The Beauty Within the Gates
Chapter 25
Luo’an at war? Wen Shuse had not heard of such a thing. She only knew that there had been a drought in Qingzhou this year, and many refugees had flooded into Fengcheng. Grain had indeed become a profitable trade. But grain in Fengcheng had always been monopolized by the Cui family. The Wen family’s business was mainly in teahouses and aquatic products, while the Xie family’s focus was on spices and cosmetics. None of them had ever ventured into the grain trade.
The family granary still contained old rice from last year, which would sustain them for several years even during natural disasters. The silver in their hands had already drawn unwanted attention, and they were busy enough dealing with that. She wasn’t about to make money off others’ suffering from this disaster.
After thanking Madam Gu for bringing the news and sending her off, Wen Shuse immediately instructed Aunt Qing to return to the Wen Mansion in person to rescue Old Madam Wen from her dire situation.
Aunt Qing arrived at the Wen Mansion by lunchtime.
When she got there, the Eldest Madam Wen happened to be in Old Madam Wen’s courtyard. A few days earlier, Master Wen had taken the entire household, young and old, and departed, leaving only her and Concubine Xue behind to serve the old matriarch. The Eldest Madam had quarreled with Eldest Master Wen that very day. “We agreed that once the house was sold, we would all leave together! Why won’t she listen?”
Eldest Master Wen’s tone was calm, and he replied, “Old Madam’s health has not yet recovered. It’s not suitable for her to travel such a long way. You should stay to look after her for half a year. Once she’s regained her strength, I’ll send word to Second Master, and we’ll discuss what to do next.”
Half a year?
The eldest madam drew a sharp breath, stumbling back several steps in fury. “What illness could she possibly have that needs half a year to recover? When Old Madam Xie came visiting the other day, she looked perfectly fine, spirited even! Don’t you see what she’s up to? She just doesn’t want to leave Fengcheng! She can’t bear to part with this house, guards against us as if we were thieves, afraid we might take advantage of her precious son’s absence and claim what’s his for ourselves…”
Hearing her speak so bluntly, Eldest Master Wen frowned. “Relocating is no simple matter. Since the Old Madam is unwilling to leave, you should remain in Fengcheng for now. I’ll think of another solution later.”
Seeing her husband determined to make her stay, Eldest Madam Wen completely lost her composure. “Why should I be the one to stay and serve her? Doesn’t she only care about her own son? Let him return and fulfill his filial duties! Why is it that we receive none of the benefits, yet all the hard and dirty work falls on me?”
“What hardships have you endured? What labor have you truly undertaken?” Eldest Master’s expression darkened. “She is my mother. Have you forgotten your filial duties? Is this how one should behave? If you refuse, let Concubine Xue stay alone to care for her. But I’m afraid you’ll have to vacate your position.”
His words implied divorce.
Eldest Madam Wen burst into tears of rage, crying until her eyes were swollen. On the day of his departure, she was still resentful, shutting herself in her room and refusing to see him off. The sound of her two little grandchildren calling for their grandmother outside her door twisted her heart with agony, setting her very soul aflame.
Once everyone had gone, the courtyard that used to be lively and bustling became desolate and silent. No matter where she walked, there was not a sound to be heard. Though Madam Wen felt as if her spirit had been torn from her, what could she do?
Leaving was no longer an option, so she resolved to stay and strive for the sake of her own family.
With little else to occupy her, she visited the old madam daily, urging her to sell the mansion and buy property in the Eastern Capital so the whole family could reunite and enjoy their golden years together.
Yet, no matter how she pleaded, the old matriarch remained unmoved.
The matriarch remained unmoved: she would neither sell the mansion nor offer financial support. If Eldest Madam Wen chose to stay and serve her, so be it; if not, she was free to leave.
Seeing that neither soft words nor hard reasoning would move her, the eldest madam decided today to play the emotional card, bringing up her two little grandsons. “When those two little ones left, they were still calling out for their great-grandmother. Who knows when they’ll see you again? In the Eastern Capital, everything costs money. I’ve heard from my husband that even a simple leaf of a vegetable must be bought from the market. With only his modest salary, how can we possibly cover the expenses for the whole family?”
She continued earnestly, “I won’t beat around the bush with you today, Mother. We adults can manage, but my heart breaks thinking of the children suffering. I’m well aware of how much Second Master has spent supporting this family over the years. And after what happened with you swapping the eldest daughter’s marriage arrangement to Shuse, I’ve come to understand that as long as Shuse could have a good marriage, I, as her aunt, am happy for her. Just think of it as the Master borrowing from Shuse for now, let us have a place to stay in the Eastern Capital, I promise we’ll repay every coin in the future.”
This time, Old Madam Wen did not dismiss her outright. After a long silence, she turned to Aunt Cao and said, “Go and bring me the box from my room.”
Aunt Cao had only just turned to leave when Aunt Qing arrived. Lifting the curtain, she stepped inside and greeted warmly, “Old Madam, how have you been feeling? Is your health any better?”
A flicker of surprise crossed the old woman’s face, followed by concern. “What’s happened to Gaoxian?”
“Don’t worry, Old Madam, the Second Young Lady is perfectly fine.” Noticing Eldest Madam Wen present, Aunt Qing smiled and paid her respects. “How fortunate you’re both here; this saves me the trouble of making separate visits.”
Only then did Aunt Qing turn back to report to the old madam. “The Second Young Lady asked me to bring you a message. The other day, she heard Eldest Young Lady mention that property profits in the Eastern Capital are quite high. After thinking it over these past few days, she’s decided to buy a few houses there herself. Now that the Eldest Master’s family has arrived in the Eastern Capital, there’ll be no need to worry about finding a place to live. The Second Young Lady said she’ll rent those houses to them, while the market rate is ninety strings of cash per month, she will charge only eighty strings as a family discount. That way, the rent won’t end up in outsiders’ hands, and no one beyond the family will profit from us…”
The eldest madam’s reaction was almost identical to that of Madam Wu of the Xie family. She stared wide-eyed for a long moment, utterly speechless.
Old Madam Wen’s gaze flickered; she more or less guessed what was going on.
This spendthrift granddaughter somehow always managed to squander money in the most unexpectedly shrewd ways.
—
After returning, Aunt Qing told Wen Shuse everything. “Luckily, this servant arrived in time. Old Madam nearly took out her private savings. Miss, you didn’t see Eldest Madam’s face. She went from green to white in an instant…”
Wen Shuse had already expected as much. The day Eldest Young Lady failed to get any silver from her, Madam An would surely turn her sights on the old matriarch. After all, they were all one family, all bearing the Wen name, and Grandmother could never truly ignore them. With Father’s businesses and estates already handed to Madam An, Grandmother would have no choice but to dig into her own coffin money.
That was why this move couldn’t last long.
Wen Shuse instructed Aunt Qing, “Find someone reliable to keep watch on Madam An. The moment anything happens, report to me immediately.”
Aunt Qing replied, “Rest assured, Miss. This servant has already spoken with Aunt Cao; everything’s been arranged.”
It was getting late. Nanny Fang had already prepared the evening meal, and by the time they finished eating, the sky outside was completely dark. Having taken a nap at noon, Wen Shuse wasn’t sleepy yet. She turned to Xiangyun and said, “Come walk with me for a bit. I’d like to digest.”
It was only in the beginning of the fourth month, and without the warmth of the sun, the night breeze carried a faint chill. The gardens were filled with ponds and lakes, making the air even colder after dusk. Instead of strolling through the gardens, Wen Shuse stepped out and began walking slowly along the covered corridor outside.
When she had first married into the household, those first ten days or so, Nanny Fang had taken her on a full tour of the mansion to ease her boredom, showing her which masters lived in which courtyards. Wen Shuse still remembered that tour, if only vaguely.
The Xie Mansion stretched ten courtyards deep from the front to the back, but on each side, it had an extra row of extensions, making it even broader. Though the stables and rear gardens took up a good portion of the land, there were still plenty of courtyards and rooms. No matter how large the family grew, there was space enough for all. With abundant space came flexibility: to maintain privacy, the family had tacitly agreed to leave an empty courtyard between occupied ones. These vacant courtyards, usually uninhabited, served as peaceful paths for leisurely walks.
After half a month of clear skies, tonight the heavens were adorned by a bright full moon.
Trailing behind Wen Shuse, Xiangyun gazed up at the large jade plate that appeared and disappeared among the rooftops of the estate. When she finally lowered her head again, she realized they had already reached a place where the lamps were few and far between, their glow faint and scattered.
Seeing that Wen Shuse’s steps didn’t slow and that she kept walking forward, Xiangyun quickly caught on and asked, “Miss, where are you going?”
Wen Shuse didn’t answer. Instead, she motioned for Xiangyun to extinguish the lantern she was carrying.
Puzzled, Xiangyun followed close behind in the dark until they came upon a courtyard wall. There, she saw her young lady begin to roll up her sleeves and lift her skirt hem. Unable to contain herself, Xiangyun whispered, “Miss… what are you doing?”
Wen Shuse craned her neck toward the glow of lamps on the other side. “Those people are probably scheming again. Let’s listen in a bit and see what tricks they’re up to.”
Xiangyun froze, glanced around, and suddenly realized, wasn’t that the courtyard of the Eldest Madam Xie across the wall?
When she turned back to look at her young lady, she was utterly dumbfounded. The elegant and dignified Third Young Madam, who had appeared so poised and refined during the day, was now scrambling up an apricot tree beside the wall, hands and feet working in unison.
“Miss…”
“Shh!” Wen Shuse hissed, finger to her lips.
Unable to stop her, Xiangyun had no choice but to follow suit. Mistress and maid both crouched on the apricot tree leaning against the wall, eavesdropping for a full hour before finally climbing down with grave expressions and slipping out of the courtyard.
Aside from confirming Aunt Gu’s earlier news, that there really was fighting in Luo’an, the most crucial revelation was that Eldest Madam Xie had said, “In a few days, I’ll pay a visit to Eldest Madam Wen.”
If those two bloodsuckers were to join forces, heaven help her.
Her delaying tactic would never hold out for long. Tonight’s events alone had proven just how valuable a bit of eavesdropping could be. Adjusting the hairpins in her slightly mussed-up high bun by the branches, Wen Shuse stepped back into her courtyard and said to Xiangyun, “We’ll return tomorrow night.”
Xiangyun: ……
When they returned to the garden, the west wing was pitch-dark. Xie Shao still hadn’t come home. At this hour, he likely wouldn’t be back at all tonight.
Xiangyun glanced that way, worry clouding her face. “Miss, what could the young master be so busy with that he never comes home?”
Wen Shuse had made a three-point agreement with him long ago: they were merely partners sharing a household, nothing more. His affairs were none of her concern.
Xiangyun, however, knew exactly how to poke at her mistress’s sore spot. “You said the young master took so much silver out today, what if someone tricked him out of it…?”
She glanced at Wen Shuse’s suddenly frozen expression, shrank her neck, and went on timidly, “Didn’t you just remind Second Madam the other day? If the young master was also deceived by some young lady, then all the hard work you’ve done managing everything for him would’ve been for nothing.”
Wen Shuse: …
This wretched girl really knew how to get under her skin.
That night, she didn’t know what had gotten into her, but she dreamed of being surrounded by a flock of flirtatious young women, all chirping “Elder Sister!” as they reached out to snatch at her purse.
Silver scattered all over the ground, and people scrambled to grab it. Wen Shuse jolted awake, sitting upright in bed. The sky outside was already bright.
Aunt Qing, hearing the movement, came over and drew the bed curtains, asking with concern, “Miss, did you have a nightmare?”
Wen Shuse shook her head, unable to comprehend why she had such a ridiculous dream. It must have been because of that wretched Xiangyun’s remark right before bedtime that the lingering thoughts had seeped into her dreams.
After rising, washing, and dressing, she was about to ask whether Third Xie had returned when she stepped out and unexpectedly saw Minzhang.
Minzhang had been waiting for some time. Hearing the noise, he turned and, seeing her emerge, bowed in greeting. “Good morning, Third Young Madam. The young master said he needs you to prepare another five hundred taels.”
The dream had come true after all.
Wen Shuse’s lips parted slightly as she stood there in stunned silence. Still, she felt it wouldn’t do to judge a gentleman by the standards of a petty mind, so she asked politely, “Was the Third Young Master gambling outside yesterday?”
Minzhang was taken aback and quickly explained, “Third Young Madam, please don’t misunderstand, the Young Master never touches gambling.”
So, the dream really was true. Wen Shuse’s expression shifted to one of sudden understanding. “Oh, then it must be…”
Minzhang seemed to know exactly what she was about to say. His face flushed as he hurriedly cut in, “N-No, it’s not that he’s seeing courtesans either! The Young Master just enjoys drinking, and at most… listens to a few songs…”
Wen Shuse was even more baffled. “What kind of aged wine and songs could possibly cost five hundred taels?” He had just taken five hundred taels yesterday afternoon.
Minzhang hesitated for a while, but in the end, he confessed everything.
Yesterday, Xie Shao had reserved a private room at the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion with Zhou Kuang, Pei Qing, and Cui Nian. They were in the middle of discussing business when Second Young Master Xie suddenly burst in; no one knew how he’d gotten wind of their whereabouts. He threw himself at Xie Shao’s leg, wailing for help. Clearly, he’d had too much to drink.
Once they managed to question him, they learned he’d bought two pots of wine at the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion and couldn’t pay the bill.
The total came to five hundred taels of silver.
Five hundred taels—for two pots of wine! It was daylight robbery. But when the madam of the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion brought out the courtesan, they finally understood what Second Young Master had gotten himself into.
With no money to pay, the pavilion refused to let him go. If he spent the night there and word got out, they’d surely send someone to the mansion the next morning to summon Second Young Madam to fetch him. Given the Second Young Madam’s temperament, she would surely resort to weeping, hysterics, and threats of suicide, escalating the matter all the way to the Elder Master Xie. If that happened, the Second Young Master would undoubtedly be skinned alive.
Terrified out of his wits, the Second Young Master clung desperately to Xie Shao’s legs, refusing to let go. Left with no other choice, Xie Shao instructed Minzhang to hand over the entire five hundred taels he had just withdrawn the day before to settle his brother’s debt.
And now, here was Minzhang again, sent back to withdraw another five hundred taels.
Minzhang very much wanted to say that although his young master ran around outside every day, his personal monthly spending, taken alone, really wasn’t much.
Wen Shuse understood now. The flock of women from her dream last night hadn’t been invited by Third Young Master Xie at all, but by the Second Young Master Xie.
Indeed, once a man indulged in any one of gambling, prostitution, or vice, he was no longer worthy of being called a decent person.
Wen Shuse once again had Nanny Fang give the money to Minzhang. Another full banknote was gone. If the money had been spent on her own enjoyment, she wouldn’t have minded. But watching it vanish like this, without even a ripple, left her feeling thoroughly displeased.
And once there’s a first time, there’s bound to be a second. It was clear that Second Young Master Xie had already developed an addiction.
She intended to whisper a few persuasive words in Xie Shao’s ear upon his return, but before she could even wait for him, Nanzhi showed up that afternoon.
Although the accounting office for the second branch had been disbanded, the expenses for the Old Madam Xie had always been managed by Wen Shuse. The monthly funds she had previously allocated were usually enough to cover two months of normal spending.
Today, when Nanzhi planned to go out to purchase supplies for the Old Madam, she was intercepted by the First and Second Young Lady. They snatched the task from her, insisting on running the errand for their esteemed grandmother. As granddaughters wishing to display their filial piety, Nanzhi had no grounds to refuse.
The First and Second Young Lady went out. While they did procure the Old Madam’s items, they also conveniently purchased things for themselves along the way, ultimately spending two to three times the allocated budget.
Nanzhi knew she had mishandled the situation. She hurried first to the Third Young Madam’s courtyard to explain the accounts clearly, intending to return afterward and receive punishment from the Old Madam.
Wen Shuse finally understood. These bloodsucking parasites, having had one path blocked, would immediately seek out another crack to slip through. Compared to before, they were merely using a different method to leech off the household.
In this regard, they were exactly like that whole lot back in the Wen family.
As long as one had money, there was no method of extortion they couldn’t conceive. Dismantling the accounting office was, in the end, merely treating the symptoms, not the root cause.
Wen Shuse turned to Nanny Fang and asked, “How many days does the Third Young Master usually stay out before coming back?”
Nanny Fang, slightly taken aback by the question, quickly explained, “The Third Young Master rarely stays out overnight. Recently, he must have been tied up by some matter.”
—
Xie Shao was indeed tied up by Zhou Kuang, who refused to let him go.
From yesterday until today, Shizi Zhou had been restless. Previously, the armory had been raided, and both material evidence and witnesses had been sent to the Eastern Capital. Although Madam Zhou had asked someone to intercede with Consort Yang, the outcome was still unknown.
Before that matter could settle, troubling news arrived from Qingzhou.
Wangye had been trapped.
On one side were the rioting refugees, on the other, the battlefield at Luo’an. Jing Wang was trapped in the middle, unable to advance or retreat. Madam Zhou had already sent people to assist, but distant aid could not relieve immediate suffering. As for Jing Wang’s current predicament, they were completely in the dark. Given his character, one who cherishes his people as his own children, it was unlikely he would return any time soon.
Luo’an did not belong to Zhongzhou but to the Eastern Capital under the Crown Prince’s jurisdiction. In recent years, the border between the East and the Western Capital has been fraught with skirmishes, making an armed clash inevitable.
That a battle should break out at just this critical moment. Was it a coincidence, or something more malicious?
Zhou Kuang might be boorish, but as a member of the royal household, he was no naive fool. “Why now, of all times? They took advantage of the natural disaster in Qingzhou, knowing full well that Father would never stand idly by and would surely go to assess the situation. They aimed to eliminate him quietly, amidst the chaos or on the battlefield. But have they ever considered the people of Qingzhou? Already stricken by disaster, and now faced with war. Do they have any chance of survival? A bunch of paranoid bastards, only capable of scheming and treachery. They are utterly despicable.”
Zhou Kuang’s face was flushed with anger. The other three remained silent, their expressions grave.
If things really went wrong, Fengcheng would likely be the next target among the regional prefectures. Ning Wang, the military governor of Jianzhou Prefecture, was currently imprisoned in the Eastern Capital’s dungeon.
Although the group was unrivaled in their usual revelries, they all understood the gravity of the situation when it mattered.
Pei Qing spoke first. “If he dares set his sights on Fengcheng, then even if I must break my body to pieces, I will go to the Eastern Capital and strangle him with my own hands. I will avenge my mother’s death along the way.”
The person Pei Qing was referring to was Pei Yuanqiu.
Ever since Pei Yuanqiu went to the Eastern Capital and married into the Wang family, causing Pei Qing’s birth mother, Madam Shen, to die of sheer anguish, Pei Qing had long severed ties with him. There was no father-son affection left between them.
Although the armory incident was initiated by Zhou Kuang, all of them had been involved to some extent; no one could wash their hands of it. Cui Nian, who was usually as tightfisted as an iron rooster, was uncharacteristically generous this time. “If there’s any need for funds, just say the word.”
Only Xie Shao remained perfectly calm. He had listened to Zhou Kuang fret all night, even dozing off several times in between. Waking up to find Zhou Kuang still muttering, he suppressed his drowsiness and reassured him, “The Prince assisted His Majesty in pacifying the empire back in the day. He has seen every kind of conspiracy and trickery there is. It won’t be so easy to scheme against him. Is there any use in your working yourself up like this here?”
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhou Kuang turned to stare at him, his eyes filled with a mixture of grief and resentment. “Brother Xie, you mustn’t betray your friends…”
Xie Shao: …
Here we go again.
“The Prince may be hard to handle, but you, his one and only naive heir, are an easy target. The moment you step outside the city gates, you’re guaranteed to be sent straight to the frontlines as cannon fodder within days, just to force the Prince to fight desperately for you.”
Zhou Kuang’s mouth twitched. “Am I really that foolish?”
“Then stop pacing around. Go back to your residence and rest properly. Even if you’re not dizzy, I am. Just station guards at the city gates and thoroughly screen everyone coming from the capital.”
Their true target was Zhongzhou, but specifically, Fengcheng, the administrative seat of Zhongzhou. But as for the exact nature of their scheme, he couldn’t yet guess. Guarding the city gates was the only foolproof measure.
The four of them had originally been at Drunken Fragrance Pavilion yesterday, but moved to Pei Qing’s residence after the interruption by Second Young Master Xie. Though it was certainly more relaxed staying here, they couldn’t remain away from home for two full days.
Cui Nian agreed. “Brother Zhou, you should head back now, lest Madam Zhou worry. Only with proper rest can your mind stay sharp.”
Zhou Kuang was genuinely exhausted. Finally, the gathering dispersed. Following Xie Shao’s advice, he posted men to guard the city gates and tightened their defenses.
—
Everyone went back to their own homes. Just as Cui Nian had climbed into his carriage, a servant reported through the window, “Young Master, the shopkeepers whose grain you ordered us to buy are now inflating the price. They’re demanding 120 wen per dou now.”
In the past, when these shops sold grain to the common people, the price was only 100 wen per dou.
Those unscrupulous merchants, seeing him begin to collect grain, naturally grew suspicious and wanted to squeeze out extra profit. Cui Nian teased the little songbird Xie Shao had given him a few days earlier and said, “Hold off on purchasing for now.”
“The news of the war at Luo’an will take two days to reach Fengcheng. Let them stew a little bit more. Go back and tell them, if you want to sell, sell; if not, wait until next year when it becomes old rice. After Qingzhou’s drought passes, the price will be nowhere near this.”
“Understood, Master.”
—
As night fell, Wen Shuse once again dragged Xiangyun out for a walk.
The two of them crouched by the top of the courtyard wall, their high-pinned hair blending into the darkness, ears pricked to catch every sound from inside.
First came the deep voice of Eldest Master Xie. “News came today. The prince is trapped in Qingzhou, and there’s fighting in Luo’an again. I fear his chances aren’t good.”
“And Madam Zhou, what is she planning to do?” The Eldest Madam’s voice trembled with anxiety. “She’s not thinking of sending you to Qingzhou, is she…?”
“She hasn’t said anything yet,” Eldest Master Xie paused before continuing, “but it won’t be long now.”
If the military governor was in trouble, the deputy couldn’t possibly escape involvement. The Eldest Madam suddenly began to complain. “After all these years we’ve followed him, through life and death, haven’t we done enough, shown all the loyalty one could?”
“Watch your words!” Eldest Master Xie snapped sharply. “I know what I’m doing when it comes to court affairs. You just focus on managing the household, especially with our eldest. Arrange for someone to go to the Eastern Capital ahead of time, rent a house, and get everything settled. Once the transfer order comes down, send him to the Eastern Capital immediately.”
The Eldest Madam said, “As for the property, you needn’t worry. Since the Third Young Madam already mentioned buying a property in the Eastern Capital, let her handle it. Once we get there, we can just move in first and talk about the rest later.”
So, after just one meeting, the two bloodsuckers were already completely in sync.
The earlier predicament now seemed to clear up abruptly.
It was all within expectations, yet somehow still chilling to hear. The young lady and servant climbed down from the tree, too dispirited even to tidy their skirts, walking back with heavy steps and downcast faces.
Xiangyun suddenly recalled their days back in the Wen family and murmured, “I kind of miss the times when we had no money. Life was hard, but the whole family was warm and close, and no one coveted anyone.”
Wen Shuse’s eyes flickered slightly. “Yes… When there’s no money, no one has anything to covet.”
Her steps quickened. A faint gleam stirred in Wen Shuse’s eyes as she headed back toward the courtyard. She instructed Xiangyun, “Go and find out when Third Young Master is finally coming home.”
Just as Xiangyun was about to respond, she looked up and saw a lantern approaching from the opposite side. Beneath its glow were two figures, the one in front holding the lantern was Minzhang, and the handsome young man behind him was none other than her young master.
Wen Shuse had spotted him too. Lifting the hem of her skirt, she hurried toward him.
Xie Shao was thoroughly exhausted, but as he turned the corner of the covered walkway, he saw a young lady rushing swiftly in his direction, as if she couldn’t wait another moment to see him.
This scene wasn’t unfamiliar to him.
It had played out just the other day, yet seeing it again today, perhaps because she now held a gauze lantern, the warm glow cast a different light on the moment, altering the feeling entirely.
That feeling inevitably led him to wonder: Had she been waiting for him?
He suddenly recalled Cui Nian’s remark: “We’ve been away from home for two days, aren’t your families worried about you?”
It seemed someone had indeed been worrying about him.
The young lady soon reached him, and only then did he notice her slightly disheveled state. The white gauze at her elbows was smudged with dirt, the hem of her skirt was stained, and even her hair was adorned with a stray leaf or two.
His mouth moved faster than his mind. Without thinking, he blurted out, “Did you roll on the ground or something?”
Wen Shuse: …
“I tripped, that’s all,” The young lady spoke without a trace of embarrassment, not avoiding the topic in the least. She brushed off her skirt in front of him and tidied her hair, not giving him a chance to say more before stating, “Husband, there’s something I need to discuss with you.”
Xie Shao stared at the leaf still nestled in her upswept hair. “What is it?”
Walking beside him, the young lady lifted her lantern to light the path. “I’m planning to stockpile some grain.”
With the war in Luo’an and the ongoing drought in Qingzhou, stocking up was indeed a wise idea. Xie Shao nodded. “The money’s in your hands. Do whatever you think best.”
“Really?” The young lady’s lips curved, revealing a glimpse of pearly white teeth. There was something impishly charming in that smile that lifted his spirits despite himself. He replied breezily, “Absolutely.”
The young lady exhaled softly, relieved. “Husband, then from now on, I’ll make my own decisions.”
“Mm.”
She went on, “But what if one day I fail in business and lose all our family’s fortune, what then?”
Xie Shao knew exactly how much silver he possessed. Added to the Wen family’s wealth, it was enough to make two mountains of gold. How could she possibly lose it all?
Seeing that she was still hesitant, he decided to put her mind at ease. “If it’s all gone, then it’s gone. What else can we do? We’ll just earn it back.”
In the end, he couldn’t help himself. Turning toward her, he caught her gently by the arm and said, “Don’t move.” Then he raised his hand and plucked the stray leaf from her hair.