Сhаpter 97: Rеjесting Lаi Luоzhi
Gao Xuесheng was сlearlу distаnсing himsеlf frоm thе matter. Lаi Luozhi rolled his eyes аnd wаs abоut to sау sоmеthing when Zhu Yаn, stаnding nеаrbу, bowеd and said:
"Your Нighnеss the Рrince of Ying is wisе. This humble оfficial is оf limitеd tаlеnt аnd lеаrning, and being а wоman, I trulу саnnot сontributе muсh in the Judiciаl Аffairs Вureau. I havе heard that thе first tаsk uрon еntering the bureаu is tо сarrу lаrgе urns. Givеn mу smаll staturе, I fеar I wоuld be оf little helр to Аssistаnt Мinister Lаi."
Lаi Luоzhi’s еyes graduаlly darkened, but as Yоng’an had not sрoken, hе restrаinеd himself. Sоme nearby with weaker composure covered their mouths to stifle laughter. Lai Luozhi swept his gaze around, and silence fell instantly.
Zhu Yan continued, "My husband, you see, dislikes it the most when I investigate cases. As a married woman, I must obey my husband. We have been married for a long time, yet I have not borne any children. A few days ago, my husband grew angry and confined me to the house, insisting I resign from my position at the Ministry of Justice and return home to bear children. He pestered me day and night for several days. Only after I argued my case and managed to keep my job as a clerk, promising not to delay continuing the family line for the Great Pavilion Commander, did he agree. The Judicial Affairs Bureau handles countless matters daily. Even if I wished to serve there, I fear my husband would not allow it."
The crowd listened wide-eyed as Zhu Yan spoke nonsense and flaunted her marital affection, yet every word was reasonable, leaving them unable to refute her.
They could only let the matter drop.
"If that is the case, then let it be," said Princess Yong’an, a trace of disdain flashing in her eyes as she glanced contemptuously at Gao Xuecheng.
Zhu Yan’s tightly wound heart finally relaxed slightly, but when she lifted her gaze, she suddenly met Lai Luozhi’s eyes fixed on her.
Her heart fluttered with panic. That gaze… was not only sinister and violent but also devoid of goodwill, enough to unsettle Zhu Yan for days.
After finally seeing off the crowd, everyone at the Ministry of Justice breathed a sigh of relief.
Zhu Yan expressed her gratitude to Gao Xuecheng, while Lu Chuichui, standing nearby, had also been sweating for Zhu Yan.
"Liu Niang, the nail that sticks out gets hammered down. It seems you’ll need to keep a lower profile from now on."
Zhu Yan was also uneasy. "Had I known this matter would land me in such a situation, I truly shouldn’t have meddled."
Zhu Yan felt some regret. If she had let Shen Du take the spotlight during the interrogation of Madam Tang at the Western Brightness Temple that day, today’s events would never have happened.
"Alright, alright. Since nothing has happened now, let’s go have a cup of tea to calm our nerves."
As Lu Chuichui spoke, she dragged Zhu Yan away from the Ministry of Justice without waiting for her to refuse.
However, as soon as the two had settled in a teahouse, a bailiff from the Ministry of Justice hurried over. "Your Honors, officials from the Dali Temple just reported that Lord Lai has taken Madam Tang from them."
"What?" Zhu Yan was startled and looked at Lu Chuichui with confusion.
Lu Chuichui was equally baffled. If Zhu Yan couldn’t figure it out, how could she?
Given the situation, Zhu Yan grew increasingly uneasy.
Returning to the Shen residence, Shen Du noticed Zhu Yan’s troubled expression and asked, puzzled, "You look so pale. Have you encountered another major case?"
Zhu Yan shook her head and sat down on the side. "It’s not a case, but I’ve encountered some strange things that I can’t make sense of."
"Tell me about it," Shen Du said calmly, picking up a cup of tea and taking a light sip.
"Lai Luozhi took Madam Tang from the Dali Temple. What do you think he intends by doing this?"
Shen Du chuckled softly and set down his tea. "He never keeps useless people, and Madam Tang has already gone mad. There’s no need to concern yourself with it any further.""But it's still a human life. Can we really just stand by and do nothing?" Zhu Yan was somewhat worried.
"When she killed, she didn't think twice. Now it's just karma coming back around. Do you actually feel sorry for her?"
"I..."
Zhu Yan was speechless. Shen Du's words were harsh, but there was truth in them.
Night fell again, and Zhu Yan lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
Lai Luozhi's eyes kept flashing in her mind—cold, sharp, and terrifying.
What was going on? Why did she feel so uneasy? Zhu Yan couldn't understand it either.
Early the next morning, Zhu Yan arrived at the Ministry of Justice.
But what awaited her today was a reward from the Empress.
Faced with the unexpected favor, Zhu Yan felt more confusion than gratitude, and an overwhelming sense of dread began to grow.
"What is this all about?"
Zhu Yan looked at Lu Chuichui beside her.
Lu Chuichui quickly shook her head, indicating she had no idea.
Just then, a clerk handed Zhu Yan a letter. "This was delivered early this morning by the Prime Minister. He said these are all rewards from the Empress. Lord Zhu hadn't arrived at the Ministry yet, so the Prime Minister left these behind and instructed me to deliver them personally to Lord Zhu."
Zhu Yan hurriedly opened the letter. After reading its contents, her heart tightened once more.
It turned out that all of this was Lai Luozhi's doing: when reporting on the case of the Buddha swallowing sins to the Empress, Lai Luozhi had lavished praise on Zhu Yan for her assistance in the investigation. The Empress, who already favored women in positions of power, was pleased with Lai Luozhi's report and, following his suggestion, bestowed gold ornaments upon Zhu Yan and promoted her to the position of Chief Clerk of the Ministry of Justice.
Upon learning the truth, Zhu Yan slumped into her chair.
She understood the saying "the nail that sticks out gets hammered down" better than anyone. But now, even if she didn't want to be that nail, it was too late.
Lai Luozhi had pushed her into the spotlight. As a result, her already uneasy situation had drawn even more attention.
Zhu Yan couldn't understand why Lai Luozhi had done this. Was he simply trying to win her over?
Promotion and rewards brought Zhu Yan no joy at all.
Others in the Ministry, unaware of the circumstances, showered her with praise.
Even Lu Chuichui, without giving it much thought, congratulated her. "Congratulations, Liu Niang! You've been promoted so soon after taking office. Your future is boundless."
Zhu Yan shot her a cold glance. "You heartless fool. Even if others don't understand, shouldn't you? This isn't good news for me. It might even shorten my life."
Hearing this, Lu Chuichui looked utterly confused.
"How could it shorten your life? The higher your rank, the more people will fear you. You should be happy."
"Heh..." Zhu Yan's laugh was uglier than a cry. "With a head like yours, you'll never figure it out. I just hope that after I'm buried, you'll burn some paper money at my grave. Consider it a small comfort, and a testament to our sisterhood."
Zhu Yan's words grew increasingly sorrowful, leaving Lu Chuichui even more bewildered and even angry.
"The more you talk, the less I understand. Explain it to me clearly. What exactly is going on?"
Seeing Lu Chuichui's insistence, Zhu Yan sighed in resignation.
She laid out the pros and cons for Lu Chuichui, who finally understood.
"So... you're in great danger?"Zhu Yan nodded with utter despair. "I'm afraid I've climbed too high to come down now. Unless I lose my life, otherwise..."
"What's the big deal?" Before Zhu Yan could finish, Lu Chuichui suddenly interrupted, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Don't forget, you not only have this official position now, but also another identity."
"Huh?" Zhu Yan was startled, completely failing to grasp Lu Chuichui's meaning.
"You're still the wife of the Grand Cabinet Chief," Lu Chuichui teased. "Lord Shen isn't someone to be trifled with. As long as you curry favor with him, no one would dare lay a hand on you."
"..." Zhu Yan was left utterly speechless.
But though Lu Chuichui's words were blunt, they held truth.
Shen Du's title of White King of Hell wasn't earned for nothing. As long as she maintained good relations with Shen Du, even if Lai Luozhi wanted to harm her, he'd have to get past Shen Du first.
Just as she began to feel hopeful, she suddenly remembered that the time Shen Du had given her was running short, and her head drooped once more.
Like a defeated rooster, she sighed, "Forget it. Relying on him is worse than relying on myself. I just hope I can stay safe in the few days I have left."
Seeing Zhu Yan so despondent and negative, Lu Chuichui didn't know how to console her.
Leaving the Ministry of Justice, on the way back to the Shen residence, just as Zhu Yan had anticipated, people kept congratulating her along the way.
Zhu Yan merely responded with a simple smile, saying little else, because she knew that those among the common folk who offered their congratulations were unaware of the dangers lurking in the court.
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