Chapter Three: Schemes and Calculations of All Parties

It's early summer, and the wind in Yangzhou carries a hint of heat.

The canal boats still shuttle back and forth, and the hustle and bustle at the docks is even greater than in spring. However, in addition to the smell of river water and salt, there is a hint of hidden anxiety in the air.

The Yangzhou villa of the Jiangning Imperial Textile Bureau is located on the shore of Slender West Lake and is an exquisite Jiangnan garden.

The courtyard is complete with artificial hills and flowing water, pavilions and towers, and even has a more royal style than the garden of the Shen Mansion - after all, the Cao family was once a royal merchant, and even though they are not as glorious as they used to be, their heritage is still there.

At this moment, in the "Listening to Lotus Pavilion" of the villa, Cao Jin was leaning lazily on a nanmu couch covered with white fox fur.

He wore a moon-white silk robe with dark patterns, the collar of which was loosely open, revealing an inner garment embroidered with gold thread. A long braid was casually placed on his chest, and his face was flushed from drinking.

Two pretty maids dressed in pink dresses were there. One knelt by the bed, gently massaging his legs; the other held a round fan, embroidered with "Moonlight over the Lotus Pond," and a faint fragrance wafted from the fan as it was being fanned.

Cao Jin held a candied plum between his fingertips and slowly put it into his mouth. The sweet and sour taste spread on his tongue, but it did not dispel the calculation in his eyes.

Standing below was a young servant in blue robes, bowing and carefully reporting on the recent situation of the Yangzhou salt merchants.

"Oh? That kid from the Shen family really said that?" Cao Jin's tone was lazy and a little amused, as if he were listening to an unimportant anecdote. "That hungry wolf Zhao Dexian has quite an appetite, yet he managed to handle it all so well? He even donated 50,000 taels to repair the sluice gate?"

"Absolutely true, sir!" The servant nodded hastily, a fawning smile plastered on his face. "It's all over the place. They say that although Young Master Shen is young, his methods are even more shrewd than the old master's. Lord Zhao originally wanted to take advantage of the Shen family, but not only did he not gain much benefit, he was also shut down by Young Master Shen's words, 'Lord Cao of Jiangning is concerned about the salt affairs of Yangzhou.' In the end, he only gained a reputation for being 'righteous,' and he didn't even dare to mention the subsequent exorbitant taxes."

“Interesting.” Cao Jin narrowed his eyes, his fingers unconsciously stroking the jade ruyi beside the couch, a hint of interest flashing in his eyes. “I thought Shen Rulan was just a salt merchant’s son who only knew how to use an abacus, but I didn’t expect him to have some brains.” He paused, then suddenly changed the subject, asking, “By the way, his sister… the one who was rumored to be going to the imperial concubine selection in the capital the year before last, but then said she was sick and couldn’t go, what was her name again?”

Standing beside him was a confidant named Zhou, dressed in a blue long gown and wearing round-framed glasses.

Master Zhou quickly bowed and replied, "Young master has a good memory. It is indeed the young lady of the second branch of the Shen family, named Shen Zhiwei. I heard that this young lady has been frail and sickly since childhood, and has been taking medicine all year round. When the imperial decree for the selection of concubines came down two years ago, she was about to set off when she coughed so badly that she could not get out of bed and had to give up in the end."

Cao Jin scoffed, a mocking smile playing on her lips: "Illness? Who knows if it's real or fake? The Shen family is incredibly wealthy, yet the eldest branch only has one heir, Shen Rulan—and he's a son. Can the second branch be content with that? They're probably using 'illness' as an excuse to keep their daughter by their side so they can fight for the inheritance later."

A calculating glint flashed in his eyes as he lightly tapped his fingers on the couch. "Have you arranged all the banquets I've prepared for this young master at the villa the day after tomorrow? Make sure our young master Shen is thoroughly entertained. And while we're at it... let's also sound out his opinion on the marriage proposal."

As astute as Zhou Shiye was, he immediately understood Cao Jin's intentions and quickly chimed in, "Young Master is brilliant! If we can bring this 'sickly' young lady from the second branch of the Shen family into your household through Shen Rulan, firstly, we can win over the second branch of the Shen family—they already covet the eldest branch's assets, and with your support, they will be eternally grateful to you; secondly, we can also use this relationship to get involved in the Shen family's salt business, and in the future, wouldn't you have another avenue to the Shen family's wealth? This is a plan that kills two birds with one stone!"

Cao Jin smiled with satisfaction, picked up the wine cup handed to him by the maid beside him, and drank it all in one gulp.

Wine dripped from the corner of his mouth onto his clothes, but he didn't seem to care: "It's good that you understand. Arrange more people who know how to handle things at the banquet, and prepare some fine wine... Shen Rulan is still young, I don't believe he can keep up the act forever. Once he gives in, things will be much easier to handle afterwards."

Master Zhou bowed and agreed, but secretly thought to himself—Shen Rulan was no ordinary person who could stabilize the Shen family's situation in just a few years. It would be difficult for the young master to control him with just a banquet. However, he dared not refute it and could only respectfully withdraw to begin arranging the banquet.

The Pine Wave Garden in the Shen Mansion was even more tranquil than usual.

The ancient pines in the courtyard swayed in the wind, creating a rustling sound, but they did not dispel the somber atmosphere inside the house.

Madam Shen Qinshi sat upright in the grand chair at the head of the table, fiddling with a string of sandalwood prayer beads. The beads spun faster than usual, revealing her inner turmoil.

Rong Momo stood behind her, holding a newly embroidered brocade handkerchief in her hands. The handkerchief was embroidered with the four characters "福寿康宁" (blessings, longevity, health, and peace), and the stitches were fine. However, she did not dare to hand it to the old lady—she knew that the old lady was not in the mood to look at such things at the moment.

Shen Fugang had just returned from the Salt Transport Office and was standing respectfully at the lower end of the table, giving a detailed account of the confrontation between Shen Rulan and Zhao Dexian, as well as Pan Shizhang's subsequent actions at the Salt Transport Office.

"...Young Master first donated 50,000 taels of silver under the pretext of 'repairing the sluice gate for the benefit of the country and the people,' which both silenced Lord Zhao and earned him a good reputation; later, when Lord Zhao mentioned his dissatisfaction with Baolong Company, Young Master cleverly mentioned Lord Cao of Jiangning, implying that we have connections in the capital, so Lord Zhao dared not say anything more critical." Shen Fu's voice was steady and his reasoning was clear. "However, Pan Shizhang also went to the Salt Transport Office yesterday, and it is said that he gave 60,000 taels of silver. He also said a lot of bad things about us in front of Lord Zhao, saying that Young Master is young and impetuous and does not know how to be flexible, and that our Shen family has monopolized the salt permits in Yangzhou and suppressed small and medium-sized merchants."

After listening, Madam Shen nodded slowly, her tone calm but with a hint of authority: "Lan'er handled it well. Zhao Dexian is greedy and despicable, but he is new here and his foundation is not yet stable, so he does not dare to be too presumptuous. He wants both money and reputation. Although Lan'er's fifty thousand taels hurt, it bought him temporary peace and prevented him from taking action against the Shen family for the time being."

Rong Momo couldn't help but speak up: "But... Madam, I'm afraid Pan Shizhang won't let this go easily. I just heard from the kitchen maid that the people from Baolong Company have been frequently entering and leaving the territory of the Grand Canal Gang, and they've been getting very close to some minor officials from the Salt Transport Bureau. I'm afraid they're plotting something that's detrimental to us."

“Arrogant people will never amount to anything.” Madam Shen snorted coldly, a sharp glint in her eyes. “I know Pan Shizhang’s capabilities very well—he only knows how to use underhanded methods and will never amount to anything. As long as we keep a close eye on the salt fields, the canal transport, and the accounts, he won’t be able to cause any trouble.”

She changed the subject, her tone becoming serious: "Right now, we need to be more cautious about the Cao family. Cao Jin may seem like a spoiled brat who only knows how to eat, drink, and have fun, but in reality, he is insatiable. Moreover, he has connections with the Imperial Household Department, so although he is not as powerful as before, he still has some influence. His sudden invitation to Lan'er to a banquet in Yangzhou is definitely not just for appreciating some clocks—that's just an excuse."

Madam Shen looked at Shen Rulan, who was standing silently to the side, her eyes filled with worry: "Lan'er, the banquet the day after tomorrow may be a trap. You must be careful, especially... you must never touch wine or women."

Shen Rulan felt a chill run down her spine. She naturally understood her grandmother's deeper meaning. Alcohol could cloud judgment and lead to careless words—once drunk, she might reveal her true gender; and lust was a trap she had to stay far away from.

If Cao Jinruo arranges for women to attend the banquet or uses other means to seduce her, the secret will be in grave danger if she loses her composure even slightly.

"Grandson understands." Shen Rulan replied in a deep voice, her tone firm. "When attending the banquet, grandson will absolutely not drink alcohol, will absolutely not get close to women, will be careful with her words and actions, and will not give anyone an opportunity to take advantage of her. If Cao Jin mentions marriage or other excessive demands, grandson will handle them skillfully and will never let the Shen family be put in a passive position."

Seeing her composed demeanor, Madam Shen felt somewhat relieved, but still couldn't help but remind her, "You've always been prudent in your actions, but the Cao family is connected to the Imperial Household Department after all, so you can't be careless. Let Shen Fu go with you; he's experienced and can help you handle any unexpected situations. If anything goes wrong at the banquet, get up and take your leave immediately. Don't worry about saving face—the foundation of the Shen family is far more important than temporary face."

Shen Rulan nodded in agreement. She knew that this banquet not only concerned her personal secret, but also the future of the Shen family. She had to be on her guard against Cao Jin's schemes.

The secret room of Baolong Salt Shop was dark and oppressive.

The secret room was hidden behind a camphor wood cabinet in the storeroom in the backyard of the salt shop. The inside of the cabinet was lined with thick velvet, which absorbed even the slightest sound of the wooden hinges when it was pushed open. The stone steps leading to the underground were covered in damp moss, and the edges of each step were worn smooth—clearly, this was not the first time someone had stepped on them.

Inside, only a single tin oil lamp burned slightly, its dim yellow light flickering and casting a long, menacing shadow of Pan Shizhang on the mottled earthen wall. In the corner lay two unopened bags of coarse salt, the salt grains leaking from the openings mixed with dirt—inferior goods he had deliberately stockpiled a few days ago, intending to replace the Shen family's official salt, but now they lay idle.

Pan Shizhang sat on a wooden chair with a missing leg, propped up by bricks. His usual brocade robe had been replaced with a gray cloth short shirt, the collar still stained with damp mud from the ground. He held a brass pipe between his fingers; the tobacco in the bowl had long since gone out, yet he still unconsciously rubbed the bowl. The sinister look in his eyes was heavier than the shadow of the oil lamp—he had just gone to the Canal Gang branch to see "River Dragon," who openly said he "didn't want to make enemies with the Shen family," but in reality, he wanted to extort money. He hadn't even shown his face, only sending a subordinate to tell him, "If you have something to say, talk to Scarface Li."

"Master Pan, the leader of the River Dragon Sect sent me to give you a report."

A light knock came from the doorway, followed by a middle-aged man with a sallow complexion and a scar below his left eye, bowing as he entered. He wore the uniform indigo short jacket of the Canal Gang, and a wooden plaque engraved with the character "Jiang" was pinned to his waist. He was the head of the Hunjianglong gang, responsible for "message relay and coordination," and was known in the underworld as "Scarface Li." He carried an oiled paper package containing a topographical map of the Qixia Mountain Ancient Road that Hunjianglong had asked him to bring. The edges of the oiled paper still had a trace of river dampness—clearly, it had just been delivered from the Heishuidang area.

Pan Shizhang glanced at him, tapped his pipe on the corner of the table, sparks flew up and he quickly extinguished it: "The River Dragon certainly knows how to put on airs. He won't come himself, so he sends a messenger to deliver a message. Tell me, is he willing to take action or not?"

Scarface Li lowered his head, handing the topographical map to the table with both hands. His tone was respectful but tinged with caution: "The leader said that the Canal Gang relies on the water for their livelihood. The Shen family's salt boats have to pass through the Blackwater Marsh every month. If we openly break ties with the Shen family, the Canal Gang's boats might face difficulties from the Shen family when they pass through Yangzhou Wharf in the future. But Master Pan, you are an old friend among the Yangzhou salt merchants, and the leader does not want to offend you. So he sent me to discuss a compromise with you."

He paused, secretly glancing at Pan Shizhang's expression. Seeing that the other party wasn't angry, he continued, "Master, I can help you with two things: First, I can keep an eye on the Yongsheng Escort Agency's movements and find out the departure time, route, and number of escorts for the Shen family's salt convoy—the kitchen manager of the Yongsheng Escort Agency is my distant cousin, so it'll be easy to get information out of him; second, I can point you in the right direction. There's a group of bandits on the Qixia Mountain Ancient Road who have made several deals with the Canal Gang. As long as you give them enough money, they're willing to help you 'destroy the goods.' Even if they investigate afterward, it will only lead back to the bandits, not the Canal Gang."

Pan Shizhang picked up the topographical map, his fingers repeatedly tracing the narrow path of "Qixia Mountain Ancient Road," his mind racing with calculations. The River Dragon wanted to do him a favor, sever ties, and still get him to spend money to bribe the bandits—a shrewd scheme indeed. But for now, he had no other choice—the Shen family's docks were too heavily guarded, making a canal raid impossible; he could only try a land route.

"Keeping an eye on the escort agency and gathering intelligence is your responsibility." Pan Shizhang looked up at Scarface Li, his eyes as cold as ice. "Within three days, I need to know the exact departure time of the Shen family's salt convoy, and which route Lin Zhennan plans to take. If you fail to find out, or if the information leaks, Hunjianglong should know that I, Pan Shizhang, also know a few people in the Salt Transport Bureau. If I expose the smuggling of salt by the Grand Canal gang..."

Scarface Li froze, then quickly bowed and replied, "Don't worry, Master Pan! I guarantee I'll investigate thoroughly and won't let a single word leak out! Even if it means falling out with my uncle, I'll find out what's going on with the caravan!" He knew Pan Shizhang's methods; if you really pushed someone too far, no one would get away with it.

Pan Shizhang nodded in satisfaction, took out a hundred-tael silver note from his pocket, and slapped it in front of Scarface Li: "This is a deposit, you can take it first. When you send the message, I will give you another fifty taels. As for the bandits of Qixia Mountain, you can pass on a message to Hunjianglong and ask him to help me make a connection—if it works out, I will give the Canal Gang an extra two hundred taels of 'tea money,' and in the future, when the Baolong Salt Ship passes through Heishuidang, the Canal Gang's 'passage fee' will also be increased by ten percent."

Scarface Li's eyes lit up as he looked at the silver note, but he didn't dare to reach for it immediately. He simply bowed and said, "Master Pan is so generous! I'll go back and report to the leader right away, and I'll also investigate the movements of Yong Sheng Escort Agency immediately! Don't worry, I'll definitely send the news over in three days at most!"

“Go ahead.” Pan Shizhang waved his hand. “Remember, you have to handle this alone. Don’t let the other members of the Canal Gang know. If Hunjianglong asks, just say I agreed to his conditions and let him wait to collect his ‘tea money’.”

Scarface Li replied "Yes," carefully tucked the silver note into his pocket, took two steps back while holding the topographical map, then turned around and quietly pushed open the camphor wood cabinet before disappearing out of the secret room.

Pan Shizhang looked at the empty doorway, picked up the topographical map on the table, and examined it closely under the oil lamp. The dim light illuminated the words "Qixia Mountain Ancient Road," making it look like a path leading to a trap for prey. He took out another piece of paper from his pocket, a copy of the salt transport contract signed between merchants from southern Anhui and the Shen family, which clearly stated, "For each day of delay, the compensation will be three times the transport silver."

“Shen Rulan,” Pan Shizhang murmured, a ruthless glint in his eyes, “this time, the canal gangs have sent a message, and bandits have made their move. Let’s see how you’ll protect this batch of salt. Once you’ve lost all your money and ruined your reputation, the top spot among Yangzhou salt merchants will be mine, Pan Shizhang’s!”

Unlike the undercurrents within Yangzhou city, the Su family courtyard in Lianhua Lane exudes a rare tranquility.

Su Moqing was sitting at the stone table in the courtyard, tidying up her painting tools.

On the stone table were several paintbrushes, an inkstone, and some paints.

Su Wenyuan's cough could be heard from inside the room, but it was much lighter than usual.

Since Su Moqing used the advance payment from the Shen family to hire the best doctor in Yangzhou and obtain top-quality medicinal herbs, Su Wenyuan's condition has gradually improved. Not only has his cough lessened, but his spirits have also improved considerably, and he can even occasionally lean against the headboard to read.

"Qing'er." Su Wenyuan's voice came from inside the house, sounding somewhat weak, but stronger than usual.

Su Moqing quickly put down her paintbrush and strode into the room: "Father, you're awake? Would you like some water?"

Su Wenyuan leaned against the headboard and nodded.

Su Moqing picked up the teacup on the table and handed it to her father.

Su Wenyuan took a sip of water, looked at his daughter, and suddenly asked, "Qing'er, you've been going out a lot lately, and you always come back with your painting supplies. Have you found some kind of business to make?"

Su Moqing paused, a hint of hesitation in her heart. She knew that her father had always disliked dealing with powerful and influential people, especially salt merchants—her father often said that salt merchants were mostly profit-driven people, and associating with them could easily lead to trouble.

But she didn't want to lie to her father, so she could only say softly, "Yes... Young Master Shen appreciates my painting skills and commissioned me to paint some decorative paintings for his newly renovated garden. The fee he paid was very generous, enough to cover your medical expenses and household expenses."

"The Shen family?" A hint of surprise flashed in Su Wenyuan's cloudy eyes. "The Shen family, one of the top salt merchants in Yangzhou? How could their young master have found you?"

Although he had been bedridden for a long time, he was not ignorant of worldly affairs.

The Shen family is extremely wealthy in Yangzhou, while my family is just a poor scholar's family. The difference between the two is like heaven and earth. Why would the young master of the Shen family appreciate his daughter's painting skills for no reason?

Su Moqing then briefly recounted how Shen Rulan had rescued the old man selling palm-leaf fans outside "Moxiangzhai" that day, and how he had later seen her "Ink Orchid Painting" at "Moxiangzhai," admired her painting skills, and then commissioned her to paint a picture.

She omitted the details of Shen Rulan's invitation to paint in the Shen family's library, only saying that the Shen family provided the venue and materials so that she could paint there and easily consult painting manuals.

After listening, Su Wenyuan remained silent for a long time before letting out a soft sigh: "Qing'er, I know you want to share the burden of the family, and I also know that young master Shen may genuinely appreciate your talent. But you must understand that the Shen family is powerful, and the way of the salt merchants is even more treacherous, full of scheming and strife. We are a poor family, without power or influence, so it is best to stay away from these troubles and live a peaceful life."

He looked at his daughter, his eyes filled with worry: "That young master Shen is of noble status. You are ultimately not on the same path. Remember to be mindful of your conduct and not overstep your bounds. Once you have fulfilled your agreement with the Shen family and received the remaining payment, do not have any further dealings with them. I don't want you to get involved in those disputes and bring trouble upon yourself."

Her father's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Su Moqing's heart. She knew her father's concerns were reasonable, and she understood the gap between herself and Shen Rulan. She nodded gently, "Daughter understands, Father. Once the painting is finished, daughter will no longer have any dealings with the Shen family."

Even so, the image of Shen Rulan's clear eyes unexpectedly surfaced in her mind, along with the cool touch of his fingertips when he held her wrist in the library that day. That subtle feeling, like a seed, had already quietly sprouted in her heart.

Yongsheng Escort Agency, located outside the west gate of Yangzhou City, is one of the largest escort agencies in Yangzhou.

Above the gate of the escort agency hangs a prominent plaque with the four large characters "Yongsheng Escort Agency" written in a vigorous and powerful style. It was inscribed by the former prefect of Yangzhou.

The courtyard inside the security escort agency was very large, with a spacious training ground in the middle where several bodyguards were practicing their boxing skills, their punches and kicks swift and powerful.

The side rooms on both sides were filled with various goods for escorting goods, including wooden boxes and packages, all sealed with the seals of Yongsheng Escort Agency.

Chief镖头 Lin Zhennan was sitting in a grand chair in the front hall, holding a shipping manifest in his hand, his brows furrowed.

The manifest was sent by the Shen family. It stated that 500 shi of official salt were to be transported to southern Anhui, with Huizhou Prefecture as the destination, and that the goods must be delivered by the end of this month.

Half of the escort fee has already been prepaid, a full five hundred taels of silver, which is no small business.

But Lin Zhennan couldn't be happy.

The road has been unsettled lately. Not only are there bandits, but some salt merchants are also secretly sabotaging the business. He had heard that Pan Shizhang of Baolong Company was dissatisfied with the Shen family and had secretly contacted some outlaws to cause trouble for the Shen family in the canal and land transportation.

"Father, what are you thinking about?" A clear voice came, and a woman dressed in a light blue outfit walked in quickly.

The woman was about eighteen or nineteen years old, tall and slender, with a spirited look in her eyes and a short sword at her waist. She was Lin Zhennan's daughter, Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao has practiced martial arts since childhood and studied under a famous master. Her marksmanship is superb, and she is a top expert in the escort agency. Many veteran escorts are no match for her.

Lin Zhennan looked up at his daughter and sighed, "What else can I think about? This shipment for the Shen family is going to be difficult." He handed the manifest to Lin Xiao, "Five hundred shi of official salt, to be transported to Huizhou Prefecture, and it must arrive by the end of the month. But things are not peaceful on the road lately, and Pan Shizhang is making trouble in the shadows again. I'm worried that this shipment will run into problems."

Lin Xiao took the shipping manifest, quickly glanced at it, then looked up with a determined look in his eyes: "Father, I will personally escort this shipment."

"Nonsense!" Lin Zhennan's face darkened, and he rebuked sharply, "Southern Anhui is a long and arduous journey, with high mountains and dangerous waters. There are also many bandits along the way. How can a girl like you handle it? Moreover, Pan Shizhang's men might be waiting on the road. If something happens to you, how will your father explain it to your mother?"

“It is precisely because it is dangerous that we need to be even more careful.” Lin Xiao did not back down and spoke firmly. “What despicable tricks wouldn’t Pan Shizhang use? He will definitely send someone to intercept the goods or create an accident on the way. I don’t trust anyone else to go. Father, don’t worry. I have practiced martial arts for many years and my marksmanship is not for nothing. If I bring a dozen or so good men, I will definitely be able to deliver the goods safely to Huizhou Prefecture.”

She paused, then added, "The Shen family has been cooperating with our escort agency for many years and has an excellent reputation. They have never defaulted on their payment and have even helped us when we encountered difficulties. Now that the Shen family is in trouble, we cannot back down at this critical juncture. Otherwise, we will be laughed at by people in the underworld, and who will dare to hire our Yongsheng Escort Agency for escorting goods in the future?"

Looking at his daughter's stubborn face, Lin Zhennan felt both angry and heartbroken.

He knew his daughter's abilities—last year, Lin Xiao had escorted a shipment to Hangzhou alone. On the way, she encountered bandits, but not only did she prevent the goods from being damaged, she also captured two bandit leaders alive, earning her the title of "Warrior Goddess" on the road. But he was still worried that Pan Shizhang's men were more cunning and difficult to deal with than the bandits.

He remained silent for a long time before finally sighing, "Fine! You can go, but you must agree to a few conditions."

Lin Xiao's eyes lit up and she nodded quickly, "Dad, whatever you say, I agree!"

"First, bring plenty of skilled men, at least twenty, all the most reliable bodyguards in our agency; second, be extremely careful along the way, only travel for half a day each day, and find an inn to rest before sunset, choosing one with guards and a good reputation; third, if you encounter anything suspicious, such as being followed or encountering abnormal road conditions, prioritize protecting your people and goods, do not act recklessly, and immediately send someone back to report, and I will bring men to meet you." Lin Zhennan's tone was serious, and he explained each point clearly.

Lin Xiaoyi agreed, "Father, don't worry, I will definitely do as you say and I will never let you down!"

Lin Zhennan looked at his daughter, feeling slightly relieved, and then instructed her, "Also, this is official salt from the Shen family, which is related to the Shen family's reputation and our escort agency's credibility. It must be delivered on time without delay. Be careful on the road and don't let Pan Shizhang's men take advantage of any loopholes."

"Your daughter understands!" Lin Xiao bowed respectfully, then turned and walked out of the front hall to arrange matters for the escort team. Watching his daughter's retreating figure, Lin Zhennan sighed softly, silently praying in his heart—hoping his daughter would return safely, and hoping the escort mission would be successfully completed.

The library in the Shen family mansion remains elegant and tranquil.

Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, falling on the painting table and giving the Xuan paper a faint golden sheen.

Su Moqing was sitting at her painting table, intently painting a meticulous peony.

Today she wore a light green cloth dress, and her hair was tied up with a jade hairpin, making her look more lively than usual.

On the table was a dish of red pigment, and she was carefully using a small wolf-hair brush to apply a little pigment to the peony petals.

Fine brushwork is the most time-consuming to paint peonies, especially the layers and colors of the petals, which require repeated rendering to achieve a full and luxurious effect.

Su Moqing had been painting all morning and had only finished half a peony. Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, but she was completely unaware of it and continued to stare intently at the paper.

"But do you feel that this magenta, though bright, is superficial and lacks depth?" A clear voice came from behind, carrying a hint of gentleness, interrupting Su Moqing's concentration.

Su Moqing was startled, her hand trembled, and the tip of her brush drew an extra red line on the drawing paper. She quickly turned around and saw Shen Rulan standing behind her, holding a painting manual in her hand, with a faint smile on her face.

"Young Master Shen, what brings you here?" Su Moqing was a little flustered and quickly stood up to bow. "I'm sorry, I was too focused on my work and didn't hear you come in."

“I’m sorry to have bothered you.” Shen Rulan smiled slightly, walked to the painting table, and looked at the peony on the painting paper. “This peony is painted very well and the shape is lifelike. It’s just that the magenta color… does lack a bit of composure and seems a bit frivolous.”

Su Moqing nodded, her tone tinged with helplessness: "I agree, but I've tried several shades of red, and none of them have achieved the effect I want. This magenta is the best pigment I bought from 'Moxiangzhai,' but it's still not quite right."

Shen Rulan walked to the display cabinet, opened an exquisite wooden box, and took out a small glass cup containing a little dark red powder. She handed the glass cup to Su Moqing: "Try this. This is a ruby ​​red powder that flowed from the former Ming Palace. It is made from ground rubies and mixed with a little gold powder. The color is deep and noble, and it will remain beautiful over time. Using it to paint peony petals will make the peonies appear more elegant and majestic."

Su Moqing took the glass cup, carefully dipped it into a small amount of powder, placed it in the palette, and mixed it with water.

The red gradually spread, its color rich yet not glaring, exuding a warm luster, far superior to the magenta she had used before. She dipped a small amount into her wolf-hair brush and gently smeared it on the paper. The originally frivolous petals instantly became dignified and elegant, as if a real blooming peony were right before her eyes.

"It's so beautiful!" Su Moqing couldn't help but exclaim, her eyes filled with surprise. "Thank you so much, young master. These pigments are so precious, Moqing..."

“Good things only show their value when used properly.” Shen Rulan interrupted her, her tone calm but sincere. “This ruby ​​red pigment is just gathering dust here with me. I might as well give it to you so you can create better works. That way, it won’t be a waste of its value.”

Su Moqing looked at the glass cup in her hand, her heart filled with emotion. She knew that this ruby-red pigment, which had flowed from the former Ming Palace, was extremely rare and priceless, yet Shen Rulan had given it to her so easily. This kindness left her somewhat at a loss.

Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside the pavilion, and a man who looked like a steward rushed in and whispered a few words in Shen Rulan's ear.

Shen Rulan's expression changed slightly, and the gentleness in her eyes was replaced by solemnity.

She turned to Su Moqing and said, "Miss Su, there are some urgent matters at the shop that I need to attend to. You can continue painting in peace. If you need anything, just have Shen Fu prepare it." After saying that, she quickly left, her steps revealing the decisive and efficient demeanor of a business leader, a stark contrast to the gentle "painting friend" she had just been.

Su Moqing watched Shen Rulan's hurried departure, then looked down at the glass cup in his hand, his heart filled with mixed emotions. This "Young Master Shen" seemed to live in two worlds: one was an elegant and tranquil world of calligraphy and painting, where he understood art, cherished talent, and was gentle and polite; the other was a business empire full of calculation and strife, where he had to deal with schemes and covetousness, proceeding cautiously and step by step.

And he himself seemed to have inadvertently glimpsed a crack at the intersection of his two worlds.

She had no idea where this chance encounter would lead her.

But she knew that from the moment Shen Rulan gave her the ruby ​​red paint, her feelings for this "Young Master Shen" had quietly changed—no longer just gratitude, but also a bit of curiosity and a few indescribable emotions.

The sunlight continued to fall on the painting table, and the peony on the paper gradually took shape, magnificent and beautiful.

Su Moqing picked up her brush and continued painting, but this time, her heart was beating faster than usual.