Chapter 2: Chang'an Tong Que Ming (Melody of Golden Age)

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

 Chapter 2: 

The Replacement Bride

Zhu Yan was taken aback. Although she was a daughter of a concubine, the Zhu residence had a harmonious environment, free from the sordid intrigues of inner courtyards. From the main wife to the concubines, from her brothers to her sisters, everyone got along well, especially her Third Sister, Zhu Yuan, with whom she had a particularly good relationship.

Upon hearing this news, Zhu Yan could no longer maintain her previous composure. She picked up her box and hurried outside, even borrowing a hand from Nan Zhen to mount her horse.

Just as she was about to leave, Zhu Yan added, "Actually, Cheng Xian knew that Wang Ruan'er wasn’t pregnant. She Huhu, driven by jealousy toward Wang Ruan'er, mutilated the corpse and stabbed Wang Ruan'er's womb several times with a hand-length silver needle. The reason Cheng Xian confessed today is simply because he couldn't hold out any longer and used my words as an excuse to betray his accomplice, She Huhu. I was merely the last straw, the final push to break his resistance. I did not fabricate any confession, so please do not misunderstand, Chief Constable."

With a faint smile, Zhu Yan rode off on her horse.

When she arrived at the Zhu residence, the wedding sedan chairs and ceremonial decorations were lined up outside in a long procession, but the suona horns had stopped playing, the drums had fallen silent, and the bride was nowhere to be seen.

As she was about to enter, the old steward and the matchmaker hurriedly came up to her and rushed her into the main hall.

Her mother, Mistress Jin, was arguing with the legitimate wife, Madam Ru, and her father, Zhu Kuo. Upon seeing Zhu Yan, Mistress Jin lamented, "Sanniang has eloped and refuses to marry Shen Du. I certainly don't want Liuniang to marry Shen Du either. Let's not even talk about how Shen Du and Lai Luozhi are both called the Black and White Lords of Hell. Our Liuniang is only eighteen this year—still young, not very clever, and not good-looking either. She only knows how to deal with the dead and criminals. She certainly won't be liked by Shen Du. If she marries him, it’s bound to bring misfortune!"

Zhu Yan, who was apparently "not clever, not good-looking, and without other skills: "..."

After a long silence, Zhu Yan understood and asked, "Father wants me to marry in place of Third Sister, but why not Fourth Sister?"

Before Zhu Kuo could explain, Mistress Jin grabbed Zhu Yan and whispered, “You don’t know about your Fourth Sister. She’s foolish, not good-looking, and can’t even recognize a single character. If she married, she’d definitely be in danger.”

Zhu Yan: “...According to what you’re saying, I’m just like Fourth Sister.”

Mistress Jin looked at Zhu Yan’s delicate face, her distant eyebrows, gentle eyes, and rosy lips, and softly said, “I’m just exaggerating a bit...”

Zhu Yan was speechless. Then, she heard the thud of her stepmother and father kneeling on the ground: “Yan'er, this marriage is not something your father decided. It was specially requested by Prime Minister Zhang Xingwei. If it falls through, your father would rather lose his official position than have you all marry. But Zhang Xingwei and Shen Du are influential people. This marriage, if left to you and Third Sister, could at least be settled with a peaceful divorce, but Third Sister—" *sob*

Mistress Jin also lamented, “It’s only now, when a serious matter arises, that I realize that all the daughters educated in our house are just scholars with wooden heads. Instead, you and Third Sister, who didn't study well, are the ones who can handle things. What a situation.”

The two on the ground were also crying, “Liuniang…”

Zhu Yan was irritated by the commotion and waved her hand, “Bring me the wedding clothes.”

The room fell silent for a moment, and Mistress Jin scolded, “You’re really marrying Shen Du?! Zhu Yan, that Shen Du, that Shen Du…”

Mistress Jin, who appeared tough on the outside but was soft-hearted inside, had tears rolling down her face: “I have only you as my daughter!”

Zhu Yan embraced her and patted her back.

Shen Du was a high-ranking officer in the Inner Guard under the command of only the Emperor of Zhou. He was responsible for investigation, surveillance, and assassination, and was famously known as the White Lord of Hell in Chang’an.

His reputation was such that, when his name was heard, the clouds would disperse in the daytime, and children's cries would cease at night.

Zhu Yan understood why Mistress Jin was worried.

The marriage between the Zhu family and Shen Du was arranged by her father’s superior, Zhang Xingwei. Zhang Xingwei was upright and had always been at odds with Shen Du. This marriage was likely Zhang Xingwei’s way of using the Zhu family to monitor Shen Du’s every move.

And Shen Du was also aware of Zhang Xingwei’s intentions.

So this marriage was akin to sending a rabbit into a tiger’s den.

The Zhu family had few clever rabbits.

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