Speaking of which, having followed by Qi Ying’s side for nearly three years, Shen Xiling had quite some understanding of aristocratic family matters.
Among the current three surnames, the Qi family was the most noble, the Han family second, and the Fu family third.
The Qi clan alone—just the family head Qi Zhang’s lineage—had produced three high officials of the second rank or above. All governmental affairs in Jiangzuo could not avoid passing through the hands of the Qi family, truly representing overwhelming power and influence. The Han family was also distinguished and noble. General Han Shouye still held military power and enjoyed extremely high prestige in the army. Especially since Fourth Prince Xiao Ziheng also had half Han family bloodline, if he inherited the throne in the future, the Han clan would rise even higher with the tide.
The Fu family ranked last, which was somewhat awkward.
Although family head Fu Bi was currently the Right Minister, Jiangzuo had always valued left over right. Court officials respected Qi Zhang more than him, making this Right Minister position seem quite insubstantial. Moreover, with the Fu family now in decline—the older generation who commanded troops had either died or grown old, and military power had shifted toward the Han family—this made the Fu clan increasingly less prosperous.
However, as people often say, even a broken ship still has three thousand nails. Although the Fu family was not what it once was, it remained one of the most distinguished households in Jiangzuo. Precisely because they couldn’t compete with the other two surnames in court and military matters, they put especially more effort into commerce, actually having more connections than the Qi and Han families.
Shen Xiling had heard of Fu Hong’s reputation early on. He was Fu Bi’s third uncle, and if traced back, was also Lady Qi’s younger brother. He should now be around sixty years old. It was said that in his youth, like his sister, he was a person of ruthless methods. He was the one behind the weaving guild.
While Shen Xiling’s thoughts were still turning, she heard Shopkeeper Feng continue: “That’s right, exactly one of the three surnames! In Jiangzuo, aristocratic family members are like heaven itself. When they want to get a share, who dares say no? Justice? Justice is bullshit! In their eyes, it’s not worth even a copper coin!”
Both angry and furious, he shed tears again, crying bitterly and lamenting: “In previous years, I endured and endured, finally thinking that after the Shen family fell, those days of being constantly restricted and living in fear were finally over. But after the Shen family was finished, the Fu family came! When will such days ever end!”
Shopkeeper Feng’s eyes were bloodshot with rage, while Shen Xiling… suddenly froze.
Shen.
…She truly hadn’t heard this character for many years.
Ever since being rescued by Qi Ying three years ago, others mostly called her “Miss Fang,” while he called her “Wenwen.” No one mentioned her real name and surname anymore—that was a secret and also a taboo.
Her father had been distant from her since childhood. Truly speaking, there was almost nothing that could prove their blood connection. She had never had any clear and profound understanding of her own origins. She was just Shen Xiling, the daughter of her father and mother, with no connection to that legendary family of extreme wealth and eventual catastrophic downfall.
She had no feelings for that family. When she heard others talk about it, it was like listening to a story that had nothing to do with her. But sometimes it wasn’t entirely so—the former master of that family was, after all, her father.
Her father was a gentle and generous person who most liked to read poetry and Buddhist scriptures. He was never extravagant, would personally enter the kitchen for her and her mother and take pleasure in it, and would even make toys for her childhood with his own hands.
He was definitely not a greedy person, nor would he ever abuse his power to bully others.
But now she heard Shopkeeper Feng mention the Shen family, and the hatred and disgust in his words and expression couldn’t be faked. He had truly suffered much oppression, he had truly been helpless.
Shen Xiling couldn’t describe her feelings at that moment. Just as she was in a daze, she suddenly saw fanatic fervor in Shopkeeper Feng’s eyes, and he grabbed her hand, startling Shen Xiling.
Shuipei, Fengshang, and Liuzi naturally protected their master. Seeing Shopkeeper Feng act this way, they quickly pulled him away. Shuipei even showed displeasure, saying coldly: “If Shopkeeper Feng has something to say, say it properly. What is this grabbing and touching? How can our Miss tolerate such offense from others!”
Shopkeeper Feng had no ill intentions. Upon hearing this, he fell to his knees with a thud and repeatedly apologized to Shen Xiling, saying: “Miss Fang, my fabric shop is insignificant. The reason it was vandalized by the guild today was merely to make an example by killing the chicken to warn the monkeys. Their intention is not with me but with Miss Fang. If Miss doesn’t handle this matter, the guild will inevitably find other fabric shops that align with Miss to cause trouble. This affair will have no end.”
“We are all from poor common backgrounds—where would we get the ability to contend with aristocratic families?” Shopkeeper Feng wept as he spoke, but his gaze at Shen Xiling showed fanatic fervor. “But Miss Fang is different! Miss has backing behind you and can certainly fight them! Please, Miss, have pity on us and seek justice for us!”
After saying this, he suddenly began kowtowing to Shen Xiling!
Shen Xiling was not yet fifteen, while Shopkeeper Feng was already over forty. Now performing such grand ceremony, she naturally dared not accept it. She quickly helped lift him up together with Liuzi and the others, comforting him: “Shopkeeper Feng, please don’t do this. This matter is my responsibility, and I will naturally do my utmost—but I have no backing behind me, yet I believe in justice and human hearts.”
This was true.
Although the fabric shop was given to her by Qi Ying, he had never interfered in its management over these years. Shen Xiling had encountered quite a few bumps and obstacles along the way, but she had always been unwilling to depend on him too much, so she had never asked for his help.
This matter was the same.
Since it was her own affair, she had no reason to rely on others—even him.
Unexpectedly, as soon as she finished speaking, Shopkeeper Feng showed a somewhat subtle expression, looking at Shen Xiling and saying: “Why must Miss Fang conceal the truth? If Miss had no one protecting you, how could you have started this white cotton business out of thin air back then? The guild has eyes and hands reaching everywhere—how would they allow someone to grow big right under their noses?”
Like hearing a bell in the quiet night, a sudden awakening blow.
Again leaving Shen Xiling stunned speechless.
That night, Qi Ying returned to Fenghe Courtyard for dinner.
In previous years, the wars between north and south were fierce, so officials of the Privy Council were all busy beyond measure. As their superior, Qi Ying was naturally even busier, often staying overnight at the government office. Even when he found time to return to Fenghe Courtyard, it was always late at night.
However, now both countries were tired of fighting and had begun to rest and recuperate, creating a rare period of peace. He could therefore breathe a temporary sigh of relief and now could return home to have dinner with Shen Xiling.
But the little girl seemed somewhat absent-minded tonight and appeared to have no appetite. She normally ate little, but tonight she hardly moved her chopsticks at all. Only because he was present, she felt embarrassed to leave early and kept holding a pair of chopsticks as a pretense, but actually hadn’t eaten a single bite.
Qi Ying watched her poking around in her bowl and dishes with her chopsticks, then put down his own chopsticks, looked up at her, and asked: “Something on your mind?”
He had always understood her very well. Even when she carefully concealed things, he could see what she was thinking, let alone tonight when her mind was so chaotic she couldn’t bother to hide it—he saw through her at a glance.
Shen Xiling also knew she couldn’t hide anything from the person before her. She simply didn’t deny it, glanced at him, then lowered her eyes, and gently nodded, looking somewhat listless.
Qi Ying smiled and picked up his chopsticks again, saying: “Eat first. Tell me about whatever it is after dinner.”
Shen Xiling pursed her lips, secretly glanced at him again, gripped her chopsticks and said quietly: “Today… today I don’t have much appetite. Can I not eat first?”
Her tone was somewhat pitiful, her gaze also carried a small plea. With her brows slightly furrowed, she looked both soft and beautiful. Even the pretty red mole between her brows appeared especially endearing. Anyone who saw her would soften their heart and nod to whatever she said.
Unfortunately, the person she was pleading with was Qi Ying.
“No,” he refused without even thinking, and his expression was very serious. “Eat properly.”
Shen Xiling saw his brows beginning to furrow a little and felt somewhat intimidated. She pursed her lips and began slowly picking up food and eating.
He had always been like this—sometimes appearing very gentle and agreeable, very partial and caring toward her in many matters, but in some things, he wouldn’t indulge her at all and insisted she listen to him. Shen Xiling didn’t doubt that if she still didn’t start eating properly now, he would stern his face and scold her, just like when she was little.
She didn’t want to be scolded, so she could only try to eat more.
Seeing the little girl finally start using her chopsticks, although still with a reluctant appearance and eating extremely slowly, at least she was obeying. Qi Ying felt somewhat satisfied.
Her body was originally weak, and now she had completely thrown herself into money matters, busy with her business every day, which was even more mentally and physically exhausting. Recently, he noticed she had lost some weight again. She also often didn’t eat properly—she would eat a bit more only when he was present. Whenever he wasn’t there, which time didn’t she pretend to comply while actually disobeying, putting down her chopsticks after just one or two bites?
Acting cute and throwing tantrums was useless—such matters were non-negotiable.
After dinner, Qi Ying went into Wangshi to handle official business.
He had barely sat behind his desk for a while when he heard some movement at the door. Looking up, he indeed saw Shen Xiling push open the door to Wangshi just a crack, but she didn’t enter, standing at the doorway looking at him.
The little girl stood outside the door with her hands behind her back. She wasn’t pouting, but he could tell at a glance that she was throwing a small tantrum, and he could also see that she was waiting for him to coax her.
Qi Ying couldn’t help but smile.
Speaking of which, although Shen Xiling’s temperament was largely the same as when she was little, many differences could be seen in the details, especially when she was alone with him. For instance, she would never throw small tantrums with him when she was little—mostly whatever he said, she would listen to, being incredibly obedient. Now that she had grown up, she would occasionally throw tantrums. He didn’t know if she had learned this from her pet Xue Tuan’er—that little creature was exactly like this, getting angry if not allowed to play with balls, angry if not given fish to eat, and still angry if its little belly wasn’t petted. But after making a fuss, it would be fine with just a little coaxing, which made it especially endearing to her.
She was becoming more and more like it.
Actually, Qi Ying quite liked this change in Shen Xiling, especially liked that she could be more lively and cheerful and not keep everything bottled up inside like when she was little. He was also happy to coax her. Seeing the little girl standing awkwardly at his door, he put down his brush and smiled faintly while offering her a way out: “Here to find a book to read? Come in.”
This step down was offered quite skillfully, and Shen Xiling naturally had no reason not to take it. Upon hearing this, she lingered at the door for a while, then followed the offered escape and entered.
After entering, she didn’t speak to Qi Ying, nor did she sit. She just walked to the bookshelf but didn’t pick up any books to read either. She just stood there awkwardly, her eyes staring straight at Qi Ying.
Just like a little cat throwing a tantrum.
Author’s Note: Shen Wenwen: I don’t want to eat (poking with chopsticks) Gu Juhan: …Alright then, no forcing Qi Jingchen: ? What are you thinking, hurry up (Forcibly cuing Volume 1 Chapter 3 plot to boost the second male lead so he won’t be forgotten)