Chapter 22: To Be Frank

Liu Shen deliberately kept her in suspense, not rushing to reveal what he needed her help with, instead chatting idly about the recent progress in the account investigation.

Pei Xueyan, aware of his role as “advisor,” spoke frankly, “Just as you guessed, this morning I personally escorted those three managers who falsified accounts for personal gain to the authorities. The evidence was irrefutable, and the officials sentenced them according to the laws of Great Qian. They won’t be out for at least ten years.”

“Before that, I used the conversational skills you taught me to consult the old master.”

“I was quite anxious at first, but the old master was very satisfied with my approach. When he heard I intended to use certain methods to intimidate people, he even offered me manpower and helped devise plans.”

“You were right…” Pei Xueyan said, somewhat disappointed, “The old master truly isn’t a gentle soul; his schemes are venomous and his methods ruthless, all unlike the kind old master I’ve known for over a year.”

Her disappointment wasn’t in Song Laoye’s duplicity…

Rather, she was unsettled by the fact that, as a daughter-in-law, she hadn’t seen through the old master with whom she’d lived for over a year, yet this man before her, who’d never met him, could deduce the old master’s intentions from a few words.

Pei Xueyan considered herself no fool, but before this man, her arithmetic was lacking, and her ability to handle affairs seemed insufficient as well…

She could accept the gap in arithmetic, but must she also concede in matters of conduct and dealing with people… Was it truly as he said, beyond her scope?

“Madam, why be so troubled?” Liu Shen, naturally able to read the disappointment in her expression, smiled comfortingly. “I’ve said before, those involved are easily confused, but onlookers see clearly. Madam is wise and capable, but as one involved, you simply couldn’t see the truth. Were you an outsider, you’d discern it better than anyone.”

“No need for comfort,” Pei Xueyan said, a little sour, pouting, “You say you were born knowing arithmetic, and I believe it; but you’re clearly younger than me—how is it that you’re so adept at dealing with people?”

She sized him up and asked solemnly, “Are you really that clever?”

“Hahaha!” Liu Shen was amused by her unexpected cuteness and replied mischievously, “Smart people only befriend other smart people, and here I am, befriending Madam. And here I am, seeking your help, am I not?”

“That’s right! That’s right!” Pei Xueyan raised her chin proudly, waved her delicate hand with a flourish, and declared, “We’re friends, it’s only right we support and help each other. Besides, you’ve done me a great favor—if you have something to ask, just say so.”

“There is indeed something,” Liu Shen said, seeing the dishes had arrived, expertly tearing half a red-skinned duck as he ate and asked, “Do you remember where we first met?”

“Of course I do.” Pei Xueyan nodded, teasing, “Back then, in the Song family ancestral hall lifting the statue of the Buddha, among the nine men, you were the one who looked most pleasing to the eye.”

“Thank you for your appreciation,” Liu Shen glared at her, somewhat annoyed. “Didn’t you say the Buddha statue at the Song family was carried in by a martial artist of the third realm?”

“Yes.” Pei Xueyan nodded, puzzled. “That’s what the old master said. What about it?”

“Nothing, just curious.” Liu Shen shook his head, his gaze thoughtful. “That Buddha statue seemed to have received incense in the Song family hall for many years. What made the old master suddenly decide to smash it?”

“Because it was useless, I suppose…” Pei Xueyan explained, “The old master had no children in his youth, so he invited a high monk to read his fortune. The monk said the Song family’s feng shui was flawed, advised him to settle in Heyang County to change it, and to bring in a Buddha statue to be enshrined for good luck.”

“Strangely enough, after following the advice, within a few years, the old master actually had a son.”

“The old master, having a child in middle age, was overjoyed. He remembered the monk’s words: as long as he worshipped the Buddha statue devoutly for thirty years, his offspring would be safe.”

“But after over twenty years of devoted worship, his only son died last year. A parent burying their child—his sole heir—how could the old master not be furious?”

“Perhaps seeing the statue reminded him of his son; he insisted on smashing it to vent his anger.”

“……” Liu Shen nodded thoughtfully. “So the statue was originally placed in the Song family hall by that high monk?”

“Yes.”

“Do you know the monk’s name?”

“Hm?” Pei Xueyan looked at him in surprise. “Why do you ask?”

“No reason,” Liu Shen smiled, “I believe in fate as well. Hearing that the old master met such a monk, I can’t help but be curious.”

Pei Xueyan didn’t suspect anything, simply shook her head. “What I told you was just what the old master mentioned in passing. As for the monk’s name, I really don’t know; the old master never said.”

She grumbled, displeased, “Didn’t you say you needed my help? Why are you asking about such unrelated matters?”

“……” Liu Shen laughed awkwardly and asked, “Does the Song family have any martial artists now?”

“I really don’t know,” Pei Xueyan frowned, shaking her head. “I’ve only been part of the Song household for a year. Before my husband died, I was just a decorative bride. After his death, the old master, worried no one would perform the rites, let me handle the family affairs. In truth, I’ve only been involved for the past few months.”

“……” Liu Shen was disappointed…

He’d hoped that if the Song family employed martial artists, he could use Madam’s connections for an introduction, perhaps even copy some internal cultivation methods to study.

Now that even Madam herself didn’t know if the Song family had martial artists, his plan was clearly unrealistic.

Seeing his disappointment, Pei Xueyan quickly asked, “Why do you want to know about martial artists? If you want, I can ask around for you when I go back.”

Liu Shen nodded, then explained how he’d obtained the “Mad Blade Technique” from Yuan Xiaofei and the Yu siblings, his struggles practicing blade techniques without inner force, and his recent plans.

“You want to learn martial arts!” Pei Xueyan stared at him, then seemed to recall something amusing. “I’ve heard people say you have to start young. Isn’t it a bit late for you?”

“Determination isn’t limited by age.”

“How old are you?”

“How old?” Liu Shen paused mid-bite, set down his chopsticks, held up a hand as if measuring, and said seriously, “To be honest, I am fully eighteen…”

“Eighteen?” Pei Xueyan saw his gesture and the hint of pride in his expression, somewhat puzzled, “You’re only eighteen?”

“Huh? You meant my age?” Liu Shen’s expression changed, quickly picking up his chopsticks and correcting himself, “Not eighteen—just seventeen this year.”

“Seventeen?” Pei Xueyan was momentarily stunned. After recovering, she chuckled, “I knew you weren’t yet of age, but I didn’t expect you to be just seventeen. Wait…”

She suddenly paused, eyes wide. “What did you mean by ‘fully eighteen’ just now?”

“……” Liu Shen hunched over his bowl, pretending not to hear…

Pei Xueyan, seeing his posture, seemed to confirm her suspicions. Her delicate cheeks flushed, and she inwardly scolded this rascal for teasing her again.

‘Little brat, barely grown a beard and already playing tricks, eh?’

Though embarrassed and annoyed, she remained outwardly composed, smiling sweetly. “I don’t know if the Song family has martial artists, but the internal cultivation you want—I do have a fine manual myself…”

“Hm?” Liu Shen’s eating motion froze, and he immediately dropped his bowl and chopsticks, switching to a fawning expression, “Madam, blessings upon you!”

“Oh my~” Pei Xueyan folded her hands before her chest, refusing to look at him, sighing, “After all these tiring days, my shoulders are a bit sore, yes, quite sore.”

She failed to notice how her gesture made her figure all the more striking…

“……”