Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

Five years ago, the Great Yu was beset by turmoil both within and without. Countless heroes had perished. His Majesty, from Shuzhou, led a band of children no older than twenty—soldiers barely grown—simultaneously fending off foreign enemies and quelling civil strife. When his troops fell in battle, some went hungry, others lacked proper clothing.

The peace they fought for with their lives ended up enriching only a handful of wealthy merchants.

The young lady’s face, nurtured by wealth and luxury, was etched with an air of condescension. For the first time, Song Yunzhi felt the full bitterness of the merchants’ wickedness. Before he could consider the consequences, his body moved forward instinctively, meeting the young lady’s clear, bright eyes. He raised his lips coldly. “Very well.”

He would hand over everything her family had ruthlessly extracted from the common people of Great Yu—down to the last coin.

But would she accept it?

In an instant, a sharp, oppressive attack flared in the young man’s eyes, so fierce it forced Qian Tong to lean back involuntarily, looking at him with surprise.

Had she said the wrong thing?

Had he lost every relative?

Yet he wouldn’t want to devour her alive.

Sensing the change and suspicion in her gaze, Song Yunzhi swiftly regained composure and straightened. Like a powerful dragon unable to suppress a local tyrant, his mission was arduous and far-reaching.

Having studied the classics for more than a decade, he was no fool. Countless schemes lay hidden in his heart; he knew which approach would benefit him most now. If he could win her trust, sacrificing himself would be but a small price. Resolving everything, he lowered his eyes slightly, letting them sweep gently over the young lady’s face as he whispered, “There are many relatives—my maternal uncles’ family is thriving—I fear that Seventh Lady would be reluctant.”

The youth’s handsome brows arched, and his gaze, calm yet carrying a faint autumnal sorrow, rendered the word ‘anguish’ with profound depth.

Qian Tong was stunned.

She supposed that those tragic tales in operas about women who ruin their lives upon meeting a gentleman were not baseless. Had he worn such a face last night, how could she have brought herself to act?

After more than ten years of war, how many common folk could truly flourish?

Able to afford relief, she raised two fingers in assurance: “Trust me. If I say I’ll give it, I will. My word is as good as gold—I won’t deceive you.”

Song Yunzhi withdrew his gaze and resumed his accounts. When he lowered his head, he said softly, “I believe you.”

Qian Tong:…

His voice was low and gentle, the faint smile at his lips seeming to mock her deliberately. A sudden tickle stirred her heart, making her restless.

Under the pressure of money, the young master’s attitude finally shifted.

Feeling the all-powerful sway of wealth, Qian Tong’s hands moved faster counting coins as she instructed Fuyin, “Those without silver, follow the men to the mansion to fetch it. Record all debts. Commissions will be paid as usual to those who collect.”

The Qian family’s servants had long been waiting outside, ready to follow orders. Once a debtor left, a servant clung like a stubborn leech, impossible to shake off.

What was meant to be a simple engagement banquet descended into chaos. Even Madam Cui forced a smile, trying to carry on, but the Governor’s wife lost all interest. After a few polite words, the event ended abruptly, and she took Master Lan back to the Governor’s mansion.

Madam Cui was furious. She always suspected that the Qian family’s girl was trouble—a schemer who never let anyone gain even a fraction of advantage. Scanning the room and finding no one, she asked her maid, “Where is she?”

The maid replied, “Seventh Lady Qian went to the Grand Madam Cui’s courtyard.”

Madam Cui sneered. With the Governor’s wife gone, she spoke without restraint, “Anything connected to that Qian family brings nothing but misfortune. Who wants to see someone half-dead all day? If she wants to fight back, why not just end it all with a pair of scissors? Then I could respect her bravery…”

——

After collecting the debts, Qian Tong went to the Grand Madam Cui’s courtyard.

The last time she had been there was six months ago.

She remembered when the eldest lady married off. She came with her own family to see her off. The courtyard was clean and bright, festooned with red silk lanterns. The eldest son of the Cui family wore his wedding finery, holding the double knot, leading his bride into the bridal chamber. When the guests came to tease the bride, he shielded her behind himself, unwilling to let anyone harm her.

Even she envied the eldest lady then.

Five years later, neither the place nor the people remained the same.

The once lively courtyard was now desolate, shrouded in a lingering gloom. Walking in, she saw no maids or servants. Only at the door did a maid rush out, holding a clay pot freshly emptied of medicinal soup.

“Chunliu,” Qian Tong called.

The maid was brought from the Qian family by the eldest lady, someone Qian Tong had known since childhood.

Chunliu paused, her face brightening, “Seventh Lady, you’ve finally come.”

Qian Tong had heard the eldest sister was ill again and asked, “How is she?”

Chunliu’s smile vanished instantly, her face dim, shaking her head, “She just took her medicine. She’s awake. Seventh Lady, please go inside and see for yourself.”

Not long ago, Qian Tong had specially arranged for a renowned doctor outside to treat the eldest lady, who reported her health was greatly improved.

Yet somehow, she was taking medicine again.

As Qian Tong stepped inside, a heavy medicinal scent filled the room. The windows were tightly shut, trapping the smell inside, making the air heavy and draining one’s spirit.

“I told you to open the windows. Why are they closed so tightly?”

Chunliu followed behind, explaining, “Madam Cui said the Grand Madam’s body is weak and cannot bear drafts. If she catches a cold, they’ll have to spend money to call a doctor.”

Money? The courtyard had been lavishly decorated for Madam Cui’s engagement, where even a simple meal could afford several decent doctors.

It wasn’t fear of spending—it was disdain. She thought the Qian family’s eldest lady was a burden, dragging the Cui family down. Qian Tong snapped, “What does she know? Is she a doctor? Open those windows!”

The eldest lady, reclining on the couch, pale and skeletal, heard the voices from outside and recognized who had come. She hurriedly tidied her hair and summoned her strength.

Soon, the beaded curtain was gently pushed aside, and a faint green figure slipped in. Though half a year had passed, she was still the vibrant young lady, full of life and determination, bearing an increasing resemblance to their ancestor.

The eldest lady smiled, “Tong’er, you’ve come.”

Qian Tong hesitated, looking at the woman lying in bed, her face gaunt and frail. A sharp ache clenched her heart, and she couldn’t help but ask, “How did your life come to this?”

The eldest lady’s mouth was full of bitter medicine; she was reluctant to speak much, offering a sad smile instead. “I wish I knew.”

When she was with the Qian family, her health was good—she could even climb trees to pick cherries for her younger sisters. After entering the Cui family, she became a bedridden patient no doctor could cure.

Qian Tong stood by the curtain, not entering, and asked, “What about your husband?”

The eldest lady lowered her eyes. “He’s busy.”

Indeed, busy with his concubines and children. Qian Tong had already told her more than once what she thought but now spoke frankly, “He no longer loves you, sister.”

Though the truth was painful, she could no longer deceive herself.

They once had a beautiful relationship, but hearts change. Even the eldest son of the Cui family, who once protected her in public, was no exception.

The eldest lady seemed not to hear her, remaining calm, and changed the subject, asking, “I heard Tong’er has found a fiancé?”

Qian Tong said nothing.

The eldest lady smiled, “To have passed Tong’er’s eyes, he must be a man among men.”

Qian Tong still did not answer, her eyes fixed steadily on her, reddening.

Seeing her like this, the eldest lady had no choice but to lower her head and mock herself, “I once advised you not to give up so easily, nearly helped you escape secretly. Luckily, it never happened—otherwise, what a sin that would be. Now, look at me—I’ve become a joke…”

Qian Tong’s voice was hoarse. “You were never a joke.”

The eldest lady said nothing.

Qian Tong disliked meddling in others’ marriages, as she could not empathize or offer advice. But this was her elder sister, and she had to make a decision for her. “Sister, divorce him.”

The eldest lady was surprised by her tone. “Tong’er, this is my matter. You need not—”

“I can’t ignore it,” Qian Tong interrupted sternly, “The Cui family is doomed. You must come home with me.”

The eldest lady was stunned.

“I’ve already had someone write the divorce papers. You just need to have him sign. The alliance between the Cui and Qian families can end amicably.” Ignoring the shock on the eldest lady’s face, Qian Tong took the papers from her sleeve and handed them over.

The eldest lady did not take them, more concerned with what else Qian Tong had said. Grasping her wrist firmly, she asked seriously, “What exactly is wrong?”

Marriage is meant to unite two families, but no one ever imagined that if the two houses turned hostile, what fate would befall the one caught in the middle. Qian Tong sympathized but was helpless. “Sister, the Cui family has committed a grave taboo.”

The relationship between the eldest lady and the eldest son of the Cui family had reached this point. Qian Tong did not know whether to hate or be relieved.

She hated the eldest son of the Cui family for ruining a good woman.

She was relieved they had no children; he no longer loved her, so nothing could bind her from leaving. Qian Tong said, “You know well, the Qian and Cui families are not what they once were. It’s either you die or I fall. The Cui family thinks they have the Governor’s favor but do not realize they’ve cut off their own future. The Park family has never been generous or kind.”

The eldest lady was still dazed.

Qian Tong gently pulled open her hand and placed the divorce papers in her palm. “Sister, get Cui Gongzi to sign as soon as possible. When you’re ready, tell me. I’ll send people to fetch you. We’ll go home, recover your health, and live well. Agreed?”

Before becoming Grand Madam of the Cui family, she was first the eldest lady of the Qian family, raised and lived there for seventeen years.

Qian Tong believed she knew how to choose.

The eldest lady, however, stared silently into her eyes and softly asked, “Are you still in contact with Park Gongzi?”

Qian Tong did not answer.

Seeing she did not want to speak of it, the eldest lady did not ask further. She lowered her gaze and slowly folded the divorce papers in her palm.

Qian Tong did not urge her, waiting quietly.

Outside, Chunliu heard Qian Tong’s words and opened all the windows wide. The fresh breeze rolled in, and shafts of sunlight slanted through, piercing the eldest lady’s eyes. After adjusting, she looked out the window and inadvertently saw the half-opened latticed window.

Once, the eldest son of the Cui family had personally adorned it, piece by piece. Five years on, it had grown old and dull, no longer shining.

The eldest lady exhaled softly and nodded. “Alright, I agree. I will come home.”

——

Qian Tong came alone to the eldest lady’s courtyard, bringing no one.

Song Yunzhi and Fuyin waited by the carriage outside. Fuyin was still counting silver notes, while Song Yunzhi stood at the gate, watching passersby.

The Cui family alley connected to the main street, bustling with people. With a casual glance, Song Yunzhi spotted a familiar face among them.

Shen Che’s secret guard.

He glanced briefly at the still busy Fuyin and stepped forward.

Fuyin quickly noticed and asked, “Madam will be out soon. Sir Song, where are you going?”

Without turning, Song Yunzhi said, “To buy a comb.”

Indeed, there was a stall nearby selling wooden combs within sight.

Fuyin paid no more attention.

As Song Yunzhi approached the stall, the guard lowered his voice: “Young Master Song.”

Song Yunzhi nodded.

The guard said, “My lord sends word that he has received your letter and supports your vow to kill the female thief.”

The letter was sent out by Song Yunzhi last night, his mood then quite different from now. He asked, “Where is he?”

The guard replied, “On the Cui family’s boat.”

Song Yunzhi frowned. Wasn’t he supposed to be at the Qian family’s mountain overseeing accounts?

The guard fell silent for a moment, then spoke with difficulty, “The Qian family’s men escorted my lord to the Cui family’s boat to act as an informant. My lord... is not well.”

To infiltrate the Cui family’s boat under the Qian family’s identity—there was little chance of good fortune.

Song Yunzhi closed his eyes briefly, recalling the hardships of secretly entering the Qian family, only to be sent by them as a mole into the Cui family... Such treachery could only be the work of that cunning woman.

Suddenly, the guard added, “My lord has discovered the Cui family’s boat is loaded entirely with tea leaves, suspecting they are smuggling.”