Shen Suifeng unceremoniously grabbed her hand and used her support to flip himself into the room, smearing mud on her hand in the process.
Feng Lezhen didn’t mind at all. She calmly pulled out a handkerchief and wiped her hand. “Did Shen Suinian imprison you?”
“It can’t quite be called imprisonment,” Shen Suifeng walked to the table, gulped down two cups of tea, and then slowly explained, “He simply had my sister-in-law and niece keep me occupied during the day, and house servants watch me at night. I couldn’t find any chance to leave. Since I rarely come home, it wouldn’t be right to openly oppose them. I had to pretend to comply, wait until their guard was down, and sneak out. It just so happened that today was my first opportunity.”
“Sounds like it wasn’t easy for you to come here,” Feng Lezhen tossed aside the now-dirty handkerchief.
Shen Suifeng’s lips curved, his eyes full of laughter. “Exactly, it wasn’t easy. So how does Your Highness plan to compensate me?”
“Compensate you?” Feng Lezhen laughed. “For me to take a liking to you is already the greatest honor for your entire Shen family. Instead of being grateful, your family actively tried to stop it. And now you’re asking me for compensation?”
“The Shen family has always refused to marry into nobility or form political alliances. Your Highness knew that from the beginning. My brother merely keeping me at home is already giving you a great deal of face,” Shen Suifeng spread his hands innocently.
“So by that logic, I should be thanking him?” Feng Lezhen gave him a sideways glance.
“… I’ve been away these past few days. Has everything gone smoothly for Your Highness?” Shen Suifeng wisely changed the topic.
Feng Lezhen didn’t press the issue and gracefully sat across from him. “What do you mean by ‘gone smoothly’?”
Shen Suifeng paused. “Wasn’t Your Highness trying to win over my brother?”
“I did nothing at all,” Feng Lezhen replied directly.
Shen Suifeng raised his brows slightly. “Nothing at all, meaning?”
“Exactly that—nothing. When he arranged banquets, I attended. When he invited me on outings, I joined. I didn’t do anything extra,” Feng Lezhen said, looking at him with meaningful eyes. “He wouldn’t even let me see you. If I’d pushed for anything else, wouldn’t I have just been humiliating myself?”
Shen Suifeng laughed. “So Your Highness has given up?”
Feng Lezhen remained silent.
“… You really gave up?” Shen Suifeng was now genuinely surprised.
Feng Lezhen paused briefly, then chuckled softly, “Let’s wait a bit longer.”
“Wait for what?” Shen Suifeng asked curiously.
Naturally, she was waiting for Shen Suinian to lose patience and come to her himself. Feng Lezhen met his gaze with a smile, but then suddenly changed the subject, “Did you miss me these past few days?”
The dim candlelight softened her features. Shen Suifeng stared at her for a moment, his eyes filling with warmth. “Of course I did.”
Satisfied with his answer, Feng Lezhen lowered her head and gently took his hand.
Under the candlelight, Shen Suifeng watched as their fingers gradually interlaced. His heart suddenly skipped a beat.
“Let’s go out for a walk,” she suddenly said.
Shen Suifeng paused. “Right now?”
“Mmm. I heard Nanhe has no curfew. It’s even livelier at night than during the day. I’ve never seen it,” Feng Lezhen smiled lightly.
Shen Suifeng looked at her for a long moment and then said with a smile, “How about waiting a few days? I’ve only just snuck out. If my brother finds out, he’ll definitely assign more guards. I won’t get another chance to see you.”
“And if we wait a few days, will he stop guarding you?” Feng Lezhen countered.
Shen Suifeng fell silent.
They both knew very well that as long as the Shen family remained unwilling to accept her overtures, Shen Suinian would keep watching him to prevent further contact. A few days or a few years—it made no difference.
In the quiet, Feng Lezhen softened her voice. “Since we entered the city, you haven’t spent any time with me.”
Since the day they met, she had rarely spoken to him in such a gentle tone. Shen Suifeng stared at her, knowing it was impossible, yet he couldn’t stop himself from being swayed.
And so, half an hour later, the two of them appeared on the busiest street.
Feng Lezhen wore a veiled hat, the white gauze hanging down to her knees, covering most of her figure. Only when the cold wind occasionally lifted the veil could passersby catch a fleeting glimpse of her beauty.
“You people in Nanhe have stricter rules than even the capital,” she said, reaching up to poke the white veil on her hat, raising her gaze to look at the women on the street, all wearing similar veiled hats.
“Can’t be helped. The smaller the place, the harsher the rules. Nanhe’s become more prosperous in recent years, but deep down, it still clings to the idea that women shouldn’t go out. Even if they do, they must wear a veiled hat to cover themselves,” Shen Suifeng said helplessly about his hometown’s customs. “You may not believe it, Your Highness, but in Nanhe, women still aren’t allowed to inherit family property.”
“In the capital, women can inherit property, but parents would rather pass it to nephews than to their own daughters,” Feng Lezhen looked around through the white veil, finding everything here novel and curious.
Seeing this, Shen Suifeng chuckled. “If Your Highness feels stifled, you could just take the veil off.”
To be honest, he hadn’t intended for her to wear it when they went out. But she had insisted on adapting to local customs.
“I’m not taking it off,” Feng Lezhen refused flatly.
Shen Suifeng was puzzled. “Why not?”
“Because I’m beautiful. If I take it off, everyone will stare.”
Shen Suifeng: “…”
Not hearing a response from beside her for a long time, Feng Lezhen narrowed her eyes. “What does the silence mean? You don’t think I’m beautiful?”
“…Of course Your Highness is beautiful,” Shen Suifeng said, then couldn’t help laughing, “It’s just that hearing it from your own mouth is… rather odd. Besides, I never thought Your Highness would mind being stared at.”
And yet wasn’t it the same person who, upon leaving Xijiang City, insisted on dismounting the carriage and riding on horseback, all to receive the adoration of the people?
Feng Lezhen seemed to read his mind and said plainly, “When I was still the Eldest Princess, the people who looked at me had awe, submission, fear, and anxiety in their eyes. They might’ve seen my beauty, but even more so, they saw my power and status. Right now, I’m just an ordinary girl walking the streets with the man I like. If people stare at me, I fear all they’ll see is curiosity—or lewdness.”
In this place, people were used to women wearing veils when they went out. If she were the only one walking around with her face exposed, the attention she drew wouldn’t be friendly.
She said all that, but Shen Suifeng only really heard one part: “walking the streets with the man I like.” His heart suddenly felt warm.
“What are you looking at?” Feng Lezhen noticed him staring and frowned.
Shen Suifeng cleared his throat. “Your Highness fears neither heaven nor earth—yet you’re afraid of a few glances?”
“I’m not afraid. I just don’t see the need to put up with it. As the saying goes, ‘the son of a noble family…'”
“…’doesn’t sit under a precarious roof,'” Shen Suifeng finished for her, then added mercilessly, “Last time Your Highness said that, you turned right around and walked into a plague-infested military camp. Let’s be honest—you just don’t want to take it off, so you found an excuse. But if it were something you really wanted to do, even if it meant certain death, you’d do it without hesitation.”
“…What are they selling up ahead?” Feng Lezhen pretended not to hear him and walked forward.
Shen Suifeng followed at a leisurely pace. “Lanterns.”
“Aren’t lanterns usually sold during the Lantern Festival?” She had only meant to change the subject, but seeing all the strange and colorful lanterns, her interest was genuinely piqued.
“Nanhe sells everything all year round. Lanterns are just the start—there’s everything you can think of and more.”
As they spoke, she had already picked up a rabbit-shaped lantern. The vendor quickly stepped forward with a smile, but then froze. “Second Young Master?!”
Shen Suifeng nodded, not at all surprised to be recognized.
“Aiyo, Second Young Master! People were saying you’d returned with the Eldest Princess, but I didn’t believe it—yet here you are! You’ve really made something of yourself! In just a few short years, and now you’re serving right by Her Highness’s side!” Although the Shen family wasn’t part of the aristocracy, common folk still admired those with royal connections. His eyes grew even more enthusiastic when he turned to Feng Lezhen. “This must be a friend of Second Young Master’s? In that case, no charge!”
“It’s just a small business. How could we not pay?” Shen Suifeng said, reaching for his pocket—then froze.
Feng Lezhen: “I… don’t have any money.”
“Your—You came out without bringing silver?” Shen Suifeng was exasperated.
Feng Lezhen raised an eyebrow. “Who dares charge me?”
Shen Suifeng: “…” Fair point.
Vendor: “Why don’t I pack a few more for you both?”
“…Put it on my tab. I’ll have someone bring payment tomorrow.” Shen Suifeng made the decision.
The vendor began to decline politely, but Feng Lezhen was done with the formalities and simply walked off with the lantern.
“Miss!”
She was examining the paper-cut rabbit on the lantern when she heard someone calling her.
“Miss!” The voice called again.
Feng Lezhen looked up. “What is it?”
The person had just wanted to make small talk, but the moment he met her gaze through the thin veil, his mind went blank. When he spoke again, his tone carried an unconscious note of respect. “I just wanted to ask… are you and our Second Young Master close friends?”
The Shen family truly held sway here in Nanhe. Shen Suifeng had been gone for years, yet people on the street still recognized him. Feng Lezhen collected herself and replied calmly, “Yes.”
“I thought so! I saw the two of you together from afar,” the man said, relieved. He decisively lifted the lid off a steaming pot and sliced her a small piece of glutinous rice cake. “Please try this—our family’s rice cake is the best in all Nanhe!”
“Shameless! No matter how good your rice cake is, can it beat meat?” someone retorted, handing Feng Lezhen a meat pie. “Miss, try my meat pie—it’s way tastier!”
“Try my sweet rolls too!”
“My cold jelly’s one of a kind!”
Feng Lezhen: “…”
By the time Shen Suifeng caught up, she was already holding an armful of snacks, and even the rabbit lantern from earlier was getting squished out of shape.
“What’s going on here?” Shen Suifeng said, both amused and exasperated.
Feng Lezhen took a bite of the glutinous rice cake. “I’ve already told them to put it on the tab.”
“And what did they say after hearing that?” Shen Suifeng looked at her with a half-smile.
Feng Lezhen paused. “They laughed at me.”
This time, Shen Suifeng couldn’t hold back and laughed out loud. “You want to put a few snacks on credit? Of course they’d laugh.”
“But they let me put the lantern on the tab,” Feng Lezhen frowned.
“Lanterns cost more to make and take time to craft. It’s not so easy to give those away for free. But as for food—well, that’s different. Even if outsiders come by, they often hand out samples for free,” Shen Suifeng explained.
“I see.” Feng Lezhen nodded.
Her cool, composed manner didn’t usually feel out of place, but now, standing in the lively Nanhe marketplace, there was something oddly awkward about it—enough to make people want to laugh.
“If you laugh again, I’ll have Ah Ye deal with you,” she said idly, as if it didn’t matter.
The crowd was bustling. Shen Suifeng took advantage of a moment when no one was looking and quietly took her hand. “Your Highness, don’t always use Miss Ah Ye to threaten people. If you want to deal with me, do it yourself.”
Feng Lezhen glanced at him but didn’t have a chance to reply—something ahead had caught her attention: a street performance. Shen Suifeng immediately led her over.
A father-daughter duo was performing. It was the classic “smashing a stone slab on the chest” stunt, common yet nerve-wracking—especially when the first few strikes failed to crack the stone, leaving everyone on edge. On the fourth strike, the slab finally shattered, and the crowd erupted in applause.
“Were the first few strikes just for show?” Feng Lezhen asked.
“Exactly. If it breaks too easily from the start, it’s less entertaining. Delaying the payoff builds tension—it’s more captivating this way,” Shen Suifeng explained.
Just as he finished speaking, the performer spat out a mouthful of blood.
Shen Suifeng: “…”
Feng Lezhen: “…”
After a brief silence, Feng Lezhen calmly said, “Reward him with a hundred taels.”
Her voice wasn’t loud, but someone from the troupe heard it, and immediately beat a gong, drawing everyone’s attention. “Many thanks to the patron for her reward of one hundred taels!”
“Many thanks, kind lady!”
Feng Lezhen disliked being stared at, so she immediately turned and walked away. Shen Suifeng chased after her, calling out, “Put it on the tab, on the tab—come to the Shen residence tomorrow to collect the silver…”
From the shadows, Ah Ye looked on enviously. “Her Highness’s money is way too easy to earn. If Steward Qin saw this, she’d probably cough up blood from rage.”
Chen Jinan said nothing and simply followed.
“What’s the rush…” Ah Ye muttered as she trailed after them.
Feng Lezhen rarely had the chance to go out like this in the middle of the night. They wandered wherever the crowd was thickest, roaming and browsing until past midnight, when they finally began to head back to the Shen residence.
Once they returned to the Shen family’s garden, the surrounding quiet was so complete a pin could be heard dropping. Both of them, fresh from the noisy streets, needed a moment to readjust.
“It’s been a long time since I came home, but Nanhe’s still as lively as ever,” Shen Suifeng said with feeling.
Feng Lezhen had removed her veil. Hearing this, she glanced at him. “Liveliness only exists when the people are at peace. In that regard, your Shen family has done better than most local officials.”
“It’s just that the people are generous in their praise,” Shen Suifeng said with a smile.
Feng Lezhen also curved her lips into a slight smile, then looked down at their shadows cast side by side. “But there’s one thing I’m curious about.”
“Please, ask away.”
“Does the common folk know you were removed from the Shen family register?” she asked.
“Shen family isn’t an ordinary household. Every time the family registry is updated, it’s publicly displayed for three days. So yes—everyone should know I was removed.”
“But they still treat you well,” Feng Lezhen mused.
Shen Suifeng chuckled. “I was disowned because I wanted to study medicine—not because I committed any offense against the family. Other than losing the right to inherit, nothing else has changed, even my relationship with my elder brother.”
“I see,” Feng Lezhen nodded.
The moonlight was beautiful tonight, and the sky was full of stars—it was lovely in its own right. Shen Suifeng looked up, lazily strolling for a while before suddenly asking, “Other than matters about the Shen family, doesn’t Your Highness have any other questions for me?”
“About what?” Feng Lezhen asked, puzzled.
Shen Suifeng paused, then looked at her with amusement. “I thought Your Highness would be more curious about me.”
“You?” Feng Lezhen stopped and, with a smile, reached out to adjust his collar. “No need to ask—I can tell just by looking. Mr. Shen must have been well-liked since childhood, so even after all these years away, many still remember you. Oh right, earlier I heard from the old lady selling rice dumplings that you almost got engaged when you were sixteen or seventeen? I wonder which girl caught your fancy back then?”
“…You’d have to ask my brother. He thought I was always running off and wanted to tie me down with marriage and children. But I didn’t agree to it,” Shen Suifeng said. In fact, he had shut down the idea as soon as his brother mentioned it. He hadn’t expected her to learn about it just from walking around town.
Seeing that Feng Lezhen wanted to dig further, Shen Suifeng quickly found an excuse and slipped away.
Watching his back retreat in haste, Feng Lezhen couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.
Shen Suifeng was smiling too—until he reached the dog hole, where he sighed.
“My life really is too miserable…” he muttered, rolling up his sleeves and crawling through the hole.
It was small and overgrown with weeds. After much effort, he finally made it through, brushed the hair from his face, and looked up—only to meet his brother’s gaze.
“If I’d known you liked crawling through dog holes so much, I would’ve had more of them dug,” Shen Suinian said gently.
Shen Suifeng: “…”
After a brief silence, Shen Suifeng stood up calmly. “Brother, why aren’t you asleep yet?”
“I’d love to sleep,” Shen Suinian replied. “But people keep coming to tell me the Shen family’s Second Young Master is walking around town with a girl. How could I sleep after that?”
“I’m back now—Brother can finally sleep in peace.” Shen Suifeng reached out his dirty hand and patted his elder brother, leaving two dark handprints on his clothes before walking away, satisfied.
“Shen Suifeng.” Shen Suinian’s voice turned cold.
Shen Suifeng stopped and exhaled silently.
“Do you know what you’re doing?” Shen Suinian turned to look at him.
After a brief pause, Shen Suifeng turned his head and met his gaze. “Just taking Her Highness for a stroll through the streets.”
“Just taking her for a stroll?” Even Shen Suinian’s usually calm temper cracked into a laugh of disbelief. “Do you know who she is? She’s the most powerful Eldest Princess of Great Qian! And you, as the second young master of the Shen family, are seen out in public with her? If word of this reaches the Emperor, do you have any idea what the consequences could be?!”
“I’m no longer part of the Shen family,” Shen Suifeng said lightly.
“You think it’s that simple? Just because your name was removed from the family register, you think that severs everything? As long as Shen blood runs in your veins, as long as you are my younger brother, you’ll never truly be separate from the Shen family!” Shen Suinian’s face flushed with anger. “Do you really think the Eldest Princess is drawn to you for who you are? Don’t be naïve. If you weren’t the Shen family’s second young master, would she even—”
“Brother, mind your words.” Shen Suifeng frowned, cutting him off.
There was a near twenty-year age gap between the two. Though brothers by blood, their relationship often resembled that of father and son. It was the first time Shen Suinian had ever been interrupted by him like this, and for a moment, he was stunned.
Shen Suifeng realized he had overstepped and after a brief silence, he said, “Though I promised to introduce her to you back then, I never guaranteed the Shen family would serve her. I’ve fulfilled what I promised. You no longer need to consider me in your decisions—handle things as you see fit. As for me and her… rest assured, Brother, I will hide my name and identity from now on, so no one will know who I am. I will never bring the Shen family even the slightest trouble.”
“Hide your name and identity?” Shen Suinian’s brow furrowed. “Are you saying you want to cut ties with the Shen family—and with me?”
“Don’t exaggerate,” Shen Suifeng smiled. “I’ll just stop using my real name when I’m out.”
Though he denied any intention of cutting ties, Shen Suinian’s expression didn’t ease. “Is she really worth that much to you? Even if you’re willing—is she?”
Shen Suifeng didn’t reply.
Shen Suinian looked at his only younger brother, his tone softening slightly. “You’re a smart man. You should realize that her going out tonight wasn’t some whim—it was a move to publicize the two of you together, to pressure the Shen family into backing her. Maybe she has some true feelings for you, but faced with immense power and wealth—how much weight do those feelings really carry?”
Each of Shen Suinian’s words struck straight to Shen Suifeng’s heart like arrows. He was silent for a long time, as if unsure how to respond.
Seeing this, Shen Suinian breathed a slight sigh of relief and was about to say more— when Shen Suifeng suddenly said, “I’m willing.”
“…What did you say?” Shen Suinian was speechless.
Shen Suifeng shrugged, his tone roguish. “Ever since I met her, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been used. I’m already used to it. If I weren’t willing each time, how could she have succeeded so often? I suspected her intent tonight, yes—but I let her anyway. Why? Because I’m willing.”
“You—”
“Brother, there’s no need to worry about me when you handle things—and I won’t drag the Shen family into anything either,” Shen Suifeng said, a bit helplessly. “As for whether she’s willing or not… it doesn’t really matter. I’m just one man. No matter what happens, it won’t affect the Shen family. If she wants me, I’ll stay. If she doesn’t, I’ll leave. Affairs of men and women—both sides must be willing.”
“Easy for you to say! What if she doesn’t let you leave?” Shen Suinian actually lost his temper.
Shen Suifeng replied, “Hm… that would mean she’s willing to offend the Shen family just to keep me. That would at least mean her feelings are real.”
Shen Suinian: “…”
Seeing the dark look on his brother’s face, Shen Suifeng couldn’t help but laugh. “Just joking, don’t be mad.”
“How could I not be mad?! You lunatic!” Shen Suinian roared.
Shen Suifeng only laughed harder, until his brother was completely out of steam. Then, he sneakily wiped his hands off on his brother’s robe again. “Go to bed already. Sister-in-law’s probably waiting.”
With that, he leisurely strolled back to his room.
Shen Suinian had no way of dealing with this brother. He could only watch him walk farther and farther away…
“Wait.” He couldn’t resist calling out.
Shen Suifeng turned back with a sigh. “What now?”
“Do you dare to make a bet with me?” Shen Suinian asked. “If you win, I won’t interfere in your relationship ever again. But if you lose—you must never see her again.”
Shen Suifeng paused, and his expression cooled slightly.
***
The night was dead silent, but Feng Lezhen still couldn’t fall asleep. She tossed and turned in bed until the first light of dawn, and only then did she manage to drift off.
Having gone to sleep so late, it was only natural she woke up just as late. So when she opened her eyes to see lunch already laid out on the table, she wasn’t the least bit surprised.
“If Your Highness still hadn’t woken, I was going to fetch Mr. Shen to check your pulse,” Ah Ye sighed.
Feng Lezhen rubbed her temples. “Did the governor or anyone else come by?”
“No, but Shen Suinian did. He wanted to invite Your Highness to lunch at Zuifeng Pavilion. I figured you wouldn’t be up until midday, and by the time you washed and dressed, it would be too late—so I asked him to move it to the evening instead. We’ll just have something simple for now.” As she spoke, Ah Ye removed all the covers from the dishes.
Feng Lezhen glanced at the table. “Why is there so much?”
“I also prepared a portion for Mr. Shen.” After seeing the Shen family’s wealth firsthand yesterday, Ah Ye had decided to be much more polite to him from now on.
Feng Lezhen gestured casually. “Sit down and eat. He won’t be coming.”
“Why?” Ah Ye asked, confused.
Feng Lezhen only smiled, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes.
After lunch, with nothing in particular to do all afternoon, Feng Lezhen decided to take a stroll in the garden. She ended up walking for nearly half an hour, and still hadn’t managed to find her way out.
“…Isn’t this Shen estate a little too big?” Ah Ye was dumbfounded. “Sure, half of Nanhe practically relies on their family, but this is still a bit much!”
“The Great Qian court has always only regulated the size of officials’ residences,” Feng Lezhen explained. “For merchant families like this, there’s no such restriction.”
“But merchants have low social status, and usually don’t dare to be too extravagant… Ah, I see. The Shen family isn’t your average merchant. No wonder they’re not afraid to show off.”
Feng Lezhen smiled, just about to say more, when she suddenly spotted a little girl working an abacus in a pavilion up ahead.
It was just past noon—resting hours—and the garden was mostly deserted. Although the girl was deliberately being gentle, the clacking of the abacus beads still rang out clearly.
“Four minus five carry one, six plus one carry five…”
“That’s wrong here,” Feng Lezhen reached over and flicked a bead. “You overcounted.”
The little girl was startled by the sudden voice and nearly jumped out of her skin. “Who—who are you?!”
Ah Ye frowned and was about to announce their identity when Feng Lezhen spoke first. “You look like a clever child. How do you still make mistakes while reciting the formulas?”
“I do not…” the little girl protested indignantly, but when her gaze fell on the abacus, her tone weakened. “I—I never had formal lessons. It’s already pretty good that I can do this much.”
“You’ve never learned?” Feng Lezhen was surprised. “Then you really are impressive.”
Pleased by the praise, the girl lifted her chin proudly—then suddenly remembered her earlier question. “You still haven’t said who you are. Why are you trespassing in our Shen family’s garden?”
“Before I answer, you answer me first,” Feng Lezhen crossed her arms. “Why are you secretly learning the abacus behind your family’s back?”
The girl looked a little guilty. “I—I’m not sneaking around! My family agreed to let me learn.”
“If they really agreed, they wouldn’t let you mess around on your own like this. The abacus seems simple at first, but if you want to get good at it, you’ll need a proper teacher. Doing it haphazardly like this might get you started, but it’ll be hard to improve later.” Feng Lezhen spoke with the tone of someone experienced.
The little girl pouted, looking frustrated. “Easy for you to say. Ask around all of Nanhe—what abacus master would teach a girl? They all say girls should learn music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Just being able to read a ledger is enough. If a girl knows too much, they say she’s too clever. And if a girl’s too clever, no one wants to marry her.”
Ah Ye burst out laughing at the girl’s vivid imitation. “You’re just a little seven- or eight-year-old—where’d you learn to talk like that?”
“I’m nine,” the girl huffed in protest.
Ah Ye raised a brow. “You don’t look it. Maybe you’re too scheming, and it’s stunted your growth.”
“You—!”
“I know a young lady who’s not only amazing at accounting, but also manages shops and handles money like a pro. If you’re really keen to learn, she could teach you—though she can’t come to Nanhe, so you’d have to write letters.” Feng Lezhen stepped in with a smile, cutting off the argument.
The girl’s eyes lit up at first, but then she thought of something and her expression dimmed. “Forget it… My father would never allow it.”
She sighed, hugged her shabby little abacus, and walked off.
Feng Lezhen didn’t stop her, only smiled as she sat down in the pavilion. Ah Ye snuck a few glances at her, and once the girl was gone, she asked, “Your Highness, why were you so kind to her? You even want Steward Qin to teach her?”
“Perhaps I’m just kindhearted,” Feng Lezhen replied seriously.
Ah Ye: “…”
“What’s with that face? You disagree?” Feng Lezhen raised a brow.
Ah Ye gave a dry laugh—she truly couldn’t think of anything to say in praise.
—
This small encounter passed without further mention. Evening came, and Feng Lezhen went to the banquet at Zuifeng Pavilion as planned.
Shen Suinian had already been waiting for quite some time. As soon as he saw her, he stepped forward and bowed. “Greetings, Your Highness.”
“This Zuifeng Pavilion is quite… refined. You must have put some thought into choosing such a place,” Feng Lezhen said with a faint smile.
Ah Ye nearly burst out laughing. Her Highness really knows how to jab people—calling it ‘refined’ instead of saying outright that it’s shabby.
Shen Suinian smiled as he explained, “This place was a birthday gift from some commoners when my younger brother turned six. It’s been over a decade now—everything’s quite worn down. I ask Your Highness for forgiveness.”
Ah Ye: “…” No wonder—it’s the Shen family. Even gifts for a six-year-old are this extravagant.
“I see,” Feng Lezhen nodded with a smile. “And may I ask, for what reason has Young Master Shen invited me here?”
“I invited Your Highness to express my gratitude.” Shen Suinian raised his cup with a more solemn expression. “This first cup is to thank Your Highness for stopping His Majesty from constructing the canal. You preserved the livelihoods of Great Qian’s merchants.”
With that, he drained the cup in one go.
Feng Lezhen picked up her cup, but didn’t drink. “By halting the canal, taxes weren’t raised, which indeed protected most merchants. As the leader among merchants, this cup I’ll accept from you.”
Shen Suinian smiled graciously, refilled his cup, and raised it again. “The second cup is to thank Your Highness for taking care of my brother these days. His temper is truly frustrating—I’m sure he’s angered you more than once. I must thank Your Highness for sparing his dog life.”
Ah Ye nearly laughed out loud at his phrasing and had to clear her throat to hold it back.
Feng Lezhen thought for a moment, then nodded. “He’s definitely tested my patience. I think you should drink two cups.”
Shen Suinian burst into laughter and readily punished himself with three.
“You do hold your liquor well, Young Master Shen,” Feng Lezhen praised.
“This cup of alcohol, however, is to apologize.” Shen Suinian poured another cup, sighed, and said, “I heard from my younger brother that he agreed to escort Your Highness to Yingguan. To be able to serve Your Highness is truly his honor. However, with the end of the year approaching, affairs at home are piling up, and I truly need him here to manage them. So I must brazenly ask a favor from Your Highness…”
A flicker of displeasure flashed in Ah Ye’s eyes, but seeing the unwavering smile on her Eldest Princess’s face, she lowered her gaze expressionlessly.
“Of course, I wouldn’t ask a favor for nothing,” Shen Suinian said with a smile. “Your Highness’s journey to Yingguan is long, and lacking one guard increases the danger. After much thought, I believe I should still send more people to accompany you.”
As he finished, he clapped three times. The door to the private room immediately opened, and two handsome young men walked in. Ah Ye’s temper flared at once. She wanted to question him—What did he mean by this? Was her Eldest Princess someone anyone could be sent to serve? But before she could speak, she noticed her mistress’s eyes sparkling as they locked onto the two young men.
She: “…” Ugh, Your Highness, how disgraceful!
“These two young men come from clean backgrounds—one is skilled in medicine, the other excels in martial arts. It should be no problem for them to guard Your Highness,” Shen Suinian said, taking out a stack of silver drafts from his sleeve, each worth ten thousand taels. “This is travel money I’ve prepared for Your Highness. I know Your Highness disdains the stench of coin, but one inevitably needs money on the road. Please take it, for my peace of mind.”
“Is Young Master Shen trying to buy me off with silver?” Only now did Feng Lezhen’s expression cool slightly.
Shen Suinian quickly replied, “I wouldn’t dare. It’s just that I, lowly as I am, have nothing to offer Your Highness but some silver. I hope Your Highness will pardon me.”
“Coming from the richest merchant in all of Great Qian, you could offer me plenty,” Feng Lezhen said coldly. “The only question is—whether you want to.”
Shen Suinian gave a bitter smile. “The ancestral teachings of the Shen family stand above all—I dare not disobey them.”
Feng Lezhen fell silent.
The private room quieted. Everyone’s expression was tense. The two young men who had just entered looked especially uneasy, like a pair of frightened rabbits.
Amid the silence, Feng Lezhen suddenly asked, “No room for negotiation?”
“The Shen family has no interest in officialdom. We’ve already reached the peak of commerce, and truly do not wish to take another step further.” Shen Suinian’s tone was firm.
Feng Lezhen’s expression eased a little, but she said nothing.
Shen Suinian steeled himself and raised the stakes. “If Your Highness is willing to agree, I am prepared to give up ten percent of the Shen family’s profits next year.”
The Shen family’s businesses spanned all of Great Qian. Ten percent might not seem much, but it was enough to cover the expenses of the Eldest Princess’s household for years. By making this offer while making it clear that political cooperation was impossible, Shen Suinian was betting she wouldn’t be able to resist the profit.
Feng Lezhen raised her eyes. “Thirty percent.”
Shen Suinian froze. “Your Highness…”
“I’m not negotiating,” Feng Lezhen said with a smile.
Shen Suinian took a deep breath, then finally relented. “Fine.”
Satisfied, Feng Lezhen gestured for Ah Ye to take the silver drafts. Though displeased with Shen Suinian’s way of handling things, Ah Ye had no qualms when it came to taking money—once prompted, she stepped forward without hesitation.
Shen Suinian handed over the silver drafts, and the two young men shuffled forward. Seeing that the Eldest Princess didn’t object, they hesitantly approached her side.
“Oh, right,” Feng Lezhen called out as Shen Suinian was about to leave. “I still owe Shen Suifeng over ten thousand taels of gold. Why not repay it on my behalf, Young Master Shen? I don’t know when I’ll next see him after heading to Yingguan. It wouldn’t be proper to remain in his debt for so long.”
…Not proper to owe him, so make his elder brother pay it? Staring at this girl nearly twenty years his junior, Shen Suinian really didn’t know what to say. He agreed hastily and took his leave.
Only four people remained in the room. Ah Ye was still counting how many silver drafts Shen Suinian had handed over. When she looked up, she found Feng Lezhen watching her.
“What is it?” she asked, smiling sweetly.
Feng Lezhen, equally innocent: “Out.”
Ah Ye: “?”
“I’ve just acquired two new subordinates. Naturally, I must personally assess them.” Feng Lezhen replied solemnly.
…Assess what, exactly?! Ah Ye grumbled internally, but quickly scurried out of the room.
Leisurely leaning back in her chair, Feng Lezhen looked at one of the young men. “Do you know how to pour alcohol?”
The young man blushed as her eyes—like hooks—fell on him.
—
Several streets away in a courtyard, someone else was also turning red. But not from embarrassment—he was fuming.
Galloping all the way there, Shen Suifeng barged into the private room… Only to find Feng Lezhen leaning lazily against one of the boys. At his sudden entrance, both youths leapt up in panic. “Second Young Master…”
Shen Suifeng’s lips curved upward, but his eyes were dark with looming storm clouds.
“Get. Out.”
The two boys hesitated, looking at Feng Lezhen with uncertainty.
“What boldness,” Feng Lezhen said evenly. “To order my people out.”
“Your people?” Shen Suifeng’s smile turned brazen. “In this room, I think there’s only one person who belongs to Your Highness.”
Then, looking back at the two boys, “What are you waiting for? Get lost!”
Though usually gentle, Shen Suifeng’s rare temper was no less intimidating than his brother’s. The boys flinched, but eventually scrambled out.
Deprived of her warm, soft cushion, Feng Lezhen sat upright with regret. “You sent them away—who’s going to serve me now?”
“What kind of service does Your Highness want? Would I suffice?” Shen Suifeng replied coldly, already starting to undo his belt.
Feng Lezhen raised a brow, about to speak— When she saw his robes fall open, revealing his well-defined chest.
She narrowed her eyes slightly. Her throat itched with a sudden tickle.
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