Shen Du continued to silently gaze at Zhu Yan as if entranced.
Zhu Yan felt uncomfortable under his stare. Had this man gone mad? She had just said something casual; did he need to look at her like that?
Feeling uneasy, Zhu Yan quickly stood up and walked out. Shen Du remained seated without moving.
Zhu Yan smiled self-mockingly. So he was just lost in thought, not looking at her at all.
Arriving in the courtyard, Chen Wen glanced back at the still-dazed Shen Du and asked Zhu Yan in a low voice, “Girl, you’ve sacrificed your youth to help this man clear his name, often running around solving cases with him. Isn’t it tiring?”
Zhu Yan’s expression was calm as she nodded slightly, “It’s tiring, of course, but I’ve never regretted it. It’s just that after all these years, the Shen family’s case still hasn’t been resolved, which worries me greatly.”
“Ah…” Chen Wen sighed helplessly. His disciple was good in every way, just too persistent.
If it were any ordinary young lady from an official family, she would surely spend her days enjoying a beautiful life. Who would have the leisure to concern themselves with others’ affairs?
But his disciple was different, running around inside and out, not only feeling no fatigue but also never regretting it.
It was truly remarkable.
What neither of them knew was that from the moment Zhu Yan stood up, Shen Du had come back to his senses. He just didn’t know how to face Zhu Yan. When he reached the door, he happened to overhear their conversation.
His heart felt like it had been stirred with all five flavors, unable to describe exactly what he felt. His fists clenched slightly, and his eyes grew exceptionally dark and deep.
By the time they returned to the Shen residence, it was completely dark.
After a busy day, neither of them had eaten before rushing back from Chen She’s place.
As soon as they returned, Zhu Yan immersed herself in the case.
Just as she was about to pick up pen and paper to reanalyze the case, Shen Du stopped her.
“It’s so late, and we haven’t eaten yet. You might not be hungry, but I am. Go make some food quickly.”
Zhu Yan’s lips quivered, but she couldn’t think of anything to say in response.
After all, this was an agreement they had made before. Extremely unwillingly, she threw the pen aside and turned towards the kitchen.
In the smoke-filled kitchen, that familiar figure was still busy. Shen Du stood at the kitchen door, quietly watching the scene.
Today’s events had truly surprised him. He had never imagined that Zhu Yan would be that girl from years ago.
Heaven had played such a joke on him, and he accepted it gladly. After all, from now on, he wouldn’t have to search desperately for that person in his heart anymore.
Thinking this, the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned upward. This woman wasn’t so bad after all.
Looking closely, she was quite pretty, with a good figure, and she could cook well too. She could even help him solve cases.
Such a talented woman was actually that chattering little girl from the palace years ago.
So, was the original marriage contract meant for Zhu Caiwei to be given to Zhu Yan as a chance for him to repay his debt of gratitude?
Wait, just for talking to him in the palace, he had to repay a debt of gratitude??
Well, considering she was the only one willing to talk to him back then, repaying the debt it is.
Two bowls of hot noodle soup were placed on the table. Zhu Yan quickly slurped up the noodles in her bowl. After a whole day, she was indeed very hungry.
If Shen Du hadn’t mentioned it, she would have surely been consumed by the case, with no time to realize she was hungry.
Zhu Yan ate ravenously, while Shen Du chewed slowly, watching the woman before him.
Shen Du couldn’t taste the flavor of today’s noodles at all; his entire attention was focused on Zhu Yan.
After finishing the meal, Zhu Yan casually wiped her mouth, stood up, and once again picked up pen and paper to analyze the case, leaving Shen Du speechless.
She had even taken out the keepsake, yet showed no reaction.
After Shen Du finished his noodles, the servants cleared the table. He poured a cup of tea and walked to Zhu Yan’s side, seeing her scribbling on the paper.
He placed the tea in front of Zhu Yan and asked calmly, “This copper whistle is connected to the Shen family. It wasn’t exactly an auspicious item back then. After so many years, you still keep it.”
“Mm.” Zhu Yan nodded, not lifting her head as she spoke, “It would be a shame to throw away such a beautiful thing. Might as well keep it and appreciate it in my spare time.”
As she finished speaking, Zhu Yan seemed to suddenly realize something and abruptly looked up at Shen Du’s expression.
The corner of his mouth was curved in a faint, meaningful smile that was difficult to decipher.
Zhu Yan quickly raised her hand, pointing to the sky, and looked at Shen Du earnestly, “You can rest assured, that even if I die, I won’t fall in love with you. As long as you spare my life, when the time comes, we can divorce. I absolutely won’t hinder you from finding true love.”
Hearing Zhu Yan say this, Shen Du’s face instantly darkened like the bottom of a pot.
Seeing a corner of the keepsake exposed at Zhu Yan’s chest, he stepped forward and snatched it away, turning to leave.
“What are you doing? Why are you taking my things? Give it back!”
Zhu Yan stood up to chase after him, but by the time she reached the courtyard gate, Shen Du had already vanished.
That night, Shen Du returned to his room. Knowing Zhu Yan was still in the study investigating the case, he lay alone on the bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
He gripped the copper whistle tightly in his hand, wondering what on earth was going on in that woman’s head.
She seemed quite intelligent, yet she was so confused about certain things.
Couldn’t she feel how good he was to her? What did he need to do to make her understand his feelings?
After a long time without Zhu Yan returning, Shen Du still couldn’t sleep.
Looking at the copper whistle in his hand, perhaps due to years of handling, it was still shiny. Shen Du placed it on Zhu Yan’s sleeping spot and left the room.
In the darkness, a figure quickly scaled the wall and arrived at a side hall of Daming Palace.
Shen Du knelt and bowed. Soon, a palace maid from the Empress’s side presented a secret edict and left the side hall.
“Imperial Envoy Shen…”
The next day, just as dawn was breaking, the door suddenly opened. Zhu Yan sat up startled, only to see it was Shen Du.
“Where did you go? I didn’t see you all night,” Zhu Yan asked groggily, then lay back down and fell into a deep sleep.
It seemed this woman had surely stayed up too late last night. After a night of turmoil, he was tired too. He lay down beside the woman and dozed off for a while.
When it was fully light, after they had breakfast, Shen Du took Zhu Yan to the Duke of Ying’s residence.
Looking at the gifts prepared in the carriage, Zhu Yan was puzzled.
“We have an important task today. We’re going to visit Princess Yong’an on behalf of the Empress.”
Shen Du explained voluntarily, which delighted Zhu Yan.
She had been suspicious of Princess Yong’an because of the Jinxiu Lane case. Surely Shen Du’s visit was also to investigate and gather evidence. She must cooperate fully.