Chapter 19: Sweet Harmony

Qin Chengyu showered Song Huan with praise, so much so that she felt embarrassed.

He then added, “But Huan’er, even though you don’t care about these things, Uncle Qin still needs to explain which shops the Shen Family owns in the Capital. In the future, you’ll have to manage the Shen Family’s business yourself.”

Song Huan froze. She had no experience in business. Could she hire someone to manage it and just sit back and collect the profits?

But she couldn’t voice these thoughts to Lord Qin right now.

Years ago, Lord Qin had helped the Shen Family out of respect for Song Huan’s late mother. Now that her mother had been gone for so long, Song Huan wasn’t sure how much of that goodwill remained.

Besides, she wasn’t the original Song Huan.

It would be unfair to take advantage of her mother’s legacy and deplete the remaining goodwill.

But managing it herself… she was afraid she’d mess it up.

Qin Chengyu seemed to see through her worries. He casually played with his folding fan, reassuring her, “Huan’er, there’s no need to fret. I’ll personally instruct the managers of each shop to support you. If any of them prove disobedient, you can seek out Qin Zhi at Shangbao Manor’s Capital branch—he’ll assist you.”

Song Huan nodded obediently. “Thank you, Uncle Qin.”

Having a mentor was better than none. She made a mental note of this Qin Zhi.

Qin Chengyu set down his fan, took a sip of clear tea to soothe his throat, and said with nonchalant ease, “Actually, there isn’t much to learn about business. I’ll continue overseeing the Shen Family’s assets outside the Capital. You can gradually take them over and replace the staff with your own people.”

“For now, you only need to take over the Shen family’s assets in the capital. I’ve consolidated them for you—just a single street, really. As long as you can manage Baoyun Street well, that will be enough.”

Choke. Song Huan practically swallowed a breath down the wrong pipe. She had finally experienced what it meant to be in the presence of a truly wealthy and powerful person.

She recalled the book had once mentioned that Baoyun Street was the most prosperous street in the entire capital. Saying that every inch of land there was worth gold was no exaggeration.

For ordinary folks, owning even a tiny shop on Baoyun Street was equivalent to reaching the pinnacle of success.

But this entire street… in Qin Chengyu’s words, it sounded no different than handing over a little shop. He just casually gave it to her.

Song Huan felt like she was floating, unsure if she could ever come back down to earth.

She slowly exhaled. “Uncle Qin, I’ll do my best.”

Qin Chengyu could sense Song Huan’s nervousness, but beyond that, he saw no fear or hesitation in her eyes. This surprised him. “Huan’er, your courage rivals even Uncle Shen’s from back in the day.”

Song Huan: …… No, actually, I’m terrified.

“Uncle Qin, you flatter me. Huan’er wouldn’t dare compare herself to her grandfather.”

She was simply… putting on a brave face.

What if I fail? What if I squander the entire Shen Family fortune…? Ugh, just thinking about it makes my face ache.

Pei Yan glanced at Song Huan, who was nervously picking at her clothes. A flicker of curiosity crossed his eyes. A woman who never left the inner courtyard of the Song Family… yet she dares to accept Baoyun Street with such brazen confidence?

This woman’s current demeanor bears no resemblance to the Song Huan who once gambled outside the Marquis’s Residence to win him over before their marriage.

In the study, three people were present, and two of them were watching Song Huan.

Song Huan remained silent, the atmosphere strangely harmonious.

***

At that moment, Pei Chen knocked on the study door. “My lord, an imperial decree has arrived, summoning you to the palace immediately.”

Pei Yan’s smile faded slightly as he instructed Pei Chen in a deep voice, “Have the horses prepared and waiting outside the manor gates.”

“Yes, my lord,” Pei Chen replied.

As the young man left to carry out the order, a glint flashed in Qin Chengyu’s eyes. Though Huan’er and Marquis Pei appeared deeply in love, he still felt uneasy.

Years ago, he had witnessed Song Chenghai’s apparent devotion to Huiniang, yet tragedy had still befallen her. He couldn’t allow Huan’er to repeat that history and resolved to speak with her privately.

“…Marquis Pei has urgent matters to attend to. This Qin truly shouldn’t impose further,” Qin Chengyu sighed, tapping his folding fan against his palm, a troubled expression crossing his face. “…However, I came to the Capital in secret. Seeing Huan’er today has eased a great weight on my heart. I must depart for Jiangnan tomorrow. Would it be possible for Huan’er to spend a little more time with this old man today?”

Pei Yan smiled faintly and nodded. “Lord Qin, you flatter me. I invited you to my residence for a proper visit and should have kept you company. However, the Holy Emperor has summoned me, and I must attend him. I trust you won’t hold it against me.”

His tone shifted, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes as he turned to Song Huan. “But Huan’er’s wound has just healed. Don’t get so caught up in conversation with Lord Qin that you forget to take your medicine later.”

Pei Yan’s voice was clear and resonant, yet Song Huan’s heart couldn’t help but tremble.

System: [“The target ‘Pei Yan’s’ favorability toward you has changed.”] 

[Favorability -5.] 

Song Huan: “……”

He’s threatening me not to say anything out of line…

Hmph, men.

Her eyes darted sideways, and she turned a sweet, smiling gaze toward Pei Yan. “My lord, don’t worry. Jin Yue will be here with my medicine bowl before long.”

Her voice was clear and sweet.

Even though Pei Yan knew she was putting on an act, his heart still felt like it had been tickled by a feather, leaving a faint itch.

His gaze deepened involuntarily as he rose to his feet. “In that case, this husband can leave for the palace with peace of mind.”

Song Huan stood up with him. No way, she thought. She had only completed one of her daily tasks, “Have a daily chat,” and still had several more to finish.

What if Pei Yan went to the palace and didn’t return until late at night? Her daily tasks would be ruined again!

Turning to Lord Qin, Song Huan said, “Uncle Qin, I’d like to see the Marquis off, just to Mingsong Hall… Would you mind…?”

“Go ahead, go ahead,” Lord Qin waved his hand with a chuckle before she could finish. “Uncle Qin understands.”

…..

Pei Yan and Song Huan walked down the corridor, one behind the other.

Pei Yan’s pace was unhurried, even slower than usual. Yet the petite woman who had insisted on seeing him off kept lagging behind, dawdling for some unknown reason.

Pei Yan stopped abruptly, turning around with a cold expression.

At that moment, Song Huan suddenly quickened her steps and crashed into his arms.

One, two, three…

[“Daily Hug” mission completed.]
[Congratulations! You have gained six hours of life points.]

Song Huan’s lips curved into a smile. She had been fretting about how to complete today’s mission without resorting to force, but rather through a natural and legitimate means.

Having held him long enough, Song Huan lowered her head and released Pei Yan, taking a few small steps backward. “I was just… trying to catch up to you. I didn’t expect you to stop.”

“Is that so?” Pei Yan’s long, cool fingers brushed against Song Huan’s slender, pale neck. He leaned close to her ear and murmured, “In that case, it seems this Marquis is at fault.”

…… Song Huan’s ears tingled. What is this scoundrel planning?

“Mmm—”

Two cool lips suddenly pressed against Song Huan’s mouth, her mind going blank in an instant.

As her thoughts gradually returned, her smiling eyes widened involuntarily…

Pei Yan was kissing her?

Pei Yan, that scoundrel, was kissing her first?!

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Her heart raced faster and faster, each beat more frantic than the last.

So flustered.

Barely holding it together.

The feeling of being teased versus teasing someone… they were worlds apart!

Meanwhile, Pei Yan’s brows furrowed deeper and deeper, his own state no better.

From the moment Song Huan had agreed to come with him, that persistent itch in his heart had gradually seeped into his lungs, then spread throughout his entire body.

Pei Yan was on the verge of losing control, just as he had countless times before.

He wanted to taste blood…

Pei Yan devoured Song Huan’s lips with savage bites.

Song Huan: “……” Holy shit! Are all men dogs?!

Kissing is fine, but why the hell are you biting me?!

Author’s Note:
Song Huan: My mood is like a roller coaster.