That night, Zhuyan learned of the day’s events.
In their chamber, flickering candlelight cast shadows on the couple. Zhuyan looked at Shen Du with disdain, “He’s such a small child. Leaving him with Jinglin for training – aren’t you risking his life?”
“What do you know? Children should be trained from a young age, especially boys. If he doesn’t develop his abilities, how will he protect those around him in the future?”
Though Shen Du spoke righteously, Zhuyan found his words unsettling. She felt there was something off about them.
“Are you jealous of little Qi?” Zhuyan furrowed her brows, looking at Shen Du. “He’s just a child. Why are you competing with him?”
“Who’s jealous of him?” Shen Du seemed flustered, clenching his fist to suppress his inner turmoil. He calmly said, “I just want to nurture him early. Don’t worry, even if he hates me now, he’ll be grateful later.”
“That’s…” Zhuyan pursed her lips, “If not grateful for sparing his life, he’ll at least be grateful for taking him in.”
Shen Du moved his lips as if to say something, but swallowed his words.
Training with Jinglin was indeed arduous. Even the Imperial Guard brothers felt like their bones were falling apart after a day’s training.
Let alone Qi Yeyun, a thirteen-year-old boy.
Despite this, Qi Yeyun still frequently ran to the Shen residence, afraid of missing any chance to work on cases with Zhuyan.
Seeing Qi Yeyun’s dedication, Zhuyan was pleased. Taking him as a disciple might not be a bad idea.
Having made up her mind, Zhuyan would sit with Qi Yeyun whenever she had time, teaching him about investigation methods.
Qi Yeyun listened attentively, and as a result, he spent even more time with Zhuyan.
“Bang!” Shen Du’s fist struck a pillar.
The fire in his eyes went unnoticed even by himself. Nearby, Jinglin didn’t dare speak, only lowering his head in silence.
Not far away, under a pavilion, Zhuyan was again teaching Qi Yeyun her so-called investigation methods.
The two were laughing and talking, a scene that made Shen Du increasingly irritated and uneasy.
“Didn’t I tell you to train him? How does he have time to come to the manor every day?”
Shen Du blamed Jinglin, who was startled and quickly explained, “Grand Chancellor, I’ve followed your instructions and arranged for him to train with the Imperial Guard brothers. All training is the same, but somehow, this child has extraordinary energy. By the end of the day, when adults are exhausted, he still has the energy to seek out Madam.”
“How can a mere child be so extraordinary?” Shen Du muttered, his angry eyes fixed on the pair again.
“Really?” Zhuyan seemed to have discovered something, standing up in surprise. “How did I not think of that?”
“Sister is so clever, how could you not have thought of this?” Qi Yeyun also stood up. “Why don’t I accompany you to investigate?”
“Alright.” Zhuyan agreed immediately, then hurriedly left with Qi Yeyun, disappearing from Shen Du’s sight.
“Where are they going?” Shen Du quickly inquired, but Jinglin behind him didn’t know either.
“What are you standing there for? Send someone to follow them.”
Shen Du’s command startled Jinglin half to death.
“Yes, I’ll go right away.”
After walking far enough, Jinglin finally let out a long sigh.
He couldn’t fathom what was wrong with the Grand Chancellor lately. He seemed particularly concerned about Madam’s affairs.
It was truly puzzling…
Following Qi Yeyun’s suggestion, Zhuyan and he didn’t enter the Liang residence through the main gate. Instead, they snuck in through the back wall, borrowed two servants’ clothes, disguised themselves as servants, and carefully slipped into Liang Chenzhong’s room.
Entering Liang Chenzhong’s room again, it was still dusty. No one had cleaned here.
After all, he was Liang Jiren’s son. Even if there was heartache, so much time had passed that they should have moved on.
The two carefully searched for clues in Liang Chenzhong’s room. Since Liang Jiren had ordered that no one enter this room, this advantageous condition greatly helped them now.
“Look at this.” Qi Yeyun seemed to have discovered something, calling Zhuyan over.
Zhuyan came to his side and saw him holding a piece of paper with writing on it. Upon closer inspection, it was a prescription.
“Why would there be a prescription here?” Zhuyan couldn’t understand. “Could he have been unwell before the incident?”
“We can’t be certain what this prescription is for yet. We should take it out and have a physician look at it.”
“Mm.” Zhuyan nodded, affectionately ruffling Qi Yeyun’s hair.
This child was truly clever. With his help, even investigating cases felt twice as efficient.
As night fell, Zhuyan took Qi Yeyun to an apothecary.
From the shopkeeper, they learned that these herbs were for treating a kind of chronic poison…
The case had new developments, and Zhuyan felt some excitement, but she didn’t tell Shen Du about this.
Shen Du’s warning remained etched in Zhuyan’s mind.
Everyone loves a cute child, and soon Qi Yeyun became popular with both the Ministry of Justice and the Local Constablensi.
He became everyone’s joy, and even the Zhu family liked him very much.
Except for one person…
Watching Zhuyan discussing the case with Qi Yeyun again, Shen Du’s face was exceptionally gloomy.
This woman, was she treating him as invisible?
Since this child entered the residence, Zhuyan hadn’t spoken any extra words to him.
He knew Zhuyan was fixated on the case, but she should have consulted him. What could she discuss with a child?
Gripping a tall bamboo nearby, Shen Du almost snapped it.
Qi Yeyun seemed to hear something and looked towards Shen Du. “Oh, Brother-in-law is here. Come sit with us.”
The term “Brother-in-law” startled Shen Du, and as if possessed, he walked towards them.
“This is a new pink plum Sister is cultivating. Brother-in-law, do you think it will bloom?”
“Plum blossoms come in dark red, light pink, white, and light green. Where did you hear of pink?” Shen Du said coldly.
Zhuyan pursed her lips. “Why bother telling him? He’s just a blockhead. How would he know anything about flowers?”
“Sister, don’t say that. My Brother-in-law is a thoughtful person. He might be able to help somehow.”
Qi Yeyun tried to mediate, but Zhuyan still looked at Shen Du with dissatisfaction. “We rarely see you around. What brings you here today?”
“Jinglin went hunting and brought back some wild rabbits. I thought to invite you to taste some game, but it seems you won’t have that pleasure now.”
“Ah?” Qi Yeyun was almost drooling. “How could we miss such a treat? Sister and I aren’t busy, right, Sister?”