Chapter 11: Doing What One Didn’t Dare to Do Before

There was no way to comfort Shen Shilang.

Or perhaps he didn’t need comforting at all. He needed to remember this pain, to drive himself toward revenge day and night.

The next day, Wei Zhaoxian came to visit Shen Shilang in his courtyard.

As soon as he entered, Youmi wanted to rush over, but Shen Shilang stopped him just in time.

Seeing Youmi obediently squatting beside Shen Shilang, Wei Zhaoxian asked in surprise, “Is this your dog?”

“It’s a stray from the back alley. I fed it once, and it has been following me ever since,” Shen Shilang explained. “So I’ve been keeping it in the courtyard.”

“Not bad, quite loyal to its master,” Wei Zhaoxian nodded.

Seeing Wei Zhaoxian, the servants sent to the courtyard pretended to be diligent.

Wei Zhaoxian, unaware of the household intrigues, was relieved to see Shen Shilang well. He said, “I was too hasty yesterday. The provincial examination is imminent; don’t put too much pressure on yourself. If you don’t pass, just keep studying hard.”

“If you need anything, send someone to the military camp to find me,” Wei Zhaoxian added. “I’ll return on the day of your examination.”

Su Jinshi observed that Wei Zhaoxian truly cared for Shen Shilang but was oblivious to the bullying he faced at home.

Indeed, with all the servants in the small courtyard being especially attentive in front of Wei Zhaoxian, he remained unaware of the underlying issues.

Five days after Wei Zhaoxian left, it was payday at the Wei mansion.

While other masters had servants collect their monthly allowances, Shen Shilang had to go himself after the temporary servants left.

As soon as the accountant brought out the money bag, Shen Shilang sensed something was off.

Previously, his monthly allowance was two taels of silver.

To be honest, two taels was less than what Madam Wei’s head maid received.

The servants close to Madam Wei, Wei Ruyan, and Wei Jianming typically received four to six taels monthly.

But Shen Shilang didn’t mind. He was only alive thanks to Wei Zhaoxian’s grace.

Two taels were enough for his studies and the imperial examination.

His food and clothing were provided by the household, so he didn’t need extra expenses.

He used his money to buy books, paper, and ink, saving the rest for travel expenses to the capital for the imperial exam.

Shen Shilang guessed that Madam Wei wouldn’t provide any travel expenses for him.

So he was very frugal, preparing early.

Taking the money bag, Shen Shilang didn’t open it, but could tell by feeling it.

It was filled with copper coins. He estimated there were about 500, equivalent to half a tael of silver ^[1]In ancient Chinese currency: 1 tael (两, liǎng) of silver ≈ 1000 copper coins (文, wén), 1 string (贯, guàn) = 1000 copper coins.

Shen Shilang didn’t question it, but seeing him linger, the accountant asked sarcastically, “Does Young Master Shen have any questions?”

“Non…”

Before Shen Shilang could finish, the accountant interjected, “Is Young Master Shen dissatisfied with the amount? The general is at the front lines, and the mansion has cut expenses to support the army. Even Madam Wei has reduced her allowance. If you’re unhappy, take it up with her.”

“I never said I was dissatisfied. You’re the one talking too much,” Shen Shilang’s face turned cold. “The war situation is intense. Even the palace has started cutting expenses. From the Emperor to the Empress and officials’ families, they all have donated their jewelry for military funds. It’s only right that my allowance is reduced as well.”

Shen Shilang left with the 500 copper coins.

“Pretentious!” the accountant muttered under his breath.

Su Jinshi stayed behind, flipping through the ledger.

The accountant watched, paralyzed in his chair.

There wasn’t any wind!

The pages turned as if by an invisible hand.

Recalling the ghostly encounters Wei Jianming and Wei Ruyan had at night, the accountant panicked, “Ghost… a ghost!”

Su Jinshi sneered.

Seeing the accountant faint and slide to the ground, she returned to Shen Shilang’s room. She hadn’t used the communication box today, so she bought one and said to Shen Shilang, “I just checked the ledger.”

Shen Shilang was startled, “You didn’t do it in front of the accountant, did you?”

“Yes,” Su Jinshi replied. “He shouted ‘ghost’ and fainted.”

Shen Shilang paused, then chuckled.

Su Jinshi poked his smiling lips, “Aren’t you angry?”

Covering his poked lips, Shen Shilang’s cheeks and ears turned bright red.

Since meeting Su Jinshi, she often touched him here and there.

He wondered what she did when alive, or if becoming a ghost had made her so uninhibited.

Feeling the lingering coolness of her touch, Shen Shilang stammered, “Why… why should I be angry…”

“You were just standing up for me,” Shen Shilang said, blushing.

[System: Shen Shilang’s favorability +1]

Su Jinshi hadn’t expected Shen Shilang to be so upright yet not rigid.

She thought he’d blame her for scaring the accountant.

Then Shen Shilang, covering his mouth with both hands, said, “You’re a young lady, don’t touch me anymore.”

Unable to touch his lips, Su Jinshi stroked his abs instead, even deliberately sliding down a bit.

Shen Shilang’s wounds had scabbed over, so she didn’t need to worry about hurting him anymore.

She wanted to make up for all the touching she had held back before.

Shen Shilang jumped up suddenly, one hand covering his mouth, the other his stomach, “Jinshi! Even as a ghost, you… you shouldn’t be so unrestrained!”

Su Jinshi held back her laughter and said, “I’m a ghost now, shouldn’t I do what I didn’t dare to do when alive?”

In real life, as a single woman, she wouldn’t dare touch a handsome man. With Shen Shilang’s looks, she’d be too shy to even speak.

The shyer she was, the more aloof she appeared.

Only behind a phone screen would she dare to be so bold.

“You…” Shen Shilang shyly lowered his head, his ears turning redder. His moist eyes made Su Jinshi want to tease him even more.

Shen Shilang usually had a calm, gentlemanly demeanor. Who knew he could be so easily embarrassed?

He took a step back, “I give up.. Tell me what you found in the ledger?”

“The household has indeed cut expenses,” Su Jinshi said.

Wei Zhaoxian had returned to discuss this matter with Madam Wei.

The court’s funds were delayed, but the soldiers still needed food and clothing.

Wei Zhaoxian wanted to use the household funds to tide them over in this emergency.