The next morning, the Zhu family sent someone early to report that there was trouble at home.
Zhu Yan was very worried upon hearing this, but Shen Du hadn’t given her permission to leave, so she couldn’t leave the Shen residence for the time being.
“What exactly happened? Tell me slowly,” Zhu Yan asked the Zhu family servant.
The servant quickly explained, “Because Third Young Miss eloped with Young Master Han, Fourth Young Miss’s engagement has been called off. Now the entire Zhu residence is in chaos, and no one knows what to do. The master asked me to fetch Sixth Young Miss to discuss this matter.”
Hearing this, Zhu Yan became anxious, but Shen Du wouldn’t let her go out. This was quite a dilemma.
After thinking quickly for a moment, Zhu Yan had an idea.
After the Zhu family servant left, Zhu Yan quietly went to the kitchen.
She prepared some wine and dishes and went to the back door of the Shen residence.
“You two brothers have worked hard. Have some food,” she said.
Seeing Zhu Yan personally bringing food, the two guards were very surprised.
“This… how can Madam personally bring food? We don’t deserve this, we don’t.”
“We’re all family. No need for formalities,” Zhu Yan said, putting the wine and dishes aside. “Come and eat.”
The two originally thought it was just some home-cooked dishes, but they didn’t expect several small dishes along with a pot of good wine. They immediately became conflicted.
But remembering their responsibility, one of the guards quickly said, “Madam, even if you give us good wine and food, we can’t let you leave. After all, this is the Grand Chancellor’s order. It’s difficult for us servants.”
“I know it’s difficult for you, and I’m not planning to go out. I was just bored in the residence, so I made some food and wine. I want you to taste it and give me feedback on my cooking.”
Zhu Yan explained, but the two guards didn’t believe her words at all.
Zhu Yan had no choice but to stand up and say dejectedly, “Since you don’t believe me, I won’t force you. The wine and dishes are here. I’ll go back first.”
With that, Zhu Yan turned and left, quickly hiding behind a door.
As expected, the two guards couldn’t resist the temptation. At first, they stood firmly at the door, but soon they were attracted by the food and wine.
The two sat on the ground and started drinking and discussing the food. Zhu Yan’s lips curved into a meaningful smile. They had taken the bait.
After a short while, one of them clutched his stomach and said he needed to use the latrine. The other told him to go first.
But before the first one returned, the remaining guard also felt stomach discomfort. He looked around, and seeing no one, he ran towards the latrine.
Zhu Yan seized this opportunity to quickly slip out and rushed to the Zhu family residence without stopping.
When she arrived home, she found that the Zhu family was indeed in chaos, with everyone upset and angry about Fourth Sister’s broken engagement.
Seeing Zhu Yan return, Madam Jin quickly grabbed her hand and said indignantly, “Your Fourth Sister’s engagement has been called off. We can’t let this matter rest. You have a different status now. Go find Shen Du immediately and use his ‘White King of Hell’ status to intimidate them. I don’t believe they’re not afraid of the Zhu family, but they must be afraid of Shen Du!”
Zhu Yan felt quite helpless, but her mother’s words made some sense.
As she was pondering, Fourth Sister Zhu Manshu stepped forward. “No need. I don’t want to marry into such a family anyway.”
Everyone turned to look at Zhu Manshu, and she spoke candidly, “They looked down on me because of Third Sister. They never treated us as family. Even if I married into such a family, they might not treat me well. So why should I marry into their family?”
“This is outrageous,” Zhu Mojie was also furious. He rolled up his sleeves, clenched his fists, and shouted about going to avenge Fourth Sister.
But just as he reached the door, two large figures suddenly brought him back.
Seeing who had arrived, Zhu Yan’s heart sank. They had come so quickly!
Shen Du coldly looked at everyone. Madam Jin also lost her previous vigor and stood to the side, silent.
Shen Du’s aura was too strong. As soon as he stood there, the previously chaotic main hall instantly fell silent.
Zhu Yan was so scared she dared not even breathe. Had he come to confront her?
“You’ve come at the right time,” Zhu Mojie, not noticing Shen Du’s expression, said presumptuously. “My Fourth Sister’s engagement has been called off. We’re going to seek justice now. With your high status, come with me. They’ll surely fear you.”
He was about to pull Shen Du along, but Shen Du gave him an icy glare, silencing him immediately.
“Jing Lin,” Shen Du ordered, and Jing Lin promptly saluted.
“Take him to the Hongwen Academy.”
“Yes, sir.”
Jing Lin responded, and before Zhu Mojie could react, he was led away by Jing Lin.
Seeing Shen Du act so decisively, no one present dared to speak out of turn.
Shen Du turned his gaze to Zhu Yan, who looked flustered, her heart racing.
How would he punish her?
Would he divorce her on the spot?
As Zhu Yan’s thoughts ran wild, Shen Du suddenly stepped forward and said in a gentle tone, “Why didn’t you tell me when something happened at home?”
This single sentence left Zhu Yan bewildered. Hadn’t he come to confront her? Why was he speaking to her in such a tone?
Seeing Zhu Yan silent, Shen Du turned to look at Zhu Caiwei.
“What happened?”
Zhu Caiwei looked troubled. She was already upset about Han Shiyuan’s identity, and now her Fourth Sister’s engagement had been called off because of it. It was truly a grave sin.
She didn’t respond to Shen Du’s question, but after thinking quickly, she looked at a nearby pillar and said, “It’s my fault. I’ve wronged everyone. I’ve wronged Sixth Sister, I’ve wronged Fourth Sister, I’ve wronged everyone. I deserve to die.”
With these words, Zhu Caiwei suddenly rushed towards the pillar.
Everyone was shocked. Was she trying to commit suicide to atone for her sins?
The people present quickly moved to stop her, while Zhu Yan glared at Shen Du, seemingly blaming him for coming at such a time.
Shen Du ignored Zhu Yan’s look, and Zhu Yan hurried to comfort Zhu Caiwei.
“Third Sister, this isn’t your fault. Don’t take all the blame on yourself. We’re family. Whatever happens, we face it together.”
Faced with Zhu Yan’s comfort, Zhu Caiwei continued crying. “This is my fault. If it weren’t for me, things wouldn’t have come to this. I’m sorry, I’ve let everyone down.”
Zhu Yan quickly embraced Zhu Caiwei. “It’s alright. Don’t overthink it. If there’s a problem, we’ll solve it together. Please don’t do anything foolish.”
Zhu Caiwei was in tears, but suddenly, as if remembering something, she grabbed Zhu Yan’s arm and said righteously, “Sixth Sister, don’t investigate this matter anymore. Let the past be the past. Don’t pursue it any further.”
Zhu Yan was momentarily taken aback by Zhu Caiwei’s words.
But given Zhu Caiwei’s current distressed state and her recent suicidal thoughts, Zhu Yan didn’t want to argue.
So she nodded repeatedly, “Alright, I understand. I’ll listen to you. I’ll do everything you say. But you have to promise me, no more foolish actions, okay?”
Zhu Caiwei nodded through her tears, and the family finally breathed a sigh of relief.
After comforting Zhu Caiwei, Zhu Yan walked out of the main hall, with Shen Du following her.