Сhарter 91: The Grеаt Paviliоn Commаndеr's Jеаlоusу
That night, Zhu Yаn learned about what hаd hаpрenеd during thе dау.
In the rооm, thе fliсkеring cаndlelight cast shаdоws on thе two of them. Zhu Yаn lookеd at Shen Du with disdаin in hеr еуеs. "Не's just a little сhild. Тhrowing him tо Jing Lin fоr trаining—isn't that likе sending him tо his dеath?"
"What dо уou knоw? Children must be trаined from a уоung аge. Вesides, he's а bоу. If he dоеsn't dеvеlор his own аbilitiеs, how will hе prоtect thоse аrоund him in thе future?"
Тhоugh Shеn Du sрoke with righteоus conviction, to Zhu Yаn, it still felt inapрropriаte. Shе сouldn't shаke the feeling that there was something off about his words.
"Are you jealous of Qi Yeyun?" Zhu Yan furrowed her willow-like brows as she looked at Shen Du. "He's just a child. Why are you competing with him?"
"Who's jealous of him?" Shen Du seemed somewhat flustered, clenching his fists to suppress the turmoil within. He replied calmly, "I just want to nurture him early. Don't worry, even if he hates me now, he'll be grateful to me in the future."
"That's..." Zhu Yan pursed her lips. "If he doesn't thank you for sparing his life, he should at least thank you for taking him in."
Shen Du moved his lips as if he wanted to say something but swallowed his words back.
Training under Jing Lin was indeed grueling. Even the brothers from the Inner Guard Bureau felt as though their bones were falling apart after a day of training.
Let alone Qi Yeyun, a thirteen-year-old child.
Despite this, Qi Yeyun still frequently visited the Shen residence, afraid of missing any opportunity to work on cases with Zhu Yan.
Seeing Qi Yeyun so earnest, Zhu Yan felt gratified. Taking him on as a disciple might not be a bad idea.
Having made up her mind, Zhu Yan took every opportunity to sit with Qi Yeyun and share some investigative techniques.
Qi Yeyun listened attentively, and as a result, he ended up taking up even more of Zhu Yan's time.
With a "bang," Shen Du punched a pillar.
He hadn't even noticed the fire in his eyes. Jing Lin, standing nearby, didn't dare speak, merely bowing his head in silence.
Under a pavilion not far away, Zhu Yan was once again explaining her so-called investigative techniques to Qi Yeyun.
The two chatted and laughed, but to Shen Du, this scene was nothing but irritating.
"Didn't I tell you to train him? Why does he still have time to come to the residence every day?"
Shen Du blamed Jing Lin for this. Jing Lin was momentarily stunned before hurriedly explaining, "Reporting to the Great Pavilion Commander, I have followed your instructions and arranged for him to train alongside the brothers from the Inner Guard Bureau. All the training is the same. But for some reason, this child has extraordinary stamina. After a full day, even adults are exhausted, yet he still has the energy to come looking for Madam."
"A little child—could he have become a spirit?" Shen Du muttered to himself, his angry gaze fixed on the two of them.
"Really?" Zhu Yan exclaimed as if she had discovered something, standing up in surprise. "How did I not think of that?"
"Sister is so clever—how could you not have thought of this?" Qi Yeyun also stood up. "Why don't I accompany you to check it out?"
"Alright." Zhu Yan immediately agreed, then hurriedly disappeared from Shen Du's sight with Qi Yeyun.
"Where are they going?" Shen Du quickly asked, but Jing Lin behind him had no idea either.
"What are you standing around for? Send someone to follow them."
Shen Du's order nearly scared the soul out of Jing Lin.
"Yes, I will go at once."After walking a long distance, Jing Lin finally let out a long sigh.
The Great Pavilion Commander had been acting strangely lately, seemingly paying extra attention to matters concerning the lady.
It was truly baffling...
Following Qi Yeyun’s suggestion, Zhu Yan and he did not enter through the main gate of the Liang residence but instead slipped in quietly through the back courtyard wall. They stole two sets of servant clothing, disguised themselves as servants, and cautiously made their way to Liang Chenzhong’s room.
Entering Liang Chenzhong’s room again, it was still covered in dust, clearly still untouched by cleaning.
No matter what, he was Liang Jiren’s own son. Even if there were unresolved grievances, after so much time had passed, it was time to let go.
The two carefully searched for clues in Liang Chenzhong’s room. Since Liang Jiren had ordered that no one was to enter this room, this condition proved to be a great advantage for them at the moment.
“Look at this.” Qi Yeyun seemed to have discovered something and quickly called Zhu Yan over.
Zhu Yan moved to his side and saw him holding a piece of paper with handwriting on it. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a prescription.
“Why would there be a prescription here?” Zhu Yan wondered aloud. “Could it be that he was already unwell before the incident?”
“We can’t be sure yet what illness this prescription is for. We should take it to a physician for examination.”
“Mm.” Zhu Yan nodded, affectionately ruffling Qi Yeyun’s little head.
This child was truly clever. With his help, even investigating the case felt twice as efficient.
As night fell, Zhu Yan took Qi Yeyun to a pharmacy.
From the pharmacy owner, they learned that the ingredients in the prescription were used to treat a type of chronic poison...
The case had taken a new turn, and Zhu Yan felt a surge of joy, but she did not share this with Shen Du.
Shen Du’s warning remained firmly etched in her mind.
Everyone loved the adorable child, and soon Qi Yeyun had won over both the Ministry of Justice and the Unrighteous Agents.
He became everyone’s favorite, and even the people at the Zhu residence grew fond of him.
Except for one person...
Watching Zhu Yan discuss the case with Qi Yeyun again, Shen Du’s expression darkened.
Was this woman treating him as if he were invisible?
Ever since this child had entered the residence, Zhu Yan had not spoken a single unnecessary word to him.
He knew Zhu Yan was preoccupied with the case, but she should have consulted him instead. What could she possibly discuss with a child?
Gripping a tall bamboo stalk beside him, Shen Du nearly snapped it in half.
Qi Yeyun seemed to hear something and turned his gaze toward Shen Du. “Ah, Brother-in-law is here. Come join us.”
The address “Brother-in-law” caught Shen Du off guard, and he found himself walking toward them almost involuntarily.
“This is the pink plum blossom Sister has been cultivating. Brother-in-law, do you think it will bloom?”
“Plum blossoms come in shades of crimson, pink, white, and pale green. What do you mean by ‘pink’?” Shen Du replied coldly.
Zhu Yan pursed her lips. “Why bother talking to him? He’s just a blockhead. How would he know anything about flowers?”
“Don’t say that, Sister. Brother-in-law has a good heart. Maybe he can even help with something.”
Qi Yeyun tried to smooth things over, but Zhu Yan still shot Shen Du a dissatisfied look. “We hardly ever see you around. What brings you here today?”"Jing Lin went out hunting and brought back some wild rabbits. He originally wanted to invite you over to taste the game, but it seems you won’t have the chance to enjoy it now."
"Ah?" Qi Yeyun nearly drooled, "How could we not have the chance? My sister and I aren’t busy at all, right, sister?"
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