Inside the yamen, Hu Wensheng was dizzy from balancing accounts with his abacus. Looking up and seeing Feng Lezhen leisurely sipping tea and nibbling on snacks, he couldn’t help but complain, “Your Highness! Even if you don’t want to help, you don’t have to eat and drink in front of me on purpose, do you?”
“I skipped breakfast. What’s wrong with eating a little here?” Feng Lezhen lazily glanced at him.
Hu Wensheng, though annoyed, didn’t dare protest further and went back to bitterly reconciling the accounts.
Seeing his miserable appearance, Feng Lezhen almost laughed. “No need to be upset. The yamen’s income has increased year by year. Managing the subordinates is most important. Only when you, the governor, personally check the books can you intimidate those who are tempted to embezzle.”
“Your Highness doing the audits would be even more intimidating. Why don’t I see you stepping in?” Hu Wensheng dared to retort only because he had worked with her for years and knew her temperament.
Feng Lezhen shot him a look. “Because I don’t want to do the work.”
Hu Wensheng: “…”
Feng Lezhen slowly finished her tea and snacks, then glanced at the increasingly haggard Hu Wensheng. A rare trace of conscience surfaced. “Shen Suinian probably brought quite a few bookkeepers with him this time. Let them handle the rest of the reconciliation.”
“That won’t do. Official accounts shouldn’t be handed over to a merchant,” Hu Wensheng refused without even thinking.
“They’re just numbers on the ledger. If you don’t tell them which entries are which, they could guess until their brains burst and still figure out nothing,” Feng Lezhen said as she calmly set down her cup.
Hu Wensheng hesitated, still uneasy. “…Then how can Your Highness be sure they can be trusted?”
“They’re all outsiders, came straight into the yamen, and haven’t had any chance to interact with your subordinates. How can they not be trusted?” Feng Lezhen glanced at him. “If you’re still uneasy, hand them the ledgers you’ve already checked. If their figures match yours, then you can trust them with the rest.”
“Right! Why didn’t I think of that? Your Highness is really clever…” Hu Wensheng started, then suddenly realized something. “Wait, did you already plan all this and just make me suffer through these books on purpose?”
Feng Lezhen gave a little cough and hadn’t replied yet when a yamen runner came in to report: “Your Highness, Governor—Shen Suinian has arrived.”
“Invite him in quickly.” Feng Lezhen stood and walked toward the door.
“Your Highness, you haven’t answered me yet,” Hu Wensheng called as he followed. “If that was your plan, you could’ve just had the underlings handle it. Why drag me into this? I’ve been poring over ledgers day and night lately—my brain is about to—”
“Master Shen!” Feng Lezhen spotted the figure entering the courtyard and greeted him warmly.
Hu Wensheng immediately shut up and adopted a stern, dignified air befitting a high governor.
“Greetings, Your Highness. Greetings, Governor,” Shen Suinian was startled by Feng Lezhen’s enthusiasm, but kept a calm smile and bowed politely.
Feng Lezhen smiled. “We’re all friends here, no need to be so formal.”
“Yes, Master Shen, no need for ceremony,” Hu Wensheng added with a mild smile.
“I was going to deliver the ledgers to the yamen first and then pay my respects to Her Highness at the Eldest Princess’s residence. I didn’t expect Your Highness to be here,” Shen Suinian said, a little awkwardly.
Feng Lezhen was in an excellent mood. “I heard Master Shen was arriving today, so I came early and waited here especially for you.”
“That’s right. Her Highness came before sunrise—just to wait for Master Shen,” Hu Wensheng added, his tone dripping with passive-aggressive resentment over his sleepless nights, no longer able to maintain any semblance of dignity.
“Please don’t call me ‘Master Shen’ anymore,” Shen Suinian said helplessly. “Every time I hear it, I get nervous. I’m the eldest of my family, so if it pleases Your Highness and the Governor, just call me Shen Dalang.”
“It’s just a title—what does it matter what we call you?” Feng Lezhen said with a smile. “I’ve already read the letter you sent some time ago. Thanks to you, the new rice this year sold for ten percent more profit than last year. You’ve worked hard, Dalang.”
“The rice sold well because Yingguan is blessed with excellent geography. It had little to do with me,” Shen Suinian said modestly.
“Dalang, you’re too humble,” Hu Wensheng replied politely.
“Not at all. I mean every word.”
“Too modest, too modest…”
“Alright, it’s freezing cold—enough with the formalities. Let’s talk inside.” Feng Lezhen interrupted, turning back toward the main hall. Hu Wensheng immediately followed.
The two of them had only walked a few steps when they realized Shen Suinian hadn’t followed. They turned in unison to look back.
“Something else?” Feng Lezhen asked.
“Well…” Shen Suinian hesitated for once.
From his expression, Feng Lezhen faintly sensed something. Her heart stirred slightly—and in the next moment, a clear, leisurely voice rang out:
“It’s been a long time since I’ve come. This yamen looks more grand than before. Seems Yingguan has really been…”
Their eyes met—and the words abruptly halted.
He was dressed in white, his features clear and elegant, still as unrestrained and confident as in the past. The smile hadn’t yet left her lips, and when she looked at him, her expression remained calm: “Long time no see. Have you been well?”
Shen Suifeng looked steadily at her, then gave a short laugh after a moment. “Very well. And you, Your Highness?”
“I’m well too,” Feng Lezhen replied.
They said nothing further. Silence wrapped around them like something tangible.
Hu Wensheng glanced at one, then the other, and finally at Shen Suinian. Suddenly, he had a stunning realization: “Doctor Shen… you’re the younger brother who was expelled from the family records at a young age?!”
That one shout shattered all the complex emotions of the reunion.
Feng Lezhen gave him a slow, sidelong glance and turned to walk back into the hall.
“Your Highness… I…” Hu Wensheng wavered indecisively, then hurried after her.
Shen Suinian pinched the bridge of his nose and turned to Shen Suifeng. “I didn’t expect her to be at the yamen. Maybe you should go back to the post station first—”
“No need, Brother. Come on, let’s have some tea inside.” Shen Suifeng replied casually, strolling after them.
Shen Suinian looked silently at his younger brother’s back for a moment, then sighed and followed.
In the main hall, where the floor heating had already been lit, Feng Lezhen sat at the head seat, Hu Wensheng to her lower right, and the Shen brothers on the lower left.
This visit of Shen Suinian’s was partly to reconcile this year’s accounts and partly to express loyalty. In the past two years, Feng Ji had created quite a few burdensome policies, causing discontent both at court and among the people. With no heir in sight, the throne remained unsteady. In contrast, Feng Lezhen had flourished in Yingguan, with word of her growing reputation spreading beyond, to the point that people occasionally remarked: if only she were a man, she might revive the prosperity of the late emperor’s reign.
And once rumors like that take root, it’s not far from saying: “So what if she’s a woman? As long as she can bring peace to the people, it doesn’t matter who sits on the throne.” Rumors might be small things—but shifts in the hearts of the people were not. The Eldest Princess of today was no longer just a figurehead from the late emperor’s time.
The Shen family, being savvy merchants, naturally understood the value of aligning with the right people. Since they were already entangled with the Princess’s faction, they might as well pledge loyalty early. If she ever truly succeeded, they might gain credit for supporting the right dragon, ensuring prosperity for the Shen family for a century.
While the three in the hall discussed serious matters, Shen Suifeng sipped tea and nibbled pastries, perfectly at ease.
Since entering the room, Feng Lezhen had spoken only with Hu Wensheng and Shen Suinian, never once looking in his direction—until he reached for a lotus-paste pastry. Then she suddenly spoke up: “The lotus pastries today are too sweet. Don’t eat too many.”
The moment she said that, both Hu Wensheng and Shen Suinian immediately fell silent.
Shen Suifeng’s outstretched hand paused for a long moment before he slowly picked up a different cake beside the pastry and took a calm bite.
Feng Lezhen remained composed, ignoring the strange atmosphere in the room, and turned to ask Hu Wensheng about the ledgers.
Hu Wensheng, still mentally buffering, looked up blankly. “Ah… oh, yes—the ledgers, the ledgers…”
Feng Lezhen tugged at the corner of her mouth and didn’t bother responding.
Before they knew it, it was already noon. Hu Wensheng glanced at the sky and took the initiative. “It’s getting late, and we’ve got more accounting to do this afternoon. Why not have a page buy some food from a restaurant, and we’ll just eat here at the yamen?”
No one objected, so Hu Wensheng went to give instructions and returned to continue the discussion.
“The national treasury has been empty for a long time, and many government matters have stalled. I heard a rumor that His Majesty intends to raise taxes. I don’t know if it’s true,” Shen Suinian asked cautiously after thinking for a moment.
Feng Lezhen looked at him. “It’s likely true.”
“How much of an increase?” he pressed.
“That I don’t know. But he hasn’t lost all sense—he only plans to squeeze merchants for money, not the common folk,” Feng Lezhen said slowly.
Shen Suinian gave a bitter laugh. “These past two years, the taxes supposedly haven’t risen, but the emperor always finds a reason to demand money from merchants. If there’s now a public hike, who knows how many will go out of business… Your Highness truly has no way to stop it?”
“He seems determined this time,” Feng Lezhen replied, frowning slightly. “I’m curious too. He’s never been a resolute person—why is he so unshakable now, refusing to listen to anyone?”
“That’s because he urgently needs money.”
A cool, calm voice interrupted. Everyone in the room turned toward the door—except Shen Suifeng, who continued idly playing with his teacup.
Qi Jingqing entered the room, lightly coughing into his sleeve, pushed in by his pageboy.
The first moment Hu Wensheng saw him, only two words popped into his head—
It’s over.
If he remembered correctly, wasn’t this current shizi residing at the Eldest Princess’s residence? And the person sitting over there… wasn’t that Her Highness’s former lover?
He silently took a deep breath and glanced anxiously at the door, repeatedly thinking about which route would let him run out fastest to call for help—just in case a fight broke out.
While Hu Wensheng’s mind was running wild, Feng Lezhen smiled, poured a cup of hot tea, and walked toward Qi Jingqing. “Why did you suddenly come?”
“To deliver some news to Your Highness,” Qi Jingqing replied, eyes bright, looking up at her from his wheelchair.
Feng Lezhen handed him the cup of tea. “What news?”
“Hasn’t Your Highness been wondering why the censor left so suddenly?” Qi Jingqing cupped the teacup with both hands. The warmth slowly spread through his palms, and even the tightness in his chest seemed to ease a little. “It’s because there’s unrest in the south. He had to return quickly to help the Emperor stabilize the situation.”
“The south?” Feng Lezhen was surprised.
“More precisely, the Lingnan region. His Majesty issued an edict to divert water and build a canal from there to the capital. The local authorities conscripted many commoners to work, but while the labor was heavy, the pay was embezzled by the officials. The people couldn’t bear it and rose up in revolt,” Qi Jingqing calmly relayed the information he had received. “Ultimately, the fault lies with the Emperor. Of course, he doesn’t want the matter to blow up, so he secretly dispatched General Yang Cheng of Guangfu to suppress the unrest. He poured money into the campaign like water, yet the rebellion still hasn’t been quelled and is showing signs of escalation. That’s why they’re now desperately scraping for silver.”
Feng Lezhen was silent for a long while after hearing this, her emotions difficult to describe. “That fool… he still hasn’t given up on that canal project? And Fu Zhixian didn’t stop him?”
At the mention of Fu Zhixian, neither Shen Suifeng nor Qi Jingqing reacted. Instead, Hu Wensheng looked around nervously, terrified that someone would suddenly lash out in anger.
“Lord Fu probably doesn’t know yet,” Qi Jingqing replied. “Our Emperor seems intent on secretly accomplishing something grand, something that will make the world look at him differently. That’s why he’s gone to such lengths to keep it quiet. If I hadn’t sent someone personally to Lingnan, I probably wouldn’t have known either.”
Feng Lezhen let out a cold chuckle. “And Yang Cheng? He’s been down there long enough—shouldn’t the matter be resolved by now?”
“It’s more or less settled,” Qi Jingqing nodded.
Feng Lezhen frowned deeply. “Yang Cheng is ruthless. Who knows how many civilians suffered because of him.”
Qi Jingqing paused, recalling the words “countless casualties” in the report his men brought back. After a moment of silence, he answered, “After two battles, they paid the workers who surrendered voluntarily. Yang Cheng is now stationed in Lingnan. I suppose… there won’t be more trouble.”
Feng Lezhen took a deep breath, her expression grim. After a long moment, she turned to Shen Suinian. “Does the Shen family have any businesses in Lingnan?”
“In recent years, we’ve focused mostly on the Central Plains. We only have a few shops over there, and our trade caravans rarely pass through. That’s why we hadn’t heard about the rebellion until now,” Shen Suinian explained.
“How much silver can those few shops raise at most?” Feng Lezhen asked again.
Shen Suinian paused. “If we empty everything—500,000 taels.”
But once they turned over that amount, the shops would have to shut down temporarily.
“That’s enough. Treat this silver as a loan to me. I’ll repay it in installments,” she said. If she were to prepare silver herself and send it to Lingnan, the risks along the journey would be high, and even upon arrival it would be too conspicuous. It was better to draw funds from within the region. Frowning, she composed herself and looked to Qi Jingqing. “Jingqing—”
“I’ve got people over there. If Your Highness needs them, just say the word,” Qi Jingqing clearly understood what she was thinking.
Feng Lezhen tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Once the silver is ready, have them deliver it to the affected people—quietly. Do not alert the local officials or Yang Cheng.”
She sincerely wanted to aid the innocent victims but had no intention of making it known. If this act of charity became public, the silver could turn into a death sentence for those who received it.
Qi Jingqing understood the stakes and nodded, preparing to leave, but Feng Lezhen stopped him: “There’s no rush. Eat first.”
Shen Suifeng looked up at her, but could only see her back.
Qi Jingqing remained calm. “I’ve already eaten. Has Your Highness not had anything yet?”
Before Feng Lezhen could answer, Hu Wensheng was already heading to the door, calling as he went, “It’s here, it’s here! The food’s arrived!”
Feng Lezhen smiled again and turned back to Qi Jingqing. “Eat a bit more?”
Qi Jingqing looked at her for a long moment, then smiled and nodded. “Alright.”
The serious matters had been addressed—ignoring things any longer would seem forced. Qi Jingqing first nodded to Shen Suinian, then turned to the silent Shen Suifeng. “Doctor Shen, it’s been a while. Have you been well?”
Shen Suifeng gave a quiet laugh. “You and Her Highness…”
Hu Wensheng, still at the door directing the servants to bring in the food, immediately tensed up.
“…truly are old friends. Even your greetings follow the same script,” Shen Suifeng lazily finished.
Qi Jingqing chuckled. “Her Highness and I… do share a certain understanding.”
Understanding, huh… Hu Wensheng was breaking into a cold sweat and forced himself to break in, “The food is ready, Your Highness…”
“Let’s take our seats,” Feng Lezhen nodded and walked over to the main seat. The others followed.
Qi Jingqing settled to her right. Hu Wensheng instinctively went to her left, but caught a glimpse of Shen Suifeng from the corner of his eye and hesitated—until Shen Suifeng took a seat directly across from Feng Lezhen. Although he didn’t know why the man didn’t sit beside Her Highness, Hu Wensheng let out a genuine sigh of relief.
“Your Highness, have some soup.” Qi Jingqing signaled the pageboy to ladle a bowl and handed it to her personally.
As Feng Lezhen had just accepted the bowl of soup, Shen Suifeng’s leisurely voice drifted from across the table: “Hot soup shouldn’t be drunk immediately. It’s best to wait until it cools a bit.”
“It’s freezing outside. Drinking hot soup warms the body,” Qi Jingqing replied calmly.
Shen Suifeng raised an eyebrow slightly. “The room already has a heated floor. If you add hot soup to that, it’ll be too much. I’m a doctor, so don’t argue with me, Shizi.”
“Oh? So being a doctor means you know everything?” Qi Jingqing asked.
Shen Suifeng responded without missing a beat: “That’s exactly what being a doctor means.”
The atmosphere froze. The two men turned to look at Feng Lezhen.
Hu Wensheng sat on pins and needles, itching to flip the table and leave, but he didn’t dare. All he could do was keep his eyes on his nose, his nose on his heart, pretending to see and hear nothing.
“Lord, have some food,” Shen Suinian cheerfully reminded, and everyone’s gaze instantly turned to him.
The corner of Hu Wensheng’s mouth twitched. After a long pause, he finally mumbled, “…I’m actually not that hungry. No need to mind me, Dalang.”
Shen Suinian simply smiled and continued eating.
Meanwhile, the two others remained locked in a silent standoff. Feng Lezhen, seated in the eye of the storm, calmly took a sip of the soup in front of both of them. Shen Suifeng turned his gaze away, while Qi Jingqing let out a quiet laugh.
“When things settle down in the next few days, Suifeng, take Jingqing’s pulse. He’s been feeling tightness in his chest lately, and he looks like he hasn’t much energy,” Feng Lezhen said slowly.
Hu Wensheng gasped inwardly. If he had his way, he’d throttle Feng Lezhen on the spot and demand to know what was wrong with her—asking the ex-lover to examine the current one? Was she not afraid the ex might poison the current?
But alas, he couldn’t say any of that. He could only try to send warning signals with his eyes.
“Also examine the Governor. His eyes look uncomfortable,” Feng Lezhen added.
Hu Wensheng: “…”
“Of course,” Shen Suifeng agreed with a smile.
“Then I’ll trouble Doctor Shen,” Qi Jingqing also said with a smile.
Feng Lezhen finished her bowl of soup, then picked up her chopsticks unhurriedly. “Now, can we eat in peace?”
No one spoke. Silence at last. Feng Lezhen ate quietly, occasionally placing food on Qi Jingqing’s plate. Sometimes, when Shen Suifeng reached for something he hadn’t tried yet, she would gently remind him whether it suited his taste. The whole meal was handled with grace and calm, completely under control.
Afterward, the Shen brothers returned to the posthouse, Qi Jingqing went back to the Eldest Princess’s residence, and only Hu Wensheng was left staring at her with deep admiration.
“What?” Feng Lezhen asked expressionlessly.
Hu Wensheng sighed with feeling: “I have one wife and two concubines at home, and they’re always at each other’s throats. I used to think they were just being petty, but now I see—it’s really because I have no skill in managing them!”
Feng Lezhen: “Why are you talking so much?”
Hu Wensheng shrank back but couldn’t help asking, “Now that Doctor Shen is back, how do you plan to… arrange things?”
“Arrange what?” Feng Lezhen asked back.
Hu Wensheng said, “Don’t play dumb. You know exactly what I mean, Your Highness. You should really think this through. If Doctor Shen were just Doctor Shen, you could do whatever you want—but now he’s also the younger brother of the wealthiest merchant in the empire. If you don’t handle it properly, it could impact your foundation.”
“If I go out of my way to arrange things for him, that would be the thing that harms the foundation,” Feng Lezhen said, casting him a glance.
Hu Wensheng paused. “Why?”
Feng Lezhen couldn’t be bothered to answer. She simply pulled out an account book. “Since you’re so free, why don’t you verify this?”
Hu Wensheng: “…”
There were dozens, if not over a hundred, account books in the government office each year, and reconciling them was both slow and tedious. In the end, the task still fell to Shen Suinian. He didn’t refuse, but this meant he had to stay longer in Yingguan. Living at the posthouse was no longer suitable, so after some thought, he moved into a local inn in the city.
Shen Suinian spent every day at the office, leaving only Shen Suifeng alone at the inn. After resting for two days, on the evening of the third day, Shen Suifeng went to the Eldest Princess’s residence.
“Her Highness isn’t in,” Qi Jingqing said, looking coolly at the uninvited guest.
Shen Suifeng glanced at him. “I came to see you.”
Qi Jingqing frowned. “What for?”
“A doctor visiting a patient—what else?” Shen Suifeng replied with a smile, casually walking to the table and sitting down. Qi Jingqing remained standing.
“What are you standing there for? Come over,” Shen Suifeng raised his brows, completely nonchalant.
Qi Jingqing sat across from him, calm as ever. “I’m fine. I don’t need you to examine me.”
“Don’t trust me?”
“I just don’t want to owe you more.”
The room fell silent at that.
After a long moment, Shen Suifeng chuckled. “What do you even owe me?”
Qi Jingqing stared at him for a long time but said nothing.
“Well, if you won’t let me examine you, I won’t push it. But as a doctor, I’ll still say this—your body is your own. Only if you’re healthy can you stay by Her Highness’s side for a long time. Otherwise, all your thoughts and worries are pointless.” Shen Suifeng stood and walked toward the door.
Halfway there, he suddenly turned back. “There are spare rooms in the main wing. Why are you staying here?”
Qi Jingqing: “…”
