As the autumn deepens, the cold air seeps through the gaps of the window lattice, silently invading Shen Ruoxin's small embroidery house. Today is her fifteenth birthday. It should have been a rather lively day, but in the current state of the Shen family, everything seems particularly quiet.
There were no longevity noodles or gifts on the table. Only a few dim oil lamps illuminated the several account books and land deeds she had spread out on the table. These were "invited" back by her from the accountant Liu yesterday and were part of her mother's dowry.
With her fingertips gliding over the slightly rough paper in the account book, Shen Ruoxin's gaze was as calm as water. Staying awake all night, she carefully checked every transaction in and out, as well as the location and income of every piece of farmland. The dowry of her mother back then was even more generous than she could ever remember. There were several silk and satin shops in the south of the city, fertile fields on the outskirts, and a small pawnshop. Although they had been managed uniformly by the Shen family over the years, the account records were still relatively clear and the deed books were all still there.
However, this is only superficial. What really kept her awake and worried was the secret account that had never been kept in the Shen family's big account, as well as the small box made of pear and wood that her mother had privately given her, which contained the secret account and several key silver notes and tokens.
The goals of the stepmother, Mrs. Liu, and the eldest brother, Shen Zhongkang, are far more than just these overt businesses. What they desire more is probably that small box that might be involved in some hidden connections within the Shen family and even in the business world of Jiangnan. Her father was seriously ill and the order had been given. Their actions to clear the obstacles would only be faster and more resolute than she had expected.
"Knock, knock, knock -" A cautious knocking sound came from outside the door.
Shen Ruoxin raised her eyes, quickly closed the account book and put it in an unremarkable cloth bag before raising her voice and saying, "Come in."
The door was pushed open. It was the only relatively considerate big maid by her side, Xiao Cui. Xiao Cui was holding a bowl of steaming red date and lotus seed soup, with a hint of worry on her face. "Miss, you started looking at these things early in the morning. Warm yourself up with something first." Today is your birthday...
"Got it. Let it go." Shen Ruoxin's voice betrayed no emotion.
Xiao Cui placed the sweet soup on the table, hesitated for a moment, and then said in a low voice, "Miss, just now..." Madam Zhang, who was by your side, came to convey a message, saying that it was your birthday today and asked you to have dinner at the main house later. Madam... I cooked several dishes for you myself.
Cook by yourself? Shen Ruoxin's lips curved into an almost imperceptible sneer. When has Liu ever had such a "motherly" sentiment? It's probably a feast at Hongmen, waiting for her to fall into her own trap.
"Well, I see." Shen Ruoxin responded indifferently, picked up the bowl of still warm sweet soup, but didn't drink it. Instead, she gently stirred it with a spoon, as if lost in thought.
Looking at her young lady's calm profile, Xiao Cui felt even more uneasy. Since the master fell ill, the atmosphere in the mansion has been getting more and more eerie day by day. The eldest young master and his wife almost stayed by the master's bed all the time, but paid no attention to the second young lady. Even the accounting room began to be guarded. Although she didn't quite understand the key points, she instinctively sensed danger.
"Miss..." Xiao Cui still wanted to say something more.
"Go down first," Shen Ruoxin interrupted her. "I want to be alone for a while."
Xiao Cui opened her mouth, but in the end, it turned into a soft sigh and she bowed and withdrew.
The room fell silent again. Shen Ruoxin put down the sweet soup in her hand, got up and walked to the window, pushing open half of it. A cold wind rushed in instantly, ruffling her hair and clearing her jumbled thoughts a little.
One cannot just sit and wait for death.
She must take the initiative and at least figure out Liu's next plan.
With a grudge in her heart, Shen Ruoxin closed the window and sat back at the table, but did not look at those account books again. She took out a small silver whistle from the hidden compartment of her dowry, placed it to her lips, and blew out an extremely faint and almost inaudible sound.
A moment later, a very soft meow of a cat came from outside the window.
Shen Ruoxin walked to the window and pushed it open again. A thin figure, like a raccoon cat, quietly rolled in and landed steadily on the ground. This was a boy of about twelve or thirteen years old, dressed in an inconspicuous short grey cloth. There was some dust on his face, but his eyes were exceptionally bright and lively.
"Sister Ah Xing." The young man bowed, his voice very low. He was a little beggar that Shen Ruoxin saved in her early years. His name was Shitou. She had been secretly keeping him outside the city all along. On a daily basis, she would run errands for her to gather some information.
"Stone, you've worked so hard." Shen Ruoxin handed him a warm pastry and said, "How's the matter I asked you to investigate going?"
Shi Tou took the pastry, swallowed it in a few bites, wiped his mouth and said, "Sister A Xing, you've found out everything." In the past few days, my wife has indeed sent people out frequently and made contact with several merchants, but they only talked about some business matters in a general way and didn't show anything particularly special. However...
Shi Tou paused for a moment, then moved closer, his voice even lower: "However, yesterday afternoon, the owner of 'Jinxiu Cloth Shop' in the west of the city, Mr. Wang, sneaked into the mansion and was directly invited into the inner courtyard of the lady. He stayed there for a full hour before leaving." I had someone follow that Shopkeeper Wang. After he got back, his wife immediately went to the jewelry store and picked out a nice gold hairpin.
Jinxiu Cloth Shop? Shopkeeper Wang?
Shen Ruoxin frowned slightly. This cloth store is not large in scale and can only be considered medium in the city. It is said that the shopkeeper Wang is a bit slick, but he has no bad records. Why did Lady Liu meet him privately and let him stay for so long? Moreover, the immediate purchase of gold ornaments by the Wang family's wife indicates that the shopkeeper Wang received benefits from the Liu family, or perhaps... Some kind of deal has been reached?
An ominous premonition welled up in my heart.
"Madam, what's going on in the inner courtyard recently?" Shen Ruoxin pressed further.
The stone thought for a moment and said, "Nothing else." It was early this morning that Aunt Zhang went to the warehouse to collect a lot of fine silk and some jewelry from her daughter's family, saying... It was said that I was going to make a birthday gift for you, Sister Ah Xing.
Birthday gift? Could Mrs. Liu be so kind? It's probably the weasel paying New Year's greetings to the chicken and having no good intentions. Silk satin, jewelry... Then I got in touch with the owner of that brocade cloth store, Mr. Wang...
A terrifying thought flashed through Shen Ruoxin's mind like lightning.
Could it be... Liu Shi wants to make her... Get married? !
Marry that Shopkeeper Wang? A cloth merchant who is nearly twenty years older than her and has a wife at home? (Note: Here it is set that in ancient times, taking concubines or filling the house was allowed.)
No, that's not right. Shopkeeper Wang already had a legal wife. No matter how ruthless Lady Liu was, she wouldn't dare to openly give one of her legitimate daughters (with an external identity) to someone else as a concubine right under her father's nose. So... Is it for the son of Shopkeeper Wang? Or some other relatives?
No matter which possibility it is, Liu's purpose is obvious - to get rid of this "thorn in her side" as soon as possible, and preferably marry her into a family they can control and make it convenient for them to embezzling her mother's dowry!
Once she gets married, according to the rules, the dowry is managed by her husband's family. With the methods of Liu Shi and Shen Zhongkang, they would surely try every possible way to keep the actual control of the dowry in their hands. Once she left the Shen family, all alone and helpless, she would be at the mercy of others.
What a cruel plan!
Shen Ruoxin felt a chill rush straight from the soles of her feet to the top of her head, her whole body icy cold. She was only fifteen years old. In this era, although she had reached the age when a marriage proposal could be made, her father was seriously ill and she was still within the mourning period (or close to it). How could Lady Liu be so eager!
"Stone," Shen Ruoxin forced herself to calm down, her voice carrying a slight, imperceptible tremor. "You go to the area near the Jinxiu Cloth Shop right now and find an opportunity to approach the servants of the Wang shopkeeper's family or the assistants of the cloth shop, and try to figure out exactly what the Wang shopkeeper talked about with the lady when he came to the mansion yesterday." Especially... Was I mentioned?
"Yes!" Sister Ah Xing! The stone responded without hesitation and turned to leave through the window.
"Wait a moment," Shen Ruoxin called out to him, taking out a small silver ingot from her sleeve. "Be careful and don't expose yourself." If there is danger, evacuate immediately. Keeping yourself is the most important.
The stone took the silver, nodded vigorously, and then deftly climbed out of the window again. Soon, it vanished into the shadow of the corner.
Only Shen Ruoxin was left in the room. She walked to the table and looked at the bowl of cold red date and lotus seed soup, her stomach churning.
Dinner... Mrs. Liu asked her to have dinner at the main room...
This is by no means a simple meal. I'm afraid that Lady Liu is trying to take advantage of her birthday to invite that Shopkeeper Wang or someone of his to her residence and have a good look at him? Even perhaps... Are things going to be settled on the spot?
No! She mustn't just sit and wait for her death!
But what could she do? The father was seriously ill. The imperial edict had been issued. The eldest brother and the stepmother joined forces. Most of the servants in the mansion had also been bribed by them. It seems that the only thing she can rely on now is that hidden small box and the secrets that might exist inside and hold some people back.
But that box must never be used easily unless it is absolutely necessary. Once exposed, it may bring about even greater disasters.
A way must be thought of to delay the time, or... The plot to sabotage the Liu family.
Shen Ruoxin paced around the room, her mind racing. She needs more information. What were the specific transaction details between Mr. Liu and Mr. Wang? When are they going to act? Is there any weakness that can be exploited by Shopkeeper Wang?
Oh, by the way, the inner courtyard of the Liu family...
She remembered that Mrs. Liu had a habit of handling some private affairs or having some intimate conversations with her trusted nanny in the small warm room on the west side of her inner courtyard before taking a short nap in the afternoon. It is relatively secluded there and ordinary people dare not approach.
Perhaps... Where can one try one's luck?
Although the risks are extremely high, once discovered, the consequences will be unimaginable. But at this moment, she didn't have many choices left.
Having made up her mind, Shen Ruoxin straightened her dress and, looking into the bronze mirror, carefully examined her own expression. Pale, but the eyes must be calm. She took a deep breath, suppressing all her fear and anger deep in her heart and putting on a calm and even slightly submissive expression.
She pushed the door open and went out.
The afternoon sunlight filtered through the sparse leaves, casting dappled shadows on the bluestone pavement. The Shen Mansion was vast. To reach the main courtyard where Lady Liu lived, one had to pass through several courtyards and corridors.
All along the way, when the servants she met saw her, they would only bow hurriedly, their eyes avoiding her and not daring to make eye contact with her. Shen Ruoxin sneered inwardly. It seemed that the actions of the Liu mother and son had completely changed the direction of the mansion.
The closer one gets to the main courtyard, the quieter the atmosphere becomes. Shen Ruoxin slowed down her pace and listened attentively.
Sure enough, faintly, voices came from the direction of the small warm room in the west. The voice was very low and inaudible, but one of them was clearly Liu's voice.
Shen Ruoxin's heart tightened and her steps subconsciously became lighter. She didn't take the right path. Instead, she went around to the small garden behind the warm pavilion, where there was a cluster of thick green bamboo that could just cover her figure.
She held her breath, like a vigilant cat, quietly approaching the green bamboo grove. Then she crouched down and carefully peered through the gaps in the bamboo leaves towards the window of the warm room.
The window was half open, and two figures could be faintly seen inside. One is the Liu family, and the other... It seems to be a well-dressed middle-aged man. Judging from his figure and profile, he is very likely to be the owner of the Brocade Cloth Shop, Mr. Wang!
Why is he here again? !
Shen Ruoxin's heart instantly rose to her throat. She pressed her ear close to the bamboo grove, trying hard to catch the intermittent conversation floating out through the crack of the window.
"... Madam, rest assured. Although the child is not a capable person, he is good at being honest and obedient... The second young lady will never be treated unfairly... It was the voice of Shopkeeper Wang, with a fawning smile.
"Just be honest." Liu's voice carried a hint of satisfaction, "That girl, Ah Xing, may seem quiet, but her mind is very deep." After I get married, Shopkeeper Wang will have to do it for me... Give it a good discipline. Especially the dowry left by her mother, you must take it over as soon as possible to avoid much trouble.
Shopkeeper Wang responded repeatedly, "Yes, yes!" What the lady said is right! Those several shops are all in good locations. Once they fall into the hands of the villains, they will surely be able to... "Hey, I'll do my best for you, madam!"
Liu snorted softly, "Those shops and farmlands are no big deal." The key point is... A pear blossom wood box that her mother gave as a dowry to her back then is said to contain some... Something important. Find a way. You must get it!
"Pear blossom wood box?" Shopkeeper Wang seemed somewhat puzzled.
"Right," Liu's voice was lowered even more, with a hint of greed and ferocity, "That's the truly good thing!" If you can get it, the benefits... You are indispensable!
Madam, rest assured! Little one will do his best! Do your best!
Shen Ruoxin squatted behind the bamboo grove, her blood almost coagulating.
Sure enough! Sure enough, it's for my mother's dowry! Even... They even knew about that secret account box!
Moreover, Liu Shi is not going to marry herself, but to marry the "obedient" son of Shopkeeper Wang! It's called marrying off a daughter, but in reality it's selling her! She and her mother's dowry were used to exchange for the support and assistance of Shopkeeper Wang, helping them to embezzle the family property together!
It seemed as if she could see what a pitch-dark situation she would be in if she fell into the hands of that so-called "honest" son of the Wang family. If the dowry is taken away and the person is accused, the slightest resistance will be labeled as "unfilial" or "disobedient". At that time, if one cries to the sky, there will be no response; if one cries to the earth, there will be no answer!
A strong wave of nausea and anger welled up in her heart, and Shen Ruoxin almost couldn't hold back and rushed out. But reason held her tightly.
No. It's not the right time yet. She must be patient and must find an opportunity to fight back.
The conversation inside was still going on, seemingly discussing details such as the betrothal gifts and the date for collecting taxes. Liu's meaning was that while Shen Wanshan still had a breath left, they should quickly settle the marital status, and it would be best if they could obtain the marriage certificate to establish the established fact.
Shen Ruoxin's heart gradually sank. She felt like a fish waiting to be slaughtered in a net, unable to struggle.
Just then, Liu's voice came from the warm room: "Alright, Shopkeeper Wang, that's all for today." Later on, I'll ask A Xing to come over. You... We can meet first and get familiar with each other.
Shopkeeper Wang's voice was filled with uncontainable joy: "All right, all right!" Thank you very much, madam! Thank you, madam, for making this possible!
Footsteps sounded, as if Shopkeeper Wang was about to leave.
Shen Ruoxin immediately lowered her body and didn't dare to breathe.
A moment later, Shopkeeper Wang did come out of the warm room, with a smug smile on his face. Accompanied by Aunt Zhang, he hurried out of the courtyard.
It was not until their footsteps completely vanished that Shen Ruoxin slowly straightened up. Her face was paler than before, but her eyes were unusually cold, shining with a kind of determination that was almost desperate.
Liu Shi, Shen Zhongkang, Shopkeeper Wang...
Do you want my dowry and my life?
It's not that easy!