Zhu Yan angrily asked, “How was the meal today?”
Shen Du feigned ignorance and replied, “Not bad.”
“Especially the stir-fried dried bamboo shoots. Try some,” he said, using his chopsticks to place some in front of Zhu Yan.
Zhu Yan was thoroughly annoyed. This was pushing her limits. He knew full well she had no appetite, yet he was still serving her food. Had this man’s brain been squeezed by a door?
But to save face, Zhu Yan irritably picked up the food and shoved it into her mouth, swallowing without chewing. She couldn’t taste anything at all.
Shen Du observed all her little actions, remaining silent with a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
“Do you have any conscience at all? Don’t you have anything to say about today’s events? Why am I the one who solved the case, yet you criticize me? How can you sit there calmly eating the food I made? I want to take a knife and cut out your heart to see what it’s made of. You’re so incomprehensible.”
Zhu Yan vented her emotions furiously. From the looks of it, she wouldn’t let up until Shen Du stopped eating.
“Can’t even eat a meal in peace. Women are truly troublesome,” Shen Du finally put down his chopsticks and looked at Zhu Yan with interest. “What kind of explanation do you want from me?”
“No matter what, Season Fangming confessed because of my provocation. You don’t have to thank me, but you insulted me by saying I have no brains. Don’t you think I should be angry?”
Hearing Zhu Yan’s words, Shen Du didn’t rush to explain. He lowered his head with a smile and said slowly, “Let me ask you, who else was at the Ministry of Justice today besides the people from the Ministry and the Imperial Guard?”
“Of course, there was Season Fangming and Lai…” Zhu Yan suddenly stopped mid-sentence, as if realizing something.
“You had already guessed this matter might be related to him. Since he was present, why did you still use such provocation? When I called you foolish, was I wrong?”
Hearing Shen Du’s words, Zhu Yan was momentarily speechless. Thinking about it, his words did make some sense.
As Zhu Yan was unsure how to respond, Shen Du suddenly raised his hand. Zhu Yan instinctively leaned back, but Shen Du’s hand had already touched her cheek.
Zhu Yan had no idea what Shen Du was doing and looked at him warily. Shen Du gently used his thumb to wipe away some food from the corner of her lips.
Zhu Yan was stunned, her face instantly becoming hot and her heart racing. She awkwardly averted her gaze, not knowing why, but whenever Shen Du made physical contact with her, her heart would involuntarily speed up and she would lose her composure.
Zhu Yan lowered her head silently, the faint blush on her cheeks like the glow of a sunset, beautifully intoxicating.
Shen Du seemed somewhat entranced but maintained his composure. He suddenly said, “Eating without manners, just like a pig.”
The strange feeling that had just arisen in her heart instantly shattered. Zhu Yan’s eyes widened like copper bells, her lips twitching constantly.
Listen to that – how could anyone say such things?
Shen Du said no more and continued eating. Zhu Yan didn’t know whether to be happy or upset, her facial expressions were incredibly rich and indescribable.
As if she had been pondering for a long time, Zhu Yan was about to speak when Shen Du quickly interrupted her, “Season Fangming has already been arrested. If we can convict him, the case can be closed.”
This sudden statement caught Zhu Yan off guard, her mind racing to process it.
If Season Fangming was indeed responsible for everything, then closing the case wouldn’t be unreasonable. But there was one thing she needed to prove.
This case was jointly investigated by the Ministry of Justice and the Grand Secretariat, with Shen Du taking the lead and the Ministry assisting.
This time, it was a matter of conviction and sentencing. Once the trial was over, the case could be closed. Everything seemed to be falling into place, but Zhu Yan still felt uneasy.
Yet she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was bothering her.
On the day of the trial, Season Fangming knelt in the hall with a blank expression.
The charges had been established, and he was beyond salvation. At this moment, Zhu Yan stepped forward and requested Season Fangming to write something.
No one understood Zhu Yan’s actions, but Shen Du’s expression darkened as he allowed Zhu Yan to place paper and brush in front of Season Fangming.
At this point, Season Fangming was completely indifferent to Zhu Yan’s actions. Looking at the paper and brush before him, he coldly asked, “What should I write?”
“Write your name,” Zhu Yan said calmly, her intentions completely unfathomable.
Season Fangming frowned, “I’ll be signing my name later anyway, why the rush?”
“That’s not for you to worry about. I have my reasons,” Zhu Yan said. “Just do as I say.”
Season Fangming didn’t ask any more questions. He picked up the brush, wrote his name on the paper, and handed it to Zhu Yan.
Zhu Yan quickly took the paper aside and compared it with the document Yunque had given her.
“It doesn’t match,” Zhu Yan exclaimed softly, looking at Shen Du and shaking her head. “They’re not written by the same person.”
Shen Du seemed to understand something. He lowered his eyes in thought for a moment, then looked at Season Fangming and asked, “Do you know Kong Xianrong, the owner of Jinxiu Fang?”
Season Fangming nodded, “Not only do I know him, we’re good friends. Why, does Lord Shen need to inquire about this as well?”
Shen Du spoke calmly, “I’m not interested in your personal affairs. I just want to ask, was it you who created the Fire Moth illusion at Jinxiu Fang?”
“No,” Season Fangming looked at Shen Du with a determined expression, then seemed to think of something and coldly mocked everyone present, “Is everyone so afraid of illusions because you know many people at Jinxiu Fang died unjustly, and you fear their vengeful ghosts might come for retribution?”
At these words, everyone present looked uncomfortable. The unjust case of Jinxiu Fang was well-known, and with so many wronged souls, anyone who mentioned it felt a chill down their spine.
“There are no ghosts in this world. If there were, they would reside in people’s hearts. As long as one lives righteously and acts with integrity, why fear ghosts coming to your door?” Shen Du’s words restored everyone’s composure.
His words rang true – only those who had done wrong would fear ghosts knocking at midnight.
Zhu Yan listened quietly on the side, revising her deductions and noting her findings in her notebook.
“Lord Shen is indeed upright, and his words are fair and just. But not everyone is as you describe. Some people, even after committing wrongs, will put on the facade of a good person, blending into the crowd, making it impossible for you to distinguish right from wrong.”
Shen Du remained silent, waiting for Season Fangming to continue.
He had already uncovered some information, but he was waiting for Season Fangming to speak for himself.
“That’s right, I do know Kong Xianrong from Jinxiu Fang. More than just acquaintances, we are the closest of friends, the only kindred spirit I have in this life.”
Season Fangming spoke calmly, kneeling in the main hall with a distant look in his eyes as if lost in memories.