Shen Suifeng had only undone his belt but was already closing in.
Feng Lezhen leaned back, speaking lazily: “What are you doing? Did I ask you to come over?”
“Didn’t Your Highness want someone to serve you?” Shen Suifeng countered.
Feng Lezhen let out a laugh. “Not just anyone will do. If you want to serve me, at the very least, your face has to be younger-looking. Those two from earlier were quite nice—twins, and young.”
“So Your Highness is saying I’m too old?” Shen Suifeng let out a disbelieving chuckle. “You’re what, just a year younger than me? If I count as old, then what does that make you?”
Feng Lezhen remained calm. “You’re the one throwing yourself at me to serve. How does someone like you compare to me, who’s being served?”
Before she finished speaking, he raised his hand and lifted her chin with his fingers.
Feng Lezhen frowned slightly, clearly disliking the controlled posture—but she didn’t pull away.
Shen Suifeng stared straight into her eyes. After a long pause, he asked coldly, “If I hadn’t rushed here tonight, would Your Highness really have let them serve you?”
“They may not be as good-looking as you, but they each had their own appeal.” Feng Lezhen looked up and met his gaze directly, the implication in her words perfectly clear.
Shen Suifeng drew in a deep breath and turned to leave.
Feng Lezhen spoke lazily, “If you walk out now, don’t bother coming back.”
Shen Suifeng didn’t pause.
Feng Lezhen’s expression darkened, a trace of displeasure rising in her eyes—but before she could speak again, he suddenly stopped at the door and bang—slammed it shut.
“Not leaving, after all?” Her mood brightened again.
But Shen Suifeng was in no such mood. After locking the door from the inside, he turned back with a cold expression. “Does Your Highness think I’m easy to push around?”
“You?” Feng Lezhen laughed. “You were in on the scheme with Shen Suinian to test me, and you still have the nerve to say you’re easy to bully?”
Shen Suifeng paused. “You knew?”
“Knew what? That tonight was a test?” Feng Lezhen gave him a sidelong glance. “It wasn’t hard to guess. I’m not an idiot.”
“…So you were purposely playing along to annoy me, because you saw through it?” Shen Suifeng’s tone lightened just a bit.
Unfortunately, it didn’t last long. Feng Lezhen’s next sentence sent him crashing right back down: “Though tonight was a test, had I agreed, Shen Suinian would’ve followed through. Compared to winning over the whole Shen family, three-tenths of next year’s profit isn’t much. But if the Shen family insists on remaining independent, even that three-tenths is better than nothing. I wouldn’t have come for nothing, either.”
She gave a light chuckle. “I got a pile of silver drafts, two good-looking little attendants. Shen family takes back its second son and keeps its clean hands. Everyone wins.”
Shen Suifeng stared at her, eyes dark. After a moment, he asked in a cold voice, “So you’re planning to say yes?”
“Why not?” Feng Lezhen countered.
The room’s atmosphere instantly dropped several degrees. She seemed unfazed and poured herself a cup of alcohol—but before she could lift it to her lips, Shen Suifeng seized her wrist.
“Let go.” Her voice turned sharp with displeasure.
Shen Suifeng looked her in the eyes. “And if I don’t?”
“Ah Ye—” Feng Lezhen started to call out, but Shen Suifeng pressed somewhere on her body, and her voice suddenly cut off—she couldn’t make a sound. Her gaze turned icy cold.
Seeing her like this, Shen Suifeng unexpectedly felt less angry. His tone even grew casual again. “If Your Highness promises not to call anyone, I’ll restore your voice.”
Feng Lezhen’s expression was frozen in fury. She sat still, silent.
Shen Suifeng’s heart softened despite himself. “Your Highness…”
Her eyes shifted slightly, and after a long moment, she let out a sigh. Seeing this, Shen Suifeng immediately released the pressure point.
A few moments later, Feng Lezhen’s voice returned. When she looked at him again, her gaze had lost some of its chill. “This won’t happen again.” She would not allow someone who could raise a hand against her to stay at her side—no matter how much she liked them.
Shen Suifeng caught her meaning. After a brief silence, he said quietly, “I understand.”
The room fell quiet again. The candle on the table let out the occasional pop and crackle. Every time it did, the flame flickered.
Feng Lezhen still hadn’t drunk the alcohol in her hand. She merely held it loosely. Shen Suifeng also remained silent, seated beside her with his robe still open.
“About what happened tonight,” Feng Lezhen finally said softly, breaking the silence, “I’m very displeased.”
Shen Suifeng’s eyes moved slightly. He looked at her calmly.
“A test?” Her tone carried a trace of mockery. “Who do the Shen family think they are, that they dare test me?”
Shen Suifeng was quiet for a moment. “My brother was acting out of concern for me. That’s why he came up with such a scheme. I thought long and hard about it—I knew it wasn’t right. But only by passing his trial would I be free of his interference in the future…”
“So you agreed to test me just to stop your brother from meddling?” Feng Lezhen cut him off.
Shen Suifeng looked up and met her piercing gaze—one that saw through everything.
He said nothing for a long time. Finally, he gave a bitter laugh. “Must Your Highness ask until there’s no dignity left? Couldn’t you leave me just a shred?”
“You underestimate me,” Feng Lezhen said calmly. “I am the most powerful Eldest Princess in Great Qian. The only woman in our empire’s history with her own fiefdom. What makes you think I would demean myself to play along with a mere merchant family just for some alliance?”
Shen Suifeng lowered his gaze, then gently took her hand resting on her knee. His handsome face flickered in the candlelight. “It’s not that I looked down on you—it’s that I looked down on myself. I truly don’t know what you could possibly see in me. The only reason I could think of was my connection to the Shen family. If you hadn’t recognized me as one of them… would you still have tolerated me this much?”
At that question, Feng Lezhen fell silent.
Shen Suifeng gave a bitter smile. Sure enough, he thought, some things should never be said. Once spoken, they leave cracks that never heal—
“I would.”
Shen Suifeng froze. He looked at her, stunned.
“When I went looking for you at Imperial Physician Cui’s home, I had no idea you were from the Shen family,” Feng Lezhen said, face expressionless.
Shen Suifeng’s lips parted slightly. His heart skipped a beat.
Feng Lezhen saw his expression and unceremoniously commented, “Idiot.”
She couldn’t be bothered with him anymore and got up to leave. But she had only taken a few steps when he hugged her from behind.
The heated floor made the room quite warm, and she was only wearing a thin inner robe. The man behind her had his robe loosely draped. Between them, there was only that single layer of clothing, and their body heat quickly melded together.
“Let go,” she said lazily.
Shen Suifeng only tightened his hold. “If I let go, does that mean Your Highness is going to leave?”
“It’s this late already. Of course I should leave,” Feng Lezhen replied with displeasure.
Shen Suifeng gave a bitter smile. “Your Highness knows what I truly want to ask… Are you still planning to take me along when you return to Yingguan?”
Feng Lezhen was silent for a moment, then said, “I already agreed to your older brother’s conditions. A ruler does not go back on their word.”
Shen Suifeng felt his heart slowly sink.
“But if you insist on following, there’s nothing I can do about it.”
The esteemed Eldest Princess always had a way—one sentence could kill someone, and another could bring them back to life just as easily.
Shen Suifeng no longer spoke. He simply turned her around and kissed her.
Feng Lezhen’s expression softened. She raised a hand to caress his face. Amid the mingling of lips and teeth, she turned her face aside to catch her breath. Shen Suifeng did not press further and instead kissed along the delicate line of her neck.
Feng Lezhen’s breathing became disordered for a moment, and she grabbed his collar to calm down a little: “If you dare to plot against me again in the future, I will kill you.”
Shen Suifeng laughed when he heard this, and the hot air he exhaled fell on her skin, causing her to shudder: “Your Highness is so unfair. You have schemed and used me so many times, and I just paid you back once, and you are unhappy.”
“I have always been unfair. If you still want to stay with me, you have to be obedient.” Feng Lezhen grabbed the back of his collar and pulled him back, forcing him to look at her.
Shen Suifeng looked at her defiant eyes and his heart beat faster.
He thought he was carefree and unrestrained, and would never be constrained by anyone or anything. Even when he and Feng Lezhen exchanged feelings, he thought about how to act appropriately. If she was ruthless, he would give up. But until now, he realized how ridiculous his original idea was. Feng Lezhen was like an opium poppy. Once you get hooked, trying to quit is like being skinned alive and dying.
“Are you listening?” Poppy was completely unaware of her own toxicity and reached out to pat his face.
Shen Suifeng’s eyes darkened: “Be obedient.”
Feng Le was really satisfied, and her finger stained with bright red nail polish slid across his throat as if rewarding him. Shen Suifeng thought for a moment that she was going to use her finger as a blade to pierce his throat directly, but she just slid down all the way, leaving a clear red mark on his body.
“Have you ever touched a woman?” Feng Lezhen asked.
Shen Suifeng’s Adam’s apple moved: “No.”
“What about men?” Feng Lezhen asked again.
“…Your Highness.” Shen Suifeng was helpless.
Feng Lezhen smiled: “It’s good that you’ve touched nothing. I like things to be clean.”
Shen Suifeng didn’t waste any more words with her. He just picked her up and placed her on the couch… He had no choice but to place her on the couch. This was a proper restaurant. There were no mattresses in the side rooms. There was only a couch that was more than three feet long. Fortunately, it was covered with thick cushions, so it didn’t wrong the noble Princess.
The clothes were thrown on the ground one by one. In the steaming body temperature, Feng Lezhen’s nails finally dug into Shen Suifeng’s back, leaving several bloody marks.
When their skin touched, Shen Suifeng woke up as if from a dream and stopped abruptly: “No…”
“…You can’t do it?” Feng Lezhen looked at him in confusion.
Shen Suifeng’s rapid breathing paused for a moment because of her question. After coming to his senses, he laughed, “Not talking about that… your future is uncertain, so I guess you don’t want to get pregnant right now, right?”
Feng Le really understood, and she put her slender arm around his neck, “Don’t worry, I won’t get pregnant. The late emperor was given a cold poison by the Third Prince, and it became extremely difficult for him to have children. After this Ben Gong and Feng Ji were born, we were also diagnosed with the problem of difficulty in having children. If we don’t take good care of ourselves, we will almost never have children… Oh, Feng Ji took good care of himself for many years, and started taking concubines at the age of sixteen, but unfortunately he still has no children.”
Shen Suifeng: “…” He discovered royal secrets just like that?
When Feng Lezhen saw his expression, a smile suddenly appeared in her eyes. She stopped talking and propped herself up to kiss his lips.
The breaths blended again, and the misty mountain stream rolled over the huge ship, turning up the soft mud at the bottom of the stream. Everything in the world became distant, leaving only rapid breathing, like thunder, like the beating of drums, again and again, a reckless and disorderly collision.
Feng Lezhen held Shen Suifeng’s hand while she was drowsy, and taught him little by little how to make the thunder and drum beat in an orderly manner. She finally took a short break from the endless thunderstorm.
The night sky outside the window was gloomy, and even the air was filled with moisture. If nothing unexpected happens, there will be heavy rain tomorrow.
The rain in winter is cold and fast, and it can be damp for many days, making people feel annoyed. Chen Jinan sat under the eaves of the side room of the Shen family, thinking that when the princess came back, he would remind her to put on more clothes tomorrow and not forget to bring an umbrella when she went out.
In fact, these are all Ah Ye’s matters, but he always felt that he can only feel at ease if he reminds her personally, so he had not slept yet.
It was a cold night, and the carriage from the Princess’s Mansion had not returned yet. He was not in a hurry and just waited quietly there.
After an unknown amount of time, he suddenly heard the sound of wheels rolling on the cobblestone road outside. His eyes moved slightly, and he immediately stood up to greet it.
Her Highness was not in the carriage.
“Why aren’t you asleep yet?” Ah Ye asked in surprise. After meeting his gaze, she suddenly realized, “Waiting for Her Highness?”
“Where is Her Highness?” he asked.
Ah Ye laughed and lowered his voice mysteriously: “Her Highness probably won’t be back tonight.”
Chen Jinan frowned, not quite understanding what she meant.
“Oh… If I didn’t know you’ve never served Her Highness, I would have thought you were playing dumb,” Ah Ye said with disdain, smiling, “Anyway, Her Highness is with Mr. Shen tonight and won’t be back. If you have anything to say, just wait until tomorrow.”
Chen Jinan had stayed up so late his mind was sluggish. He didn’t quite understand what she was saying—only caught the part about “Her Highness not returning tonight”—so he lowered his gaze and slowly made his way back to the side room.
When Feng Lezhen woke the next day, she was already back in her own chambers.
Everything on her body had been cleaned, her underclothes changed. When she moved slightly, she could feel a certain area had been medicated… so skilled—really didn’t feel like someone tending to a woman for the first time. She looked over at the still-sleeping man beside her and, without hesitation, tossed a pillow at him.
Shen Suifeng gave a muffled grunt when hit, hugging the pillow as he turned over. “Your Highness is awake?”
“Where did you get the medicine?” Feng Lezhen asked.
“Mixed it myself last night,” Shen Suifeng replied without opening his eyes.
“Mr. Shen really can do everything,” Feng Lezhen said dryly.
Shen Suifeng paused, then opened his eyes and sat up. “I’m a physician. That kind of medicine really isn’t difficult for me.”
Feng Lezhen raised an eyebrow.
“Taking care of Your Highness isn’t difficult either, even if I have no experience,” Shen Suifeng added, reaching his hand into her undergarments to gently rub.
Warmth from his palm seeped steadily into her waist, and indeed, she did feel a lot better.
Her body felt better, and so her mood lifted too. Feng Lezhen casually plucked a pearl from the bed canopy and tossed it to him. “Not bad service. A reward.”
“…This looks like the one from my house…” Shen Suifeng started, but caught her glare mid-sentence and quickly changed his tune. “This humble one thanks Your Highness for the reward!”
Feng Lezhen chuckled and pushed him off the bed. “Go pack. We’re leaving.”
“Today?” Shen Suifeng was surprised.
Feng Lezhen replied, “You want to stay a few more days?”
He did have that thought—but he also knew they had a deadline to report for duty, and it wouldn’t be good to delay too long. So after a moment of hesitation, he agreed.
After packing up, he left the room. Just at the door, he bumped into Ah Ye.
“Mr. Shen,” Ah Ye greeted with a curtsey.
Shen Suifeng paused. “We’ve known each other so long, but this is the first time you’re being so polite.”
“Times are different now,” Ah Ye said with a reserved smile.
Shen Suifeng smirked faintly. “If I hadn’t rushed to the inn last night, would you be showing this same courtesy to someone else today?”
“Hardly. Our princess wouldn’t even look at those two your older brother sent,” Ah Ye answered without hesitation. “Your brother’s a savvy businessman, but when it comes to taste—he’s nowhere near Her Highness.”
Whether it was Fu Zhixian or the man standing in front of her, both were top-tier in looks and talent. As for those two shallow puppets yesterday—not even fit to carry their shoes.
Hearing her disparage his brother that way actually put Shen Suifeng in a good mood. He took a bottle of medicine from his sleeve and handed it to her.
“Another beauty tonic?” Ah Ye no longer cared for such things.
“Improves vision and calms the mind. Take it consistently and you’ll see farther and clearer,” Shen Suifeng explained.
Ah Ye’s eyes lit up and she accepted it immediately.
After parting ways with Ah Ye, Shen Suifeng thought things over and decided to return to his room to change clothes before going to say goodbye to his brother and sister-in-law. But the moment he entered, he saw Shen Suinian sitting at the table, face cold.
Still wearing yesterday’s clothes—clearly he’d waited all night. Shen Suifeng suddenly felt a bit guilty. “Brother…”
“It was my miscalculation,” Shen Suinian said slowly. “I accounted for everything—except that my own brother couldn’t hold back. Her Highness knows you better than I do.”
Though the words were scattered, Shen Suifeng understood. He stood silently with his lips pressed together.
Shen Suinian sighed. “You’re planning to leave with her?”
“…Yes.” There was no need to say more. As brothers, they both understood.
A flicker of disappointment crossed Shen Suinian’s eyes. He said nothing as he turned to leave—but when he passed by Shen Suifeng, he suddenly stopped.
“From now on, keep your identity hidden. Don’t tell anyone you’re from the Shen family.”
Shen Suifeng felt his heart sink.
“This time when you leave, I won’t see you off. Take care of yourself,” Shen Suinian said, taking a deep breath, brows furrowed, before walking away for good.
Shen Suifeng stood where he was, suddenly feeling utterly alone.
They’d decided to depart in the afternoon. By the time he finished packing, it was already midday, so he went to join Feng Lezhen for lunch.
Because of what his brother had said, Shen Suifeng ate distractedly. Feng Lezhen observed him for a moment, then placed a bone in his bowl.
“Thank you, Your Highness.” He picked it up and was about to eat.
Feng Lezhen: “…”
“Pfft—” Ah Ye couldn’t hold back her laughter. Only then did Shen Suifeng realize something was off and looked a bit awkward.
“Ah Ye,” Feng Lezhen called.
“I’m here,” Ah Ye stepped forward.
“Give the order—we won’t leave this afternoon. We’ll head out early tomorrow,” Feng Lezhen said calmly.
Ah Ye didn’t know why but still obeyed. Shen Suifeng frowned as he watched her leave. When only the two of them were left, he asked, “Why the sudden change?”
“My back and waist are sore. I want another night of rest,” Feng Lezhen replied.
“…That shouldn’t be. I applied medicine for you,” Shen Suifeng said.
“Mr. Shen, even with medicine, one still needs rest,” Feng Lezhen replied with a smile.
Shen Suifeng chuckled, feeling a little guilty.
Feng Lezhen took his hand. “That marketplace we visited a few days ago—does it open during the day?”
“Of course,” Shen Suifeng said.
“Then later, go and buy all the food we tried before. I want to take some for the road.”
“Some things don’t taste good cold,” Shen Suifeng reminded.
Feng Lezhen thought about it. “Then just buy the ones that stay tasty. If there’s anything else interesting, feel free to pick it up. Doesn’t have to be food.”
Shen Suifeng nodded and turned to go, but was stopped by her again: “I’ll have Ah Ye give you money.”
Shen Suifeng: “…”
“What’s with that expression?” Feng Lezhen lazily exposed him. “Didn’t you already break ties with the Shen family? Since you’ve broken ties, it’s not proper to keep using their money. I’ll give you the funds.”
Shen Suifeng chuckled. “So, is Your Highness planning to return all the banknotes my brother gave you last night?”
“Absolutely not,” Feng Lezhen rejected flatly. “Your family breaking ties is your business—what’s that got to do with me? That money was a gift to me from Shen Suinian. If he wants it back, he can come ask for it himself. Don’t expect me to give it back voluntarily.”
…Who would dare ask Her Highness the Princess for money? Shen Suifeng looked at her money-grubbing expression and couldn’t help reaching out to pinch her cheek—though he quickly let go before she could get annoyed. “Don’t worry. I’ve practiced medicine for years and saved up a bit. It’s not like I can’t afford some snacks.”
Feng Lezhen paused, suddenly curious. “How much have you saved?”
Shen Suifeng leaned in and whispered a number into her ear.
Feng Lezhen: “…”
Even after Shen Suifeng had left for a while, she still hadn’t quite come to her senses. Ah Ye noticed something was off and finally couldn’t help but ask what had happened.
Feng Lezhen looked at her, hesitated to speak, and after a long moment sighed with regret: “If I’d known, I would’ve had you study medicine back then.”
Ah Ye: “?”
Feng Lezhen had asked for so many things that by the time Shen Suifeng finished buying everything, it was already dark. Yet when he returned to her chambers, she was nowhere to be seen.
“Her Highness went out for a walk a short while ago. She should be back soon,” Ah Ye explained.
So Shen Suifeng patiently waited inside. It took nearly half an hour before she returned.
“You went for a walk this long? Your back doesn’t hurt anymore?” he greeted her.
“I rested all afternoon—it’s somewhat better now.” Feng Lezhen smiled. “I saw all the things you bought. Isn’t that a bit too much?”
“If I didn’t buy more, I was afraid Your Highness would worry again that I couldn’t afford it,” Shen Suifeng smirked.
Feng Lezhen thought of his frighteningly large savings, then glanced at her own financially tight Princess’s residence—and her expression turned mournful. “It’s getting late. You should go rest. We’re leaving at first light tomorrow.”
Shen Suifeng raised an eyebrow but said nothing more.
His elder brother, as a representative of the Shen family, had officially severed ties with him—something that should have been painful. But after running around all day shopping, Shen Suifeng had no energy left to dwell on it. When he returned to his room, he collapsed and fell asleep immediately.
That buried sadness didn’t hit until it was truly time to leave. Riding on horseback, looking at the familiar streets and scenery, Shen Suifeng finally realized what his departure really meant.
Dawn hadn’t yet broken, and the streets were mostly empty. The convoy moved slowly and in order, and before he knew it, they had reached the city gates.
The local officials had already gathered there after receiving news. As usual, Feng Lezhen showed her face and exchanged pleasantries. When it came time to board the carriage, she caught sight of Shen Suifeng looking absentminded.
Without a word, she lowered her gaze and entered the carriage. The convoy began its slow journey toward the city outskirts.
No one knew how long they had traveled. The surroundings had become wide open farmland, and the city gates were no longer in sight.
Feng Lezhen, who had been resting with her eyes closed, suddenly spoke: “Stop.”
Ah Ye immediately called for the convoy to halt. Everyone looked at each other, puzzled.
“Your Highness, is something wrong?” Ah Ye asked with concern.
Feng Lezhen said nothing, simply sitting quietly inside the carriage.
Ah Ye saw no real change in her expression, but stopping the entire convoy so suddenly still seemed odd. She was debating whether to ask again when she turned and saw Chen Jinan calmly holding the reins.
“…Aren’t you curious?” she asked, speechless.
Chen Jinan was as calm as ever. “I just follow Her Highness’s orders.”
Ah Ye: “…” Figures. Stone-hearted as always.
The convoy remained halted on the road. Occasionally, traveling merchants passed by, but seeing such a grand lineup, they dared not come too close. Soon the road, which had seemed wide earlier, began to feel a bit crowded.
Shen Suifeng finally came back to himself, jumped down from his horse, and got into the carriage. “Your Highness…”
“Shh. Just wait a little longer,” Feng Lezhen finally spoke.
Shen Suifeng furrowed his brow, just about to ask what they were waiting for, when the sound of galloping hooves came from the distance. He looked at Feng Lezhen with confusion—and then, suddenly, realization struck, his heartbeat skipping a beat.
“Who knows when we’ll meet again next time—how could I leave without saying goodbye?” Feng Lezhen said softly, lips parting slightly.
Shen Suifeng was speechless. “What did Your Highness do to force him here? It wasn’t something like threatening the lives of my sister-in-law and niece, was it?”
Feng Lezhen smiled but didn’t answer.
Shen Suifeng sighed helplessly and got out of the carriage.
“Suifeng!” Shen Suinian dismounted from his galloping horse, running over.
Seeing this, Shen Suifeng also quickened his pace. In a moment, the brothers had clasped each other’s hands.
“I… I came to see you off…” Shen Suinian was out of breath. “Yesterday… Yesterday your elder brother was being foolish. Don’t take it to heart.”
“Brother…” Shen Suifeng’s eyes were tinged red.
“Come on now, how old are you, still tearing up?” Shen Suinian said helplessly.
“Who’s crying?” Shen Suifeng laughed. His eyes were still a little red, but his expression was carefree.
“That’s the brother I know,” Shen Suinian sighed. “This journey to Yingguan is long and treacherous—take care of yourself.”
“I will. I’ll look after myself,” Shen Suifeng nodded.
Shen Suinian added a few more instructions, just like he did every time he saw his brother off.
Shen Suifeng agreed to everything, until finally, there was nothing left to say. Only then did he cautiously ask, “Why did you suddenly change your mind?”
Shen Suinian glanced complicatedly in the direction of the carriage. When he looked back at Shen Suifeng, he deliberately put on a stern face. “It’s not really a change of mind. Since you’ve chosen to follow Her Highness, then from now on, don’t act under the Shen family name.”
“…Even when I wasn’t following Her Highness, I never acted under the Shen family name,” Shen Suifeng said helplessly.
Shen Suinian pretended not to hear. “But if you run into trouble, don’t forget that the Shen family is still your backing. Don’t let anyone bully you too easily.”
Shen Suifeng couldn’t help but laugh. “Brother, aren’t you being a little too contradictory?”
“You brat, I’m teaching you a lesson!” Shen Suinian was displeased.
Shen Suifeng sighed. “I’m not a child anymore.”
“You’ll always be a child in your brother’s eyes.” Shen Suinian frowned.
In the carriage, Chen Jinan quietly watched the two brothers say goodbye. He was so focused that he didn’t notice Ah Ye had been staring at him for a while.
“What are you looking at?!” Ah Ye suddenly asked.
Chen Jinan lowered his gaze, as if he hadn’t heard.
Ah Ye: “…” Somehow, this rock seems even duller than before.
Once the brothers finished saying farewell, Shen Suinian stepped up to the carriage and cupped his hands in a respectful salute. “This humble one has not hosted well these past few days. If Your Highness ever visits Nanhe again, I shall welcome you with open arms.”
“If there’s a chance, I will certainly visit again,” came Feng Lezhen’s voice through the curtain.
Shen Suinian smiled, exchanged one last look with Shen Suifeng, then stepped back to the roadside. Ah Ye took the cue and called for departure. And so, after being halted for half an hour, the convoy finally resumed its journey.
After parting with his brother, Shen Suifeng was clearly in much better spirits. As soon as he got into the carriage, he kept pressing Feng Lezhen on what exactly she had done. She merely smiled without answering, her mind drifting to the events of the previous day—
—
“I wonder what brings Your Highness to visit in person so suddenly?” Shen Suinian, who had just broken up with his younger brother—whom he’d practically raised as a son—couldn’t entirely keep his emotions in check. “If it’s to win over the Shen family, or to persuade me through Suifeng, then I’m afraid Your Highness is doomed to be disappointed.”
“Two days ago, I saw Young Master Shen’s beloved daughter practicing abacus in the garden,” Feng Lezhen said slowly.
Shen Suinian hadn’t expected this topic and frowned.
“Before I ever came to Nanhe, I often heard Shen Suifeng speak of that little niece of his. Said she was skilled in the arts—music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—well-mannered too, a proper lady clearly raised with great care,” Feng Lezhen chuckled softly. “I didn’t expect such a refined young lady would sneak off to practice abacus in the garden.”
“…She’s just a curious little girl. Still, I thank Your Highness for the reminder. I will discipline her properly,” Shen Suinian said darkly.
Feng Lezhen looked at him, puzzled. “Discipline her for what? Did she do something wrong?”
“Your Highness may not know—here in Nanhe…”
“Women aren’t allowed to engage in business, right?” Feng Lezhen smiled. “But Shen Suifeng is no longer part of the Shen family, and you don’t intend to take concubines or have more children. With a large family like yours, your daughter is the only heir. If you don’t teach her business, how will she manage the family estate in the future?”
“My wife and I will find her a good marriage.” Shen Suinian’s face darkened further at being pressed about family affairs.
Feng Lezhen raised a brow. “Find her a good marriage so the son-in-law can manage your assets? Your customs in Nanhe are truly strange. You’d rather entrust everything to an outsider than your own daughter. Aren’t you afraid that greed will get the better of him and harm your own family in the end?”
“I worry, of course. That’s why I’ll choose carefully. And if it really comes to it, I have relatives in the clan to look after things. There’s no need for Your Highness to worry about my daughter,” Shen Suinian said coldly.
Feng Lezhen curved her lips in a smile, though her eyes remained cold. “What if your clan relatives and your son-in-law join forces to seize the estate?”
“Your Highness—”
“Don’t say such things can’t happen. The Shen family has had its own share of scandals. If your father hadn’t stepped in back then, wouldn’t the Shen family already bear another surname?” Her voice suddenly turned sharp.
Faced with her piercing gaze, Shen Suinian fell silent.
Feng Lezhen’s tone softened again. “Let’s take the worst case. Even if you find a great son-in-law, would that really make your daughter happy?”
“If possible—”
“Compared to a good husband, I think she prefers doing accounts and business.” Feng Lezhen cut him off.
Shen Suinian instinctively wanted to deny it, but thinking of his daughter secretly practicing abacus at noon, the words stuck in his throat.
“When I mentioned her studying abacus just now, you didn’t seem that surprised. You must’ve already known,” Feng Lezhen said with a faint smile. “Understandable. It’s your own daughter—how could she hide it from you?”
Shen Suinian remained silent for a long time. When he finally spoke, his tone was calm. “So what if she likes it? In Nanhe, the rules are everything. I cannot…”
“In Nanhe, women wear veiled hats when going out at night—it’s been that way for years. But if I wanted, I could issue a decree banning veiled hats. Within three days, no one would dare wear one on the streets. Rules? Rules are nothing. Just chains for obedient ghosts.”
“I truly don’t understand why Your Highness came here to say all this,” Shen Suinian said. For the first time, he realized he couldn’t see through the young woman in front of him—nearly twenty years his junior.
Feng Lezhen lifted her eyes and swept him a glance. “When parents love their children, they plan for the long term. Teaching a daughter embroidery and music isn’t enough. If you want her to stand tall, then teach her the skills to stand tall. Your daughter is luckier than I was—she has parents who love her dearly. But she’s also less fortunate—because those same loving parents lack the courage to break convention for her.”
“…Your Highness has said all this. Surely it’s not just to discuss how I raise my daughter?” Shen Suinian frowned tightly.
Feng Lezhen: “Of course not. Do I look like I have that much free time?”
Shen Suinian: “…”
“I just wanted to tell you, Young Master Shen, that the so-called shackles and rules you speak of mean nothing to me. If you want your daughter to inherit your estate openly and honorably, then you’ll have to work with me,” Feng Lezhen’s lips curled upward, the ambition in her eyes impossible to hide. “If you’re willing to trust me, then in due time, I will show you a world where a woman can stand proudly on her own—where you won’t have to entrust your daughter’s future to the conscience of some stranger. This is something only I am willing to do, and something only I can do.”
She rarely spoke so directly; standing beside the candlelight, it was as if her whole person was glowing.
Shen Suinian stared at her in a daze, unsure of how to respond, when a soft voice suddenly came from the doorway: “Daddy.”
Both people in the room froze. A little girl came running over, and Shen Suinian smiled and bent down to scoop her up.
“Daddy,” she said obediently, holding his hand.
“She’s a very pretty girl,” Feng Lezhen smiled. “Even prettier when she’s using the abacus.”
The little girl had already recognized her upon entering, but hadn’t expected her to mention it. Her expression froze, and she nervously looked up at Shen Suinian. “Daddy, I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to…”
Shen Suinian’s heart clenched instantly.
Seeing this, Feng Lezhen said no more and turned to leave. Shen Suinian looked at her slender back and couldn’t help but say, “Your Highness spoke for so long, yet didn’t mention Suifeng once.”
“Why mention him?” Feng Lezhen turned her head slightly. “As long as Eldest Master Shen stops being so stubborn, the things that trouble him now will naturally resolve themselves.”
Shen Suinian was stunned and fell silent.
The carriage swayed as it moved along. Shen Suifeng had asked several questions without getting a reply and had to change tack. “So, my brother gave in to your persuasion?”
“No,” Feng Lezhen came back to herself. “But I planted a seed. One day, he’ll agree.”
The fact that he came to see Shen Suifeng off today was proof enough.
Shen Suifeng laughed. “As expected of Your Highness. Even an old fossil like him could be moved.”
Feng Lezhen closed her eyes for a nap and ignored him.
The carriage fell quiet again. Shen Suifeng watched her calm expression, and just as she was about to fall asleep, he suddenly said, “Thank you.”
Feng Lezhen pretended not to hear.
Shen Suifeng smiled faintly and reached out to cover her with a blanket.
After leaving Nanhe, there wasn’t much time left. The convoy pressed on day and night toward Yingguan, and finally arrived at the city over twenty days later.
Looking up at the austere city walls, Feng Lezhen let out a quiet sigh and turned to Shen Suifeng. “Ready to be given a hard time?”
“What kind of hard time?” Shen Suifeng didn’t take it seriously.
Feng Lezhen looked weary. “You don’t understand.”
