Chapter Thirteen: Turning the Tables
On the first day of the twelfth lunar month, the snow in Yangzhou finally stopped, but an even more biting cold wind followed.
The vermilion gates of the Shen residence were tightly shut, and the snow in front of the gates had been swept clean, but this could not stop the rumors flying inside and outside the mansion. Regarding the young master Shen Rulan's illness, sometimes it was said that he was "running out of breath," and sometimes it was said that he was "staying on his feet with the help of ginseng." Just like the cold winter weather, it was unpredictable.
Shen Keqin sat in the armchair in his study, his fingers unconsciously stroking the armrest, his eyes anxiously staring out the window.
The plum blossoms in the courtyard were scattered all over the ground, swirling in the cold wind, much like his chaotic thoughts at this moment. Shen Rulan was clearly on the verge of collapse, and the elders in the clan who had received his favors had privately hinted that "after Shen Rulan passes away, we should recommend him to temporarily take over as the head of the family." But Shen Rulan was clinging to life, unwilling to let go.
What made him even more uneasy was the news that A-Gui had brought early in the morning: Rong Momo had been investigating more and more closely recently, and the purple clay pot that had contained poison in the main kitchen had been put away separately, and even the cleaning was being personally handled by her confidants; A-Gui had tried to get close to Tingxuexuan several times, but was stopped by the guards, and the remaining bit of "Heartbreak Powder" was hidden deep in the pile of firewood, and he dared not take it out again.
"Useless! You can't even handle this little thing!" Shen Keqin slammed his hand on the table, splashing tea from his teacup.
He got up and paced around the study, growing more and more afraid—if Shen Rulan really recovered, or if Rong Mama found out any clues, he and Agui would be doomed!
He gritted his teeth and ordered someone to immediately fetch Ah Gui.
Half an hour later, Ah Gui, with his neck hunched and trembling, walked into the study. As soon as he entered, he knelt down with a thud: "Second Master, you wanted to see me?"
"Get up!" Shen Keqin lowered his voice, but couldn't hide the urgency in his tone. "What's going on with Shen Rulan? You don't have another chance to make a move? What about the rest of the medicine? Can't we use it all at once to kill him quickly?"
A-Gui's face turned pale, and he shook his head repeatedly: "Second Master, it really won't work! Tingxuexuan is like an iron barrel now, with twice as many guards as before, and even the maids who bring water are searched! I can't get close to the young master's residence at all! And... and the remaining medicine is also running low. Last time, the people from Young Master Cao's side said that this 'Heartbreak Powder of Longing' is extremely difficult to prepare. If we want to get more medicine, we have to wait for them to transfer the goods from the Miao villages in the southwest, which will take at least half a month!"
"Half a month? We can't wait!" Shen Keqin roared, a ruthless glint in his eyes. "Go contact Cao Jin's people right now! Tell them, more money! No matter how much, I'll pay! We must get the medicine within three days! If Shen Rulan holds out until she recovers, we'll both be dead without a burial place!"
Ah Gui was so frightened that he trembled all over, but dared not disobey. He could only reply in a trembling voice, "Yes...yes! I'll go and make the contact right away!" After saying that, he hurriedly got up, lowered his head and ran out of the study.
As Shen Keqin watched A-Gui's retreating figure, an ominous premonition welled up in his heart.
He walked to the bookshelf, pulled open a hidden compartment, and inside was a stack of silver notes—this was the Shen family's property he had secretly transferred, his last resort.
He touched the silver note, praying silently in his heart: I must get the medicine quickly, I must make Shen Rulan die!
Inside Tingxuexuan, the charcoal fire burned brightly, but it couldn't dispel the smell of medicine in the air.
Shen Rulan leaned against the cushioned pillow, her face as pale as paper, her breathing weak and labored, but her eyes were surprisingly bright, cold as icicles in the dead of winter.
Standing by the bed, Rong Momo reported to her word for word the conversation between Shen Keqin and A Gui that she had just witnessed: "Young Master, Second Master is already anxious. He is forcing A Gui to contact Cao Jin's people to get the medicine, and he said he is willing to pay more money. It must be obtained within three days."
Shen Rulan nodded slightly, a faint, cold smile playing on her lips: "As expected... it's Cao Jin's doing. They've lost their composure, which makes things easier."
She coughed a few times, and Rong Mama quickly handed her some warm water. She took a sip, caught her breath, and continued, "Mama, go and do two things now. First, spread the word that I coughed up blood all night, and the doctor said I might not make it through the next two days. Let everyone in the manor know. Second, find a few gossipy maids to chat near the main kitchen, and deliberately let A-Gui overhear—say that the old lady specially invited Master Zhang from the Xuanmiao Temple outside the city to perform a ritual for me in three days, and that she said the ritual requires something I use every day as a 'guide' to completely eradicate the evil spirit."
Rong Momo's eyes lit up, and she instantly understood Shen Rulan's intention: "Does the young master want to lure Agui into a trap? He must be worried that the purple clay pot will be used as a 'personal item' for the ritual, which will expose the traces of the poison. He will definitely try to move or destroy the remaining poison!"
“Exactly.” Shen Rulan’s eyes grew sharper. “Agui is timid and cowardly, and he’s been pressured by Shen Keqin. He’ll definitely panic when he hears about the ritual. As long as we keep an eye on him, we can catch him red-handed when he goes to get the poison. Also, have Shen Fu secretly keep an eye on Cao Jin’s people and see how they deliver the medicine to Agui. Follow the trail and get the evidence against Cao Jin as well.”
"This old servant understands!" Rong Mama bowed and replied, her heart filled with admiration—even with the young master so ill, he could still make such a calm plan. With such wisdom, it's no wonder he could support the Shen family's business.
Just as Rong Momo was about to turn and leave, Shen Rulan spoke again, "Wait."
She paused, then softened her tone, "Have you heard anything from Miss Su lately?"
Granny Rong paused for a moment, then understood and replied with a smile, "This old servant knows you're concerned. These days, Miss Su has been asking the old servant at the back gate to bring over some light porridge or soup every morning. This old servant has checked them all and there's nothing wrong with them. Occasionally, she'll even feed you a bite or two. Last time you said that the porridge had a homely taste, that was from Miss Su."
A hint of warmth flashed in Shen Rulan's eyes, and she softly hummed in agreement: "I understand. Tell the old servant to take good care of her. If Miss Su comes again, there's no need to stop her."
Rong Momo responded with a "Yes," then turned and left the bedroom to begin making arrangements according to Shen Rulan's instructions.
Inside the study of the Salt Transport Commissioner, Zhao Dexian was holding a list of salt taxes, listening to his clerk report on the tax payment progress of the various salt merchants.
When he heard that "the Shen family has not paid the salt tax to this day, and has already invited a Taoist priest to perform an exorcism in the mansion," he put down the list, a hint of smugness flashing in his eyes.
"Oh? The Shen family has hired a Taoist priest? It seems Shen Rulan is really beyond saving." Zhao Dexian stroked his beard, a calculating smile playing on his lips. "When I asked you to urge them before, they were still stubborn, saying that Shen Rulan wanted to talk to me personally. Now it seems that it was just a bluff."
The clerk bowed and said, "You're right, sir. The Shen family is leaderless, which is a good opportunity for us to take control of them. Why don't we send me to the Shen residence again to give them an ultimatum—either sign the document to relinquish their salt permit quotas in Suzhou and Songjiang, or increase this year's 'donation' amount from 50,000 taels to 80,000 taels. Otherwise, during the year-end salt tax assessment, we'll charge the Shen family with 'late payment' and shut down their salt fields in a perfectly legitimate way!"
"Alright! Let's do it this way!" Zhao Dexian made the decision. "Go now, be firm, and let them know that without Shen Rulan, the Shen family is nothing! If they still dare to delay, just say you're going to shut down the saltworks and see if they're scared!"
"Yes! I'll go right away!" The clerk bowed and replied, immediately leading two constables on horseback straight to the Shen residence.
Half an hour later, the clerk arrived at the Shen residence and was led by Shen Fu into a side hall outside Tingxuexuan.
He had barely sat down when he adopted an arrogant demeanor: "Steward Shen, my master has given the Shen family three days. Either sign to relinquish their salt permit quotas in Suzhou and Songjiang, or pay an 'donation' of 80,000 taels. Otherwise, in the year-end salt tax assessment, the Shen family will not only face a 50% fine, but their salt fields will also be shut down! You'd better pass this message on to Old Madam Shen as soon as possible, lest it come to that and it's too late to regret it!"
Shen Fu was burning with anger, but he still suppressed it, turned around and went into the bedroom to report the clerk's words to Shen Rulan.
Upon hearing this, Shen Rulan trembled with anger. A violent cough struck her, and she covered her mouth with a handkerchief. After coughing, a few more streaks of blood appeared on the handkerchief.
She gasped for breath, but a fierce glint flashed in her eyes: "Tell Zhao Dexian... I, Shen Rulan, am not dead! As for the salt tax, once I recover, I will personally go to the Salt Transport Commissioner's Office to discuss it with him! If he dares to touch the Shen family's salt fields, I will go to the Jiangning Governor's Office to accuse him of abusing his power and exploiting salt merchants! Let him think twice!"
Looking at Shen Rulan's weak yet determined appearance, Shen Fu felt his blood boil and immediately turned around and walked out of the side hall to relay Shen Rulan's words to the clerk verbatim.
Upon hearing this, the advisor's expression changed instantly—he hadn't expected that Shen Rulan, despite being so ill, would still dare to be so forceful!
He hesitated for a moment, then forced himself to say, "Fine! I'll pass on the message to the master! But Steward Shen, you'd better think this through, or you'll really have to suffer the consequences!" With that, he led the constables away from the Shen residence, looking rather dejected.
After learning of Shen Rulan's reply, Zhao Dexian sat in his study with a furrowed brow.
He was starting to have trouble figuring out the Shen family's true intentions—could there really be a chance for Shen Rulan to recover from her illness? Or would the Shen family rather fight to the death than compromise?
He hesitated for a moment, but ultimately dared not rashly seal off the Shen family's saltworks—if Shen Rulan really went to the Jiangning Governor's Office to file a complaint, even though he had connections with the Imperial Household Department, he would still get himself into trouble.
"Forget it, let's wait and see." Zhao Dexian sighed. "If the Shen family still doesn't compromise in three days, then we'll make further plans."
In the Su family courtyard in Lianhua Lane.
Before dawn, Su Moqing had already gotten up.
She stood by the stove, carefully cooking a pot of millet porridge—the millet was new rice she had specially bought from the grain store, and she had also added a few red dates and yams while cooking the porridge, which could both nourish the stomach and replenish the body.
For the past few days, she's been having recurring nightmares. In her dreams, Shen Rulan is always coughing up blood, her figure growing increasingly frail, like a leaf that could be blown away by the wind at any moment. Each time she wakes up from these nightmares, her pillow is soaked with tears, and the longing in her heart grows ever stronger.
She dared not go to the gate of the Shen residence to ask for an audience again, for fear of causing trouble for Shen Rulan. So she came up with a plan - every morning, she would quietly come to the secluded alley outside the back gate of the Shen residence and hand over the cooked porridge or soup to a kind-looking old gatekeeper.
She would always slip a few copper coins to the old servant woman, asking her to find a way to deliver the food to Tingxuexuan, without revealing who sent it.
The old servant woman, surnamed Wang, had worked in the Shen household for many years. Seeing Su Moqing's sincerity and the benefits she would receive, she agreed.
Today, Su Moqing packed the cooked millet porridge into a food box, wrapped it tightly in thick cotton to ensure the porridge was still hot, and then quietly left home with the food box.
The alley was quiet in the early morning, with only the sound of the cold wind swirling fallen leaves.
Su Moqing walked to the back gate of the Shen residence and, as expected, saw Granny Wang waiting for her.
"Miss Su, you've arrived." Granny Wang smiled as she took the food box. "Don't worry, I'll secretly deliver it to Tingxue Pavilion and give it to Granny Rong."
"Thank you very much, Granny Wang," Su Moqing said gratefully, then took out a few copper coins from her sleeve and handed them to Granny Wang. "Please accept this small token of my appreciation."
Granny Wang declined for a moment, but eventually accepted it, smiling as she said, "Miss Su is truly kind-hearted. I see that although the young master has been seriously ill recently, his spirits seem to have improved, and he may recover soon."
Su Moqing felt a warmth in her heart and quickly asked, "Really? That's wonderful!"
“Yes, Rong Mama told me yesterday that the young master can drink half a bowl of porridge now,” Wang Mama said.
Upon hearing this, Su Moqing's face broke into a long-lost smile.
She gave Wang Mama a few more instructions before turning and leaving the alley.
As she walked home, the thought that Shen Rulan would drink the porridge she had cooked seemed to ease her worries, and her steps became much lighter.
On the third day of the twelfth lunar month, there was still one day before Master Zhang of Xuanmiao Temple was to perform the ritual at the mansion.
The rumors within the Shen family mansion grew increasingly believable, with even the servants whispering that the young master might not survive the next two days.
Late at night, the large kitchen was pitch black, with only a faint light from an oil lamp in the corner.
Ah Gui hid in the corner outside the kitchen, nervously looking around—he had heard the maids say during the day that the ritual required the young master's personal belongings as a "guide," and he immediately thought of the purple clay pot that had contained poison!
If the purple clay pot is used for rituals, the traces of poison left on the pot will definitely be discovered, and then he and Shen Keqin will be finished!
He gritted his teeth and, taking advantage of the moment when the night patrol guards passed by, quietly slipped into the main kitchen.
He walked skillfully to the pile of firewood, squatted down, and reached deep into the pile to search—the remaining packet of "Heartbreak Powder" was hidden there!
Soon, he found a small paper package and was overjoyed. Just as he was about to take the package out, several lanterns suddenly lit up outside the kitchen, and the glaring light made it impossible for him to open his eyes!
"Take him down!" Rong Momo's voice rang out coldly. Immediately afterwards, several strong servants rushed in and pinned A Gui to the ground!
Ah Gui was terrified, dropping the paper packet in his hand and scattering the white powder inside. He struggled to get up, but the servants held him down firmly, preventing him from moving.
Granny Rong walked in, picked up the paper packet from the ground, sniffed it, and a fierce glint flashed in her eyes: "A-Gui, how dare you! You actually dared to poison the young master's medicinal meal! This packet of poison is the evidence!"
Ah Gui, his face ashen, cried out, "It wasn't me! It was Second Master! Shen Keqin forced me! And Cao Jin too! Cao Jin gave me the poison! I was forced!"
"Whether he was forced or not, we'll discuss that at the ancestral hall!" Rong Momo said coldly. "Take him away and keep him under strict guard. No one is allowed to have contact with him!"
The servants responded with a "Yes," and dragged Ah Gui out of the main kitchen.
At almost the same time, Shen Keqin was packing his valuables in his bedroom—he felt uneasy because Agui hadn't returned late at night, and he wanted to run away with the banknotes first.
But as soon as he opened the door, he saw several guards from the Shen family standing outside, with Shen Fu in the lead.
"Second Master, Granny Rong requests your presence at the ancestral hall." Shen Fu's tone was icy, devoid of any politeness.
Shen Keqin's face turned pale. Knowing that his secret had been exposed, his legs went weak and he almost collapsed to the ground.
The guards stepped forward, supported Shen Keqin, and walked towards the ancestral hall.
Cao Jin was drinking in the villa, fantasizing about how he would take over the Shen family's business and force Shen Zhiwei to submit after Shen Rulan's death.
Suddenly, his advisor rushed in, his face pale: "Young master! Something terrible has happened!"
"What's the panic! What's all the fuss about?" Cao Jin said, displeased.
“It was…it was the middleman who contacted Shen Keqin and Agui. He…he fell into the water and drowned last night!” Master Zhou said, panting.
The wine glass in Cao Jin's hand fell to the ground with a "clatter" and shattered into pieces.
He jumped to his feet, his face turning deathly pale. "What did you say? The middleman is dead? How did he die? Was it an accident?"
“I don’t know!” Master Zhou shook his head. “The government said it was an accidental fall into the water, but I don’t think that’s right! The middleman was a very good swimmer, how could he have accidentally fallen in? And… and just yesterday, A-Gui contacted him, asking us to send the medicine as soon as possible! Now that the middleman is dead, it must have been the Shen family! They must have found out something!”
Cao Jin was so frightened that he trembled all over, and cold sweat instantly soaked his clothes.
He knew that once the middleman died, the trail would be broken, but since the Shen family could find the middleman, they might have traced it back to him! Shen Rulan was not at his wit's end at all; he had been investigating in secret all along!
"Useless! All of you are useless!" Cao Jin was both shocked and furious, kicking over the table next to her. "What do we do now? What am I supposed to do if the Shen family has evidence against me?"
Master Zhou panicked and hurriedly said, "Young Master, we can't panic now! The middleman is dead, and the Shen family has no direct evidence against you! What we need to do now is to immediately cut off all contact with Shen Keqin and Agui, and burn all the letters and banknotes exchanged with them! As long as there is no evidence, the Shen family can't do anything to you!"
Cao Jin suddenly realized what was happening and hurriedly said, "Yes! Quickly! Burn everything related to Shen Keqin and A Gui! Also, send someone to gather information near the Shen residence and see how Shen Keqin and A Gui are doing!"
Master Zhou responded with a "Yes" and immediately turned to make the arrangements.
Cao Jin sat in the chair, his heart filled with fear and resentment—he had almost managed to eliminate Shen Rulan and seize the Shen family's business, but now, not only had his plan failed, but he might also be getting burned! He secretly vowed that if he could escape this time, he would make Shen Rulan pay the price!
The atmosphere inside the Shenfu Ancestral Hall was somber.
Shen Rulan leaned back in her chair, coldly watching Shen Keqin and Agui kneeling on the ground.
Shen Keqin's face was ashen, and he lowered his head, not daring to look at Shen Rulan.
Ah Gui was so frightened that he trembled all over and kept crying out, "Have mercy!"
Rong Momo presented the poison found and A Gui's confession: "Young Master, A Gui has confessed everything. The poison was provided by Cao Jin through an intermediary. The Second Master promised A Gui five hundred taels of silver to poison your medicinal meal. A Gui also confessed that the Second Master secretly moved two estates belonging to the Shen family outside the city, sold them for thirty thousand taels of silver, and hid them in a secret compartment in his study."
Shen Rulan's gaze fell on Shen Keqin, her voice weak yet chilling: "Second Uncle, you are of the Shen family bloodline. Father treated you well when he was alive, and the old lady always favored you. How could you do such a thing as murdering your own family and poisoning others for the sake of the family property?"
Shen Keqin trembled, his head drooping even lower, yet he still tried to argue: "Rulan, I... I was confused for a moment! It was Cao Jin! Cao Jin forced me! He said that as long as you died, he would help me secure my position as head of the family and give me 100,000 taels of silver! I... I was bewitched and that's why I was seduced by him!"
"Incitement?" Shen Rulan sneered, coughed a few times, her breathing becoming increasingly unsteady, yet her words remained clear, "You moved the estate, won over the clan elders, and urged A-Gui to poison the animals—weren't you doing all of that on your own initiative? Now, you still want to shift the blame to others; it's truly laughable!"
She paused, glancing at Ah Gui, who was sobbing uncontrollably beside her. Her tone softened slightly, but remained authoritative: "Ah Gui, you come from a poor family. The Shen family took you in, fed you, and paid you wages, yet you took my life for five hundred taels of silver. If you hadn't confessed, I might still be in the dark. Considering you weren't the mastermind and have shown remorse, I can spare your life. But you must write down how Cao Jin contacted you, how he provided the poison, and everything you know about Cao Jin's conspiracies, as evidence against him."
Upon hearing this, A-Gui immediately stopped crying and kowtowed repeatedly: "Thank you for sparing my life, young master! Thank you for sparing my life, young master! I will tell you everything I know! Cao Jin's advisor contacted me through the 'Yuelai Teahouse' in the south of the city. Every time he delivered medicine, he would wrap it in black oil paper and place it under the old locust tree in the backyard of the teahouse... I will tell you everything I know!"
Shen Rulan nodded and said to Shen Fu, "Take Agui downstairs, give him paper and pen, and let him write carefully. After he finishes writing, send him to the manor outside the city and keep him under guard. He is not allowed to have any contact with anyone."
“Yes!” Shen Fu replied, then left with A Gui.
Only Shen Rulan, Rong Momo, and Shen Keqin, who was still kneeling on the ground, remained in the ancestral hall.
Shen Rulan looked at Shen Keqin, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes—after all, they were blood relatives, but the crimes he had committed could not be forgiven.
"Second Uncle," Shen Rulan said slowly, "the mistake you made cannot be excused by simply saying 'foolish.' According to the Shen family rules, anyone who murders their parents should be expelled from the family and never allowed to set foot in Yangzhou again. However, considering that Grandmother is old and cannot withstand such a blow, I will spare your life for now. You will be confined to the side courtyard of the ancestral hall, where you will copy the Classic of Filial Piety one hundred times a day to reflect on your mistakes. If you dare to make any further moves, or if Grandmother finds out about this, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Upon hearing this, Shen Keqin felt as if he had been granted a pardon and immediately kowtowed, saying, "Thank you, Rulan! Thank you, nephew, for showing mercy! I will definitely reflect on my actions and never dare to make the same mistake again!"
Looking at Shen Keqin's appearance, Rong Momo's eyes were full of disdain, but she also knew that Shen Rulan was thinking of the old lady, so she stepped forward and said, "Second Master, come with this old servant to the side courtyard of the ancestral hall."
Shen Keqin quickly got up and left with Rong Mama.
The ancestral hall finally returned to silence.
Shen Rulan leaned back, closed her eyes, and sighed wearily.
Having dealt with Shen Keqin and Agui, the biggest hidden danger, Cao Jin, remains unresolved.
Although the middleman is dead and Cao Jin has destroyed the evidence, as long as A Gui's testimony remains, there is still a chance to bring Cao Jin to justice.
"Granny," Shen Rulan opened her eyes and said to Rong Mama, who had just returned, "Have someone collect and keep the testimony written by A-Gui safe. Also, send a few reliable people to secretly monitor Cao Jin's movements and see what he will do next. In addition, inform Shen Fu that tomorrow morning, he should retrieve the 30,000 taels of silver that Shen Keqin transferred to the estate and return it to the Shen family's treasury."
“This old servant understands!” Rong Mama replied. “Young master, you just got so angry and said so much, you must be tired. Go back to your room and rest. This old servant will bring you a bowl of bird’s nest porridge to nourish your body.”
Shen Rulan nodded, letting Rong Mama lead her back to her bedroom, lay her flat on the bed, and cover her with a brocade quilt.
She closed her eyes, but the image of Su Moqing appeared in her mind—if it weren't for the porridge and soup Su Moqing had brought her these past few days, she might not have survived this difficult time. Once this matter was resolved, she would definitely thank Su Moqing properly.
The next morning, the atmosphere inside the Shen residence was still tense, but less oppressive than before.
Shen Keqin was confined to the side courtyard of the ancestral hall, Agui was sent to a manor outside the city, and the servants in the mansion no longer dared to discuss the young master's illness in private. Everything was developing in a good direction.
Granny Rong carried a bowl of bird's nest porridge into the bedroom and said to Shen Rulan with a smile, "Young Master, look who's here."
Shen Rulan opened her eyes and followed Rong Mama's gaze. She saw Su Moqing standing at the bedroom door, carrying a food box, with a hint of shyness and worry on her face.
"Miss Su?" Shen Rulan was somewhat surprised, then a hint of warmth flashed in her eyes. "Why are you here?"
Su Moqing entered the bedroom, placed the food box on the low table beside the bed, and said softly, "I...I heard that your condition has improved, so I thought I'd come and see you. This is some white fungus and lotus seed soup that I made. Please try it and see if it suits your taste."
Rong Momo smiled and said, "Young Master, Miss Su is so thoughtful, bringing you porridge and soup every day. Please try some. This old servant will go outside to keep watch and won't disturb you." After saying that, she turned and left the bedroom, thoughtfully closing the door behind her.
Only Shen Rulan and Su Moqing remained in the bedroom. Su Moqing opened the food box, ladled the white fungus and lotus seed soup into a bowl, and handed it to Shen Rulan: "Young master, be careful, it's hot."
Shen Rulan took the bowl and looked at the crystal-clear white fungus and plump lotus seeds in it, her heart filled with emotion.
She scooped up a spoonful, brought it to her lips, and the warm soup slid down her throat, carrying a faint sweetness that dispelled the taste of medicine in her mouth.
“It’s delicious,” Shen Rulan said with a smile. “Thank you, Miss Su.”
Su Moqing looked at Shen Rulan's smile, her cheeks flushed slightly, and said softly, "I'm glad you're happy, young master. As long as you recover soon, I'll be at ease."
Seeing Su Moqing's shy appearance, Shen Rulan's heart stirred, and she said softly, "Miss Su, after I recover from my illness, I would like to ask you to paint a picture for me. I wonder if you would be willing?"
Su Moqing was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and nodded: "I'm willing! Young master, please tell me what you want to paint, and I will do my best."
“I want to paint a picture of plum blossoms in the snow,” Shen Rulan said. “Plum blossoms are hardy and symbolize perseverance. I hope that I can be like the plum blossoms and get through this difficult time. I also hope that… I can appreciate this painting with Miss Su.”
Upon hearing this, Su Moqing's cheeks flushed even more, but she still bravely raised her head, looked into Shen Rulan's eyes, and said softly, "Alright, I will definitely paint the best 'Plum Blossoms in Snow' so that we can appreciate it together after you recover."
Looking at the determination and tenderness in Su Moqing's eyes, Shen Rulan felt a surge of warmth in her heart.
She knew that with Su Moqing by her side, she could bravely face any difficulties and obstacles that lay ahead.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
