Chapter 112 Investigate people
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In the side hall, as the emperor and the empress dowager's carriages drove away, the suffocating feeling that had been suppressed to the extreme finally slowly dissipated.
The palace servants cleaned up the mess swiftly, but they all lowered their heads and eyes, not daring to look at Chen He, who was still kneeling on the ground, or Zhou Yan'an, the head of the Ministry of Justice, who had remained calm from beginning to end.
Finally, the last palace servant retreated quietly.
In the huge side hall, only Chen He and Zhou Yan'an were left.
Chen He slowly raised her head, and the tear marks on her tear-stained face had mostly dried up.
She stretched out her sleeve and casually wiped the remaining moisture from the corners of her eyes.
When I looked up again, was there any trace of the previous sadness and pity?
A faint smile, but one that showed a sense of relief and understanding, spread across her lips.
Zhou Yan'an stood not far away with his hands behind his back, looking at her calmly.
Seeing her like this, the corners of his lips curled up slightly.
"The show is over, why isn't Miss Shen leaving yet?"
His voice was low, with a hint of teasing.
Chen He stood up and patted the non-existent dust on her dress with a calm movement.
"Isn't Master Zhou still here?"
She looked back and smiled gently at Zhou Yan'an's inquiring eyes.
"I'm leaving now."
Zhou Yan'an walked slowly forward and stood shoulder to shoulder with her.
"Miss Shen's actions today really opened my eyes."
It was hard to tell whether his tone was praise or criticism.
"I wonder if Miss Shen has any earth-shattering plans next?"
Upon hearing this, Shen He tilted his head to look at him, a hint of cunning flashing in his clear eyes.
She shrugged slightly.
"plan?"
"Master Zhou thinks too highly of me."
"I'm just a little girl, what plans can I have?"
She spoke in a nonchalant tone, as if she was not the one who had just debated with the scholars in the palace and forced the third prince into a desperate situation.
"It's just that Xiao Jingren is too bullying and wants to throw dirty water on me."
"I can't just stick my neck out and let him slaughter me, right?"
"It's just a counterattack. It doesn't deserve the name 'plan' from Lord Zhou."
Zhou Yan'an's gaze fell on her face.
The little face was the size of a palm, and although the tear marks had dried up, one could still see a pitiful blush.
But those eyes were surprisingly bright, with a toughness and sharpness that was completely inconsistent with her weak appearance.
Especially at this moment, the shrewdness that flashed in his eyes and the faint smile on his lips.
Zhou Yan'an's heart suddenly moved.
He has seen too much hypocrisy and too much pretense of strength.
But it is rare to see someone like Chen He, who is struggling on the brink of life and death one moment, and can be so calm and composed the next moment, as if everything is under control.
Shen He seemed to notice his gaze and turned around.
"Master Zhou must be very busy recently, right?"
Zhou Yan'an came back to his senses, nodded slightly, and a bitter smile appeared on his lips.
"Thanks to Miss Shen, I'm really busy as hell."
He paused, his tone a little self-deprecating.
"To be honest, I'm a humbled person. Suddenly, I was dragged into the center of such a maelstrom of royal secrets. Being watched by everyone all day long, I'm really... not quite used to it."
His eyes were honest and he didn't seem to be hiding his true feelings.
When Shen He heard this, a hint of understanding flashed in his eyes.
"Master Zhou is wrong."
Her voice was light, but it carried an unquestionable certainty.
"In this world, family background can certainly add icing on the cake, but what truly matters is the power a person holds and the position he holds."
She looked directly at Zhou Yan'an with a hint of encouragement.
"Lord Zhou is now the head of the Ministry of Justice, appointed by His Majesty himself. He holds the power to investigate cases and is deeply trusted by His Majesty."
"As long as you behave properly and act uprightly, why should you fear those attacks?"
"Those who once looked down on your background must be regretting their actions now, and are desperately trying to curry your favor!"
Zhou Yan'an was slightly startled, then burst into laughter.
"Miss Shen sees things clearly."
Chen He curled the corners of his lips and changed the subject.
"Speaking of which, there is indeed something I would like to ask for a small favor from Mr. Zhou."
Zhou Yan'an raised his eyebrows slightly: "Miss Shen, please feel free to speak."
The smile on Chen He's face faded a little, and his eyes became deeper.
"I'd like to ask Mr. Zhou to help me check someone."
"Oh? Who?" Zhou Yan'an became interested.
"Imperial Astronomical Observatory, Lu Jiuxiao."
Shen He spoke every word clearly.
The smile on Zhou Yan'an's face disappeared instantly, and his brows furrowed slightly.
"Lu Jiuxiao?"
He pondered and said, "Because of the words of the 'divine heir', this person is now a hot figure in the palace, especially in front of the Queen Mother."
"Why does Miss Shen want to investigate him?"
"And..." Zhou Yan'an looked at her, "What do you want to investigate about him?"
Shen He met his gaze, her eyes calm and unwavering.
"Anything is fine."
"As long as... we can get hold of something that can deceive him and stop him from saying those deceptive lies."
Zhou Yan'an was silent for a moment.
Investigating Lu Jiuxiao would undoubtedly be a crime against humanity and would be extremely risky.
Especially at this moment when the theory of "heir of God" is causing a lot of controversy.
Shen He did not urge him, but just looked at him quietly, waiting for his answer.
That look had an irresistible penetrating power.
Finally, Zhou Yan'an slowly spoke and broke the silence.
"Miss Shen, do you know that if this matter is exposed, you and I will be in huge trouble?"
Shen He smiled lightly, but there was no fear in his eyes.
"I'm never afraid of trouble."
"I just want to ask Master Zhou one question."
Her voice suddenly became firm and sharp:
"Master Zhou, will you help me with this or not?"
Zhou Yan'an looked at her, looked at the unquenchable fire in her eyes, and the determination to risk her life.
He suddenly understood that the woman in front of him was no longer the legitimate daughter of the Shen family who allowed herself to be manipulated by anyone.
She is a sharp blade tempered by fire, and she will cut down all those who owe her one by one!
And he...
Zhou Yan'an took a deep breath, and a faint smile reappeared on his face. In that smile, there was a hint of appreciation and determination.
"Ms. Shen's affairs are of course my responsibility."
"Just Lu Jiuxiao, I'm still confident that I can find out something."
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