Turning around with a gloomy face, Shen Du inquired of the household servants and learned that Zhu Yan had not only personally arranged guest rooms for the two elders of the Yun family but was also chatting with them at this hour.
This was truly giving the Yun family too much respect.
The more Shen Du thought about it, the more irritated he became. As the esteemed wife of the Gelang, was it necessary for her to maintain relations with the Yun family?
Or was she so eager to push him towards another woman? What had he done to wrong her?
Slamming the door shut, Shen Du didn’t even light a lamp as he sat heavily on the bed, waiting for that woman to return.
When she came back, he would question her thoroughly about what he had done wrong to make her push him away like this.
Zhu Yan had hoped to glean some information from the two Yun elders, but unfortunately, they were tight-lipped. After an evening of probing, she hadn’t learned anything and could only return disappointed.
Just as she entered the room and was about to light a candle, she suddenly felt a chill behind her. Zhu Yan quickly turned around to find a tall figure looming before her in the darkness, so close she could feel the other’s breath.
Though startled, the person’s scent was undeniably familiar.
“Are you trying to scare me to death? Why didn’t you light a lamp in such a dark room?” Zhu Yan said angrily, shoving Shen Du away before turning to light a candle.
“How was your chat with them?” Shen Du’s tone was icy, like the King of Hell himself, making Zhu Yan purse her lips in displeasure.
“I couldn’t get anything out of them. Yun Que’s parents are very tight-lipped, which surprised me. By the way, where were you earlier? I didn’t see you at dinner.”
“Hmph.” Shen Du let out a cold snort, full of displeasure. “I’m surprised you even thought of me. I agreed to let you handle this matter, but I never said they could stay. If you want them to remain in Chang’an, that’s fine, but why must they stay in our mansion?”
“They’re key figures in the Jinxiu Fang case. If something were to happen to them outside, wouldn’t all our efforts be in vain? Keeping them in the Shen mansion provides an extra layer of protection, doesn’t it?”
“Sophistry,” Shen Du’s tone held no kindness. “So many years have passed, and they’ve been fine. Why would they suddenly be in danger upon arriving in Chang’an? In my opinion, you must have already agreed to Yun Que’s request to marry into our family, haven’t you?”
“Huh?” Zhu Yan was bewildered, unable to grasp the meaning behind Shen Du’s words.
Shen Du was most annoyed by Zhu Yan’s nonchalant attitude whenever this matter was brought up. He clenched his fists, his eyes flashing with anger.
“Grand Gelang, Madam Gelang, someone from the Zhu family has arrived,” Jinglin suddenly reported, interrupting the conversation in the room.
“The Zhu family? At this late hour? What could be the matter?” Zhu Yan was very surprised. Why would the Zhu family send someone at this time? Could there be some urgent matter at home?
Unclenching his fist, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Shen Du’s lips, full of meaning. It seemed Zhu Kuo had indeed taken his words to heart. This visit would surely involve lecturing Zhu Yan, making her realize her importance.
As the couple left the room, they were informed by a servant that the Zhu family members had gone directly to the guest rooms.
Zhu Yan was even more confused. What were they up to? Did her family have some grudge against the Yun family?
Seeing the arrival of the Zhu family members, Yun Que’s heart sank. The Gelang’s wife’s family had come, probably having learned of her feelings for Shen Du. Moreover, her parents were staying at the Shen mansion. This visit was surely meant to cause a scene, perhaps even to drive them away.
No matter what, she was in the wrong in this situation, and she couldn’t help feeling uneasy.
However, to everyone’s surprise, the Zhu family members were unusually warm towards the Yun family, especially Zhu Yan’s birth mother, Madam Jin. She held Yun Que’s mother’s hand, addressing her as “elder sister” repeatedly as if they were long-lost sisters.
This left everyone bewildered. Not only was Yun Que confused, but even Zhu Yan and Shen Du were stunned.
Although there was no grudge between the two families, they weren’t close enough to warrant such warmth. Why were the Zhu family members being so cordial to the Yun family?
Could it be that Zhu Kuo had misunderstood his intentions?
Shen Du couldn’t make sense of it. Had he not explained clearly to Zhu Kuo, or had the Zhu family misinterpreted his meaning? How had things come to this?
As the two families conversed, Stepmother Ru quietly pulled Zhu Yan aside and said with a satisfied expression,
“You’re truly clever, using such a strategy to pave your way out. This way, you won’t hurt either party’s feelings and can escape your predicament sooner. Of all the children in our family, the Sixth Miss is indeed the smartest.”
“…” Zhu Yan’s facial muscles twitched. She had no idea what Ru Shi meant.
What had she done?
How had this become her strategy?
She turned to look at Shen Du, whose expression was indescribably complex, seeming both angry and helpless.
His fists were clenched so tightly that Zhu Yan could see the veins on the back of his hands.
Shen Du was angry, very angry.
What on earth was going on? Zhu Yan was completely baffled.
After a while, Shen Du stormed off angrily, with Zhu Yan hurrying after him.
“What’s going on? Did you know my family was coming?” Zhu Yan caught up to Shen Du and asked.
Shen Du’s lips curled into a strange smile. “What makes you think that?”
“I can see it all over your face. You might want to be more careful when lying to me.”
Zhu Yan was even more certain of her suspicion. The Zhu family’s visit must have been arranged by Shen Du, but why had he done this?
“You’re quite observant. Then do you know why I had them come?”
Zhu Yan was perplexed. If she knew the reason, why would she be asking him?
Seeing Zhu Yan’s confused expression once again, Shen Du was exasperated beyond words.
This woman!
She wasn’t clever when she should be, and wasn’t foolish when she should be.
“Why?” After pondering for a long time without understanding, Zhu Yan could only ask directly.
Shen Du had completely lost his patience. He no longer wanted to explain these trivial matters to Zhu Yan.
“Incomprehensible.”
Leaving these four words heavily in the air, Shen Du turned and left, abandoning a thoroughly confused Zhu Yan.
What was going on lately? Why was she finding it increasingly difficult to gauge Shen Du’s moods?
There was no time to think too much about it. After all, her family members were still in the Shen mansion, and it was already late at night. She had to make sure they were properly settled.
“Sister-in-law Yun has come from afar, you must enjoy a few good days in Chang’an. It’s getting late now, and we need to head back, but I’ll come to see you tomorrow. Then we can go sightseeing in Chang’an together,” Madam Jin said with great enthusiasm.
Faced with Madam Jin’s warm invitation, the two Yun elders couldn’t refuse and could only agree.
Despite her best efforts, Zhu Yan couldn’t convince her family members to stay, so she could only arrange for someone to escort them back.