Turning around, Zhu Yan found herself enveloped by a towering figure.
As Shen Du stepped closer, Zhu Yan could smell the sandalwood scent emanating from him—a fragrance Shen Du favored.
His warm breath brushed against her hair, causing her heart to race inexplicably, almost pounding through her eardrums.
Raising his hand, Shen Du adjusted something on Zhu Yan’s head.
It was a hairpin tangled in her hair, ruining its elegance.
Zhu Yan exhaled deeply, wondering why her mind had been so scattered lately.
After fixing it, Shen Du stepped back, creating some distance. “There, this pearl hairpin looks perfect on you.”
Was he complimenting her?
Was he saying she was beautiful, or was he merely highlighting the hairpin’s beauty?
Zhu Yan didn’t ask. She glanced up slightly at the man before her, his figure imposing, his features handsome, like an immortal.
If he weren’t so cold, he would indeed be an ideal husband.
“Let’s go.”
Seeing Zhu Yan lost in thought, Shen Du didn’t question her and pulled her forward.
Perhaps caught off guard, Zhu Yan stumbled as Shen Du tugged her, and a sharp pain shot through her ankle, causing her to cry out, “Ah!”
“What happened?” Shen Du asked, turning back at her cry.
Zhu Yan, wincing in pain, pulled her hand from Shen Du’s grasp and leaned against a nearby tree, adjusting her ankle. “I twisted my ankle.”
Shen Du frowned, seeing that Zhu Yan’s expression wasn’t feigned.
Perhaps feeling guilty, he stepped forward and lifted Zhu Yan into his arms, heading back to the Shen residence.
Zhu Yan was stunned, nestled in Shen Du’s embrace like a startled child, her mouth agape but unable to speak.
Back at the Shen residence, Jing Lin, who was waiting at the entrance, was equally shocked by the sight.
Wasn’t it said that one was waiting to be widowed, and the other had only given her three months to live? What was going on? How had they become so harmonious?
Jing Lin forgot what he was supposed to report, watching the two enter the residence, dumbfounded.
Zhu Yan’s heart continued to race, and she dared not ask more. The warmth from Shen Du’s body, even through his clothes, was comforting.
Accompanied by the faint sandalwood scent, Zhu Yan found herself somewhat attached to this man’s chest… it was surprisingly inviting.
As her mind wandered, a cold voice came from above, “Are you asleep? Why aren’t you speaking?”
Zhu Yan, like a startled deer, shivered and snapped back to reality. “No, I’m not.”
Back in the room, Shen Du set Zhu Yan down. “You look so frail, yet you’re quite heavy. My arms are sore.”
As he spoke, Shen Du stretched his muscles. “Rest early. I’m going to the study.”
The warmth in her heart was doused like a bucket of cold water. He said she was heavy.
Did he dislike her?
“Wait.”
Just as Shen Du reached the door, Zhu Yan called out, limping towards him. “What do you mean? I’m like this because of you, aren’t I? If it weren’t for you, would I have twisted my ankle?”
Shen Du turned, scrutinizing Zhu Yan with a peculiar gaze. “So you can walk. Why pretend to be in such pain earlier?”
People can be infuriating.
Zhu Yan, her anger surging, glared at him. “Who was pretending? Did you ask me? Who wanted you to carry me!”
Seeing Zhu Yan angry and shouting at him, Shen Du clenched his fists.
Regardless, he had carried her all the way. Even if there was no merit, there was hard work. Now, his good intentions were taken for granted by an ungrateful woman.
“Ridiculous.”
Leaving those words, Shen Du turned and left, clearly angry too.
“You’re the ridiculous one, and ungrateful too.”
Who knew where Zhu Yan got the courage, to shout at Shen Du’s retreating figure, and then slam the door shut with a “bang.”
After her anger subsided, Zhu Yan realized what she had done, touching her neck as a chill spread over her. Had she been impulsive?
If Shen Du got angry and decided to strangle her, it wasn’t impossible.
The next day, Zhu Yan learned that Shen Du had already gone to court.
That was good, she thought, avoiding his interference. She had decided to return to the Ministry of Justice for a few days.
Staying with Shen Du any longer, she feared she might truly lose her life if she angered him one day.
Leaving the Shen residence, she had just crossed an alley when she encountered Madam Tang.
This encounter puzzled Zhu Yan as if someone had arranged it.
“Madam Tang,” Zhu Yan greeted politely, stepping forward to nod and bow.
Madam Tang seemed in good spirits today, gently waving a jade fan, her tone warm. “Madam Shen, I heard a new teahouse has opened in Chang’an. Why don’t we go and have a seat?”
Zhu Yan initially wanted to refuse Madam Tang’s invitation, but what Madam Tang said next changed her mind.
“Let’s also discuss the case. I’ve found some clues, though I’m not sure if they’re useful.”
“Since a new teahouse has opened, it’s only right I treat Madam Tang. Please, lead the way.”
Madam Tang nodded slightly, and they walked together.
At Bamboo Green Teahouse.
The environment was serene, the name elegant, and truly a perfect place for conversation.
As the tea was served, a faint fragrance filled the air, calming the mind.
“Madam Tang, the case is pressing, so I’ll get straight to the point.”
Zhu Yan sipped her tea and spoke directly, “What clues have you found?”
Madam Tang smiled faintly, gently waving her jade fan before looking away. “You’ve been investigating for so long, yet Madam Shen might not know that Liang Chen had a betrothal, right?”
“What?” Zhu Yan was shocked; she indeed didn’t know this.
Madam Tang covered her mouth, laughing lightly again. “People praise you as clever, Madam Shen, yet you can’t grasp the basic details of the deceased. How can you solve the case?”
Mockery, it was mockery.
Zhu Yan’s face darkened immediately. Though displeased with Madam Tang’s words, Madam Tang had indeed provided a clue.
“I’ve tasted the tea, but I have other matters to attend to. Madam Tang, please excuse me. Here’s the tea money.”
Zhu Yan stood, tossed some money on the table, and left.
Madam Tang didn’t stop her, merely watching Zhu Yan’s departing figure with a smile, full of meaning.
Hastily returning to the Ministry of Justice, Zhu Yan reviewed numerous case files and discovered that all the deceased male victims had peculiar circumstances.
Either they were betrothed, widowed, or in situations of separation or impending marriage—this was a significant discovery.
Zhu Yan was more convinced of her initial suspicion: the murderer was a woman.
But one thing still puzzled her. With a woman’s strength, it would be difficult to secretly transport a pair of corpses. Using a cart or multiple people would be conspicuous and attract attention. How did the murderer manage it?
As Zhu Yan pondered, a messenger from the Zhu family arrived, saying there was a matter at home requiring her return.