“What proposal?” Shen Du asked coldly, his face as dark as the bottom of a pot, causing Jing Lin to swallow his words.
After a long hesitation, Jing Lin stammered, “It’s not a big deal. I’ve been following the Grand Prefect for so many years, and you’ve treated me like family. I’m very grateful, but as the saying goes, ‘Even close brothers keep clear accounts.’ I’ve been working diligently in your household for so long, so I was wondering if my monthly wages could be increased a bit?”
Jing Lin carefully laid out his thoughts and then looked at Shen Du’s expression.
As expected, the Grand Prefect’s face darkened further. More awkwardly, he seemed not to have heard what Jing Lin was saying.
His gaze was fixed on a distant point, lost in thought as if pondering something. What was Jing Lin to do now?
Should he repeat himself? Would that anger him?
Jing Lin felt uncomfortable. After a moment’s consideration, he spoke again, “Grand Prefect, I…”
“Get out!” Before he could finish, Shen Du barked coldly. Jing Lin’s whole body trembled, and he quickly bowed, saying, “Yes, sir.”
Jing Lin hurried away, only coming to his senses when he was far away. It felt as if he had just escaped from the jaws of death. He let out a long sigh. Had he picked an unlucky day? Why did he have to bring up the matter of increasing his wages at such a critical moment? It was truly courting death.
Jing Lin felt regretful but didn’t understand the reason behind it. He was also puzzled as to why the Grand Prefect was in such a foul mood early in the morning. Could it be related to Madam?
As Jing Lin pondered this, he suddenly saw Zhu Yan walking out of a nearby guest room.
“…” Jing Lin didn’t know how to express his thoughts, but suddenly seemed to understand something.
Could it be that the Grand Prefect was angry because Madam had moved to the guest room? If so, hadn’t he been unjustly scolded?
Zhu Yan didn’t notice Jing Lin in the distance and walked directly toward Yun Que’s quarters.
Although she had a poor impression of this woman, she was still an important figure in the case.
Some things needed to be set aside; after all, solving the case was important.
She knocked on the door, and it quickly opened. Yun Que looked surprised to see Zhu Yan.
“Madam Prefect?” Yun Que looked Zhu Yan up and down. “Why are you here?”
As she spoke, she glanced around, as if expecting someone else.
“It’s just me, no need to look,” Zhu Yan said. “I’m here for no other reason than to learn more about the case from years ago.”
“I see,” Yun Que replied indifferently. “I came to seek justice from the Grand Prefect. It has nothing to do with you, so your visit is in vain. I don’t intend to tell you anything.”
“Have you heard about the recent serial killings in Chang’an?” Zhu Yan asked.
“Mm,” Yun Que nodded. She had heard about it when she first entered Chang’an. “That case was mysterious and particularly bizarre. It was the talk of the town when I arrived in Chang’an. But now it’s been solved. What does it have to do with this?”
“Do you know who solved it?” Zhu Yan continued.
“Of course, it was the Grand Prefect,” Yun Que’s face lit up with admiration. “He’s so handsome, dashing, and intelligent. He’s simply the best candidate.”
Zhu Yan felt like spitting blood at Yun Que’s words. Was there nothing else in this girl’s mind? Bearing such a great injustice, yet still having the mood to consider her lifelong happiness – she truly had a big heart.
“What?” Yun Que seemed to notice something and glanced at Zhu Yan. “You’re not going to tell me that you had a part in solving that case, are you?”
“You’re not wrong. That case was solved by him and me together,” Zhu Yan said frankly. “So, you’d better tell me everything you know, so I can help clear your name.”
Zhu Yan spoke righteously, but Yun Que still seemed distrustful. She pursed her lips and said, “Even if you have extraordinary abilities, I don’t believe it. Take the murder case, for example. Could you have solved it smoothly without the Grand Prefect’s secret help?”
Zhu Yan was speechless, her fists gradually clenching. It was true that catching the murderer in that case was indeed related to Shen Du.
But now they were talking about the unjust case of Jinxiu Fang. She just wanted to remind Yun Que that she could help clear her name, but didn’t expect Yun Que to be so ungrateful.
At this moment, Shen Du suddenly walked in from outside. Seeing Zhu Yan there, his face showed no surprise.
Instead, he treated her like air, sitting to one side without even looking at her.
“The Grand Prefect is here.”
As soon as Shen Du arrived, Yun Que became extremely enthusiastic, pouring tea and showing concern, as if she had become a completely different person.
Zhu Yan’s face darkened as she sat silently to one side. If it weren’t for the case, she wouldn’t be here at all.
She understood that Shen Du had come for the case as well, and she also wanted to know the details.
Seeing Zhu Yan’s indifference, Shen Du couldn’t help but glance at her before turning to Yun Que and asking, “I want to know about what happened back then.”
“Of course,” Yun Que, clearly biased against Zhu Yan, smiled brightly before recounting the events:
Her parents were southern suppliers for Jinxiu Fang, with deep connections. Before the incident, the owner of Jinxiu Fang, Kong Xianrong, and his wife, had sent the next season’s order and deposit to the Yun family in Jiangnan. They also mentioned the summer clothes, implying that after the summer clothes were rushed to completion and sent to the palace, they would travel south for leisure.
Who knew the promise would be unfulfilled, and they would be separated by life and death? The Yun couple were deeply saddened, paying respects every year and often discussing Kong Xianrong and his wife’s business practices and conduct. Growing up in this environment, although she was a woman, she always harbored the dream of seeking justice for Jinxiu Fang.
However, while her parents often mentioned it at home, they never spoke a word about it outside and forbade her from getting involved. So she ran away to seek justice, not expecting to mistake the man at the Tuishi Yuan for the “White King of Hell” Shen Du, nearly losing her life.
Hearing this, Shen Du and Zhu Yan had a general outline of the case.
Both remained silent, each contemplating their views on the case.
At this point, Yun Que presented the supply orders and receipts to them, saying, “I was afraid you wouldn’t believe me, so I brought evidence.”
Looking at the documents on the table, both hesitated.
This case had happened so long ago. Even with physical evidence, they would need witness testimony or more substantial proof. After all, it was an old case, and the investigation would be challenging.
Seeing that neither spoke, Yun Que lowered her voice and leaned closer to Zhu Yan, “Look, the Grand Prefect looks so handsome when he’s thinking.”
Zhu Yan’s lips twitched, and she looked at Yun Que in surprise before involuntarily turning to glance at Shen Du.
His brows were furrowed as he stared at the table, silent, seemingly deep in thought.
Admittedly, this man was indeed physically perfect, but so what? They were ultimately not meant to be together.
At this moment, Yun Que suddenly remembered Lai Luozhi’s evil deeds and shuddered.
Compared to Shen Du before her, it was truly heaven and earth apart.
A thought suddenly occurred to her, and she leaned closer to Zhu Yan again, saying, “A perfect man like this, you should cherish him well. Don’t keep thinking about divorce, or I’ll dislike you.”
Zhu Yan didn’t understand Yun Que’s meaning and frowned, “What do you mean?”
Yun Que lowered her head, her cheeks reddening, then looked at Shen Du with an incredibly affectionate gaze, “I’ve decided. After the case is solved, I’ll stay and not leave.”
“…” Zhu Yan was completely stunned. She blinked, looking at the girl before her in surprise, “You plan to stay at the Shen residence?”
Yun Que nodded, then glanced at her haughtily, “I’m advising you not to divorce because I think you’re capable. After I marry, we can keep each other company. Otherwise, I’ll be very lonely.”
Zhu Yan was utterly speechless, frozen in place with her lips twitching.
It’s good for women to be confident, but excessive confidence might make people think there’s something wrong with one’s head.
Zhu Yan shook her head. Seeing that Shen Du remained silent, she stood up, took the supply orders and receipts, and left the room.
“Why are you leaving? I haven’t finished talking,” Yun Que tried to call out to Zhu Yan, but she left without looking back.
Yun Que’s shout brought Shen Du back to his senses. Seeing Zhu Yan leave, he also stood up to go.
But as soon as he stood, Yun Que grabbed his arm, her face full of enthusiasm like a blooming flower, saying softly, “Grand Prefect, where are you going? You’ve finally come, and haven’t even had your tea yet.”
Impatience filled Shen Du’s eyes. He couldn’t be bothered to respond to Yun Que’s question and shook off her hand, leaving directly.
Watching Shen Du’s retreating figure, Yun Que wasn’t angry at all. Instead, she became even more infatuated, “Even when he’s angry, he looks so handsome…”