Chapter : 06
It Wasn’t the Shen Residence That Summoned You, but Our Miss
Meanwhile, in Fengzhou City, rumors about a certain family were slowly spreading.
Shen Qiu, who had become the master of the Shen Embroidery Workshop, was going through the account books when he discovered that the number of customers had dropped by more than half since yesterday. Passersby would also stop in front of the embroidery workshop, scrutinizing him with strange looks while whispering among themselves.
Something was wrong.
Suppressing his complicated feelings, Shen Qiu sent someone to find out what was happening before turning his attention back to the account books. As his fingertip moved down the figures recorded on the pages, a satisfied smile spread across his face.
Apart from Shen Qiu, the second branch master, Shen Xuewen, had three other sons. Shen Qiu was the second son, a neglected concubine-born son who had never received much attention. As a result, he had always had to carefully watch the mood of his legal mother, Madam Shen Zhu.
Madam Shen Zhu’s father held the official rank of seventh-rank magistrate, so even Shen Xuewen had to flatter her with all kinds of pleasing words.
But Shen Qiu’s circumstances were now completely different.
Everything belonging to the main branch was in his hands.
He could now enjoy the finest things in life, from head to toe. The clothes he wore were far more expensive and luxurious than those worn by Madam Shen Zhu, who prided herself on being a noblewoman.
Manager Cheng, who was in charge of the Shen Embroidery Workshop, stood respectfully before him and said,
“The Shen Embroidery Workshop is the largest embroidery workshop in Fengzhou. We have more than a thousand embroiderers, and they are skilled in various types of embroidery, including Su embroidery, Xiang embroidery, Shu embroidery, and Yue embroidery. Of course, the reason our workshop became famous is undoubtedly our Su embroidery.”
Shen Qiu listened attentively before speaking gently.
“From now on, I will personally take full charge of the embroidery workshop. However, there is still much I don’t know, so I suppose I will have to start learning from the beginning. Manager Cheng, I hope you will guide me well.”
“You are too kind, Young Master. There is no need for you to ask.”
At that moment, a servant boy came rushing over.
The steward noticed that something was wrong with the boy’s expression and tactfully withdrew.
Shen Qiu asked with a pleasant expression,
“What is it?”
The servant lowered his head fearfully. He was afraid that he might get caught in the crossfire for no reason, but he had no choice but to report the truth.
“Right now, rumors are spreading outside that the Madam is immoral and the Young Master is unvirtuous. They’re even saying that the two of you pretend to be good people behind masks, but are actually as vicious as snakes, willing to disregard your own blood relations and use cruel methods to kill the main branch’s only bloodline.”
The smile disappeared from Shen Qiu’s lips in an instant.
That very morning, Shen Qiu had declared that he would distribute relief grain among the common people to accumulate merit in memory of Shen Wai. He had been expecting the people to praise him, so where had such absurd rumors suddenly come from?
The veins on the back of Shen Qiu’s hand bulged as he gripped the account book tightly.
The atmosphere instantly froze as if someone had poured a bucket of cold water over everyone.
Creak.
Only after a long while did the sharp sound of a wooden chair scraping across the floor ring out.
Shen Qiu rose with a dark expression.
“I need to go home!”
Ningyun Courtyard, Madam Shen Xue’s Residence
Zhao Luo had come to serve Madam Shen Xue, but naturally, she was not immediately entrusted with an important position.
Still, because Madam Shen Xue was the future daughter-in-law of Nanny Wang, she rewarded Zhao Luo with two taels of silver.
Zhao Luo was dissatisfied with the treatment she received and secretly cursed Madam Shen Xue for being stingy.
After all, whenever Shen Hui was in a good mood, she would reward her servants with exquisite gold or silver hairpins.
Of course, Zhao Luo only thought this way in her heart. On the surface, she gripped her broom tightly and swept the courtyard as though she didn’t care at all.
As long as Nanny Wang was around, she would never have to sweep the courtyard for the rest of her life.
But with such an attitude, there was no way she would do her assigned work properly. Before long, the other servants began looking at her with displeasure.
“Maybe it’s because she has never done any hard work. Her hands aren’t nimble at all. Then again, she’s spent all this time stuck to the Young Miss’s side, enjoying herself, admiring flowers, and going to performances. Do you really think she’d want to do the menial work of a low-ranking maid?”
Zhao Luo took a deep breath to suppress her annoyance before saying,
“Serving the Madam is something I’ve always longed to do. Sisters…”
Before she could finish speaking, the servants immediately composed themselves and respectfully bowed toward the same direction.
“Young Master, you’ve arrived.”
Zhao Luo’s heart sank.
She hurriedly turned around and saluted Shen Qiu.
However, Shen Qiu did not seem interested in responding. He walked straight into the residence.
Inside, Madam Shen Xue was admiring the gorgeous and expensive jewelry filling a wooden case.
She could not exactly be called beautiful, but she possessed a certain charm.
Madam Shen Xue picked up a hairpin decorated with beads and examined it carefully.
“You know, I’ve suffered under so many rules and restrictions all these years that I could never comfortably enjoy my blessings. There were simply too many things I had to worry about and be careful of. But now everything is different. It’s just a little unfortunate that I’m still in mourning and can’t wear the jewelry I bought recently.”
Nanny Wang, standing beside her, smiled sweetly.
“Still, good days have finally come. The members of the Xue family were even able to move into the Shen Residence and live here because of you. Everything is thanks to your kindness, Madam.”
The corners of Madam Shen Xue’s eyes curved pleasantly.
Yes. I’ve finally overcome all those hardships and trials.
Just as she was about to speak, footsteps sounded outside. Then the maid guarding the door called out,
“Young Master, please wait a moment. I’ll inform Madam that you’ve arrived.”
“Move aside!”
Shen Qiu angrily snapped with a stern expression and barged straight into the room.
Madam Shen Xue put down the beaded hairpin and frowned at him.
She was displeased by Shen Qiu’s arrogant behavior in barging in without permission, but they were already in the same boat and needed to help each other, so she had to endure it.
For now, she needed to maintain the appearance of a loving mother and son with Shen Qiu.
She smiled and said,
“Qiu’er, you came at just the right time. The kitchen just sent over some pastries. Nanny Wang, put these pieces of jewelry away.”
Madam Shen Xue gestured for Shen Qiu to come and sit beside her.
“Were you on your way back from the embroidery workshop? That’s good. I was just thinking that I wanted to introduce my family to you. My nephew Liang’er is about your age, but he is still lacking in many ways. You have been taught by your uncle since you were young, so your scholarship is excellent and you’re also very good at handling people. For your mother’s sake, I hope you’ll take Liang’er along with you and teach him as much as you can.”
Shen Qiu suppressed his anger for the moment and replied,
“Yes, Mother. I’ll do as you wish.”
Madam Shen Xue’s smile deepened.
“Come, taste these pastries. If you like them, I’ll have some sent to your courtyard as well.”
But Shen Qiu had no intention of pretending to be a loving mother and son with Madam Shen Xue right now.
He narrowed his eyes and said coldly,
“What about Yangyang? Is it acceptable for you to take care of only me while treating Yangyang coldly?”
The smile instantly vanished from Madam Shen Xue’s face, and her attitude became cold.
“Are you trying to lecture me now? That little brat Shen Hui has always been sharp-tongued. I’m watching her for now because I think she needs to suffer a little. Shen Qiu, don’t tell me you’ve mistaken yourself for Shen Hui’s real elder brother?”
Shen Qiu did not answer.
Instead, he gave a signal to the servant standing behind him.
The servant bowed slightly and told Madam Shen Xue about the rumors spreading throughout the streets.
Madam Shen Xue trembled with anger.
Meanwhile, Shen Qiu gathered himself and cautiously spoke.
“It’s already beyond our ability to undo. Even if this is merely a family matter, now that such rumors have spread, we won’t be able to avoid ridicule from the merchants.”
Madam Shen Xue’s brow furrowed deeply.
She had hated Shen Hui bitterly for a long time.
That little wretch actually dares to attack me just because I cut off her charcoal supply? I’ve been neglecting the household affairs and ended up giving that brat an opening. Damn it. How am I supposed to hold my head up in public from now on?
Grinding her teeth, Madam Shen Xue said,
“Then we’ll have to punish her more severely. Once she sees blood and understands that it hurts, she’ll know to keep quiet.”
Shen Qiu stared expressionlessly at Madam Shen Xue’s horribly contorted face.
Shen Wai had never been interested in women. Apart from Madam Shen Xue and Concubine Liu, there had been no other women by his side.
Now Shen Qiu suddenly understood why Madam Shen Xue had lived beside Shen Wai for so many years without ever earning his favor.
She truly was a foolish woman.
Shen Qiu spoke in a calm voice.
“No. From now on, countless people will be watching our Shen family. Don’t torment Yangyang anymore by restricting even her basic necessities of food, clothing, shelter, and transportation.”
But Madam Shen Xue thought Shen Qiu was being overly cautious.
“Can’t we simply lock her up in the inner courtyard and teach her a lesson? Even if we skin her alive, how would anyone find out? She’s always been sickly. Even if she died from it, no one would care.”
Shen Qiu felt his patience running out.
“There is something Mother doesn’t know. Second Uncle and I deliberately kept Shen Hui alive. We have a great use for her.”
In business, wine and women were indispensable.
Shen Wai had been an old-fashioned man who disagreed with such views, but Shen Qiu was not.
When Shen Qiu mentioned Shen Xuewen, Madam Shen Xue fell silent.
However, judging by how heavily her chest rose and fell, it was obvious she had difficulty concealing her displeasure.
It seemed she no longer even intended to maintain the appearance of a loving mother toward her half-son.
Only then did Shen Qiu smile with satisfaction.
He couldn’t allow Madam Shen Xue to ruin everything.
Of course, Shen Hui could enjoy some luxury as well, but he absolutely could not tolerate her becoming too presumptuous in front of him.
A sinister glint flashed through his eyes.
Yet Shen Qiu pretended nothing was wrong. He calmly picked up a pastry and slowly savored its taste.
Yi Cui entered the Shen Residence with Apa.
“Please hurry. The Young Miss is waiting for you. These servants didn’t know their place and made a scene, offending their master. You’re a sensible person, so I’m sure you know what to do.”
Apa’s face brightened when she heard this.
In this era, buying and selling servants was perfectly legal.
Having frequently visited the great households of Fengzhou through her work, she immediately understood what Yi Cui meant and eagerly played along.
“Servants who are that shameless certainly need to be taught a proper lesson. As it happens, I have quite a few people under me who are diligent, quick-witted, and skillful with their hands. They’re all from clean backgrounds, so there won’t be anything for you to worry about. If the Young Miss trusts me, I’ll send them over whenever she needs them.”
Apa rolled her eyes before subtly beginning to sow discord.
“This is my first time coming to the Shen Residence. I’m quite well known in this line of work for being capable. Unfortunately, the Shen Residence has always dealt only with Mama Cheng. I probably shouldn’t say this myself, but Mama Cheng isn’t exactly a good person. Not only did that woman steal my man when we were young, but now that she’s getting on in years, she still has no shame. She wears pink clothes every single day. And the amount of powder she cakes onto her face—good heavens! She actually thinks she’s still a young maiden.”
Yi Cui smiled sweetly and replied briefly,
“Today, it wasn’t the Shen Residence that summoned you. It was our Young Miss.”
