Once winter arrived, the New Year felt very close. Shen Xiling greatly disliked this season, for at least three reasons.

First was because she was far too busy around the New Year period. Every year-end, all the enterprises under her management needed account reconciliation and inventory checks. Previously, when she was merely the owner of a small fabric shop, everything was manageable, but now with numerous properties under her control and diverse business categories, matters became extraordinarily complicated and quite headache-inducing. It wasn’t just the accounts – the personnel matters in business had also grown increasingly complex. The merchants who had business dealings with her, the shopkeepers under her protection, and the guild members who secretly competed with her – she had to attend to them all individually, speaking to people as people and to ghosts as ghosts. This was no easy task, and she expended tremendous mental energy on it, far more exhausting than reviewing accounts.

Second was because Qi Ying was even busier than her during this season. Although he never had a moment’s rest throughout the year, the period before New Year was especially arduous. For one thing, court affairs needed some conclusion by year’s end, and for another, interactions between families became particularly frequent at this time. Occupied with these matters, he rarely returned to Fenghe Garden, mostly staying at the main residence, sometimes for as long as half a month. Shen Xiling was very attached to him, and every year during this time she felt distressed. This year she was especially clingy to him, constantly feeling reluctant to part. Even amidst her busyness, she couldn’t stop missing him, yet this year he stayed at the main residence even longer than in previous years – more than half a month had passed without him returning to the separate residence. She felt terrible.

Third was because this season always made it easier for her to remember her parents. Her parents’ memorial day was at the end of the twelfth lunar month, still some time away, during the coldest and most desolate time of the year. Over the years she had actually matured considerably – at least she no longer broke down crying uncontrollably whenever she thought of her father and mother – but during this time, her heart would inevitably grow heavy, and she would inevitably recall the final moments before parting from her parents, which naturally made her even more sorrowful.

She was unwilling to let herself sink into such emotions, so she intentionally sought tasks to keep busy. Fortunately, the guild members were quite cooperative, not forgetting to create troubles for her even at year’s end, which kept her considerably occupied.

During autumn and winter, white ramie fabrics became especially sought after. Shen Xiling’s textiles remained both high-quality and reasonably priced, selling as hotly as ever and earning substantial profits. Those shopkeepers who had originally been unwilling to cooperate with her, seeing their own businesses struggling and remembering the tempting conditions Shen Xiling had offered, began softening their attitudes. Gradually disregarding the guild’s reputation, they started making contact with her.

This was an excellent sign.

However, Shen Xiling and the guild were already engaged in a difficult and delicate game of strategy. Now that the balance suddenly began tilting toward Shen Xiling, the guild naturally couldn’t remain inactive. Shen Xiling had long expected the guild wouldn’t easily give up, but she had assumed they would use commercial means to make things difficult for her – perhaps providing additional support to those shopkeepers to help them compete with her for profits. She hadn’t expected the guild to have no such intention, instead resorting to blatant thuggery: they secretly threatened several shopkeepers who had long cooperated with her to sever their business relationships with her.

Shen Xiling initially knew nothing of this matter until Shopkeeper Feng came to see her.

Not having seen him for over a month, this shopkeeper had aged considerably. His hair had turned almost half white overnight, he had lost significant weight, and his complexion was very poor, appearing quite haggard.

He told Shen Xiling that he no longer wanted to continue doing business with her.

Shen Xiling was quite surprised upon hearing this, since Shopkeeper Feng had suffered the most severe losses in this recent turmoil. His shop had been smashed by the guild and still hadn’t been completely repaired. Although Shen Xiling, out of consideration for their relationship, had waived the interest he owed her for the next three months, he was still struggling to make ends meet. Under such circumstances, if he stopped cooperating with her, he would find it even more impossible to survive.

Shen Xiling frowned, sensing something amiss in her heart, and said with considerable concern: “Cooperation is naturally a matter of mutual consent. If the shopkeeper insists on this, I absolutely won’t force you. However, if the shopkeeper has unspeakable difficulties, please feel free to speak. If there’s anything I can help with, I absolutely won’t decline.”

Shopkeeper Feng’s much-aged face showed thick sorrow and helplessness. Upon hearing Shen Xiling’s words, his eyes filled with tears as he said gratefully: “Miss Fang is a benevolent person who has always taken good care of us, but…” His voice faltered, and with a long sigh, he said no more.

Shen Xiling could read between the lines, naturally detecting his reservations and concealment. After thinking, she asked: “Has the guild made things difficult for the shopkeeper again?”

Shopkeeper Feng’s expression became evasive. Though he said no with his mouth, the truth was already obvious.

Shen Xiling thought it over and understood. The guild had originally resorted to smashing shops, but after Yang Dong met with her, both sides couldn’t openly tear their faces apart anymore. However, now that Shen Xiling was beginning to gain the upper hand in their strategic game, the guild, unwilling to accept defeat, was employing such tactics behind the scenes to undermine her. Though coercion was still an underhanded method, it wasn’t as outrageous as smashing shops. Even if one wanted to report it to officials, there would be no grounds – it was a sinister approach.

What would the guild threaten them with? With their extensive connections, even if they didn’t resort to violence this time, what about next time? And the time after that?

Actually, it was still violence in the end.

Shen Xiling’s heart turned cold, thinking that although Manager Yang appeared refined and easygoing, his methods were actually so vicious – truly despicable.

After a moment of silence, she said to Shopkeeper Feng: “I know the shopkeeper is being coerced by the guild, but I still say the same thing – there’s always justice to be found in this world. Can the guild really overturn heaven? If the shopkeeper trusts me, then continue as usual and pay them no mind. Though I don’t have connections that reach the heavens, I’ll do everything possible to protect everyone.”

Shopkeeper Feng burst into sorrowful tears upon hearing this, looking at Shen Xiling unable to speak, apparently hesitating whether he could trust this delicate young lady before him.

Actually, whether he trusted her or not, he had already reached a dead end. Without Shen Xiling’s protection, his fabric shop would be even less able to survive – how would he get through this New Year? Rather than being forced into desperation by the guild, it would be better to gamble once more on Miss Fang, betting that she would keep her word and truly be able to protect them.

After much consideration, Shopkeeper Feng ultimately didn’t leave, choosing to continue doing business with Shen Xiling. He even actively helped Shen Xiling persuade other shopkeepers who had been threatened by the guild, urging everyone to persevere. The results were quite good – though several families still withdrew, most people stayed.

Shen Xiling was grateful for all of this, and additionally provided a sum of silver to subsidize Shopkeeper Feng, letting him use the money to repair his shop and provide for his family’s New Year. Shopkeeper Feng wept tears of gratitude, repeatedly calling Shen Xiling a bodhisattva, his trust in her becoming even more solid.

After finishing this matter, it was properly the latter part of the twelfth lunar month.

The memorial day for Shen Xiling’s parents was approaching, and Qi Ying still hadn’t returned to Fenghe Garden from the main residence. Calculating carefully, they hadn’t seen each other for nearly a month.

A month’s separation was very long, especially since in previous years Qi Ying would always be by her side at this time, knowing that she would feel melancholy. Perhaps this year he was particularly busy – for so many consecutive days he hadn’t been able to return to Fenghe Garden to see her, making her feel even more lonely.

She struggled to restrain her longing, but later really couldn’t endure it anymore. After much deliberation, she still sent Qi Ying a letter. The letter didn’t contain anything substantial – beyond polite greetings, she asked whether they could meet once more before the New Year.

She missed him terribly.

After sending the letter, she began empty waiting. Fenghe Garden, which she had once loved so much, no longer pleased her as much at this time.

Strangely enough, Qi Ying was clearly such a taciturn and aloof person, yet once he left, Shen Xiling actually felt this familiar separate residence had suddenly become empty. Even somewhat desolate.

In complete contrast to Fenghe Garden, the main residence had reached its liveliest time of the year.

From mid-twelfth month, guests continuously came visiting, including relatives who lived far from the Qi family. Since they had no opportunity to call during New Year’s Eve, they began their visits early.

Qi Ying was naturally very busy, but because there were no military campaigns this year, he was actually considerably more relaxed than in previous years.

Qing Zhu, who served at his side, couldn’t help feeling somewhat puzzled, thinking that in previous years when the young master was so exhausted, he would still find ways to squeeze out time to return to Fenghe Garden to look after Shen Xiling. Yet this year, when he was clearly more relaxed, the young master had been staying at the main residence day after day, not returning there once in nearly a month.

This was unprecedented in three years.

As a loyal servant, Qing Zhu always put his young master first in everything. He worried that the young master’s abnormal behavior was due to some unpleasant incident, but after carefully observing for some time and seeing that the young master appeared normal in all respects with nothing amiss, he felt somewhat confused.

Little did he know, even greater confusion lay ahead.

This day a letter arrived from Fenghe Garden, written in Shen Xiling’s own hand. When Qing Zhu delivered the letter to the young master’s study, he fully expected him to show pleasure, but unexpectedly he merely set the letter aside, continuing to review documents without even opening it.

Qing Zhu was stunned, thinking perhaps the young master hadn’t heard clearly who had written the letter, so he couldn’t help clearing his throat and repeating: “Young Master, a letter has arrived from Fenghe Garden, written in Miss Fang’s own hand.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw the young master didn’t even raise his head, merely giving a casual “Mm” while continuing to review official documents without pause. The strange feeling in his heart deepened another layer when he heard the young master say: “If there’s nothing else, you may leave.”

Qing Zhu was at a loss for words. He responded and then withdrew from the study as instructed.

However, though he had withdrawn, that strange feeling in his heart only increased.

He had followed at the young master’s side since childhood and was most familiar with his temperament. The young master doted on Shen Xiling extremely – it had been so for three years already. He naturally could see this clearly. Especially recently, the two had grown even closer – even someone like him who understood nothing of romantic feelings could perceive the ambiguous atmosphere, with only a thin paper window between them. Yet somehow the young master had suddenly begun distancing himself from her.

Without warning, without reason.

No matter how much Qing Zhu pondered, he couldn’t figure it out. Naturally frowning deeply, he encountered Bai Song holding a sword and standing at the courtyard gate as soon as he left the room.

Seeing Qing Zhu emerge from the study with a frown, Bai Song thought something had happened and couldn’t help asking. But he saw Qing Zhu wearing a long face, looking worried as he asked in return: “Haven’t you noticed the young master has been somewhat off lately?”

Bai Song raised his eyebrows, thought back, shook his head, and answered: “No.”

Qing Zhu’s frown deepened as he prompted: “But the young master hasn’t returned to Fenghe Garden for a long time, and just now when a letter came from there, when I delivered it the young master didn’t even glance at it.”

He appeared quite worried, which Bai Song found strange. He said: “Haven’t you always disliked her? Why are you worrying about her now?”

Qing Zhu took a moment to realize that Bai Song’s “her” referred to Shen Xiling.

A hint of discomfort appeared on his face, and he coughed once, saying: “Who’s worrying about her? I’m concerned about the young master. Don’t you understand that when things are abnormal, there must be something strange going on?”

Bai Song shrugged, but before he could respond, they heard the young master’s voice from inside the room.

“Bai Song.”

The young master rarely called for Bai Song alone, and each time he did, it was invariably for something important.

Bai Song’s expression grew serious as he immediately turned and entered the study, leaving Qing Zhu alone to continue pondering. He hadn’t been pondering long when he saw Bai Song emerge from the room again. Qing Zhu waited for him to approach and asked with considerable concern: “What did the young master call you in for?”

Bai Song walked straight toward the gate without stopping, only dropping this line: “Important business.”

The important business Bai Song mentioned was accompanying Shen Xiling to pay respects to her deceased parents.

Author’s Note: Alright, the male lead has started his path to self-destruction.