Soon after, Zhuyan, who had changed into peasant clothes, emerged.
Before she could express relief at their narrow escape, she was puzzled by Shen Du’s solemn expression.
“We’re out of danger now. Why are you still so serious? No need to keep up the act,” Zhuyan teased, assuming Shen Du was still in character as Sun Daniu.
Shen Du’s eyes darkened as he shot Zhuyan an icy glare. “For a woman from an official family, you seem to have no sense of propriety between men and women.”
Zhuyan was stunned, completely failing to grasp Shen Du’s meaning. But as a woman, she understood the implications of “propriety between men and women.” He was accusing her of being improper.
“What do you mean by that? You need evidence to make such claims. What have I done to deserve this?” Zhuyan glared back defiantly, growing irritated herself.
“Hmph.” Shen Du let out a cold snort, looking at her with extreme reluctance. “You’ve married into my Shen family. As my wife, how could you let another man touch your arm?”
Zhuyan was utterly bewildered, her facial muscles twitching in disbelief.
She knew how perilous their earlier situation had been. Pan Chi had grabbed her arm in urgency to save her life. Was Shen Du really faulting Pan Chi for that contact? Would he only be satisfied if she had died on the spot?
Annoyed, Zhuyan couldn’t help but laugh at Shen Du’s words. Since he accused her of impropriety, she might as well act improperly to spite him.
She turned her gaze to Pan Chi, who looked innocent. Zhuyan stepped forward, grabbed his arm, and then took his hand. Looking triumphantly at Shen Du, she said:
“Chief Investigator seems to have forgotten. When Yunque lived in the Shen residence before, she often went out on cases with you. There was plenty of physical contact then, and I don’t recall you refusing.”
“You—!” Shen Du’s face turned ashen, extremely displeased with Zhuyan’s actions. Just as he was about to erupt, Zhuyan continued:
“What’s this, Chief Investigator? Are you saying it’s one rule for the officials and another for the common people?”
After speaking, Zhuyan fixed Shen Du with a look of extreme displeasure. Shen Du’s face darkened to the extreme.
This woman was courting death. Did she really think he wouldn’t do anything to her?
Seeing Shen Du fuming and speechless, Zhuyan raised an eyebrow smugly, then turned and left, pulling Pan Chi along.
Pan Chi, initially dejected, relaxed after hearing Zhuyan’s words. He followed her with a satisfied expression.
Watching the pair leave together, Shen Du clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles cracked audibly.
It was truly a case of reaping what one sows. Back then, he hadn’t pushed Yunque away when she got close, hoping to make Zhuyan jealous. Who knew jealousy would taste so bitter?
Now the tables had turned. It was karma indeed.
—
Mo Qianzhi led his men into the gambling house. During their exchange, the person in charge had already presented all the necessary permits to Mo Qianzhi.
According to the Great Zhou Dynasty’s laws, gambling houses were permitted, but usury was forbidden. From what he could see, this establishment seemed to be in order.
There were no suspicious individuals either. It seemed he might have received false information.
“Have any special guests visited today? Anyone unfamiliar, perhaps?” Mo Qianzhi coldly surveyed everyone present, still not seeing Shen Du and the others.
“Oh my, Lord Mo, we’re running a business here. With so many people coming and going, how could I possibly remember everyone?”
The reasoning made sense, but Mo Qianzhi was still concerned about Shen Du and his group.
They were sent by the Empress herself. If anything were to happen to them, he couldn’t bear the responsibility.
“Is everyone who works in this gambling house present?” Mo Qianzhi walked into the crowd, beginning a careful inspection.
“Yes, yes, everyone is here. Who is it that my lord is looking for?” The person in charge nodded and bowed, following Mo Qianzhi, but Mo Qianzhi remained stern, showing no intention of answering.
After examining everyone and confirming Shen Du wasn’t among them, Mo Qianzhi grew puzzled and increasingly worried. Could something have happened?
Seeing that Mo Qianzhi hadn’t found who he was looking for, the gambling house manager dared not be negligent. “My lord, I know many people. If you tell me who you’re looking for, perhaps I can help.”
“You?” Mo Qianzhi glared, not even sparing him a glance. He ordered his men, “Search everywhere. Don’t miss a single spot.”
“Yes, sir.” Just as the group was about to force their way in, Zhuyan’s voice suddenly came from behind.
“What a coincidence to see Lord Mo here. Are you also here for an inspection?” Zhuyan spoke politely.
Mo Qianzhi was startled, completely baffled by Zhuyan’s appearance.
Wasn’t she supposed to be inside? How did she end up here? And Pan Chi was beside her, which meant Shen Du couldn’t be far.
Still, he needed to confirm to be at ease.
Hurriedly bowing to Zhuyan, he answered her question, “Madam Shen, what brings you here? Is the Chief Investigator not with you?”
“We were investigating together, but he said he was thirsty and wanted some tea, so he went back first,” Zhuyan replied.
Hearing this, Mo Qianzhi finally relaxed.
Since Shen Du was safe, their visit to the gambling house seemed to have no purpose now.
Just then, they overheard some people in the gambling house discussing someone who had been generously throwing money around earlier.
Was there such a fortunate event? Mo Qianzhi frowned at the crowd. “What are you all whispering about? If there’s something to say, say it openly.”
“It’s nothing, nothing. Just some small matters in our gambling house, not worth troubling Lord Mo about.”
The manager quickly smoothed things over, and Mo Qianzhi didn’t seem inclined to pursue the matter further.
Zhuyan had heard the whispers clearly. She remained composed, carrying a substantial sum of money—all of which Pan Chi had conveniently “borrowed.”
She hadn’t wanted to take it initially, but since Ji Dafu had shown no kindness, they couldn’t be blamed for returning the favor.
After hearing the manager’s words, Mo Qianzhi showed disinterest. He turned to Zhuyan and Pan Chi, saying, “I have some matters to discuss with the Chief Investigator. If you two have no other business, why don’t we return together?”
“Certainly, I was just thinking the same,” Zhuyan replied, not wanting to stay a moment longer in this precarious place.
Every moment she lingered increased the risk of exposure.
The group left and returned to the magistrate’s office. There, Zhuyan reported to Mo Qianzhi about what they had witnessed in the gambling house.
Mo Qianzhi was shocked upon hearing this. “How is this possible? That gambling house has all the proper licenses. How could they be conducting such heinous activities in secret?”
“Does Lord Mo truly believe that those missing limbs are the work of some ‘half-faced ghost’?” Zhuyan posed a pointed question, leaving Mo Qianzhi speechless.
“Come here,” Mo Qianzhi called after a moment. “Go to the household registry and bring me all records concerning Ji Dafu. I want to examine them thoroughly.”
“Yes, sir.” The yamen runner acknowledged the order and left. Mo Qianzhi’s expression hardened. “If someone dares to deceive right under my nose, I will punish them severely.”
Mo Qianzhi, radiating righteousness, looked imposing and beyond suspicion.