Zhu Yan stood behind the crowd, her eyes slightly lowered, seemingly unaware of Shen Du’s gaze.
Ru Clan had already sent someone to serve tea. Shen Du slowly picked up his cup, his eyes still fixed on Zhu Yan.
“Ahem.” Noticing Shen Du’s unwavering gaze on Zhu Yan, Jin Clan, sitting nearby, seemed to realize something and quickly cleared her throat, hinting at Zhu Yan.
Zhu Yan snapped back to reality, only to meet Shen Du’s intense stare.
Zhu Yan looked bewildered. Had she said something wrong?
It seemed she hadn’t spoken since Shen Du arrived, so why was everyone looking at her like this?
The atmosphere grew tense.
The Zhu family members exchanged glances, all remaining silent.
It was then that Zhu Yan seemed to realize something. She stepped forward and said, “Husband, are you not busy? How did you find time to visit the Zhu family?”
Zhu Yan found this quite strange. When they first married, he was unwilling even to return for a home visit. Now he was voluntarily calling on them and showing such respect to her family members. This was indeed rare.
Hearing Zhu Yan speak, Shen Du’s expression softened slightly. “Is my wife not here? I came to see you. Is there something wrong with that?”
“Then what business does my husband have with me?” Zhu Yan pressed on.
Shen Du was momentarily at a loss for words. He had come to find Zhu Yan only because he felt his attitude towards her that morning had been poor and wanted to explain. But upon arriving and seeing everyone present, all looking worried and preoccupied, he found himself unable to speak.
After a moment’s thought, Shen Du looked away and said, “You’re part of the Ministry of Justice. Someone has reported a suspicious person that needs investigation. You need to return to the Ministry immediately to assist with the case.”
“No,” Zhu Yan refused outright, puzzling Shen Du.
Zhu Yan didn’t try to hide anything and spoke righteously, “You’ve seen my third sister return. To be honest, she didn’t come home without reason. Someone has gone missing, and that person is none other than my brother-in-law, Han Shiyuan. I need to investigate leads and search for him, so I can’t handle Ministry matters for now.”
“Zhu Yan!” Shen Du was very displeased with Zhu Yan’s explanation. He just wanted her to return with him. Was that so difficult?
“You hold an official position. How can you neglect your duties for personal matters?”
“A missing person’s case is still a case. Why are you distinguishing between public and private matters in this instance, husband?”
Shen Du’s face darkened. He hadn’t wanted to argue with Zhu Yan, but somehow things had escalated to this point.
Seeing the situation about to reach an impasse, Zhu Mojie quickly moved to Shen Du’s side. “Grand Secretary, Little Six’s temper is just a bit stubborn. Don’t take it to heart. We’re all family here. Let’s talk it out, talk it out.”
As he spoke, Zhu Mojie placed his hand on Shen Du’s shoulder, a gesture that displeased Shen Du.
Shen Du abruptly stood up, shaking off Zhu Mojie’s hand. “Speaking is one thing, but keep your hands to yourself.”
Hearing this, Zhu Mojie became upset. No matter how high Shen Du’s position was, he was still his brother-in-law. How could he be so disrespectful?
“Grand Secretary, now you’re in the wrong. We’re treating you as a family with good intentions, yet you’re being so distant?”
Shen Du couldn’t be bothered to respond and merely gave him a cold look, further angering Zhu Mojie.
Zhu Mojie’s face turned iron-grey with anger. Pointing at Shen Du, he brazenly declared, “Don’t think that just because you’re the Grand Secretary, our Zhu family will fear you. At worst, I’ll write a divorce letter for Little Six and divorce you as her husband. What joy is there in living with an iceberg? It would be better to find someone more passionate who could at least say a few warm words.”
Zhu Mojie’s words displeased Shen Du. He swept a cold gaze over Zhu Mojie, causing his face to change dramatically.
Though his words were bold, when it came down to it, Zhu Mojie felt uncertain.
Seeing Zhu Mojie’s fear, Shen Du decided not to dwell on it. He spoke, “If you continue to prattle on here, I’ll send you to the Hongwen Academy to study. Let the teachers there discipline you thoroughly, so you can learn how to speak properly.”
The scene fell into silence.
“That would be excellent,” Zhu Mojie said with delight, clapping his hands. “Hongwen Academy is the most famous school in Chang’an. They only accept noble children. If I could mingle among them, wouldn’t that highlight my noble status? What a brilliant plan, brother-in-law. When will you send me there?”
The term “brother-in-law” nearly made everyone present fall over.
Shen Du’s face turned as black as the bottom of a pot. He glared fiercely at Zhu Mojie and uttered four words, “You know nothing.”
Then he turned his gloomy gaze to Zhu Yan. “Come back with me.”
This tone wasn’t a request, but a direct order.
Zhu Yan was dumbfounded, not having time to react before Shen Du stepped forward and grabbed her wrist, leading her away in front of everyone.
Watching the two hastily depart, the Zhu family once again worried about Zhu Yan’s situation.
Jin Clan began to lament, “Oh, my poor daughter! The Grand Secretary was so angry today. Who knows what hardships she’ll face when they return home.”
Jin Clan’s words fell on the ears of Ru Clan and Zhu Caiwei, both feeling guilty about the situation but helpless to do anything.
Zhu Yan was pulled by Shen Du to the Ministry of Justice.
Upon arrival, Zhu Yan realized there was no case at all. Shen Du had simply wanted to get her away from the Zhu family.
Zhu Yan felt a strange sensation in her heart but wasn’t angry. She just shrugged and looked at Shen Du, asking, “Didn’t you say there was a case? Where is it? What case?”
Shen Du remained silent, his face extremely gloomy. “Something happened at the Zhu residence. Why didn’t you tell me?”
Shen Du’s sudden question startled Zhu Yan.
“You… didn’t you say you wouldn’t get involved? If you won’t handle it, does that mean I can’t either?”
“When did I ever say I wouldn’t get involved?” Shen Du stood up and questioned. “I only said I wouldn’t allow investigation of cases before they occurred. When did I ever say I wouldn’t handle matters concerning the Zhu family?”
Zhu Yan was at a loss for words. Thinking back carefully, Shen Du indeed had never said he wouldn’t handle Zhu’s family matters.
His earlier statement of “not allowed to go” might have had another layer of meaning that she hadn’t grasped.
“I…” Zhu Yan didn’t know how to explain. Just as she was struggling, a yamen runner hurriedly came to report.
“Grand Secretary, Magistrate Zhu, something has happened at Furong Garden.”
Seeing the runner’s anxious demeanor, it was clear that something major had occurred.
Shen Du let out a cold snort, revealing a profound expression. “Didn’t you say you wanted a case? This is the case.”
Zhu Yan pouted, looking at Shen Du disdainfully. “You have the nerve to say that. This is an existing case. You’re just taking credit for something that’s already happened.”
Shen Du looked at Zhu Yan, righteously stating, “I just like to use what’s readily available. What can you do about it?”
“…” Zhu Yan’s lips twitched. When a man decided to be thick-skinned, she had no way to deal with it.
Shen Du left first, leaving Zhu Yan standing there, unable to come to her senses for a long time.
It wasn’t until Shen Du had almost reached the entrance of the Ministry that he stopped, looked back, and called out loudly, “Aren’t you coming?”
The shout pulled Zhu Yan back to her senses, and she hurriedly followed.