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Shen Ziju spent a long time with Shen Zi’an, earnestly learning arithmetic from Su Zhi. He showed the demeanor of a diligent student.
To help Shen Ziju learn quickly, Su Zhi used the simplest methods.
Shen Ziju was indeed clever. In a short time, he memorized the ten Arabic numerals and quickly grasped the rules of addition and subtraction. The trick with addition and subtraction was that once you understood the key, mastering one problem meant mastering them all. The difference between adults and children was that adults, if they applied themselves, wouldn’t make careless mistakes like children often did. Shen Zi’an could learn quickly, and Shen Ziju, renowned for his brilliance, was no exception.
Watching Shen Ziju solve the problems that Yueyueposed, quickly and accurately, Su Zhi couldn’t help but think that the Shen brothers were all very intelligent.
After Shen Ziju left with his book of poetry, Su Zhi turned to Shen Zi’an and said, “Zi’an, I think you’re just as smart as Fifth Brother. If you had gone to school in your youth, you would surely be a scholar by now. Then wouldn’t I be a scholar’s wife?”
“Wife, do you fancy being a scholar’s wife?”
Listening to Su Zhi’s words, Shen Zi’an looked up at her. He knew his wife was intelligent, and she only grew more refined with time, not inferior to any city lady. Sometimes he couldn’t help but think that if she hadn’t married him, she could have married someone even better. Now, hearing her say this, he couldn’t help but ask, even though he knew he would never let her become another scholar’s wife.
Setting down her needlework, Su Zhi replied, “What if I do? What if I don’t? Are you seriously considering letting me become another scholar’s wife?”
Su Zhi playfully thought that if Shen Zi’an had any such notion, she would jump up and give him a playful bite.
Shen Zi’an didn’t wait for Su Zhi to jump at him; instead, he moved forward and took her hand in his, looking into her eyes. “I won’t let anyone else have you. If you really want to be a scholar’s wife, then I’ll find a way to pass the scholar’s exam. You said I’m smart, right? I’m sure I can pass.”
Su Zhi burst into laughter upon hearing his words. She relaxed into his embrace, feeling proud of her remarkable husband. She had no intention of backing down. In fact, the idea of him taking the scholar’s exam for her sake amused her. Such a husband, even if he became the top scholar, she wouldn’t care; she only needed him.
“Becoming a scholar’s wife isn’t that interesting. I’d rather be the lady of the house, counting money until my hands cramp. Wouldn’t that be great? You just need to massage my hands when they ache.”
“Alright, not only will I massage your hands, but I’ll massage anywhere you want.”
Shen Zi’an held Su Zhi in his arms and whispered in her ear. His voice became husky, and Su Zhi could tell from his tone that he was up to something mischievous. She reached out and lightly tapped him, not trying to break free but instead smiling softly in his embrace. She liked when her somewhat aloof husband showed this side of himself—it meant he loved her deeply. Being someone else’s daughter-in-law, moments like these were the proudest and happiest for her.
As Shen Zi’an held Su Zhi close, they shared an intimate moment. Su Zhi eventually fell asleep in his arms, but Shen Zi’an remained awake, eyes open, reflecting on the past.
Shen Zi’an was indeed clever when he was young. He remembered his mother urging him to study, but she passed away early, and her wish remained unfulfilled. He hadn’t paid much attention to it either, especially since his older brothers never attended school. Even the few characters he knew were taught by Shen Zhang Shi. Later, when Shen Ziju was born, everyone said he was destined for greatness, and Shen Youfu wanted him to bring honor to the family. It wasn’t that Shen Zi’an didn’t envy him; after all, his mother had wanted him to study. But with his birth mother gone and his stepmother, despite being good, not the same, Shen Zi’an had keenly observed that Shen Zhang Shi wasn’t as warm as she appeared. He didn’t push the issue further.
Reading had become a dream for Shen Zi’an, though he understood that his mother’s desire for him to study was primarily to equip him with skills for survival. After all, educated people found it easier to secure work. He managed to learn a few characters through various means, enough to recognize and make a living. Later, after marrying Su Zhi, he learned to read and do arithmetic from her. Shen Zi’an felt that his late mother’s spirit could finally rest assured.
Today, when Su Zhi mentioned that he was as smart as Shen Ziju, Shen Zi’an felt a mixture of joy and sadness. Joy because his wife didn’t think him foolish, but sadness because even if he were as intelligent as Shen Ziju, he still didn’t have the opportunity to study. He knew his older brothers had been sent to school, but none had stayed long, giving up eventually. Only he hadn’t been considered worthy of such hopes. Reflecting on these matters still stirred some resentment in him, even though he no longer cared about Shen Youfu’s expectations.
“Wife, I may not be able to study like a scholar, but I know how to hunt tigers, which is far more useful,” he replied with a hint of pride.
Su Zhi nestled closer into Shen Zi’an’s embrace, murmuring softly as if in a dream. Shen Zi’an smiled faintly at her words, thinking that his wife was indeed the best companion left to him by his late mother. With her by his side, he could overlook all the hardships he had endured before. He adjusted Su Zhi into a more comfortable position and closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep.
Meanwhile, Shen Ziju quickly finished copying the poetry collection and returned to Fuyuan, where he returned the collection to Su Zhi.
On that same day, Liang Guang brought his cousin Liang Fu to visit again. Shen Zi’an accompanied Shen Ziju and Qian Guang to sit in the pavilion by the pond.
Su Zhi brewed tea for them and then went with Liang Fu to discuss their matters.
Liang Fu had come to inform Su Zhi that she had already arranged everything for opening a shop.
Liang Fu held a doll in her hand as she spoke earnestly to Su Zhi, “The day after tomorrow is market day. I need you and Fourth Brother Shen to bring the samples to the town. Wait on the north side of town, and I’ll come to meet you there. I’ve also spoken to Sister Zhao about this. I prefer to keep my business dealings private, so please try not to let anyone know what you’re carrying, especially my cousins.”
Su Zhi pondered silently. She understood that Liang Fu wanted to keep her business endeavors discreet, possibly due to societal expectations for women, compounded by her father’s official position. Su Zhi wondered why Liang Fu was determined to engage in business when being a respectable lady of the house seemed just as desirable.
“Could you tell me why?” Su Zhi finally asked, wanting clarity before committing to this partnership. She was wary of any potential complications that might arise.
Liang Fu looked at Su Zhi, meeting her clear gaze for a moment before lowering her eyes and nervously twisting the ears of the doll in her hands.
“Because I don’t want my father to know. He’s an official, and he wouldn’t approve of me doing business. If my uncles found out, they might tell him. Their relationship with my father is still good, and they might think it’s not appropriate for a girl to be in business,” Liang Fu explained.
Su Zhi nodded in understanding. “I see.”
Su Zhi thought even if Liang Fu wasn’t completely truthful, selling these dolls could be profitable. It wasn’t her only way to make money, but it wouldn’t hurt to try.
Seeing Su Zhi accept her explanation without further inquiry, Liang Fu felt relieved. She admired Su Zhi’s intelligence and felt a genuine friendship forming between them. Unlike her previous acquaintances, whom she found either superficial, proud, timid, or hypocritical, Su Zhi was different. Liang Fu cherished this friendship dearly.
Liang Fu sighed and set the doll aside.
“It’s not that simple. My father arranged a marriage for me, and it’s not someone I like. The person I truly like… I don’t know where he is,” she confessed.
Su Zhi was surprised. She had once suspected Liang Fu might have feelings for her husband, judging from the way Liang Fu looked at him. Now, she realized it was a misunderstanding on her part. Perhaps she had been overly sensitive about her husband, causing her to doubt others. Su Zhi felt a twinge of embarrassment at her own suspicions.
“Why don’t you try to find him?” she asked gently.
Su Zhi, misunderstanding Liang Fu’s situation, became more sympathetic towards her. She felt that Liang Fu deserved happiness and hoped she could find the person she loved.
Liang Fu sighed again, her brows furrowing lightly as she spoke. “I don’t even know his name or surname. I only saw him once. It was when I took my maid to offer incense. There were too many people, and we got separated. That scoundrel my father wanted me to marry tried to take advantage of me, and that’s when this person appeared.”
Su Zhi thought it sounded like a classic tale of a hero rescuing a maiden in distress. She hadn’t realized that Liang Fu had fallen for this person just from that one encounter. It seemed remarkable to be so captivated by someone she barely knew.
“If you want to find him, how will you manage in such a vast country like Liang?” Su Zhi asked, concerned. While she admired Liang Fu’s romantic dedication, she couldn’t help but worry that pinning hopes on someone from such a fleeting encounter might lead to disappointment.