Chapter 18: Overnight Fortune:

The study in Mingsong Hall was more than twice the size of Huichun Courtyard.

One side of the room was lined with books and calligraphy, the other with swords, spears, and halberds. The scholarly elegance and martial austerity created an oddly balanced tension in the air.

From the corner of her eye, Song Huan spotted the cold weapons on the wall and shivered slightly. Terrifying. Just looking at them made her feel under pressure.

She was seated beside Pei Yan, and at this moment, not even the tiniest shift in her expression escaped his notice. Seeing her face briefly pale, something flickered in his gaze, though his voice carried a note of affectionate indulgence. “Huan’er, what’s wrong? Are you cold?”

Song Huan felt her scalp tingle. …Sir, can you not speak so suddenly like that? You scared me!

This man was truly going all in to win over Qin Chengyu, even willing to put on an act of loving affection with her.

But Song Huan didn’t mind playing along. She hadn’t completed any of her daily tasks today, and a show of marital sweetness could only help her progress.

She turned to Pei Yan with a smile. “I’m not cold.”

Sunlight streamed in through the window slats, landing squarely on her radiant and charming face, even casting tiny golden flecks in her eyes. She looked gentle and captivating.

Pei Yan’s heart skipped a beat, a fleeting daze passing through his gaze.

“It’s just that the weather outside was chilly, and I haven’t quite warmed up yet,” Song Huan continued as she reached out to take his hand resting on the table. After all, being ‘affectionate’ requires a little physical contact, doesn’t it?

But the moment her warm palm touched the back of his hand, she nearly yanked it back—

What the heck…

Is this man made of ice?

There were two large bronze heaters on either side of the study, and she was already sweating just from walking in. Yet Pei Yan’s hand was ice cold!

The soft, warm touch made Pei Yan stiffen slightly. He was just about to pull his hand away when Qin Chengyu suddenly gave a dramatic cough. “Aiyo, you young folks… This old man’s face is getting too thin to bear watching.”

Startled, Song Huan quickly withdrew her hand and lowered her eyes, appearing shy. The heat in the room had flushed her cheeks pink, making her look like a bashful young lady.

Pei Yan gradually composed himself. Watching her now, he sneered inwardly: What a performance.

Yet on the surface, he still wore a gentle smile. “Huan’er has always been a little shy. Please don’t tease her, Manor Lord Qin.”

System: [“Target ‘Pei Yan’ favorability has changed.”] 
[Favorability +28.] 

Song Huan: “…Still in the positives. I’m fine.”

System: […Dear user, your mental strength is admirable.”] 

Song Huan: “Heh, average at best.”

How could she survive otherwise? Dealing with someone as moody and unpredictable as Pei Yan—if she didn’t keep her cool, she’d have been scared to death already.

With Qin Chengyu present, whether Pei Yan’s favorability rose or fell, at least her life was safe for now.

Seeing the two acting so close, Qin Chengyu beamed with a kind, elder’s smile. “Alright, alright, I’ll stop teasing you newlyweds now.”

He paused, then turned to Song Huan. “Huan’er, I actually came this time to deliver your dowry.”

“Dowry?” Song Huan looked up, her eyes shining.

Truth be told, the Song family had been extremely stingy with the original owner…

They hadn’t given her anything valuable as dowry—and had even pocketed the betrothal gifts Pei Yan sent to the Song household!

Qin Chengyu nodded. “It’s the shops and land holdings your mother entrusted to me years ago.”

“Back then, your maternal grandparents suddenly met with misfortune, and your mother was pregnant with you. She couldn’t manage the Shen family’s businesses herself, so she asked me to oversee them for a while. I had just taken over Shangbao Manor and was preparing to move south, so it took a full year before things settled. When I came to return the business to her, she no longer wanted it.”

Qin Chengyu sighed. “Since she didn’t want it, I kept looking after it for her. Who would’ve thought that I’d never get the chance to return it? Ten years ago, before your mother passed, she sent me a letter. She wrote that once Huan’er married, all of the Shen family’s assets should become her dowry.”

Song Huan: “…” Dearest mother…

Am I… about to strike it rich?

Seeing her dazed expression, Qin Chengyu chuckled and pulled a slightly worn envelope from his robe. “This is the last letter your mother ever sent me. The list of Shen family assets is written inside. Take a look, Huan’er.”

Her heart suddenly started pounding—thump, thump—almost leaping into her throat.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she took the envelope.

Both the envelope and the letter inside were clearly old and often handled.

She opened it and unfolded the paper, only to find it began abruptly: “Qin Xiaoyu, you better remember what I say.”

What followed was a detailed inventory of the Shen family estate.

Song Huan glanced at Qin Chengyu: “…” This letter only contains the asset list?

Qin Chengyu averted his eyes. “There were… some irrelevant ramblings. Your mother was always blunt and unfiltered. I’d rather save a bit of face and not show you the rest.”

Song Huan pressed her lips together and nodded. “I understand, Uncle Qin.”

Qin Chengyu: “…” Didn’t someone just say Huan’er was shy and reserved?

But since it was just an inventory, Song Huan didn’t pry further. After all, the manor lord of Shangbao, a man wealthier than nations—if he had wanted to keep what her mother left behind, he wouldn’t have bothered coming to the capital in the first place.

She glanced at the letter briefly before folding it back up and setting it aside with little concern. “If that’s the case, then I won’t look further. Since my mother trusted Uncle Qin, I trust you as well.”

Pei Yan gave her a surprised look. Deep down, a new wave of doubt began to rise. This… didn’t sound like something Song Huan would say.

“Good! Very good!” Qin Chengyu clapped in admiration. “Huan’er, this straightforward personality of yours is just like your mother’s!”

Like the late Shen Huiniang?

This little woman was sharp and cunning. She might not actually be as forthright as she appeared…

Still, if she could win Qin Chengyu’s trust, then she was at least worth keeping alive.

Pei Yan narrowed his eyes slightly, a faint smile on his lips.

System: [“Target ‘Pei Yan’ favorability has changed.”] 
[Favorability +39.] 

Song Huan: “…” Is this some kind of bug?

Why is his favorability going up now?

Wait… does Pei Yan have a thing for women who act like they don’t care about money?

Suddenly, Song Huan didn’t feel so happy anymore.

Author’s Note:
Song Huan: I totally treat money like dirt!
(Not really!)