As they alighted from the carriage and entered Duke Ying’s mansion, Zhu Yan noticed that Jinglin, who usually shadowed Shen Du, was absent today.
Princess Yong’an was surprised by the arrival of Shen Du and his wife, but as they were there in the Empress’s name, she dared not be negligent. She warmly welcomed the couple and took them on a tour of the gardens.
Zhu Yan played along, carefully investigating for clues while appearing harmonious with Shen Du. Though Princess Yong’an was puzzled by their sudden visit, the couple’s behavior gave nothing away.
At dusk, they finally left Duke Ying’s mansion. However, upon returning to the Shen residence, they were drawn to a commotion in the courtyard.
Two middle-aged people, clearly from Jiangnan based on their accents and attire, were arguing with Yunque.
“I won’t go! I won’t return!” Yunque exclaimed, her cheeks puffed in anger as she crossed her arms, clearly displeased with the elderly couple’s words.
“A man should marry when he comes of age, and a woman should be wed. You’re old enough now, it’s time to return home and find a husband,” the older woman said patiently, patting Yunque’s back.
From this intimate gesture and the content of their conversation, it was clear they were Yunque’s parents.
At that moment, Jinglin appeared from somewhere and bowed to the couple, saying, “Lord and Lady, these are Miss Yunque’s parents. They’ve come from Jiangnan to take Miss Yunque back for marriage.”
“What?” Zhu Yan exclaimed in surprise, glancing at Shen Du.
Hearing their voices, Yunque turned and, seeing Shen Du and Zhu Yan had returned, quickly ran towards them.
From her posture, it was clear she intended to throw herself into Shen Du’s arms.
Shen Du saw through her intentions immediately. His face is cold, he glared at Yunque with extreme displeasure.
Yunque paid no heed. Just as she was about to fall into Shen Du’s embrace, he suddenly waved his hand to push her away.
Yunque went with the momentum and instead hugged Zhu Yan, calling her “Elder Sister” over and over with great affection.
Zhu Yan’s lips twitched, but she couldn’t bring herself to push Yunque away. The girl might not be bright, but she was naturally strong.
Seeing this scene, Yunque’s parents’ faces fell even further. How could their daughter be so insensitive to the situation?
Yunque, however, paid no attention to the shocked looks of those around her. She turned to face her parents and declared righteously:
“I won’t go back with you. My heart already belongs to someone. I’ve chosen the man I’ll spend my life with. Even if you tie me up and drag me back, I won’t agree to marry anyone else.”
Yunque spoke with great determination, but Shen Du’s face had darkened to an extreme.
He understood perfectly well what this woman was saying. He wondered if he had been too kind to her, making Yunque blind to his obvious distancing and even disgust, causing her to persist so stubbornly.
“Jinglin! See the guests out!” he commanded.
But suddenly, Zhu Yan grabbed his arm.
Zhu Yan gave Jinglin a look, signaling him to keep an eye on Yunque, while she pulled Shen Du aside.
“The Jinxiu Fang case from years ago had many suspicious points, yet the Yun family had intact evidence and wasn’t implicated. Don’t you find that strange?” she asked.
“Strange? What’s strange about it?” Shen Du was too agitated by the current situation to think clearly. As for what Zhu Yan had just said, it was information he had shared with her on their way back earlier that day.
Zhu Yan knew Shen Du was too flustered to think straight. It was his own doing, but now wasn’t the time to dwell on that. She calmly said:
“You’re too angry right now to think clearly. Why don’t you let me handle this?”
Shen Du was indeed furious and at a loss about how to deal with the situation.
But this was the first time Zhu Yan had made such a sincere request of him, and he didn’t want to refuse.
“Fine,” he said coldly, then turned and left.
After Shen Du had walked away, Zhu Yan hurried over to Yunque’s parents. She addressed the elderly couple politely: “Uncle, Aunt, you’re both getting on in years and have traveled a long way to Chang’an. I’m sure you haven’t had a chance to rest properly. Why don’t you stay at the Shen residence for a few days to recuperate before making any decisions?”
The elderly couple felt somewhat embarrassed. Their daughter had already been imposing here for so long, and they had come to take her home. Yet the Lord’s wife was being so hospitable, putting them in an awkward position.
“Since the Lady insists, why don’t you stay for a few days?” Zhu Yan continued. “You can see for yourselves just how perfect the man your daughter has chosen is.”
Jinglin, who had been listening nearby, coughed lightly at this. This girl didn’t consider herself an outsider.
Everyone’s attention was drawn by his cough, and they looked at him somewhat awkwardly.
Realizing his faux pas, Jinglin quickly bowed to Zhu Yan in farewell and left.
Jinglin reported the situation to Shen Du, who became furious. He didn’t mind Zhu Yan wanting to keep the guests, but why did they have to stay at the Shen residence? They could arrange a room at an inn outside, and he would even cover the expenses. But keeping both of them here – what was the point of that?
Moreover, Yunque’s thoughts were far from pure. Wasn’t Zhu Yan afraid Yunque might steal her position, steal the man by her side?
The more he thought about it, the more unreasonable it seemed. He got up and left the Shen residence.
Seeing Shen Du leave, Jinglin hurried after him, expressing his confusion: “My Lord, it’s almost dark. Are you going out?”
“Are you telling me what to do?” Shen Du replied irritably, immediately silencing Jinglin.
Tell the Lord what to do. Even with a hundred times more courage, he wouldn’t dare.
Jinglin silently followed Shen Du until they entered the Zhu residence. Only then did he understand the reason.
The Lady had displeased the Lord at the Shen residence, so the Lord had come to the Zhu residence to “vent his anger.”
Hot tea was served as Shen Du recounted the whole affair to Zhu Kuo. Zhu Kuo listened with great embarrassment throughout. He was surprised that his daughter could be so magnanimous, which he found hard to understand.
What puzzled him even more was that the Lord would come to the Zhu residence to throw a tantrum over this matter. Wasn’t that giving Zhu Yan too much importance?
Not daring to ask or think too much, Zhu Kuo could only listen humbly and promise that he would certainly lecture Zhu Yan properly, assuring Shen Du not to worry.
“Safe journey, my Lord!” Zhu Kuo repeatedly assured Shen Du as he respectfully saw him off.
When Shen Du returned to the Shen residence, it was already late at night. He went straight to his chambers without even stopping by his study. To his surprise, Zhu Yan wasn’t in the room. It was so late – where could this woman have gone?