After much consideration, Zhu Yan felt it necessary to inquire about some matters with the Local Constable.
Coincidentally, not long after leaving Tongming Hall, Zhu Yan encountered Xu Xiangren, the leader of the Local Constable, on the street.
“Brother Xu,” Zhu Yan hurriedly greeted Xu Xiangren, who approached her.
“What brings you out for a stroll today? Is the Ministry of Justice not busy?”
Zhu Yan shook her head. “The case has been concluded, and there’s not much going on at the ministry, so I came out for a walk. By the way, I wanted to ask you about something… you won’t hide anything from me, will you?”
Zhu Yan’s tone was childlike, causing Xu Xiangren to chuckle softly.
“When have I ever hidden anything from you? I always tell you everything I know about what you want to know.”
“That’s good,” Zhu Yan said, and began to ask, “Is there any connection between Kuang Zhanxin and Lai Luozhi?”
Upon hearing this question, Xu Xiangren’s expression changed immediately.
“Hasn’t the case been concluded? Why are you still asking about these things?”
Zhu Yan scratched her head. “There are just some things I still don’t understand, so I wanted Brother Xu to clarify for me.”
“Well…” Xu Xiangren looked troubled. “I don’t know much about this either. I only know they’ve had some interaction, but as for what they said or did, I have no idea.”
Zhu Yan looked disappointed; Xu Xiangren’s answer was as good as saying nothing.
“Is that all? Nothing else?”
“Mm.” Xu Xiangren nodded firmly and added reassuringly, “The case is closed. You shouldn’t investigate those irrelevant matters anymore.”
Zhu Yan lowered her head, still feeling uneasy.
“What are you two talking about?”
Suddenly, a gloomy voice sounded from beside them, startling Zhu Yan.
“Nothing, just some idle chat,” Xu Xiangren nodded to Shen Du, then said, “I have some matters to attend to, so I won’t disturb you two.”
With that, Xu Xiangren turned and left.
“Are you still investigating the murder case?” Shen Du saw through Zhu Yan’s thoughts at a glance, his tone turning cold. “Didn’t I warn you not to continue investigating?”
“But I just want to know the truth,” Zhu Yan looked at Shen Du righteously, the determination in her eyes earning even Shen Du’s admiration.
“Is the truth so important?” Shen Du said coldly. “Even if you don’t think about yourself, you should think about the entire Zhu family. You may not care about your own life, but that doesn’t mean everyone else doesn’t care about theirs. Stop investigating, understand?”
An overwhelming chill swept through her body as Zhu Yan felt the pressure Shen Du was exerting on her.
Left with no choice, Zhu Yan could only nod. “Alright, I’ll do as you say.”
Seeing Zhu Yan comply, Shen Du’s tone softened somewhat. “You’ve been too tired these days. If there’s nothing urgent, you should rest well. Don’t you like teaching Qi Yeyun those investigation methods? You haven’t seen him in a couple of days, so find some time to check on him.”
“Mm.” Zhu Yan nodded. “I’ll head back now.”
Shen Du watched Zhu Yan leave, but what he didn’t see was the gloom that returned to her eyes after she turned away.
She just wanted to know the truth of the case. If she couldn’t reveal the truth to the world, what was the point of her investigating this case?
Even if Shen Du tried to stop her, she would investigate secretly. She was determined to get to the bottom of this.
After seeing Zhu Yan off, Shen Du also turned to leave.
But after walking for a short while, he spotted a familiar dark figure in the corner of a small alley.
Shen Du quickly followed, and they soon arrived at an abandoned, dilapidated temple.
“Why have you come?”
The black-clad figure before him wore a conical hat, completely obscuring their face, but Shen Du recognized them at a glance.
“I have something to tell you. Listen carefully.”
A deep voice sounded, and Shen Du listened intently. As he listened, his fists clenched tightly.
The Shen family’s case from years ago was indeed a wrongful conviction. The black-clad figure had reappeared to have Shen Du clear his father’s name.
Shen Du considered the complex web of relationships in court and realized that investigating an old case would be no easy task.
“I understand. I will thoroughly investigate the Shen family’s case.”
The black-clad figure didn’t say much more, just nodded slightly before leaping away.
The boring days passed quickly. Another two days went by, and Zhu Yan seemed listless at the Ministry of Justice.
Just as she thought she’d have to while away another dull day, a guard rushed in from the entrance.
“Lady… Lady Zhu, Duke Ying, and Undersecretary Lai have arrived.”
“What?” Zhu Yan stood up in shock. Why had Princess Yong’an and Lai Luozhi come to the Ministry of Justice?
Lai Luozhi was second only to one person, and Duke Ying was famously uninvolved in worldly affairs.
What brought them here?
Their arrival put everyone in the ministry on edge as they prepared to receive them.
The crowd knelt, like ants, but Duke Ying’s gaze fixed only on Zhu Yan.
“Madam Shen, it’s been a while.”
Zhu Yan shuddered and hurriedly bowed, saying, “Your Highness is busy with state affairs yet still remembers this humble official. I am deeply honored.”
“Hehe…” Lai Luozhi beside him let out a light laugh, indolent and wild. “How could anyone forget Madam Shen’s intelligence displayed during the interrogation of the culprit at Ximing Temple? Everyone was present.”
“Indeed,” Princess Yong’an nodded repeatedly, adding, “Madam Shen is quick-witted and skilled at investigation. It’s truly a pity she doesn’t work at the Court of Judicial Review.”
Hearing this, Lai Luozhi agreed, nodding continuously.
Princess Yong’an then turned her gaze to Vice Minister Gao Xuecheng of the Ministry of Justice.
“Minister Gao, Madam Shen is talented and upright. I’d like to request her from you. Would you be willing?”
Princess Yong’an’s words startled everyone present.
Especially Zhu Yan, who was shocked beyond words.
Princess Yong’an’s request for Zhu Yan from the Ministry of Justice was surely not just because of her talent. She must have other motives.
As for what those motives were, Zhu Yan dared not think too deeply.
Gao Xuecheng also saw Zhu Yan’s predicament. Moreover, times had changed, and she was now Shen Du’s wife.
The Ministry of Justice had always been on good terms with the Imperial Guard, and Shen Du had long been at odds with Lai Luozhi. Now they were requesting Zhu Yan from the ministry.
Wasn’t this a case of a weasel paying New Year’s respects to a chicken, harboring ill intentions?
After quickly weighing the pros and cons, Gao Xuecheng made up his mind. With an apologetic smile, he said, “Your Highness flatters her. Scribe Zhu is still young and inexperienced. How could she enter a place as talented as the Court of Judicial Review? Even if she were to go, she’d need a few years of tempering first. Your Highness shouldn’t joke like this.”
Seeing Gao Xuecheng’s refusal, Princess Yong’an’s expression darkened.
But Gao Xuecheng hadn’t spoken disrespectfully, and his words were measured, leaving her momentarily unable to rebut.
“Besides, Scribe Zhu is now the wife of the Chief Minister. Your Highness should perhaps consult the Chief Minister about her affairs. It puts this official in a difficult position.”
At the mention of Shen Du, Yong’an’s expression changed slightly. Lai Luozhi beside her sneered, “Scribe Zhu is Minister Gao’s subordinate. Why should others be consulted? With Duke Ying here, Shen Du surely wouldn’t dare say anything?”
Vice Minister Gao wiped the sweat from his face, smiling awkwardly. “This official is also in a difficult position. Why don’t we invite Your Highness and Undersecretary Lai to the side hall? This official will send someone to summon the Chief Minister to discuss the matter?”