Chapter 30: Visiting Her Parental Home

Cui Yan's nose turned red from crying and could only hope for the best.

After serving the young lady her medicine, Cui Yan, under Su An'an's strong insistence, returned to rest.

There were still two other maids in the yard who could be ordered around, and after all, she did hold the title of Young Madam.

The lunch was still plain, but she didn't complain, as she wasn't feeling particularly hungry; after eating, she gazed out the window at the willow branches, lost in thought.

It's said that this was once Shen Juncheng's courtyard, yet the yard was simple, with only an old willow tree, and the rooms were even more sparse, wide yet revealing one word: poor.

Yet despite such poverty, his cousin dressed luxuriously.

Yun Shuibei's garments, the fine bracelet on her wrist, the jade hairpin in her hair, and the pendants at her waist all spoke of a privileged life.

This was interesting; the Shen Manor cried poverty, yet this distant cousin appeared quite wealthy.

Shen Juncheng, it seemed, might be more complex than she imagined.

Su An'an propped her chin in thought, pondering Shen Juncheng's mysterious death in a previous life. Could such a scheming person really have just died of illness?

Or was there something more to the story?

She couldn't guess, nor did she care to; currently, she had no time to be concerned with others; she had to plan for herself.

The day swiftly passed, and night fell once again.

Chao Sheng, dressed in black, returned silently; a small lamp still burned in the Qingjing Pavilion study, casting the shadows of master and servant.

"Young Master, it's been discovered," Chao Sheng reported in a low, respectful voice. "Minzhong has acquired a large batch of illegal salt, bribed informants, planning to mix it with the fabrics we ship to the northern borders this time."

This journey would pass through Quanzhou, where the water inspector is Caiying's person. Every inspection has been particularly strict, and this time, they would surely be prepared specifically to catch them.

Should they be caught, it would be a capital offense, implicating those responsible for the trip and the entire trade association.

Especially now that the old Emperor is cracking down hard on illegal salt; if any illicit salt is found, it would be a blatant violation.

Shen Juncheng: "Is the information reliable?"

Chao Sheng replied: "The message came directly from Xiaoliu, it should be reliable."

Xiaoliu is a spy Bo Yan placed within Minzhong.

Shen Juncheng's gaze turned dark, his fingertips tapping the table lightly, "Does Caiying also have something scheduled for transport soon?"

Chao Sheng thought for a moment, "Yes, every year on April 4th, Caiying ships a batch of pottery to the West Gate."

Shen Juncheng's lips curled, "Then we will also change our schedule to that day."

Chao Sheng instantly understood the master's intention.

Shen Juncheng instructed again: "Remember not to alert them, let them successfully bribe their way through."

"Yes, Master."

With a wave of Shen Juncheng's hand, Chao Sheng withdrew; the night air was slightly cool, the moonlight gently spilled in, highlighting the white-clad figure by the window, increasingly isolated from the world.

Two more days passed, and it was the day for Su An'an to return home.

Yesterday, Shen Juncheng had sent someone over, using his ill health as an excuse, claiming it was unwise to travel and was unable to accompany her home, sending Yue Luo and a driver instead, making quite a meager entourage.

Su An'an naturally understood; she would have been surprised if he had really accompanied her back.

So she didn't mind at all, her attitude was calm. Early that morning, after tidying herself up, she boarded the carriage back to the mansion.

After a day of rest, her complexion had improved considerably. Upon arriving at the Su Mansion, Su An'an waited in the front hall for her father.

Suddenly, a melodious laugh reached her ears, and Su An'an turned to look, instantly her body stiffened.

Walking toward her were her father and Su Nian, her half-sister.

Su Nian wore a water-pink peach blossom dress, the plum blossom glaze hairpin in her hair swayed, her face was charming, eyebrows graceful, she followed by her father's side with a radiant smile.

During which, she affectionately called out to her father, gentle and obedient, just as she had been in the past.