Xing’er glanced at the thick stack of banknotes in her young lady’s hand and knew that her mistress had lined her pockets with another substantial sum.
“You’ve already saved up quite a sizable dowry,” Xing’er remarked.
Cui Yunchu’s eyes curved with a smile. “It definitely can’t be any less impressive than theirs. When the time comes, I’ll bring it all to the Shen family.”
Never mind how she had obtained her dowry. As long as it was grand enough, that was all that mattered.
The Shen residence.
Yu Feng pushed open the study door and bowed to the man seated behind the desk, who was reviewing official documents. “Master, Lord Gu has arrived and wishes to see you.”
“Let him in.” Shen Xiabai set down his brush and closed the document.
A short while later, Yu Feng led Lord Gu, his entire body covered in frost, into the study.
“Such bitterly cold weather, Lord Gu. What brings you here?” Shen Xiabai asked.
Yu Feng brought over a stool and served hot tea. Lord Gu merely glanced at it without touching it. Instead, he handed the gift box in his hand to Yu Feng.
“A small token of my regard for Lord Shen. I hope you’ll accept it and not find it too insignificant.”
In the past, Shen Xiabai would never have accepted such a thing. Yu Feng instinctively began to refuse, but Shen Xiabai said, “It’s bitterly cold outside, and Lord Gu took the trouble to bring this here. Since that is the case, I won’t reject your kindness.”
Yu Feng’s outstretched hand withdrew again.
He had forgotten. His master was about to marry, and his future mistress was greedy for money. Refusing bribes simply wouldn’t do.
“Please, sit, Lord Gu.”
After accepting the gift, Shen Xiabai was noticeably more amiable. Lord Gu thought to himself, Just as expected—courtesy really does make everything easier.
All those rumors that Lord Shen was unmoved by wealth, incorruptible, and impossible to bribe were nothing but lies. As the saying went, money could make even a ghost turn a millstone.
Lord Gu sat down with an uneasy smile on his face. “Would Lord Shen like to open it and have a look? If you like it, my residence has plenty more. I can send some over to you.”
“In that case, there really is something I’d like to ask of you,” Shen Xiabai said. “Lord Gu enjoys Her Majesty the Empress Dowager’s favor. Your residence should have quite a few flowers and plants bestowed by the imperial palace, shouldn’t it?”
Lord Gu froze. “There used to be quite a few, but the snow has been heavy these past few days, and many froze to death. I’m afraid only a few remain.”
“Then I have to thank Lord Gu for his generosity. Yu Feng, accompany Lord Gu to retrieve them later.”
Yu Feng felt so embarrassed that his ears burned, but he answered in a low voice.
Lord Gu fell silent for several moments.
He had never imagined that Shen Xiabai would have such a particular hobby. Still, he nodded repeatedly in agreement.
Shen Xiabai gestured for Lord Gu to drink his tea. The two sat in silence, sipping tea together—one relaxed and unhurried, the other anxious and apprehensive.
Shen Xiabai did not speak. In the end, Lord Gu could bear it no longer and spoke first.
“I must thank Lord Shen for your reminder some days ago.” Though he knew perfectly well that it had been a threat.
“You’re welcome.”
Lord Gu: “…”
He studied Shen Xiabai several times before suddenly rising and bowing deeply.
“What are you doing, Lord Gu? You’re already an elderly man—be careful not to strain your back. Please, get up.”
Though he said this, Shen Xiabai made no move to help him up.
“Lord Shen.” Lord Gu lowered himself even further. “I beg you to help me. So long as you can let me remain in the capital, I will do anything within my power that you ask of me. I absolutely will not refuse.”
Shen Xiabai slowly turned the teacup in his hand and said nothing.
Lord Gu’s heart grew increasingly uneasy. “Lord Shen, though my son once offended Eldest Miss Cui, he later died at your hands as well. Surely that settles the grudge between us.”
He did harbor resentment toward Shen Xiabai, but his son was dead all the same. Those who remained alive still had to go on living.
“If you wish to remain in the capital, Lord Gu, why not ask Her Majesty the Empress Dowager to plead for you?” Shen Xiabai asked.
Lord Gu gave a bitter smile and shook his head. “A brother is ultimately one step removed. How could he compare with the closeness between a parent and child?”
Shen Xiabai smiled as well. Leaning forward, he fixed his deep, shadowed eyes on Lord Gu.
“Since that is the case, may I ask how much you are willing to pay to preserve your own life and that of your wife?”
Lord Gu’s heart eased. He hurriedly asked, “If Lord Shen has a request, please state it. I can publicly identify the Second Princess in court. Would that be enough?”
“Does Lord Gu think that merely because you are being sent out of the capital, this official will be unable to trace the matter back to Xiao Lan?”
They were all vines growing from the same root. As long as he followed one tendril, he would inevitably find the other.
But that alone would not be enough to cost Xiao Lan her life.
Lord Gu’s heart sank. “Then what more do you want?”
Shen Xiabai rose and slowly paced behind Lord Gu. Bending slightly, he whispered, “You are the princess’s maternal uncle and Her Majesty the Empress Dowager’s elder brother. Is there truly no way to resolve everything once and for all?”
Lord Gu was thunderstruck. He widened his eyes and stared at Shen Xiabai in disbelief.
Resolve everything once and for all—even the Empress Dowager was included in his calculations?
“What exactly are you trying to do, Lord Shen?”
“Lord Gu, don’t be frightened. I merely have a wish of my own—one that keeps me awake night after night. I would never dare harm Her Majesty the Empress Dowager.”
Lord Gu was no fool. After only a few words, he understood what Shen Xiabai was really saying.
“Lord Shen… you want an incident that could be used to threaten the Empress Dowager?”
Or rather, something that could threaten the entire Xiao imperial family.
Shen Xiabai said nothing, merely smiling faintly.
“Lord Gu has devoted half his life to serving Her Majesty the Empress Dowager. Now that she lives in comfort and peace, perhaps it is time you began thinking of yourself.”
Lord Gu had been an old subject from the late emperor’s reign and had rendered meritorious service when the current emperor ascended the throne. He understood the imperial family far better than most.
His face was filled with hesitation.
“There’s no need to decide immediately,” Shen Xiabai said. “You may return and consider it carefully.”
“For instance… the late emperor’s illness all those years ago was exceptionally fierce.”
Lord Gu’s pupils contracted sharply.
Shen Xiabai had Yu Feng escort him out of the residence.
“Take care, Lord Gu,” Yu Feng said. “My master will be waiting at any time for you to return to the residence for tea.”
Lord Gu climbed into his carriage and departed in a daze.
He sat there blankly, as though his soul had been wrenched from his body.
“Go to Wangyue Pavilion and buy a plate of pastries for your mistress.”
The older he and Lady Gu grew, the deeper their affection for each other became. If their son were still alive, how happy the three of them would be. Even if their household had fallen into decline, it would still be a hundred times better than their present circumstances.
Judging by the current emperor’s attitude toward the Cui and Tang families, Lord Gu had long since seen through the state of the court. He no longer harbored any desire to fight for power or profit.
The carriage stopped outside Wangyue Pavilion. Just as Lord Gu stepped down, he encountered several fellow officials who were also preparing to enter together.
They had always been on good terms. In his low spirits, Lord Gu instinctively greeted them.
“Lord Zhang, Lord Zhao, you’re here as well…”
Before he could finish, the men walked straight past him, as though they had not seen him at all.
Ever since his son’s death, there had been many who delighted in kicking him while he was down. Yet these men had always maintained a good relationship with him.
Lord Gu’s face stiffened, flushing with embarrassment.
When they had sought him out before, asking him to help them obtain promotions by pleading with the Empress Dowager, they certainly had not treated him this way.
Lord Gu followed them inside and ordered a plate of pastries.
He saw the men glance in his direction and exchange a few whispers. A moment later, one of them walked over.
“Lord Gu, you came too.”
“Mm.” Lord Gu answered indifferently.
Lord Zhang glanced at the pastries the waiter had brought over. “Are you buying these pastries for Lady Gu?”
Lord Gu’s expression softened somewhat, and he nodded. He was just about to say something when Lord Zhang continued, “Since you’ve already bought it, you should hurry home. Don’t keep Lady Gu waiting.”
He sighed. “With your son gone, you and Lady Gu are all that remain to support each other. You ought to spend more time at home keeping her company.”
“Zhang Qihuai, what exactly do you mean?”
Lord Gu glared at him.
