It was late at night when the couple returned to Shen Manor.
Zhu Yan showed no signs of wanting to rest. Instead, she went directly to Shen Du’s study.
Shen Du didn’t stop her, following her to the study. Jinglin, watching this scene from the side, was stunned.
Since when had the Grand Secretariat become so generous, allowing this woman to enter his study at will?
Zhu Yan went to find the box containing the sketch, but when she took it out, all three people present were shocked.
The sketch inside the box had disappeared!
Zhu Yan realized something was wrong.
At this moment, Shen Du’s sudden cold rebuke startled both Zhu Yan and Jinglin.
“What’s going on?”
Shen Du’s words sent a chill down Jinglin’s spine. He was solely responsible for the items in the study, and now that something was missing, he naturally couldn’t escape blame.
“Grand Secretariat!”
Jinglin immediately knelt, his face as white as paper with anxiety. “It’s this servant’s incompetence. I failed to thoroughly inspect the manor, allowing thieves to take advantage. Please punish me, Grand Secretariat.”
As he spoke, cold sweat beaded on Jinglin’s forehead.
Having followed Shen Du for many years, he naturally understood his master’s temperament.
Now that something had been lost, it was already extremely merciful of Shen Du not to have him flayed alive.
“What’s done is done. What use is there in punishing you?” Shen Du said coldly.
“I understand. I’ll go find someone to recover the sketch immediately.”
As Jinglin rose to leave, Zhu Yan suddenly spoke up, “No need. Prepare some writing materials. I’ll try something.”
With that, Zhu Yan walked directly to the desk, found a clean sheet of paper, picked up the prepared brush, and began to draw.
Jinglin didn’t immediately understand what Zhu Yan was doing until Shen Du gave him a meaningful look. He then hurriedly began to grind the ink.
After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Zhu Yan put down the brush and nodded with satisfaction. “This should do it. Come take a look. Is there anything lacking?”
Zhu Yan asked Shen Du to come over. He said nothing, walking to the side and looking at the sketch on the desk.
Although the brushwork was imitative and almost identical to the original, the sketch was complete. It was truly hard to believe.
This woman had such a skill…
“Keep the sketch safe. If it goes missing again, I won’t be able to help you.”
Zhu Yan handed the sketch to Jinglin, who looked at her as if she were a savior, nodding in agreement.
At this moment, Shen Du, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke, “I didn’t expect you to be somewhat useful.”
This simple sentence, like a bucket of cold water poured over her head, instantly shattered the sympathy Zhu Yan had begun to feel for him.
“Hmph…” Zhu Yan snorted coldly. “Everyone in Chang’an knows of Sixth Miss’s intelligence. Only you, Shen Du, are blind, deaf, and ignorant.”
With that, Zhu Yan rose to leave.
Jinglin was immediately stunned. This woman truly dared to speak so presumptuously, as if given an inch, she’d take a mile.
Shen Du, too, was shocked by Zhu Yan’s unexpected retort.
What had he said?
He was praising her. How could this woman be so ungrateful?
The next day.
As they were preparing to investigate with the sketch, passing by the Zhu residence, they were suddenly stopped by a servant from the Zhu household.
“Sixth Miss is back! Quick, go report it! Our Sixth Miss and son-in-law have returned!”
As one servant shouted, another hurriedly turned back to the manor to report.
Zhu Yan was immediately stunned. They had no intention of returning to the Zhu residence.
Moreover, Shen Du hadn’t wanted to marry her in the first place and hadn’t accompanied her on a return visit. How could she now ask him to visit her family with her?
“Why don’t… you all go ahead, and I’ll just pop in for a look?” To ease the awkwardness, Zhu Yan tugged at Shen Du’s sleeve and whispered.
Shen Du showed no intention of leaving. Instead, he spoke righteously, “Having arrived at my father-in-law’s door, how can we not enter?”
“…” Zhu Yan was shocked. Was this Shen Du speaking?
Father-in-law? Didn’t he dislike her? Wasn’t he afraid of tripping over his tongue with such an address?
Before Zhu Yan could recover, her mother, Madam Jin, came rushing out of the Zhu residence. “Oh my, our little Sixth has been married for so many days and hasn’t come back once. I thought you’d forgotten about the Zhu family.”
Madam Jin spoke bluntly, her words carrying a clear reproach for Zhu Yan, but in reality, it was dissatisfaction with Shen Du.
Her daughter had been married for so long without a return visit; it must be Shen Du’s doing. Madam Jin naturally wouldn’t give him a pleasant look.
As she spoke, she didn’t forget to roll her eyes at Shen Du to show her displeasure.
In contrast, she was very warm towards Jinglin and the other Imperial Guards.
“You’ve all had a tiring journey. We’ve prepared some excellent tea inside. Please come in and rest.”
Madam Jin’s enthusiasm made the Imperial Guards look uncomfortable. Even their leader didn’t receive such treatment; how could they dare to walk in front of him?
Unless they had a death wish.
Seeing the Imperial Guards’ lack of response, Madam Jin naturally understood.
Awkwardly, she forced a smile and turned to Shen Du. “Son-in-law Grand Secretariat, we’ve prepared some excellent tea inside. I wonder if you have time to come in, rest your feet, and have a little chat?”
Zhu Yan’s heart sank. Her mother had finally acknowledged Shen Du, but given his status, he might not accept such an invitation for tea.
Moreover, Shen Du was proud of nature. With so many people present earlier, her behavior had completely embarrassed him. How could he now accede to her wishes?
Just as Zhu Yan thought a confrontation was imminent, Shen Du’s words nearly made her jaw drop to the ground.
“Having received mother-in-law’s invitation, how could this humble son-in-law refuse?”
Zhu Yan almost spat out a mouthful of blood. Had Shen Du forgotten to take his medicine today? He seemed like a completely different person.
Madam Jin, having received Shen Du’s response, was also taken aback.
She had expected Shen Du to argue with her, but he was unexpectedly polite and humble, leaving her at a loss.
“Well…” Madam Jin’s facial muscles twitched as she seemed to be thinking of some words of refusal.
At this moment, Zhu Yan’s father Zhu Kuo, his first wife Madam Ru, her fifth brother Zhu Mojie, and fourth sister Zhu Manshu also came out to welcome them.
This reception surprised even Zhu Yan.
It was fortunate that her eldest brother, second brother, and third sister weren’t home. If they were all here, it would be quite a spectacle.
Moreover, her third sister Zhu Caiwei had once been betrothed to Shen Du, but she, being both brave and clever, had eloped with someone else in pursuit of her happiness.
Looking back now, her decision seemed the wisest.
“Grand Secretariat.”
Zhu Kuo, along with Zhu Mojie and Zhu Manshu, bowed to Shen Du.
“You two have come to our home without sending word ahead. We’ve failed to welcome you properly, failed indeed.”
“Father-in-law, there’s no need for such formality. I am Zhu Yan’s husband, your son-in-law. It’s only natural for a son-in-law to bring his wife for a return visit. No need for excessive courtesy.”
“The Grand Secretariat speaks wisely. Please, come inside.”
Zhu Kuo made a welcoming gesture to Shen Du, who showed no intention of refusing and walked directly into the Zhu residence.
The Imperial Guards followed Shen Du into the Zhu residence, leaving only Zhu Yan behind in confusion.
The relationship between these two… had something gone wrong?
Or had Shen Du not fully woken up this morning? Why was he being so polite to the Zhu family?
“Little Sixth.” Madam Jin’s face was also full of surprise as she hurried to Zhu Yan’s side. “What’s gotten into the Grand Secretariat? He seems quite friendly today.”
Zhu Yan couldn’t answer her mother’s question. Moreover, she too wanted to know what had gotten into Shen Du today.