Sui Tan shivered under that piercing gaze, looking around in confusion before turning helplessly to Lin Qi, who promptly pulled her to the opposite side, away from the man.  

“Elder Sister!”  

Finally seeing her sister safe and sound, the heavy stone in Sui Tan’s heart finally dropped. She tugged at her sister’s sleeves, circling her three times as she chattered nonstop.  

The eldest sister was so amused that her eyes crinkled into crescents. When Sui Tan finally paused for breath, she seized the moment to make introductions.  

“By the way, Tan’er, you haven’t met His Excellency yet.”  

“Tan’er, this is Lord Zhu. Lord Zhu, this is the younger sister I’ve mentioned to you.”  

That eerie, spine-chilling sensation returned.  

The warmth Lord Zhu showed when facing her sister was directly proportional to the intensity of his scrutiny when he turned to Sui Tan.  

Forcing herself to maintain composure, Sui Tan bowed stiffly while racking her brain:  

Zhu… Zhu… Which high-ranking official has the surname Zhu? 

“Ah! Zhu Yan!”  

Suddenly, it clicked. She finally remembered who this imposing figure was.  

Over the centuries of the Great Liang Dynasty, heroes and legends had emerged like stars in the sky, each person holding their own pantheon of revered figures.  

But regardless of differing opinions, some names were undeniably iconic.  

Just as the Third Prince was the dynasty’s untouchable white moonlight among military leaders, Lord Zhu was an undisputed titan among ruthless strategists.  

Zhu Yan, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review—infamous as the “Jade-Faced Judge of the Underworld.” He had risen to prominence during the decade-long Dingwang Rebellion case, the most notorious unresolved conspiracy since the dynasty’s founding. His methods were so iron-fisted that his very presence was synonymous with bloodshed, and bloodshed meant no survivors.  

At one point, his reputation for mercilessness had made him a figure even the boldest avoided at all costs.  

And, incidentally, he was also the very “wolf in human guise” she had been badmouthing in her room earlier.  

Sensing her sister’s unease, the eldest sister blushed and softly defended him:  

“Those are all rumors. Lord Zhu is very kind. He took care of me these past few days, and it’s thanks to him that I was escorted back.”  

The Minister, breaking his usual cold demeanor, replied with uncharacteristic courtesy:  

“The Court of Judicial Review acted improperly in the first place. This was merely a small gesture—there’s no need for thanks, Lady Qin.”  

“Besides, I have other business here as well.”  

With that, he turned back to Sui Tan, his expression instantly reverting to glacial frost.  

Sui Tan flinched and immediately ducked behind Lin Qi, letting her bodyguard take the brunt of Zhu Yan’s gaze.  

A flicker of undisguised disdain crossed Zhu Yan’s face. Peeking from behind Lin Qi, Sui Tan noticed it and clutched the back of his robes even tighter.  

Lin Qi frowned almost imperceptibly, his disapproval clear only to Zhu Yan.  

Though the contempt in Zhu Yan’s eyes remained, he first gave a slight bow before addressing Sui Tan over Lin Qi’s shoulder.  

“Second Lady Qin, I have business with the Duke. Is he presently in residence?”  

Meanwhile, Young Master Sun—who had been throwing his weight around the Duke’s residence, emboldened by the Duke’s recent troubles—never expected to encounter the legendary “Jade-Faced Judge of the Underworld” in the midst of his grand performance.  

A man whose mere presence could freeze hell itself.

When the former fiancé’s sister stormed in with her entourage, bristling with fury, Young Master Sun had initially wondered where the Duke’s household had found the audacity to challenge him.  

It wasn’t until Zhu Yan’s perpetually expressionless face appeared that he realized the situation had spiraled out of control. His legs went weak, and he nearly collapsed to his knees.  

“L-Lord Zhu!”  

The Duke of Qin sprang up from his seat, equally shocked. “What brings you here?”  

“I escorted Lady Qin back to the residence and had some matters to discuss with Your Grace.”  

His icy gaze swept over the Duke and Young Master Sun, a faint, chilling smile playing on his lips. “How fortuitous—Young Master Sun is here as well. I can address both matters at once.”  

“Lady Qin.”  

Sui Tan initially thought he was addressing her, but Lin Qi subtly tugged at her sleeve. Only then did she notice the unusual warmth in his tone. Looking up, she confirmed he was indeed speaking to her elder sister.  

“Rumors claim this case arose from two women fighting over one man. Now, in the presence of your former fiancé, tell me—if he were the one who framed you, would you be heartbroken?”  

What kind of absurd question is this?

A wave of bewilderment rose in Sui Tan’s chest, but under the Minister’s frigid stare, no one dared question the validity of his inquiry.  

Suizheng, caught off guard, blinked in confusion. Though she didn’t understand the purpose, she shook her head.  

“My engagement with Young Master Sun has been dissolved. We are now strangers. His affairs no longer concern me.”  

“Good.”  

A faint chuckle tugged at Zhu Yan’s lips. In a room housing a Duke and the son of a Minister, he clasped his hands behind his back with an air of detached arrogance.  

He stood imposingly at the entrance of the main hall, his next words colder than the deepest winter frost.  

“Guards, take Sun Cheng—the suspect in the hunting grounds corpse case—into custody.”  

His subordinates, who had followed him in, responded in unison, “Yes, sir!” Without hesitation, they advanced, their faces unreadable, their movements ruthless.  

The Court of Judicial Review had never been known for mercy, and Zhu Yan’s men were no exception. Titles and lineage meant nothing—they treated all equally.  

The once-haughty Young Master Sun was promptly seized, manhandled like a stray dog, and dragged away. His only resistance was a desperate, neck-straining cry of innocence.  

The entire operation was executed with such ruthless efficiency that even Sui Tan was stunned, let alone the others present.  

Yet, true to his reputation as the “Jade-Faced Judge of the Underworld,” Zhu Yan remained unflappable. Amidst the stunned silence, he even found time to offer Suizheng a slight bow before turning to the Duke.  

“Your Grace.”  

With his striking features and impeccable courtesy, Zhu Yan might have deceived onlookers into thinking him harmless—had they not just witnessed his display of absolute authority.  

“I personally escorted Lady Qin home to assure you of her innocence. The Court of Judicial Review acted in error, and I hope Your Grace will be magnanimous.”  

His icy gaze carried an unspoken warning: Don’t test my patience.

The Duke had no choice but to force a smile and reply stiffly, “You flatter me, Lord Zhu.”  

With his message delivered and his prisoner secured, Zhu Yan cast one last sweeping glance around the room and turned to leave.  

But just as he took his first step, an excited shriek rang out.  

“Wait!”  

The former fiancé, who had been spouting nonsense moments ago, was now powerless. Every word from the Jade-Faced Judge carried weight.  

Sui Tan’s heart swelled with exhilaration. Lin Qi tried to stop her, but she darted forward before he could react, her eyes shining with admiration.  

“Lord Zhu! Hello! I’m Qin Suizheng’s younger sister, Qin Sui Tan, the second legitimate daughter of the Duke’s household. It’s our first meeting—so, when do you plan to marry my elder sister?”