Chaрtеr 90: Viсtоrу Banquet
"Ugh." Веfore Zhu Yаn could rерlу, Lu Сhuiсhui sрat out disdаinfully, "Who wants to learn аnу 'art оf manаging а husbаnd'? Тhe mаn I, Lu Сhuiсhui, mаrrу in the futurе will definitely bе sоmeоne who chеrishes me. А cold аnd аlооf mаn likе thе Great Раvilion Соmmаnder, I dоn't want him аt аll. What fun is therе living with sоmeоne like an iсeberg?"
Lu Chuiсhui's wоrds mаde Zhu Yаn chuckle sоftlу, аnd evеn Jiаng Lаngхing's fасe suddеnlу flushed rеd, though nо one knеw what hе wаs thinking.
"Whаt arе уоu lаughing at?" Lu Chuichui lоoked utterly cоnfused. "I'm being cоmpletеly sеriоus."
"Yes, уes, yes," Zhu Yan agreed. "Our Lady Lu has a discerning eye and is sure to find a good man as her husband. Just don't let that good man slip away from right beside you."
"What do you mean?" Lu Chuichui looked at Zhu Yan, completely baffled, not understanding her meaning at all.
"Nothing, it's nothing," Zhu Yan didn't elaborate further. Amidst the laughter and conversation, she glanced back at Shen Du.
At that moment, Shen Du was looking at her. Their eyes met, and suddenly, a myriad of emotions seemed to pass between them in that gaze.
Under the lamplight, Zhu Yan was truly beautiful. Today, she had dressed up specially, and that red beaded hairpin served as the perfect accent.
"Clouds long for her garments, flowers long for her face; the spring breeze brushes the railings, dew-laden blossoms glow."
That was probably the meaning.
Seeing Shen Du silently watching her, Zhu Yan was quite puzzled.
What was he thinking? Could he be thinking of how to tease her again?
The victory banquet ended late into the night.
Shen Du had drunk some wine, his face slightly flushed. Just as he was about to enter the room, Zhu Yan pushed him out. "Go to the study. You reek of alcohol. I'm afraid I won't be able to resist hitting you."
"Hit me?" Shen Du grabbed Zhu Yan's wrist, pulling her closer. "A wife hitting her husband goes against propriety. However, this husband is quite curious to know just how strong his wife is..."
Zhu Yan was stunned. Before she could react, Shen Du pressed his entire body against hers.
Zhu Yan lost her balance. The sudden weight sent them both tumbling to the floor.
"What are you doing?"
Zhu Yan was annoyed, but Shen Du made no sound.
It was then that Zhu Yan realized Shen Du had drunk himself into a deep, unconscious sleep.
Finally, by the next morning, Zhu Yan opened the door with severe dark circles under her eyes.
She swore that if there were any more banquets in the future, she would absolutely not take Shen Du along. How could his alcohol tolerance be so low?
But what she didn't expect was that an even more surprising matter was yet to come.
Since she had agreed to take in Qi Yeyun yesterday, early this morning, Qi Yeyun had packed up all his belongings and arrived at the Shen residence to move in.
Only then did Zhu Yan remember that at yesterday's victory banquet, after hearing some people from the Ministry of Justice and the Unrighteous Agents sing her praises, Qi Yeyun's admiration for her had reached a level that was simply indescribable—one could say it had become an obsession.
Sigh... truly helpless.
"Sister." Qi Yeyun excitedly placed his bundle on the ground. "To learn skills from you, sister, I've decided to live here. Please arrange a room for me. If it's inconvenient, even the woodshed will do. As long as I can be by your side, no amount of hardship matters."
Qi Yeyun's enthusiastic demeanor really made Zhu Yan want to laugh, but she didn't want to crush a child's hopes like that."Since you're here, you should stay. How could we let you sleep in the firewood shed? Steward, take Qi Yeyun to find a suitable room—somewhere quiet. The child is still growing and shouldn't be disturbed during rest."
"Yes." The steward responded and led Qi Yeyun away.
But as soon as the two left, a cold cough suddenly sounded from behind.
"You can barely stand on your own feet, yet you dare to let others stay here? Who gave you the right?"
Just from the tone of the speaker, Zhu Yan could guess the expression on the face behind her without even looking.
It must be a face as dark as storm clouds, glaring fiercely at her.
"After all, I am still Lady Shen. We haven't divorced yet, so why don't I even have this little bit of authority?"
Zhu Yan turned around, and Shen Du's expression was exactly as she had imagined—like a storm about to break.
"You are indeed Lady Shen, but you should weigh your own worth. Don't assume you can make decisions about everything."
After leaving these words, Shen Du turned and walked away, his steps somewhat hurried, as if to conceal the fluster in his words.
Zhu Yan pursed her lips, completely unfazed. The next moment, she suddenly remembered the case again.
Her previously bright and spirited expression instantly darkened. She was determined to uncover the truth of the case and bring peace to the deceased.
Arriving at the backyard, Shen Du felt inexplicably stifled upon seeing the servants of the Shen residence treating Qi Yeyun with such friendliness.
It was one thing for the servants to be kind to Qi Yeyun.
The child was perceptive, quick-witted, and likable—Shen Du could understand that.
But the thought of this thirteen-year-old child's eager and admiring gaze toward Zhu Yan stirred an inexplicable restlessness within him.
Zhu Yan was only sixteen this year, just three years older than Qi Yeyun.
And he himself was already...
"Brother-in-law."
Lost in thought, Shen Du was startled by Qi Yeyun's sudden address as he approached.
"You... what did you call me?"
"Elder sister said I shouldn't call her master because it makes her sound old. She told me to call her elder sister instead. Since I call her elder sister, shouldn't I call you brother-in-law?"
Looking at Qi Yeyun's innocent expression, Shen Du found himself at a loss for words.
"This..."
"Isn't that right?" Seeing Shen Du's hesitation, Qi Yeyun quickly reconsidered. "Then... should I call you Great Pavilion Commander instead?"
"..." Shen Du was speechless. The title "Great Pavilion Commander" was far less pleasing to the ear than "brother-in-law."
"If you still don't like that, then I'll call you Lord Shen," Qi Yeyun muttered to himself.
He observed Shen Du's expression while trying to anticipate his thoughts.
Shen Du's expression suddenly darkened. This child was far too clever, daring to speculate about his thoughts on his own.
"I don't like any of them," Shen Du said coldly. "The Shen residence doesn't support idle hands. Considering your young age and inability to handle heavy work, from today onward, you will train with Jing Lin. It will be beneficial for your growth."
"Huh?" Suddenly assigning Qi Yeyun to Jing Lin, the latter looked astonished.
"What? Is there a problem with you taking care of a child?" Shen Du's tone brooked no argument—it was an order.
Jing Lin quickly clasped his fists. "Understood, sir."
As for Qi Yeyun, he never expected any of this to happen."Please, brother-in-law, Great Pavilion Commander, Lord Shen, I... I don't want to go. I still need to follow my sister to investigate the case." Qi Yeyun, clever as a sprite, instantly understood Shen Du's intention and clung to the pillar behind him, refusing to let go.
Shen Du glared at Jing Lin: "Why aren't you hurrying up?"
In the blink of an eye, Jing Lin carried him away, his words drifting off in the wind.
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