Chapter 13: An Uncut Gem

As Pei Xueyan stood lost in thought, the manager of Tongda Hall hurried over after hearing the commotion, his wrinkled face stretched into a smile. “Young Madam, have those people outside disturbed you as you were going over the accounts?”

Pei Xueyan’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. “Go ask the guests why they’re upset. Remember to be polite.”

“Yes, yes…” The manager quickly scampered out, wearing a fawning smile as he inquired about the situation. Once he learned the reason for the guests’ displeasure, he thoughtfully arranged for a physician to attend them, then rushed back to the inner hall.

“Please don’t be angry, Young Madam,” he explained with a sheepish grin. “There were quite a few patients seeking consultations today; the guests grew impatient and complained. I’ve taken care of it.”

“Taken care of it?” Pei Xueyan glanced at him, her expression unhappy. “What’s the guest’s name?”

“Ah…” The manager’s face stiffened. Since when did his job include remembering guests’ names? He replied awkwardly, “Please forgive me, Young Madam—I was so busy handling things that I forgot to ask the guest’s name.”

“What’s the relationship among those three people?”

“…”

“You claim it’s resolved, but you know nothing?” Pei Xueyan snorted coldly, her brows still knitted. “Was the guest here to pick up medicine or for a consultation?”

“For a consultation!” The manager wiped sweat from his forehead. “He brought a young girl with a leg problem. They came to Tongda Hall seeking a doctor to treat her.”

“Alright, go on.” Pei Xueyan waved him off, then glanced down at her attire before stepping out of the inner hall.

‘He knows nothing yet says it’s handled. If the guest is dissatisfied, won’t it hurt the Song family’s business?’

In the front hall…

Yu Hong sat in a chair while an elderly physician with white hair and beard examined her pulse and checked her legs.

Liu Shen glanced sideways and happened to notice a familiar woman coming out of the inner hall. He had seen her before—the Young Madam of the Song family. Why was she here?

Lost in confusion, Liu Shen watched as Pei Xueyan approached, her smile blooming like a flower, and apologized, “I meant no disrespect earlier. I hope you won’t mind, honored guest.”

The old physician, seeing her arrive, stood and respectfully greeted, “A pleasure to see you, Young Madam.”

—

Liu Shen recovered from his surprise and returned the greeting. “Young Madam, you are too courteous. The manager already explained the situation. If I was rude, I beg your forgiveness.”

“You jest, honored guest.” Pei Xueyan waved her hand for the physician to continue, then looked at Liu Shen and feigned hesitation. “You seem familiar. Have we met before?”

“You have a good memory, Young Madam.” Liu Shen smiled. “A few days ago, I happened to meet you when I was helping carry the statue at the Song household.”

“Oh~~” Pei Xueyan nodded as if suddenly recalling, smiling, “That is indeed fate.”

Liu Shen merely smiled, saying nothing further. He couldn’t tell if she was truly warm or merely polite; if he agreed too eagerly, it might seem presumptuous.

Pei Xueyan seemed to sense this and said, “You weren’t offended by Tongda Hall’s oversight, and now we meet again. If you don’t mind, why not come to the inner hall for some tea?”

“This…” Liu Shen’s heart stirred. He had been wondering how to inquire about the Song family’s statue. Wasn’t this a perfect opportunity?

After all, who besides Master Song would know more about the Song family than the Young Madam herself?

Seeing his hesitation, Pei Xueyan assumed he was worried about the young girl’s consultation. “Rest assured, honored guest—Doctor Zhang is Tongda Hall’s stalwart. He’ll let you know if there’s anything that needs your attention.”

Liu Shen already felt cordial toward her, so he gratefully accepted, “Since Young Madam invites me, it would be rude to refuse.”

“Ha ha ha~ you’re too polite…” Pei Xueyan smiled and gestured for him to follow, heading toward the inner hall.

Liu Shen instructed Yuan Xiaofei to stay with Yu Hong, promising to return soon, then followed Pei Xueyan.

Within the manager’s accounting room…

Pei Xueyan poured him a cup of tea. “Your surname is Liu?”

“Yes, Liu—given name Shen.”

“I am Pei Xueyan.”

“You have a fine name, Young Madam.”

“Oh?” Pei Xueyan raised a brow, smiling. “What makes you say so?”

“‘In which year did the monk wrap the void? Snow geese and misty ducks never yield to cages.’” Liu Shen explained, “Snow geese soar through the skies and swim in rivers and lakes, free from worldly constraints. Isn’t that a good name?”

“Free from worldly constraints…” Pei Xueyan murmured, lost for a moment, then smiled, “I never knew my name had such meaning. I am enlightened, truly enlightened.”

She paused, curiosity coloring her tone. “Listening to your words, you don’t seem like an ordinary laborer. Why, then, do you work as a porter at the docks?”

“There’s nothing wrong with the docks.” Liu Shen’s expression was calm. “Four years ago, there was a great flood—you must have heard of it, Young Madam. I fled to Anqing Prefecture, ragged and starving. If not for earning a meal from the Canal Guild at the docks, I likely would have died in the street.”

Pei Xueyan’s face stiffened at his words. She now understood why this young man, skilled in arithmetic and versed in poetry, worked as a dock porter.

She realized her question might have touched a sore spot, so she pressed her lips together and said apologetically, “I truly am sorry.”

“Young Madam, you needn’t be.” Liu Shen smiled easily. “Neither birth nor disaster are within our control. To survive to this day is already a blessing.”

“Yes, it’s already a blessing!” Pei Xueyan sighed inwardly. Not wishing to linger in sorrow, she changed the subject. “Are the two children outside your siblings?”

“Sort of.”

“Sort of?”

“We only met today…” Liu Shen smiled wryly, then recounted how, after carrying the statue, Wei Dafu’s health failed and he entrusted his money pouch to Liu Shen before passing away. He also described meeting Yuan Xiaofei and Yu Hong on his way to deliver the pouch. He explained everything, including the siblings’ backgrounds, except for the “Mad Blade Manual.”

Pei Xueyan sighed gently. She wanted to say something, but the words caught in her throat.

Should she condemn Constable Xu for lying about the statue’s weight, causing deaths? Or criticize him for pocketing a hundred taels of silver and only giving the laborers a few coins? The matter was in the past; the money was long gone. What use was there in speaking now?

She could only say, “Yuan Xiaofei and Yu Hong are truly pitiful children.”

“Yes…” Liu Shen agreed. “I thought to myself: if I hadn’t let go of my burdens and worked at the docks, I might not have died of hunger, but I could have become another Yuan Xiaofei.”

Pei Xueyan’s gaze softened as she asked, “So you decided not to report them, and to help the siblings instead?”

“More or less…” Liu Shen nodded, a little embarrassed. “Since they sincerely called me Brother Shen, it’s only right that I help them as best I can.”

“Hehehe, very good, very good, very good~” Pei Xueyan laughed behind her hand, repeating herself three times.

Through this brief conversation, she had already labeled Liu Shen in her mind: handsome features, strong build, skilled in arithmetic, versed in poetry, pleasant manners, trustworthy, not greedy, loyal, compassionate, and many more.

‘A rough gem…’