Chapter 29: Beginning the Studies

"You really are dense. Think about it: why would your third younger brother give Sisi a gift for no reason? It’s clearly because of the friction between Sisi and Xianyue. To ensure she lives comfortably in this household, he’d rather offer gifts himself to build rapport."

Xiao Yuqing was still puzzled. "But he is already a top-ranking official; he has no need to do such a thing!"

"He may be respected and feared by everyone outside, but here at home, these are matters involving young ladies. It wouldn't do to use his status to pressure others. Sisi has a simple nature, so it’s easy to win her over."

"The fool uses force to subdue others; the wise use intellect."

"So that’s it. My wife is indeed clever. Since our third brother has extended an olive branch, we should keep Sisi in check from now on. Tell her to stop targeting Xianyue; there’s no point in hurting family harmony for no reason."

Madam Zhou sighed. "Sisi has always played well with the first branch of the family. If you ask me, the reason she targets Xianyue so much is likely because someone is instigating her behind the scenes."

"She’s just a child and lacks the ability to distinguish right from wrong. We’ll just have to be more attentive. Once Xianyue is married off, the trouble will end."

Madam Zhou could only nod. Suddenly, something occurred to Xiao Yuqing, and he leaned in to ask, "Why did you tell me to shut up earlier when I mentioned the flute playing?"

"And you call yourself clever? Our third brother is usually so composed. Since he acted so out of character today, haven’t you considered that he might have been the one playing that flute?"

As soon as Madam Zhou said this, Xiao Yuqing dismissed it. "Impossible. Third brother would never do something so reckless."

"How is that reckless? Yesterday, I saw Xianyue storming out of his courtyard, and that piece, 'Crying at the Night Raven,' is her favorite. Have you forgotten she even performed it at the Old Master’s birthday celebration?"

Madam Zhou spoke with certainty. Having seen Xianyue’s angry expression with her own eyes, a suspicion began to dawn on Xiao Yuqing.

"No, no, that simply cannot be." Xiao Yuqing shook his head, desperate to reject the notion. He picked up a cup of water, ignoring that it had gone stone-cold, and downed it in one gulp. Once he regained his composure, he asked cautiously, "Are you saying the flute music from last night was played by Third Brother for Xianyue?"

"Most likely."

Suddenly, as if hit by a realization, Xiao Yuqing burst into uncontrollable laughter, his face turning bright red. Even Xiao Lisi, who was playing nearby, came over to ask, "Father, what's wrong?"

Xiao Yuqing waved his hand. "Nothing, Father is just happy. Go on and play."

Xiao Lisi looked puzzled but didn't press further, happily clutching her velvet flower as she headed back inside.

***

"What are you laughing at?" Once Xiao Yuqing stopped, he looked at Madam Zhou. "I’m laughing because Zishu spent half the night playing the flute, and instead of offering an apology, he probably just ended up offending her."

"Didn't you notice the dark circles under Xianyue’s eyes? She definitely didn't sleep well last night. That’s why Zishu was so terrified today that he didn't even dare to admit it was him. This is the first time I’ve ever seen him so flustered."

Madam Zhou laughed as well. It seemed the household was becoming more and more interesting.

***

Over the next few days, the Old Master truly sent someone to teach Shen Xianyue how to manage account books and run shops. She was so busy she barely had time to touch the ground, falling asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.

Yingxia was heartbroken and instructed the small kitchen to prepare all sorts of delicacies for her, yet even so, Shen Xianyue lost a significant amount of weight.

One morning, Shen Xianyue was waiting in the pavilion for her tutor, but she waited and waited, and the tutor, who was never late, was nowhere to be seen.

"Yingxia, what time is it?"

Yingxia glanced at the sundial. "Miss, it is almost the hour of Si."

Shen Xianyue set down her brush and looked at the high-hanging sun. "Strange. The tutor is usually so punctual. Why hasn't she arrived? Did she say anything about not coming yesterday?"

"No, she even told you to review your studies because she planned to quiz you today!"

Shen Xianyue frowned. "Something must have happened."

Setting aside the ledgers, she sent Yingxia to dispatch someone to the tutor's home to check on the situation, deciding to study on her own for the day. She studied until noon, and after finishing her meal, she was walking in the courtyard to aid her digestion when a servant came to report.

"Well? Did something happen to the tutor?"

"Replying to the Miss, I went to Tutor Dou's house. She wasn't there, but her husband came out and said she had an emergency at her maiden home and had returned there early this morning."

"Very well, I understand."

Yingxia stepped forward and gave him a few silver melon seeds. "Thank you for your hard work."

The servant bowed repeatedly and left, clutching the silver.

"Miss, it was just to check on the situation; was it really necessary to give so much silver?" Yingxia felt a pang in her heart. Her mistress was living off the savings left by the General, which weren't much to begin with, and yet she was being so generous.

"Only by spending a little can one get important things done. These people are the ones you least want to offend. A little money is nothing. Besides, now that my mother's shops are in my hands, as long as I manage them well, will there be any shortage of money?"

Thinking about it, Yingxia realized she was right. She then excitedly brought up the shops that were part of her dowry. "I heard the shop the Master gave you is a cosmetic shop, and it’s very profitable. The Eldest Madam had her eye on it before, but the Old Marquis wouldn't give it to her."

Shen Xianyue stretched her arms. "Being profitable isn't necessarily a good thing; it might just be a hot potato."

Yingxia nodded, half-understanding, and muttered, "I haven't seen the Marquis of Champion for several days."

Shen Xianyue realized it had indeed been a long time since she had seen Xiao Tuyu—not since the family banquet, nearly half a month ago.

"He must be busy. With his high position and heavy responsibilities, he can't stay home all the time." As she spoke, she remembered his injury. The higher one's position, the more surrounded by danger one became.

She had expected Tutor Dou to return quickly, but days passed without a sign. Each time they sent someone to ask, the reply was always that there was a family emergency and she could not yet return.

Having mastered the knowledge in the books, Shen Xianyue realized she hadn't yet inspected the shops herself. She decided to take this opportunity to go out and see them.

No sooner said than done, Shen Xianyue informed the Eldest Madam and headed out with Yingxia. Watching her spirited back, the Eldest Madam’s face slowly darkened.

Nanny Wang spoke up: "I heard that Miss Shen has been very diligent these days, studying on her own even when the tutor doesn't come."

The Eldest Madam let out a cold snort. "Studying is fine, as long as she doesn't spend all her time clinging to Liyang and corrupting a perfectly good heir."

Nanny Wang dared not respond to this. She had observed that it was actually the heir who seemed more proactive, while Shen Xianyue had been intentionally keeping her distance these past few days.

"Madam, rest assured. The heir is not someone who cannot distinguish right from wrong; he knows what he is doing."

"If he knew what he was doing, I wouldn't be this worried."

The Eldest Madam paused, then continued...