Zhu Yan was greatly startled. Although she was a concubine’s daughter, the Zhu residence was well-off and free of inner court squabbles. From the main wife to the concubines, from brothers to sisters, everyone got along harmoniously, especially her third sister Zhu Yuan, with whom she had the best relationship.
Upon hearing this news, Zhu Yan lost her previous composure. She picked up her box and headed out, borrowing Nan Zhen’s strength to mount her horse.
As she was about to leave, Zhu Yan added, “Actually, Cheng Xian knew Wang Ruan’er wasn’t pregnant. She Huhu was jealous of Wang Ruan’er and mutilated her corpse, stabbing Wang Ruan’er’s womb several times with a palm-length silver needle. He confessed today only because he couldn’t hold out anymore, using my words as an excuse to betray his accomplice, She Huhu. I was merely the last ant to dig the river bank, not extorting a false confession. Chief Constable, please don’t misunderstand.”
With a faint smile, Zhu Yan rode away.
When she arrived at the Zhu residence, the wedding sedan chairs and bearers formed a long line outside, but the suona had stopped playing, the gongs and drums had fallen silent, and there was no sign of the bride.
As she prepared to enter, the old steward and the wedding attendant hurriedly welcomed her and rushed her into the main hall.
Her mother, Jin Shi, was arguing with her stepmother, Ru Shi, and her father, Zhu Kuo. Seeing her, Jin Shi lamented, “Third Miss has eloped, unwilling to marry Shen Du. How could I possibly want the Sixth Miss to marry Shen Du? Let’s not even mention Shen Du’s reputation as the White King of Hell alongside Lai Luozhi. Our Sixth Miss is only eighteen this year, young and not particularly bright. She’s not good-looking and has no talents other than looking at dead people and criminals. She surely won’t be to Shen Du’s liking. Once married, she’s bound to be miserable!”
The supposedly not bright, not good-looking, and talentless Zhu Yan: “…”
After a moment of silence, Zhu Yan understood: “Father wants me to marry in place of Third Sister, but why not Fourth Sister?”
Before Zhu Kuo could explain, Jin Shi pulled her close and whispered, “You know your Fourth Sister, she’s silly and unattractive, can’t even read a single character. If she marries over, she’ll surely perish.”
Zhu Yan: “… According to what you’re saying, aren’t I the same as Fourth Sister?”
Jin Shi looked at Zhu Yan’s small face with its distant mountain eyebrows, affectionate eyes, and soft red lips, and whispered, “I’m just saying it badly…”
Zhu Yan was speechless. Then she heard two thuds as her stepmother and father knelt on the ground: “Yan’er, this marriage wasn’t Father’s decision. Grand Counselor Zhang Xingwei specifically requested this marriage. If it’s broken off, Father would lose his position, but he’d rather that than have you girls marry. However, Zhang Xingwei and Shen Du are powerful people. This marriage, if left to you and the Third Sister, would surely result in a peaceful divorce. But Third Sister—”
Jin Shi also wrung her hands: “When a real crisis comes, we realize that all the studious daughters in the family have become blockheads, while you and Third Sister, who never studied properly, can handle things. What nonsense.”
The two on the ground also cried: “Sixth Miss…”
Zhu Yan, annoyed by the commotion, waved her hand: “Bring the wedding clothes.”
The room fell silent for a moment, and then Jin Shi exclaimed, “You’re going to marry Shen Du?! Zhu Yan, that Shen Du, that Shen Du…”
Jin Shi, tough on the outside but soft on the inside, began to cry: “You’re Mother’s only daughter!”
Zhu Yan hugged her, patting her back.
Shen Du was the Grand Prefect of the Imperial Guard under the Empress, in charge of investigation, surveillance, and assassination. He was known in Chang’an as the White King of Hell.
At the mention of his name, clouds scattered in broad daylight, and children stopped crying at night.
Zhu Yan understood why Jin Shi was worried.
The marriage between the Zhu family and Shen Du was arranged by her father’s superior, Zhang Xingwei. Zhang Xingwei was upright and had long been at odds with Shen Du. This marriage was likely Zhang Xingwei’s attempt to have the Zhu family monitor Shen Du’s every move.
And Shen Du was aware of Zhang Xingwei’s intentions.
So this marriage was like sending a rabbit into a tiger’s den.
The Zhu family didn’t have many clever rabbits.