Chapter Seventeen: Cracks and Glimmer
Willow catkins filled the air in Yangzhou, clinging to the vermilion gate of the Shen residence like lingering sorrow.
Shen Rulan stood by the study window, holding the returned note in her hand. Her fingertips gently caressed the paper, and the words "I'm afraid it will be inconvenient to bother you again in the future" on the paper were like tiny needles, repeatedly pricking her heart.
The peonies outside the window were in full bloom, elegant and luxurious, yet they reflected a coldness in her eyes—she could control the winds and clouds of the salt market and suppress rumors within the mansion, but she could not soothe the cracks in Su Moqing's heart.
"Young Master, is Miss Su still unwilling to see you?" Granny Rong walked in carrying a cup of warm ginseng tea. Seeing that Shen Rulan was still staring blankly out the window, she asked softly.
Shen Rulan turned around, placed the note on the table, and said with a hint of bitterness in her voice, "No need. Since she has concerns, I will not force her."
She knew Su Moqing's pride all too well; the pain of being hurt by rumors couldn't be erased with a simple "sorry." Forcing her way closer would only put her in a more difficult position.
She pondered for a moment, then said to Rong Mama, "Go to the storeroom and fetch some silver—Miss Su painted five fan paintings and three hanging scrolls for the manor. According to the agreed fee, add another 30%. After calculating the fee, have Shen Fu deliver it personally. Remember, only discuss the fee for the paintings, don't mention anything else. Be sure to be polite and considerate, and don't let her feel like it's charity."
Rong Momo sighed inwardly and nodded in response, "Yes, this old servant will take care of it right away." She knew that this was the least hurtful way of compensating Su Moqing that Shen Rulan could think of.
When Shen Fu arrived at the Su family's courtyard with the silver, Su Moqing was sitting in front of the painting table, staring blankly at an unfinished painting of "Ink Orchid".
Upon hearing Shen Fu explain his purpose, she remained silent for a moment before finally accepting the silver. However, she turned around and took out a package from the cabinet, handing it to Shen Fu: "Steward Shen, please give this to your young master. This is a sample of paint that the young master gave me before. I did not use it. I am not comfortable accepting such a gift without having done anything for him. Please take it back, young master."
Shen Fu took the package and felt a heavy weight in his hands, not only from the paint but also from the unspeakable barrier between the two young people.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something more, but saw that Su Moqing had already turned around and looked back at the painting table, clearly unwilling to talk anymore. He could only bow and say, "Miss Su, rest assured, I will definitely hand the item over to the young master."
Shen Fu returned to the Shen residence and relayed the package and Su Moqing's words to Shen Rulan.
Shen Rulan opened the package and looked at the several boxes of Western paints inside, their colors as bright as ever. She felt a mix of emotions.
She remained silent for a long time before finally locking the paint deep inside the drawer of her desk, sealing it away along with the unspoken concern.
The silver on the table still emitted a faint coppery smell, but it could no longer warm the invisible rift between the two.
At the canal wharf outside Yangzhou, the boats of the grain transport gangs shuttled back and forth, and the porters carried goods and shouted work songs, creating a busy scene.
Liu Sanye, the leader of the canal gang, stood on the lookout platform at the dock, watching the Yongsheng Escort Agency's escort ship sailing in the distance. His brows furrowed slightly. Since the banquet at Wangjiang Tower, he had been much more well-behaved, but several of his young leaders were quite dissatisfied with the Shen family's increasing reliance on the Yongsheng Escort Agency.
"Third Master, look! It's Yongsheng Escort Agency's ship again!" A leader named Zhang Biao walked up to Third Master Liu, his tone tinged with dissatisfaction. "Our canal gang has been operating on the canal for decades. Why is it that the Shen family is handing over more and more of their goods to Yongsheng Escort Agency? Isn't this stealing our livelihood?"
Liu Sanye glanced at Zhang Biao and said coldly, "Since Young Master Shen chose Yongsheng Escort Agency, he must have his reasons. Let's just do our own thing and not cause trouble."
Zhang Biao, however, was unconvinced: "Third Master, you're being too cautious! Although the Shen family is powerful now, our Canal Gang isn't easy to bully! Why don't we teach Yong Sheng Escort Agency a lesson and let them know that we're the ones who call the shots on the Grand Canal!"
Liu Sanye remained silent, but his heart wavered—he was also unwilling to let Yongsheng Escort Agency shake the position of the Canal Gang.
Seeing that Master Liu did not object, Zhang Biao was secretly pleased and began to secretly plot to create some trouble for Yongsheng Escort Agency's escort ships.
A few days later, Lin Xiao escorted a batch of Shen family silk back to Yangzhou from Suzhou.
When the boat reached Heishuidang, a tributary of the canal, it was suddenly blocked by several small boats belonging to the canal transport gangs.
The gangsters on the small boat deliberately threw stones into the water, splashing the entire escort boat with water, and loudly mocked, "Why are all the escorts from Yong Sheng Escort Agency like women? At this slow speed, they probably can't even protect the cargo!"
Lin Xiao knew that this was the Cao Gang deliberately making things difficult for him. He suppressed his anger and ordered the bodyguards to remain calm and not to clash with the Cao Gang members.
She walked to the bow of the boat and said to the gang members on the small boat, "Brothers, we are from Yongsheng Escort Agency, escorting the Shen family's goods back to Yangzhou. Please do us a favor and don't delay our journey."
"Convenient?" Zhang Biao stood up from a small boat and sneered. "This canal is our territory. If you want to pass through, you have to follow our rules! Either leave half of your goods as a 'toll,' or take a detour!"
Lin Xiao was furious, but he knew he couldn't confront them head-on—the Blackwater River was turbulent, and if a conflict broke out, the escort ship might be damaged.
She suppressed her anger and said to Zhang Biao, "I have never heard of such a rule as a toll. If you refuse to give way, then we can only wait for the people from the Shen family to handle this."
Seeing Lin Xiao's firm attitude and fearing that he might really alarm the Shen family, Zhang Biao could only wave his hand sullenly, signaling the small boat to make way: "Consider yourselves lucky! If you dare to be so arrogant again, don't blame us for being impolite!"
After the caravan successfully passed through Heishuidang, Lin Xiao immediately sent someone to report to Shen Rulan about the difficulties caused by the canal gang.
Upon learning the news, Shen Rulan did not get angry. She simply said, "I understand. Remember the appearance and names of the people who made things difficult for you. If you encounter them again, there's no need to confront them. Just report it directly."
She already had a plan in mind—if Master Liu couldn't control his men, she wouldn't mind helping him manage them.
The news from the capital dealt a heavy blow to the Cao family—the impeachment against the Cao family for embezzling public funds from the Imperial Textile Bureau had finally attracted the emperor's attention.
Although the emperor did not order a severe punishment, he did issue an edict reprimanding Cao Jin's father, revoking some of his authority over the procurement of the Imperial Household Department, and ordering the Cao family to make up the deficit within three months, or else the case would be handed over to the Ministry of Justice for investigation.
When the news reached Cao Jin's villa, Cao Jin was drinking with several salt merchants who used to fawn over him.
Upon hearing the news, the wine glass in his hand fell to the ground with a crash and shattered into pieces.
"Impossible! This is impossible!" Cao Jin suddenly stood up, his face deathly pale. "My father has cultivated his influence in the court for many years, how could he have lost power so easily? It must be Shen Rulan! He's the one pulling the strings behind the scenes!"
The salt merchants who used to fawn over him changed their expressions instantly upon seeing Cao Jin's fall from grace. They all made excuses and hurriedly left, leaving Cao Jin sitting alone in the same spot.
Looking at the empty living room, Cao Jin was filled with resentment and despair.
He recalled his ambitions in the Yangzhou salt market and his plan to take over the Shen family's business, which had now become a joke—the Shen family was not only unscathed but had grown stronger, while he himself had become a disgraced scion whom everyone avoided.
"Shen Rulan! I won't let you get away with this!" Cao Jin slammed his fist on the table, his eyes bloodshot. "Even if the Cao family falls from power, I will make you pay the price!"
He began contacting his former subordinates, trying to raise money to cover the deficit, while also seeking an opportunity to take revenge on Shen Rulan.
But he didn't know that Shen Rulan had already sent people to watch his movements, and his every move was under Shen Rulan's control.
.
The late spring rain slanted down onto the green tiles of the Su family courtyard, splashing up tiny droplets of water, which also dampened the unfinished "Ink Orchid Painting" on the window frame.
Su Moqing sat beside her father's sickbed, holding a warm handkerchief in her hand, gently wiping the cold sweat from Su Wenyuan's forehead.
Su Wenyuan's breathing grew weaker and weaker, and the rise and fall of his chest became more and more gradual. His complexion, which had improved slightly due to the medicinal herbs secretly sent by Shen Rulan, returned to its sallow color, and even his lips were tinged with a faint bluish-gray.
A few days ago, he could barely walk around in the courtyard and say a few words to Su Moqing, but today he has difficulty even sitting up and opening his eyes, and can only occasionally let out a few weak breaths.
"Father, please hang in there a little longer. The doctor said you're much better now and you'll be able to get out of bed in a few days." Su Moqing said, her voice trembling slightly as she fought back tears.
She knew she couldn't even fool herself with these words—her father's illness was chronic, and the previous "improvements" were just a temporary respite, his body exhausting its last bit of strength to keep going.
Su Wenyuan slowly opened his eyes, his cloudy gaze falling on his daughter's bloodshot eyes. His lips moved, but no sound came out. He reached out, wanting to stroke his daughter's hair, but his fingertips trembled a few times in mid-air before falling limply to the ground.
Su Moqing quickly grasped her father's hand. Those hands, once warm and strong, were now withered and cold, a sight that broke her heart. She pressed her father's hand against her cheek, trying to warm him with her own body heat, but tears could no longer be held back, streaming down her cheeks and dripping onto the back of her father's hand.
"Qing'er..." Su Wenyuan finally uttered a weak voice, his breath coming in short gasps, "Father... I'm sorry... In this life... I didn't give you a good life... and I've only been a burden to you..."
"Father, please don't say that!" Su Moqing burst into tears, tightly gripping her father's hand. "It's my fault, I couldn't cure your illness, I couldn't let you live a peaceful life..."
“Silly child…” Su Wenyuan gently stroked his daughter’s hair, his eyes filled with heartache. “Father knows…you’re suffering…the Shen family…they are incredibly wealthy salt merchants, the threshold is too high…not something a family like ours can reach…Young Master Shen…although he seems like a good person…but…their social status is vastly different…rumors and gossip…if you really marry into that family…you’ll probably suffer mistreatment…”
He paused, then coughed violently, each cough sounding as if he were coughing up his internal organs, and his face became even more pale.
Su Moqing quickly tried to soothe him, but her heart ached as if it were being cut by a knife—she knew that her father was worried about her and her relationship with Shen Rulan, and even on his deathbed, he was still concerned about her future.
Su Wenyuan coughed for a long time before gradually calming down. He continued, panting, "But... Father also saw it... Young Master Shen... is different from those merchants who only care about money... He seems to have some sincerity towards you... If... if he really treats you well... you... you will have someone to rely on in the future... Don't end up like Father... living a life of poverty and dragging you down with me..."
Before he could finish speaking, Su Wenyuan's hand fell limply to his side, and his eyes closed forever.
The rain was still falling outside the window, the pattering sound of the rain mingling with Su Moqing's sorrowful cries, echoing in the quiet courtyard.
Her father's dying words were like a seed that quietly fell into her heart—for the first time, she began to seriously consider, setting aside worldly prejudices and the disparity in their social status, whether Shen Rulan was truly worthy of her entrusting her life to.
News of Su Wenyuan's death quickly reached the Shen family.
Upon learning this, Shen Rulan felt a pang of pain in her heart—although she had never met Su Wenyuan, she knew he was an upright scholar, and more importantly, he was Su Moqing's only relative.
"How is Miss Su now?" Shen Rulan asked Shen Fu, her tone tinged with worry.
Shen Fu bowed and said, "Young Master, Miss Su is heartbroken. She has no other relatives and doesn't even have the money to pay for the funeral. She can only rely on the help of her neighbors, which is very pitiful."
Shen Rulan was silent for a moment, then said to Shen Fu, "Go to 'Moxiangzhai' and find Manager Chen. Have him send five hundred taels of silver to Miss Su under the guise of 'advance payment for future paintings.' Tell Manager Chen that Miss Su's painting skills are superb, and the shop is willing to invest in advance. In the future, Miss Su only needs to paint more good paintings to repay him. Remember, do not mention the Shen family, and do not let Miss Su feel that I am helping her."
Shen Fu understood Shen Rulan's intention—Su Moqing was proud and would not accept money directly; but by using the name of "advance payment for the painting," she could both solve Su Moqing's immediate problem and protect her self-esteem.
"Yes, this old servant will take care of it right away!" Shen Fu bowed and immediately headed to "Moxiangzhai".
Manager Chen was already acquainted with the Su family, and having received instructions from Shen Rulan, he immediately brought five hundred taels of silver to the Su family's courtyard.
He looked at Su Moqing kneeling before the coffin, sighed, and handed her the silver: "Miss Su, please accept my condolences. Your father was a good man and shouldn't have left us so soon. This five hundred taels of silver is an advance payment from our shop for your paintings. As you know, your paintings are very popular in Yangzhou. This is our shop's investment in advance. You can repay us by painting more good paintings in the future. Take this silver and give your father a proper burial. We can talk about other things later."
Looking at the heavy silver, Su Moqing instantly understood—this was not an "advance payment for the painting," but clearly Shen Rulan's secret assistance.
She recalled her father's dying words and Shen Rulan's repeated protection and help, and tears blurred her vision again.
This time, she did not refuse. Instead, she accepted the silver and bowed deeply to Manager Chen, saying, "Thank you, Manager Chen, and thank you... to that kind person. I will remember this kindness."
Su Moqing used the silver secretly sent by Shen Rulan to give her father a dignified burial, and then secluded herself to observe mourning, no longer interacting with the outside world.
Respecting her grief, Shen Rulan did not send anyone to disturb her further. Instead, she secretly instructed the neighbors near the Su family to take good care of Su Moqing's life and to inform the Shen family in a timely manner if she needed anything.
Yangzhou seemed to have entered a brief period of calm:
The Shen family's business was booming, and they made a fortune from trade with Western merchants. The salt market was also well-ordered under Shen Rulan's protection.
Seeing that the Shen family was powerful and there was no evidence to hold against them, Zhao Dexian, the Salt Commissioner, temporarily put aside his schemes and focused on profiting from other salt merchants.
Cao Jin was preoccupied with the Cao family's deficit and had no time to deal with the Shen family. After Shen Rulan secretly sent people to warn him, Liu Sanye of the canal gang also strengthened his control over his subordinates, and the friction on the canal gradually subsided.
But Shen Rulan knew that this peace was only temporary.
Zhao Dexian's greed will not disappear, Cao Jin's resentment will not be resolved, and the ambition of the Grand Canal Gang will not be extinguished. The undercurrents in the Yangzhou salt market have never stopped.
She would often stand at the window of the library, looking towards the direction of the Su family's courtyard.
There used to be a tranquil place filled with the fragrance of ink, but now only closed courtyard gates and silent streets remain.
She knew that the rift between her and Su Moqing might need time to heal, or it might need a suitable opportunity to slowly mend it.
.
The willow catkins outside the window gradually dissipated, and the cicadas began to sing in the summer.
Shen Rulan gently opened the copy of "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" on the table. Her gaze fell on the bustling city scene in the painting, but her mind was on the woman who was observing mourning in the poor courtyard.
She didn't know how many storms the future held, but she knew she would wait—wait for Su Moqing to emerge from her grief, wait for the rift to slowly heal, and wait for an opportunity.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
