FDNL CH 21

Chapter 21

Yuewang County is one of the largest counties in Luan State, with vast territory and a long history. Many notable figures have emerged from it throughout the dynasties; even among the high-ranking officials currently active at court, several hail from Yuewang County.

The Li family is the wealthiest family in Yuewang County. The head of the household is named Li Fu’an. He is a capable businessman, but his health is poor. Already frail by constitution and worn down by years of laboring over business affairs, he became even weaker and more prone to illness in his later years. Out of the twelve months of the year, he spends five bedridden.

Had this been another wealthy merchant household, it would likely have been taken advantage of by relatives who would seize portions of the family property. Fortunately, the Li family not only has a formidable matriarch managing the household, but also two capable sons.

The eldest son, Li Yulan, passed the imperial examinations and rose to a fifth-rank official. He married the legitimate daughter of a second-rank official from the Ministry of Rites. With such a promising official career and a son like this, outsiders naturally would not dare to bully the Li family easily.

Moreover, there is the Li family’s second son, Li Yutang. Gifted with exceptional intelligence, he displayed extraordinary talent in commerce from a young age. His vision is uniquely sharp, earning repeated praise from the family head. Though he is only eighteen years old, his demeanor is steady and composed. At present, thirty percent of the Li family’s business is handled by him. For an eighteen-year-old youth, he has already become a legend.

Haitang Courtyard. Inside the spacious study, the doors and windows are slightly open. The spring breeze brings warmth inside. An auspicious beast-shaped incense burner releases wisps of curling smoke.

Upon entering, what first meets the eye is a wall filled with fine sandalwood bookshelves, exquisitely carved and finely finished—clearly the work of a master craftsman. Logically, such a precious bookshelf would house equally precious rare books and unique editions, yet there is not a single book on it. Instead, it is densely packed with account ledgers.

By the window stands a large desk, the items on it arranged in perfect order. The four treasures of the study are naturally displayed, and on one side, stacked high, are nothing but account books.

In the tranquil afternoon, the study exudes a soothing sense of calm. Occasionally, the sounds of pages being turned and an abacus being worked drift through, lending the study an especially leisurely air.

A steward of the Li family quietly entered without making a sound, for the second young master disliked being disturbed. The outermost stack on the desk contained the account books that the second young master had already reviewed and found error-free. The steward only needed to slip in quietly, take the ledgers, and leave just as quietly.

As the steward picked up the account books and was about to leave the study, the person behind the desk spoke and called him back. “Come back.”

The voice was as clear as a spring under moonlight, refreshing to the heart, pleasant and melodious.

“Yes.” The steward immediately stopped, turned back respectfully, and waited for the second young master’s instructions.

Behind the desk, the man was dressed in snow-white robes. His face was fair, his long, narrow eyes slightly upturned, full of languid ease. His narrow, straight nose bridge was high, and below it were pale pink lips—neither thick nor curved, showing neither joy nor anger.

Against his fair skin and white robes, his hair appeared even blacker and glossier, gathered atop his head and secured with a pearl-studded crown.

Each pearl was round, full, and crystalline, worth a fortune. Yet even such an eye-catching hair crown could not steal even the slightest bit of its owner’s brilliance.

This was the Li family’s second young master, Li Yutang. His beauty was famed throughout north and south; among young ladies who saw him even once, there were few who did not lose their hearts.

Yet what truly captivated people was not merely his appearance, but his bearing.

Though born into a merchant family, there was not the slightest trace of vulgar mercantile airs about him. Instead, he possessed an ethereal quality, detached from worldly strife. Because he favored wearing white, people bestowed upon him the elegant title of “the Exiled Immortal of Wangyue.”

Although he had called the steward back, he did not lift his head. His slender eyes were still fixed on the ledger in his hands, and his thin lips parted slightly. “Tomorrow is the day the Su family winery delivers the wine, correct?”

The steward nodded and replied respectfully, “Yes.” Inwardly, he could not help feeling indignant on behalf of his young master—the shameless village woman from the Su family, a toad lusting after swan’s flesh, daring to repeatedly covet the second young master. This matter had already become a joke among the circles of noble young men. Pity the second young master, who was indifferent to worldly matters and always chose to avoid her. If it were someone else, that Su Lianyi would have died ten thousand times over.

“Mm. You may go.” The voice remained faint, as if the matter had not stirred the calm of his heart in the slightest.

“Yes.” Holding the account books, the steward respectfully withdrew.

The room returned to silence. Only after the time it takes an incense stick to burn did he finish checking the ledger. Then he slowly raised his head. “Monong.”

As soon as the words fell, a young attendant entered the study calmly from outside. “Yes, Second Young Master. What are your instructions?”

His long, fair fingers, like fine jade, elegantly lifted the teacup at his side. “Call Cui’er here.”

“Yes.” The young attendant named Monong accepted the order and withdrew.

The faint fragrance from the incense burner mingled with the aroma of tea, filling the entire study.

Before long, Monong returned with Cui’er.

At this moment, Cui’er bore none of the former arrogance and domineering manner she had displayed days before. Gone were the silk garments of a senior maid; she now wore the coarse cloth of a lowly servant doing menial labor. The jade hairpin was no longer in her hair, which was dusty and simply gathered into an outdated bun atop her head. Her face was pale, marked by exhaustion.

Ever since the day Cui’er fought with Su Lianyi and nearly caused the Li household to bear a death on its conscience, she had been punished and sent to the kitchen to do rough labor stoking fires. The entire Li household praised the second young master for his clear rewards and punishments, never showing favoritism.

“You may go.” The pleasant voice remained faint, as though coming from another world.

“Yes.” Hearing this, Monong withdrew.

The moment Monong left, Cui’er dropped to her knees with a thud and repeatedly kowtowed to the second young master. “Second Young Master, please show mercy! It was all this servant’s fault. Please spare this servant just this once. This servant will serve you like an ox or a horse!”

A flash of murderous intent suddenly flickered through his long, narrow eyes, so fast it was impossible to catch. “I sent you so many people, and you couldn’t even kill a single fool. What use are you?”

Cui’er’s face grew even paler. Outsiders all thought the Li household’s second young master was detached from worldly affairs, but only those who served him closely knew his true nature—no less than a hellish asura.

“Second Young Master, I’ve been wronged! At the time, this servant was certain that Su Lianyi was dead before seeking out Mama Liu. I truly don’t know how Su Lianyi came back to life. Second Young Master, this servant has served you since the age of thirteen, and it has been a full three years now. How could this servant dare to lie to you?” As she spoke, she could not help choking back sobs.

It had been her first time killing someone; nervousness and fear were inevitable.

Behind the desk, the beautiful youth in snow-white robes slowly turned his head, the disgust in his eyes undisguised. “Tomorrow, when the Su family winery comes to deliver goods, I’ll give you one last chance. If you fail again, find a rope and deal with yourself.” His tone remained unhurried, as if he were casually talking about some trivial matter.

Kneeling, Cui’er could not help shuddering twice. The young master never kept useless people by his side—this she knew well. It seemed that this time, if Su Lianyi did not die, then she would.