Сhарtеr 366: The Brоnzе Sparrоw of Chаng'аn Sings 20
Тhеrе wеre alsо two letters from the eldеst brоther Zhu Мolin аnd thе sесond brоthеr Zhu Wеn. Тhе oрening words werе similаr, eхpressing reliеf that Zhu Yan hаd returned sаfеlу frоm hеr triumрhаnt camраign, enсоurаging her tо fulfill her dutiеs fаithfully, and аdvising thаt if she did nоt wish to serve аs an officiаl, shе nеed nоt—staying with her fаmilу аnd being hарру wаs еnough.
Еvеrything sеemеd normal until thе end, whеrе Lu Сhuichui suррrеssеd a laugh: "I’ve lоng heard that the Greаt Pavilion Сommandеr is moоdу and unрredictable. If Little Six feels unhappy, just divorce that fellow and come home. Don’t be afraid—your brothers will back you up."
Zhu Yan’s heart swelled with emotion, her bright eyes misting over. It was truly wonderful to have brothers like them.
At this moment, Zhu Manshu stopped laughing and suddenly turned serious: "Little Six, you should stay away from that Shen Du. He’s inherently cruel. I heard that during this trip to Yingzhou, he even turned on his own senior brother Mo Qianzhi, who once saved his life."
"I don’t think he has a heart at all. All he cares about is reaching the highest echelons of power. Sixth Sister, come back with me today. Don’t even bother with the things left at the Shen residence."
For a moment, Zhu Yan couldn’t bring herself to smile. Hearing Mo Qianzhi mentioned stirred a sense of guilt within her.
She grabbed Jin Shi’s hand, using it to mask her unease: "No, it was me. I accidentally killed Mo Qianzhi."
Everyone was shocked. Ru Shi immediately covered Zhu Manshu’s mouth, while Jin Shi glanced back at Lu Chuichui, only relaxing when she saw her make a gesture of sealing her lips.
"It’s good that you know. Keep it buried in your hearts. Let Shen Du take the blame for this—after all, the common folk already call him the White King of Hell."
Zhu Yan wanted to say this wasn’t right, but Jin Shi’s expression was too stern, and her grip was so tight it hurt, making it impossible for Zhu Yan to speak.
For a moment, no one knew what to say. It was Zhu Manshu, ever blunt, who broke the silence and asked Zhu Yan:
"Little Six, do you really not intend to divorce the Great Pavilion Commander?"
"Of course not." Zhu Yan’s delicate brows furrowed, her expression serious and focused.
They began to understand a little. Zhu Yan had always been someone who, once she made up her mind, was difficult to sway. If it wasn’t due to coercion from Shen Du, then it must be Zhu Yan’s own willingness—or perhaps...
"Sixth Sister, don’t sacrifice your own happiness for the sake of the Zhu family. There’s always a way," Ru Shi said.
Seeing that it would be difficult to change their minds for now, Zhu Yan didn’t say much more, only doing her best to persuade them: "There were many twists and turns during this trip to Yingzhou. Shen Du also faced numerous difficulties. He has always treated me extremely well—it’s not just a passing whim."
"In my eyes, he is the most enduring and resilient person, and aside from all of you, he is the man who treats me best. I am willing to spend my life with him."
Jin Shi’s heart raced as she listened, about to say something when Ru Shi nudged her in the side. Glancing over, she caught sight of a tall, composed figure appearing at the doorway and immediately fell silent.
Shen Du’s gaze was deep and penetrating as he swept a glance around the room. He first bowed to Ru Shi and Jin Shi before turning his eyes to Zhu Yan, his expression softening instantly:
"I’ve come to retrieve the case files on the old Shen residence."
Zhu Yan almost thought she was dreaming. Her face lit up with joy as she stepped forward, saying, "The case files for the old Shen residence aren’t kept at the Ministry of Justice."
"Mm, anything related will do," Shen Du said, stepping aside before Zhu Yan could approach. Seeing her confusion, and noticing the knowing looks exchanged by Ru Shi and Jin Shi, Shen Du pointed to his cloak and smiled gently. "It’s cold outside. I was afraid you’d catch a chill."
So that was it.With her doubts resolved, Zhu Yan noticed the snow on his cloak and quickly handed him a cup of hot tea. She helped him remove his cloak and hung it on the rack by the door, then pulled him to sit down.
Shen Du allowed her to fuss over him, his eyes following Zhu Yan’s every move as if everyone else were invisible.
Jin Shi sighed inwardly as she watched Zhu Yan lose all composure upon seeing Shen Du. Yet, seeing how handsome and distinguished Shen Du was, and how differently he treated Zhu Yan, she thought that even she would find it hard to resist such a man.
A daughter’s heart is beyond a mother’s control.
Zhu Manshu touched her teeth—good, they were still there, not yet rotted away by the sweetness of these two.
At that moment, Zhu Yan pulled Lu Chuichui aside, her beautiful eyes curving into crescents. “Wait here for a moment. I’ll go look for it.”
Without waiting for Shen Du’s response, Zhu Yan and Lu Chuichui turned and headed toward the storeroom at the back, leaving Shen Du alone to face the Zhu family.
Only after Zhu Yan’s figure disappeared did Shen Du snap back to attention and turn to his two mothers-in-law and sister-in-law.
All three wore guarded expressions. After exchanging glances, they surrounded him.
Shen Du felt a slight pang of panic, recalling how Jin Shi had once stormed into his home to scold him. He immediately steeled himself.
The Great Pavilion Commander, who feared nothing in the world, was most terrified of the two mothers-in-law behind his wife.
After being nudged a few times by Jin Shi, Ru Shi, as the legal mother, cleared her throat loudly and spoke first:
“Well, Great Pavilion Commander, it’s not that I mean to be harsh, but our Zhu family only has one clever daughter, Sixth Niang, who married you. You mustn’t treat her poorly.”
Shen Du replied respectfully, “I will treasure my wife like a pearl.”
Ru Shi: …
“About that,” Zhu Manshu interjected, recalling the previous marriage decree incident, “our Little Sixth has a fiery temper and can’t stand the humiliation of sharing a husband with concubines. She often tells me that a lifetime with one person is the only way.”
Shen Du looked equally sincere. “This pavilion commander will have only Zhu Yan as his wife in this lifetime. The Shen residence will have only one mistress, and I will never take a concubine.”
Zhu Manshu: …
With both attempts failing, Jin Shi took a few steps closer. Unexpectedly, Shen Du immediately stood up and stood respectfully to the side, his posture rigid and his face tense with inexplicable nervousness.
Jin Shi suddenly remembered that her scolding during her previous visit might have frightened him. She found herself torn between laughter and tears.
“I don’t have much else to say. Sixth Niang was once kidnapped by traffickers as a child. After being rescued, her temperament changed drastically. She became obsessed with autopsies and forensic work, paying no attention to feminine virtues or needlework,” Jin Shi said, her temper fading as she faced such a Shen Du. The scolding words she had prepared died on her lips, and she could only sigh helplessly. “I’m not saying this for any other reason. Sixth Niang lacks everything a typical woman should have. If one day you grow tired of her, just send word to the Zhu residence, and we’ll bring her back. Don’t you dare drive her away yourself—we still cherish her dearly.”
Send word to the Zhu residence himself? He laughed mockingly in his heart. More likely, he’d be going there to get scolded again.
Perhaps his trip to Yingzhou had been too long, making him forget how difficult it was to deal with his mothers-in-law after marriage. Despite his eloquence and countless schemes, facing a family who genuinely cared for Zhu Yan left him speechless.
Just then, a startled cry came from the storeroom where the case files from previous years were kept.
Shen Du’s expression turned grave. Without even excusing himself, he rushed over to check.
Just in time, he saw Zhu Yan with one foot on a wooden ladder and the other dangling in the air, tiptoeing to reach for a book—only to lose her footing.
“Be careful!”Shen Du leaped up, catching Zhu Yan by the waist. Seeing her bury her face in his chest, her arms tightly wrapped around his slender waist, clearly frightened out of her wits, he swallowed back any words of reproach and sighed helplessly, asking which book she needed.
Only then did Zhu Yan hurriedly jump out of Shen Du’s embrace, still shaken, and blurt out the title.
Shen Du glanced up to locate it, flew up to retrieve it, then reached out to ruffle her hair, his eyes softening with affection. “You must never take such risks again.”
Before Zhu Yan could respond, Lu Chuichui, standing nearby, clasped her hands over her heart, looking utterly enchanted:
“Wow, the Great Pavilion Commander is just like the dashing, devoted, and martial arts–skilled hero from the operas. I must write a play about the Great Pavilion Commander.”
Shen Du’s lips curved into a smile at the praise. Zhu Yan stared for a moment, caught by Shen Du’s gaze, then blushed and turned away, shifting to serious matters:
“These are the case files from three years before and after the old Shen family incident. I’m not sure if they’re related, but I brought them all out. We’ll only know after reviewing them.”
Shen Du nodded, glanced outside, and said softly, “There’s no rush. Your family is here today—I can’t neglect them.”
Touched by Shen Du’s thoughtfulness, Zhu Yan gathered the files together. “Then let’s take them back and review them slowly.”
Shen Du was more than willing. Taking Zhu Yan’s hand, he led her out and respectfully offered to host Jin Shi and the others at his residence.
But Zhu Yan found the distance inconvenient and suggested choosing a restaurant in the market for the day, promising to formally invite the Zhu family to his residence another time.
Shen Du naturally deferred to Zhu Yan’s wishes, and the Zhu family had no objections. Lu Chuichui was happy either way, so it was settled.
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