Chapter 32: Long Time No See

"Miss, you have finally arrived! You have no idea how hard I have struggled to keep this teahouse running all these years. I rise earlier than the roosters and sleep later than the dogs; all my heart and blood have been poured into this shop!"

Yingxia spat out, "Don't you dare claim you’ve been doing this for the shop. When we arrived, you weren't even open for business. You didn't care if any customers came in; you were just sleeping. Apart from its outward appearance, I fear this entire place has long since become an empty shell!"

"That is certainly not true! I have been wholeheartedly dedicated to this teahouse. Business has become increasingly difficult these past few years. The only reason I have persisted and refused to leave is that I cannot bear to part with the teahouse, nor can I bear to part with you, Miss."

Shen Xianyue crossed her arms over her chest and stood before him. "I think what you cannot bear to part with is the monthly salary someone provides you, isn't it?"

"Let me guess: this salary is surely higher than what you could earn elsewhere, so you felt secure enough to continue slacking off. You figured that whether the business made money or not, someone would still be sending money to your door. You have quite the audacity!"

Shen Xianyue emphasized the last sentence, scaring the manager so badly that he kowtowed even harder, until blood began to seep from his forehead.

"Miss, please see the truth! I have not spoken a single lie. Even if you wanted to find a reason to dismiss me, you wouldn't need to fabricate such an outrageous accusation. Think of how I have worked diligently for this teahouse for so many years; how could I ever commit such an act of betrayal against my employer?"

"Is your 'diligence' the reason the tea canisters on the shelves are covered in mold? How were the profits this month?"

The waiter, finally realizing the state of affairs, scurried over to the counter, grabbed the dust-covered ledger, and placed it gingerly before Shen Xianyue. "Miss, please look. This is the shop's ledger."

The manager glared fiercely at the waiter, his heart leaping into his throat.

Shen Xianyue opened the first page with measured movements, but her anger flared instantly. "This is the ledger you kept? This is the 'diligence' you spoke of? Not a single entry for all these years, and the income and expenses were entirely up to you? You even paid the bare minimum in taxes! You truly deserve to die!"

"Miss, I have been wronged! I knew nothing of this. I was deceived by the people under me; this has nothing to do with me!"

Even at this stage, he still refused to admit his guilt. Shen Xianyue was impressed by his shamelessness.

She looked at the trembling waiter nearby. "I will give you a chance. Tie him up and take him to the authorities. The charges are betrayal of one's master and embezzlement. If you do this well, your own offenses will be pardoned."

The waiter was overjoyed at such a stroke of luck. He immediately pledged to do a good job, found a hemp rope from somewhere, and bound the manager, who had collapsed on the floor, tightly.

The onlookers outside applauded, praising Shen Xianyue for her decisive actions. Only then, with the initial wave of anger subsiding, did she realize how many people had gathered outside, and she felt a sudden, belated sense of embarrassment.

As the manager regained his senses, he struggled to break free, and the waiter could not hold him down alone.

Just as he broke free from the ropes, a man stepped out from the crowd. He was dressed in a moon-white brocade robe, standing tall and straight with his dark hair tied high. With sword-like eyebrows and star-bright eyes, he possessed an extraordinary air.

He walked up to the man trying to escape, delivered a swift strike to the back of his neck, and the manager slumped to the ground. He then took the rope and tied a dead knot before giving the man a kick and saying to the waiter, "Find someone to take him away!"

The waiter wiped the sweat from his brow, found a cart usually meant for transporting goods, and with the help of the bystanders, they loaded the manager onto it and hauled him off to the magistrate's office.

Shen Xianyue turned to the man and bowed in gratitude. "Thank you, sir, for your assistance."

A faint red flush crept up the man's ears. "You are most welcome. I was simply struck by your heroic spirit just now and felt a deep admiration. It was but a small gesture; it is not worthy of such thanks."

After speaking, his face grew even hotter. He cupped his hands in a salute and turned to leave.

It was not until he had walked two alleys away that his late-arriving subordinates finally caught up to him.

"My Lord, we finally found you! The master wants you to return at once; the young lady is causing trouble again!"

A flicker of impatience crossed the man's brows. The image of his willful younger sister and the figure of the young woman he had just met surfaced in his mind simultaneously, making him feel all the more that such a woman was truly a rarity in this world.

"I should have asked for her name!"

"My Lord, what did you say?"

"Nothing. Let's go home!"

...

The authorities acted quickly. Before long, they had determined the amount of embezzled silver, ruling that 4,325 taels must be returned. However, the manager was an inveterate gambler; the pittance he had embezzled had either been spent on drink or thrown away in the gambling dens.

Forget 4,300 taels—he could not even produce forty-three.

He was promptly imprisoned and sentenced to ten years.

When she heard the news, Shen Xianyue was in the courtyard of Old Marquis Xiao, keeping him company as he sunned himself. The old man's health had improved during this time, and since Master Dou had not yet returned, Shen Xianyue would come to spend time with him every day after finishing her studies.

"You handled this matter very well—with just the right balance of firmness and leniency."

Shen Xianyue’s hand, in the midst of peeling an orange, paused. She looked at the old man. "Do you not think I was too heartless?"

The old man sat in his recliner, rocking gently. "Actually, I discovered long ago that they were engaging in deceitful practices, but I did not speak up. It was only when I handed these things over to you that I wanted to see if you had the mettle to handle such people. You did not disappoint me."

Shen Xianyue was utterly stunned. "You mean to say you knew about it all along?"

"Why so surprised? Though I am old, my eyes are not blind and my ears are not deaf. It is quite easy to find out about things happening outside."

Shen Xianyue quickly explained, "I am not surprised; it just felt unexpected."

The old man chuckled softly. "Consider it a test. I had thought that if you were unable to set things straight, I would find someone to help you manage it, but your performance surprised me."

Shen Xianyue suddenly felt the embarrassment of one who had tried to show off their skills before a master.

The old man picked up a cup of tea, took a sip, and fanned himself idly before asking, "How have your studies been these past few days?"

"They are going well, though Master Dou has yet to return, and there are still some things I cannot quite grasp that I am waiting for her to clarify."

In the entire Marquis’s mansion, the only person Shen Xianyue truly respected was Old Marquis Xiao. Whether it was his kindness in taking her in or his character and conduct, he was truly a dragon among men.

"Hmm."

The old man fell silent. As the surroundings grew quiet, Shen Xianyue watched him close his eyes and heard the sound of soft snoring. She rose cautiously, preparing to leave.

Unexpectedly, as she turned, she saw a figure standing under a banyan tree not far away. Even from a distance, Shen Xianyue could see his gaze, which was fixed squarely upon her.

Upon reflection, it had already been more than a month since they last met.