Translator – Xiao He Lian
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Chapter 75
Shen Zhen was brought back to Jingzhao Prefecture by Sun Xu.
As soon as Shen Zhen entered the interrogation room, she saw the torture instruments such as the ruler, clamps, and a crossbeam beside her and cold sweat broke out on her back.
At this time, a skinny little official whispered in Sun Xu’s ear, “My Lord, Doctor Sun has seen this evidence and it is indeed poisonous. One of the ingredients is the highly toxic rotten skin. Should we torture her severely?”
“Are you the one who was just transferred from the county?” Sun Xu said.
“Your Excellency has a good memory. It is precisely me.”
“I will only tell you this once, remember it.” Sun Xu frowned and said, “Jingzhao Prefecture is not a local county government. It is not advisable to torture people into confessing. Even if they are tortured, they must be interrogated carefully and the evidence must be verified.”
“Of course, habitual offenders are not included. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Yes, I understand it clearly.” The yamen official nodded repeatedly with sweat on his forehead.
Sun Xu glanced at Shen Zhen, sighed and said, “Let’s lock her up for now and Lord Zheng or Lord Lu will come to interrogate her later.” The one who made the complaint was a member of the Sun family and Sun Xu didn’t want to be accused of favoritism and abuse of power. It would be better to get rid of this hot potato as soon as possible.
Sun Xu took the petition and returned to the office. As soon as he entered the room, he asked, “Is Lord Zheng here?”
Lieutenant Lu said: “I heard that the Emperor will ask the Heavenly master to predict the national destiny tomorrow and the escort personnel will be transferred from our Jingzhao Prefecture, so Lord Zheng was called into the palace.”
Sun Xu nodded, walked to Lu Yan and said, “The Sun family has submitted a petition and it is not convenient for me to go to the trial. Can Lord Lu come forward for me?”
Lu Yan looked up and frowned.
This time it was not that he was unwilling to help, but he suddenly discovered that the files he had transferred from the Imperial Hospital two days ago were missing a volume. He had to go through it again later, so he said, “I have to go to the Imperial Medical Bureau in the afternoon. Is this case urgent?”
“It’s not urgent, but the emperor will summon all officials to go to Changqing Temple tomorrow. You and I are among them. If we delay this today, we will probably have to detain the person for two days.” It would be fine in normal circumstances, but Sun Xu was afraid that since the third lady of the Shen family was so attractive and also the daughter of a criminal, if she was detained overnight, she would be teased by the servants in the government office.
After all, the huge Jingzhao Prefecture is not a clear spring.
While Lu Yan was hesitating, he heard Lieutenant Lu nodding his head and looking at the petition, muttering, “Why is it Baixiang Pavilion again? I remember Lord Lu sent someone to check this shop once. Could it be… there is really a problem?”
Baixiang Pavilion…
As the words fell, Lord Lu’s eyes darkened. He squeezed his palms and asked calmly, “Lieutenant Lu, can you let me take a look at the petition?”
“Here, here.” Lieutenant Lu handed it over with both hands.
Lu Yan looked at it, slowly stood up and said in a deep voice: “Do you have both witnesses and evidence?”
“We have them all.” Sun Xu pointed outside. “The Sun family has even found a lawyer, Chang’an famous lawyer, Song Jingwen.”
“This matter involves the Sun family, and it is inconvenient for you to go out. I will take the case for you.” Lu Yan said to Sun Xu.
Sun Xu smiled gratefully, “Thank you very much, Lord Lu.”
Lu Yan turned around and walked out of the office in a hurry.
——
Since Sun Xu left, Shen Zhen had been locked up in the interrogation room, sitting on the ground while hugging her knees. The blood-stained torture instruments around her made the room look eerie. When she was feeling uneasy, the door of the interrogation room opened…
“Your Excellency is here, why don’t you get up quickly!” the yamen official scolded her from the side.
Just by seeing the familiar corner of his clothes, Shen Zhen knew who was coming. She coughed lightly and stood up.
The young yamen official filled the table with tea with great enthusiasm, then rubbed the stool beside him with his sleeve and then moved aside.
“Go out first and don’t let anyone in.” Lu Yan said.
“I understand.” The young yamen official looked at Shen Zhen sympathetically.
Lord Sun at least knows how to be gentle with women, but if she falls into the hands of Lord Lu, she will probably end up in trouble.
The door of the interrogation room slowly closed. Lu Yan sat down, looked at Shen Zhen, and asked in a stern voice, “The third young lady is really capable. It’s only been a few days and she’s already making trouble in the government office?”
“Did you know that the Sun family has even found a lawyer for Sun Mi?”
Shen Zhen felt a little aggrieved when she heard his cold tone.
And here she thought he was eager to see her…
Shen Zhen paused and looked down at the hem of her skirt for a while.
Lu Yan held a folding fan in his hand, tapped the table lightly and said in a deep voice: “I am asking you a question.” The cold tone of a superior seemed to bring time back to October last year.
Shen Zhen clenched her fists, her heart sank and when she raised her head, her eyes were red.
Lu Yan’s hands hanging by his side suddenly clenched and after enduring for a long time, he blurted out, “Why are your eyes always turning red in front of me?”
In fact, as soon as he finished speaking, he realized that he had said the wrong thing. He really missed her and wanted to see her, but when he finally saw her, he couldn’t help but think of the inseparable love between her and the Marquis of Changping.
But the words had already been spoken and naturally he couldn’t change them, so he could only grit his teeth and bear it until she gave in on her own.
Shen Zhen knew that he never liked to see her crying, but with red eyes, how could she say that she was fine? So she simply turned around and no longer met his eyes.
The girl’s heart ached and she silently shed tears. He had clearly said that if she missed him, she could come to Jingzhao Prefecture to find him…
The man behind her covered his chest with his hands, pursed his thin lips, the coldness in his eyes gradually faded away as he felt helpless.
Just as he was about to call her, Shen Zhen turned around.
“I have left all the evidence that can prove myself with Qingxi. My Lord, please send someone to get it.” Shen Zhen lowered her head and said calmly, “It’s my fault. I have caused you trouble.”
Hearing her say this, how could Lu Yan not understand. She didn’t cause any trouble, she just came to find him.
The man regretted not comforting her and also regretted his harsh tone. He took a deep breath, patted his legs, and said, “Come here.”
Shen Zhen didn’t move.
It seemed as if she had turned a deaf ear to all his words.
Lu Yan raised his hand and touched his nose bridge. His Adam’s apple rolled and he tried to slow down his tone, “Zhenzhen, come here.”
Shen Zhen still didn’t respond.
Helplessly, Lu Yan stood up, walked to her side, grabbed her hand, and lowered his head to look her in the eye.
Then he pulled her into his arms.
The man’s heart tightened and he used his hands to wipe the tears of the person in his arms. Everything he touched was scorching hot, as if it was melting him…
At this moment, Shen Zhen raised his hand and pushed his chest hard, obviously angry with him.
Lu Yan lowered his eyes and looked at her. When he just came in, her eyes were still shining like stars reflected in the lake, but now, she didn’t even want to look at him.
Lu Yan bent his head and kissed her, pecking her eyelids lightly. His intention to please her couldn’t be more obvious.
“I am just worried.” Lu Yan said softly, “I didn’t mean it.”
Admittedly, even when he himself heard this, it sounded a bit weak.
But apart from this reason, Shen Zhen couldn’t think of any other reason, after all, a few days ago, they weren’t the way they are today.
The little girl could never have guessed that on the day when she and Su Heng were reminiscing about the past, this man was standing outside the Shen residence, his eyes as sharp as will-o’-the-wisp1(Will-o’-the-wisp metaphorically refers to a hope or goal that leads one on, but is impossible to reach, or something one finds strange or sinister.).
Seeing her eyes relax a little, Lu Yan immediately continued: “Tell me, what evidence did you have?”
This is why men are cunning. He knows that with Shen Zhen’s personality, as long as they talk about serious matters, she will definitely cooperate.
As soon as he said this, Shen Zhen told him everything that happened that day, from beginning to end.
“Tell me everything all over again.”
Lu Yan then said: “Come here.”
Lu Yan sat down, gently put his arm around her waist and pressed her against his lap. He picked up the pen, dipped it in ink and whispered, “You talk, I’ll write.”
For a moment, there was no trace of an interrogation atmosphere in the room.
Shen Zhen blushed and spoke again. Halfway through her words, Lu Yan stopped writing and put the teacup next to her mouth, “Drink some water first.”
Shen Zhen took it and was forced to take a sip, then hurried footsteps were heard outside.
The moment Sun Xu pushed open the door, Shen Zhen immediately jumped up from Lu Yan’s lap, stood aside with her head down and closed her eyes in great embarrassment.
“Lord Lu.” Sun Xu said.
Lu Yan turned around as if nothing had happened and asked calmly, “Master Sun, is there anything wrong?”
“Lord Zheng has returned from the palace. If Lord Lu is busy, you can send this case to Lord Zheng.” After saying that, Sun Xu glanced at the girl beside him.
She clenched her fists, her ears were red, and her lips were white.
He knew even without looking that Lord Lu must have made many sarcastic remarks.
Sun Xu paused, then asked, “What do you think, Lord Lu?”
Lu Yan coughed lightly and said, “No need, I can handle this.”
“Okay then.”
Sun Xu nodded and before leaving, he gave Lu Yan a look that said “why are you like this?”
