Сhарtеr 66: Rоugе
On the оthеr sidе, in Shеn Du’s studу.
Jing Lin hurried in. “Great Раvilion Cоmmander, thе lаdу hаs аlrеady rеtired for the night.”
Shen Du set down thе bоok in his hаnd, a hint оf guilt fliсkеring in his еyеs. “Did shе… did shе dо аnything?”
Jing Lin shоok his head. “Nо, shе just stoоd at the doоr for a lоng time, as if lоst in thоught.”
Shеn Du сlеnсhеd his fist slightly. Hе knеw eхасtly whаt she wаs thinking аbout. Hе wаs well аware that shе couldn’t takе jоkеs, yеt he often tеаsеd her likе this.
“Grеаt Раviliоn Cоmmаnder.” Сonсern alsо surfaсеd in Jing Lin’s еyеs аs hе lоoked at Shеn Du. “We don’t have much timе left. Do yоu have аny рlаns for this сase?”
Shen Du’s gaze deepened further. Whenever the case was mentioned, countless thoughts flooded his mind.
“Send people to keep an eye on Bright Hall and the Liang family, especially the madam of Bright Hall, Rong Zhui, and Liang Jiren.”
“Yes.” Seeing that the Great Pavilion Commander had already identified targets, Jing Lin’s worry eased slightly. “What about the lady’s side…”
“I’ll handle this side. You just focus on your own tasks.”
“Yes.” Jing Lin acknowledged and withdrew.
Only then did Shen Du take out a box of rouge from his bosom. Zhu Yan spent her days exposed to the public, busy investigating the case, and he never saw her dressing up for herself.
It wasn’t until he saw her fondness for that pearl hairpin last time that he realized she wasn’t averse to adorning herself—she simply had no time.
Now that there was some tension between them, this box of rouge could come in handy.
The next morning, the two ate breakfast in silence, the atmosphere in the room icy to the extreme.
Just as Zhu Yan stood up after finishing the meal, Shen Du suddenly called out to her and placed the rouge on the table. “This is for you.”
Shen Du’s tone carried no emotion, sounding to Zhu Yan as if he were speaking to a stranger.
Zhu Yan glanced at the rouge. “Is the Great Pavilion Commander speaking to me?”
“Aside from you and me, is there anyone else in the room?” Shen Du retorted.
Zhu Yan felt a secret joy in her heart, but her expression remained cool. “Such fine rouge—it wasn’t stripped from some female corpse, was it?”
As soon as Zhu Yan said this, Shen Du’s face darkened instantly. This was something he had bought at great expense—the finest rouge in all of Chang’an.
“Take it or leave it.” Shen Du grew somewhat annoyed and stood up to leave.
“I’ll take it, of course!” Zhu Yan snatched up the rouge box and ran up to Shen Du. “Even if it was stripped from a corpse, I’d still take it. After dealing with them all day, would I be afraid of them?”
Seeing Zhu Yan’s demeanor, Shen Du’s cold expression softened slightly.
As Zhu Yan skipped away, he quickly called after her, “Where are you going?”
Zhu Yan stopped in her tracks. “We’ve already identified our targets. Of course, I’m going to have someone keep an eye on them.”
Shen Du frowned slightly. Women were always like this—saying one thing while meaning another. On one hand, she claimed to wish for his death, yet on the other, she insisted on investigating the case with him.
Upon learning that Zhu Yan needed help, Xu Xiangren immediately sent people to keep an eye on the suspects without hesitation.
But two days passed, and neither side showed any movement.
Bright Hall continued its business as usual, and the Liang residence remained as peaceful as ever.
Could it be that they were on the wrong track?
Time waited for no one. As the days slipped by, Zhu Yan felt like ants on a hot pan, growing increasingly anxious.
On the evening of the second day.
Zhu Yan appeared at the entrance of the Liang residence. She intended to personally investigate the situation."Madam Shen." The Liang family servants bowed to Zhu Yan. "Please wait here for a moment while we go inside to announce your arrival."
"No need." Zhu Yan quickly replied. "I don't have any particular business this time. I just wanted to chat with the madams. I can go in by myself."
The servants hesitated. As guards of the Liang residence, announcing visitors was part of their duty, but they couldn't afford to offend the person before them.
"What's the matter?" Seeing their hesitation, Zhu Yan spoke up. "As the Madam Shen of the Great Pavilion Commander's household, don't I even have this little privilege?"
"No, no, of course not. Please come in, Madam Shen."
Flustered, the servants hurriedly ushered Zhu Yan into the Liang residence.
Zhu Yan didn't stand on ceremony either, striding in confidently. She had a purpose for this visit, but couldn't let anyone discover it.
Deliberately avoiding the routes taken by maids and servants, Zhu Yan wandered around the Liang residence for quite some time, yet still found no clues.
Seeing two maids approaching from a distance, Zhu Yan pretended to be lost and went forward to ask, "I came to visit the madams, but I've lost my way and don't know where to go."
The two maids curtsied to Zhu Yan. "The madams are currently entertaining a guest in the guest room. Please follow us, Madam Shen."
"Oh... a guest?" Zhu Yan was surprised. "I wonder if I know this guest. If not, perhaps it would be better not to disturb."
Despite saying this, her steps had already followed the two maids.
"Madam Shen certainly knows her. The guest is Madam Tang. So you see, she's actually an old acquaintance of yours."
The maid answered Zhu Yan's question, while Zhu Yan's mind began to race.
Madam Tang is here too?
Madam Tang's visits to the Liang residence had become rather frequent lately. Could it be that she was also here for the case?
Before she could ponder further, the group soon arrived on a small path not far from the guest room.
As they were about to reach the guest room, Zhu Yan quickly asked, "By the way, has everything been peaceful in your Liang residence recently? Are the master and madams still getting along harmoniously?"
The two maids nodded slightly. One of them said, "Thank you for your concern, Madam Shen. Everything is well in the Liang residence, and the master and madams are on good terms."
Zhu Yan pursed her lips. It seemed the Liang residence had become more vigilant recently. Getting any information from the servants would probably be difficult.
Upon entering the guest room, the two Liang family madams quickly rose to greet her. "Madam Shen, what brings you here? Why didn't anyone announce your arrival? What are those servants doing?"
"It's not their fault." Zhu Yan hurriedly explained. "I told them not to announce me. I thought since I've visited the Liang residence many times, I could find you myself. But unexpectedly, I still got lost. I feel quite embarrassed saying this."
"Hehe..." Madam Zheng covered her mouth with a light laugh. "Madam Shen, you're such a frequent visitor to our home and still got lost. Next time you come, just have someone announce you and let a maid bring you in. That way you won't have to take unnecessary detours."
"Certainly. Next time I visit, I'll definitely have a maid guide me." Zhu Yan responded politely.
She glanced at Madam Tang sitting nearby and gave a slight nod.
Madam Tang didn't say anything, merely nodding in return before everyone took their seats.
Madam Liu took a small sip of tea and looked directly at Zhu Yan. "May I ask what brings Madam Shen to visit us this time?"Madam Liu's complexion was somewhat pale, and there was still a hint of illness in her voice, though she looked much better than before.
"It's nothing serious," Zhu Yan quickly replied. "I just wanted to ask you about the two young masters of the Liang family."
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