After thanking Princess Yong’an, Zhu Yan sat back down in her chair, but this time she felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles, completely uncomfortable.
Although it wasn’t her first meeting with Princess Yong’an, they were far from being familiar with each other. The Princess’s sudden warmth towards her inevitably aroused Zhu Yan’s suspicions.
“It’s been days since we last met. Is everything well with you, Mrs. Shen?”
“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. All is well with me.”
Princess Yong’an smiled again, “You and the Grand Secretariat have been married for some time now. Rumors in the city speak of your deep affection and marital harmony. It’s truly enviable.”
Zhu Yan’s eye twitched, wondering where the Princess had heard such rumors.
“Your Highness jests. Since I’ve married the Grand Secretariat, it’s only natural that I prioritize my husband’s position in all matters.”
“Hehe…” Princess Yong’an chuckled softly, making it impossible to discern whether it was genuine or feigned.
Zhu Yan said no more, merely lowering her gaze slightly and placing her hands on her newly changed brocade and gauze dress. Whether from nervousness or unease, her palms were already sweating.
Seeing Zhu Yan’s discomfort, Princess Yong’an spoke again, “Mrs. Shen, there’s no need to be nervous. I called you here merely to chat about family matters, nothing more.”
“Yes,” Zhu Yan replied, though her heart held a different sentiment. The more the Princess spoke this way, the more uneasy she felt. They weren’t close, so how could they be chatting about family matters?
If it were Lu Chuichui had spoken to her this way, she would have unhesitatingly put her feet up on the chair and spoken frankly with her.
Seeing that Zhu Yan was still ill at ease, Princess Yong’an stopped beating around the bush.
“How is the investigation into the Liang family murder case progressing?”
Zhu Yan’s heart skipped a beat. She knew this palace visit wasn’t just about appreciating flowers, bathing, and casual conversation.
“The case is progressing very smoothly, Your Highness. There’s no need for concern.”
“Is that so?” Princess Yong’an didn’t believe Zhu Yan’s words. “This serial murder case is inextricably linked to the Liang family case. Doesn’t Mrs. Shen have any other thoughts on the matter?”
Zhu Yan quickly stood up and bowed to Princess Yong’an, “This official… doesn’t understand Your Highness’s meaning.”
“There’s no need to pretend here.” Princess Yong’an rose and approached Zhu Yan. “You’d best not be interested in the Liang family’s affairs. Just investigate your case properly and don’t do anything unnecessary. Otherwise, I’m afraid you won’t be able to bear the consequences.”
As Princess Yong’an’s words fell, Zhu Yan’s legs weakened, and she stumbled.
She clearly understood the implications of the “consequences” the Princess mentioned.
Though she was Shen Du’s wife, she was still surnamed Zhu, with the entire Zhu family behind her. She couldn’t afford to gamble, nor could she afford to lose.
“Your Highness.”
Her palms sweated again. The royal family’s intimidation and pressure made Zhu Yan feel uneasy as if a mountain were pressing down on her, leaving her oppressed and fearful.
“Mrs. Shen is a clever person. Surely you understand my meaning.”
As she spoke, Princess Yong’an lightly tapped Zhu Yan’s shoulder with her silk fan.
That tap felt like a wooden mallet, making Zhu Yan’s entire body ache with pressure.
The air remained tense. Not only were Zhu Yan’s palms sweating, but cold sweat also beaded on her forehead.
She couldn’t ignore the royal family’s authority, yet she had to investigate the truth of the case. How had she, a mere ninth-rank official, become entangled in such a dilemma?
“Has Mrs. Shen come to understand?”
Seeing Zhu Yan’s silence, Princess Yong’an prompted, “A good bird chooses its perch. Someone as clever as Mrs. Shen should naturally know what to do.”
Another veiled threat fell, and Zhu Yan’s body stiffened.
She knew in her heart that Princess Yong’an wasn’t joking.
“This official…” Just as Zhu Yan was struggling to respond to Princess Yong’an, a palace maid waiting outside suddenly entered.
“Your Highness, the Grand Secretariat has come to escort his wife.”
“What?” Princess Yong’an seemed surprised that Shen Du had arrived so quickly, her shock tinged with reluctance.
The maid’s announcement broke the suffocating atmosphere.
Zhu Yan took a deep breath. This time, she would have to thank Shen Du properly.
Shen Du arrived at the side hall, bowed to Princess Yong’an, and then turned his gaze to Zhu Yan.
Zhu Yan was still maintaining her bowing posture. Though Shen Du didn’t know how long she had been in that position, Zhu Yan’s cold sweat and pale complexion spoke volumes.
“It’s been only half a day apart, yet the Grand Secretariat is so concerned about his wife. It seems the rumors in the city aren’t unfounded. Your affection for each other is truly enviable.”
Hearing Princess Yong’an’s lukewarm praise, Shen Du didn’t express thanks. “My wife has been away for some time, and there are many household matters that require her attention. That’s why I came urgently to escort her home.”
“Is that so?” Princess Yong’an’s tone was skeptical. “Whether it’s handling affairs or deep marital affection since the Grand Secretariat is here today, I might as well speak plainly.”
“Please do, Your Highness.”
“You’ve been unable to solve the serial murder case for so long. Whether you can’t find the culprit or wish to investigate further, I don’t have time to care. But regarding the Liang family’s affairs, I advise you to be cautious in your words and actions. Take care of yourselves.”
“Your Highness,” Shen Du bowed to Princess Yong’an and spoke righteously, “We are investigating the serial murder case under Her Majesty the Empress’s direct orders. Whether it’s the Liang family’s internal affairs or the murder case, as long as they’re related, we will investigate thoroughly. Surely Your Highness doesn’t intend to obstruct our investigation?”
Princess Yong’an’s cold gaze fixed on Shen Du. “Grand Secretariat, I’ve spoken clearly. Why do you need to ask further?”
“Has Your Highness considered the consequences of defying Her Majesty the Empress?”
Shen Du’s words rang like an alarm bell in Princess Yong’an’s mind.
Though reluctant, she was powerless to refute.
After a moment of silence from Princess Yong’an, Shen Du spoke, “If Your Highness has no other matters, we shall take our leave.”
He then gave Zhu Yan a meaningful look.
Zhu Yan’s expression was pained. She wanted to move but found her legs wouldn’t obey.
Whether from nervousness or numbness, she couldn’t take a single step.
Zhu Yan looked to Shen Du for help, and he immediately understood her meaning.
Without hesitation, he stepped forward and lifted Zhu Yan into his arms, striding away.
The carriage had been traveling away from the palace for some time before Zhu Yan came to her senses.
Her body was still trembling, but her mind was much clearer. Looking at the carriage she was riding in, she felt a sudden unease.
It seemed Shen Du had prepared to come for her in advance.
“Did… did you anticipate that my palace visit would be more dangerous than fortunate?”
Zhu Yan pulled her cloak tighter, seemingly still not recovered from the recent shock.
Shen Du didn’t answer her question directly. Instead, he smiled and looked away, “You’re like a child who has learned to walk but never fallen. Until you fall and hurt yourself badly, you’ll never know the pain of falling. Have you learned from today’s lesson?”
Zhu Yan quietly looked at Shen Du, his distinct features carrying an air of authority. She then thought of Shen Du’s childhood experiences.
If he hadn’t been sent to the palace as punishment in his youth, would he be the cautious man he is today?
Thinking of this, Zhu Yan clenched her fists, feeling a mix of pity and heartache.
Like an obedient child, she nodded, “I’ll be more careful in the future.”
Seeing Zhu Yan speak to him so gently and submissively, Shen Du was momentarily stunned. How had she become so docile?
After a while, a jolt of the carriage brought Shen Du back to his senses. He coughed lightly to cover his embarrassment and casually said, “We’ve found the distribution channels for the counterfeit paintings and calligraphy. They’re all merchants who operate in the underworld, and there are quite a few of them. It’s impossible to investigate thoroughly. It seems to be a dead end.”
“What?” Zhu Yan was shocked. She hadn’t expected this lead to end this way.
Could it be that she had been wrong in her approach?