Just as Zhu Yan was about to speak, she suddenly met Shen Du’s cold gaze, his sword-like eyebrows slightly lowered in warning.
Warning her not to interfere.
On second thought, this was a Liang family matter, and she indeed shouldn’t meddle, even if she sympathized with Cui’er.
“Since this matter has been clarified, let’s discuss your son’s case,” Shen Du spoke again, his tone still cool, completely unaffected by the recent events.
At the mention of Liang Chenzhong, Madam Liu’s face filled with sorrow. Her earlier fury instantly gave way to a sickly demeanor.
Holding a handkerchief, she coughed lightly a few times before excusing herself due to poor health.
As Madam Liu left, Madam Zheng’s face relaxed slightly.
Turning to Shen Du and Zhu Yan, she forced a smile, “We’ve made quite a scene today, please forgive us. Since Chenzhong’s passing, my sister-in-law has grown increasingly melancholy and fallen ill. Today, she likely heard about the Liang family being wronged and made a rare appearance, only for it to turn out to be a false alarm.”
“We understand,” Zhu Yan quickly responded. “Some questions we can ask you as well since you’ve been with the Liang family for years and naturally know about Young Master Liang’s affairs.”
Madam Zheng’s implication was clear – she was politely asking them to leave. But having come this far, Zhu Yan couldn’t pass up this opportunity.
Seeing no way to refuse, Madam Zheng’s face darkened, but she nodded, “Very well, Madam Shen, please ask your questions.”
Zhu Yan smiled, glancing at Shen Du beside her, “We’d like to know about Young Master Liang’s connection to Jinxiu House.”
At the mention of Jinxiu House, Zhu Yan caught a fleeting look of panic in Madam Zheng’s eyes.
“Jinxiu House… wasn’t it closed six years ago? How could Chenzhong be connected to it?” Madam Zheng evaded, which Shen Du also noticed.
Seeing Madam Zheng’s deliberate concealment, Zhu Yan persisted, but just as she was about to speak, Shen Du interrupted her.
“If your young master had no connection to Jinxiu House, it seems we were overthinking things,” Shen Du said casually, not even looking at Zhu Yan. “It’s getting late, we should take our leave.”
Zhu Yan looked at Shen Du in surprise, but he was already pulling her away before she could say anything more.
By the time she regained her senses, they were in the courtyard.
Zhu Yan was very dissatisfied with Shen Du’s actions, but with Liang’s family eyes everywhere, she could only lower her voice to question him.
“Madam Zheng was hiding something. Why didn’t you let me press further?”
“Even if you had, she wouldn’t have answered. It’s better to feign retreat to gain the upper hand,” Shen Du replied concisely, but Zhu Yan wasn’t satisfied with this reason.
She had rarely visited the Liang household and had finally gotten a chance to speak with Madam Zheng, only to have Shen Du thwart her efforts.
Who knew when she’d get another chance to talk to Madam Zheng like this?
At the Liang mansion’s gate, several servants were restraining Cui’er, preparing to take her out. Suddenly, someone shouted, “Madam Wei has run out!”
The Liang household instantly fell into chaos, with servants and maids rushing out to bring Madam Wei back.
But when Madam Wei saw the chicken blood on the black gate, she burst into maniacal laughter, as if gone mad.
“Madam Wei is having an episode again, quickly take her back!” the steward called anxiously. Maids and servants forcibly restrained Madam Wei, leading her towards the rear courtyard.
“Man’er…” Madam Wei suddenly calmed down, her expression vacant and eyes unfocused. “Man’er…”
Seeing Madam Wei’s deranged state, Zhu Yan was shocked.
She had previously doubted whether Madam Wei had truly gone mad from losing her beloved son, but now it seemed her suspicions were unfounded.
“What are you thinking?” Shen Du asked in a low voice as if seeing through her thoughts.
“Nothing, nothing,” Zhu Yan didn’t want Shen Du to read her mind again. He would surely mock her mercilessly.
The commotion had disturbed everyone in the Liang household, even Madam Liu, who had retired to rest, was helped out.
Seeing Liang Chenzhong’s parents emerge, Madam Wei suddenly laughed again, which then turned to resentment. Pointing at the couple, she cursed loudly, “You heartless monsters, worse than demons! I thought you were just snakes that fed on people, but you’re more venomous than tigers! You’ll face retribution, you’ll face retribution! Hahaha…”
Madam Wei’s mad ravings made Zhu Yan’s heart tighten. Even Shen Du furrowed his brows slightly, sensing something amiss.
Upon hearing these words, the Liang couple’s faces turned ashen, as if some unspeakable truth had been revealed.
“Utter nonsense!” Madam Liu was furious. “What are you all standing around for? Take her away immediately! Do you want to make us a laughingstock?”
Madam Liu’s words sent a chill through the servants and maids, who hurriedly removed Madam Wei from sight.
Even so, Madam Wei’s words about retribution seemed to echo throughout the Liang mansion.
This commotion left Master Liang Jiren, who hadn’t appeared during their last visit, looking very uncomfortable. He stepped forward to greet Shen Du, his face pale beneath a forced expression.
“Grand Secretary, please forgive us. Today’s events at our household have been rather chaotic and disorderly. It’s getting late, and we should invite you both to stay for a meal, but there are many matters I must attend to, so we won’t keep you.”
“No need for apologies, Master Liang. I’ve already arranged for a dinner to be prepared at home, so we’ll take our leave,” Shen Du coldly responded to Liang Jiren’s words, leading everyone out.
Zhu Yan pouted. She had been with Shen Du the whole time; when had he arranged for dinner at home?
At the mention of dinner, she realized she was indeed hungry.
Back at their residence, Zhu Yan thought it necessary to visit Tongming House.
Although the chicken blood incident had been resolved through her explanation, she still didn’t know much about Rong Zhui.
Today’s events might not involve her, but she couldn’t guarantee that Rong Zhui wouldn’t do something rash for her younger sister, Kuang Zhanxin, in the future.
However, just as Zhu Yan was about to leave her room, she saw that familiar figure appear at the door.
Tall, straight, and coldly arrogant.
“You’re going out?” Shen Du asked, knowing full well the answer, implying he wanted to know where she was going.
“Yes,” Zhu Yan didn’t hide it. “I’m going to Tongming House. I’ll be back soon.”
“You’re not allowed to go,” Shen Du prohibited. “We have things to do tonight. You must stay with me.”
“I have important matters too, so why don’t we each mind our own business and not interfere with each other? How’s that?”
“No,” Shen Du insisted. “Has my wife forgotten what I said before? Anyone found conducting private investigations will be treated as forming factions for personal gain. Does my wife wish to test this?”
Shen Du’s words sent a chill through Zhu Yan.
She knew he wasn’t joking.
“Then… is this important matter you mentioned related to the case?” she asked.
“Of course.”
Zhu Yan felt slightly reassured. “Where are we going?”
“The Liang household.”