Jing Lin spoke these words with a heavy heart, prepared to hear the order for Zhu Yan’s execution.
“Hmm.”
Shen Du understood everything. No wonder this woman’s handwriting was so similar – she had entered his study.
But his simple utterance left Jing Lin’s heart in suspense.
What did the Grand Commandant mean?
There was no anger in his tone, yet it was his order that no one should approach his study.
Shen Du’s mind conjured the image of Zhu Yan, anxious yet clever.
She spoke of eagerly awaiting widowhood, yet when a real crisis arose, she chose to lend a hand.
This woman was becoming more and more interesting.
A warmth spread through his chest, and Shen Du’s lips curved into a smile.
“Grand Commandant, shall this subordinate go now to…”
Before he could finish, Jing Lin made a throat-slitting gesture towards Shen Du.
Shen Du’s brows furrowed. “When did I say to treat her like that?”
Jing Lin was speechless. The Grand Commandant indeed had not given such an order, but wasn’t trespassing into his forbidden area deserving of such punishment?
“Grand Commandant, it’s getting late. We shouldn’t keep Her Majesty waiting,” a palace servant urged. Shen Du’s expression returned to calm.
“Go back and keep a close eye on that woman. Don’t let certain people take advantage of the situation.”
With that, Shen Du turned and left.
Jing Lin understood Shen Du’s meaning but couldn’t comprehend his actions.
The Grand Commandant had started to worry about that woman…
In the main hall, Lai Luozhi’s eyes flashed with malice as he watched Shen Du arrive.
The two men’s relationship was already strained, and now the Empress seemed to favor Shen Du.
How could he be content with that?
“Your subject, Grand Commandant Shen Du of the Imperial Guard, greets Your Majesty. Long live the Empress, ten thousand years!”
Shen Du stepped forward and bowed. Empress Zhou Zhao raised her hand and said, “Rise and speak, Beloved Official Shen.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
After rising, Shen Du politely nodded to Lai Luozhi.
After all, they were colleagues, and it wouldn’t do to slight him before the Empress.
But Lai Luozhi was ungracious, merely snorting and turning his head away at Shen Du’s gesture.
Lai Luozhi had served the Empress for many years, while Shen Du had only been in service for a few. He didn’t think Shen Du was worthy of standing as his equal.
Shen Du paid it no mind, standing tall and focusing his gaze on the Empress.
“Beloved Official Shen, the Liang family murder case in Chang’an remains unsolved. Have you encountered obstacles in your investigation?”
“Your Majesty,” Shen Du bowed, “Your subject has determined that the Liang family murder is not an isolated incident, but part of a series of connected killings. I have detailed the specifics in a memorial for Your Majesty’s review.”
A eunuch quickly brought the memorial and presented it to the Empress.
Opening it, she found the handwriting neat and graceful, almost as if written personally.
But the astute Empress immediately saw through it – this memorial was certainly not in Shen Du’s hand.
The content laid out the entire case logically and persuasively. Shen Du must have a talented assistant.
After detailing the case, there was a special note stating that if there was another culprit, closing the case hastily would only encourage evil. The murderer had killed the son of an official family, showing no fear of imperial authority. Suppressing the case would only embolden the killer’s bloodthirst.
If the killer had specific targets, and the next victim was also from an official family, it would surely cause panic in the court. This must not be allowed to happen. The memorial requested that the Empress grant more time, and promised to identify the culprit quickly, explaining to both Her Majesty and the common people.
After reading this, a slight smile appeared on the Empress’s austere face. Though the statement was righteous and unyielding, there was a feminine style between the lines.
It seemed this noble person was none other than Shen Du’s wife, Zhu Yan.
Zhu Yan had been strongly recommended by the former Chancellor Zhang Xingwei, yet now she was helping Shen Du. How interesting.
Putting down the memorial, the Empress’s expression turned serious again. “It seems this case is not without progress. However, to reassure the people, the investigation must be accelerated. Give me an explanation as soon as possible.”
“Your subject will heed Your Majesty’s teachings,” Shen Du bowed.
Beside him, Lai Luozhi seemed to notice something and hurriedly bowed, saying, “Your Majesty, the case has remained unsolved for days, which shows the Imperial Guard’s ineffectiveness. I humbly request that Your Majesty allow the Court of Judicial Review to intervene. With both sides working together, we will surely solve the case quickly and calm the people.”
“Lord Lai, mind your words.”
Before the Empress could speak, Shen Du’s displeasure was evident. “Her Majesty entrusted this case to the Imperial Guard. How would Lord Lai know the progress of our investigation? To judge our effectiveness based on mere rumors and dare to imply that Her Majesty has chosen poorly – Lord Lai, can you bear the charge of insubordination?”
“You!” Lai Luozhi’s face turned from red to white. He had meant to mock Shen Du but found himself accused instead, with a charge of insubordination no less.
How could he stomach such an accusation?
“Your Majesty, please see clearly. Your subject had no such intention. I only feared that if the murder case remains unsolved, the people will be anxious. Further delay might affect Your Majesty’s illustrious reputation.”
“Hmph…” Shen Du snorted, looking at Lai Luozhi with disdain. “If Lord Lai truly had such intentions, he should go comfort the people himself, so Her Majesty need not worry. Instead, you’re here recommending your people to interfere with the case. If the two sides end up at odds, each holding their ground, wouldn’t further delays make us a laughingstock?”
“You! You’re talking nonsense!”
Lai Luozhi was red-faced with anger. Shen Du’s words were like hats stacked one atop another, too heavy for him to bear.
“Enough.”
Just as Lai Luozhi was sputtering incoherently, unable to refute Shen Du, the Empress’s voice, gentle yet authoritative, suddenly rang out. “Both of you are my right and left arms, each with your own merits. Why argue over this matter? The Imperial Guard will continue to investigate this case. If there’s nothing else, you may withdraw.”
“Your Majesty…”
“Your subjects take our leave.”
Lai Luozhi wanted to say more, but Shen Du’s loud voice drowned him out.
Seeing the weariness on the Empress’s face, Lai Luozhi could only give up. He glared fiercely at Shen Du before bowing, “Your subject takes his leave.”
As the two left the main hall, Shen Du had only walked a few steps when Lai Luozhi called out to him.
“Commandant Shen.”
Lai Luozhi came to Shen Du’s side. His tone was calm, but his words were full of provocation. “Today, before the Empress, Commandant Shen’s silver tongue was truly admirable.”
“Lord Lai flatters me. I merely stated the facts.”
“Is that so?” Lai Luozhi looked at Shen Du, the malice in his eyes unmistakable. “The case remains unsolved, utterly failing Her Majesty’s expectations of you. If I were you, I’d be too ashamed to show my face before Her Majesty.”
“Heh…” Shen Du laughed coldly. “Lord Lai is so humble, I admire it. But each man has his aspirations. My actions are merely within my duties. Unlike Lord Lai, who despite his heavy responsibilities to Her Majesty, still finds time to observe my movements. If it were anyone else, they’d surely be overwhelmed.”
“Since you know all this, you should understand the pros and cons. Your noble wife is clever, but everyone knows who recommended her for marriage to you. Commandant Shen should cherish and protect her well.”
At Lai Luozhi’s words, Shen Du’s brows suddenly furrowed, and his fists clenched beneath his long official sleeves.
“I will naturally take care of my wife. Not just my wife, but everything of mine is off-limits to others. Lord Lai, take care of yourself!”
With this warning, Shen Du left.
Watching Shen Du’s retreating figure, the malice in Lai Luozhi’s eyes grew even deeper.