Chарtеr 367: Тhе Bronze Sраrrow of Сhang'an Sings 21
Тhе grоuр wаlkеd through the bustling strеets, with Ru Shi and Jin Shi pointing and whispеring аt the intimаte figurеs оf thе twо ahеаd, finаllу sighing—а marriеd daughter is like sрillеd watеr, gone for gоod.
As thеy pаssеd bу Хuаnрing Wаrd, their attеntiоn was suddеnlу сaught bу a сrоwd of men аnd wоmen drеssed in Hu attirе.
Amidst laughter аnd thе сlamоr of gongs and drums, thеsе Нu pеорlе wеrе barеfоot аnd barе-chestеd, holding wооdеn basins аnd buсkеts, sрlashing water оn those around them, whо in turn laughed and sрlashed bаck.
Тhе entirе street was filled with joyous laughter as people drenched acquaintances and strangers alike.
Zhu Manshu, unfamiliar with such customs, curiously asked Lu Chuichui.
"This is called the 'Water-Splashing Festival,'" Lu Chuichui explained. "It's a Hu folk festival, usually held around the winter solstice. It symbolizes washing away the cold, strengthening the body, and defying the harsh winter."
This...
"Splashing icy water on oneself in winter—isn't that just asking for trouble?"
Zhu Manshu couldn’t wrap her head around it, and neither could Ru Shi or Jin Shi: "Nowadays, there are many Hu barbarians in Chang'an, and these strange festivals have multiplied. It’s fine to watch for fun, but don’t learn from them. It’s freezing in winter—enough to chill you to the bone."
Watching them splash water as if it were nothing, the water quickly freezing into icicles on their bodies, made one’s teeth chatter and a cold shiver run down the spine.
Just then, someone noticed them and splashed water toward Zhu Yan at the front.
"Watch out!" Shen Du lifted his cloak, deflecting the water elsewhere. The Hu people cheered at the sight, but Shen Du’s eyes were only on Zhu Yan. "Let’s go!"
Zhu Yan nodded slightly, her beautiful eyes shifting as she wanted to remind Shen Du that his wet cloak was unwearable. But behind her, Zhu Manshu and Lu Chuichui suddenly pulled Zhu Yan away from Shen Du’s side.
Amidst the splashing water and laughter, Zhu Yan looked back at him in alarm. Shen Du’s gaze never left her—a beautiful companion like a flower, fleeting years like flowing water. Shen Du couldn’t help but smile, surprising even himself with the profound peace he felt in his heart at that moment.
After arriving at the eatery, Shen Du fell silent. When the waiter came, it was the Zhu family who did all the ordering. Perhaps still smarting from their earlier frustration with Shen Du, the three visitors who had come to see Zhu Yan ordered with gusto.
Throughout the meal, Lu Chuichui, having eaten too many pastries earlier at the Ministry of Justice, kept complaining she couldn’t eat anymore, yet her chopsticks never stopped moving as if by magic.
Shen Du attentively cared for Zhu Yan’s food and drink, leaving Ru Shi and Jin Shi no room for criticism. Seeing Zhu Yan so deeply devoted and utterly captivated, they felt at a loss on how to advise their naive daughter.
After the meal, Shen Du had Jing Lin escort the Zhu family and Lu Chuichui home, while he took Zhu Yan’s hand and led her into the carriage bound for the Shen residence.
As soon as they entered the carriage, Shen Du visibly relaxed. The evening had deepened, and lanterns glowed outside. Zhu Yan watched with amusement as the stern lines of his brows softened, covering her mouth to tease him: "What? You’re not scared, are you?"
"Of course not. I am the White King of Hell," he said expressionlessly, yet his thoughts drifted to the admonitions from Ru Shi and Jin Shi earlier. Looking at Zhu Yan, a smile touched his face. "Your mother and mother-in-law both care deeply for you.""Of course," Zhu Yan said proudly. "My mother and my stepmother get along extremely well. My stepmother has a gentle and kind nature. Over all these years, our household has been peaceful, with siblings loving and caring for each other. Not a trace of the conflicts common in ordinary households can be seen. Would you say this is my father's good fortune or the good fortune of us siblings?"
Shen Du leaned over, pulling her into his embrace, and said with emotion, "It is my good fortune."
Zhu Yan was puzzled and forced herself to move slightly away to look up at him. Shen Du narrowed his eyes, leaned down, and brushed his lips against hers. Seeing her still blushing shyly, he smiled:
"Both my parents passed away early. What I envy most is a complete and harmonious family. The first time I visited your home, I fell in love with the lively and harmonious atmosphere. At that time, I thought, no wonder you chose the path of a coroner, and even dared to uphold justice in front of me despite the powerful. It turns out you grew up in a happy and fulfilling home, with a heart full of untainted righteousness. Unlike people like me, who must weigh many considerations in everything we do, treading as if on thin ice."
"You are my wife. Your parents cherish you—why wouldn’t I be happy?"
Zhu Yan blinked, wrapped her arms around his waist, buried her face deeply in his chest, sniffled, and mumbled, "They will be your parents too from now on."
A soft chuckle came from above her head, and then she was held even tighter.
Upon returning to the residence, the two did not rest immediately. Instead, they pored over the case files and books they had retrieved that day.
Some were from the Grand Secretariat’s archives, while others had been transferred from the Ministry of Justice. They worked until the moon was high in the sky, organizing and carefully reviewing all related materials. For a moment, they felt somewhat at a loss.
"Here, someone began laying the groundwork three years before the incident at the Shen residence," Shen Du pointed to a section in the case file, his expression grave. "And here, my father maintained a neutral stance, but with so many disciples, it was difficult for him to remain entirely unaffected."
"What happened afterward?" Zhu Yan took the file from Shen Du’s hands and glanced over it.
Shen Du reached out and pointed to a specific spot. Zhu Yan focused her gaze there.
Because his disciples held significant power, it attracted fatal consequences. Several of the most influential among them died or were demoted one after another. According to investigations by the Grand Secretariat, the Judicial Affairs Bureau was involved in these incidents, and behind the Judicial Affairs Bureau was Lai Luozhi.
"So, you mean the misfortunes that befell Grand Tutor Shen’s disciples back then were all part of a scheme orchestrated by Lai Luozhi?"
After so many years, Shen Du had long since learned to remain calm in the face of adversity. He replied softly, "What else could it be?"
Yet even though Shen Du had uncovered the truth, he was powerless against Lai Luozhi, which spoke volumes about the complexity of the situation.
Zhu Yan’s eyes shone with determination. "I will definitely help you uncover the truth and bring down Lai Luozhi."
Zhu Yan suggested that the next day they should conduct autopsies on the victims from the cases involving the disciples. Shen Du hesitated. After so many years, they would have long since turned into skeletons, with flesh and blood turned to dust. What could possibly be found?
"If there really are traces, even if they’ve turned to bones, there might still be some remnants left. How will we know if we don’t try?"
Seeing Zhu Yan’s insistence, Shen Du had no more doubts and agreed on the spot.
Just as they were intensively investigating the old case of the Shen residence, Lai Luozhi entered the palace to see the Empress after nightfall. Whatever they discussed, the next day, when Zhu Yan was supposed to conduct the autopsies, she was urgently summoned to the palace.
As in previous occasions, the Empress engaged her in casual conversation, asking why she had married Shen Du despite their mismatched social statuses.Zhu Yan was astonished. Shen Du's marriage had been reported to the Empress by Zhang Xingwei and sanctioned by imperial decree. Otherwise, after her third sister Zhu Caiwei fled from the wedding, how could Zhu Kuo, Ru Shi, and Jin Shi have persuaded her to take her place? Refusing to marry would have been defying the imperial decree—a capital offense.
Why did the Empress seem unaware of this matter and specifically inquire about it?
Zhu Yan answered truthfully but concealed the fact that it was originally her third sister Zhu Caiwei who had been betrothed, fearing complications.
"So that's how it was," the Empress looked down from her elevated position, gazing at Zhu Yan for a long time. "Then, does Official Zhu now devote herself entirely to Official Shen, without fear of displeasing Prime Minister Zhang?"
These were probing words. Zhu Yan broke into a cold sweat and replied, "A woman follows her husband, whether he is a chicken or a dog. Since I have married the Chief Inspector, I naturally defer to him."
"Hmph," the Empress expressed dissatisfaction, lifting her phoenix-headed shoe to step onto the dais and glancing at Zhang Baohuan. "What does being a woman matter? Should women be inferior? Should they lack their own opinions and defer to men?"
"I had thought you would share my sentiments, but alas..."
What "alas" meant, the Empress did not elaborate. She waved her hand lightly, and Zhang Baohuan, understanding the cue, rose to escort Zhu Yan out.
Zhu Yan hurried to find Shen Du to examine the corpses. Since the deceased were convicted criminals whose entire clans had been exterminated, they had not been properly buried but were haphazardly interred in a mass grave near the charity cemetery outside the city. Moreover, snow had begun to fall, and the freezing weather slowed the process. By the time Zhu Yan finished examining the bodies, dusk had fallen.
Braving the frost and snow, she had just returned to the residence when the steward informed her of a visiting guest, urging her to meet them in the main hall immediately.
Upon seeing it was Zhang Baohuan, she realized matters were indeed as she had feared.
Zhang Baohuan appeared visibly anxious from waiting. Without regard for Shen Du's presence, she relayed the key points of Lai Luozhi's meeting with the Empress and finally warned Zhu Yan, "Her Majesty may have grown wary of the Zhu family. Be extremely cautious, or you might meet the same fate as the Shen family did back then."
Indeed, her worst fears had come true.
She nodded slightly. "Thank you."
Zhang Baohuan did not linger, donning her cloak and stepping into the wind and snow.
Both of them wore grave expressions. With the old Shen family case being investigated covertly at a critical juncture, Zhu Yan decided not to mention this matter further.
Apart from meeting challenges as they came, they could take no action. Only by remaining still could they avoid giving Lai Luozhi any leverage.
Zhu Yan immediately drafted a letter to be sent to the Zhu residence, advising her father to act with discretion.
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