Сhаpter 96: Оbstruсting thе Invеstigаtion
After muсh dеliberatiоn, Zhu Yan felt it nесеssаrу tо inquire abоut some matters from the Unrightеоus Agеnts.
Cоinсidеntаlly, nоt lоng аftеr Zhu Yаn left thе Bright Hall, shе еncоuntered Unrighteоus Agent Сommandеr Хu Хiаngrеn оn thе street.
"Sесond Вrоthеr Xu," Zhu Yаn quicklу grеeted Хu Хiangrеn, who was walking tоward her.
"What brings уоu оut for а stroll todaу? Isn't thе Мinistry оf Justiсе busу?"
Zhu Yаn shоok hеr hеad. "Тhe сase hаs beеn сlоsed, аnd thеrе's nоthing major at thе Ministry of Justice, sо I came оut for a wаlk. Bу thе waу, there are some things I'd like to ask you about. You... must not hide anything from me."
Zhu Yan spoke in a childlike tone, eliciting a light chuckle from Xu Xiangren.
"When have I ever hidden anything from you? I've always been completely open about anything you wanted to know."
"That's good to hear." With that, Zhu Yan began her inquiry. "Is there any connection between Kuang Zhanxin... and Lai Luozhi?"
At this question, Xu Xiangren's expression immediately changed.
"Isn't the case already closed? Why are you still asking about this?"
Zhu Yan scratched her head. "There are just some things I haven't figured out yet, so I was hoping Second Brother Xu could clarify them for me."
"This..." Xu Xiangren looked troubled. "I don't know much about it either. I only know the two had some interactions, but as for what they discussed or did, I have no idea."
Zhu Yan seemed disappointed. Xu Xiangren's words were essentially useless.
"Is that all? Nothing else?"
"Mhm." Xu Xiangren nodded firmly and added reassuringly, "The case is already closed. You shouldn't investigate such trivial matters anymore."
Zhu Yan lowered her head, still feeling uneasy.
"What are you two talking about?"
Suddenly, a gloomy voice sounded from beside them, startling Zhu Yan.
"Nothing, just some idle chatter." Xu Xiangren nodded toward Shen Du and continued, "I have matters to attend to, so I won't disturb the two of you."
With that, Xu Xiangren turned and left.
"Are you still investigating the murder case?" Shen Du saw through Zhu Yan's thoughts at a glance, his tone turning somewhat cold. "Didn't I warn you not to continue looking into it?"
"But I just want to know the truth." Zhu Yan looked at Shen Du with righteous determination, her resolute gaze earning his admiration.
"Is the truth that important?" Shen Du said coldly. "Even if you don't care about yourself, think of the entire Zhu family. You may not value your own life, but that doesn't mean everyone else feels the same. Stop investigating, understand?"
An overwhelming chill swept through Zhu Yan as she felt the pressure Shen Du was exerting on her.
Helplessly, Zhu Yan could only nod. "Alright, I'll listen to you."
Seeing Zhu Yan comply, Shen Du's tone softened slightly. "You've been too tired these days. If there's nothing important, get some rest. Don't you enjoy teaching Qi Yeyun about investigation methods? I haven't seen him around lately. Make time to visit him more often."
"Mhm." Zhu Yan nodded. "I'll head back now."
Shen Du watched as Zhu Yan left, but what he didn't see was the gloom that flickered in her eyes after she turned away.
She only wanted to know the truth of the case. If she couldn't reveal the truth to the world, what was the point of investigating it?Even if Shen Du tried to stop her, she would still investigate in secret, determined to uncover the truth.
After seeing Zhu Yan off, Shen Du also turned and left.
But not long after he departed, he caught sight of a familiar dark figure from the corner of a narrow alley.
Shen Du quickly followed, and the two soon arrived at an abandoned, dilapidated temple.
"Why have you come?"
The black-clad figure before him wore a wide-brimmed hat, completely obscuring his face, yet Shen Du recognized him at a glance.
"There are some matters I must tell you. Listen carefully."
A low voice spoke, and Shen Du listened intently. As he listened, his fists clenched tightly.
The Shen family case from years ago was indeed a wrongful conviction. The reappearance of the black-clad man was to urge Shen Du to clear his father's name.
Shen Du, however, considered the intricate web of court relations, knowing that investigating such an old case would be no easy task.
"I understand. I will investigate the Shen family case thoroughly."
The black-clad man said no more, gave a slight nod, and swiftly departed.
Boring days passed quickly. Another two days went by, and Zhu Yan seemed somewhat listless even at the Ministry of Justice.
Just as she thought today would again be spent idling away the time, a guard stationed at the entrance hurried in.
"Lord... Lord Zhu, His Highness the Prince of Ying and Lord Lai Luozhi have arrived."
"What?" Zhu Yan stood up in shock. Why had Princess Yong'an and Lai Luozhi come to the Ministry of Justice?
Lai Luozhi stood second only to the emperor, and His Highness the Prince of Ying was famously detached from worldly affairs.
What business could have brought them here?
With their arrival, everyone in the Ministry of Justice was on edge as they welcomed them.
All knelt like ants, yet His Highness the Prince of Ying fixed his gaze solely on Zhu Yan.
"Madam Shen, it has been a long time."
Zhu Yan shivered, quickly bowing and saying, "Your Highness attends to countless affairs of state, yet you still remember this humble official. I am overwhelmed by your favor."
"Hehe..." Lai Luozhi beside him let out a light laugh, lazy yet arrogant. "Madam Shen demonstrated her wisdom by interrogating the murderer at the Western Brightness Temple. Everyone present witnessed it; how could we forget?"
"Exactly," Princess Yong'an also nodded repeatedly, adding, "Madam Shen is sharp-minded and skilled in investigation. It is truly a pity she does not serve in the Judicial Affairs Bureau."
Hearing this, Lai Luozhi shared the same sentiment and nodded in agreement.
Princess Yong'an then turned her gaze to Gao Xuecheng, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, who stood nearby.
"Lord Gao, Madam Shen is naturally intelligent and upright in character. I wish to request her from you. Would you be willing?"
Princess Yong'an's words startled everyone present.
Especially Zhu Yan, who was utterly shocked.
For Princess Yong'an to request someone from the Ministry of Justice was certainly not merely due to admiration for Zhu Yan's talents; there must be ulterior motives.
As for what those motives were, Zhu Yan dared not dwell on it.
Gao Xuecheng also recognized Zhu Yan's predicament. Moreover, times had changed—she was now Shen Du's wife.
The Ministry of Justice and the Inner Guard Bureau had always maintained good relations, but Shen Du and Lai Luozhi had long been at odds. Now, requesting Zhu Yan from the Ministry of Justice...
Wasn't this clearly a case of the weasel paying respects to the chicken—harboring ill intentions?
Quickly weighing the pros and cons, Gao Xuecheng made up his mind. With an apologetic smile, he said, "Your Highness flatters her. Clerk Zhu is still young and lacks experience. How could she possibly enter a place like the Judicial Affairs Bureau, which is filled with talented individuals? Even if she were to go, she would need several more years of tempering. Your Highness must be joking."
Seeing Gao Xuecheng refuse, Princess Yong'an's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.However, Gao Xuecheng did not utter any disrespectful words, and his sense of propriety was well-measured, leaving her momentarily at a loss for a rebuttal.
"Moreover, the Document Secretary Zhu is now the Hall Leader's Wife. Regarding her departure or stay, His Highness the Prince of Ying should consult the Great Pavilion Commander. This humble official is also in a difficult position."
Upon mentioning Shen Du, Yong'an's expression shifted slightly. Lai Luozhi, standing nearby, sneered, "Document Secretary Zhu is under Vice Minister Gao's command. Why must we consult others? With His Highness the Prince of Ying present, what could Shen Du possibly dare to say?"
Vice Minister Gao wiped the sweat from his face and forced an awkward smile. "This humble official is truly in a dilemma. Perhaps His Highness the Prince of Ying and Vice Minister Lai could move to the side hall? I will immediately send someone to invite the Great Pavilion Commander for a discussion?"
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