Lai Luozhi truly hadn’t expected Zhu Yan to dare confront him within the palace walls. His hidden emotions stirred, but he managed to restrain himself, advising kindly:
“The Empress can’t do without me. Look, even knowing about the Kanaqisheluo affair, she didn’t punish me at all. But Shen Du is dispensable to her. You should see the situation clearly and not bring trouble to the Zhu family.”
Zhu Yan clutched the palace token in her sleeve, showing no sign of panic. She didn’t want to engage further with Lai Luozhi: “Thank you for the reminder, Lord Lai. This humble woman has no great talents or strategies. My actions are naturally not well-considered. Speaking of which, your sister’s actions are truly admirable – accomplished in both civil and military affairs, both wise and brave, unparalleled in the world.”
“This official has been back in the capital for days but hasn’t seen your sister visit at night. Is she well?”
This was a veiled reference to the previous incidents in the capital when Lai Luofu, disguised as Chen Huoe, had attacked Zhu Yan at night.
Indeed, upon hearing Zhu Yan mention Lai Luofu, the sinister smile vanished from Lai Luozhi’s lips. For a moment, he forgot why he had been waiting there.
Zhu Yan raised her arched eyebrows, her beautiful almond eyes rolling in a circle, feigning sudden realization:
“Ah, this official remembers now! That day in Yingzhou, we captured a Fire Moth Party rebel leader called Chen Huoe. Later, after some torture and a few doses of the ‘Butterfly Emergence’ poison, she couldn’t endure it anymore. She said her name was Lai Luofu, the elder sister of the current Deputy Chief of the Judicial Investigation Bureau, genuine and authentic.”
She turned to look at Lai Luozhi, smiling charmingly,
“She also asked me to pass a message to the Deputy Chief.”
With a provocative smile, she said word by word,
“She said, you must resurrect her.”
Looking around theatrically, she affected a tone:
“How come we don’t see Lai Luofu? Has she not been fully resurrected yet? Or has Lai Luofu’s soul been devoured by fire for months and can’t return?”
Regardless of whether Lai Luozhi had any genuine feelings when he brought the holy woman Daisi back to Great Zhou, the Lai Luofu catalyzed within Daisi’s body was undoubtedly the most excellent one, and the one who had accompanied him the longest.
Zhu Yan’s words struck at Lai Luozhi’s deepest hatred. He stared fixedly at Zhu Yan, hearing her mention feeding Lai Luofu several doses of poison. His wrists at his sides opened into claws, a chilling aura emanating from his entire being.
Stepping back a few paces, Zhu Yan saw the Qianniu Guard patrolling in the distance. Feeling less afraid, she wanted to leave but felt it necessary to remind the cruel official before her:
“Lord Lai naturally doesn’t need to resurrect Lai Luofu. In your Judicial Investigation Bureau, there are thousands upon thousands of Lai Luofus and thousands upon thousands of Chen Huoes. You can pick anyone to use. What does it matter if one dies?”
Lai Luozhi was inwardly shocked. This shock forced him to rein in his unreleasable fury as he scrutinized Zhu Yan. He didn’t believe Lai Luofu would have revealed his secrets. How did Zhu Yan know? If Zhu Yan knew, then Shen Du must know too.
Suddenly feeling the discomfort of having his secrets pried into, he suppressed the urge to kill and sneered:
“What nonsense is Madam Shen spouting? My sister is resting comfortably at home. A few days ago, she was out sightseeing with the wives of several officials. How could she have gone to Yingzhou? If Madam Shen wants to frame someone, she needs evidence. If Shen Du can’t teach you properly, perhaps you should come to my Judicial Investigation Bureau. We’ll be sure to teach you how to conduct yourself.”
Lai Luozhi’s smile always carried a hint of eerie terror, as if his face was a mask and his body housed a demon from hell:
“This official, considerate of the Cabinet Leader’s arduous journey to Yingzhou, has specially organized a banquet as a reward. Cabinet Leader Shen has already accepted the invitation. Meeting Madam Shen today is also fate. I hope you and your husband will be punctual. After all, night falls earlier in Chang’an than in Yingzhou.”
Zhu Yan lowered her head and eyes: “This official takes her leave.”
Hurriedly exiting the palace gates, she didn’t see Shen Du coming to meet her. Just as Zhu Yan was feeling disappointed, she saw a carriage racing towards her from the distant street. As it approached, the curtain was lifted, and Shen Du’s eyes scanned around before landing on Zhu Yan. His stern expression softened as he took a few steps to cup her hands:
“Someone in the palace sent me word that you were intercepted by Lai Luozhi. Did he do anything to you?”
Shen Du had come in a hurry, surely delayed by other matters, but he had rushed here at the first opportunity.
Zhu Yan broke into a smile, her eyes curving more warmly than the sun. She shook her head to indicate nothing had happened.
Seeing Zhu Yan’s cheeks flushed from the cold outside, Shen Du quickly helped her into the carriage, placing a prepared warm brazier in her hands. Still unsatisfied, he pulled Zhu Yan into his embrace, wrapping his cloak around them both.
Warmed thoroughly, Zhu Yan’s spirits relaxed, and she felt drowsy. Nestled in Shen Du’s arms, she mumbled:
“You usually complain that carriages are slow. Why did you take a carriage when you were in such a hurry today?”
Shen Du rested his chin on top of her head, saying softly: “It’s cold. Riding a horse would be too cold.”
Hehe, this man had taken a carriage for fear of her getting cold.
“I never knew you could be so thoughtful before.”
Seeing Zhu Yan tease him, Shen Du didn’t mind. He asked about the Empress’s summons, and Zhu Yan recounted all their conversations in detail. After a brief pause, she moved her hand from the brazier and gently encircled his waist inside the cloak, falling silent.
What Zhu Yan could think of, Shen Du naturally could too. Holding the palace token in his hand, Shen Du’s thoughts deepened:
“Do you know, Her Majesty has ordered the Cabinet to monitor the Judicial Investigation Bureau and Lai Luozhi.”
Zhu Yan was slightly surprised, but before she could raise her head, Shen Du pressed her back down to sit properly.
“Therefore, I suspect that in the secret orders Lai Luozhi received, there must be one day for monitoring the Cabinet.”
Zhu Yan: “Lai Luozhi deliberately waited for me today and even praised me before Her Majesty. He must have guessed this too.”
Nodding, Shen Du agreed: “Lai Luozhi has already begun to act. His target is me.”
Driving a wedge between them as a couple in front of the Empress was just a small test.
This made Zhu Yan somewhat confused: “Then why did you accept his banquet invitation?”
Being at odds, they shouldn’t have any interaction – this was Zhu Yan’s straightforward, pure thinking.
“Moreover, I fear I’ve thoroughly offended him today. Will we be able to return if we go?”
This comment elicited a muffled laugh from Shen Du. Zhu Yan gave him a light punch, which he caught and brought to his lips for a kiss, immediately causing her cheeks to flush.
“Even if you hadn’t said those things, we had already thoroughly offended him long ago.”
“Then let’s decline the banquet invitation,” Zhu Yan didn’t want to go to the Lai residence, feeling inexplicably uncomfortable.
Shen Du held her tighter, his expression becoming serious: “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you well.”
Zhu Yan knew that Shen Du acted decisively and was unlikely to change his mind. He probably had his plans, which he chose not to share with her; this too was a form of protection. Thus, she did not bring it up again during the journey.
In the afternoon, Zhu Yan went to the Ministry of Justice as scheduled. There, Lu Chui Chui informed her that the case involving General Kan Qi Se Luo had been completely withdrawn from the Ministry of Justice. The Supreme Court had not accepted it either, so it would not be pursued further. The Siamese maidservants had been returned to their homeland, and the servants who had been mutilated were fully compensated.
Zhu Yan felt relieved upon hearing this news, but her mind was preoccupied with the evening’s banquet at the manor, making her somewhat distracted.