Wen Ning looked at Xu Yuan, and memories surged through her heart. Her eyes reddened, and with a trembling voice she called out, “Uncle…”
This startled both Shen Zhou and Xu Yuan.
Shen Zhou froze, narrowing his eyes at Xu Yuan. “Did you upset her?”
Xu Yuan sighed helplessly. “Son-in-law, you mustn’t wrong me.”
Hearing their exchange, Wen Ning quickly explained, “No, it’s just that I haven’t seen Uncle for so long—I’m too happy.”
Xu Yuan’s eyes grew moist at her words. He glanced at Shen Zhou. See? This was the power of blood ties.
Shen Zhou didn’t bother arguing, his lazy gaze falling on Wen Ning as he curved his lips. “Hungry?”
Xu Yuan slapped his forehead. “Look at me, too busy talking. Ning Ning, what do you want to eat? Today, Uncle will treat you.”
Wen Ning remembered what she needed to do—perhaps Xu Yuan could help. So she tugged at Shen Zhou’s sleeve, smiling sweetly. “Heir, can we have lunch with Uncle?”
Seeing the little girl’s nervousness, Shen Zhou felt a pang of tenderness and replied warmly, “We should be eating with Uncle anyway.”
At that, Wen Ning’s eyes lit up instantly. She held Shen Zhou’s hand, her soft voice brimming with joy. “Heir, you’re so good.”
Shen Zhou raised his brows, the smile tugging at his lips impossible to hide. Such a little girl—just sharing a meal, and she already thought it was wonderful? But looking at her radiant smile, he couldn’t help but smile back. “Foolish.”
Wen Ning suddenly exclaimed, “My fan is still in the Hall of Merit—I’ll go back and fetch it.”
Shen Zhou wanted to accompany her, but Wen Ning stopped him. “No need, you stay with Uncle.”
Wen Ning had her own motives. Since she had decided to live well with Shen Zhou in this life, she couldn’t neglect her maternal family. Better to let the two men get acquainted—build some rapport, since they would have to interact in the future.
Xu Yuan was sharp, almost unnaturally so, though born into poverty. He had earned considerable silver through his own business ventures. But in this era, merchants ranked lowest among the four classes—scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants.
Wen Ning had thought that if he could connect with the Duke’s household, Xu Yuan’s path would be much smoother.
But she was mistaken.
Xu Yuan had no intention of using Wen Ning to climb the Shen family tree. Once she left, his gentle demeanor shifted. His refined brows and eyes carried calculation. Though still young, his smile now gave the impression of an old, cunning strategist. No wonder he was called a seasoned fox of the marketplace.
“Heir, I’ve long admired you.”
Only after Wen Ning had walked away did Shen Zhou withdraw his gaze, replying coolly, “Master Xu, I don’t deserve such praise.”
Shen Zhou had heard of Xu Yuan’s reputation. A man of humble origins, sly and clever. In his early days, before fame, he even claimed to be a relative of Duchess Xu, Shen Zhou’s mother, calling himself a member of the Xu family.
Fortunately, Duchess Xu was broad-minded and dismissed it as a poor man’s fabrication for survival.
T/n: They share the same Xu character.
Later, as Xu Yuan’s business grew, people began calling him “Little Xu Ji.”
He personally visited Duchess Xu to apologize, showering her with gifts in endless waves. He understood human nature well. He knew that if he remained a small-time trader, Duchess Xu would ignore him. But as his business expanded, Duchess Xu, as an imperial merchant, could crush him in a matter of days if she wished.
So Xu Yuan began to act humbly. He avoided any deals that might conflict with Duchess Xu, and whenever he could source goods from her, he never sought another supplier.
Whenever Duchess Xu needed him to provide goods, he ensured they were of the best quality, at the lowest price. After several rounds of this, Duchess Xu felt a bit embarrassed—after all, business was not easy, and the marketplace thrived on mutual support. Thus, Duchess Xu and Xu Yuan reached a cooperative understanding.
Though Shen Zhou had never met Xu Yuan before, he had heard his name from Duchess Xu.
This man had lost both parents young, and his only sister had sacrificed herself, becoming a concubine, just to raise him. Before he had grown up enough to repay her, his elder sister passed away, leaving behind a young niece.
All these years, Xu Yuan had worked himself to the bone earning money, just to ensure his little niece could live a good life. He never imagined that Wen Ning would marry Shen Zhou. Indeed, the Xu family’s ties to the Duke’s household ran deep.
Xu Yuan studied Shen Zhou with a merchant’s practiced eye. The youth’s brows were clear and resolute, his bearing extraordinary—someone who could be entrusted with responsibility.
But… Since arriving in the capital, Xu Yuan had heard plenty of rumors about Shen Zhou and Qiao Yanxin. To him, it seemed an ill-matched pairing. Yet Wen Ning was already married to Shen Zhou. With his current strength, if he opposed the Duke’s household, it would be like an ant trying to stop a carriage—utterly futile.
So Xu Yuan fell silent for a moment before speaking respectfully: “Heir, Ning Ning is a simple girl, inexperienced with the world. If her behavior ever displeases you, please let me know. I will take her away myself, and never let her hinder your affairs.”
Shen Zhou understood—Xu Yuan did not trust him.
Thinking of his past foolish deeds, Shen Zhou felt a sharp ache in his temples.
Xu Yuan was not like Wen Zheng. Wen Zheng was an official, and he himself kept concubines; to him, Shen Zhou’s youthful indiscretions were nothing more than boyish frivolity.
But Xu Yuan was different. Wen Ning was the only blood left behind by his sister, who had died for him. Even if it cost him his life, he would protect his niece from suffering.
Shen Zhou had a premonition: if he ever wronged Wen Ning, Xu Yuan might truly come to take her away. The thought broke him into a cold sweat. He bowed respectfully to Xu Yuan, his expression firm. “Uncle, I have decided to live properly, and I will treat her well.”
Were it not for the solemn setting, Xu Yuan might have laughed aloud. He remembered Duchess Xu speaking of her son, gifted and spirited since childhood. Later, somehow clouded by folly, he had taken a liking to a courtesan.
Courtesans were not inherently shameful—heroes could come from anywhere. But that particular woman was clearly impure of heart. Duchess Xu had investigated: her father, when in office, had been corrupt; she herself, as a young lady, had been ruthless with lives. With such a nature, how could she ever enter the Duke’s household? Even if Duchess Xu agreed, the ancestral spirits in the family shrine would not—surely their tablets would be overturned.
Now, seeing the proud youth bow his head and earnestly promise, Xu Yuan—usually shrewd and suspicious—found himself believing him.
Meanwhile, Wen Ning had entered the Hall of Merit and quickly found her fan. As she was about to leave, her eye caught Shen Zhou’s entry in the “wish fulfillment” register.
Her mind replayed the image of his solemn face. Shen Zhou, usually careless in manner—a youth brimming with confidence—as if the world lay at his feet. For the first time, Wen Ning saw hesitation, doubt, and reverence upon his face. What was it that he truly wished for in his heart?
Wen Ning reassured herself—she wasn’t trying to pry into someone’s privacy. She would just take one look, then put it back. No one would ever know.
So, tiptoeing, Wen Ning walked over and picked up the wish register. She flipped through page after page until, suddenly, bold, forceful strokes leaped off the paper.
Wen Ning froze.
On the yellowed sheet, only two characters were written, clear and unmistakable: “Wen Ning.”