Chapter 18: Chang'an Tong Que Ming (Melody of Golden Age)

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

 Chapter 18: 

 To the Ministry of Justice

"Why are we going there?"

Zhu Yan had her doubts but obediently followed Shen Du, even mounting the horse without hesitation when he indicated.

Once Shen Du was seated, Zhu Yan realized her previous action had been overly comfortable. Embarrassed, she tried to shift forward slightly but was quickly pulled back into Shen Du's embrace, as he deftly maneuvered the reins around her.

"Who would have thought that after riding together once, my wife would be so accommodating," Shen Du remarked with a hint of amusement.

The commotion around Ximing Temple had drawn many curious onlookers, and Zhu Yan understood that Shen Du's grand gesture was intended to use public scrutiny to dispel rumors. Her intention to argue faded, but she still tried to shield her face out of modesty.

As they left the area, the horse suddenly picked up speed. Zhu Yan, who had been shielding her face, was jolted forward. She instinctively grabbed Shen Du's arm, causing him to let out a light chuckle.

“You!” Zhu Yan turned around, about to scold Shen Du. However, the horse suddenly stopped, causing her to collide directly into Shen Du’s embrace. Her forehead bumped against his golden armor, leaving a bruise and causing a momentary dizziness. She had to lean gently against him.

“What about me? Didn’t my wife have something to say earlier?”

Shen Du’s voice came from above her. Zhu Yan, barely able to steady herself, touched her swollen forehead and saw the mockery in Shen Du’s eyes. Her expression instantly turned cold.

“Lord Shen, if you are wary of me because of Prime Minister Zhang, have I caused you any harm to date? If it weren’t for our history, I might not have agreed to marry. I’ve cooperated with your efforts to manage public opinion, and I’ve put aside the humiliation you subjected me to before the carriage. We have no enmity and no desire for a long and happy marriage. I ask you, Lord Shen, to cease these pointless actions and let us each go our separate ways.”

The woman’s eyes, like apricots, were clearly filled with anger. Her brows and expression conveyed her displeasure, each word spoken with a firm and resolute tone, accusing him of his past actions.

Shen Du lowered his gaze, contemplating for a moment before speaking: “You are now the legitimate Madam Shen, and you should understand that once you are involved in this world, there is no option to retreat unscathed.”

The fleeting trace of helplessness in his eyes was like a crack suddenly appearing on a pristine ice surface, strikingly conspicuous against the otherwise white expanse. Zhu Yan even wondered if she was seeing things, for she seemed to glimpse this emotion in the bloodthirsty Lord Shen.

The slender youth in white who used to read by the crimson pillar seemed to exist only as a distant memory.

Zhu Yan lowered her gaze, dismounted, and, with her back turned to Shen Du, softly asked: “Shen Du, do people really change?”

The wind swept through, making the air feel a bit dry. Whether it was the dust in her eyes or something else, Zhu Yan suddenly felt a pang of emotion in her nose. Without waiting for Shen Du’s response, she walked straight ahead. “The Criminal Division is not far from here; I’ll walk there myself.”

Her slender figure gradually disappeared from view, her back straight and her green garments fluttering. Shen Du suddenly realized that apart from the wedding attire, Zhu Yan had not worn the bright pinks and yellows that most women favored.

Shen Du pursed his lips lightly, his usually cold eyes regaining their usual chill. He directed his horse to ride past her.

At the Criminal Justice Division, Wu Taiming was still investigating at the Ximing Temple, leaving only a deputy minister to oversee things. When the deputy minister heard the name of the ruthless White King of Hell, Gao Chengxue jumped up from his seat in shock.

“Shen... Shen Grand Chief Guard?”

Gao Chengxue was stunned. The White King of Hell, who usually didn’t even bother to glance at the six ministries, and who held the Court in disdain, was now here in the Criminal Justice Division. If it weren't for the recent marriage to Zhu Liuniang, Gao would have suspected that Shen Du had come to deal with them with a blade.

As soon as Shen Du stepped into the hall, Gao Chengxue hurried down from the high platform. Noticing the jade and emerald-adorned scabbard at Shen Du's waist, his legs began to tremble, though he still tried to maintain a composed, flattering demeanor.

“Grand Chief Guard, what brings such a distinguished person as yourself to our Criminal Justice Division today?”

Shen Du, fiddling with the ring on his finger and keeping his gaze lowered, replied with a chilling tone that seemed to cut through the winter cold, “Am I not allowed to come?”

Gao Chengxue was so frightened that he nearly collapsed, quickly waving his hands and stammering, “No, no, Grand Chief Guard, I didn’t mean that at all. Even if you gave me a hundred lives, I wouldn’t dare suggest otherwise.”

Shen Du, uninterested in Gao Chengxue’s flattery, stated his purpose directly: “I’m here to take someone.”

As soon as he spoke, Zhu Yan walked in from outside the hall, seemingly ignoring Shen Du and heading straight towards Gao Chengxue. She lowered her head and clasped her hands in a respectful salute: “Lord Gao.”

Gao Chengxue, startled, took a step back and pointed towards Shen Du with his hand behind his back, signaling Zhu Yan to hurry with her greeting. Zhu Yan realized that Shen Du had not informed Gao Chengxue that she was coming with him. She stepped forward and performed a formal salute to Shen Du: “Grand Chief Guard.”

Gao Chengxue breathed a sigh of relief. Having heard of their strained relationship, he feared Zhu Yan might openly confront Shen Du, which could lead Shen Du to direct his anger at Lord Gao. The thought of being reported to the emperor and losing his position was terrifying.

Fortunately, Zhu Yan appeared to be sensible about the situation.

“Since it’s the Grand Chief Guard who wants someone, it should be straightforward. Why don’t you tell me who it is, and I’ll have him brought here immediately?”

Someone? After pouring herself a cup of tea, Zhu Yan frowned and looked at Shen Du, a sense of unease growing in her mind. As expected, the next moment she saw Shen Du's lips curve into a slight smile. Although it seemed like he was answering Gao Chengxue’s question, his gaze remained fixed on her.

"You don’t need to search for her; she’s right here."

Zhu Yan, who had been sipping her tea, choked on it suddenly, coughing uncontrollably. Her face turned red as she looked at Shen Du, who seemed to be suppressing a mocking smile. Zhu Yan lowered her head.

Noticing her clear displeasure, Shen Du paused his movements and turned his attention to Gao Chengxue.

Gao Chengxue, now understanding the situation, wondered if the couple had come to show off their affection. Just as he was about to compliment their deep relationship, he heard Zhu Yan say, ‘Grand Chief Guard, the Inner Guard is well-staffed. Why would you, a Grand Chief Guard, go so far as to come to the Ministry of Justice to request someone?’

Gao Chengxue, caught between his fear of Shen Du and his duty to manage the Ministry of Justice, struggled to find his voice. He glanced at Shen Du, then quickly turned back to Zhu Yan, scolding her, “Miss Zhu, what are you saying? If the Grand Minister wants someone, there must be a reason.”

Zhu Yan sighed inwardly, realizing that what Shen Du wanted might not be a person but rather her own life.

“Lord, I have been assigned by Lord Wu to assist with the case. Moreover, I am new to the job and unfamiliar with the procedures. The case files on this table are still incomplete, and I am overwhelmed with work. I kindly request that you assign someone else to handle matters at the Inner Guard.”

The Ministry of Justice had recently hired two new female recorders, and the previously neglected case files had all been dumped on Zhu Yan and Lu Chuichui. Despite having days off, they were still buried under a mountain of work.

Gao Chengxue could see that Zhu Yan was unwilling, though he didn’t know the reason. “Miss Zhu, what are you saying? Those case files can be handled by Miss Lu. It’s not a big deal. You should go with the Grand Minister now.”

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