Translator – Xiao He Lian
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Chapter 42.2
Speaking of Si Cang, he not only talked nonsense, but he used exaggerated expressions. Lu Yan often felt that letting him serve in the Jingzhao Prefecture was really unfair. If he went to the teahouse to tell stories, he would definitely become popular in Chang’an.
Sun Xu took a sip of tea and said with a smile: “This matter also has something to do with you, Lord Lu.”
Lu Yan was flipping through recent cases and asked, “Really?”
Sun Xu said: “In the length lunar month last year, Does Lord Lu still remember the case of Wang Zhao and others abducting a girl who had not left the boudior?”
Lu Yan asked in surprise: “Isn’t this case over?” It was still winter when he left the capital and now it’s already the third month.
Sun Xu handed Lu Yan a case file and said, “After we got the search warrant, we ransacked Wang Zhao’s house. Sure enough, the Wang family had built a secret tunnel. As soon as we entered, we found that it was filled with the bodies of the missing women. Then we saw the scene, even the knowledgeable Minister Zhou couldn’t help but vomit. It’s just that we were a step late and by the time we got there, Wang Zhao had already disappeared.”
Sun Xu looked at Si Cang who was eager to tell the story and said: “You say it.”
Si Cang’s eyes lit up, he clapped his hands and continued from where Sun Xu left off: “Wang Zhao ran away and his brother-in-law from the Xianbei tribe also ran away. However, heaven’s vengeance is slow but definite1(Justice will be served one way or the other). Finally one night, under the guidance of Lord Zheng’s clever plan, we caught Wang Zhao and his accomplice.”
At this time, Governor Zheng happened to pass by and coughed in embarrassment.
Sun Xu lowered his head and laughed and couldn’t help but murmur: Si Cang must have an extra eye on the back of his head this week, otherwise why would he have flattered Lord Zheng so accurately as soon as he appeared?
It was necessary to know that they were able to catch Wang Zhao and others not because of Lord Zheng’s clever calculations, but because of the portrait.
At this time, Governor Zheng slowly said: “We were able to solve this case thanks to the female painter Lord Lu found.”
Hearing about this female painter, Si Cang couldn’t help but get even more excited, “Lord Lu, if you were here, you would definitely be amazed! Wang Zhao’s brother-in-law is really from Xianbei! The appearance is exactly the same as the portrait, just like a copy.”
Lu Yan was stunned. Although he knew that what Si Cang said must be an exaggeration, he could also imagine that the paintings she painted must be somewhat similar.
After all, Shen Zhen’s painting skills were indeed the most ethereal ones he had ever seen.
Then Sun Xu whispered to Lu Yan: “The female painter Lord Lu brought last time, I wonder from which family she is from?”
Lu Yan frowned, “Why does Lord Sun want to know about that?”
Sun Xu said: “I happen to have a case on hand, and I also need to draw a few portraits. If it is convenient…”
Lu Yan paused, with a very fake smile on his lips he said, “I’m sorry, Lord Sun, I really can’t tell you her identity. As for the reason, Lord Sun can also guess it.”
Sun Xu nodded and couldn’t help but regret in a low voice: “Ah, the woman is confined to the boudoir and cannot even unleash her talents at will. It’s a pity, it’s really a pity.”
After getting on the carriage, Lu Yan’s eyes were puffy.
He didn;t know what kind of day it was but not just one but two people were looking for her.
Yang Zong whispered: “Master, shall we return to the Duke’s Mansion today?”
Lu Yan took a long breath and said, “No, I won;t.”
——
While holding a lantern, Lu Yan pushed open the door of Lanyue Pavilion, but Shen Zhen was not in the room.
“Where is she?”
Mo Yue understood and said hurriedly: “Miss is in the east chamber.”
The east wing of Chengyuan has two rooms, separated by a long screen with round chinese rosewood carvings of birds and animals and inlaid with jade. The entire inside wall was filled with bookshelves, filled with various miscellaneous notes and calligraphy and paintings collected by Lu Yan. There is a couch outside and a hanging painting of “Nine Fishes2(The Nine Fish Painting is a traditional Chinese painting with auspicious meanings. Since ancient times, “nine” has had a lasting meaning. “Fish” means good luck in all things. Nine adorable koi fish frolic in the water, symbolizing long-term good luck.)” was hung on the east wall.
Shen Zhen was sitting on the Luohan couch3(The beauty couch can be used for sitting or lying on. It is exquisitely made and has a beautiful shape. It is also known as the “concubine couch”. Rattan or wooden couch pillows should be set on both sides or on the top of one side for ladies to rest and sleep at any time.)
, playing with some scrolls. The light reflected on her face and several unclosed scrolls were scattered on her lap.
Lu Yan walked forward and said in a deep voice, “What are you doing here?”
His voice was naturally deep, with an aura of calmness and authority but Shen Zhen was used to hearing it, so she was no longer afraid of him.
Hearing the sound, Shen Zhen slowly looked towards Lu Yan and saw that he was wearing a black brocade cloak with animal butterfly patterns on the outside and the very familiar dark purple official uniform underneath.
Such dark clothes always make him look cold and inhumane, but if combined with the soft gaze in the corner of his eyes at this moment, it created an indescribable charm.
Shen Zhen had to admit that as an official of the imperial court, he was indeed more charming than Wei Huan of the Wei family.
He walked straight to her, picked up a painting at random, looked at it, and said, “Did you paint this?” He remembered most of the paintings in the room in the east wing and the ink on this one was still wet, it must be her creation.
Shen Zhen nodded, “Yes.”
Lu Yan raised his eyebrows and asked curiously: “Why did you suddenly start painting landscapes?”
Shen Zhen’s cheeks became slightly red. She tugged on the hem of his clothes and said softly, “My Lord, do you still remember what you promised me?”
Lu Yan frowned deliberately and said, “Which one?”
Sure enough, the little girl’s face showed a bit of anxiety, “Didn’t My Lord agree to take me to Daxingshan Temple on the seventh day of the third month?”
Lu Yan took her little hand and said, “Hmm, I remembered it.”
Shen Zhen took a step closer to her, stood on tiptoe and whispered in his ear: “I want to sell these paintings, and then go find Master Yuan Chen to recite scriptures and ask him to pray for my mother.”
She didn’t say the rest, but he understood.
So she has been hanging around in the East Wing for the past two days to find a way to make money to buy incense?
