As the group walked through the market streets, Madam Ru and Madam Jin pointed and commented on the intimate silhouettes of the couple ahead, finally sighing that a married daughter was like spilled water.
Passing through Xuanping Ward, they were suddenly attracted by a group of men and women in Hu (non-Han) clothing.
Amidst laughter and the clanging of gongs and drums, these barefoot and bare-chested Hu people carried wooden basins and buckets, splashing water on those around them, who laughed and splashed back.
The entire street was filled with laughter as people threw water at friends and strangers alike.
Zhu Manshu, unfamiliar with such customs, curiously asked Lu Chuichui about it.
“This is called the ‘Pohan Festival’,” Lu Chuichui explained. “It’s a Hu folk festival, usually held around the winter solstice. It symbolizes washing away the cold, strengthening the body, and not fearing the severe winter.”
“Splashing ice water on yourself in winter? Isn’t that masochistic?” Zhu Manshu couldn’t understand.
Madam Ru and Madam Jin also looked perplexed: “There are many Hu barbarians in Chang’an now, bringing these strange festivals. It’s fine to watch, but don’t imitate them. You could freeze to death in this cold.”
Watching them splash each other carelessly, the ice quickly forming on their bodies, made one’s teeth chatter just looking at it.
At that moment, someone noticed them and threw water towards Zhu Yan at the front.
“Watch out!” Shen Du raised his cloak to block the water. The Hu people cheered, but Shen Du only had eyes for Zhu Yan. “Let’s go!”
Zhu Yan nodded slightly, her beautiful eyes turning. She wanted to remind Shen Du that his wet cloak shouldn’t be worn, but suddenly Zhu Manshu and Lu Chuichui pulled her away from Shen Du’s side.
Amidst the flying water and laughter, Zhu Yan looked back at him anxiously. Shen Du’s gaze never left Zhu Yan. Like a beautiful flower in flowing years, Shen Du couldn’t help but smile, surprised at how peaceful he felt at that moment.
At the restaurant, Shen Du remained silent as the Zhu family ordered. Perhaps feeling frustrated from earlier encounters with Shen Du, the three visitors ordered enthusiastically.
Throughout the meal, Lu Chuichui complained about being too full from the pastries at the Ministry, yet her chopsticks never stopped moving as if by magic.
Shen Du attentively cared for Zhu Yan’s meals, leaving Madam Ru and Madam Jin unable to find fault. Seeing Zhu Yan so deeply in love, they didn’t know how to advise their innocent daughter.
After the meal, Shen Du had Jing Lin and others escort the Zhu family and Lu Chuichui home, while he took Zhu Yan’s hand and entered a carriage back to Shen Manor.
As soon as they entered the carriage, Shen Du visibly relaxed. In the deepening twilight, with lanterns glowing outside, Zhu Yan amusedly watched Shen Du’s stern brow soften. She covered her mouth and teased, “What? Are you scared?”
“How could I be? I’m the White King of Hell,” he said expressionlessly, but thinking of Madam Ru and Madam Jin’s admonitions today, he looked at Zhu Yan with a smile. “Your mothers care for you.”
“Of course,” Zhu Yan said proudly. “My mothers get along very well, and Mother has a gentle and kind nature. Our home has been peaceful for many years, with siblings loving each other. We don’t see the shadows of conflict common in other households. Would you say this is my father’s fortune or the fortune of us siblings?”
Shen Du leaned over and pulled her into his arms, saying emotionally, “It’s my fortune.”
Zhu Yan didn’t understand. She tried to move away slightly to look up at him. Shen Du narrowed his eyes and brushed her lips, smiling at her shyness:
“My parents died early. What I envied most was a complete family. The first time I went to your home, I fell in love with the lively and harmonious atmosphere. I understood then why you chose the path of a coroner, fearlessly pursuing justice even in the face of power. It’s because you grew up in a happy and fulfilling home, with a sense of justice untainted by worldly considerations. Unlike us, who must tread carefully in everything we do.”
“You are my wife. Why wouldn’t I be happy that your parents love you?”
Zhu Yan blinked, then wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in his chest. She sniffled and mumbled, “They’ll be your parents too in the future.”
Shen Du’s soft laughter came from above, and he held her even tighter.
Returning to the manor, they didn’t rest immediately but reviewed the case files and books they had brought back.
Some were from the Inner Cabinet, others from the Ministry of Justice. They worked until the moon was high, organizing related documents and carefully examining them, but feeling somewhat at a loss.
“Here, someone started planning three years before the Shen family incident,” Shen Du pointed to a place in the file, his expression grave. “And here, my father maintained a neutral stance, but with many disciples, he couldn’t avoid getting involved.”
“What happened after that?” Zhu Yan took the file from Shen Du’s hand and glanced at it.
Shen Du pointed to a spot, and Zhu Yan focused on it.
Because the disciples held significant power, it led to murderous consequences. The most influential ones were either killed or demoted. After an investigation by the Inner Cabinet, it was found that the Court of Judicial Review was involved, and behind them was Lai Luozhi.
“So you’re saying that the troubles that befell Shen TaiFu’s disciples back then were all part of Lai Luozhi’s scheme?” Zhu Yan asked.
After so many years, Shen Du remained unperturbed. He said calmly, “If not this, then what else?”
But even though Shen Du had uncovered the truth, he couldn’t do anything about Lai Luozhi. One can imagine how complex the situation was.
Zhu Yan’s eyes were determined: “I will help you uncover the truth and bring down Lai Luozhi.”
Zhu Yan suggested performing autopsies on the victims from the disciples’ cases the next day. Shen Du hesitated, wondering what could be found after so many years, with the bodies reduced to bones and flesh turned to dust.
“If there are truly traces, even bones might retain something. How will we know if we don’t try?” Zhu Yan insisted.
Seeing Zhu Yan’s determination, Shen Du had no further doubts and agreed.
As they were urgently investigating the old Shen family case, Lai Luozhi entered the palace to meet the Empress after nightfall. It’s unknown what they discussed, but the next day, when Zhu Yan was supposed to perform the autopsies, she was urgently summoned to the palace instead.
As in previous visits, the Empress engaged in casual conversation, asking why Zhu Yan married Shen Du, which seemed odd.
Zhu Yan was surprised. Shen Du’s marriage had been reported to the Empress by Zhang Xingwei and received imperial approval. Otherwise, after her third sister Zhu Caiwei fled the marriage, how could Zhu Kuo, Madam Ru, and Madam Jin have persuaded her to take her place? Refusing would have been defying an imperial edict, a capital offense.
Why did the Empress seem unaware of this and ask specifically?
Zhu Yan told the truth but omitted that it was originally her third sister Zhu Caiwei who was betrothed, fearing complications.
“So that’s how it was,” the Empress said, looking down at Zhu Yan for a long time. “Then is Official Zhu not afraid of displeasing Minister Zhang by being so devoted to Official Shen?”
This was a probing question. Zhu Yan broke out in a cold sweat but turned to reply, “As the saying goes, ‘marry a rooster, follow the rooster; marry a dog, follow the dog.’ Since this humble servant has married the Grand Academician, naturally I should respect him above all.”
“Hmph,” the Empress was displeased. She raised her phoenix-headed shoe to step on the stairs, glancing at Zhang Baohuan. “What does being a woman matter? Should women be inferior? Should they have no opinions of their own and respect men above all?”
“I originally thought you would be of one heart and mind with me, but alas…”
The Empress didn’t finish her sentence. She waved her hand lightly, and Zhang Baohuan, understanding, rose to escort Zhu Yan out.
Zhu Yan hurried to join Shen Du for the autopsies. The bones, belonging to convicted criminals whose entire clans had been executed, had no proper burial place and were carelessly buried in a mass grave near the public cemetery outside the city. With snow falling and the ground frozen, progress was slow. By the time Zhu Yan finished examining the bodies, it was already dusk.
Returning to the manor in the frost and snow, she was immediately informed by the steward that a guest had arrived and was waiting in the main hall.
Seeing it was Zhang Baohuan, she realized things were as she had feared.
Zhang Baohuan, visibly anxious from waiting, didn’t mind Shen Du’s presence and quickly relayed the key points of Lai Luozhi’s meeting with the Empress. Finally, she warned Zhu Yan, “The Empress may have become wary of the Zhu family. Be extremely careful, or you might face the same fate as the Shen family back then.”
Indeed, what she feared most had happened.
She nodded slightly: “Thank you.”
Zhang Baohuan didn’t stay long, donning her cloak and walking out into the snowy night.
Both of their expressions were grave. With the Shen family case being investigated secretly, it was a critical moment. Zhu Yan decided not to mention this matter for now.
Apart from dealing with situations as they arose, they couldn’t make any moves. Only by staying still could they avoid giving Lai Luozhi any leverage.
Zhu Yan immediately wrote a letter to be sent to the Zhu family, instructing her father to keep a low profile.