In the days that followed, things remained calm, and Zhu Yan did not return to the Shen Residence for several days.
One day, as Shen Du was organizing documents, Jing Lin hurriedly reported, “Master, the Madam hasn’t returned for many days. Should we perhaps…”
“Are you trying to tell me how to do my job?” Shen Du interrupted with a cold glare before Jing Lin could finish.
Jing Lin dared not instruct the Master, but Zhu Yan’s absence had become a topic of gossip among the brothers in the Internal Guard.
“I wouldn’t dare,” Jing Lin replied, looking troubled. “It’s just that the brothers in the Internal Guard have been privately discussing the Master’s affairs since the Madam hasn’t been seen.”
“Oh?” Shen Du continued organizing his documents, seemingly indifferent. “What have they been saying?”
“They say…” Jing Lin hesitated, unsure how to phrase it in a way that the Master would accept.
“What do they say?” Shen Du put down his documents and looked at Jing Lin with a scrutinizing gaze.
Jing Lin lowered his head, clasped his hands, and stammered, “They say the Master is afraid of his wife and doesn’t dare to bring her back.”
“Outrageous!” Shen Du slammed his hand on the table, and if it weren’t for the sturdy redwood, the table might have been reduced to splinters.
Jing Lin shuddered, quickly lowering his head, not daring to speak further, only occasionally glancing at Shen Du’s expression with caution.
After a long silence, Shen Du waved his sleeve and said one word, “Go.”
Jing Lin dared not ask more and quickly followed.
At the Ministry of Justice.
Zhu Yan was in the hall, reviewing documents when Lu Chui Chui rushed in, panicked. “Sixth Lady, it’s not good. You should find a place to hide. The White Yama is here to catch people.”
“What?” Zhu Yan was surprised to hear that Shen Du, who had ignored her for days, was coming.
“He’s almost at the gate. You should hide,” Lu Chui Chui urged anxiously.
Zhu Yan, however, smiled nonchalantly. “Let him come. I’m his wife. What’s he going to do, eat me?”
Lu Chui Chui swallowed hard. “You haven’t seen his face. And I saw Jing Lin carrying a rope. They’re here to tie you up. I’ll cover for you; you should leave.”
Zhu Yan was touched by Lu Chui Chui’s willingness to help her even in such a situation. But her focus was on what Lu Chui Chui had just said—Jing Lin was carrying a rope, intending to bind her.
Ha… so they want to tie someone up? Let’s see who ties whom.
With that thought, Zhu Yan pulled Lu Chui Chui aside. “Second Lady, help me find something.”
Lu Chui Chui was shocked by Zhu Yan’s request and asked uncertainly, “Are you sure?”
“Just go. Win or lose, it’s on me.”
“Alright… alright.”
Lu Chui Chui nervously went to find what Zhu Yan needed, while Zhu Yan watched the entrance of the Ministry of Justice, a mischievous smile on her lips.
Shen Du arrived at the Ministry of Justice with his men, encountering Lu Chui Chui at the entrance.
“Master, your presence is an honor. I apologize for not welcoming you sooner. What brings you here?” Lu Chui Chui asked, her voice trembling under Shen Du’s cold, deep gaze, which felt like a bottomless abyss.
“Step aside.”
Jing Lin stepped forward, placing his sword horizontally in front of Lu Chui Chui.
Her face turned pale, and she immediately stepped aside, bowing deeply. “Please, Master, come in.”
Inside the hall, Zhu Yan watched the scene, nearly dropping her jaw. This woman was truly… cowardly to the core.
Holding a crabapple fruit, Zhu Yan crossed her arms, assuming a superior posture as she ate, her eyes fixed on Shen Du and his entourage.
As Shen Du stepped into the hall, Zhu Yan quickly stood, tossing the fruit aside and bowing. “Zhu Yan greets the Master.”
Her sudden formality left Jing Lin and the Internal Guard brothers bewildered.
Shen Du remained calm, his tone steady. “Madam, you haven’t returned to the Shen Residence for days. Is the Ministry of Justice so busy that you can’t leave?”
Zhu Yan felt awkward. Wasn’t this a rhetorical question?
“The Ministry’s affairs are manageable, but…”
“But what?” Shen Du pressed.
“But you should know why I haven’t returned. Why ask?” Zhu Yan replied.
Shen Du’s eyes darkened. “At home, you follow your father; when married, you follow your husband. As my wife, you should adhere to the virtues of a lady.”
Realizing further argument was futile, Zhu Yan glanced at Jing Lin, changing the subject. “Jing Lin is holding a rope. Does the Master intend to use force?”
“You guessed right,” Shen Du replied, raising an eyebrow and giving the order.
Before Jing Lin could bind Zhu Yan, she darted to the side of a chair.
With a twist of the chair, a “click” sounded.
A black net fell from above the entrance, landing squarely on Shen Du.
As everyone stood in shock, Zhu Yan quickly tightened the net, binding Shen Du like a half-wrapped dumpling.
Just as Zhu Yan turned to leave triumphantly, Shen Du extended his leg, tripping her.
Still holding the net, Zhu Yan was pulled forward, accidentally kissing Shen Du as he lowered his head.
Everyone was stunned, unsure of what to do.
Zhu Yan’s face burned like fire, and Shen Du seemed equally surprised, pressing his lips together, unsure of what to say.
To cover her embarrassment, Zhu Yan feigned nonchalance. “You’ve changed. Not as sweet as when we were young.”
Shen Du’s face darkened instantly. He broke free from the net with a slight effort, tossing it aside.
Wiping his lips with his thumb, he scoffed, “Disgusting.”
The word struck Zhu Yan’s heart heavily, igniting her anger. She pointed at Shen Du, shouting, “You, the son of a criminal, what right do you have to say that?”
Shen Du’s expression grew even darker, his fists clenching under his robe.
Realizing her mistake, Zhu Yan wanted to apologize but was silenced by Shen Du’s murderous glare.
“Take her away!”
At his command, the Internal Guard brothers didn’t hesitate, escorting Zhu Yan out of the Ministry of Justice.
Back at the Shen Residence, Shen Du confined Zhu Yan to her room, forbidding anyone from visiting without his permission.
Zhu Yan knew she had made a grave mistake, but with Shen Du still angry, it wasn’t the time to plead for forgiveness.
Another day passed.
Jing Lin reported that a new children’s song was spreading through Chang’an, sung in every household.
“Heartless man, Buddha eats the heart, chaos under the Emperor’s feet, Buddha hides the sin…”
No one knew who started it, but it had spread throughout Chang’an, adding to Shen Du’s pressure.
Lai Luo Zhi walked through the streets of Chang’an, stopping at a small stall when he heard children clapping and singing.
“Chaos under the Emperor’s feet, Buddha hides the sin…”
As the children played, Lai Luo Zhi grabbed one by the collar, glaring fiercely. “Little brat, do you know your words are treasonous? Today, you’re unlucky to run into me. I’ll punish you properly.”
With that, he tossed the child into a barrel carried by his attendant.