Chapter Ten: Unreasonable Troubles

Under Shen Qianmo's sweeping reforms, the two shops that were part of Xie family's dowry, Falling Jade Pavilion and Premier Hall, began to show signs of revival. Both establishments were located on the bustling Vermilion Bird Avenue, the most prosperous street in the capital—a prime location. If it weren't for Madam Cui's meddling, they would never have suffered year after year of losses. When Shen Qianmo first received the shops' accounts, she was truly startled. She had been so excited to learn that she owned two shops in such golden locations, only to discover they were rotten apples with chronic deficits.

In contrast, the neighboring shops, Linglong Pavilion and Treasure Hall, under Madam Cui's name on Black Tortoise Avenue, flourished spectacularly. One could imagine how much Madam Cui had been lining her own pockets all these years.

Now, however, Treasure Hall had been sealed, and Linglong Pavilion was slowly declining as Falling Jade Pavilion rose. Madam Cui had truly fallen ill this time, and what vexed her most was that she could do nothing against Shen Qianmo. Her embezzlement of the Xie family's dowry could not be revealed; if she clashed with Shen Qianmo and her actions were exposed, her authority and position as the household's mistress would be lost, and her days in the Duke's residence would become unbearable. For now, she could only swallow her grievances and endure the silent loss.

Thus, lately, Shen Qianmo lived quite leisurely, often strolling through the streets to experience the customs of the Great Sheng Dynasty, frequenting teahouses and taverns to listen to the people's gossip and keep abreast of the latest news.

Currently, the Central Plains were divided among four powers, with Great Sheng boasting the largest and most fertile territory. It was surrounded by three nations: the Northern Di to the north, Western Liang to the west, and Southern Zhan to the south, among which Northern Di was the strongest.

Northern Di was mainly a nomadic people, fierce and skilled in horsemanship and archery, coveting Great Sheng's land for a long time and repeatedly invading its borders. Seven years ago, at the Battle of Jingzhou City, the Xuanyuan Prince's manor dealt a heavy blow to Northern Di's army of three hundred thousand. Their formidable general, He Yuanshan, was killed by Meng Yuanheng, who was then only sixteen.

He Yuanshan was Northern Di's most valiant general, yet he died at the hands of a mere sixteen-year-old from Great Sheng, shocking the entire Northern Di nation. King Wanyanhong of Northern Di proactively sought peace, promising not to wage war against Great Sheng for ten years. Great Sheng, having suffered heavy losses—Xuanyuan Prince perished, Meng Yuanheng gravely wounded, and Xuanyuan Prince's manor left with barely ten thousand soldiers—agreed to the truce. That battle was a mutual devastation.

For seven years, under Emperor Mingde's rule, Great Sheng enjoyed peace and prosperity. Strolling down the bustling Vermilion Bird Avenue, Shen Qianmo couldn't help but think of the Xuanyuan Prince's manor. For this tranquility, the manor had paid a tremendous price—the former prince his life, the current prince his health.

Falling Jade Pavilion sat at the intersection of Vermilion Bird Avenue and Ziyang Street, in the heart of Shengjing's most thriving district. Before Shen Qianmo reached the door, she heard a commotion inside.

"How dare you! When I fancy something, do I need to pay?" Shen Qianxue's shrill, domineering voice echoed from afar.

Shen Qianmo frowned—her again! Why was this girl so unruly wherever she went? Entering, Shen Qianmo saw Shen Qianxue furiously glowering at Xu Qingzhou, the current manager of Falling Jade Pavilion, while her maid, Ru Jin, held a packaged set of jade hair ornaments.

Xu Qingzhou, a distant nephew of Madam Xu, was about thirty-five or thirty-six, with an honest yet shrewd appearance. Since taking over as manager, he had worked diligently and dutifully, earning Shen Qianmo's satisfaction. Facing Shen Qianxue's unreasonable demands, Xu Qingzhou remained firm, bowing respectfully but resolutely defending his position. Upon seeing Shen Qianmo enter, he visibly relaxed, saluted her, and said respectfully, "Greetings, Miss Shen."

This Second Miss Shen was truly unreasonable and hard to deal with. But surely the eldest miss would have a way—Xu Qingzhou thought, relieved. Through recent dealings, he admired Shen Qianmo greatly. Though she appeared gentle and delicate, her insight and courage were extraordinary.

Shen Qianmo nodded to Xu Qingzhou, then cast a cool glance at the nose-in-the-air, arrogant Shen Qianxue. "Second Sister, since you've taken a liking to this jewelry, just let the shop know. Falling Jade Pavilion will deliver it to the Duke's residence. Why make such a fuss here and disgrace our family's upbringing?"

"Hmph!" Shen Qianxue snorted, arrogantly retorting, "What right have you to lecture me about upbringing? Disfigured and rejected, even the Xuanyuan Prince despises you now. If I were you, I'd either hang myself or spend my days in a convent to avoid bringing shame!"

Hearing Shen Qianxue's words, the crowd outside the pavilion began to gossip.

"So this is the Shen family's eldest miss? With her face veiled, has she really been disfigured? Such a pity!"

"I heard the Emperor granted her marriage to the Xuanyuan Prince, but he refused."

"She’s been rejected twice? Goodness, who would marry her now?"

Green Bamboo, enraged by Shen Qianxue's words and the crowd's chatter, flushed with anger, glaring at Shen Qianxue. If not for Shen Qianmo holding her back, she would have rushed up to fight Shen Qianxue.

Shen Qianmo simply smiled faintly, unconcerned. She spoke aloud, "It's a pity I'm not you, so I won't do as you say. The disfigurement and broken engagement weren't my fault, so why should I suffer for others' mistakes? Shouldn't those who err be the ones to repent?"

Her gaze was piercing as she looked at Shen Qianxue. For a moment, Shen Qianxue felt uneasy, as if her carefully hidden secrets had been uncovered.

She recalled how Shen Qianmo used to be timid before her, but now, Shen Qianmo seemed entirely different. Furious, Shen Qianxue stepped forward, raising her hand to slap her—a move she often used against Shen Qianmo, who would usually bow her head and beg or shed tears. But Shen Qianmo was no longer the same.

This habit of Shen Qianxue, slapping people at will, was truly intolerable! Shen Qianmo thought to herself. She grabbed Shen Qianxue's raised hand, her gaze turning icy. "Second Sister, considering your current health, I suggest you stay home and rest."

At these words, Shen Qianxue's expression changed slightly—did she know about her pregnancy?

"What happened here?" A man's voice called out, and soon a man in a purple brocade robe entered, tall and handsome—Prince Rong's heir, Meng Yuncai. He frowned at Shen Qianmo holding Shen Qianxue's hand. "Miss Shen, what are you doing? As the elder sister, how can you treat your sibling so? Release her at once!"

Shen Qianmo smiled, leaned close to Shen Qianxue's ear, and whispered, "If you wish to marry smoothly into Prince Rong's household, I suggest you behave yourself before the wedding." Then she let go of Shen Qianxue's wrist, turned to Meng Yuncai with a graceful smile. "Forgive me, Prince Meng. Qianxue is inexperienced; as her elder sister, I was merely offering some advice to help her better understand propriety. Isn't that right, Second Sister?"

Shen Qianxue glared at Shen Qianmo resentfully, then moved to Meng Yuncai's side and tugged his sleeve. "Prince, let's go." If news of her unmarried pregnancy spread, her reputation would be ruined—not only would she lose the chance to marry into Prince Rong's household, she might truly be forced to spend her life in a convent. So, she had to swallow her grievances today.

But this humiliation, she vowed to repay. Shen Qianxue thought fiercely.

Meng Yuncai was momentarily distracted by Shen Qianmo's radiant smile; by the time he regained his senses, Shen Qianxue had already pulled him away.

Across the street, in the upper floor of Tranquil Residence, two young men sat by the window, both strikingly handsome and dignified. The man in white raised a brow, sipped his tea, and teased, "A Heng, is that your future princess—the one rumored to be foolish, timid, and incompetent? Clearly, the capital's gossip is unreliable."

Opposite him, the man called "A Heng" sat not on a chair, but a wheelchair. Dressed in dark robes that highlighted his pale, cold features, he exuded an aura even more commanding than his companion's. He parted his lips and said coolly, "It seems Cloud Retreat Manor's strength has greatly diminished. If the old master had any spirit left, he would die in grief."

The man in white was Yun Yi, the current master of the legendary Cloud Retreat Manor. His expression changed, and he exclaimed, "Meng Yuanheng, your tongue grows sharper by the day! Just wait—I’ll uncover all your future princess's secrets to show you what Cloud Retreat Manor can do."

"No need. I'll handle it myself," replied Meng Yuanheng, the Xuanyuan Prince. He shot Yun Yi a warning glance—mind your own business—and called, "Changdong."

A gust of wind passed, and in the blink of an eye, a youth in green stood silently behind Meng Yuanheng, as shadowlike as a phantom.

"Let’s go," Meng Yuanheng said, and Changdong immediately pushed the wheelchair away, not sparing Yun Yi a single glance.

Yun Yi was long accustomed to their peculiar master-servant relationship. Stroking his chin, he watched Meng Yuanheng depart, then looked at Shen Qianmo walking below. He smiled meaningfully—this future princess of Xuanyuan Prince was anything but simple. There was drama to come, and the days ahead would surely be far less dull than they had been.