The next morning, Zhou Song and the others set off early with Wang Cuixiang, heading to town. To avoid any gossip, they brought Aunt Wu along as well.

It was still right after the New Year, so most people had no shortage of good food, and few folks from nearby villages were around. The town felt a bit quieter than usual.

Zhou Song and Shen Qingzhu walked ahead, occasionally stopping to look at interesting stalls and picking up a couple of trinkets they fancied.

Wang Cuixiang didn’t come to town often, so everything felt both fresh and a bit overwhelming. She clutched her bundle tightly. Wu Lanshu turned around, gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder to calm her down. Although she didn’t know her well, she had heard bits about her plight. As a fellow woman, she sympathized with the hardship Wang Cuixiang had endured and couldn’t help feeling a pang of empathy.

Feeling Wu Lanshu’s gentle pat, Wang Cuixiang relaxed a little, smiling gratefully in response.

Thinking it might be awkward for Wang Cuixiang to follow them around, Shen Qingzhu led everyone to the paper and ink shop first.

The shop attendant recognized Shen Qingzhu, greeting him with a polite bow. Shen Qingzhu nodded, heading straight to the counter to find the shopkeeper with the goatee, who, as usual, sat with a lowered gaze. Shen Qingzhu tapped the counter lightly. “Shopkeeper.”

The shopkeeper looked up and smiled upon seeing him. “It’s been a while since you last came, sir.”

“Been busy with a lot recently.” Shen Qingzhu returned his smile. “Today, I’ve come to ask a favor.”

The shopkeeper stroked his goatee. “Please, feel free to ask, sir.”

Shen Qingzhu gestured towards Wang Cuixiang, who stood a bit further away, and signaled her to come over. He then said, “She’s looking for a small job to make a living. Do you happen to know of any opportunities?”

Nervous as she approached, Wang Cuixiang nonetheless greeted the shopkeeper politely when he looked her over.

The shopkeeper nodded with a smile, then turned back to Shen Qingzhu. “I know of an embroidery shop currently looking for a cleaner. It’s run by women, so it should be convenient for her. I know the shopkeeper there, so if this lady is interested, I’d be happy to help.”

Hearing this, Shen Qingzhu turned to look at Wang Cuixiang.

Finding a job so smoothly, Wang Cuixiang naturally agreed, bowing repeatedly with gratitude, “I’m willing, I’m willing. Thank you so much, Shopkeeper.”

The shopkeeper waved off her thanks, then picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote something on a piece of paper. After drying it, he folded it and called over an attendant, handing the paper to him. “Take this lady to Fu Embroidery Workshop and give this letter to the shopkeeper there.”

The attendant took the letter with a bow, then gestured politely for Wang Cuixiang to follow him.

With one last bow to Shen Qingzhu and the others, Wang Cuixiang clutched her bundle and followed the attendant.

And so, they had done their part to help this unfortunate woman. What path lay ahead for her now depended on her own choices.

“Thank you very much, Shopkeeper,” Shen Qingzhu turned back to express his gratitude.

The shopkeeper, still smiling, glanced at Zhou Song, standing nearby. “Since you’re here, sir, don’t forget to pick up some paper and ink before you go.”

Shen Qingzhu’s eyebrows raised slightly as he looked at Zhou Song, then extended his hand to the shopkeeper. “No worries, there’s no one else here.”

Zhou Song, unsure of what this exchange meant, looked back and forth between the two of them, a bit confused.

The shopkeeper paused briefly before reaching into his pocket to retrieve an envelope and handed it to Shen Qingzhu. “This came three days ago.”

Shen Qingzhu took the letter and tucked it into his sleeve, giving the shopkeeper a nod before leading Zhou Song away.

Wu Lanshu, who had been browsing the paper and ink, noticed them coming over and mentioned casually, “While you were talking, I found some new paper here that looks quite nice.”

Shen Qingzhu smiled and nodded, going over to look.

Zhou Song, who had been watching silently, couldn’t help but steal a glance at Shen Qingzhu, looking like he wanted to ask but wasn’t sure if he should.

Sensing his gaze, Shen Qingzhu turned to see Zhou Song’s hesitant expression and couldn’t help chuckling. He gave Zhou Song’s fingers a reassuring squeeze, “It’s inconvenient here. I’ll tell you when we’re back.”

Hearing this, Zhou Song relaxed, his imagination no longer running wild.

They bought some paper and ink and then headed to a nearby bookstore. Shen Qingzhu picked out some interesting storybooks and quite a few writing guides, intending to give them as gifts to the children starting school, as well as for Zhou Song and the others to use.

Afterward, they accompanied Wu Lanshu to buy some needles, threads, and seasonings that were needed at home. With plenty of food stocked up, they decided to have lunch at a small shop before heading back to the village.

The weather was pleasant that day, with the sun shining brightly. Many village women gathered under the large tree in the center of the village to bask in the sun, chatting and doing needlework.

Noticing their cart approaching, they called out, eager to ask about the school.

Despite frequently asking the village head about it, they couldn’t resist asking Shen Qingzhu again whenever they saw him to feel reassured.

After all, it was hard to believe that their village would one day have its own school. No more trekking to the neighboring village, where schooling was expensive, and the children had to endure condescending looks.

If they could really study in their own village, it would be a huge relief. And besides, Shen Xiaolang was from the capital. His knowledge was surely above that of the teacher from the neighboring village. If children from that village started coming here to study instead, wouldn’t it be a bit of poetic justice?

Of course, more than that, they were concerned about whether their own children would have the opportunity to study.

Understanding their eagerness, Shen Qingzhu patiently answered each time, as he did now.

After chatting for a bit, the women finally let them go, feeling satisfied.

“If my mischievous boy could learn even a little of Shen Xiaolang’s manner and composure, I’d be overjoyed!”

“Yes, look at him! Truly from a big place, treating everyone here kindly. I’d feel completely at ease entrusting my child to him.”

“There are some who keep talking about him being Kun Ze, saying all kinds of sour things. They just can’t stand seeing others do well.”

“Those men who look down on him should look at themselves first. They can’t even read a single character, yet have the nerve to say he’s no good!”

“When the school is built, I’m definitely sending my child there.”

…

Shen Qingzhu and Zhou Song didn’t hear any of these comments. They dropped Wu Lanshu off at her home before heading back together.

Once home, Zhou Song helped bring their purchases to the study. Shen Qingzhu started organizing the items while Zhou Song went to light the stove.

Shen Qingzhu placed the storybooks and school materials together, then separated out some of the writing guides, wrapping the rest and setting them by the books.

When Zhou Song returned from lighting the fire, Shen Qingzhu handed him a few writing guides, saying, “Keep some for yourself and give a few to Lin Erzhu and the others.”

Zhou Song shook his head. “Give them all to the others.”

Shen Qingzhu blinked in confusion.

Zhou Song wrapped his arms around Shen Qingzhu’s waist from behind, resting his chin on his shoulder like a big, affectionate dog. “I only want to practice your handwriting.”

Shen Qingzhu froze for a moment, then smiled, gently patting Zhou Song’s cheek without saying a word.

Since learning to write, Zhou Song often copied the poems and essays Shen Qingzhu wrote. Noticing his fondness for regular script, Shen Qingzhu had purposely picked out several calligraphy guides in that style. But Zhou Song’s fondness wasn’t for the script itself, but for Shen Qingzhu’s own writing. Since that was the case, he was happy to indulge him.

After a warm moment, Zhou Song let him go and helped organize the paper, storing it in a special box beside the desk for easy access.

With two people in the house now writing regularly and often sharing supplies with Lin Erzhu and the others, they went through things faster and had to buy more each time.

Once everything was tidied, Shen Qingzhu reached into his sleeve and took out the letter.

Zhou Song watched him open it without saying anything.

The envelope was thick, and Shen Qingzhu pulled out several pages, smoothing them out and lowering his gaze to read carefully.

Zhou Song knew Shen Qingzhu reading it in front of him meant he had nothing to hide, but he still respectfully refrained from reading over his shoulder, keeping his eyes on Shen Qingzhu’s focused profile instead.

This way, he noticed every tiny shift in Shen Qingzhu’s expression.

Shen Qingzhu’s eyelashes trembled, his breath quickened slightly.

Zhou Song, startled, instinctively looked at the letter and noticed Shen Qingzhu’s fingers trembling as he held the pages. Frowning, he reached out to cover Shen Qingzhu’s hand, feeling it cold to the touch. “What’s wrong?”

Seemingly brought back by Zhou Song’s touch, Shen Qingzhu closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them again, his expression had calmed. He looked at Zhou Song, shaking his head slightly, “I’ll finish reading, then I’ll explain.”

Zhou Song hesitated before releasing his grip.

Shen Qingzhu continued reading, carefully considering each sentence.

During this time, Zhou Song didn’t interrupt him.

A long while later, Shen Qingzhu finally set down the letter. He pressed his lips together, sitting in silence for a moment before softly saying, “Zhou Song, do you remember me mentioning Lord Wen before?”

Zhou Song nodded. “You said he was your father-in-law’s friend?”

“Yes.” Shen Qingzhu’s gaze fell to the letter on the table. “After I left the capital, he continued quietly gathering evidence about my father’s case, hoping to clear his name…”

He paused, then continued, “But I always thought that besides betrayal from colleagues, there was someone higher up who took advantage of the situation, so it wouldn’t be easy.”

For a general, the greatest fear was becoming too accomplished, causing suspicion from those in power. His father had not been spared this fate.

Zhou Song, unfamiliar with court politics, couldn’t understand why someone would feel threatened by a general defending the country. But hearing Shen Qingzhu’s words, he felt a pang of sorrow.

“But Lord Wen’s letter this time says that things seem to have turned in our favor,” Shen Qingzhu looked at Zhou Song, his voice trembling slightly, “If all goes well, there might be a chance to bring my sister back from exile. We… we might be able to see her again.”

At his final words, his voice choked, and he leaned into Zhou Song’s embrace. “She’s the only blood relative I have left in this world…”

Zhou Song wrapped his arms around him, gently stroking his hair.

He could understand Shen Qingzhu’s complex emotions—joy mixed with sorrow. Joy at the thought of reuniting with his sister, sorrow knowing that even if the truth came out, his parents would never return.