Volume One, Chapter 19: Yao Niang Surrenders

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“Master Qian, don’t worry. Focus on your recovery. I will soon arrange for the best doctors in Huaiyang City to attend to both you and Ayu,” she said gently.

Master Qian shook his head repeatedly. “I’m old; there’s no need to spend that silver on me. This illness has been with me since birth. Living to this age is already a blessing from heaven.”

Doctor Qian had examined him before, but at his age, medication required greater caution. When he heard of the precious herbs, he recalled only seeing them in the master’s account books a few times. Over the past month, Ayu had sold everything in the courtyard that could be sold, yet only managed to buy a single batch of medicine. He had intended to share half with Ayu.

Such expensive medicine would be wasted on him.

If he hadn’t been so determined not to burden Ayu, he wouldn’t have had the audacity to ask Third Miss for help. He knew well that Third Miss had a broad heart, unlike the calculating women of the main household.

Shen Rong did not respond to Master Qian’s words but instead mentioned Qian Huaiyu, “Ayu is still young. If he wishes, when his father returns, he can stay by his side and learn.”

Master Qian’s cloudy eyes suddenly brightened. “This old servant thanks Third Miss on behalf of Ayu!”

Being able to stay by the master’s side meant he need not be confined to the mansion. The outside world was vast, and for a proper young man to venture out with the master was truly the best prospect for the Qian family!

Recalling the glance Qian Huaiyu had cast at her when he left earlier, Shen Rong asked, “Master Qian, does Ayu have some misunderstanding about me? I feel like he doesn’t like me.”

“Please forgive Ayu, Third Miss. His temperament is just like that and is not directed at you.”

Shen Rong nodded but was certain she hadn’t mistaken the faint trace of resentment that had flickered in Ayu’s eyes just now…

Still, she did not mind. She helped Master Qian with his illness and Qian Huaiyu with his leg. With the bond between Qian Huaiyu and Xie Xun severed, she felt pleased at having uncovered a treasure from Xie Xun’s hands.

When she left the side room, Qian Huaiyu was still squatting on the ground, seemingly cooking something, with his back turned to her.

Shen Rong rolled her eyes. This child truly had a strange, stubborn nature.

“Hey! Child! I’m leaving now!”

Noticing Qian Huaiyu’s sudden stiffening back, Shen Rong smiled faintly and whistled a tune as she exited the courtyard.

What she did not realize was that shortly after she left, Gu Ming arrived at the entrance of the small courtyard.

Gu Ming paused, looking at the departing figure of the young lady, a subtle gleam flickering in his eyes.

He had heard that she had just dealt with Zhao Liang in the warehouse—interesting indeed…

—

Shen Rong came to see Master Qian today without bringing anyone along. Having lived this life again, she was instinctively cautious and did not wish to reveal her plans openly, not even to the trusted Man He.

On her way back, she felt someone was following her.

Suspecting a possibility, Shen Rong narrowed her eyes slightly. Turning the corner of the corridor, she changed her pace.

The follower quickened their steps as well. As their skirt brushed past the neglected corridor, something cold suddenly fell from above.

Reaching out, she felt a soft, chilling object coil around her wrist. It flicked its tongue and stared at her eye to eye.

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“Ahhh!”

A brightly colored snake curved gracefully through the air and flew away.

Shen Rong jumped down from the eaves and brushed the dust from her hands. “Why are you sneaking around behind me? If I catch you again, I’ll treat you like an assassin.”

Yao Niang frantically waved her hands, accusingly glaring at the composed Shen Rong.

Shen Rong shivered. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m not Shen Xu, so don’t pretend.”

With that, Shen Rong continued walking forward.

Yao Niang dropped her tearful expression and pouted as she followed behind.

“I just wanted to thank Third Miss. This morning, Aunt Man He gave me a hundred taels of silver,” Yao Niang smiled cheekily, “Getting kicked into the lake by Third Miss was well deserved.”

“Hmph.”

Yao Niang quickened her pace to walk beside Shen Rong. “I only targeted you because I had no choice. If I hadn’t confronted Shen Yu and said things he couldn’t, my days in the main house would have been miserable.”

Shen Rong glanced at her sideways. “Oh? So you’re not afraid of tough days now?”

“Now that Third Miss is in charge, I naturally want to curry favor! I understand who ultimately runs this house, hehe.”

Shen Rong snorted. “Good of you to be sensible.”

Yao Niang quickly pledged loyalty. “Third Miss, from now on, I’m your vanguard. I’ll curse the heavens, the earth, and the air for you. Just one look from you, and I’ll understand perfectly—no need for you to open your mouth. Just let me have something to eat.”

After Man He delivered that hundred taels of silver to Yao Niang’s courtyard, she returned feeling moved. Yao Niang immediately distributed the silver to her maids, many of whom had not been paid for several months and appeared listless.

Yao Niang had a fierce temperament, cursed without mercy, and was direct and decisive in action. Shen Rong found some appreciation for her. Sometimes, to survive, one must do things against their nature.

Besides using sharp tongues to please others, Yao Niang was not a bad person. She understood the times and had now pledged allegiance to Shen Rong. Having an extra informant in the main house was not a bad thing.

As for what Yao Niang wanted, it was nothing but silver—and Shen Rong had plenty.

Seeing Shen Rong neither reject nor accept, Yao Niang thought for a moment and revealed what she had overheard. “I heard Shen Le mention that the madam suddenly fell ill yesterday. Shen Yu attended her. I suspect it was angered by Third Miss’s formidable presence…”

She had expected that the authority over the household would soon be reclaimed, but Shen Rong had boldly and decisively overturned the rigid rules established over the years, enforcing them thoroughly. The housekeeper appointed by the madam herself was removed. Anyone would be infuriated.

Moreover, the authority was handed over by the madam herself—truly a case of shooting oneself in the foot.

Could she not just collapse?

Shen Rong grew interested. “Then she must be properly treated by a doctor. If she dies by accident, no one will enjoy the wealth of the Shen family.”

Judging by the current situation, the main house was likely plotting against her. The fact that they were able to remain calm and not confront her showed Shen Yu still held the “leverage” of Ajiu.

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Seeing Shen Rong did not object, Yao Niang became excited, knowing her allegiance was accepted. She lowered her voice mysteriously, “Also, I heard that Shen Xu has been rushing to the General’s camp in a fluster recently. Seems like some thorny matter. A few days ago, I saw him carrying a large sum of silver. Not sure what for.”

Shen Rong smiled silently.

That man was known for never forgiving a slight.

It would not be long before they learned the price Shen Xu would pay for his reckless actions at the foot of Jing’an Temple…

Just as the two returned to the Rongyin Pavilion, they saw a young man dressed like a book attendant standing at the gate, holding something.

Shen Rong’s expression was indifferent. Yao Niang was surprised—after all, Shen Xun’s people were usually warmly received by Shen Rong.

Shen Rong raised an eyebrow at Yao Niang, signaling, “Let’s see how you handle this.”

Receiving the cue but still wary, Yao Niang said cautiously, “Oh, who is this? The young master Xingxian? The Purple Bamboo Pavilion is usually so aloof. What brings you to the back courtyard? Rare visitor indeed!”

Normally, Third Miss would have invited him into the Rongyin Pavilion immediately, but today she merely stood at the gate exchanging pleasantries, showing no intention of inviting him inside.

Just standing at the gate, trying to take the young master’s calligraphy? Not a chance! It was already fortunate she had not been told to bathe and change first.

Xingxian lifted his chin slightly. “I’m here on behalf of my young master to see Third Miss.”

Yao Niang dodged the question. “What’s in the box you’re holding? Wrapped in brocade? Could it be a gift from Young Master Xie to Third Miss?”

All three gazed at the brocade box in Xingxian’s arms. Suddenly embarrassed, Xingxian stiffened his neck and said, “Nonsense! My young master wouldn’t have me bring a gift to Third Miss! I... I was just passing by!”

Inwardly, Xingxian hoped she would hurry and flatter him!

“Oh…” Yao Niang smiled knowingly.

Shen Rong smiled faintly. “Since Xingxian is busy, I won’t keep you.”

Watching Shen Rong and Yao Niang enter the courtyard, Xingxian was shocked to be left standing outside. As the young master’s attendant, visiting Rongyin Pavilion was rare. Hadn’t she always treated him as an honored guest?

Considering recent rumors about Third Miss—her assertive management, decisively removing Zhao Liang, promptly revising the rules—she seemed to have done little but acted firmly on the servants’ concerns.

In just a few days, she had gradually earned the unanimous support of the Shen family’s servants, breaking the madam’s carefully cultivated authority.

She now effectively held the entire Shen family in her hands.

He had always thought Third Miss acted on whims, joking and flirting before the young master, but now it seemed the young master might have been mistaken. This Third Miss was actually very clever, possessing a wise simplicity.

Xingxian suddenly found it hard to understand. Didn’t she used to follow the young master everywhere, not caring about such things?

Looking down at the calligraphy still safely in his hands, he felt he might have messed things up…