By this time, Shen Du had also changed his clothes and arrived. Just as Zhu Yan was wondering why it had taken Shen Du so long to change, suddenly a piece of pastry was stuffed into her mouth.
It was crispy, sweet, and truly delicious.
Zhu Yan quickly pushed the pastry further into her mouth and asked indistinctly, “Why are you only coming now? The case is almost finished.”
“I got hungry and sent someone to find some food. I couldn’t finish it all, so I brought you some. I also checked on Miss Du’s condition.”
This man, his words were still as unpleasant as ever, but the aroma was truly enticing. Zhu Yan picked up another piece and popped it into her mouth.
“You should eat some too.” As she spoke, Zhu Yan pinched a piece of pastry and fed it to Shen Du’s mouth. Shen Du didn’t stand on ceremony and swallowed it in one bite, not at all looking like someone who had already eaten his fill. Zhu Yan didn’t expose his lie, feeling a warmth in her heart.
“How is Miss Du doing? Can she appear in court?” Zhu Yan asked while continuing to eat the pastry. Shen Du nodded, “She’s already here.”
Hearing this, Zhu Yan quickly turned her head to look and suddenly met Pan Chi’s gaze.
Pan Chi looked somewhat angry. It was supposed to be a task for three people, but now only he was busy working while the other two were eating pastries. This seemed unfair.
He bowed to Magistrate Mo Qianzhi and then left the main hall, coming to Zhu Yan and Shen Du’s side. He grabbed a piece of pastry and was about to put it in his mouth while complaining, “Do you two have any conscience? Eating pastries so late at night without even telling me, leaving me alone in the hall to question people. You’re truly heartless.”
Just as he was about to put the pastry in his mouth, Shen Du suddenly snatched it back.
“If you want to eat, go to the kitchen yourself. This isn’t for you.” After taking the pastry, Shen Du stuffed it into his mouth and turned his body to present all the pastries to Zhu Yan.
This blatant display of spoiling his wife made Pan Chi’s lips twitch.
Zhu Yan also felt a bit embarrassed and took a piece to give to Pan Chi. Just as Pan Chi was about to reach for it, Shen Du snatched it away again and put it in his mouth. “If you don’t want to eat it, give it to me. Don’t give it to irrelevant people.”
Pan Chi was completely stunned. When they needed him, they gave orders directly, but when they didn’t need him anymore, he became irrelevant.
Zhu Yan also froze with her hand in mid-air, not knowing what to do. Shen Du, however, acted as if nothing had happened. After swallowing the pastry in his mouth, he gave the two of them a meaningful look and said, “Miss Du is here.”
Zhu Yan quickly turned around, while Pan Chi, taking advantage of Shen Du’s inattention, grabbed a few pieces of pastry from the plate and stuffed them into his mouth.
Seeing this scene, Zhu Yan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. These two grown men were acting like children, sulking and bickering.
Miss Du Xiaowan was brought in, but she looked very unwell, her expression haggard, tearful, and sorrowful.
Thinking about it, it was understandable. Being abducted on her wedding night was truly humiliating. If her husband held this against her, how could she face people in the future?
Seeing their daughter appear, Mr. and Mrs. Du Fusheng quickly embraced Du Xiaowan, lamenting their daughter’s misfortune while expressing their hatred for the culprits.
At this moment, the Li family’s young master, Li Zimo, stepped forward and declared, “Miss Du, you needn’t be sad. We have already performed the wedding ceremony, and you are my wife. Tonight’s events were sudden and not something Miss Du could control. I, Li Zimo, swear to heaven that I will never despise Miss Du because of this incident. Please trust in my sincerity.”
Hearing Li Zimo’s words, Du Xiaowan felt somewhat better. She looked at Li Zimo with deep gratitude and, as it was their first meeting, there was still some shyness in her eyes. A blush spread across her face, making her already beautiful features even more enchanting.
Seeing Du Xiaowan’s shyness, Li Zimo’s expression was one of contentment. To have such a beautiful wife in this life, what more could he ask for?
But then, remembering what had happened, she found it difficult to speak.
After all, a woman’s reputation was of utmost importance. If this incident were to spread, she would never be able to hold her head up in society again.
Seeing Miss Du’s troubled expression, Zhu Yan stepped forward.
“Miss Du, I understand that women value their reputation, making it difficult for you to speak. But have you considered that if we don’t catch the culprits, more young women will fall victim to their evil deeds in the future? Not all young women might be as fortunate as you, Miss Du, to be rescued at the last moment. Can you bear to see them destroyed by these villains?”
Miss Du lowered her head, her brow furrowed with difficulty.
“Wife,” Li Zimo suddenly came forward. The word “wife” brought tears to Du Xiaowan’s eyes.
“It is my good fortune that my wife has returned safely. But if we cannot bring the culprits to justice, my heart will not be at ease. Moreover, as this official has said, not everyone will be as lucky as you. I, Li Zimo, have already said that I will not look down on you because of this, and I certainly won’t hold this against you in the future. Shall we help the officials catch the culprits together, to ensure the safety and peace of mind of the common people?”
Hearing Li Zimo speak thus, Du Xiaowan looked towards her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Du also nodded.
Only then did Du Xiaowan calm herself and begin to speak.
“After the wedding ceremony, I saw the matchmaker in the bridal chamber, but then I somehow fainted. When I woke up, everything was pitch black, and my mouth was stuffed with cloth. I couldn’t see who had abducted me. I was terrified and couldn’t make a sound. I only knew that I was wrapped in a sack and being carried on someone’s shoulder as they ran. It seemed like a long time before I was put down. Then another person came…”
At this point, Du Xiaowan lowered her head even further, her expression becoming uneasy. Li Zimo quickly stepped forward to comfort her, which helped Du Xiaowan calm down a little.
“Then another person came. Did you hear what they said?” Zhu Yan continued to ask.
Du Xiaowan lowered her head even more, biting her lower lip as if finding it difficult to speak. At this point, even if she didn’t say anything, everyone understood.
Abducting a bride on her wedding night could only be for one purpose.
And the person who came later was likely the culprit. Zhu Yan had no choice but to ask.
“Miss Du, I know some things are hard to say. You can keep certain details to yourself. Just tell us the important parts.”
Zhu Yan’s words were very considerate, and Du Xiaowan nodded slightly in response.
“I originally thought that person had come to rescue me, but I never expected the two of them to be accomplices. They discussed how they would share me, and their words were truly offensive. I really can’t bring myself to repeat them.”
“This is truly despicable!”
Li Zimo suddenly became angry. He clasped his hands and looked at everyone present with righteous indignation.
“Honored officials, my wife has suffered such an insult. I implore you to severely punish the culprits.”
“Young Master Li, rest assured. Once Miss Du finishes telling us what happened, we will not let the culprits escape justice,” Magistrate Mo Qianzhi quickly reassured Li Zimo.
Only then did Li Zimo swallow his anger, his eyes full of sympathy as he looked at his wife.