In the side hall of the main hall of the Shen family, a strong medicinal smell mingled with sandalwood incense, in wisps and streaks, so dull that it almost froze the air.
The hall was dimly lit, with only a few faint rays of autumn afterglow seeping through the window lattices, casting a light on the large bed made of carved rosewood in the main seat. Mr. Shen, Shen Wanshan, this once powerful business tycoon in the Jiangnan region, now has a haggard face, his eyes tightly closed, and his breathing as weak as a flickering candle in the wind.
Several people were gathered around the bedside, and the atmosphere was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.
The eldest son, Shen Zhongkang, stood with his hands down, his face showing just the right amount of worry, but deep in his eyes, there was a hint of imperceptible restlessness. Beside him was his stepmother, Lady Liu, dressed in a simple and elegant Hangzhou silk dress. Her well-preserved face was streaked with tears. She was gently wiping the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, but her gaze would occasionally shift to the bed and then quickly pass by the second daughter of the Shen family, Shen Ruoxin, who was standing a little further away.
Shen Ruoxin, nicknamed A Xing, stood quietly in the shade of the corner. She was dressed in a half-worn blue dress, slender in figure and with a clear and pretty face. Only her almond-shaped eyes, which should have been lively, were now unusually calm, so calm that they were almost indifferent. Looking at her father on the sickbed, she felt a mixture of emotions in her heart. This man who gave her life and once offered her brief tenderness, now on the verge of death, seems to be about to push her into a pre-determined abyss at the last moment.
"Cough..." "Cough cough..." A sharp cough broke the silence. Shen Wanshan struggled to open his cloudy eyes, his gaze wandering over everyone's faces, and finally settled on his eldest son, Shen Zhongkang.
Liu immediately stepped forward and said in a gentle voice, "Master, have you woken up?" Do you feel better? The doctor just came to see and said that you just need to rest quietly...
"Help me up..." Shen Wanshan's voice was hoarse and weak, yet it carried an unquestionable dignity.
Shen Zhongkang hurriedly stepped forward, carefully helping his father half up and placing a thick soft pillow behind him.
Shen Wanshan took a moment to catch his breath. His gaze swept over Lady Liu, then turned to Shen Ruoxin, and finally settled on Shen Zhongkang's face. Word by word, he said clearly yet weakly, "Zhongkang..." I... I'm afraid it won't work out... The Shen family's family business... Passed down from ancestors... It's not easy...
He paused for a moment, as if gathering his last bit of strength.
In the future... The Shen family... Just... It's all up to you... You want... Manage well... "Bring honor to the family..."
A few words rang out like a thunderclap in Shen Ruoxin's heart.
The family business belongs to the elder brother.
There was no will, no certificate, not even a mention of her daughter or the generous dowry left by her long-deceased biological mother. Just this casual verbal order seemed to be about to determine her future destiny.
Shen Ruoxin lowered her eyelids. Her long eyelashes cast a shadow under her eyes, concealing the fleeting coldness that flashed through her gaze. She knew that the real crisis would only truly begin from this moment on.
"Dad!" Shen Zhongkang fell to his knees with a "plop", his voice choking up. "You are a blessed old man. You will surely get better!" My son is not filial. Please don't say such words...
Liu Shi also wiped away her tears and leaned over the bed, sobbing uncontrollably, "Master..." You have the intention of gouging out your concubine... If you go, how will we orphans and widows live... She said "orphan and widow", but her eyes involuntarily glanced at Shen Ruoxin, with a hint of examination and probing.
Shen Ruoxin remained silent, only her fingertips slightly curled up, and a cold chill spread along her back. She knows this stepmother too well. Liu Shi was of humble origin. Relying on her good looks and skills, she married into the Shen family shortly after her mother's death. Over the years, she has appeared virtuous on the surface, but in reality, she has never ceased her covetous pursuit of the Shen family's business. As for her daughter left by her previous wife, she has always been on guard and constantly suppressing her.
Now that their father was seriously ill, the edict of "The family business belongs to the elder brother" undoubtedly gave Liu Shi and Shen Zhongkang the greatest confidence. Next, what will they do? Those shops, farmlands and banknotes left by the mother... I'm afraid all of them will become thorns in their eyes and flesh.
Shen Wanshan seemed to have exhausted all his strength, wearily closing his eyes and remaining silent.
Seeing this, Lady Liu immediately stood up, gave Shen Zhongkang a wink, then turned to Shen Ruoxin, forcing a "loving" smile on her face: "Ah Xing, your father is tired and needs a rest." You've also been tired for a whole day. Go back and rest first. It's fine as long as your elder brother and I take care of you here.
This expulsion order was rather "considerate".
Shen Ruoxin raised her head and met Lady Liu's gaze calmly: "Father is seriously ill. It's my duty to be filial by his bedside." If stepmother and elder brother have anything to do, they might as well go first. I'll be here to watch over them.
The smile on Liu's face froze for a moment, then returned to normal, but her tone carried a hint of imperceptible coldness: "Silly child, what are you talking about?" Taking care of the master is our duty. After all, you are a daughter's family. So what if you wear yourself out? Be obedient. Go back and rest first. Come and replace me later.
As she spoke, subtly turned sideways, between Shen Ruoxin and the hospital bed, as if unwilling to let her get any closer to Father.
Shen Ruoxin didn't insist any longer. She knew that standing hard at this moment was meaningless and would instead expose her wariness. She nodded slightly, "In that case, the daughter will come later." If Father has any needs, please ask stepmother and elder brother to inform him in time.
Having said that, she took a deep look at her father on the sickbed, turned around and left the side hall with steady steps.
Stepping out of that dull and oppressive room, the air outside seemed a little fresher. In the courtyard, autumn leaves rustle and fall, carrying a desolate chill.
Shen Ruoxin did not return to her embroidery shop. Instead, she turned her steps and headed towards the accounting room.
She didn't walk fast, but her mind was working rapidly.
The father's oracles, though sudden, were actually inevitable. Over the years, the "filial piety" and flattery of the eldest brother have long laid the groundwork for today. The absence of a written will means there are great variables. If her father really passed away, just by a single oral edict, the property she and her mother left behind would probably be immediately swallowed up by them under the name of "Shen Family Business".
The most crucial point is that the dowry of my mother back then not only included several lucrative shops and farmlands, but also a secret account that recorded the covert transactions and human relationships with several major business firms. That was her true trump card, the capital for her to establish herself and even stage a comeback in the future.
This secret account was handed over to her by her mother before her death and hidden in a place known only to her.
Liu seemed to have heard of the existence of this account book, but she had been struggling to find any evidence. Over the years, she had tried many times, both openly and covertly, but each time Shen Ruoxin dealt with her with great caution.
Now that the father is critically ill and his last will has been issued, the mother and son of the Liu family are likely to take action soon. They would never allow this account book, which might threaten their absolute control over the family property, to remain in their hands.
We must get ahead of them to ensure everything goes smoothly.
Outside the accounting room, two burly servants stood guard at the door, their eyes wary. These two people are close confidants of the Liu family and have never been here before.
Shen Ruoxin's heart sank. Sure enough, they have already begun to act.
She didn't stop and walked straight over.
"Second Miss." One of the servants tried to stop her with a forced smile, saying, "Madam has given the order. The accounting office is an important place and no outsiders are allowed to enter."
"Miscellaneous people, etc.?" Shen Ruoxin raised her eyebrows, her cold gaze sweeping over the servant's face. "Part of the dowry account left by my mother is also kept here. Am I also an ordinary person?"
The servant was looked down upon by her, but relying on the support of Lady Liu, he sternly said, "This is the lady's order. We are also following it." If the second young lady wants to check the accounts, please go and inform the madam first...
"Report?" Shen Ruoxin interrupted him, her voice not loud but with a compelling air, "When I check my mother's dowry account, who should I report to?" Has the rules of the Shen family been changed, or is it that just by filling in the house, the Liu family can bypass the mistress and interfere with the legitimate daughter's right to view her deceased mother's belongings?
Her words were resounding and carried an unquestionable dignity. The two servants were momentarily stunned and didn't know how to deal with it. Although the Shen family was a merchant family, its rules and regulations still remained, and the hierarchy of legitimate and illegitimate children was deeply rooted in people's hearts. Shen Ruoxin brought out the identity of the eldest daughter of the deceased mother, and they really didn't dare to openly stop her.
Shen Ruoxin no longer paid any attention to them. She pushed open the slightly ajar door of the accounting room and walked in.
The accounting room was brightly lit. Several accountants were buried in their accounts. When they saw Shen Ruoxin come in, they were all somewhat surprised. Liu Zhanfang, the leader, hurriedly stood up and asked, "Second Miss, why are you here?"
Shen Ruoxin's gaze quickly swept over the accounting room, but she didn't see her elder brother Shen Zhongkang's figure, which made her feel a little more at ease. It seems that they haven't had the chance to do it themselves yet.
"Accountant Liu," Shen Ruoxin walked up to a row of rosewood bookshelves, her voice calm. "Could you please take out the account books of the several shops and villages where my mother was given as a dowry back then, as well as the related deeds and documents? I need to check them."
Liu Zhangfang showed a hint of difficulty on his face: "Second Miss, this..." The young master just instructed that there have been numerous accounts in recent days. All the account books...
"Has my mother's dowry account also been taken over by the eldest young master?" Shen Ruoxin's eyes suddenly turned cold. "Or does Liu, the accountant, also think that I, the second daughter of the legitimate family, don't even have the right to take a look at my mother's belongings?"
Cold sweat broke out on Liu's forehead. He hurriedly waved his hand and said, "I dare not, I dare not!" The second young lady is too harsh! Just... It's just that the eldest young master...
"Big Brother, I'll go and talk about it myself." Shen Ruoxin's tone was beyond doubt. "Now, immediately, bring me the account books and deeds." If a page is missing or there are any alterations... She paused for a moment, her gaze as sharp as a cold knife. "Accountant Liu, you've been doing accounting in the Shen family for twenty years. You should know the consequences."
Liu, the accountant, was intimidated by the coldness in her eyes and dared not say any more. He hurriedly bent down and walked to the accounting cabinet. Following Shen Ruoxin's instructions, he began to search for the corresponding account books and land deeds.
Shen Ruoxin stood aside, quietly watching. Her heart was beating a little fast, but she still remained calm on her face. She knew that this was only the first step. The Liu mother and son will never give up easily. They will soon come to their senses and use every means to stop her, even... It's not good for her.
That verbal edict from her father was like a sharp sword hanging over her head, ready to fall at any moment. And she must find a way to break the deadlock before this sword falls.
Outside the window, the sky was getting darker and darker, and the wind was getting stronger and stronger, making the window lattice rattle. A silent war surrounding family property and survival has already begun.
Liu, the accountant, finally brought over a stack of account books and several volumes of deeds, his hands trembling slightly. "Second Miss, they are all here."
Shen Ruoxin stretched out her slender fingers and gently brushed over the yellowed papers. A cold touch came, but her eyes gradually became resolute.
"Thank you, Mr. Liu, the accountant." She said indifferently, with no emotion in her voice. "Find a quiet room. I want to take a close look."