Chapter 78: The Deal

"A young girl—quite pretty, surname Shen, probably Shen family. Fierce—ignored my charm completely." Yushu scratched his head.
The tea room fell into strange silence. After a moment Gao Yang smiled at Xie Jingxing. "I think I know who. That Shen girl—formidable." The smile was warm; the tone held an edge.
"Actually that's what puzzles me," Yushu shivered and scratched. "When she came I looked close—didn't seem her first Baixiaosheng deal. I asked Hongling—we've never seen her. Our trade is secret; aside from a few great houses in Dingjing, who knows? How did she?"
"This girl was never simple," Gao Yang mused. "I thought Dingjing's Shens were mindless fat meat waiting to be swallowed—now the water runs deeper than I thought." He glanced at Xie Jingxing, who sat thinking head bowed. "Your view?"
Xie Jingxing looked up at Yushu. "Her terms—you accept?"
"Something this big—I had to consult you." Yushu stuffed his mouth with pastry. "But I'd guess—the Shen house is large, troops strong. If that Shen girl means it, Third Brother Xie's plans get easier later. She doesn't know Fengxian is privately Third Brother's property."
Snipe and clam fight; fisherman profits. The Shen girl likely did not know her promise would ultimately benefit Xie Jingxing. No wonder—even Hongling, manager for years, did not know the inner tie.
"Still…" Gao Yang pondered. "The gamble is too large. Manufactured news could draw throne notice—we must be careful now. One mistake and loss outweighs gain. One more Shen house or one fewer—original plan never counted Shen strength. No need to fixate."
"You have a point." Yushu nodded, looked at Xie Jingxing. "But in the end Third Brother decides."
"Accept her terms."
The words left Xie Jingxing's mouth; Gao Yang frowned. "Why so rash?"
"Shen house is already a variable—may matter later. Useful against certain people—worth a fight. The news she wants to make targets Prince Yu's mansion." Xie Jingxing raised a brow. "Convenient—we need not move ourselves. Saves trouble."
At that the others remembered. Yushu clapped. "Right—I forgot. She wants rumor of Prince Yu rebelling—aimed at his mansion. Bad blood between Shen and Prince Yu?"
Yushu had just returned to Dingjing and ignored gossip among official daughters—he did not know, and found it odd.
Gao Yang understood. He knew Shen Miao's grudge against Prince Yu and looked sidelong. Ordinary girls would fear Prince Yu's power—Shen Miao not only unafraid but counterattacking. Clever: Prince Yu had the throne behind him—so split throne from prince first. If the throne suspected Prince Yu, that life talisman lost force.
But even so—what else could she do?
"Take the business," Xie Jingxing said. "Notify Jiangnan Chen as soon as possible."
"Done—Hongling already sent word to Yuzhou. Chen case dragged three years—I don't know if the Shen girl's news is true. Chen tried everything then—how would a girl know now? If false, Chen won't spare her." Yushu spoke through pastry, muffled.
"If she came to sell, it's true." Xie Jingxing frowned. "Still something doesn't fit."
"Are you a rice bucket?" Gao Yang watched Yushu wolf food and shook his head. "Shopkeeper of Fengxian—never eaten your fill?"
"Tch." Yushu wagged a finger. "Pastry elsewhere can't match Third Brother's cook. Last time I brought Shao from Yicui Tower some—she smiled at me. See?" He lifted a cake before Gao Yang. "Some things are different."
Gao Yang could not be bothered—but Yushu's face suddenly tightened. He pulled a note from his robe. "Speaking of—the Shen girl still gave me a thousand taels. To buy one piece of news."
"What news?" Xie Jingxing and Gao Yang looked at him together.
"Find a girl called Liuying—brothel girl somewhere in Dingjing. Must find her." He asked curiously: "Why does she want a courtesan? Same taste as me for beauty?"
Gao Yang and Xie Jingxing exchanged a look—Gao Yang puzzled, Xie Jingxing only shook his head slightly.
……
When Hongling escorted her out, Mo Qing and the others breathed only after seeing her safe. She had been inside too long—another moment and they would have stormed in. Shen Qiu had warned endlessly before leaving: Shen Miao had made enemies; road must be safe—lose her and Shen Qiu would flay them.
Hongling smiled politely. "Miss Shen—return in ten days."
"Thank you, Manager Hong." Shen Miao answered softly.
The gray-clad clerk at the door—first time seeing Hongling so respectful—stared several extra looks at Shen Miao.
After Shen Miao's party boarded the carriage and left, the clerk asked Hongling: "Manager—what background is that lady?"
"Mind your work." Hongling tapped his head lightly, then added: "Next time you see Miss Shen—sweet tongue. She's no simple person."
The clerk hurried yes. Hongling watched the carriage fade and sighed. Dingjing truly bred talent—even a young girl could plot great matters without a ripple, no less than her own master.
In the carriage Shen Miao sank in thought; Jingzhe and Guyu did not speak lest they disturb her. They did not know what business she had done today—pawnshop, yet what was pawned? What Shen Miao did not say, they would not ask.
Passing one place, Guyu smiled. "Ahead is Guangfu Bakery—long since we went out. Shall I buy some Guangfu cakes?"
Guangfu's cakes were always fought over; the crowd was not worst yet—fine to buy. Shen Miao did not care for them; Luo Xueyan and Shen Qiu did. She nodded. "Go."
Guyu jumped down and went to Guangfu first.
Mo Qing and the others ringed the carriage—tall guards, conspicuous; passersby looked twice. Shen Miao lifted the curtain for air—and one person caught her eye.
He had also just left Guangfu, a bundle of cakes in hand. Their eyes met in midair; both paused.
Pei Lang.
Shen Miao had not attended Guangwen Hall in long while—no wish for "talented lady" fame or examination glory. Busy with her affairs, she had almost forgotten him. Looking at Pei Lang, she suddenly smiled and nodded to him from the carriage.
Pei Lang was stunned. Shen Miao was his student. Ming Qi valued respect for teachers deeply—Xie Jingxing's sort excepted; students were polite to masters. Yet that nod gave Pei Lang the illusion he should look up to her—that she stood higher.
Before he could react, the curtain fell. Mo Qing and the others noticed his stare and watched him warily.
Pei Lang stood rooted. Such rudeness—from a proud man like him should have angered. Yet besides a touch of wry amusement, no other feeling came. Perhaps Shen Miao's force these days made him feel that if she bowed like other students, he would find it stranger.
He shook his head and walked on.
When the stare outside left, Shen Miao lowered her eyes to her sleeve. Her feelings toward Pei Lang were complex—she hated his indifference when Fu Xiuyi harmed Wanyu and Fu Ming, yet knew he only played the loyal subject he believed himself to be. Past-life debts were settled; if this life still needed Pei Lang, she should not dwell—only discomfort remained.
Guyu returned with cakes.
Back at the Shen house, daylight still held. Shen Qiu lived in the west yard; Shen Miao meant to bring him cakes. Entering the hall she met Ren Wanyun supporting Shen Qing out. Ren Wanyun's look at Shen Miao held knives; Shen Qing's was pure venom. Even Guyu and Jingzhe shivered and shielded Shen Miao.
"Fifth Girl hasn't visited Old Madam these days," Ren Wanyun changed tack. "Planning to be unfilial?"
Shen Miao glanced at her. Ren Wanyun was a mad dog now—bite anyone—fearing Shen Xin and Luo Xueyan, unwilling to let Shen Qing's loss go unanswered, only petty strikes left.
Shen Miao was not easily frightened; reputation she did not fear. She smiled at Shen Qing. "Second Aunt still has energy for my affairs—careful Eldest Sister's heart breaks. The Empress's granted marriage comes fast—entry to the prince's mansion next month. Second Aunt should teach Eldest Sister manners. Not an ordinary house—a prince's mansion."
She left without looking back, Jingzhe and Guyu following.
Ren Wanyun shook with rage. The angrier she grew, the muddier her mind—even Shen Gui's favor for Concubine Wan she had no energy to fight. Wan's daughter Shen Dongling, once delicate and reclusive, now cooked for Shen Gui; beside Shen Qing's fall she looked obedient. Wan and daughter had Shen Gui wrapped; Ren Wanyun and Shen Qing worsened day by day.
All because of Shen Miao. Otherwise Wan, once beaten down by Ren Wanyun's hand, would never have grown so bold.
"Mother," Shen Qing tugged her hand. These days she had eaten cold looks; her old arrogance had shrunk—but venom in her eyes undiminished. She ground her teeth. "Endure. Once I'm in the prince's mansion—even at cost of my life—I'll make Prince Yu move against Shen Miao. I won't let her live well."
With Shen Qing pregnant, the Empress had set marriage next month lest delay make scandal. So short a time, imperial decree—Ren Wanyun had no move but watch Shen Qing jump into fire.
"Qing'er, don't fear," Ren Wanyun said. "Your brother returns soon. Yuan is cleverest—when he's back he'll ruin that wretch. Shen Yuan would come for your wedding." Ren Wanyun's eyes flickered. She stood alone now—if not for Shen Yuanbai currying Old Madam's favor, the old woman would not help her either.
Shen Miao reached the west garden and found Shen Qiu waiting in the yard. Seeing her return, he exhaled and looked her over. "So long—I thought something happened."
"Under heaven's eye, broad daylight—whoever moves is a fool." Shen Miao handed him the cakes. "Bought on the way back—for you."
Shen Qiu paused, touched, and took them. This return—her warmth toward him was a surprise he had not expected.
"Where are Father and Mother?" Shen Miao asked.
"Just back—entertaining colleagues." Shen Qiu looked around. "You were out today—past days Father clashed with Second and Third Uncles. Old Madam scolded Father hard."
"Father clashed with Second and Third Uncles?"
Shen Qiu watched her face, then said: "You know—after the ancestral hall, Mother and Father were cold to them. Naturally paid little heed. Old Madam got anxious and scolded Father." Unfairness showed on Shen Qiu's face. "Her heart tilts too far. What did Father do wrong? Second and Third branches didn't care for you in the house—I was angry, let alone Father."
He said "Old Madam" not "Grandmother"—clear displeasure toward her.
He glanced at Shen Miao again. She had been raised by Old Madam; each return she had been respectful. He had spoken rashly—unsure she would dislike it.
"Near and far differ—blood not shared," Shen Miao said flatly. "Naturally she favors them."
"Ha." Shen Qiu seemed glad to find an ally. "Right—Father respects her for Grandfather's sake. Enough for years—and she calls him unfilial…"
"Not only Second and Third branches," Shen Miao said. "Likely also that Father didn't hand over the Emperor's reward silver." Old Madam loved money like life. Shen Xin, furious, kept the reward; Shen Miao did not offer to send silver to the old woman. Time passed; Old Madam could not sit still and picked a fight.
"Truly…" Shen Qiu seemed about to say more, swallowed it in front of his sister. "So what? Father's things—give to whom he likes!"
"Right. Let her scold. Keep face civil, ignore her—she can't stir much. Only Father's nature is too straight; on the surface yield when you must. When the time comes, there will be breath to take."
Shen Qiu found her words strange yet sensed something beneath. He laughed. "A year away—and Sister's grown fierce."
Shen Miao neither agreed nor denied. Shen Qiu opened the paper, picked the largest cake, threw it in his mouth, chewed. "Dingjing cakes are good. Northwest desert—nothing this fine."
Shen Miao watched him eat quietly. After a moment she asked softly: "Brother—what do you think of loyalty and righteousness?"
"Loyalty and righteousness?" Shen Qiu did not look up. "Loyal to throne, serve the realm—iron blood against foreign enemies, fame under heaven, pillar of the state." Then: "Why ask, Sister?"
"Nothing." Shen Miao shook her head lightly. "Eat." Deep in her eyes, shadow flickered.
……
First snow, then clear—Dingjing snowed all night. Morning sun lit icicles under eaves bright as jewels. On the streets children scooped snow, packed balls, threw and laughed. Near year's end Dingjing grew livelier—as if a year's labor ripened into fruit at the tail.
Outside Fengxian's eaves hung a row of red lanterns—not ordinary. Unknown material mixed with golden thread; even by day they glittered. Glass beads hung beneath, flashing with the ice—only great wealth made such display. Guards stood watch or thieves would have taken the lanterns alone.
The gray-clad clerk greeted customers smiling. Fengxian rarely saw business; clerks usually lazy—today unusually alert, as if certain guests would come.
Behind Fengxian's long corridor, in another world—Linjiang Immortal ground floor, tea room—the woman in red entered smiling with pastries. "Cook's work—please taste." She withdrew with swaying grace.
Three men sat in the tea room. One in lake-green, smile warm and easy. Opposite, two brothers near thirty, seven or eight parts alike—bold brows, large eyes, swords at waist, jianghu air about them.
The elder brother said: "Shopkeeper Ji—the buyer isn't fooling us? Why so late?"
Yushu smiled. "Brother Chen, patience. We agreed today for the meeting—not the hour. Still today—not too late. Indulge us."
In his heart he cursed them—who came at dawn for business while he was still half asleep? But for Jiangnan Chen's sake he held back; else he would have had them thrown out.
"Truth told," the elder Chen Yueshan said, "when we heard, the journey should have taken half a month—we rode without stop, killed several horses on the road—all for word of our sisters. Shopkeeper Ji knows—three years seeking them, all our effort, not a thread. Now a lead—naturally we're urgent. Don't laugh."
The elder could talk—saw Yushu's displeasure at their early arrival, half explanation half apology.
Yushu's mood eased; his smile grew honest. "These years I've watched for you too. Now there's a thread—I am relieved."
"Waiting here is nothing," the younger Chen Yuehai said, more youthful fire. "If the news is true, half a month more is nothing. If false… toy with Jiangnan Chen and don't blame us for rudeness."
Yushu's eased heart tightened again. Chen brothers could bluster elsewhere—in his territory it offended him deeply. Smile unchanged, voice cooled: "Fengxian only trades news—deal closes, silver changes hands; no deal, we part. Chen brothers may do as you like—but Fengxian is a clean shop. We don't want trouble."
Chen Yueshan paused and glared at his brother. He knew this seemingly harmless youth's methods were not as simple as he looked.
Chen Yuehai saw his brother's face, knew he had misspoken, fell silent. Atmosphere stilled.
After another stretch, footsteps—Hongling lifted the bead curtain smiling. "Shopkeeper—guest has come."
The Chen brothers looked instinctively toward the door. From behind Hongling stepped a girl in purple—clear-browed, cute, perhaps thirteen or fourteen—yet calm as still water in her features, as if older by years. Confusing.
She lifted the curtain, sat in the empty chair, nodded to Yushu. "Shopkeeper Ji."
"This… lady," Chen Yueshan said with difficulty, "—you are the seller?"
Hongling smiled and withdrew. Tea room held only the Chen brothers, Shen Miao, and Yushu.
"Yes," Shen Miao said.
Chen Yuehai's face changed; he laughed coldly. "Girl—how old were you three years ago? Playing us for fools."
"Channels for news are many. I need not have seen with my own eyes; I need not have known three years ago. Business cares for result. And Jiangnan Chen—hardly worth the jest."
"Pft—" Yushu laughed despite himself; seeing Chen Yuehai's ugly face he straightened at once. "Miss Shen is right—business cares for result. Process matters less."
"Is that so?" Chen Yuehai looked at Shen Miao, neither warm nor cold. "Then how does Miss Shen guarantee truth? Result matters—if true, we pay gold gladly. If not… know the consequences?" At the last his tone turned sinister.
Men of the rivers often carried fierceness—that burst of killing air could frighten ordinary folk—a girl easily enough.
In the silence Shen Miao stared at him without blinking, not a ripple in her face—so calm that Chen Yuehai looked like the unreasonable one.
Yushu wanted to laugh, could not, held it in. At last silent Chen Yueshan spoke: "Miss Shen—my brother is rash. I apologize for him. We come sincerely to buy. If your news is true, we pay ten thousand gold in thanks."
"Ten thousand need not," Shen Miao said. "Pay what you think fit. Jiangnan Chen's reach is wide—I only seek goodwill. If someday I fall in need, for this news's sake, I hope you two will lend aid."
Facing men older and more traveled, she did not lose ground—clear, orderly, with jianghu boldness. Chen Yueshan regarded her higher and bowed agreement. Yushu cursed her inwardly as a sharp merchant—the silver from this sale went to Fengxian; she volunteered less payment—cutting his shop's profit.
"Say the news," Chen Yuehai urged, still impatient.
Shen Miao looked at him. "The Chen sisters' disappearance in Yuzhou, Jiangnan—they were taken. The hand behind taking both sisters was the Emperor's own brother—Prince Yu."
Silence in the tea room. In the secret chamber adjoining, two men stiffened. The man in white even cried out: "Prince Yu?"
The youth in purple turned the jade cup in his hand, lips curving slowly, and spoke word by word: "Interesting."