The next day.
Early in the morning, Zhu Yan received news that her third elder sister Zhu Caiwei had come to the Shen residence to visit Han Shiyuan.
This was understandable, after all, they were two people in love who hadn’t seen each other for a long time and would naturally miss each other.
After guiding Zhu Caiwei to Han Shiyuan’s courtyard, Zhu Yan withdrew. Before she could catch her breath, a servant came to report that Princess Yong’an had sent gifts for Han Shiyuan.
Zhu Yan’s heart sank as she recalled Princess Yong’an’s previous words. It seemed she truly hadn’t given up. But in the end, she was Princess Yong’an, with a status that spoke for itself. Her third sister was merely the daughter of a fifth-rank court official. There was no comparison between them. If one were to dwell on this, it would likely bring no benefits.
Thinking of this, Zhu Yan began to worry about her third sister’s situation.
She waited anxiously at the entrance until her third sister was preparing to leave. Only then did Zhu Yan decide to step forward and share her concerns.
“Third Sister, are you leaving already? Why not stay a while longer?” Zhu Yan spoke tactfully, trying her best to appear casual.
Zhu Caiwei was full of worry. Having been separated from Han Shiyuan for so long, she had visibly lost weight, indicating that she hadn’t been faring well.
“As long as the Jinxiu Lane case remains unsolved, I’ll continue to worry about his situation. Even when I’m with him, I can’t help but feel uneasy.”
Seeing Zhu Caiwei’s worried expression, Zhu Yan bit her lip. She tried several times to tell her about Princess Yong’an sending gifts to Han Shiyuan but couldn’t bring herself to do it.
After a long while, Zhu Yan sighed helplessly, “Third Sister, sometimes many things can’t be forced. This world is full of disappointments; you must learn to accept them.”
“Some things can be encountered but not sought, encountered but not kept, encountered but not possessed.”
“That’s easy to say, but who can do it? Let’s leave it to time. Once this case is resolved, everything will be fine,” Zhu Caiwei looked at Zhu Yan, seemingly not understanding the hidden meaning in her words. “Little sister, we’re counting on you all to solve this case.”
“Don’t worry, Third Sister. Even if this case isn’t related to Han Shiyuan, Shen Du and I will investigate it thoroughly.”
Zhu Caiwei nodded, finally reassured, and turned to leave. Watching her sister’s retreating figure, Zhu Yan couldn’t help but worry again.
She had already given a subtle hint, but she wasn’t sure if her third sister had understood the underlying message. Feeling helpless, Zhu Yan turned to leave.
But as soon as she turned, she nearly collided with an imposing figure standing behind her.
Recognizing who it was, Zhu Yan angrily put her hands on her hips and loudly scolded, “Are you a ghost? Why don’t your footsteps make any sound? When did you get here?”
Shen Du remained unmoved by Zhu Yan’s scolding. Instead, he looked at her with slight disdain and said, “I’ve been here for a while. I truly admire you. Your three-month lifespan is almost up, yet you can still sympathize with the person who pushed you into this arranged marriage. I wonder what’s going on in that head of yours?”
Shen Du’s words were truly infuriating. After hearing them, Zhu Yan’s face turned ashen, her lips twitching constantly.
“It’s none of your business. Third Sister and Brother-in-law are truly in love, a love that heaven and earth can witness. Do you think I married you because I liked you? I was forced into it. If I had someone I loved back then, I would have eloped with him and definitely wouldn’t have married you.”
Hearing Zhu Yan’s words, Shen Du’s face darkened completely. He grabbed her wrist and demanded, “Say that again!”
Zhu Yan trembled, looking at Shen Du’s gloomy face. Fear welled up in her heart, but the words had already been spoken, and being afraid wouldn’t help now.
“I… I said the reason I married you was completely out of necessity. Don’t think too highly of yourself.”
Shen Du moved even closer, one hand gripping her wrist, the other encircling her slender waist, pulling her into his embrace. He lowered his head and questioned, “Is that so? Then I’d like to know who exactly you like. Is he better than me?”
“You! You’re just a madman!”
Suddenly finding herself so close to Shen Du, Zhu Yan became frightened. She struggled to free herself, but he showed no signs of letting go.
In desperation, Zhu Yan bit Shen Du’s hand. Only then did he release her in pain, coldly scolding, “Are you a dog? Why do you bite people?”
“You deserve it. Who told you to provoke me first?” Zhu Yan retorted before turning and running into the residence.
Watching Zhu Yan’s retreating figure, Shen Du lowered his head to look at his bitten hand.
The neat and small teeth marks were still faintly red, no longer painful. Instead, a hint of sweetness rose in his heart.
Shaking his head with a light chuckle, for some reason, seeing Zhu Yan like this brought an inexplicable joy to his heart.
For the entire day, Shen Du was in high spirits, a faint smile constantly playing on his lips, which was quite rare in others’ eyes.
The usually cold and aloof Grand Secretary was smiling and for a whole day at that. What could have possibly happened?
No one knew. In Zhu Yan’s words, it was simply inexplicable.
As evening approached, Jinglin presented Shen Du with an invitation. Upon seeing its contents, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.
Princess Yong’an was hosting a family banquet at her residence and had invited him. Well, since he couldn’t refuse, he might as well bring Zhu Yan along.
When he arrived at the room, Zhu Yan was still sulking, reading a file with her lips pursed. She was aware of Shen Du’s arrival but paid him no attention.
Shen Du approached with feigned indifference, sat down beside her, and said softly, “It’s already this late, and you’re still going through files. Are you hungry?”
Shen Du cared if she was hungry. Zhu Yan was puzzled. She frowned and looked at him as if he were a stranger, “What are you up to?”
Shen Du’s expression stiffened. What could he be up to?
“What, are you afraid I’ll ask the cook to poison your food?”
“You wouldn’t poison me.” Zhu Yan raised her head, sitting up straight as she spoke, “But who knows if you’ll get revenge on me for biting you earlier? I still remember the pain from last time’s stomach upset.”
“That was your own doing,” Shen Du replied matter-of-factly, standing up and looking at Zhu Yan. “Princess Yong’an has sent an invitation. She’s hosting a family banquet at the residence of the Duke of Ying and has invited me. If you’re hungry, you can come with me.”
Zhu Yan lowered her eyes in thought. She initially had no intention of going, but then she recalled the scene she had witnessed at Mingsheng Temple, where she saw the Princess talking with the Eldest Princess.
Moreover, all current clues pointed towards Princess Yong’an. If she accompanied Shen Du on this occasion, she might have made some unexpected discoveries.
“Alright. I’m hungry anyway, so I’ll go with you.” Zhu Yan spoke as if resigned. Shen Du curled his lips, silently acknowledging Zhu Yan’s little act.
With a slight smirk and without a word, he led Zhu Yan out of the Shen residence.