Chapter 48

Chapter 48

In her previous life, she had never harbored any suspicion towards these two.

However, Shen Anning, reborn, now looked at them differently. If she were to suspect anyone, her gaze would undoubtedly fall upon Lu Anran, especially after uncovering the truths of her past life. After all, Lu Anran had planted a spy, Yuan Yang, in her courtyard back then.

Yet, for some inexplicable reason, Shen Anning, in this new life, found her gaze fixed involuntarily on the bowl of bird's nest in her hand.

But the next moment, Shen Anning gently shook her head, dismissing the thought.

It couldn't be.

Lady Xiao had no motive to harm her.

She was, after all, a close friend of Shen Anning’s late mother, and she had even risked sheltering a person with a criminal past to care for her friend’s son, raising Lu Anran with meticulous care and dignity.

Though, in hindsight, she had been nurturing the wrong person all along.

Despite trying to convince herself, she slowly lowered the spoon from her lips.

“What’s wrong, Madam? Is it not to your liking?”

Seeing her slight frown, Chun Qi immediately asked with concern.

Shen Anning offered a faint smile and replied, “It’s a bit too hot.”

As she spoke, she subtly lifted her gaze, scanning the room, and asked, “Where’s Xiao Tao?”

Chun Qi replied, “She was just here a moment ago, but she’s vanished. She must have gone to the kitchen.”

Just then, Bai Tao burst in breathlessly, exclaiming, “Madam, messengers from the old residence have arrived! They said… the people who went south have returned. Butler Meng asked you to come back.”

Hearing this, Shen Anning was first shocked, then overjoyed. She immediately declared, “Prepare the carriage. We’re going back to the old residence.”

Without a second thought, Shen Anning disregarded her fatigue, boarded the carriage, and hurried back to the old residence.

Upon her arrival, she found the main hall bustling with people. Wu Youcai, Hao Shi, and Gui Geer’s entire family were seated neatly on one side.

On the other side sat a young woman, not yet thirty, wearing a floral headscarf and coarse hemp clothing. Her face, etched with the weariness of hardship, was thin and frail-looking, yet there was an indescribable resilience about her—like a delicate dodder vine that appears weak but secretly draws nourishment from its host to thrive.

Beside her was a boy of twelve or thirteen, pale and thin as a bamboo pole, dressed in a faded blue patched robe. Despite his frailty, he stood tall and composed, without a trace of inferiority or flattery. His eyes, clear and bright, held a firm determination, marking him as extraordinary at first glance.

This was Shen Mu, the future top imperial scholar in six years, a pillar of the nation, and even someone Lu Suian would regard with exceptional respect.

He was also the Shen family cousin who, in her previous life, had personally sought her out, kneeling and kowtowing to her when she was gravely ill.

Shen Anning’s gaze fixed on his face, studying his features closely. His features bore a slight resemblance to hers—even at such a young age, he already had clear, refined brows and a gentle, dignified bearing.

“Benefactor…”

At that moment, the woman seemed to regain her senses and suddenly dropped to her knees with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly to Shen Anning in gratitude. “Thank you for saving our lives, Miss. Thank you for saving our lives.”

Her abrupt action startled Shen Anning greatly, who quickly moved to help her up.

But the young woman tugged the young Shen Mu down to kneel and kowtow as well, urging, “Quick, Mu’er, kowtow to our benefactor. Thank her for saving us.”

Then, young Shen Mu pursed his lips, glanced up at Shen Anning from a distance, and after a moment, obediently swept aside his worn-out robe and knelt on the ground with a thud, kowtowing three times heavily toward Shen Anning.

Shen Anning immediately helped them up, saying, "Aunt, what are you doing? We are all family—no need for such formalities. I’m still young and hardly deserve such a grand gesture from you. It truly overwhelms me."

She quickly assisted the mother and son to their feet.

After exchanging pleasantries, she inquired about their current circumstances and learned that after the incident years ago, the wife of the second Master Shen remarried a merchant. However, the merchant soon died unexpectedly, and the family was driven out. Not long after, Shen’s grandmother passed away, but before her death, she arranged for her son to marry Cui Shi—the woman now standing before them. The couple managed to live off the remaining family assets for a few years until Shen Mu’s father fell ill and passed away when Shen Mu was five. Over the years, Cui Shi and her son struggled to make ends meet alone, and their savings were eventually exhausted.

When the men sent by Butler Meng found the mother and son, they discovered Cui Shi being ganged up on by several village women while young Shen Mu was away. Her clothes were torn, her hair cut short, and she was cursed as a "shameless wench." It turned out that Cui Shi’s modest beauty had attracted the attention of many men in the village, and as a widow with a child, she became an easy target for bullying.

The men sent by Butler Meng rescued Cui Shi and also brought back Shen Mu, who was ostensibly attending school but secretly working at the docks to support the family. They escorted both mother and son to the capital.

They had just arrived that morning.

After hearing about their hardships, Shen Anning was filled with a complex whirl of emotions, but it was still far better than what she had known in her previous life. She recalled that, in her past life, Cui Shi had remarried a butcher to fund Shen Mu’s education. The butcher was an alcoholic who frequently abused her, nearly beating her to death on several occasions. Yet, to ensure Shen Mu could study in peace, Cui Shi endured it all in silence, hiding the truth until Shen Mu passed the imperial examinations. By then, she was too worn out and passed away shortly after.

Visiting the Shen family to acknowledge their kinship had been Cui Shi’s final wish—to give Shen Mu a sense of belonging in this world.

They were all victims of fate.

Were they now banding together as fellow sufferers? Shen Anning thought wryly to herself. Outwardly, however, she took Cui Shi’s hand and said, "Ultimately, your family suffered because of ours, Aunt. My parents have both passed away, and I am the only one left in this household. If you don’t mind, you are welcome to stay here from now on."

Hearing this, Cui Shi was taken aback. They had been rescued by people sent by the young lady, and although they were told they would be brought to the capital, they had been anxious and uncertain throughout the journey.

Cui Shi had heard about the misfortunes of the main branch of the Shen family. When she learned that a daughter of the family had survived and was even betrothed by the emperor, she had considered seeking refuge with her. However, the young niece was still very young and married into another family. Though they were related by blood, the connection was distant—especially since her father-in-law was an illegitimate child, creating further separation. With the vast distance between them and numerous obstacles, she eventually gave up the idea.

Never did she expect that one day the Shen family’s daughter would seek them out, rescue them from their plight, and even offer them shelter.

Shen Mu’s father had been gone for years, and as a widow with a child, they had been struggling to survive. The hardships they endured were known only to themselves.

Perhaps the sudden turn of fortune was too overwhelming, as both Cui Shi and Shen Mu stood frozen in place, unable to process the situation for a long time.

When they finally regained their composure, Cui Shi tried to kneel again with Shen Mu to express their gratitude, but Shen Anning stopped them once more. Seeing their unease and hesitation, she paused for a moment before adopting a serious tone and saying, "However, you won't be staying for free. After all, maintaining such a large estate involves considerable expenses. For instance, my adoptive family also lives here, but they don’t stay for free. My adoptive father currently manages the shops for me and helps with various matters inside and outside the residence. My younger brother is training in martial arts to ensure my safety in the future. As for Aunt Hao, since I’m often away from the estate, she assists with managing household affairs."

She then turned to Cui Shi and Shen Mu and asked, "What skills do you and Brother Mu possess?"

Shen Anning, recognizing the sincerity and kindness in Cui Shi and Shen Mu, knew they were not the type to freeload or take shelter for granted. Especially Shen Mu, who was already a teenager—an age when young men are particularly proud and principled. To put their minds at ease and ensure they could settle without guilt, she deliberately framed it this way.

Moreover, with the Wu family also residing in the estate, she wanted to avoid any potential misunderstandings or reservations by addressing the matter openly from the start.

Additionally, as a lone woman, Shen Anning, though trusting of Cui Shi and Shen Mu’s character, was cautious not to extend excessive kindness too soon. After all, human nature is unpredictable. In her previous life, Shen Mu had grown resilient like bamboo through hardship, but if life became too smooth, he might develop a habit of relying on others. Who knew if the comforts of wealth might corrupt his spirit?

No one should offer unconditional kindness to another without reason. Otherwise, the consequences could be unforeseen.

When necessary, a little strategy was called for.

As expected, upon hearing Shen Anning’s words, Cui Shi, instead of growing more anxious, felt a sense of relief. She eagerly replied, "Yes, yes! I can do a bit of everything—cooking, laundry, sewing, and even gardening."

After a pause, she added, "I also know how to read a little, and I’m quite strong. I can handle laborious or heavy work too."

After all, even though the Shen family had fallen on hard times, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. Before their misfortune, the Shen family had been quite prosperous.

Cui Shi wished she could muster every skill she possessed, listing all her abilities, fearing she couldn't repay Shen Anning enough.

Upon hearing this, Shen Anning smiled and said, "How could I let Auntie do hard labor or heavy work? Besides, there are serving girls and kitchen staff in the mansion. If you take over their tasks, they’ll have nothing to do. How about this—Auntie doesn’t need to do anything else. It just so happens that the young maids I have aren’t very skilled with delicate work. If you have time, just making me one or two sets of clothes each season would be more than enough."

Although the marquis’s residence had tailors come to take measurements every season, tailor-made clothes, no matter how fine, still carried the impersonal touch of commercial goods.

Shen Anning had grown up without a mother and had never worn intimate garments handmade by an elder.

She said it offhandedly.

Delighted, Cui Shi didn’t catch the underlying meaning and simply nodded repeatedly, eagerly agreeing without hesitation.

Shen Anning then turned to Shen Mu and asked, "What about you? What can you do?"

The intelligent Shen Mu, seeing through her intentions even at his young age, pressed his lips together and said, "Whatever you need me to do, Miss, I will do it."

Shen Anning was taken aback, thinking to herself what a precocious child he was, but she smiled and walked directly up to him, saying, "I need you to stop calling me 'Miss' from now on. Like Hu Zi, you can call me 'A-Jie'."

Shen Mu froze momentarily. After a while, he glanced at Cui Shi beside him, and finally, after a long pause, he softly said, "A...Jie..."

Perhaps he had never called anyone that before.

Or perhaps he had never spoken to anyone in such a way.

A hint of discomfort flickered across the young boy’s face.

But he quickly obeyed.

Shen Anning continued, "Have you studied? Do you know how to read?"

This time, Shen Mu didn’t hesitate and nodded firmly.

Shen Anning wasn’t surprised and continued, "How talented are you?"

Shen Mu thought for a moment and replied, "I’ve already passed the Tongsheng exam."

Shen Anning nodded, appearing satisfied as she praised, "Excellent. For someone so young, that’s quite impressive."

She smiled gently, her demeanor warm and graceful, her beauty almost ethereal. Though only a few years older than him, her praise made Shen Mu feel slightly uneasy, and he quickly lowered his gaze.

Just then, a hand landed on his shoulder. Shen Mu looked up abruptly to see Shen Anning gripping his shoulder, her expression serious as she looked him straight in the eye and said, word by word, "Everyone knows that the Shen family is a lineage of scholars. My grandfather was a great literary figure of Great Yu, the First Chief Grand Secretary of our dynasty, honored in the Imperial Ancestral Temple and revered by the royal family. My father was also a brilliant scholar, the Tanhua in the imperial exams. Our family was meant to be a beacon of culture and literature for generations. But fate had other plans, and we’ve come to such circumstances, something no one could have foreseen. Shen Mu, let me be frank with you. Today, neither I nor the Shen family lack anything—especially not ambition. Even if our bloodline were to end, even if I am not a man, as long as I, Shen Anning, exist, as long as a single drop of Shen blood remains, our family’s legacy will endure, shining brightly through the ages—"

"So what do I want from you today? I don’t want you to be a useless laborer or a dock worker. I don’t want you fighting with market women in marketplaces. I don’t want you to do any of that. I only want you to do one thing: study diligently. I want you to excel in the imperial exams one day, to reach the highest academy every scholar aspires to. I want you to place first in the exams, to become the Zhuangyuan. I want you to follow me, Shen Anning, and help our Shen family restore its centuries-old standing. Shen Mu, can you do this?"

As she spoke, Shen Anning stood before Shen Mu, her earlier gentle smile gone, replaced by a stern and serious demeanor.

She stared intently into his eyes, enunciating each word clearly.

In her eyes, there was something called expectation, something called motivation, shining through bit by bit.

Though they had just met, she seemed like a seasoned guide, motivating him, trusting him, and guiding him step by step.

Excel in the exams? Restore the family’s honor?

Such words, such actions, were almost too extraordinary and overwhelming for a twelve- or thirteen-year-old boy who had been so destitute he could barely afford food.

Yet, Shen Mu met her gaze firmly. Under her steady, intense gaze, his throat tightened with emotion. After a long moment, he clenched his fists, said determinedly to Shen Anning, word by word, "Yes, I can do it."

As he spoke, his still-youthful frame stood straight and tall, showing determination and bravery that hinted at the strong, resilient person he would become years later.

"Good. You truly live up to the Shen name. Come with me."

With that, Shen Anning solemnly led Shen Mu to the Shen family ancestral hall.

The hall was solemn and majestic, the most revered place in the Shen household. In the past, aside from Butler Meng, no one in the mansion was allowed to set foot inside. Now, in the grand hall, dozens of dark memorial tablets were neatly arranged, each one accompanied by a piece of nanmu wood inscribed with the achievements of its owner.

As far as the eye could see, there were over twenty tablets honoring ancestors who had earned titles: Zhuangyuan, Tanhua, imperial scholars, and Xiucai.

The scene was too grand, too awe-inspiring, leaving the inexperienced Shen Mu completely awestruck.

Soon, chills ran through him.

He had never imagined his ancestors were so remarkable.

Though he had heard rumors, he had never seen proof with his own eyes.

At the center of the hall was the tablet of the family’s founder, followed by those of the great ancestor and the Chief Grand Secretary. This founding ancestor was also Shen Mu’s ancestor, and the great ancestor was his grandfather’s biological father.

At that moment, as he looked at these tablets, something began to grow and flow within his blood.

He felt a deep, intrinsic connection to this place.

Shen Mu’s grandfather had been an illegitimate son raised outside the family, a merchant disdained in his hometown. His lifelong wish had been to one day enter the Shen family ancestral hall, even if only to see it.

He had thought it an impossible dream, but now—

His grandfather had yearned to return to the Shen family his whole life.

Now, Shen Mu had brought him back, carrying his grandfather's memorial tablet on his back.

Shen Anning glanced at the bundle on Shen Mu’s back, where the outlines of two tablets were faintly visible. She pressed her lips together and said, "My expectations for you might seem extraordinary, even shocking. But Shen Mu, look around you. This is what it means to be a century-old prestigious family, a lineage of scholars and officials."

"You carry the same blood in your bones as I do, as they did!"

"If you excel in the exams one day, you can move your branch of the family’s tablets into this ancestral hall, where they will be honored and worshipped for generations!"

"Shen Mu, I want you to make a vow here, in the Shen family ancestral hall, repeating your promise before our ancestors!"

In the solemn silence of the ancestral hall, Shen Anning stood like a guiding elder, leading her first clansman into the heart of the Shen family legacy.

Though her stature was delicate, her posture was upright and resolute. Though she was a woman, her determination was second to none.

Perhaps moved by the call of his ancestors and encouraged by Shen Anning’s firm encouragement, Shen Mu dropped to his knees before the ancestral tablets and swore solemnly, word by word, "I, Shen Mu, swear before our ancestors today that I will follow A-Jie forever, helping the Shen family restore its glory and ensure our legacy endures for generations!"

"If I break this oath, may I die a thousand deaths."

...

"Alright, you’ve had a long journey and must be tired. Rest for a few days. I’ll choose an auspicious day soon to properly welcome you."

After leaving the ancestral hall, considering the exhaustion from their travels, Shen Anning had someone see them settled.

Before leaving, Shen Mu noticed an old locust tree in the courtyard, with a vine winding its way up the sturdy trunk, covering the entire tree and sprawling across the wall. They grew lush and vigorous, growing toward the sunlight.

Shen Mu gazed for a long while before turning around, his eyes lingering on the distant graceful figure. After a long silence, he pursed his lips slightly.

"Thank you."

He made a silent vow in his heart: Today, you are my shelter; in the future, I will become that tree, shielding you from wind and rain.

After settling Shen Mu and his mother, Wu Youcai quietly slipped the wooden box from before into the carriage. A thick stack of banknotes had been exchanged for an equally thick pile of land deeds—all for the houses, shops, and restaurants Shen Anning had previously pointed out and favored. Each was officially stamped and properly registered.

At the very top was the deed to the He Xian Lou restaurant.

Shen Anning was startled, and Wu Youcai also looked puzzled as he said, "Someone had been competing with us for this restaurant all along, but when I went there yesterday, the people at He Xian Lou simply handed the deed over to me, saying... that the restaurant now belongs to us."

Wu Youcai was utterly bewildered.

Shen Anning, however, looked at the deed in surprise. She had only just reached a business agreement with Prince Ning the day before, and now he had already delivered the deed to her—he certainly doesn't waste any time.

She didn't refuse. Since they had already agreed to collaborate on the restaurant, this was only natural.

Now, with houses, shops, and a restaurant secured, and Shen Mu also here, the next step was to hire a tutor and start a school.

The foundation for the life she was building for herself had finally been laid. All that remained was to add the bricks and mortar, raise the walls and beams, and it would provide shelter and protection.

Shen Anning felt a surge of anticipation.

Looking up, she saw Gui Geer standing there silently, listless all day. When she looked his way, he turned his face away. She walked over with a smile, pinched his cheek playfully, and said, "What's with the long face? Did I offend you?"

Raising an eyebrow, she added, "We're heading to the martial arts school soon. Are you coming or not?"

Gui Geer, seeing that yet another person had arrived at the residence today—and with the surname Shen no less—was burning with jealousy, sure his sister had found a new little brother and would now cast him aside.

He was sulking, ready to complain, when her words made him instantly forget all his gloom and displeasure.

She still remembered her promise to find him a martial arts master, and she was even taking him to choose one herself.

She still cared about him.

Awoo!

Gui Geer immediately perked up, hopping onto the carriage to drive for his sister himself.

Just as the carriage turned around, Bai Tao suddenly slipped something into Wu Youcai’s hand and said quickly, "The Madam said this one was picked out specially for you, Uncle Wu."

With that, she gathered up her skirts and climbed into the carriage. In the blink of an eye, the carriage was off.

Wu Youcai looked down and saw that it was a land deed.

It was for a property he had personally handled these past few days—located on North Main Street, just a couple of streets away from the Shen family’s old residence, almost right next to it. It was also the closest among all the properties selected for the young lady, and it was quite expensive.

He never expected that the young lady—like a daughter to him—had prepared it for him.

Holding the deed, Wu Youcai's heart trembled. For a long time, he clutched it tightly, his eyes welling up in an instant.

Later, when he went inside, his wife Hao Shi, barely containing her bitterness, said in a sarcastic tone, "Well, I thought we came to the capital to enjoy ourselves. But now, one group shows up today, another tomorrow. This place is more like a shelter—and it's a shelter for the Shens. We’re the Wus. When you think about it, we’re practically outsiders now."

Hao Shi’s tone was sharp and insinuating, seething with envy and resentment over Shen Anning’s arrangements for Shen Mu and his mother.

Wu Youcai, who was usually so easy-going, flew into a rage at her words. He glared fiercely at Hao Shi and said, "If you keep yelling, if you keep talking nonsense, we’ll return to Lingshui Village tomorrow."

He glared at her, his eyes bulging menacingly.

He seldom lost his temper, but when he did, it was intimidating.

Hao Shi was momentarily cowed, stunned for a second. As she was about to flare up in frustration, Wu Youcai thrust the land deed into her arms and said, "The young lady has done more than enough for us. If you badmouth her behind her back again, I will definitely return to Lingshui Village."

With that, he stormed out.

When Hao Shi saw the land deed in her arms, her eyes widened in astonishment. She rushed out after him, overjoyed, eagerly asking him about the deed’s origin.

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Author's Note: Everyone: I made a slight adjustment earlier regarding Prince Ning—it’s now changed to the female lead taking the initiative to seek him out and propose a business collaboration. I’ll update it properly later.

As for chapters 30 to 47, I’ve revised a new version. There are pros and cons: the female lead’s character is better—more clear-headed, resolute, and strong—but some intimate scenes have been cut, reducing the tension a bit. In the process of revision, there were trade-offs, and I’m still unsure whether to replace the chapters. For now, I’ll continue with the original direction and take some time to think it over.

I apologize for the interrupted reading experience due to my days off. I’ll send out red packets later—just leave a comment to receive one. Mwah!

Thank you all so much for your support. I’ll keep working hard!