Looking at the sleeping Shen Suifeng, Feng Lezhen suddenly felt her heart calm down. She placed the letter beside his pillow and sat lightly at the edge of the bed.
It had been a long time since she really looked at him. Now that she did, she realized he seemed to have grown thinner. His collarbone, inadvertently exposed, was sharply defined, like a blade that could take a life at any moment. Yet the sharpness that once lingered at the corners of his eyes and brows had faded. He looked far gentler now—so gentle that Feng Lezhen nearly forgot the proud, spirited man he used to be.
She sighed silently, carefully tucking in his blanket. Her fingers brushed his collar and she suddenly noticed that his sleepwear today was a light shade of green—not the white he loved almost to the point of obsession.
Her chest twinged like a pinprick—sharp, sour, and filled with an indescribable feeling.
Shen Suifeng wasn’t sleeping deeply. In a dazed state, he sensed someone holding his hand and suddenly opened his eyes.
“…Your Highness,” he murmured, voice hoarse with sleep.
Feng Lezhen smiled. “Told you not to wait for me, and so you sleep out here instead?”
“Couldn’t let Your Highness sleep in the side room,” Shen Suifeng sat up, pinched her chin, and kissed her. “Why are you back so early today?”
“It’s not early,” Feng Lezhen gave him a sideways glance.
Shen Suifeng chuckled. “If it’s before midnight, it’s early.”
As he spoke, his eyes landed on the letter by his pillow. Glancing once at Feng Lezhen, he picked it up.
“Older brother is coming?” His always-calm eyes suddenly brightened with joy.
Feng Lezhen became jealous. “Really now? You didn’t look this happy even when you saw him for the first time in three years.”
“Seeing family in a foreign land—of course I’m happy,” Shen Suifeng’s smile deepened.
Since being with her, he had always smiled—wry smiles, teasing ones, sarcastic, helpless, or joyful. But only now did Feng Lezhen realize that he hadn’t smiled so freely, so genuinely, in a long time.
She looked at him, suddenly wanting to ask if he had truly been happy all this time. But when the words reached her lips, she couldn’t bring herself to speak.
“Your Highness?” Shen Suifeng looked puzzled.
Feng Lezhen paused. “…Mm. Since you’re happy, shouldn’t we prepare a bit, to make Shen Suinian feel right at home?”
“Your Highness wants to use me again?” Shen Suifeng raised an eyebrow.
Feng Lezhen laughed. “Not using you—I just want to treat him well so he won’t feel like refusing me.”
Shen Suifeng didn’t believe her but still tucked the words away in his heart. The next morning, he led several servants to clean the guest room and even ran around the city buying ornaments and bedding his brother would like.
He was so busy all day that Ah Ye couldn’t help but sigh, “Master Shen suddenly looks like he’s alive again.”
Feng Lezhen’s expression stayed calm. “Was he dead before?”
“Not dead, but close,” Ah Ye laughed. “He used to sit at home all day waiting for Your Highness—he was practically turning into one of those ‘husband-watching stones.’ He was gentle and warm, sure, but it was like the stillness of twilight—dead air. You wouldn’t know, but…”
She trailed off, glancing toward Feng Lezhen. Their eyes met, and her smile froze.
“Why did you stop talking?” Feng Lezhen asked evenly.
“N-no reason,” Ah Ye shut up immediately. Her instincts screamed at her to stay quiet.
Feng Lezhen didn’t seem to mind and merely turned her gaze back to Shen Suifeng, who was instructing servants on furniture placement. “I really have neglected him too much lately.”
Ah Ye gave a nervous chuckle and quietly played dead.
After three days of busywork, Shen Suifeng finally finished preparing the guest room. But with nothing left to do, it was as if his soul had drained away. He returned to that state of listlessness—unable to muster interest in anything. Except now, in addition to waiting for Feng Lezhen every day, he had one more person to wait for.
After waiting nearly ten days, Shen Suinian finally arrived in Yingguan.
Very few people knew about the brotherly relationship between Shen Suifeng and Shen Suinian, so this time he came without fanfare and went directly to the Eldest Princess’s residence upon arrival.
At the time, Feng Lezhen was in the government office discussing matters. Shen Suifeng was alone, sitting beneath a tree in the residence, reading a book with great focus—until a pair of boots suddenly appeared in front of him.
His heart gave a jolt, and he suddenly didn’t dare look up.
“What are you staring blankly for?”
A familiar voice rang out. Shen Suifeng slowly looked up, and as soon as his eyes met his brother’s, the corners of his eyes turned red. “Brother…”
“You’re not going to cry, are you?” Shen Suinian teased as he pulled him to his feet. “What are you doing sitting here?”
“Nothing, just reading,” Shen Suifeng grinned happily. “I’ve been waiting for you for days. You’ve finally come.”
Shen Suinian glanced sideways at him. “What, missed me?”
“…Is it shameful to say I missed my brother?” Shen Suifeng raised an eyebrow.
Shen Suinian chuckled and walked with him toward the guest room.
“Her Highness showed me your letter the moment it arrived and told me to make preparations so you’d feel right at home,” Shen Suifeng said as he brought him inside. “I arranged all of this myself—the bedding and mattress are newly bought. Brother, see if you like it?”
“Since you prepared it, of course it’s the best,” Shen Suinian gave him a glance. “Her Highness was clever to have you do the arrangements—now I’d feel bad nitpicking.”
Shen Suifeng laughed. “Isn’t that the truth? She’s the smartest of us all.”
His tone was teasing, but held no dissatisfaction.
Shen Suinian smiled silently. “Have you been well? Is Her Highness treating you well?”
Then he added in self-mockery, “Why do I sound like I’m checking in on a newly married daughter?”
Shen Suifeng laughed at the comment. “Don’t worry, Her Highness treats me very well. We’re both doing great.”
Shen Suinian nodded. “You’ve been in Yingguan since before the new year?”
“Yes.”
“You’ve been like a little bird without feet since your teens, always flying around. I’ve rarely seen you stay in one place for so long,” Shen Suinian looked into his eyes. “Don’t you feel bored? Ever think about going back out to travel and practice medicine again?”
Shen Suifeng’s smile faded for a brief moment but quickly returned. “With Her Highness by my side, how could I feel bored?”
“Then you—”
“Brother, try this sticky rice cake. I think you’ll like it.” Shen Suifeng changed the subject.
“You brat, what haven’t I eaten before?” Shen Suinian scolded with a laugh, but dropped the previous topic.
The brothers stayed together until midday, when Feng Lezhen finally arrived. As soon as she saw Shen Suinian, she smiled and said, “Young Master Shen, I’ve finally waited you out.”
“Greetings, Your Highness.” Shen Suinian rose to salute.
“We’re all family, no need for formality,” Feng Lezhen lightly helped him up.
Shen Suinian smiled but didn’t argue.
“Your Highness, Brother, shall we have lunch?” Shen Suifeng stepped in.
Feng Lezhen’s smile softened: “Alright.”
The three moved to the dining room, where the table was already full of dishes. Shen Suifeng served both Shen Suinian and Feng Lezhen, bustling around enthusiastically.
“You should sit and eat too,” Feng Lezhen said helplessly.
“I’m not hungry. Don’t worry about me,” Shen Suifeng replied.
“How could we not worry about you?” Feng Lezhen firmly pushed him into a seat and personally scooped him a bowl of porridge.
Shen Suifeng thanked her and took it, and Feng Lezhen added a bit of sugar for him.
The two moved in sync, clearly used to this. Shen Suinian noticed the harmony between them and lowered his eyes, focusing on his own meal.
After lunch, Shen Suifeng, knowing they had matters to discuss, sensibly excused himself. Feng Lezhen and Shen Suinian entered the study, and with Shen Suifeng gone, the atmosphere grew noticeably colder.
“I thought you’d wait a while longer before coming. I didn’t expect you to change your mind so quickly,” Feng Lezhen broke the silence.
Shen Suinian looked up. “Why would Your Highness think that even if I didn’t come now, I would eventually come?”
Feng Lezhen smiled faintly. “Because Young Master Shen is a clever man—and clever people always know who they should work with.”
Shen Suinian gave a short laugh. “The Shen family rules teach us not to work with anyone.”
Feng Lezhen raised an eyebrow, about to speak, when he continued: “But helping the people of Yingguan is an honor for the Shen family.”
“Yingguan’s rice is fragrant and chewy, but the price has always been low because unscrupulous rice merchants siphon off profits through multiple layers. If the Shen family’s merchant fleet could sell it directly, the people would get more silver, and Shen family rice would gain a unique label. It’s a win-win,” Feng Lezhen explained seriously.
Selling paper was lucrative, but the supply was limited. The profits weren’t enough to support her long-term plans. If Yingguan was to truly prosper, she had to work from its basic livelihood—and the only person capable of buying up all the rice from Yingguan was Shen Suinian.
“What Your Highness says is true. But the Shen firm runs hundreds of different trades. Rice and grain have thin profit margins, and Your Highness’s current offer is rather meager. The Shen firm has no reason to invest everything to buy up all the rice.”
“I’m not asking you to invest everything. You can take the rice and sell it, and after taking your profit, return the rest of the silver to Yingguan,” Feng Lezhen said directly.
Shen Suinian replied, “But when Your Highness buys the rice, surely you can’t say that to the commoners, can you?”
“I’ll front the silver to pay the people. I made some money from selling paper, and I’ll use my private funds too—it should be enough,” Feng Lezhen had already planned it out.
Shen Suinian smiled. “In that case, the books and accounts—whether they look good or not—will be entirely up to me. How much Yingguan gets back will depend entirely on my conscience.”
“What a coincidence—what I trust most is Young Master Shen’s conscience,” Feng Lezhen curved her lips into a smile.
The two fell into a silent stare, neither speaking further.
After a long pause, Shen Suinian slowly spoke. “This commoner is willing to give it a try with Your Highness, and I won’t let you shoulder the risk alone. As for the capital needed to buy the rice, I’m willing to split it fifty-fifty with Your Highness.”
Feng Lezhen’s gaze shifted slightly. She didn’t believe he would be that kind.
Sure enough, he suddenly looked her in the eye. “But I have one condition.”
“Speak freely.”
“I want Your Highness to separate from my younger brother, Shen Suifeng.”
Before his voice had fully faded, the spacious study fell into sudden silence.
The smile at the corner of Feng Lezhen’s lips didn’t fade, but her eyes gradually grew cold. “What does Young Master Shen mean by this?”
“I have eyes. I can see that Your Highness treats him well. But surely, Your Highness can also see that he’s unhappy by your side,” Shen Suinian said, then paused briefly. “He’s willing to stay, but he’s not happy staying. Precisely because he’s not happy deep down, he was so overly joyful when he saw me—too joyful.”
“I think Shen Suifeng is quite happy. Perhaps you’re mistaken, Young Master Shen.” Even Feng Lezhen couldn’t maintain her smile by now.
Shen Suinian gave a light laugh. “Does Your Highness know how long it had been since I last saw him before we met at Nanhe?”
Without waiting for her reply, he answered himself. “Nearly three years. We hadn’t seen each other for three years, yet he wasn’t as glad then as he is now, after just a few months apart. Is Your Highness not curious why?”
“Because to him, these few months have felt longer than those three years. Or rather, he has suffered more grievances in these few months than in those three years…”
“I have never made him suffer.” Feng Lezhen interrupted coldly.
“I believe Your Highness has never mistreated him. But Your Highness—just because you give him food, clothes, and so-called wealth and status, does that mean he hasn’t suffered? He’s always been carefree and unrestrained. Since the age of twelve, he never stayed in the same place for more than three months. And now? He stays in this four-walled residence every day, with so much free time he picks out beddings and ornaments for me. Does Your Highness truly believe he’s not suffering?”
“Renaming Yunzhi to Wenya—‘to hear a tune and understand its meaning’—Your Highness really will use any means necessary to achieve her ends. But when making decisions, did you consider how he would feel?”
“He didn’t object,” Feng Lezhen replied blandly.
“Not objecting means agreement?” When it came to his brother, the usually gentle and composed Shen Suinian became aggressive. “He’s the youngest of the Shen family, spoiled from birth. Even when he went against the family to study medicine, no one scolded him. Precisely because he’s been so spoiled, he grew up jealous, temperamental, and self-centered. I’m sure Your Highness witnessed his strange temper when you first met. What now? Have you seen him behave so meekly for so long that you’ve forgotten his real nature?”
“Your Highness, he’s been suppressing himself for you. You might not feel it, but as his older brother, I can. Even from faraway Nanhe, I could feel it. That’s why I came. I came to Yingguan, willing to go against the family’s ancestral rules and work with Your Highness—just to ask that you let him go.”
Every word Shen Suinian said was sharp. Feng Lezhen’s expression remained calm, but her fingers, hidden inside her sleeve, trembled slightly.
After a long silence, she finally heard her own steady voice say, “Shen Suifeng is not a three-year-old child. If he truly felt so wronged, he would have left long ago. He wouldn’t need you to speak for him.”
Shen Suinian gave a small smile. “My brother is excellent in every way—his biggest flaw is his attachment. Once someone enters his heart, he’ll never be the first to walk away. That’s why I ask Your Highness to be the one to end it.”
“Your Highness, some birds are suited to being kept in cages. But some birds… if you cage them, they’ll die.” His voice had grown hoarse.
“What if I refuse?” Feng Lezhen asked.
The last warmth in Shen Suinian’s eyes disappeared. “Then let the rice in Yingguan rot in the granaries. If I don’t give the word, not a single one of the seventy-two merchant guilds of Great Qian will come to Yingguan.”
Feng Lezhen smiled faintly. “Are you threatening me?”
“Your Highness is free to threaten me in return. For example…” Shen Suinian looked her straight in the eye. “You could threaten the lives of the hundreds in the Shen family—or my brother.”
But if it came to that, she and Shen Suifeng would be impossible too. So no matter what, he would get what he wanted.
Feng Lezhen’s gaze turned colder and colder. “Then let’s wait and see.”
Shen Suinian met her eyes for a long moment, then smiled and stepped back. “No need to rush to a decision, Your Highness. Since I’ve come, I won’t be leaving anytime soon. Take your time to consider.”
With nothing more to say, Feng Lezhen turned and left.
Shen Suifeng was still under the tree in the front courtyard, reading with an air of leisure. Feng Lezhen stood at a distance for a moment, watching him until he stood up to greet her.
“Your Highness,” he walked over and glanced behind her, “where’s my brother?”
“I’m here,” Shen Suinian’s voice sounded from behind.
He and Feng Lezhen exchanged calm, unreadable expressions, as if nothing had happened.
The sunlight was warm that day, making one feel lazy. Shen Suifeng folded his arms and looked at the two of them. “So, all settled?”
“Not that easy. Still needs further discussion,” Shen Suinian replied.
Shen Suifeng had no interest in their so-called business. He just smiled and put an arm around each of them. “Since you haven’t reached a conclusion, then let’s put it aside for now. The real priority is figuring out what’s for dinner.”
“…You’re already thinking about dinner? We just finished lunch,” Feng Lezhen said helplessly.
Shen Suifeng chuckled, “Isn’t eating three meals a day the whole point of living?”
Shen Suinian frowned slightly, but when Shen Suifeng looked over again, he lifted the corners of his lips into a smile.
Although the discussion between Feng Lezhen and Shen Suinian had broken down, it wasn’t to the point of throwing him out. So Shen Suinian stayed in the guest room. The two would still exchange pleasantries when they crossed paths, as if the tense confrontation in the study had been nothing more than a dream.
The weather was getting hotter by the day—but then suddenly turned cold again. Summer in Yingguan was as brief as spring and autumn; only the winter nights stretched on endlessly.
This year saw a great rice harvest. As agreed in the contracts, the people carried sacks of fresh rice to exchange for silver from Feng Lezhen and the prefecture office. Since they were dealing with the government, even the craftiest folks didn’t dare cut corners—every sack delivered was the best from their stores, with not a grain of old rice mixed in.
As the contract after contract was honored, the government silver flowed out like water. The profits from paper-making were soon exhausted. Feng Lezhen had to sell off her personal assets to cobble together enough funds to hold out a few more days.
But it still wasn’t nearly enough.
“…Your Highness, what should we do now?” Hu Wensheng began to panic again.
Feng Lezhen casually scooped up a handful of fresh rice, her expression unreadable. “The rice the people brought is so good—we can’t let them down.”
“But… but the prefecture office really doesn’t have any more money…” Hu Wensheng was holding his head in distress.
Feng Lezhen looked up. “Isn’t there still that military fund that hasn’t been allocated?”
Hu Wensheng froze, his face instantly going pale. “T-that’s the funds for Zhenbian Marquis’s garrison—it’s meant to be distributed to the soldiers at the end of September for winter expenses. It can’t be touched!”
“There’s still time before the end of September. When the time comes, we’ll just give it along with the salary I promised them. There’s time.” Feng Lezhen made the decision firmly. That was that.
Hu Wensheng sat blankly at the table for a long time before gritting his teeth and calling in the head clerk. “That military fund meant for Zhenbian Marquis—use it to purchase the new rice first…”
Anyway, things were already like this. Could it really get worse?
It could.
The rice merchants who usually arrived a month early in Yingguan to buy rice all suddenly left—as if by prior agreement. Even the Shen family’s trading fleet, which was usually a permanent fixture in Yingguan, vanished overnight.
Yingguan was remote, with few merchants. Some goods could only be bought from the caravans. With them suddenly gone, many locals began to feel the strain. Hu Wensheng, as governor, couldn’t understand what was going on and had no choice but to ask Feng Lezhen.
“They’ll be back,” she said calmly.
Hu Wensheng hesitated. “Is there… any timeline?”
Feng Lezhen suddenly fell silent.
Hu Wensheng sighed and brought up the disappearance of the rice merchants. Feng Lezhen lowered her eyes and said nothing.
With no resolution in sight, the two stared blankly at each other for a long while before Feng Lezhen turned and went back to the Eldest Princess’s Residence.
Inside, the culprit was currently drinking tea and enjoying the view with Shen Suifeng. When Feng Lezhen returned, he even came forward to greet her. “Your Highness is back.”
“Young Master Shen certainly seems to be in good spirits,” Feng Lezhen smiled.
Shen Suinian smiled too. “It’s a rare moment of leisure, so I thought I’d spend more time with Suifeng. Your Highness doesn’t mind, I hope?”
“What’s there to mind?” Feng Lezhen said as she strode toward Shen Suifeng. “What have you been up to today?”
“Paid a visit to the marquis’s estate. Spent the rest of the time drinking tea with my brother,” Shen Suifeng tidied her sleeve. “And Your Highness?”
“There was a bit of trouble at the prefecture. I’ve been trying to find a solution,” Feng Lezhen said gently.
“Has Your Highness come up with a solution?” That came from Shen Suinian.
Feng Lezhen smiled. “Young Master Shen seems very concerned.”
“A lowly commoner wouldn’t dare.” Shen Suinian’s lips curled faintly. The two exchanged glances, mutually displeased.
Shen Suifeng’s smile remained unchanged. He pulled them both to the table. “If there’s anything Your Highness needs help with, just ask my brother. Even if it’s only for my sake, he’ll help you.”
“You used to stay out of my business with Her Highness. Now you’re volunteering me for promises? Truly, your heart has turned completely,” Shen Suinian teased.
Shen Suifeng ignored him and turned to Feng Lezhen. “You can ask me for help too, Your Highness.”
Feng Lezhen wanted to tap into his sizable private funds, but after that earlier argument with Shen Suinian, even she couldn’t shamelessly bring it up. So she only laughed lightly. “Don’t worry, I can handle it myself.”
“Don’t try to act strong,” Shen Suifeng frowned.
Feng Lezhen pretended to be annoyed. “Do I look like someone who pretends to be strong?”
Shen Suifeng laughed. “True—Your Highness always handles everything flawlessly.”
The two started ignoring everyone else again. Shen Suinian frowned, clearly uncomfortable, and left. Feng Lezhen glanced in the direction he departed, her gaze turning cold.
“Your Highness.”
Shen Suifeng’s voice came from beside her. She turned to look at him.
“If my brother has displeased Your Highness in any way, I hope you’ll spare him—for my sake,” Shen Suifeng said slowly.
Feng Lezhen was slightly startled, then forced a smile. “What are you saying? Why would I—”
Before she could finish, she met his knowing gaze.
She was silent for a long time, then finally nodded. “I understand.”
