The steward of the Qian family kowtowed and handed over a booklet with both hands, showing utmost respect.
Shen Qingzhu gave a glance to Shen Zhong behind her.
Shen Zhong understood, stepped forward, and took it, carefully checking each page one by one.
After a long while, Shen Zhong closed the booklet and nodded heavily at Shen Qingzhu.
“Young Master, all the numbers match.”
Shen Qingzhu finally turned her gaze back to the Qian family steward.
“Uncle Zhong,” Shen Qingzhu spoke.
“At your service,” Shen Zhong replied.
“Send someone to the Shuntianfu street entrance and tell our people they may return.”
Upon hearing this, the steward’s body relaxed instantly.
“Thank you, Young Master Shen! Thank you! Then… shall I take my leave first?”
Shen Qingzhu waved her hand dismissively, as if swatting a fly.
The steward, feeling reborn, scrambled away with his people, disappearing beyond the gates of the Shen residence.
Shen Zhong looked at the chests and stacks of banknotes. His face showed no joy, only an unrelenting sorrow.
“Master, these… are all external possessions. We can’t take them, we can’t keep them. In the end… sigh…”
“Uncle Zhong,” Shen Qingzhu interrupted, her voice devoid of any fluctuation.
Her eyes swept across the three remaining—Shen Zhong, Lingyin, and Lingyu—who all bore the tragic pride of “sharing the fate of the Shen family,” and she suddenly found it somewhat amusing.
“You three, leave as well.”
“Young Master!” Shen Zhong fell to his knees with a thud, tears streaming down his face. “My life was saved by the old master! I swear I will never leave the Shen family!”
“Do you wish to stay and console yourself?” Shen Qingzhu’s voice abruptly turned cold. “Or do you want to take a seat in the prison cart and drag us down?”
Her words froze the solemn pride on their faces instantly.
Shen Qingzhu stepped forward and shoved a small, heavy pouch of silver into Shen Zhong’s arms.
“Fools. Staying here is waiting for death. Go out, and you can be my eyes and hands. Once we are on the road, you act in the shadows—relay messages, make arrangements, gather information—that is true loyalty.” She stared into Shen Zhong’s eyes, speaking each word deliberately. “Now, take them and disappear.”
There was no long explanation, only unquestionable orders and absolute trust.
Shen Zhong was stunned. Then, a heavy sense of mission replaced the resolve to die. He kowtowed deeply, tears in his eyes.
“I… will obey! I will risk my life to protect my masters!”
After sending off the last loyal servants, Shen Qingzhu turned around. In the vast courtyard, only she, the Old Madam, and Lin Shi—terrified and silent—remained.
She walked to the Old Madam, who had been silent, her eyes empty.
“Grandmother, it’s not enough.”
The Old Madam gave a bitter smile, her voice hoarse. “Not enough? The house is full of gold, silver, and jade. Are you saying they can grow legs and run away?”
“They can.”
Shen Qingzhu spoke only one word.
She reached out, her gaze falling on a half-human-high stone lion in the courtyard. The lion weighed at least several hundred pounds and was an old piece in the residence.
The Old Madam followed her gaze, puzzled.
The next moment, she witnessed a sight she would never forget.
Shen Qingzhu’s hand, without touching it, grasped toward the stone lion.
A faint vibration—almost inaudible—followed. Then, the heavy stone lion vanished into thin air, as if erased by an invisible giant hand.
In its place, only the bare stone slab remained, as if the lion had never existed.
“!!!”
The Old Madam’s pupils constricted violently. She stumbled backward, nearly falling, but Lin Shi behind her caught her. She clamped her mouth shut to keep from screaming. Her clouded eyes were filled with shock, fear, and disbelief, finally turning into… awe for this “grandson” before her.
Divine… divine skill!
This was no mere spirit or ghost. This was clearly a god or immortal descended to earth!
“Now, do you think it’s enough?” Shen Qingzhu’s voice remained calm.
The Old Madam trembled, no longer daring to hesitate or test.
Shaking, she produced a heavy, heated bunch of keys from her sleeve, holding them with both hands and respectfully offering them to Shen Qingzhu.
“It… it’s enough…” Her voice quivered.
Shen Qingzhu took the keys.
“Lead the way.”
The Old Madam dared not delay, carrying a lantern, hunched over, and moved ahead. Her steps were faster than ever before, almost urgent.
They passed through the empty courtyard, circled the barren rear garden, and stopped before a wall covered in vines.
The Old Madam pressed a spot on the wall skillfully.
“Creak—”
The mechanism turned. The stone wall opened, revealing a dark entrance.
“The inner treasury… is inside.” Her voice had no struggle left, only complete obedience.
Shen Qingzhu did not look back, leaving only one sentence:
“Grandmother, from today, the Shen family’s sky—I will bear it.”
With that, she carried the lantern and stepped into the darkness.
Outside the entrance, the Old Madam watched her silhouette swallowed by the dark. Her cloudy tears finally fell, her knees giving way, slowly kneeling to the ground.
Not in defeat, not in despair.
But because she saw hope—she… was bowing to a deity!