Shen Du looked down, his eyes now accustomed to the darkness. He could make out Zhu Yan’s hazy outline – she wore only a robe, lying against his chest. Her waist, as slender as a bottleneck, was within reach of his large hands. A faint fragrance emanated from her body, an utterly bewitching sensation…
Shen Du’s throat tightened, and he felt a rush of heat. After what seemed like an eternity, he regained his senses and cleared his throat, helping the woman in his arms to her feet. “What’s the matter? Haven’t taken enough advantage yet?”
Zhu Yan pouted, “It’s not clear who’s taking advantage of whom. Don’t be so blunt, as if you’re the one who’s suffered a loss.”
Hearing Zhu Yan’s complaint, Shen Du wasn’t annoyed. He continued, “It’s pitch black in here. You should have lit a lamp when you entered to check if anyone was present. You’re lucky it was me. If it had been someone else, they might have taken your life before you could even see who it was.”
Zhu Yan rolled her eyes, completely disregarding his words. She muttered to herself, “After examining shriveled corpses all day, it’s quite different to feel something fresh.”
Shen Du’s eyes darkened. This woman spoke so carelessly. What did she mean by that? Was she wishing for his death?
Zhu Yan hurriedly adjusted her clothes and continued drying her hair. She glanced back at the shadowy figure in the darkness and said, “Don’t just stand there. Go light the candles.”
“…” Shen Du was speechless. Was this woman telling him what to do?
First cursing him to die, and now ordering him around. How could he tolerate such an unruly woman?
Without a word, Shen Du stepped forward and grasped Zhu Yan’s chin, tilting her face upward. Before Zhu Yan could react, the blurry outline in the darkness leaned in.
His cool lips pressed firmly against her skin. Zhu Yan’s mind reeled as if struck by lightning, leaving her at a loss.
The moment seemed to stretch on endlessly. When Zhu Yan finally came to her senses, Shen Du showed no sign of releasing her.
Zhu Yan was thoroughly enraged. She struggled with all her might to push him away, glaring at the familiar silhouette.
“Have you gone mad? What are you doing kissing me? Don’t you know only people who are in love should do such things? If you can’t control yourself, go find Yunque. Isn’t she the one you kept in the mansion? Why not make her your concubine so she can serve you whenever you want!”
Zhu Yan’s angry words came in rapid succession. Shen Du knew these were words spoken in anger, but he still felt displeased. She could say anything, even call him a scoundrel or shameless, but suggesting he go to another woman made him furious.
Realizing his mistake, Shen Du didn’t say much. They were both angry and if they continued, things would only get worse.
After a while, when Zhu Yan’s breathing had finally steadied, Shen Du spoke again, “Princess Runing has met privately with Crown Prince Li Zhong. What do you think about this?”
Zhu Yan was startled, her expression surprised. “That nominal Crown Prince?”
Shen Du nodded, “Yes, him.”
Zhu Yan was very surprised. It was well known that although Li Zhong was the Crown Prince, the Li clan had long been suppressed by the Zhou clan. With the Empress’s unpredictable nature, Li Zhong had no guarantee of inheriting the throne.
Even though he was now the Crown Prince, it was merely a title. He was seen as a target in the power struggle.
Why would the Princess meet with him? Could they be planning some secret scheme?
Zhu Yan lowered her eyes, pondering for a moment. The earlier unpleasantness had completely vanished as she immersed herself in the case.
Shen Du also remained silent, considering the pros and cons while asking for Zhu Yan’s opinion.
“Does the Empress know about this?” Zhu Yan suddenly turned and asked.
Shen Du said nothing, hesitating for a moment before nodding.
Zhu Yan was even more surprised, “That’s strange. If the Empress knows, why would she let them both off the hook?”
Shen Du sighed, saying, “On one side is her son, and on the other is the late Emperor’s sister. Tell me, which one should she kill?”
Zhu Yan drew in a sharp breath. She hadn’t considered this perspective. Perhaps this was also the Empress’s dilemma.
It was common knowledge that the Zhou clan had not treated the Empress well before her ascension to the throne.
The Empress’s decision to observe silently likely had her considerations, making her intentions difficult to guess.
Zhu Yan let out a small sigh. This was an internal struggle within the royal family and had nothing to do with her.
She decided it was best to focus on her duties, solve the case quickly, and bring justice to the deceased.
Having come to this conclusion, Zhu Yan sat down again, resting her chin on her hands, silent.
The flickering candlelight illuminated her face. Her cheeks were slightly puffed out, and her large eyes blinked occasionally, giving her a somewhat adorable appearance.
“Why have you gone quiet?” Shen Du asked. They had been talking just fine, and suddenly she was like this. Something unusual must be happening.
This woman must be plotting something in her mind.
“What is there to say?” Zhu Yan blinked, feigning confusion. “This is an internal matter of the royal family. It has nothing to do with me. What right do I have to comment on it?”
Zhu Yan’s words left Shen Du unable to refute. She wasn’t wrong, but wasn’t it a bit late to distance herself from the matter now?
“You have a point,” Shen Du said calmly, surprising Zhu Yan.
Usually, he would argue with her, but today he seemed to be unusually agreeable.
Zhu Yan didn’t think too much about it. She glanced at Shen Du, feeling tired after a long day and their lengthy conversation.
“Alright, that’s enough. I’m going to sleep,” she said.
As she spoke, Zhu Yan stood up and stretched. “After dealing with corpses all day, I’m dirty and exhausted, and we haven’t even found anything. It’s frustrating.”
After lying down on the bed, Zhu Yan continued to chatter about the day’s events.
Shen Du also got up to wash up. When he returned, he found that Zhu Yan had already fallen asleep.
The woman lay there quietly, her eyes tightly closed. Her delicate face showed signs of fatigue, but it didn’t diminish her beauty.
Shen Du clenched his fist, suddenly feeling as if he had done something wrong.
Since marrying him, this woman had been immersed in cases every day, never having a moment of peace. Was this really what he wanted?
The next day, Zhu Yan once again invited Xu Xiangren, the Local Constable, to the teahouse. Due to Zhu Yan’s frequent invitations lately, Xu Xiangren has developed some misconceptions.
“Zhu Yan,” Xu Xiangren called her by name this time, asking somewhat bashfully, “You’ve been inviting me out frequently lately. Is there something other than the case you want to tell me?”
“Uh…” Zhu Yan was completely baffled, not understanding Xu Xiangren’s meaning at all. “Isn’t our relationship built entirely on the case, Brother Xu? Besides the case, what else could there be?”
Hearing Zhu Yan’s response, Xu Xiangren felt embarrassed. He had overthought things.