Chapter 28 Chapter 28 "I want to ask Miss Zhu to marry me."...

What happened today? What gust of wind brought this Yama here?

I happened to run into this kind of thing!

Lord Xing felt the coldness on the man's face and couldn't help but tremble in his calves.

He complimented Shen Jingzhan, bent over and asked him why he didn't let someone know beforehand, at least he went to greet him in person? Wouldn't that be a neglect?

Shen Jingzhan looked at him with a half-smile, "Lord Xing is busy trying countless unjust cases in the capital. How dare I ask anyone to disturb him?"

This sentence almost made Lord Xing sweat profusely, and the sweat beads on his forehead that he had just wiped away could not help but flow down.

"You...you are being too polite...how can this humble official bear the responsibility?" Shen Jingzhan was usually aloof. Lord Xing had seen this favored son of heaven serving the emperor from afar during the morning court session.

That's really out of reach.

The government offices in the capital mainly dealt with trivial matters of the people and could not even reach the edge of the Dali Temple, let alone the Zhongshu Province.

He has the majesty of a superior at such a young age, who dares to offend him?

So, why did this Yama Luo come here today?

Lord Xing's mind was spinning like crazy, but he didn't know Shen Jingzhan's intention of coming here, so he didn't dare to act rashly.

I saw Shen Jingzhan picked up the woman who was stunned on the bench.

The other party was obviously frightened and couldn't utter a word.

She let him hold her up in a daze.

The woman's figure was too petite, and the man had broad shoulders and a narrow waist. Both of them had extremely good looks. He helped her up, and Lord Xing felt through this peek that they were strangely compatible?

But, but how is it possible?

How could a little woman who was divorced and kicked out of the house possibly get along with such a big man at the pinnacle of power?

Lord Xing immediately dismissed the thought in his mind. He must have been frightened to have such a thought.

Zhu Yinluan was indeed frightened silly. Even when Shen Jingzhan approached her and half-carried her down in front of everyone, she didn't even think of breaking free from him?

She wasn't beaten and her body was intact, so how could she not stand up?

Zhu Yinluan didn't say anything for a while. She didn't know what she should say at all. To be precise, she didn't come back to her senses and thought she was in a dream.

Was it because the beating from the stick was so painful that she fainted from the pain? That's why she had this hallucination.

As for why Shen Jingzhan appeared, perhaps it was because she often met him, so such a character emerged in her mind.

Apart from this, Zhu Yinluan couldn't think of anything else for the moment.

But when the man's cool breath floated over her and his big hand fell on her waist, the warm palm burned her whole body and woke her up.

After she stood still, Mingya and Jiaohui rushed over. The word "Miss" made Zhu Yinluan instantly realize where she was.

She quickly distanced herself from Chen Jingzhan, retreated far away from him, and greeted him, "My Lord, may you be well..."

She lowered her eyes and dared not look at Shen Jingzhan. She kept backing away, so naturally she did not see how dark the man's eyes were when he looked at her.

After checking to make sure she was fine, the man glanced coldly at Jiaohui beside her, who looked guilty for her dereliction of duty.

Not only Zhu Yinluan didn't notice all this, but even Ming Ya next to her didn't notice it either.

She was busy checking whether Zhu Yinluan was injured. After confirming that Zhu Yinluan was safe and sound, she followed Jiaohui to greet Shen Jingzhan at Zhu Yinluan's reminder.

"Yeah." The man said lightly.

Then ask her if she is okay?

Although Zhu Yinluan had come back to her senses, her violently beating heart had not yet completely calmed down. Her thick eyelashes trembled violently, "...It's okay."

During this conversation, Lord Xing had already asked someone to bring in sandalwood chairs and clean up the place, especially the bench where Zhu Yinluan was punished and the court stick were all taken away.

Just now, Shen Jingzhan not only intercepted the court stick that was intended to punish Zhu Yinluan, but also crushed it and threw it aside. In order to destroy the "evidence", Lord Xing specially ordered someone to wipe off the debris so that not even the slightest corner was left.

"Please take a seat, my lord." He personally dusted the dust-free chair for Shen Jingzhan and invited him to sit down.

Shen Jingzhan holds an important position in the imperial court, but people still like to call him the Crown Prince. They only call him Lord Zhongshu when he attends court.

Shen Jingzhan said nothing, he just kept looking at Lord Xing.

Seeing this, the other party was almost going to get hairy, and his smile became more and more awkward and embarrassing, and finally he spoke, "I came here today to carry out the inspection order of the Censorate, to see how the government offices handle cases."

His words sounded light, even casual, but Lord Xing was still worried and almost cried.

Without waiting for Shen Jingzhan to ask in detail, he began to plead, "... this little woman went to the court to file a complaint, and the lower authorities took over her case and are now going through the trial process..."

I didn't want to bring up the matter of the imperial cane, but Shen Jingzhan's expression was too cold.

Lord Xing could only quickly mention that according to the laws of this dynasty, beating the drum to report the incident would result in thirty strokes of the cane in court, in order to keep it vague and prevent Shen Jingzhan from pursuing the matter.

But since Shen Jingzhan came here for this, how could he let him fish in troubled waters, not to mention touching his reverse scale.

He chuckled, and his smile was so charming that it was more frightening than not laughing at all.

Lord Xing began to wipe the cold sweat off his face again, bent his waist, and did not dare to look back at her.

"Case trial process?" Shen Jingzhan asked.

Lord Xing said tremblingly, "...Yes." Could it be that Shen Jingzhan already knew about this case?

But he never comes to the government office, and this little woman couldn't have anything to do with him, so he probably doesn't know the inside story of the Wei and Zhu families, right?

The most important thing is that the person involved, Zhu Yinluan, did not speak.

It was obvious that he had never seen such a big scene with such big people, and he was scared.

Since she didn't say anything, that was fine. It looked like Shen Jingzhan didn't intend to ask her.

But Lord Xing did not expect that Jiaohui, who was beside Zhu Yinluan, would speak at this time, and hit the nail on the head with one sentence, "Young lady just came to hand in the petition, but the yamen runners refused to open the door and drove the servants away, and even said that it was the will of the higher-ups, so the young lady had no choice but to beat the drum to file a complaint."

"Oh?" Shen Jingzhan looked at Lord Xing, "Is this the trial process? I wonder what it means?"

Lord Xing was so anxious that his face turned red and his neck became thick. "Don't listen to the nonsense of this fierce maid. This incident never happened! I have always been diligent and have never been lazy or oppressed the people! Please investigate carefully, my lord."

"Lord Xing really won't cry until he sees the coffin." Shen Jingzhan laughed briefly again.

As soon as he finished speaking, someone dragged in a bloody thing that looked like a human.

Zhu Yinluan smelled a strong smell of blood. She was subconsciously frightened and wanted to vomit. She turned her back. When she wanted to turn around to find out what was going on.

The man beside her stood in front of her without her knowing when, and she could only see his broad and tall back.

Shen Jingzhan stood in front of her, and she couldn't see the horrifying thing.

“…”

It was indeed a person. After Ming Ya saw it, she leaned close to her ear and told her that after Shen Jingzhan's followers threw the person to the ground, they turned his face up. It turned out to be the yamen runner who collected their money at the door and drove them away.

He was beaten like this in such a short time.

Zhu Yinluan couldn't see the bloody person on the ground, but she could see Lord Xing from the side.

His face turned pale and he couldn’t utter a word, “This…”

The bloody figure on the ground said faintly, "Yes... it was the master who said no, no... not to take the Wei family's case. I was just... following orders..."

The seven-foot-tall man was beaten to the point of tears, his voice choked with sobs, "Please, my lord, let me go... let me go."

The deterrent effect has already been achieved.

The man was quickly pulled away and the ground was cleaned up.

"Lord Xing, do you have anything else to say?" The man seemed to be asking how else you want to argue?

Lord Xing also knew that investigating a case required evidence, and just because Shen Jingzhan didn't produce it didn't mean he didn't have it.

He was always confident of victory in everything he did. He never defeated the enemy with one blow, not because he did not strike hard enough, but because he liked to admire the opponent's trembling fight like a trapped beast, and at the same time he also enjoyed the thrill of the hunt.

Lord Xing was mainly frightened by Shen Jingzhan, so he stopped struggling and knelt down to plead guilty, "I know I was wrong! Please punish me, my Lord! I will never do this again next time..."

Lord Xing kowtowed so loudly that Zhu Yinluan felt a pain in her forehead just listening to it.

She couldn't help but frown.

But I didn't expect that the man who was interrogating the person suddenly turned around.

When he was talking to her, his voice became very gentle, without any trace of harshness or coldness.

Not only that, the coldness on his face also disappeared, as if the fierce Shen Jingzhan just now was just her illusion.

"Miss Zhu, how are you?" He changed his way of addressing her.

When she didn't answer the first time, I asked again.

Mingya and Jiaohui beside her shook her arms, and Zhu Yinluan just said, "Very good..."

"Thank you for your concern, my Lord."

"I have accepted the case of the Wei and Zhu families. Miss Zhu's complaint will be kept here. Can you follow my people and wait for a while?"

Zhu Yinluan was about to lift her leg when she heard him, but then she thought, "Shouldn't I...stay here for questioning?"

He smiled gently, "This case has been almost investigated. It involves the Censorate's supervision and correction, and it needs to deal with the court's affairs."

Jiao Hui and Shen Jingzhan knew it very well that Shen Jingzhan just didn't want her to see his ferocious look. Only Zhu Yinluan and Mingya were still in the dark. She was indeed frightened by Shen Jingzhan, so she didn't question it and followed his people out of the yamen.

When Zhu Yinluan reached the corner, she couldn't help but look back.

The tall man stood under the banner of justice and integrity, like a gentleman on the altar. The light and shadow around him made him look gentle and soft.

Their eyes met silently. He looked at her with a focused gaze, not fierce or cold, but she felt inexplicably scared. After a quick glance down, she quickened her pace and left, "..."

After the weak girl disappeared, the gentleness on the man's face instantly disappeared and turned into coldness.

After he turned around, he looked down at the official kneeling on the ground, his eyes full of impatience and coldness.

Zhu Yinluan came to the side hall and drank a cup of tea. Then she remembered to ask the people around Shen Jingzhan, "Why is the prince here?"

His attendant said respectfully, "I heard someone was beating the drum at the government office, and the prince was handling a court case nearby, so he came to see it. Unexpectedly, he saw the girl being beaten with a stick in the court."

Turns out it was a coincidence.

She said, why is Shen Jingzhan here?

She couldn't tell why, but thinking back to Shen Jingzhan's look just now, she actually felt that he came for her.

She was worrying too much after all.

It has been a long time since she last saw Shen Jingzhan. The location of the Yousi Yamen in the capital is quite remote. He is not in the Censorate, the Secretariat, or the Shen family. How could he come here?

But Shen Jingzhan's arrival also made her feel an indescribable sense of peace.

Otherwise... she might not be able to endure the thirty beatings before they were all over.

Looking back now, after her courage was lost, she felt a faint regret in her heart. Even if she took the shop back and fought for her dignity, ending up with half of her body paralyzed, was this really what she wanted?

It's good enough to have hands and feet. If she really can't get the shop back, she can find another way to make a living. After all, she can still do a lot of things.

Having said that, she also knew that the Wei family and the Zhu family would most likely not give in. If they were determined to get her, she had no power and was powerless, so what else could she do?

Thinking of this, Zhu Yinluan felt very upset. She didn't know whether she had a miserable life or was just unlucky. She always believed that although she couldn't choose her birth, she could struggle for her destiny. She had struggled for so many years, but in the end, it was still so bad.

Seeing that she looked unhappy, Jiao Hui handed the cake to her and said, "Miss, please have some. This is a fruit that goes well with tea. It tastes very delicious."

Zhu Yinluan shook her head and said she had no appetite.

After Jiaohui put down the pastries, she looked at Shen Jingzhan's entourage.

His attendant stepped forward and said, "Miss Zhu, you don't have to worry about this case. Since the prince said it can be done, he will definitely solve it."

Zhu Yinluan pursed her lips and smiled, then thanked him. That being said, Shen Jingzhan was busy in front of the emperor and had many affairs to attend to. He could protect her for a while, but not for her whole life.

She still couldn't completely relax and couldn't help but worry about her future.

Are we going to leave the capital?

She had never thought about leaving the capital, nor did she know how she would survive if she left the capital.

At this moment, Zhu Yinluan fell into deep confusion.

She didn't know where to go.

She didn't know what was wrong with her.

Perhaps she was really frightened by the fact that the cane did not fall. She always felt that although it did not fall on her this time due to Shen Jingzhan's protection, it would fall on her one day.

The strong prey on the weak, and the fittest survive.

Without power, it is difficult to move forward.

Shen Jingzhan came over two incense sticks later. Zhu Yinluan was still in a daze. She only stood up when she heard the entourage and others bowing and greeting her.

Shen Jingzhan's followers went out, and Jiaohui also took the reluctant Mingya out.

Suddenly there were only two people left here.

Zhu Yinluan felt a little embarrassed and nervous.

She stole a few glances at Shen Jingzhan, not knowing what to say, and after thinking about it, she thanked him a few more times.

He smiled and said, "From the time I met Miss Zhu until now, I don't know how many times Miss Zhu has said thank you to me."

It was a very teasing remark, and Zhu Yinluan instantly relaxed.

She also smiled and continued his words, saying that he had helped her a lot and that he helped her almost every time they met.

"I just told Miss Zhu last time that you don't need to mind it, but you still keep it in mind." He sat down beside her.

Zhu Yinluan couldn't help but straighten her sitting posture, with her two tender white hands placed on her knees, her little face slightly lowered, making people feel that she was very well behaved at first glance.

Seeing this, a barely perceptible smile flashed across Shen Jingzhan's eyes.

"Miss Zhu, don't worry about the shop. Since you have the land deed, the government will recognize it. You can just replace the people in the shop. If Miss Zhu needs it, I can ask my men to help you find some available managers."

He actually helped her solve the shop problem directly.

Zhu Yinluan couldn't help but say, "This..." Is it okay?

This is what she wanted to say, but at the last minute, when it came to her lips, she couldn't help but change it into, "No merit, no reward. How can I accept the favor of the prince? You have really helped me a lot."

The latter sentence is the truth.

He really helped her so much that if she really counted them all, she would almost lose count.

"But I have nothing to repay you..."

When she said this, she was thinking again, if Shen Jingzhan really needed it, what could she do to help him?

She had no power or influence, and what she knew was of no value to Shen Jingzhan. Embroidery, needlework, and managing the household were all things that women needed to learn and master, and he had his own managers at home.

What's more, these are internal affairs, which will be managed by his future wife, and his wife will definitely be the best lady in the capital.

Zhu Yinluan was thinking in a mess.

Shen Jingzhan chuckled and told her not to be nervous.

"Miss Zhu seems to be very afraid of me." He had said this a long time ago, and it was almost the same.

When was it? Was it... at that pharmacy?

At that time, she was still the young lady of the Wei family. Thinking that he was a foreign man, she avoided him a lot. He said that he was not a scourge and asked her not to retreat.

Although she is no longer the young lady of the Wei family, she cannot jeopardize Shen Jingzhan's reputation.

Thinking of this, Zhu Yinluan suddenly asked him, if someone saw him coming to help and save her just now, would it cause him trouble?

"Miss Zhu, are you worried about me?" He asked after a while, looking at her.

Zhu Yinluan, "..."

Being watched by Shen Jingzhan, the tension that she had just relaxed came back again, and became more and more intense.

She even began to panic. If asked in detail, she didn't know what she was panicking about. She was so panicked that when she looked back at Shen Jingzhan, her pupils kept flickering left and right.

The man's eyes were deep, as if unfathomable. They were gentle but also made her feel dangerous. She began to avoid him, her eyes slightly dodging and her chin gradually drooping.

After a long while, she said, "Well..."

A very quiet "hmm".

Is shy, also timid.

The man chuckled and seemed pleased.

The magnetic sound penetrated into her ears, and Zhu Yinluan felt her body inexplicably numb.

Where had she heard Shen Jingzhan laugh like this before? She actually felt familiar.

It's not that I felt familiar with his laughter because of the previous times I met him, but... I have heard it a long time ago.

But no matter how far back she went, no matter how early she went, she would never have met Shen Jingzhan.

Her hands, hanging on her knees, twisted together unconsciously.

When she realized that she was too obviously nervous, she restrained herself instantly, but her actions had already been seen by Shen Jingzhan.

The two looked at each other in silence for a moment.

He said, "Miss Zhu, rest assured, you won't have any troubles. Before I came, the people around me had already cleared the area, and those who saw it from the government offices will keep their mouths shut."

After all, Xing Wei has been dismissed from his post and investigated, so who among the people below dares to say anything?

"Then... I'll have to trouble you, my Lord."

She really didn't know what to say.

Would it be impolite to resign at this time? However, she felt nervous and at a loss sitting here, and really didn't know what to do or say.

As if seeing through her intention, Shen Jingzhan stood up and asked her if she had anything else to do. If she had nothing to do, he would send her back and asked her where she lived now.

The man's thoughts and words moved too quickly. Zhu Yinluan stood up in a hurry and said, "I'm fine."

"In Yayin Cottage." She said the name of the courtyard.

"Yayin Cottage?" the man repeated. "Is it in Fanghua Lane on Zhongnan Street?"

Zhu Yinluan nodded, "Yes."

"I'll take you back."

"It's really not necessary." She waved her hand to refuse, and the hairpins on her hair swayed along with it.

After the woman let her hair down, she looked lively and like a girl from the boudoir.

If she didn't tell anyone, who would know that she had been married for four years?

"Why?" Shen Jingzhan raised his eyebrows slightly and asked knowingly.

Zhu Yinluan didn't dare to look at him, "I can go back by myself. The prince is very busy, so I'd better not bother you."

"I see."

"Miss Zhu should avoid suspicion."

Zhu Yinluan, "..." He obviously knew everything, why should he say it out loud?

He never seemed like this before.

Was it to tell her not to be nervous, or was it to tease her?

She had no way of discerning Shen Jingzhan's intentions; he was unpredictable.

Zhu Yinluan didn't dare to say anything more, just glanced at him.

When he stood up, he was much taller than her.

She had to tilt her head slightly to look at him.

"Miss Zhu, since you have nothing else to do, please go back first. I will have someone send you off in secret."

Same as last time.

She originally wanted to refuse, but was afraid of what he would say, thinking that she was being too ungrateful.

Zhu Yinluan simply nodded, "Thank you for your concern, my Lord."

Although she had said it many times, she couldn't help but say it again. If Shen Jingzhan needed her help, just tell her and she would do her best.

Before, he just said no, and even when he nodded, he didn't look like he needed her help, but today he asked her, "Really?"

Zhu Yinluan was surprised for a moment. Did Shen Jingzhan really need her help?

But before he could figure out what it was, he just nodded, "Yeah."

Then he added, "Really."

Shen Jingzhan chuckled and sighed, "I'm afraid Miss Zhu will think I'm forcing her."

The man's tone sounded helpless and distressed. Although Zhu Yinluan had met him many times, this was the first time she saw him like this. He seemed helpless and didn't know where to start.

Could Shen Jingzhan, who is at the pinnacle of power at a young age, also have any sorrows and sadness?

This is not the most important thing. The most important thing is...listen to his tone.

It seems like she might be able to help him with his difficulties?

What is going on?

If he can't do it, what can she do?

Zhu Yinluan asked out of curiosity.

Shen Jingzhan hesitated, and from his expression he seemed to be considering whether to say it or not.

"Your Highness, if you have anything to say, please speak directly."

"If I speak frankly, will Miss Zhu be angry?"

"Ah?" Zhu Yinluan was stunned for a moment, "...I don't think so."

She was only a little curious at first, and when he hesitated to speak, she became even more curious.

"What on earth is going on?"

It was because of her curiosity that her nervousness dissipated and she dared to look at him.

Her eyes are round and watery, like a beautiful kitten.

Shen Jingzhan looked at her for a while, then he sat down, tapping his knuckles on the edge of the table.

He was thinking for a long time, and Zhu Yinluan waited for him to speak.

But he didn't say the thing directly. Instead, he asked her again, "Will you really not be angry if you tell her?"

Zhu Yinluan was quite helpless and wanted to say no.

But after living a rough life for so many years, she still thought about it carefully, hesitated for a while, and said, "...No."

I think a gentleman like Shen Jingzhan would not really force others to do anything.

Besides, she was all alone, so what could he possibly want from her?

As soon as she finished speaking, the man opened his mouth, "Excuse me, Miss Zhu, after this divorce, do you still have any thoughts of getting married again?"

Zhu Yinluan was stunned. She didn't expect Shen Jingzhan to ask her this.

Although she was confused, she shook her head truthfully, "…No."

"Why?"

Zhu Yinluan frowned slightly and asked him before answering, "Does this have anything to do with what Master Shen is going to say to me next?"

"Um."

The man's slender jade-like finger bones kept tapping on the edge of the table, and his sounds and movements were neither fast nor slow.

Zhu Yinluan thought about it and didn't know how to respond to him.

Why doesn't she have any thoughts or ideas about getting married anymore?

She had worked so hard for four years in the Wei family and had not received any benefit at all. Instead, she had been ridiculed and embarrassed. She was really tired of the aggrieved and depressed days.

She didn't want to be picked on because of her background, nor did she want to please and guess the thoughts of her partner.

Now that she has been divorced, her natal family won't allow her to go back, and her father has severed the father-daughter relationship with her. Even if she remarries, her natal family's abandonment will make it difficult for her to integrate into her new in-laws' family.

Even if she can get over it, and the husband she loves can get over it, can the elders in her husband's family accept her and get over it?

In short, she should stop being criticized.

"I don't know how to say it." I knew these things clearly in my mind, but how could I tell Shen Jingzhan?

He is so intelligent and handles the affairs of the court very well, so perhaps he also understands the twists and turns of the inner court.

"Miss Zhu, since it's inconvenient to talk about it, then there's no need to talk about it." The man comforted her. Hearing this, Zhu Yinluan felt a little relieved.

Shen Jingzhan was so considerate, so he must have been asking her for help, which was definitely not something that was really out of reach.

I really can't think of anything else that Shen Jingzhan finds difficult?

She kept thinking quickly in her mind, but she couldn't think of what Shen Jingzhan could ask her for help with.

But it didn't take long before he mentioned the main point.

"In that case, should I just speak directly?"

Zhu Yinluan nodded, "Okay." Why did he keep beating around the bush and still not make it clear? What was this all about?

"I want to ask Miss Zhu to marry me."