Chapter 49

Hearing these words, Shen Wei paused for a moment, her hand still holding the book. However, in that brief instant, she lightly murmured an “Mm” and then placed the book back onto the table. She then took the tangerine slice that Shui Bi handed her and asked, “When will it be scheduled?”

At this point, Shui Bi had picked up her silk fan again. She replied respectfully, “Manager Shi’s meaning is to follow your instructions.”

While the two were conversing, others around them simply thought they were discussing ordinary matters. Shen Wei pondered for a moment before saying, “Then let’s set it for tomorrow.”

It was just the right time, as she planned to visit Xishan Temple the next day, so it made sense.

—-

The next day, as Shen Wei was preparing to leave, Mo Qi, while helping her dress, couldn’t help but ask, “Why don’t I accompany you?” Although she had recently warmed up to Shui Bi, she still felt uneasy about leaving Shen Wei without her. She had always been the one accompanying her mistress on outings, and she worried that Shui Bi might not serve properly.

Shen Wei smiled at her words, “It’s alright, I’m not going far.”

After saying that, seeing the lingering hesitation on Mo Qi’s face, she gently patted her hand and said with a soft tone, “You’ve already set your wedding date, and the servants are trained well enough. If you have time, focus more on your own matters… Don’t keep worrying about this and that, or you might neglect your own affairs.”

Mo Qi, hearing these words, blushed deeply, her face carrying a bashful expression. She lowered her head, speaking softly, “Madam…”

Seeing her this way, Shen Wei said no more. She simply smiled lightly, and then with Shui Bi’s help, left the room.

Mo Qi watched her leave, but didn’t speak further. She bowed respectfully and, after the curtain fell, straightened up. The other maidservants, looking on with envy, gathered around her, congratulating her. One of them, with a playful smile, said, “The Madam really treats you well.”

As maidservants, they all dreamed of being favored by their mistress, hoping that such recognition would lead to a good marriage in the future.

Now, seeing that Mo Qi had already been betrothed to the captain of the guards and the Madam was personally taking care of the wedding arrangements, they could not help but feel envious. They heard that aside from the bridal gown to be embroidered by the bride herself, the bed and wedding curtains were being embroidered by the best seamstresses outside, making it a bigger affair than even Miss Die Yu’s wedding to the old Madam.

Mo Qi, hearing their words, was seldom seen without her usual composed expression. She smiled slightly and said gently, “The Madam has always been kind. As long as you serve her with sincerity, she will never treat you unfairly.”

Her words made the maids cheer and congratulate her before they returned to their tasks.

Mo Qi, looking at their departing figures, couldn’t help but reflect on how much care the Madam had shown her recently. It felt as though the Madam had gone above and beyond what was usual. In the past, though the Madam had always favored her, she wouldn’t have been so attentive, and now the Madam was involved in every detail, often saying, “A woman’s marriage is a major event, no matter what sacrifices you make, don’t sacrifice your own happiness…”

These words seemed out of character for her.

Before she could think further, someone called her name to ask for her attention. Mo Qi turned to walk toward them, and as she glanced outside at the clear skies and the bright sun, she realized perhaps she was overthinking things.

—-

When Shen Wei returned from worshiping at Xishan Temple, Shui Bi helped her back into the carriage.

The coachman, Li Shan, who was waiting outside, saw Madam Shen Wei get into the carriage and was about to drive back to the city. But just as he was about to set off, the carriage curtain was lifted again, and Shui Bi’s voice said, “Madam will stop by a few shops in the western part of the city, starting with Baoru Zhai once we enter the city.”

Li Shan smiled and acknowledged, then, after the curtain fell again, he began to drive the carriage.

As the carriage slowly moved toward the city, Shen Wei sat comfortably on the soft cushion, reading a book. She lowered her head, and the sunlight streaming through the window illuminated her face, making it hard to discern her expression, but her eyes shone with clarity. Shui Bi, kneeling by her side preparing tea, occasionally glanced at her in silence.

It had been some time since Shui Bi had been working with the Duke Rong’s mansion and had been serving Shen Wei. She recalled a day when Manager Shi had privately spoken to her, saying, “This woman is not only smart but difficult to deal with. Since the Master has sent you to serve her, you must forget your previous identity and stay by her side.” But after spending time with Shen Wei, Shui Bi felt that she wasn’t particularly smart or hard to deal with.

She couldn’t help but think that Manager Shi had been making too much of a fuss.

Not to mention that the method written on the manuscript might not have been written by Madam Shen Wei at all. Even if it was, perhaps it was just a coincidence, something she had overheard. How could a woman who stayed within the inner chambers all her life have such insight? As these thoughts lingered, Shui Bi lowered her head to continue brewing the tea.

Before long, the fragrance of tea filled the carriage as the water boiled.

Shui Bi poured a cup of tea and brought it to the table in front of Shen Wei, respectfully saying, “Madam, your tea.”

Listening to these words, Shen Wei didn’t respond immediately. She merely closed the book in her hands, then took the tea cup and slowly sipped from it. As the tea slid down her throat, even she couldn’t help but praise the tea, saying it was no wonder it came from someone trained at Jinjiang Tower—such a simple cup of tea could taste completely different from usual.

When she asked Shi Qingyu to find someone for her, it was simply with the thought that she wanted someone who could take orders, and if they had some martial skills, that would be even better.

But Shui Bi was truly a bit too capable.

She recalled the roughness in Shui Bi’s hands, which seemed to be the marks left from years of wielding weapons. A few days ago, she had pretended to test her and accidentally knocked over the tea, but Shui Bi not only caught the tea cup steadily, but not a single drop of water was spilled. Apart from that, whether it was brewing tea or reading books, Shui Bi was quite outstanding.

However, anyone too outstanding is bound to have some arrogance, and Shui Bi was no exception.

Even if she tried to hide it, sometimes the unwillingness that would unconsciously show in her eyes couldn’t escape Shen Wei’s notice. It seemed that Shui Bi wasn’t content staying by her side.

It was understandable—how could staying beside an inner household woman compare to the life she had before?

Someone like Shui Bi, no matter where she went, would not be underestimated, and Shi Qingyu naturally wouldn’t give her such a person. The only possibility was that this Shui Bi was sent by the mysterious master of Jinjiang Tower.

But why?

What exactly did that mysterious master want to do?

Regardless of his intentions, Shen Wei thought to herself that she should thank him. If she could tame Shui Bi to work for her, many things would become much easier in the future. Shen Wei lowered her eyelids, took another sip of tea, and then placed the cup back on the table.

—-

By the time they reached Baoruzhai in the western part of the city, Shui Bi helped Shen Wei put on her veil and then assisted her in getting out of the carriage. Once Shen Wei stood firm, Shui Bi handed a piece of silver to Li Da and said, “I will stay here with the lady. You can find a place to park the carriage, and when the lady is ready to leave, I will send someone to call for you.”

Li Da, seeing the silver, immediately agreed and saluted Shen Wei before driving the carriage down a side path.

After he left, Shui Bi helped Shen Wei toward Baoruzhai. As they walked, Shui Bi explained, “Jinjiang Tower has many people and eyes, and Master Shi is worried that someone might recognize you, so he specifically chose this place… This place sells rouge and powder, so even if someone sees you, they won’t think much of it.”

Shen Wei nodded upon hearing this and silently praised Shi Qingyu for his thoughtfulness.

Every day, many nobles passed through Jinjiang Tower, and while it was still early, exceptions could always happen. If others saw them, it might not be good.

When they entered Baoruzhai, a young woman, about thirty years old, came forward to greet them. She had a charming appearance and smiled as she greeted them. However, upon noticing the plaque in Shui Bi’s hand, her expression immediately changed. She became serious, and her tone also became much more formal: “It turns out the esteemed guest has arrived. Master Shi is already waiting inside.”

She then personally led them inside, and when they reached a wooden board, she gently knocked on it. After a moment, the board shifted to the side, revealing a hidden passage.

Shen Wei observed this, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. Though she was not shocked, she couldn’t help but admire the ancient craftsmanship. The young woman looked at her, and upon seeing that her expression hadn’t changed, she lowered her eyes and greeted her with a bow, saying, “Please, esteemed guest, come in.”

After finishing her words, she saw Shui Bi ready to assist Shen Wei inside but added, “Master Shi said, the esteemed guest can enter alone.”

Shen Wei’s expression didn’t change, and Shui Bi unconsciously furrowed her brows. However, as she was accustomed to following orders, she simply nodded and said, “In that case, I will wait outside.”

Shen Wei didn’t respond but merely glanced at Shui Bi as she entered the room.

Once inside, the wooden board was closed behind her.

The sound of it didn’t faze Shen Wei, and she continued walking, her expression unchanged.

As she passed through a narrow path, she came upon a courtyard that seemed to belong to a well-maintained house. The trees and flowers inside were so rare that even she hadn’t seen them before.

But—

Shen Wei noticed how eerily quiet it was. It was so silent that it felt as though there was no one around except for her and the young man. She recalled the boy’s sudden appearance earlier and considered that, behind the silence, there might be many eyes watching. She dismissed the thought and focused on the path ahead.

They soon arrived at a building, where the young man stopped and said, “Please, esteemed guest, go in.”

Shen Wei nodded and stepped inside.

As soon as she crossed the threshold, Shi Qingyu came forward with a broad smile. His voice was warm as he greeted her, “Madam, you’re here. Please, take a seat.”

Shen Wei was not polite like others. She sat in the seat on the right as instructed. When she took the tea cup that Shi Qingyu handed her, her gaze unconsciously swept around the room.

The room was elegantly decorated, with everything looking quite nice, except for one thing—

She was looking at an eight-panel landscape folding screen not far away, which seemed rather out of place.

Shi Qingyu noticed she was staring at the screen, and his heart skipped a beat. Worried that she might notice something, he smiled and spoke: “Madam, the journey must have been tiring. Please try the tea and let me know what you think?”

Shen Wei didn’t respond directly. She just looked away and took a sip of tea, then set the cup down. She continued, “I’m not here to taste tea and discuss philosophy with you today. Let’s get to the point.”

Shi Qingyu smiled and said, “Madam is straightforward…”

After saying this, he stopped with the small talk and handed her a box placed on the table: “About the three-tenths you mentioned, I have already asked the boss, and he has agreed. Here is the contract for you. From now on, on the 15th of every month, I will send someone to give you your share. However…”

He paused for a moment before looking at Shen Wei, his voice becoming slightly deeper. “Madam must also promise me that the contents of the manuscript will not be shared with anyone else. Any new methods in the future must be implemented only by Jinjiang Tower… Do you have any objections?”

“Rest assured, Manager Shi,” Shen Wei said, lifting her face to look at him. Her expression was calm, but her voice was a little more serious than before. “Although I am a woman, I understand that trust is the most important thing in business. Since I have agreed to Jinjiang Tower, I will not go to anyone else.”

Hearing her words, Shi Qingyu’s expression brightened again.

He handed her the box and smiled as he picked up his tea cup. “I believe that in the near future, the money you have will surpass even the wealth of a Duke’s residence.” This was not an exaggeration—Jinjiang Tower was making a fortune, and although Shen Wei only had three-tenths, it was still a substantial amount.

Shen Wei only smiled without saying anything, her fingers gently tapping on the ebony box in her hands. After a while, she stood up and said, “Since there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

Shi Qingyu understood that her visit was not easy, so he didn’t try to stop her. When he saw her getting up, he also stood and offered to see her out.

Just as he got up, Shen Wei spoke again. “Manager Shi, please wait.” After saying this, she held the box in her hand and walked toward the door. But after walking a few steps, she paused and looked at the screen again. Then she said, “There is one more thing I’d like you to pass along. Shui Bi, I’m very satisfied with her.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Wei didn’t say anything else but continued walking out.

Shi Qingyu watched her leave, his expression still a little stunned. Before he could speak, someone stepped out from behind the screen. The person was dressed in dark robes, wearing a half-golden mask, and his deep gaze followed Shen Wei’s retreating figure.

Seeing the person appear, Shi Qingyu turned and respectfully bowed, calling out, “Master.”

The man in dark robes didn’t respond immediately. He stood with his hands behind his back, watching Shen Wei’s figure grow smaller before he softly murmured, “Mm.”

“I noticed that the Duke’s wife was not very satisfied with Shui Bi…” Shi Qingyu hesitated, then spoke again, testing the waters. “Shui Bi has been with you since she was young and tends to be a little proud. If you wish, I can arrange for another maid for Madam?”

“No need.”

The man’s voice was as indifferent as usual, but there was an unusual hint of pleasure in his eyes. After a pause, he added, “Since someone is now by her side, have the others withdraw.”

Shi Qingyu didn’t say anything more.

—-

When Shen Wei came out of Bao Ruzhai, supported by Shui Bi, it was already evening. Shui Bi looked at Shen Wei with some confusion, sensing that the Madam was acting differently since she had left. However, she didn’t understand why. She remained as respectful as always and asked, “Madam, should I have someone call for Li Da?”

Shen Wei didn’t respond immediately, just nodded, acknowledging her request.

Just as Shui Bi was about to call for Li Da, Shen Wei spotted a figure in white walking down the street towards an alley. Even from a distance, she recognized the man’s face… Without knowing why, she found herself following the figure as it turned into the alley.