102. Escorting the coffin

Do you resent him?

Upon entering the building, the waiter was already wiping the floor. Hearing someone come in, he didn't even look up and said, "Excuse me, gentlemen, we are closed. Please come again tomorrow."

Pei Tingfeng was about to leave immediately.

Shen Suqin said, "I need to use the private room on the third floor. I'll let you know, Manager Qian."

Upon hearing this, the waiter looked up and his eyes lit up immediately: "Manager, you're back! I'll go and call the manager right away."

Shen Suqin quickly raised her hand to stop him: "No need to trouble yourself. I just want to talk about something in the private room. Don't let strangers get close."

"Yes," the waiter replied. "This way, please."

It wasn't until he sat down in a private room on the third floor that Pei Tingfeng truly grasped the reality of Shen Suqin's management of Xingyuan Restaurant.

It should be noted that the private rooms on the third floor are never open to the public; the manager always tells outsiders that they are for family use only.

Shen Suqin sat down, picked up the teapot, poured him a cup of tea, and said, "Try it."

Pei Tingfeng picked up the cup, waved it slightly in front of his nose, and said, "Sweet and fragrant, a fine tea."

Shen Suqin nodded.

"I'd like to know what your personal relationship is like with Emperor Xingwu?" she asked directly.

She vaguely knew that Xiao Pingchuan, Shi Ye, and Pei Tingfeng seemed to know each other before, but usually Xiao Pingchuan and Shi Ye were closer, and they didn't seem to care much about each other.

“I served as the Crown Prince’s tutor, and we practically grew up together,” Pei Tingfeng replied. “Later, I traveled with him to Daliang. When we went to the northern border, I met General Xiao, but General Xiao and I didn’t get along well, so I gradually drifted apart from His Highness.”

Shen Suqin pondered. In fact, she and Pei Tingfeng both knew that His Highness's estrangement from him was not because of Xiao Pingchuan, but because the powerful families represented by the Pei family had usurped imperial power.

"So what's your current stance?" she then asked.

She had asked Pei Tingfeng this question before at the Pei family. At that time, his choice was to stand with his family, but he didn't want to stand against the world. Instead, he struggled and made a difficult choice to take a more tactful and gentle path.

Clearly, the effect was not significant.

When she returned this time, Pei Tingfeng was brought to her boat by Shi Ye, so she really wanted to find out what he was thinking now.

After a moment of silence, Pei Tingfeng downed the tea in his cup and mumbled, "I have to find a way for the Pei family to survive."

Shen Suqin suddenly smiled: "You think so highly of His Majesty?"

Pei Tingfeng shook his head: "I am optimistic about the overall trend of the world."

The smile on Shen Suqin's face gradually faded.

She heard Pei Tingfeng continue, "In all things, prosperity inevitably leads to decline. The aristocratic families of the Great Liang have reached their end. If they were to rise to the top again, all that awaits them would be destruction."

"So you're going to break it yourself?"

Pei Tingfeng hesitated and said, "I haven't thought it through yet, but I know that there is hope only if we break through from within."

Shen Suqin knew that she had underestimated the person in front of her.

The private room fell silent for a moment. There were few voices on the long street outside the window, but they all knew that beneath the quiet rooftops, there was a bustling atmosphere.

"What are your thoughts on the salt, iron, and tea taxes?" Shen Suqin asked.

Pei Tingfeng: "What you suggested doesn't seem to have any major flaws so far, so we can give it a try."

Shen Suqin probed: "Perhaps you know that your Pei family is the most notorious smuggler of official salt. Once the salt commissioner is established, your family may run out of food in no time."

Pei Tingfeng nodded.

"So what do you want to do?"

"Let nature take its course."

"Um."

After a while, Pei Tingfeng changed the subject: "I am very sorry about your mother and uncle."

He knew that if the matter were investigated further, the Pei family would also be implicated.

Shen Suqin: "Why are you still talking about this now?"

“I was just thinking that perhaps you should know that even though your uncle is gone, you still have me and your cousin Suqiu.”

Shen Suqin hadn't heard the name Shen Suqiu in a long time, and she was momentarily dazed.

"Is she still at the Imperial Academy?" she asked.

"It's gone."

"Is she married?"

"No."

Why?

"She said she didn't want to be tied down in the backyard. If a woman's only role after marriage is to be a wife and mother, then she would rather not get married."

Shen Suqin's hand, which was holding the teacup, slipped. "So what is she doing now?"

"After you left, the manager of Jinyunfang bought it back and now it has more than 20 branches."

"It wasn't bought, was it?" Shen Suqin said calmly. "I heard it was half-buy, half-robbery."

Pei Tingfeng smiled but didn't say anything.

"I still have an important matter to attend to on this trip back. Only after I finish it can we set off to visit those salt and iron mine owners one by one. I'm letting you know in advance."

Pei Tingfeng: "Are you sending your uncle and mother back to their hometown?"

Shen Suqin asked seriously, "You know about this?"

Pei Tingfeng nodded: "My cousin Suqiu and I buried the two elders' remains together in Xiaoqingshan outside the city. It's a beautiful place with clear waters and lush mountains. There's also an ancient temple on the mountain where the morning bell and evening drum resound every day."

Shen Suqin stood up and bowed, saying, "Thank you."

Pei Tingfeng stood up and helped her up: "Regardless of anything else, we are related by blood, and besides, my uncle treated me very well when he was alive."

After leaving Xingyuan Restaurant, the two parted ways, and Xu Youcai walked out from the shadows.

“Brother Xu, have you been waiting for a long time?” Shen Suqin said.

Xu Youcai shook his head in silence.

"Let's go back to the manor."

"good."

When she returned to the General's Mansion, Yuanxiang and Aunt Jiang were unexpectedly waiting for her.

Lanterns were lit at the entrance of the mansion, and candles were lit inside.

"Madam is back?" Yuanxiang greeted her, with Aunt Jiang following behind.

Shen Suqin nodded: "You don't need to wait for me from now on. My return time is uncertain. You can rest on your own."

Yuanxiang nodded: "I wonder how long Madam will be staying this time?"

"I don't know either."

"Does the general know about this?" Yuanxiang asked again.

Shen Suqin looked up at her. "What do you want to know?"

Xu Youcai walked in from the doorway, intending to smooth things over.

He had known Aunt Jiang's family for many years and had spoken to them quite a bit in the mansion, so he didn't want to make things too ugly.

Shen Suqin raised her hand to stop him, saying, "Brother Xu has been traveling with me all day. Go and rest first. I have to go to the Shen residence early tomorrow morning."

Xu Youcai clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes, Madam."

After he left, Shen Suqin approached Yuanxiang step by step and said, "It was Xiao Pingchuan who sent you here before me. Don't think I won't pursue the matter. And Aunt Jiang, I'm not a tolerant person. If you don't want to stay in the General's Mansion any longer, I can send you away."

Aunt Jiang was stunned, and after a long while, she stammered, "Madam, you are so magnanimous..."

Shen Suqin interrupted her: "Aren't you going down?"

Aunt Jiang quickly rolled up her trouser legs and ran downstairs in a flash.

Only Yuanxiang and Shen Suqin remained in the hall. The two stood facing each other. Yuanxiang, unlike her usual timid self, calmly met Shen Suqin's gaze.

Shen Suqin knew that a female teacher who could step out of the backyard and go to the classroom to teach students could not possibly be timid.

“I’m very curious. Xiao Pingchuan rarely returns to the Ningyuan General’s Mansion, and that mansion is dilapidated. What do you see in him?” Shen Suqin asked.

Yuanxiang curled her lips: "What do you know? I grew up with the general. We fished and caught shrimp together. I accompanied him in starting his rebellion, accompanied him in seeing off his master and mistress, and have been with him until today. And you? Who are you? A woman who came out of nowhere and was forced upon him by the emperor. What makes you think you can take my place?"

"Your place? Did Xiao Pingchuan ever say there was a place for you next to him?"

"We understand each other without saying a word."

Shen Suqin scoffed: "Truly understood? You've been following him for over ten years and still haven't managed to win him over or get him into the family. Who are you tacitly understanding with? Come to think of it, you're not bad at scheming. You managed to instigate Zhou Yuan to sow discord between me and Xiao Pingchuan, and you almost succeeded. But why don't you use that brain of yours in a proper department?"

"Stop lecturing me. Don't think I'm one of your pack of dogs who will obediently listen to you."

"Tsk tsk, Miss Yuanxiang, you really have a harsh way of speaking. But don't worry, I won't tell Xiao Pingchuan, and I won't kick you out. After all, life is boring, and I want to have some fun too." After Shen Suqin finished speaking, she leaned close to her ear and whispered, "I've already slept with your brother Jin'an."

Yuan Xiang's face changed drastically, "You, you shameless!"

Shen Suqin straightened up and patted her shoulder. "Why do you look so surprised? We were husband and wife, isn't it normal for us to go to bed together? Or have you been hoping for something? I'm sorry, you have no hope."

"You're talking nonsense. You've been married for many years and don't even have a child."

"That's because I didn't want to, and he was understanding. I advise you to move on sooner rather than later. There are so many men in the world, why keep staring at other people's?" With that, she shook her head and left.

The next morning, after getting up, Shen Suqin took Xu Youcai directly to the Shen residence.

Shen Suqiu was still in the mansion and had not gone out. When the servant came to report, she was having breakfast in the dining room.

"Bring her in," she said to the servant.

Before long, Shen Suqin entered with her entourage, sat down without saying a word, and even invited Xu Youcai to sit down as well.

"Didn't you have breakfast?" Shen Suqiu asked.

"I haven't eaten," Shen Suqin replied.

"Someone, bring two more sets of bowls and chopsticks, two more bowls of porridge, and a serving of sweet cake," Shen Suqiu said. Then she said to Xu Youcai, "General Xu, please sit down. It's just some simple home-style dishes; please have some."

Xu Youcai was somewhat surprised: "You recognize me?"

He didn't remember ever speaking to Miss Shen.

"I recognize you. We've met before, but we never had a chance to speak. General Xu's trip south is to protect... Madam Xiao?"

"yes."

Shen Suqiu nodded, "She definitely should be protected; she has offended too many people."

While we were talking, the bowls, chopsticks, and porridge were served.

Shen Suqin picked up her bowl and chopsticks to eat. The sweet cake was delicious, just like the original.

"General Xu, please make yourself at home."

Thank you.

The three ate breakfast quietly as the sunlight gradually shone into the courtyard, dispelling the winter chill.

After finishing his meal, Xu Youcai went downstairs, leaving the two sisters alone.

“I’ve tried the heated kang you made, it’s very warm,” Shen Suqiu said. “We also have soap at home, it’s nice.”

"Have you bought the cotton-padded coat?" Shen Suqin asked.

"No, it's a bit ugly, but a friend of mine bought it and said it's very warm."

"Um."

silence.

“Take me to Xiaoqingshan,” Shen Suqin said. “I’ll take advantage of this time before the New Year to send them back.”

"good."

Thanks.

"You're welcome." After saying that, Shen Suqiu paused for a while and said, "He is also my father. Although I don't approve of him abandoning me and you, he is still my father."

"I know."

"Do you resent him? He didn't raise you when you were little, and then abandoned you again not long after you reunited. Isn't that selfish?"

“If I insist on keeping him here, I would be very selfish.”

Shen Suqiu scoffed: "Are you praising yourself?"

"No, I just wanted to make him happy."