Zhu Yan rubbed her forehead, muttering to herself, “It should be fine. That woman is quite beautiful; Shen Du has no reason not to like her.”
Thinking this through, Zhu Yan lay down again to rest. But just as she settled, a loud “bang” echoed as the door flew open.
Zhu Yan sat up startled, staring at Shen Du in bewilderment. “You… why are you here?”
Her words trembled, nearly biting her tongue.
“Why shouldn’t I be here?” Shen Du’s tone was dark, his eyes cold, as if he wanted to flay Zhu Yan alive.
Zhu Yan’s facial muscles twitched. She had seen Shen Du angry before, but never like this—eyes bloodshot, fists clenched as if he wanted to devour her whole.
“Did… did that girl not serve you well?” Zhu Yan asked cautiously, but her words only fueled Shen Du’s anger.
“You do such an outrageous thing and have the nerve to rest here!” Shen Du said coldly. “Go back to your room and don’t come out without my orders!”
Zhu Yan was speechless. Just like that, she was confined again. What about her dignity?
“I think I can explain…”
“Get out!”
Before Zhu Yan could finish, Shen Du roared again, scaring her out of her wits.
What was there to explain? Her life was at stake.
Zhu Yan hurriedly left the study. Back in her room, she couldn’t understand what she had done wrong.
The night passed in frustration.
Qi Yeyun, learning of Zhu Yan’s confinement, was worried and quickly inquired about the situation.
After hearing the reason, he chuckled lightly and said through the window, “Sister, for all your cleverness, you’ve been married to brother-in-law for so long, and he hasn’t touched a woman. Have you ever considered why?”
“What do you mean?” Zhu Yan was confused. Could this young boy offer any insight?
“Sister, you’re such a beautiful woman. If brother-in-law can ignore you, it means his heart isn’t set on women at all…”
With Qi Yeyun’s hint, Zhu Yan suddenly understood.
“So that’s it…”
Zhu Yan nodded thoughtfully, then peered out the window at Jing Lin guarding the door.
Lowering her voice, she murmured, “No wonder he’s always out with just Jing Lin. He’s already given his heart away. Heh… I miscalculated.”
Jing Lin’s ear twitched at the door, catching Zhu Yan’s words.
A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead. This woman… how could her thoughts be so unusual?
As night fell again, Zhu Yan had been confined to her room by Shen Du for an entire day.
Looking at the figure guarding the door, Zhu Yan had made up her mind. She gathered all her money, but when she opened the door, Jing Lin was nowhere to be seen.
…
The cool night breeze blew past, leaving Zhu Yan stunned.
She had prepared the money, but the person was gone. What now?
Meanwhile, in the study, Jing Lin knelt before Shen Du, explaining the situation with a troubled expression.
Learning the truth, Shen Du was shocked. Was this woman all beauty and no brains? Always thinking such nonsensical things!
As it neared midnight, Jing Lin still hadn’t returned. The door stood wide open, a cool breeze wafting in.
Though no one was guarding the door, Zhu Yan dared not leave. After all, it was Shen Du’s order, and she had to obey.
After a long while, heavy, slow footsteps approached.
Zhu Yan was overjoyed. Finally, he’s back.
But as she stood at the door, money in hand, ready to discuss her plan with Jing Lin, she froze.
Seeing Zhu Yan standing dumbfounded at the door, clutching a pile of money, Shen Du was puzzled.
“What, planning to escape?”
“…” Zhu Yan didn’t know how to respond to Shen Du’s words. She laughed awkwardly, “I… I just felt stuffy in the room and wanted to go for a walk. I’m not trying to escape, I wouldn’t dare.”
Shen Du glanced at her hands. “Going for a walk? Why bring so much money?”
Zhu Yan’s eyes showed panic. “I… I’ve been cooped up all day, and so has the money. I thought I’d take it out for a walk too.”
“Back to your room!”
At his cold command, Zhu Yan dared not ask more and turned to leave.
Back in the room, Shen Du closed the door. Seeing Zhu Yan standing awkwardly to one side, he spoke, “What are you waiting for? Get! In! Bed!”
His words were distinctly gritted out.
“Yes.” Zhu Yan hurriedly put away the money and scrambled into bed.
Shen Du lay down beside her. Though still angry, he found Zhu Yan’s little actions today rather cute.
Recalling Zhu Yan’s various expressions earlier, Shen Du found himself wanting to smile.
“That outfit, do you still like it?”
Zhu Yan nodded quickly, “I do.”
Satisfied with the answer, regardless of its sincerity, Shen Du lowered his gaze and said, “Sleep.”
“Yes.”
Zhu Yan promptly closed her eyes. After a while, she peeked at Shen Du beside her.
His profile was flawless and perfect. If only he could be a bit gentler.
Yesterday’s events must be over now, he shouldn’t be angry anymore. If he were, he wouldn’t have come back to sleep here.
Zhu Yan reasoned with herself and soon drifted off to sleep.
Hearing her even breathing, Shen Du opened his eyes to look at the woman beside him.
This woman… was quite interesting.
Jing Lin was no longer guarding the door, which meant Shen Du had lifted her confinement.
Walking out of the Shen residence without hindrance, Zhu Yan felt a small thrill of joy.
As she walked down the street, a child approached her with a letter. “Sister, someone asked me to give you this letter.”
“For me?” Zhu Yan was surprised but accepted the envelope.
After reading its contents, she hurried towards Pingkang Ward.
At Tongming Hall, Rong Zhui had been waiting for a long time.
“You said you had important news for me. What is it?”
Zhu Yan got straight to the point, looking at Rong Zhui inquiringly.
Rong Zhui looked uneasy, hesitating for a moment before saying, “I was sorting through Zhan Xin’s belongings today and accidentally found this.”
She placed a torn piece of paper on the table.
It was just a small fragment, but it contained crucial information.
Zhu Yan took the scrap in her hand. She recognized the seal on it—it was from the Procuratorate, with an additional character “zhi”.
Lai Luozhi!
Zhu Yan’s thoughts aligned with Rong Zhui’s, instantly recalling Lai Luozhi.
“Is there anything else?” Zhu Yan’s tone softened considerably, her attitude towards Rong Zhui changing.
Rong Zhui shook her head, “No, just this piece of paper scared me half to death. Wasn’t the case closed? Could Zhan Xin’s death still be related to that official from the Procuratorate?”
Zhu Yan shook her head; she wasn’t sure either.
“Don’t tell anyone about this for now. I’ll investigate.”
Zhu Yan carefully pocketed the paper fragment and stood to leave.