Translator – Xiao He Lian
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Chapter 128 Extra 1
The Third Day — The Day of Returning to the Parental Home
Early in the morning, Lu Yan and Shen Zhen boarded their carriage. Qingxi was at the rear, directing the servants from the Duke’s residence as they loaded gifts onto the cart for Shen Zhen’s return visit. There were two baskets of lychees brought from afar, a load of freshly harvested summer oranges, several jars of fine wine, and an assortment of sweets and pastries—sugar-dusted treats, sesame cakes, and glutinous rice candy.
The carriage was packed full.
It slowly made its way toward Baoning Lane.
When they arrived at the Shen residence, the entire Shen family was waiting at the gate for Shen Zhen.
Seeing this, Shen Wenqi felt a wave of emotion. His youngest daughter stood in a scarlet floor-length dress embroidered with phoenix, her hair styled in a high bun adorned with a white jade hairpin inlaid with gold flowers, and a decorative mark painted on her forehead.
She now looked like a married woman.
After the formal greetings, Lu Yan was invited to the front hall for tea by Shen Wenqi, while Shen Zhen was pulled into the inner quarters by Shen Yao and Shen Shu.
Shen Yao asked with a smile, “So, how is married life? Are the Lu family treating you well? Has anyone been giving you trouble?”
Shen Zhen replied helplessly, “Can’t you ask one question at a time?”
Shen Yao subconsciously answered, “I’m about to leave, so…”
The moment she said that, the smiles on all three of their faces froze. Shen Zhen’s marriage meant that Shen Yao would soon be leaving Chang’an.
Shen Zhen held Shen Yao’s hand and asked, “Second Sister, will you be able to come back?”
Shen Yao smiled, “If I get the chance, of course I’ll return.”
But in truth, she wasn’t sure herself if she ever would—just like she wasn’t sure whether Wu Li would continue to love her the way he does now.
Still, life always needed hope, and something to look forward to.
After a moment of silence, Shen Shu suddenly asked, “So you’ve decided to take Xu Yining and Xu Yiqing back with you?”
Shen Yao nodded. “Yes. The Emperor has approved it.”
Just after the Lantern Festival, Shen Yao had told Wu Li that she wanted to take two people back to the grasslands. For the future Khan of the Grasslands, this wasn’t a difficult request. Wu Li merely brought it up, and the Emperor quickly agreed.
So, before they could even board their carriage to head to Luoyang, the Xu sisters—still packing—received the devastating news.
Xu Yining fainted on the spot, while Xu Yiqing cried and shouted, “Shen Yao is being too cruel!”
Wu Li had gifted Xu Yining and Xu Yiqing to his brother—Huaitai. Shen Yao knew what kind of man Huaitai was: a man with countless concubines and a volatile temper. That alone was troubling enough. But more importantly, his wife was Xizier, daughter of Sima. With Xu Yiqing’s looks, Xizier would never tolerate her presence.
The news shocked all of Chang’an.
Princess Yonghe took the opportunity to retaliate against the Xu family—this was plain for all to see. Some said the Xu family was simply paying the price for their many misdeeds. Others lamented that even the once-powerful Prime Minister Xu could no longer protect his daughters.
Only the Shen family understood: when a family declines, the most painful thing is the string of man-made disasters one cannot escape.
Shen Shu said to Shen Yao, “I know you want to vent your anger, but those two Xu girls aren’t exactly harmless. If you take them with you, I’m afraid it’ll lead to trouble.”
Shen Yao replied solemnly, “Don’t worry, sister. I’m not foolish enough to make enemies without realizing it. But the Xu family must repay what they owe. Otherwise, I won’t be able to swallow my anger.”
Shen Shu didn’t argue further, only reminded her to be careful.
In truth, there was much more that Shen Yao hadn’t said.
Only those who had been to the grasslands understood—it’s no place for a noble girl to play clever games. Even she, with her status as a Jin dynasty princess, soldiers under her command, and money in her coffers, had barely managed to protect herself. What hope did those two girls have?
Some might say Xu Yiqing was innocent, but whenever she thought of Shen Zhen being cornered with her young brother, she knew better.
If Shen Zhen had encountered someone like Xu Wei instead of Lu Yan, who—thankfully—was “not interested enough,” would she have survived?
Shen Yao had seen men who toyed with women cruelly—truly toyed with them, with not a shred of compassion.
Let the Xu girls go and see for themselves. Out there, survival is everything. Xizier once dragged Huaitai’s concubines behind her horse for sport. Huaitai? He merely frowned upon hearing it.
Shen Yao had lived that kind of terror and despair.
She had once had an arrow pointed at her forehead.
She had once watched wolves unleashed into her tent, tearing her maid apart before her very eyes…
After she woke up from that nightmare, Shen Yao sent her innocence and kindness back to Chang’an with the breeze and moonlight.
She still held onto compassion—but never forgot revenge.
She was Shen Yao of the Shen family, and also the diplomatic princess.
According to custom, Lu Yan and Shen Zhen stayed at the Shen residence for two days. When they were about to leave, Shen Wenqi patted Lu Yan’s shoulder—a clear sign he now truly accepted Lu Yan as his son-in-law.
Four days after their wedding leave, the Jingzhao prefecture sent Lu Yan a message. Though he had said that for seven days he wouldn’t handle any official matters, after much thought, he still put on his official robes.
A major case had broken out in Chang’an.
In the span of several days, six female corpses were discovered in six counties—Wannian, Xinfeng, Weinan, Huayin, Lantian, and Fuping. All of the victims were found naked.
The perpetrator was extremely brutal. The corpses bore multiple fatal wounds, but the most horrifying detail: all six women’s pubic bones had been shattered with wooden rods.
Initially, the Ministry of Justice and the Jingzhao Prefecture had believed it to be rape-murder. But after autopsy, they found the bodies to be entirely clean—no signs of sexual assault.
Lu Yan didn’t return to the Duke’s residence until dusk. As soon as he entered, he said to Tang Yue, “Bring me a basin of water.”
Tang Yue nodded and left.
A moment later, she returned carrying a copper basin and a towel.
Lu Yan washed his hands with exceptional care. Shen Zhen, thinking it was his usual fussiness, handed him a soap, “Here, use this.”
Lu Yan took it and scrubbed between every finger.
This was a bit abnormal.
Shen Zhen asked softly, “Husband, what’s the matter?”
Lu Yan glanced at her and replied quietly, “Nothing.”
How could he tell her that he had just done the one thing he hated most in life—he had just dissected a corpse?
Seeing his furrowed brow, Shen Zhen reached out to hold his hand, only for him to pull away instantly.
She froze, her hand hanging mid-air, then slowly withdrew it.
She handed him the towel.
Lu Yan didn’t take it, and said coldly, “Don’t touch me for now.”
This man’s temper, cultivated over more than twenty years, wouldn’t change overnight. Unless he made an effort to restrain it, he was still that proud and distant Lord Lu. In such a cold tone, what woman could endure?
Shen Zhen set the towel aside and turned away with her eyes downcast.
Lu Yan watched her back, took a deep breath, and said, “Zhen’er, I didn’t mean it. I…”
Before he could finish, she interrupted, “It’s fine. It’s not the first time.”
Now it was Lu Yan’s turn to be stunned.
He mulled over her words and suddenly recalled the day he first met her.
Heavy snow was falling, the wind howled. He stood outside Baixiang Pavilion, handling a case. In the moment their eyes met, a strange image of them in bed together flashed before his eyes.
At the time, he truly thought she was a seductive temptress.
Then the signboard of Baixiang Pavilion crashed down.
She tried to pull him aside, and he had flung her hand away.
Incidents like that—there were many.
Looking back now, each one felt like a debt he owed her.
Just then, urgent footsteps sounded outside—it was Yang Zong. “My lord! Another one in Wannian County!”
He knew what that meant.
He rushed out. As he did, his chest throbbed with a dull pain—just once.
Lu Yan rubbed his brow.
When he returned to Su Ning Hall, it was late. He opened the door and saw a single lamp still lit inside. He knew—it was the girl who had left it on for him.
After washing up, he crept back to bed, looking at the back of Shen Zhen’s head.
He thought she was angry, so he wrapped his arms around her waist, gently kissing the nape of her neck. “Are you asleep?”
Shen Zhen turned to face him, “No.” She still hadn’t gotten used to this bed.
Seeing her calm expression and tone, Lu Yan felt relieved.
“I’ve been handling a difficult case with the Ministry of Justice,” he explained.
Shen Zhen glanced at the water clock in the corner. “You’ve been working until now?”
Lu Yan nodded.
Shen Zhen whispered, “Then you should rest.”
Such a simple sentence made his heart ache.
Shen Zhen had always been so gentle. Even when he was clearly in the wrong, even when she should’ve been angry—she would forgive him with the lightest explanation.
But how could the pampered third daughter of the Marquis of Yunyang be so forgiving?
Lu Yan twirled her soft hair with his finger. He knew—he had shaped her into this.
He had never given her the security to be herself.
Lu Yan hugged her from behind, placing his hand over her heart, feeling her gentle pulse beneath her skin.
They had lived two lifetimes.
And still, he couldn’t forget the deep regret he felt upon waking from that dream.
If she remembered everything, he wanted to ask her: Was there someone else in your heart because I lacked the tenderness he gave you?
Then again, he was glad—she remembered nothing.
Lu Yan leaned in and bit her earlobe. “Did you cry after I left?”
Shen Zhen’s eyes flew open.
Lu Yan touched her nose with his, whispering, “Don’t cry alone anymore. If you’re angry, just lash out at me.”
Suspiciously, Shen Zhen asked, “How do you know…”
Lu Yan casually replied, “Your eyes are red.”
She reached up to touch the corner of her eyes.
He kissed her brows and eyes gently.
Shen Zhen, how can I tell you? Every time you cry, I always know.
The candle went out. Silence fell.
From the bed came a few faint whispers—
“Shall I teach you how to get angry?”
“Shen Zhen, that’s not how you glare… This looks more like you’re flirting.”
“Ow—Lu Yan!”
“Mm, I’m here.”
