Chapter Twenty-Five: Seeking Help

On the sixteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, the snow cleared up after a long day.

The city of Yangzhou was covered in silver, with rows of houses covered in thick snow. Icicles hanging from the eaves shimmered in the morning light, like crystal curtains.

A thin mist hung over the canal as several early-morning cargo boats broke through the ice, their breath condensing into frost flowers in the cold air.

Shen Rulan hadn't slept all night and rose to wash and dress before dawn. She had specially chosen a dark blue brocade robe with dark cloud patterns, over which she wore a black fox fur cloak, a jade belt around her waist, and a mink fur hat, making her appear dignified and respectable. As she adjusted her clothes in front of the mirror, she noticed faint dark circles under her eyes and couldn't help but sigh softly.

"Young Master, the carriages and horses are ready." Butler Shen Fu said respectfully from outside the door. "The gifts have also been loaded onto the carriages. As you instructed, we have prepared Master Zhou's favorite Huizhou ink, Duan inkstone, and a chicken-blood stone seal."

Su Moqing pushed open the door and entered, carrying a sandalwood box in her hands. Today she was wearing a light purple padded jacket embroidered with plum blossoms, and a white jade hairpin in her hair, making her look elegant and charming. "This is what I found last night," she said softly, "a painting of snow scene and cold forest by Dong Qichang from the previous dynasty. Lord Zhou is a great collector of calligraphy and paintings, so perhaps it will come in handy."

Shen Rulan took the painting box, her heart filled with emotion: "This was left to you by your father, how can I..."

“This is not the time to talk about these things,” Su Moqing said firmly, personally tying the belt of her cloak, his fingertips trembling slightly. “Be careful. Take more attendants with you; things are not peaceful in Yangzhou lately.”

In the dim light of dawn, three horse-drawn carriages crunched through the snow-covered streets.

Shen Rulan leaned against the car wall, watching the street scene rushing past the window.

The city of Yangzhou was beginning to awaken in the early morning. The cries of vendors, the rumble of carriages and horses, and the tolling of temple bells mingled together, but they could not dispel the gloom in her heart.

In a roadside teahouse, several well-dressed merchants were whispering among themselves. When they saw the Shen family's carriage pass by, they immediately fell silent and cast inquiring glances at them.

The Jiangning Governor's Office is located on Xuanwu Street in the east of the city. Two majestic stone lions stand in front of the vermilion gate, their solemnity enhanced by the white snow covering them.

The gatekeeper, clearly having been notified beforehand, immediately greeted the Shen family's carriage upon its arrival: "Young Master Shen, the master is waiting in the back hall. Please follow me."

Passing through the many corridors, the government office was extremely quiet, with only the echo of boots on the bluestone slabs. Occasionally, a yamen runner would hurry by carrying documents, and would respectfully bow to Shen Rulan.

Shen Rulan noticed that there were many more guards in the yamen than usual, and each of them had a solemn expression, which made her heart tighten.

Lord Zhou was admiring a carefully pruned plum blossom in an elegant flower hall when he saw Shen Rulan enter. He quickly put down the scissors in his hand and said, "Nephew Shen, it's been a long time. What brings you here today?"

He was about fifty years old, with graying temples and a thin face, but his eyes were bright and piercing. Although he was dressed in casual clothes, the dignified air he had developed from his long years in officialdom was unconsciously revealed.

Shen Rulan bowed respectfully and said, "Greetings, Uncle. I apologize for coming today, but I have an important matter to ask of you." She gestured to her attendants to present the gifts, "These are Huizhou ink and Duan inkstones from my father's collection, as well as Dong Qichang's 'Snowy Landscape with Cold Forest' from the previous dynasty. Knowing that you are fond of the scholar's objects, I have come to present them to you."

Lord Zhou glanced at the gifts, his gaze lingering on the painting box for a moment, and nodded slightly: "When your father was alive, he and I were close friends. Nephew, there's no need to be so polite. Please tell me if you have any difficulties."

He gestured for Shen Rulan to sit down and personally poured her a cup of hot tea. "Is it about the matter concerning the Imperial Household Department?"

Shen Rulan felt a chill run down her spine, not expecting the news to spread so quickly.

She recounted in detail the pressure from the Imperial Household Department, her tone earnest: "Uncle Zhou, it's not that I'm unwilling to serve the court, but 500,000 taels is simply too much. If we take it all out, the Shen family's salt business will be in trouble. That would cause turmoil in the Yangzhou salt market, and the salt tax revenue would definitely be affected, which would betray the court's trust."

Lord Zhou stroked his beard and pondered for a moment, his brows gradually relaxing. He rose and walked to the window, gazing at the snow-covered pines and cypresses in the courtyard, and slowly said, "I have already heard about this matter. In recent years, corruption has become rampant in the Imperial Household Department, and Chief Steward Liu has been using the guise of renovation to amass wealth, which has long been a source of discontent in the court."

He turned to look at Shen Rulan, his eyes blazing, "But this Chief Steward Liu has imperial relatives backing him, so ordinary impeachments won't be effective against him."

Shen Rulan's heart tightened, but then she saw Lord Zhou reveal a meaningful smile: "However... now is an opportunity." He lowered his voice, "His Majesty is currently working hard to rectify the Imperial Household Department, but he is struggling to find solid evidence. If we can report in detail the matter of Steward Liu soliciting bribes, it may attract His Majesty's attention."

He walked back to his desk, picked up his brush, and dipped it in ink: "I'll write a letter to an old friend in the Censorate in the capital. He's quite influential there now. I'll also submit a memorial for you, explaining the Shen family's difficulties in detail. Perhaps that can ease things a bit."

A huge weight was lifted from Shen Rulan's heart, and she quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Uncle Zhou! I am deeply grateful!"

Lord Zhou waved his hand, his expression solemn: "Nephew, there's no need for such formalities. The Shen family has been in charge of Yangzhou's salt affairs for many years and has always been diligent and conscientious. If they were to be dragged down by such corruption, it would be a loss for the court."

He paused, then added, "However, you should be prepared. Chief Steward Liu's influence in the court is deeply entrenched, and this matter may not be easily resolved. I've heard that the Steward He he sent has been quite active in Yangzhou lately."

When I left the governor's office, the sun was already high in the sky.

The sunlight after the snow was particularly dazzling, yet Shen Rulan felt a lingering gloom in her heart. Lord Zhou's final words made her realize that the matter was far more complex than she had imagined.

Back at Tingxue Pavilion, Su Moqing had been waiting for a long time. Seeing that Shen Rulan's expression had eased slightly, she quickly stepped forward and asked, "Did things go smoothly?"

Shen Rulan recounted Lord Zhou's promise, which finally put Su Moqing at ease.

However, the next three days felt like an eternity.

Shen Rulan stayed in her study day and night, handling salt field affairs while also dealing with salt merchants from all walks of life who were trying to find out information.

The rumors spread by Manager He have begun to spread, and many long-time customers have sent people to sound them out.

On the evening of the third day, news finally arrived from the capital.

Although the Censorate accepted the impeachment, because Chief Steward Liu had the backing of imperial relatives, they only lightly fined him three months' salary, while still pressing him for funding the repairs.

Even more troublesome was that Manager He went even further, spreading rumors in Yangzhou that the Shen family "disobeyed imperial orders" and "hides their property," causing many salt merchants to secretly observe the situation, and even several businesses that had cooperated with the Shen family for many years began to hesitate.

"Young Master, Yongchang Company just sent someone to say that next month's salt permits will be reduced by half." Shen Fu held the account book, his face grave. "This is the third company to request a reduction in orders. The dockworkers are also spreading rumors that the Shen family may be on the verge of collapse."

Shen Rulan sat in the study, looking at the pile of account books on the table, and felt a tightness in her chest.

Snowflakes began to fall again outside the window, and the chill seeped in through the windowpanes.

She rubbed her aching temples, feeling more exhausted than ever before.

Just then, Su Moqing walked in carrying a bowl of ginger soup. Seeing her pale face, he quickly handed her the bowl: "Don't rush, your health is important."

She gently massaged Shen Rulan's temples, then suddenly remembered something, her eyes lighting up. "I remember that Scholar Li has a student who is an imperial censor in the capital. Perhaps he can be of help? Last year, he was implicated in the case of Scholar Li's son in Guazhou Town, and I helped him."

Shen Rulan took the ginger soup, and the warmth slid down her throat, slightly dispelling the chill.

She recalled that Su Moqing had mentioned his relationship with that Imperial Censor Zhang in their correspondence when they were in Guazhou Town. If she could ask the Imperial Censor to submit another impeachment memorial, perhaps it would attract the Emperor's attention.

"Are you talking about Imperial Censor Zhang?" Shen Rulan pondered. "I've heard that he's an upright man with a good reputation in the court."

Su Moqing nodded: "Exactly. I remember he loved collecting ancient books, and I happen to have a Song Dynasty edition of the Book of Rites here, perhaps it can..."

“No,” Shen Rulan interrupted her, “that’s your beloved possession, how could I…”

“This is not the time to talk about these things,” Su Moqing said firmly. “If it can help, what is a book?”

The two immediately decided to write a letter that very night.

Shen Rulan ground the ink, and Su Moqing personally wrote a detailed account of the coercion by the Imperial Household Department, along with evidence of the rumors spread by Steward He. The letter not only explained the Shen family's predicament but also pointed out the serious impact this matter could have on the Yangzhou salt administration.

“We must emphasize that salt tax revenue may be affected,” Shen Rulan suggested in his pen. “His Majesty values ​​finances the most, and this is the point that should be taken very seriously.”

Upon hearing this, Su Moqing continued writing without stopping, and the two of them finished writing the letter together late at night.

Shen Rulan immediately sent someone to invite Lin Xiao from Yongsheng Escort Agency.

Lin Xiao braved the wind and snow to arrive, and her expression was solemn as she took the letter: "Young Master Shen, rest assured, I will personally arrange for someone to deliver it, and it will surely reach the Imperial Censor as soon as possible." She lowered her voice, "Recently, there have been many unfamiliar faces in Yangzhou City, all inquiring about the Shen family. Young Master, you must be extra careful."

After seeing Lin Xiao off, Shen Rulan stood under the eaves, gazing at the snow falling all around.

The lakeside villa was quiet in the night, with only the soft rustling of snowflakes falling to the ground.

"Go back and rest," Su Moqing said, draping a cloak over her shoulders. "We still have to deal with those salt merchants tomorrow."

Shen Rulan held her hand and whispered, "It's good that you're here with me."

The situation indeed became even more serious the next day.

Chief He brazenly hosted a banquet near the Salt Commissioner's office, inviting major salt merchants from Yangzhou. During the banquet, he deliberately revealed that the imperial court might replace the chief salt commissioner, causing widespread panic.

"Young master, two more merchants have requested to postpone delivery today," Shen Fu reported anxiously. "If this continues, the saltworks' inventory will pile up like mountains. The workers are also starting to get restless, worried that they won't get their wages."

Shen Rulan's face remained calm, but her heart was churning like boiling water. She knew that Steward He was putting pressure on her, trying to force her to submit.

“Don’t panic,” she said calmly. “Pass down my message: any business that reduces its orders now will have its prices increased by 20% when supplies resume. Also, inform the saltworks manager to pay this month’s wages in advance, and to give him an extra month’s wages as a year-end bonus.”

Shen Fu looked up in surprise: "Young Master, this..."

“Just do as they say,” Shen Rulan said firmly. “I want them to know that the Shen family is not a pushover. It is precisely at times like these that we need to keep people’s hearts at ease.”

At this crucial moment, unexpected news suddenly arrived from the capital: the Emperor's most beloved tenth princess was about to get married, and the Imperial Household Department was procuring wedding supplies from all over the country. Upon learning this news, Shen Rulan immediately devised a plan.

“Perhaps… this is a turning point.” She said to Su Moqing, a glimmer of hope rekindling in her eyes. “If the Shen family can provide some of the supplies for the Prince’s wedding, perhaps we can take this opportunity to petition the Emperor.”

Su Moqing's eyes lit up: "That's a good idea. I remember when you were in Guangzhou, didn't you acquire a batch of rare pearls and coral? Those are exactly what the royal wedding ceremonies require."

The two immediately began to discuss the matter. The snow outside had stopped sometime earlier, and a ray of sunlight shone through the clouds, casting dappled shadows on the snow. Although the road ahead remained difficult, at least they had seen a glimmer of hope.

Shen Rulan immediately wrote several letters, utilizing all the connections the Shen family had in the capital, hoping to secure this opportunity. She knew this might be the only way for the Shen family to escape their predicament.

As night fell, the Tingxue Pavilion was brightly lit.

Shen Rulan stood by the window, gazing at the scattered lights on the canal in the distance, and secretly vowed in her heart: no matter what, she would protect the Shen family's foundation and live up to her mother's dying wish.

Meanwhile, in Yangzhou, Steward He was having a secret meeting with several salt merchants in a secluded residence. The candlelight flickered, illuminating their greedy faces.

"Rest assured, everyone," Steward He sneered, "once the Shen family falls, you will all benefit from the subsequent distribution of salt permits..."

Outside the window, snowflakes began to fall again, concealing all the conspiracies and schemes.