Volume One, Chapter 16: The Little Firecracker's Quarrel

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The three characters "Purple Bamboo Pavilion" gradually appeared at the tip of the wolf hair brush, the strokes flowing like clouds and water, falling like mist. The brushwork displayed strength without losing elegance, as if five jade-like fingers spread gracefully without arrogance.

Xingxian ground ink on the Lanting inkstone, hesitating to speak to Xie Xun, who was writing by the window.

“Your heart isn’t calm; how could you not betray this fine inkstone beneath your hand?”

Xie Xun’s gaze was serene, never leaving the rice paper.

Xingxian carefully set down the ink stick. “Young Master, have you heard about the matters in the Shen family’s backyard? I find it very peculiar…”

As the purple bamboo outside the window seemed to leap onto the paper, Xie Xun’s lips moved slightly. “Go on, tell me.”

Xingxian said, “Before, Third Miss ran around our Purple Bamboo Pavilion three times a day, as if she wanted to live here permanently. But now, three days have passed, and she hasn’t come once. The last time I saw her in the front yard, she pretended as if she didn’t know us.”

“And?”

Xingxian thought for a moment, then continued, “Everyone in the mansion is spreading rumors that Third Miss has started managing the household. But she doesn’t seem like someone who can handle it. She used to want to empty the treasury to our Purple Bamboo Pavilion. With her nouveau riche attitude, if the Shen family falls into her hands, it will surely be ruined. Madam Meng has managed the household for years, and the servants are already subdued; how could Third Miss control them? They’d probably pay lip service and disobey behind her back.”

Xie Xun only smiled without replying.

Xingxian was puzzled by his meaning and scratched his head. “Young Master, what do you think?”

“Xingxian, you see things too superficially.” Xie Xun picked up the ink stick, lightly rolled up his sleeves, and ground ink again. “Ah Rong has been with Shen Zheng since childhood; she has learned much from him. How could she be foolish?”

After Ji Qing returned from Jing’an Temple, that day appeared ordinary on the surface but was filled with strangeness beneath.

The once harmonious sisters had become like enemies overnight. Those who were usually patient and cautious had suddenly revealed sharpness. On the day Shen Rong returned from Jing’an Temple, Shen Zheng’s study was surrounded tightly; whatever the father and daughter discussed required such strict protection…

Not long after, Shen Zheng left home, his whereabouts no longer easy to trace, even Mo Yan lost track of him, indicating that Shen Zheng was accompanied by a master.

Around Shen Rong, there also seemed to be secret guardians.

“Does Young Master truly intend to marry Third Miss? I have never understood your thoughts. I even suspected you might have some leverage over her…”

Xingxian always thought that this coarse Third Miss was unworthy of their graceful and noble Young Master. Their Young Master was like the moon in the sky; even Qin An’an of the Huaiyang military family was unworthy of him, let alone a merchant family’s Third Miss. Even if their Young Master were a princess, it would still be…

Clack…

The crisp sound of the inkstone being set down interrupted him. Xie Xun put down the ink stick. “Xingxian, since when have you been following me?”

Xingxian stiffened, pouted, and said, “I spoke out of turn.” Then muttered, “She’s just a vulgar person who acts on impulse.”

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He still remembered when he and Young Master first arrived in Huaiyang City, how the Shen family’s Third Miss was like a lecherous man seeing a peerless beauty — her eyes stuck on Young Master. Other girls would at least shyly conceal their interest, but she directly asked Young Master his age, where he lived, if he was betrothed, and boasted about her family’s wealth, asking if he liked money.

Truly… shameless and absurd. In such harsh lands, there are always unruly people. Would his Young Master ever care about her money?

Xingxian was furious and said no more.

The Purple Bamboo Pavilion fell silent for a moment, only the soft scratching of the brush on paper could be heard.

“Third Miss probably hasn’t come because she’s ill,” Xie Xun rolled up the calligraphy he had just finished. His slender, jade-like fingers flicked lightly, tying it up. “You take this scroll to her to enjoy.”

Xingxian’s eyes widened slightly; this was the first time Young Master had given anything to Third Miss.

He knew that when Third Miss found out Young Master had gifted her a handwritten scroll, she would be overjoyed!

This was the first time he had seen Young Master show kindness to another—if this could even be called kindness…

After Xingxian left, a carrier pigeon flapped and landed on the windowsill. Xie Xun rose, stroked the snow-white pigeon, which happily nuzzled his hand.

He took the note from the pigeon’s leg and opened it.

After reading, Xie Xun soaked the letter in a nearby porcelain bowl, watching as the ink slowly faded away until it disappeared completely.

So the entire Shen family’s business in Huainan was stirring…

Soon, the pigeon fluttered up onto his shoulder, tilting its head to meet his gaze. Its clear eyes reflected his handsome profile. Xie Xun studied his reflection, a hint of intrigue flashing through his eyes.

This matter must not slip beyond his control, even if sacrifices must be made…

Meanwhile, Shen Rong carried her ledger towards the accounting room, intending to first open the treasury for reconciliation.

Just as she reached the courtyard gate, she heard a loud, arrogant voice shouting. She signaled Manhe and stopped to listen.

“…Why can’t I collect my monthly allowance from my own courtyard! After all, I am one of the masters of this mansion! Zhao Liang, show me some respect!”

Upon hearing the voice, Shen Rong immediately knew who it was.

“I say, Concubine Yao, you’re just a concubine, no different from us. Don’t act important in front of me and make a laughingstock of yourself. Honestly, these are Madam’s rules; no one can break them.”

Concubine Yao’s voice rose even higher. “Third Miss is the one running the household now, Steward Zhao. Don’t forget you belong to the Shen family, not Madam’s!”

Zhao Liang was indifferent. “Concubine Yao, don’t forget you’re from the main branch. Acting up here now and breaking Madam’s rules will only make life harder. Everyone knows Third Miss managing the household is a joke. It’s temporary. Third Miss usually ignores backyard affairs and probably can’t even sort out the goods behind me. The authority will soon return to Madam and First Miss.” Zhao Liang waved her off like swatting flies. “Don’t obstruct me. On the fourteenth, I need to distribute monthly allowances to each young master, and tomorrow I have to allocate them to the servants. I’m too busy to chat nonsense with you.”

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Pushing Concubine Yao aside roughly, Steward Zhao counted items, turning his back to her. “Standing here won’t help. I told you, even if Third Miss comes, I’ll follow Madam’s rules.”

Concubine Yao’s chest heaved violently with anger. If not for her flattering the sisters Shen Yu and Shen Le over the years, she’d have been bullied to death by these sycophants long ago.

Yesterday, she went to see Shen Yu, who shrugged and said the monthly allowance was no longer under her control. If she didn’t ask in person, she might not get a penny.

Hunger was one thing, but the maids in the courtyard had no savings, and she had no money for her mother, who had come looking for her several times.

Those maids were no longer young; they needed to save for the future…

She had gained nothing from marrying Shen Xu, who spent his days carousing and was likely diseased, so she no longer wished to serve him.

Watching Zhao Liang organize boxes of expensive head ornaments and fabrics, her eyes reddened, teeth grinding fiercely.

“Oh! I wondered who was spoiling the mood here. It’s just Cousin Yao, isn’t it?”

Concubine Yao turned sharply and saw the despicable sibling pair from Shen Xu’s grandmother’s side approaching: Meng Chang and Meng Fan, with Meng Chang speaking.

Meng Chang constantly fawned over Shen Xu, acting coy and affected, while Meng Fan was a tall, skinny man, like a dog at Shen Yu’s side.

Meng Chang touched the lustrous pearl hairpin in her hair. “Making such a fuss, you’d think this was some rural shrew. No wonder Cousin hasn’t visited your courtyard for half a year—it’s disgusting! Ha ha ha…”

Meng Chang lusted after Shen Xu’s body, which was tolerable, but the fact that Shen Xu, a good-for-nothing, no longer gave her money but occasionally sent things to Meng Chang was unbearable!

Concubine Yao stared fiercely at the pearl gleaming in Meng Chang’s hair, her anger erupting. Before the two could react, she suddenly charged, grabbing Meng Chang’s hair. Their screams instantly echoed throughout the courtyard.

Concubine Yao shrieked, “You vile wretch! I don’t care if you steal my man, but how dare you steal my money! I’ll fight you to the death!”

Meng Chang also screamed, grabbing Concubine Yao’s hair in return. “Ah! It hurts! Are you crazy? I’m Madam’s own niece! Let go or I’ll tell my cousin to have you dismissed!”

“A worthless life, not worth living—take it!”

“Hey! Don’t grab my face! My hairpin…”

The two rolled on the ground, their shrieks stunning everyone around. No one dared intervene, fearing they’d get slapped just for passing by.