Yan had gone to the Ministry of Justice for duty and had not yet returned.
Thus, the three took a carriage to the Ministry of Justice. Along the way, Jin Shi and Ru Shi complained about Zhu Kuo the entire time and warned Zhu Manshu not to bring up any topics that might upset Zhu Yan.
They had heard that Zhu Yan's trip to Yingzhou had been a narrow escape from death, and after returning to the capital, she hadn't even had time to visit her family. On top of that, she had a muddle-headed father like Zhu Kuo, who was still demanding an apology from Zhu Yan before he would forgive her.
They paid no mind to that. Today, they were determined to see her.
After arriving at the Ministry of Justice and going through the necessary notifications, someone led them inside. The scent of ink filled the air as they found Zhu Yan and Lu Chuichui organizing long-neglected case files.
With the year-end approaching, sorting and archiving the year's case files would allow them to celebrate the New Year with peace of mind.
Seeing Zhu Yan had grown noticeably thinner, Jin Shi's eyes reddened first. Without hesitation, she rushed over.
"Liu Niang, my Liu Niang, your fate has been so bitter."
Zhu Yan, unable to dodge in time, had no choice but to put down her brush and return the hug while comforting her. "Mother, why have you come?"
She then nodded to Ru Shi. "Mother!"
Ru Shi nodded, also dabbing her tears with a handkerchief. She took Zhu Yan's hand, asking after her well-being, and reached out to feel her forehead, her heart aching with concern."You really have lost weight, not as plump as when you were at home."
Zhu Yan let them pinch her cheeks, her delicate brows rising high. Had she lost weight? She felt that under Shen Du's diligent care these past days, not only had she not lost weight, but she had even gained some, never missing a meal.
Zhu Manshu, carrying pastries, entered a step behind and placed them on the desk, immediately catching Lu Chuichui's attention.
She tossed aside the documents in her hand, her eyes gleaming at the sight of the pastries.
Zhu Yan freed one hand to push them toward her:
"Go ahead and eat."
Lu Chuichui nodded, unwrapping the pastries and taking one in each hand, still as carefree as ever, making everyone laugh.
Seeing Zhu Manshu also coming over for a hug, Zhu Yan finally couldn't hold back:
"Hey, if you hug me again, I'll fall apart."
Zhu Manshu sheepishly rubbed her nose. Seeing Jin Shi and Ru Shi let go, she still couldn't resist picking Zhu Yan up and spinning her around, exclaiming excitedly, "I finally get to see you! Why didn't you stay for a meal on the Winter Solstice?"
At that time, Prime Minister Zhang wanted to discuss matters privately with Zhu Yan, so the women naturally didn't dare approach the main hall. They only learned of her departure after she had left.
"Mother and Auntie prepared dumplings and steamed rice cakes for you and your husband. They reheated them several times waiting for you, but instead of seeing you arrive, they heard you had left. Mother and Auntie cried right then."
Imagining the scene, Zhu Yan apologized, "I'm sorry, it was unavoidable at the time."
"It's fine, we've all heard about it. It's not your fault—you were thinking of us," Zhu Manshu said considerately, unwrapping the pastries she had brought and casually handing one to Zhu Yan. "Eat, it's still warm."
It was steamed rice cake, made from millet flour, topped with red date paste and cane sugar, steamed until soft and sweet. Zhu Yan had loved it since childhood, especially the ones made by Ru Shi. Taking a bite, she sighed contentedly:
"Mother went to so much trouble."
Ru Shi waved her hand. "I wish I could make it for you every day. Look how thin you've gotten."
Zhu Yan smiled awkwardly, not bothering to explain. Seeing Lu Chuichui watching her, she handed her another piece before asking:
"By the way, I left in such a hurry on the Winter Solstice that I didn't get to ask—were the rewards from His Majesty delivered?"
"They were. If they hadn't been, I would've come knocking on your door the next day," Zhu Manshu replied quickly, earning a reproachful glance from Ru Shi. But she shrugged it off, paying no mind.
Zhu Yan laughed. Having not eaten home-cooked food in a long time, she indulged in a few more bites. The three of them watched her as if she were a monkey performing in a garden.
Lu Chuichui also ate contentedly, licking the crumbs from her fingers as she said, "It's delicious. Zhu Yan and I have been busy every day, especially Zhu Yan, who also has to examine corpses. We haven't had such a lavish meal in a long time."
Zhu Yan wished she could have stopped her, but it was too late.
"Really?" As expected, Jin Shi nearly burst into tears upon hearing this, blaming herself repeatedly and looking at Zhu Yan with heartache. "It's all my fault. I indulged your willfulness since you were young, never forcing you to learn needlework or music. I thought with so many children in the family, not every one had to excel. As long as you didn't go too far, you wouldn't end up unmarried."
"But now, you've gone and become a laborious female official, working as hard as any man, morning and night. The hardship is on you, but the pain is in my heart."Zhu Yan's lips twitched, but before she could say anything, Jin Shi wiped the corner of her eye. "Even marriage didn't go well. How could she end up marrying this White King of Hell? Such a miserable fate. They say the White King of Hell dotes on his wife—pah! They're just masters of putting on a show. If he treated you well, why would you look so haggard?"
Ru Shi also nodded in agreement. "That's right. The White King of Hell holds a high position and wields great power, and he's ruthless and cruel. How could he possibly take a liking to our Liu Niang?"
Zhu Yan widened her beautiful eyes and pointed at herself in disbelief. Why couldn't she be someone Shen Du would take a liking to?
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