Chapter 14: Chang'an Tong Que Ming (Melody of Golden Age)

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Chang'an Tong Que Ming (Melody of Golden Age)

 Chapter 14: 

Entering the Liang Residence (2)

"It wasn't always like this. Back when the old master was alive, the Second Young Master born to Second Madam Wei would often play around with Young Master Chenzhong. But after the Second Young Master passed away and Madam Wei went mad, things started to change."

The maid sighed and stopped at the entrance to the courtyard. "Beyond this point is Second Madam Wei's courtyard. If you want to relax, you can go left from here to the garden. Right now, Second Madam Wei is resting, and there's no one in the garden, so you can enjoy the flowers and plants. But, Madam Shen, you must remember—do not go to the connecting gate in the back courtyard, and do not touch that plant with bare hands. While touching it is not poisonous, if you break a leaf and come into contact with its sap, you could get burned."

Zhu Yan nodded in agreement. The maid, carrying the lanterns she had taken down, passed through the archway to the right and left.

Zhu Yan looked up at the quiet and peaceful courtyard beyond the archway, lowered her gaze, and headed toward the direction of the connecting gate.

The Liang residence had already been divided internally; under the same roof, the East Courtyard belonged to the First Branch and the West Courtyard to the Second Branch, separated only by a connecting gate that was closed at night.

The connecting gate was set by the side of a small pond within the courtyard. Zhu Yan stood on the walkway above the pond, watching the servants go in and out through the wooden door, noisily arguing about how the bird's nest meant for the Second Young Master of the First Branch shouldn't be boiled with goji berries. Zhu Yan thought for a moment and was about to leave when she suddenly felt the scene in front of her blur. She lost her balance and fell off the walkway, plunging straight into the pond below!

With a loud splash, the servants by the connecting gate immediately looked over and saw someone had fallen into the water. A maid was about to call for help when she noticed someone behind Zhu Yan jump down from the walkway.

Water splashed up and then quickly calmed.

Jing Lin hurried over and, seeing no movement on the water's surface, shouted, "Grand Chief Guard!"

A bird chirped faintly. After a moment, Shen Du emerged from the water, holding Zhu Yan in his arms.

When Zhu Yan regained consciousness, the first person she saw was the Second Branch's main wife, Madam Zheng.

Seeing her wake up, Madam Zheng immediately got up and went to the outer room to inform someone. Moments later, Shen Du entered.

Seeing her wake up, Madam Zheng immediately got up and went to the outer room to inform someone. Shortly after, Shen Du came in.

Zhu Yan looked at him and, before Shen Du could speak, quickly said, "I must have been too exhausted from staying up late at the Ministry of Justice these past few days. It is truly my fault for alarming Madam and Shilang. Husband, is there anything else? If not, may I ask to be escorted back to the residence?"

Zhu Yan's face was pale and greenish, looking genuinely worn out from fatigue.

Hearing this, Madam Zheng seemed a bit disappointed and said, "I had hoped to keep you for a meal, but given the circumstances, it's best to return early and rest."

Zhu Yan replied apologetically, "I will have someone send back Madam’s clothes tomorrow. I am sorry for causing you such a fright."

Madam Zheng shook her head. "It's no bother. As long as you're alright, that's all that matters."

She waved for someone to bring a cloak for Zhu Yan, and along with her husband, Liang Jifu, Madam Zheng escorted Shen Du and Zhu Yan out.

The two were soaked through. Zhu Yan had changed into Madam Zheng's daughter's clothes, a light snow-blue color, while Shen Du was wearing the clothes of Madam Zheng's son-in-law—snow-blue with an embroidered rising sun pattern. Sitting together, they truly had the appearance of a newlywed couple.

If only the husband's expression could be a bit gentler.

As they slowly rode their horses, Shen Du looked at Zhu Yan's profile from behind.

The base of her ears was slightly red, her profile showing delicate brows that extended elegantly. Her eyes were slightly larger than most, and what was often described as an "almond shape" truly applied to her—they were not only shaped like almonds but also as large as them. Her cheeks, flushed under the sunlight, were rosy as if she were intoxicated. Her lips, like she had sipped wine from the Western Regions, were tinged with a faint blush.

The sixth young lady of the Zhu family was indeed a unique beauty.

Unfortunately, after falling into the water, she now looked quite sickly.

Shen Du tugged at the reins, and the horse slowly trotted along the long street of Zhongliu Lane.

"Yesterday, you were still sparring with me, which shows that the Ministry of Justice did not skimp on hiring clever people," Shen Du asked coldly. "After you slipped away from Jing Lin, who did you meet?"

Zhu Yan lowered her head and asked, "Why did you save me?.... If I drowned and died, it would have been an accidental death. That way, you wouldn’t have to be suspicious anymore, nor would you have to worry about Zhang Xingwei causing trouble for you. Wouldn't that kill two birds with one stone?"

Zhu Yan tilted her head up, looking at Shen Du.

Their eyes met for a moment. Shen Du turned away and stared straight ahead, saying, "I asked you a question; I didn’t ask for yours."

"How cold you are," Zhu Yan muttered. "When I was avoiding the inner guards, I encountered a maid who handed me a lantern and even touched my hand. Before she left, she specifically told me where Second Madam Wei’s garden and the connecting gate were. It seems she had anticipated that I would fall into the water."

Shen Du glanced down, "You saw Second Madam Wei?"

Zhu Yan responded calmly, “I didn’t meet her, but I know you occasionally send that plant to the Liang residence’s second branch—Shen Du, I’m very confused right now. Could you answer me this: Was Liang Chenzong’s poisoning ordered by the second branch, or was it… the Empress Dowager’s intention?”

If it was indeed the iron-willed Empress Dowager’s order, why would she want Liang Chenzong dead?

Zhu Yan was overwhelmed and stared at Shen Du, hoping he could provide an answer.

However, Shen Du did not respond. He stopped the horse in front of the residence and extended his hand to help her dismount.

Zhu Yan had been threatened by him yesterday and then suddenly saved by him today, and now this—it was all quite disconcerting.

But she had caught a chill and, after enduring so much fatigue over the past days, all her strength had drained away. 

Reaching out to cling to Shen Du's neck, she felt her feet touch the ground. Shen Du said, “The Empress Dowager is preoccupied with state affairs and rarely involves herself in her subjects' domestic disputes. To kill an insignificant minor figure, she wouldn't go through such elaborate means. There is me in the open, and in the shadows, there is also Lai Luozhi.”

Lai Luozhi, the Black King of Hell, was even more feared than Shen Du.

Zhu Yan had once seen Lai Luozhi from a distance. His demeanor was as if he looked down upon all living beings, considering everyone as mere ants. When someone blocked his way, he had ruthlessly crippled their legs, which made her… shudder.

She quickly changed the subject, asking, “Why do you send the Dropping Water Guanyin to the Liang family?”

“Second Madam Wei is a distant relative of the Empress Dowger’s brother-in-law,” Shen Du said as he took a handkerchief from a maid to wipe his hands. “Her only son, Liang Man, died from the poison of the Dropping Water Guanyin, and after she went mad, she referred to the orchid as ‘Man’er’.”

To treat poison as if it were her child— 

Zhu Yan felt a pang of regret.

A maid stepped forward to help her with her cloak. Zhu Yan, feeling uncomfortable being served, heard Shen Du ask, “What did the maid you met today look like?”

Zhu Yan was puzzled but soon understood. She said, “She’s probably already gone. Rather than searching for her, I’d like to know how the poison…”

“Search?”

Shen Du smirked, reaching out to gently pinch and rub Zhu Yan’s earlobe. “Madam, the Inner Guards don’t search for people. I’m asking you only to identify the corpse.”

The ticklish sensation on her earlobe made Zhu Yan suddenly understand his meaning.

“The second branch…”

Shen Du frowned as Jing Lin entered. “Sir, Miss Lu from the Lu family is looking for the lady.”

Jing Lin glanced at Shen Du’s hand on Zhu Yan, hesitating, “Should I go…”

“No need.”

Shen Du lowered his hand. “What you just mentioned will surely attract the Emperor’s attention soon. I’ll change my clothes and head to Ximing Temple immediately.”

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