As Zhu Yan arrived, the people at the Zhu residence greeted her with much more warmth than before. After all, times had changed, and when no one in the Zhu family knew what to do, they had to rely on Zhu Yan for ideas and strategies.
From afar, Zhu Yan spotted her Third Sister sitting alone in the courtyard pavilion, looking melancholic. As evening approached and a cool breeze arose, Zhu Yan wondered why her sister was sitting there by herself.
Approaching her, Zhu Yan draped a cloak over her Third Sister’s shoulders. “It’s almost dark. Why are you still sitting here, Third Sister?”
Zhu Caiwei, lost in thought, hadn’t noticed Zhu Yan’s arrival until she felt the cloak on her shoulders. “Oh, it’s you. It’s getting late. Why have you come at this hour?”
Zhu Yan didn’t explain much, merely saying she had been busy with matters at the Ministry of Justice and was delayed. Zhu Caiwei nodded in understanding, then sighed deeply with a troubled expression.
“What’s wrong, Third Sister? Are you facing some difficulties?” Zhu Yan asked, concern rising in her heart.
“Someone from the palace came today. I don’t know why, but I feel uneasy,” Zhu Caiwei replied.
“What? Who sent them?” Zhu Yan asked, surprised.
Zhu Caiwei shook her head. “He might have come on his own. It wasn’t just anyone—it was Zhang Baohuan, Lord Zhang from the palace.”
Hearing this, Zhu Yan was stunned. Is Zhang Baohuan visiting her Third Sister? Could it be related to Han Shiyuan’s matter?
“What happened then? What did he say?”
Zhu Caiwei’s expression grew more troubled. She shook her head and said, “He didn’t say much, or rather, he didn’t have the chance to. I had just invited him to sit when Shiyuan walked in and dismissed Lord Zhang with a few words. Lord Zhang didn’t seem angry, though. That’s why I’ve been feeling down. Something seemed odd between them.”
As Zhu Caiwei spoke, Zhu Yan’s mind became even more confused. Even her Third Sister had noticed something strange between Zhang Baohuan and Han Shiyuan. Could their relationship be as unsavory as she suspected?
The thought made Zhu Yan shudder involuntarily. If it were true, it would be hard for her to accept.
Not lingering at the Zhu residence any longer, Zhu Yan returned to the Shen Manor. During dinner with Shen Du, she was visibly distracted. Shen Du noticed and casually asked, “What’s wrong? You seem down today. Have you discovered any new clues?”
Zhu Yan shook her head, seemingly not hearing Shen Du’s question. She muttered to herself, frowning, “How is this possible? Why would two grown men be fond of each other? Isn’t that too strange?”
“…” Shen Du was utterly confused by Zhu Yan’s words, feeling something was amiss.
“What are you saying?”
Another question finally snapped Zhu Yan out of her reverie. She quickly looked at Shen Du and said, “Zhang Baohuan came to see me today. He asked about my brother-in-law. Then I went to the Zhu residence and learned from my Third Sister that Zhang Baohuan had also visited there, apparently to see her. But they didn’t talk much before my brother-in-law interrupted them. Even so, Zhang Baohuan didn’t seem angry at all. Don’t you think that’s strange?”
Shen Du looked even more perplexed. “What’s strange about that? They know each other, and it’s normal for one to dismiss the other to keep their secrets. What’s odd about that?”
“What I find strange is why Zhang Baohuan wasn’t angry about it. Even my Third Sister noticed something. Don’t you think there’s something special between him and Han Shiyuan…”
Zhu Yan struggled to find the right words to express her thoughts, her gestures animated as she tried to convey her meaning.
Seeing Zhu Yan’s gestures, Shen Du seemed to realize something. He lightly tapped Zhu Yan’s head with his chopsticks and said sternly, “As a woman, instead of learning how to be a good wife and mother, you’re always thinking about these absurd things. I don’t know what’s going on in your head. How are you supposed to investigate cases like this?”
“How is this absurd? I’m analyzing the case as usual. If two people have a special relationship, of course, I need to investigate it. I didn’t expect you to be so ungrateful. I share my concerns with you, and you mock me like this. What’s your intention?” Zhu Yan argued, displeased.
Shen Du was bewildered, somehow feeling as if he were in the wrong. For a moment, he didn’t know how to respond to Zhu Yan.
“No matter how special their relationship is, it’s not as filthy as you imagine. As a woman, always thinking about such strange things, aren’t you ashamed?”
“…” Zhu Yan was momentarily speechless, then chuckled lightly. “What they do is their business, what does it have to do with me? I’m just speculating. Besides, this case is already so confusing and suspicious. I’m thinking for the sake of the case, for your sake. It’s truly a waste of my good intentions.”
As she spoke, Zhu Yan slammed her chopsticks on the table, pouting, and refused to look at Shen Du.
Shen Du was at a loss for words. How could this woman’s temper flare up so suddenly? He had only wanted to correct her thinking, and now she was angry.
Shen Du opened his mouth, hesitated, then closed it again, seemingly unsure how to respond to Zhu Yan. Finally, he threw his chopsticks on the table and left.
Zhu Yan made a disdainful face at Shen Du’s back. After he left, she picked up her chopsticks and resumed eating. One must eat to keep up one’s strength, even after an unpleasant argument.
This scene was witnessed by Jinglin, who was standing guard at the door, filled with both helplessness and curiosity. In the past, the Grand Coordinator would have roared in anger and twisted this woman’s head off. But now… it seemed like there was something special between them, just like ordinary couples quarreling. One indifferent, the other self-sufficient, neither interfering with the other.
That day, just as Zhu Yan finished washing up, a servant informed her that her Fourth Sister and Third Sister had come to visit. Zhu Yan was delighted. It was rare for her two sisters to come to see her, and she wondered what had prompted them to visit the Shen Manor today.
Zhu Yan invited them to the back garden, a scenic and quiet place perfect for a family chat. Zhu Caiwei looked around the luxurious Shen Manor with admiration. But when she thought of Shen Du’s reputation and remembered that Zhu Yan was enduring this place on her behalf, she felt guilty.
“Sixth Sister, although the Shen Manor is nice, Shen Du is indeed difficult to get along with. You married him for my sake, and it must be hard on you,” Zhu Caiwei said.
Hearing this, Zhu Yan quickly explained, “I’ve told you before, that Shen Du is not the person you think he is. He treats me very well. Third Sister, please don’t feel guilty.”
“But rumors say that you two don’t get along, and Shen Du is known as the White King of Hell, with a violent temper and unpredictable moods. How can you be happy living with him every day?” Fourth Sister Zhu Manshu chimed in, looking at Zhu Yan with sympathy.
Zhu Yan sighed helplessly and smiled, looking down. “Those are just rumors. I know the truth in my heart. If we didn’t get along, would he have let me live until now?”
“People say you’re incredibly clever. Maybe Shen Du keeps you around because he thinks you’re smart enough to be useful to him,” Zhu Manshu said bluntly, not considering how Zhu Yan might feel. Her words made Zhu Yan uncomfortable, and even Zhu Caiwei tugged at Zhu Manshu’s sleeve, signaling her to speak less.
“Fourth Sister has always spoken this way. Don’t take it to heart,” Zhu Caiwei quickly smoothed things over, noticing Zhu Yan’s discomfort. “But thinking carefully, Fourth Sister’s words are crude but not without reason. Someone like Shen Du has a bad reputation outside. You should be extra careful.”
“I understand,” Zhu Yan replied. “Sisters, you don’t need to worry about me. We’ve been married for many days now. If he were truly dissatisfied with me, he would have vented his anger long ago. Even if he thinks I’m somewhat useful, at least it means I can keep my life.”
Hearing Zhu Yan say this, her two sisters expressed their sympathy but said no more.