Pingjiang Prefecture, Jinxiu Pavilion.
Shen Ruoxin, accompanied by A Fu and the other two, like a few drops of ink blending into the darkest darkness before dawn, quietly left the embroidery house that had been infused with her countless efforts. Behind her, however, this seemingly peaceful embroidery house began to stir undercurrents because of her departure and a series of covert movements.
The first to notice something was amiss was Shen Yu, the eldest son of the Shen family.
Shen Yu began to study since childhood. Although he did not achieve any official position, after his father's death, he also started to learn to get involved in some family affairs. He is not as quick-witted and decisive as his sister, but neither is he a dull person. On the contrary, the sensitivity and deep thinking of a scholar make him naturally alert to the changes in his surrounding environment.
The atmosphere in the Jinxiu Pavilion has been clearly off these past two days.
First, that "northern cousin" whom I had never heard of before suddenly emerged, and the younger sister was going to use all her family's wealth to raise "marriage funds" for him. This was already rather suspicious. Immediately after, the figures in the warehouse were moving, the abacuses in the accounting room were ringing non-stop, and several batches of valuable materials were quietly packed and transported away, with their whereabouts unknown. Li Molan, who was usually steady and reliable, was in a hurry and even took away a large sum of money, saying that she was going to deal with an "urgent matter". And Wang Xiuniang, the old lady who had watched them grow up, also had a look of solemnity and sparkle on her face that was rarely seen in daily life.
What made him most uneasy was that his sister, the one who was always composed and had a clear plan for everything, had left the mansion overnight with only three servants at such a tumultuous time, saying she was going to visit an "old friend" in a neighboring county!
Does visiting old friends need to be so hurried and kept secret? Is there any old friend from the neighboring county? How come he, as his elder brother, has never heard of him?
All kinds of doubts, like tiny thorns, pricked Shen Yu's heart, making him unable to sit still.
He first found Wang Xiuniang and asked about the whereabouts of his sister and the recent anomalies in the Jinxiu Pavilion.
"Young Master," Wang Xiuniang lowered her eyes and tried to keep her tone as calm as possible, "The second young lady did visit a friend in a neighboring county. Maybe..." Perhaps there are some personal matters to deal with. As for the Treasury and the account room, you know, in order to raise funds for the wedding of that cousin Shen An, the second young lady also went to great lengths. Selling some of her possessions was out of necessity...
This set of explanations was no different from what his mother had told him two days ago. But Wang Xiuniang's evasive look and slightly stiff tone deepened Shen Yu's doubts.
He didn't make things difficult for Wang Xiuniang any longer. Instead, he turned around and went straight to his mother, Mrs. Liu's residence in the backyard.
Liu Shi was by the window doing needlework, with a hint of faint melancholy in her brows. How could she not be worried when her daughter left home overnight? Just before leaving, Ruoxin repeatedly reminded her to make sure to keep the house steady, especially... It is necessary to soothe the son who is a bit impatient.
"Mother," Shen Yu came straight to the point as he entered the door, "Ruoxin..." What on earth did she do?
Liu put down the needle and thread, raised her eyes and looked at her son, saying gently, "Yu 'er, didn't I tell you already?" Visit friends in the neighboring county. Your sister has grown up and always has some things of her own.
"Your own business?" Shen Yu's brows were furrowed. "Mother, how long will you keep it from me?" You are well aware of what the Jinxiu Pavilion is like now! The rumors of excessive taxes and levies outside are getting tighter and tighter. The gold and silver wires in the shops have been cut off, and something has even happened in Fengqiao Town... At this time, she spent all her family wealth preparing for the wedding of a cousin she had never met before? And then he took a few servants to the so-called "friend visit" that very night? What do you think... Is this reasonable?
Liu Shi was startled in her heart, but her expression remained calm: "Yu 'er, don't let your imagination run wild." It's not easy for your sister to be in charge. She has her own sense of propriety. That cousin is a relative your father mentioned in his early years. Now that he is in trouble, Ruoxin offers a helping hand, also out of consideration for your father's kindness. As for the heavy taxes... Hasn't the official notice from the government been issued yet? Perhaps it's groundless? She tried to downplay the matter.
"Groundless rumors?" Shen Yu gave a wry smile and said, "Mother, please don't deceive yourself!" Although the notice from the yamen was not explicitly issued, which merchant in the whole city was not discussing it privately? Yesterday, I went to a classmate's home for a dinner party. During the meal, I heard several uncles sighing and saying that this tax increase was inevitable and the extent was unprecedented! Even some people say... Behind this, the Canal Transport Office and the big merchant gang from the north have joined forces to carry out a major purge of the merchants in our Pingjiang Prefecture!
He took a step closer, his voice lowered, with a hint of anxiety and unease: "Mother, tell me the truth!" Is Ruoxin... Did you know some inside story? She has been selling off her family property these days. Is she thinking... Want to transfer your assets before the tax increase? She left the mansion overnight now. Isn't it... Have you gone to avoid disaster? Or... What more adventurous thing did she do? "!"
Liu Shi was somewhat flustered by her son's continuous questioning. Yu 'er guessed... It's not even ten! However, he had no idea that what was a hundred times more perilous than avoiding disaster and transferring assets - saving people... These inside stories, Ruoxin repeatedly urged her elder brother not to know, fearing that he might act on impulse and ruin the matter.
"Yu 'er!" You are too considerate! Liu pretended to be calm and scolded with a stern face, "Your sister's daughter's family, what risky things could she do?" She just wants to make more preparations before the situation becomes clear! As the elder brother, instead of helping to comfort the family, you are here being suspicious and paranoid. How are you doing!
"Am I suspicious?" Shen Yu's expression also darkened. "Mother, it's not that your son is overly thoughtful!" Yesterday, I witnessed with my own eyes Li Molan leaving in a hurry through the back door, carrying at least two thousand taels of silver notes and a box of cash! Even for raising funds for my cousin, is it necessary to use such a huge amount of cash? And it's going to be handled by an outsider like Sister Mo LAN? This sum of money... Where on earth was it used? "!"
He paused for a moment, his tone even more solemn: "Also, the carriage that sent Ruoxin away last night wasn't from our residence. It was hired from outside. The coachman had a very embarrassed face!" The three people she took away, I recognize them too. They are all decent assistants, but by no means capable guards! Mother, tell me, Ruoxin, an unmarried girl, along with three ordinary servants, boarded a carriage of unknown origin and rushed to the neighboring county overnight... What on earth is this going to do? "!"
Liu was left speechless by the question. She only knew that her daughter was going to handle an urgent matter of great significance, but she had no idea that there were so many details she had never noticed before! Two thousand taels of silver notes and cash silver... Hire a carriage outside... Only an ordinary fellow was brought along...
A strong sense of unease seized her heart. Ruoxin... How many things are you hiding from her exactly? Her trip... Is it really safe?
Looking at the uncontainable panic on his mother's face, Shen Yu's heart sank. He knew that his guess was probably true. The younger sister must be engaged in something extremely dangerous, and perhaps even... Illegal secret operation!
"Mother," Shen Yu's voice carried a hint of exhaustion and a touch of determination, "I don't care what Ruoxin really wants to do." But the Shen family can't be ruined by her! The Splendid Pavilion is the fruit of my father's lifelong efforts and the foundation for our family to make a living and thrive! I mustn't just stand by and watch her act recklessly!
He took a deep breath and his eyes became resolute: "From now on, I will take over the accounts of the Splendid Pavilion!" All monetary transactions must be approved by me! As for the warehouse side, I also have to count it myself! I need to know how much of my family's fortune is left to withstand her such turmoil!
"You..." Liu Shi was both shocked and angry. "Yu 'er!" What do you want to do? Before your sister left, she entrusted the household affairs to me and Xiuniang. You...
"I'm doing this for the good of the Shen family!" Shen Yu interrupted his mother's words in a firm tone, "Mother, you are too indulgent of Ruoxin!" It's good that my daughter is meticulous, but after all, her knowledge is limited and she tends to act impulsively! If she makes a mistake and offends someone she shouldn't have offended, or is caught by the authorities, then our Shen family... It's completely over!
His words were like a knife, piercing the deepest fear in Liu's heart. Yes. In case... What if something really happens to Ruoxin...
Shen Yu looked at his mother's wavering expression and his tone softened slightly, with a hint of sincerity: "Mother, don't worry. I'm not trying to compete with Ruoxin for power." I just want... Before she comes back, keep the situation steady. Don't let her empty all her savings and don't let her cause some irreparable trouble. When she comes back, ask for the reason clearly. If it's really reasonable, I naturally won't interfere. But if she really... If one acts recklessly, then I can't say... I'm going to discipline her as an elder brother!
Looking at the unquestionable determination in her son's eyes, Liu Shi felt a chill in her heart. She knew that Yu 'er was serious this time. On one side are the secrets that the daughter has repeatedly urged to keep and her unknown safety and security; on the other side are the son's tough demands and concerns about the future of the family... How should she choose?
If Yu 'er is allowed to get involved, and it disrupts Ruoxin's plan, the consequences will be unimaginable. But if he's not allowed to get involved, what if something really goes wrong with Ruoxin's side, or if Yu 'er secretly discovers something on her own, brother