“Why are we going there?” Zhu Yan wondered internally, but obediently followed Shen Du. At his signal, she mounted the horse without hesitation.
As Shen Du sat behind her, Zhu Yan realized her action had been too familiar. Feeling awkward, she tried to move forward slightly, but Shen Du encircled her with the reins.
“I didn’t expect Madam to be so accommodating after just one shared ride,” he remarked.
Due to the case at Ximing Temple, curious onlookers had gathered. Zhu Yan understood Shen Du was deliberately acting conspicuously to dispel rumors. Though she wanted to object, she restrained herself, only trying to cover her face out of embarrassment.
Past the market, the horse suddenly accelerated. Zhu Yan, who had been covering her face, lurched forward and grabbed Shen Du’s arm, eliciting a chuckle from him.
“You!” Zhu Yan turned to reprimand him, but another sudden stop threw her into his embrace. Her forehead hit his golden armor, leaving a bruise. Dizzy, she leaned against him.
“What about me? Madam didn’t finish her sentence,” Shen Du’s voice came from above.
Zhu Yan touched her forehead, feeling a large bump. Seeing the mockery in Shen Du’s eyes, her expression cooled.
“Da Ge Ling, you’re wary of me because of Minister Zhang. But have I ever harmed you? If not for our youthful affection, I might not have agreed to marry. I’ve cooperated with your efforts to control rumors and overlooked your humiliation at the sedan. We have no grudges. I don’t expect a harmonious marriage, but please cease these pointless actions. Let’s not interfere with each other.”
Her almond-shaped eyes filled with anger, her features indignant as she firmly criticized his previous behavior.
Shen Du lowered his gaze, contemplating before speaking: “You’re now officially Madam Shen. You should know that once in the game, there’s no way out unscathed.”
A fleeting look of helplessness in the man’s eyes was like a crack in ice, startlingly visible against the white. Zhu Yan wondered if she had imagined seeing such emotion in the bloodthirsty White Yama.
The memory of that slender youth in white robes reading scrolls by a vermilion pillar seemed to exist only in fleeting memories now.
Zhu Yan lowered her eyes, dismounted, and asked softly with her back to Shen Du.
“Shen Du, do people change?”
The wind whipped clouds across the sky, feeling dry on her face. Unsure if it was sand in her eyes, Zhu Yan suddenly felt a tightness in her nose. Without waiting for Shen Du’s answer, she walked ahead. “It’s not fair to the Ministry of Justice. I’ll walk.”
As the slender figure in cyan robes faded from view, her thin back ramrod straight, Shen Du suddenly realized that apart from her wedding day, Zhu Yan had never worn the bright pinks and yellows favored by most women.
Shen Du pressed his lips together, his narrow eyes regaining their usual coldness. He rode past her.
Minister Wu Taiming was still investigating at Ximing Temple, leaving only a Vice Minister on duty. When he heard that name from the doorkeeper, Gao Chengxue jumped from his chair in fright.
“Da… Da Ge Ling Shen?”
This White Yama usually ignored the Six Ministries, even the Court of Judicial Review. If he hadn’t recently married the Sixth Miss Zhu, Gao would have suspected he’d come to execute someone.
As Shen Du entered the hall, Gao descended from the dais. Noticing the sword with green agate and emerald decorations at Shen Du’s waist, his legs began to tremble, though his face maintained a fawning expression.
“Da Ge Ling, what brings such an esteemed person to our humble Ministry of Justice today?”
Shen Du fiddled with his ring, not even looking up as he spoke with winter’s chill, “Am I not allowed here?”
Gao nearly collapsed in fear, hastily waving his hands, “No, no, Da Ge Ling, how could I dare think such a thing?”
Shen Du, tired of his flattery, stated his purpose directly: “I’m here for someone.”
As he finished speaking, Zhu Yan entered the hall. Ignoring Shen Du, she went straight to Gao and bowed: “Vice Minister.”
Gao stepped back in surprise, gesturing behind his back for her to pay respects to Shen Du. Realizing Shen Du hadn’t mentioned they’d arrived together, Zhu Yan stepped forward and properly bowed to Shen Du: “Da Ge Ling.”
Gao relaxed internally. He’d heard their relationship was strained and had feared Zhu Yan might confront Shen Du in front of him, potentially losing his position if Shen Du took offense.
Fortunately, Zhu Yan seemed sensible.
“Since Da Ge Ling is here for someone, just tell me who, and I’ll have them brought immediately.”
Here for someone? Pouring herself tea, Zhu Yan frowned at Shen Du, a bad feeling growing. Sure enough, the next moment she saw Shen Du’s lips curl slightly, seemingly answering Gao but staring intently at her.
“No need to search. She’s right here.”
Zhu Yan, who had been drinking tea, choked suddenly. Her face reddened as she looked at Shen Du, whose narrow eyes held a mocking light. Zhu Yan lowered her head.
Shen Du, clearly displeased by Zhu Yan’s reaction, paused his fidgeting and looked directly at Gao.
Gao, finally understanding, thought they’d come to show off their marital bliss. He was about to compliment their affection when Zhu Yan spoke: “Da Ge Ling, the Imperial Guard is full of talent. Since when does the Da Ge Ling need to humble himself by coming to the Ministry of Justice?”
The words Gao had been about to say caught in his throat. He glanced at Shen Du and quickly admonished, “Clerk Zhu! What are you saying? If Da Ge Ling needs someone, of course, it’s for good reason.”
Zhu Yan sighed inwardly. Shen Du wasn’t here for a person, but likely for her life.
“Sir, I’ve been assigned by Minister Wu to assist with the case. Moreover, I’m new and unfamiliar with procedures. These case files on the desk are yet to be recorded, and I’m stretched thin. I hope you’ll assign someone else capable to assist the Imperial Guard.”
The Ministry had just hired two new female clerks. All the backlogged cases had been dumped on her and Lu Chuichui. They’d been working non-stop, even on rest days, yet the pile remained mountainous.
Gao could see Zhu Yan’s reluctance, though he didn’t know why. “What are you saying, Clerk Zhu? Those case files can be left to Clerk Lu. It’s not urgent. You should go with the Da Ge Ling now.”