Chapter 8: Then You Mustn't Hold Back

Mrs. Xue Shen's smile paused, and her attitude turned cold.

"Are you teaching me how to do things? She's sharp-tongued, what's wrong with letting her suffer a bit? Shen Qu, do you really consider yourself her real brother?"

Shen Qu did not speak, but the servant behind him bowed slightly and reiterated the outside rumors.

Mrs. Xue Shen was furious.

Shen Qu restrained his emotions slightly: "This matter has already caused trouble, though it's a family issue, it's inevitable that people in business will mock us."

Mrs. Xue Shen frowned. She had long held a grudge against Shen Hua.

It was just a lack of charcoal, yet Shen Hua used this to her advantage. It was her lack of strict management that gave Shen Hua an opportunity to exploit. How could she save face?

"Then she should be punished harshly! Let her bleed and feel the pain, then she'll behave."

Shen Qu looked at Mrs. Xue Shen's unpleasant expression without showing any emotion.

Shen Wei is not fond of women, leaving only Mrs. Xue Shen and Aunt Liu as concubines. Over the years, there's a reason why Mrs. Xue Shen hasn't won Shen Wei's favor.

Simply foolish.

"No."

He softly advised.

"How many pairs of eyes are watching our Shen Family now? We can't afford to mistreat her."

Mrs. Xue Shen was indifferent, thinking Shen Qu was overly cautious: "Keep her confined in the inner courtyard and deal with her as you wish. Even if her skin is peeled off, how would anyone outside know?"

"She's a sickly person, even if she's gone, so what?"

Shen Qu's patience was gradually wearing thin.

"Mama might not know, but Second Uncle and I find her very useful."

In business, how can one not deal with alcohol and women?

Shen Wei is pedantic, but I am not.

Hearing Shen Qu mention Shen He Wen, Mrs. Xue Shen hesitated and fell silent. Her chest heaved slightly in anger, indicating her discomfort, and she couldn't be bothered to pretend to be loving to this adopted son.

Seeing this, Shen Qu was satisfied.

He didn't want Mrs. Xue Shen to ruin things.

But similarly, Shen Hua could enjoy her privileges, but she couldn't be overly unruly in his presence.

A glint appeared in his eyes, but he leisurely picked up the Cloud Mist Cake and tasted it carefully.

Meanwhile,

Yicui also led the matchmaker into the residence.

"Walk faster, don't keep the lady waiting."

"These servants are just arrogant, underestimating their superiors, only offending people; you're smart, you should know how to handle them."

Upon hearing this, the matchmaker broke into a smile.

Doing this line of work openly was a legitimate business. She mingled among the big families in Fengzhou.

With Yicui's hints, she immediately agreed, not forgetting to flatter her in return.

"These servants are tough-skinned, they need harsh training. I have a batch of honest, obedient servants with clean backgrounds, they won't offend the lady. If you trust me, I can bring them over anytime."

The matchmaker's eyes rolled around secretly. She started to sow discord.

"This is my first time doing business with the Shen Residence, but I'm known for my integrity. It's just that the one who usually trades closely with the Shen Residence is that Cheng Yapo, she's not a good person."

"When she was young, she stole my man. Now that she's quite old, she still doesn't know how to behave and wears bright clothes all day. Her face is layered with powder, as if she's still unmarried."

Yicui laughed: "You're not doing business with the Shen Residence, it's with our lady."

The matchmaker was stunned for a moment, but quickly laughed.

No matter how powerful the Shen Family is, they're just merchants. She has private connections with the old woman who serves the Prefect's wife. All the Prefect's business transactions are handled by her, so she's not afraid to offend the Shen Family.

And she could still disgust that dog Mrs. Cheng!

"You've found the right person. Don't worry, I'll handle everything smoothly."

The guard shuddered and hurriedly reported to Housekeeper Wu as he watched them leave.

"What, did you say the lady wants to sell them off?" Housekeeper Wu was taken aback. He sensed trouble.

This was a blatant move, openly removing Mrs. Xue Shen's spies?

"The lady's temper is really intense, acting recklessly. She just seeks her own satisfaction, regardless of consequences."

His wrinkled face hesitated for a moment before he quickly left. He happened to run into Old Lady Xu, who was coming to report proudly.

Those servants were sent by Mrs. Xue Shen, though they were in Shen Hua's courtyard, they were not Shen Hua's servants.

Did Shen Hua make the decision without considering Mrs. Xue Shen?

————

The snow not only didn't lessen, but seemed to fall harder, as if covering the entire Fengzhou.

Shen Hua's throat itched severely, dry and parched.

She coughed softly, her face growing even paler. Yicui brought a cup of hot tea and gently patted Shen Hua's back, but it didn't relieve her much.

Shen Hua leaned her head on Yicui to calm her breathing.

Yicui spoke softly: "I've followed your instructions and found a matchmaker living near the East Alley Clothing Shop. She's waiting outside. I deliberately left a message in front of the guards."

Those with intent would definitely pass the message to Shen Qu's ears.

Shen Hua nodded: "In this entire residence, aside from you, I can't trust anyone else. But the courtyard is large, if I don't take this opportunity to prepare, Ningyun Courtyard might send more people over."

She endured the discomfort and let Yicui support her out.

"Greetings to the lady." The matchmaker hurriedly went forward to bow, subtly observing.

Everyone in Fengzhou knew the Shen family lady was sickly. Before her, she seemed breathlessly fragile.

Looking at the disrespectful servants beside her, they clearly looked down on Shen Hua. They almost had the words 'contempt' written on their faces.

It seemed the rumors outside were true.

The matchmaker belittled inwardly but dared not linger her gaze.

The servants jostled each other, eventually pushing one person forward.

"Our contracts are with the Madam. Old Lady Xu has gone to get them. The lady is pulling such a stunt to scare us all. You may be the master, but you must follow the rules."

Shen Hua gave a faint smile, not taking them seriously.

Her real fear was Mrs. Xue Shen not coming.

Mrs. Xue Shen may be foolish, but Shen Qu valued his reputation the most.

Yicui brought over a chair for Shen Hua to sit: "The contracts will be handed to you shortly afterwards. Remember to send over some decent servants later. The price is negotiable, and the lady will reward you well once satisfied."

As she spoke, she took out one ingot of gold and presented it to the matchmaker.

The weight made the matchmaker's eyes light up.

"Yes, yes, I'll bring some people for the lady to personally select later."

The matchmaker tucked away the gold, raised her voice, and yelled at those people: "Tsk, what insolent servants, I said Mrs. Cheng didn't discipline them, yet you dared present them to dignitaries."

She was quite pleased. Once she left the Shen Residence today, she would spread the word. Let's see how many families in big houses dared trade with Cheng Yapo.

She would seize any opportunity to suppress that old hag Mrs. Cheng!

"Lady, you have a merciful heart, reluctant to punish, so your subordinates dare to be so bold."

The matchmaker: "With this lot, a few lashes on them and they'll bleed, feel pain, and within days, they'll be obedient."

She spoke more when she could.

Shen Hua met her gaze.

Softly replied: "Then don't hold back."