A cold glint flashed in Shen Qinghuan’s eyes. She retrieved the “Drunken Spring Breeze” powder from her space and, blowing gently through the window crack, let the medicinal powder drift inside.
In just a short while, Madam Wang and her maid slumped softly into their chairs, asleep and completely unconscious.
Shen Qinghuan pushed the door open and entered.
Madam Wang’s room was piled high with gold and silver jewelry. The dressing table was covered with rouge and powders, all of the finest quality—jade bracelets, gold hairpins, pearl earrings—dazzling treasures stacked inside the makeup boxes.
The wardrobe was filled with luxurious garments, silks and brocades of every kind, along with several fox-fur coats, their pelts glossy and clearly expensive.
The bed was a grand wooden canopy bed lined with mink furs, exquisitely carved. Underneath the bed was a hidden compartment. Shen Qinghuan pried it open and found a chest of silver notes and several heavy gold ingots—Madam Wang’s private stash.
Shen Qinghuan did not hold back. Jewelry, clothing, silver notes, gold ingots, even the rouge and powders on the dressing table, the mink bedspread, the carved bed frame, and even a celadon vase in the corner and an orchid by the window—all were taken into her space.
Finally, looking at Madam Wang, who slept with drool at the corner of her mouth, a mischievous thought crossed Shen Qinghuan’s mind.
With a thought, she retrieved a bottle of specially made “Itchy Powder” from her space. The powder, ground from several rare flowers and herbs, was colorless and tasteless but caused unbearable itching that only subsided after at least two hours.
She sprinkled it liberally on Madam Wang’s collar, cuffs, and the maid’s body before turning around satisfied.
Leaving Madam Wang’s courtyard, Shen Qinghuan recalled from the Original Owner’s memories that Shen Chong’an also had a favored concubine, Madam Liu, who lived in the eastern side courtyard. She often bullied the Original Owner, relying on Shen Chong’an’s favor. Naturally, she could not let her off either.
Madam Liu’s courtyard was smaller than Madam Wang’s but more exquisitely arranged. Peony bushes filled the garden; though not in bloom, the leaves were lush.
The room was brightly lit, and Madam Liu’s coquettish voice could be heard, no doubt speaking to Shen Chong’an.
Shen Qinghuan quietly circled to the door and peeked through the crack. Shen Chong’an was indeed inside, holding Madam Liu and whispering flowery words.
“Lord, you must take my side! That old shrew Madam Wang stole my jewelry again today…” Madam Liu snuggled in Shen Chong’an’s arms, her voice sweet and sultry.
Shen Chong’an patted her back and laughed. “Don’t worry. In a few days, I’ll buy you something even more splendid, far more exquisite than hers.”
Shen Qinghuan sneered. She flicked two silver needles from her fingertips, hitting the sleeping points of both instantly.
Shen Chong’an and Madam Liu’s bodies went limp, collapsing onto the couch, instantly dead to the world.
Madam Liu’s room was also piled with treasures. The jewelry boxes on the dressing table contained pearls, gemstones, jade, and many curiosities—such as a Western glass mirror and a jade comb.
The wardrobe contained the season’s most fashionable garments, exquisite fabrics, and delicate embroidery.
Under the bed, chests contained silver notes, gold bars, and several boxes of precious spices with a strong fragrance.
Shen Qinghuan swept everything into her space: jewelry, clothing, silver notes, gold bars, even Madam Liu’s prized Western glass mirror, the jade comb, a hanging painting of a lady, and an incense burner in the corner—nothing was left behind.
Before leaving, she glanced at Shen Chong’an’s oily face and felt a mischievous impulse again.
From her space, she retrieved a pair of scissors and a jar of spirit spring special “Depilatory Cream.”
This cream was far stronger than ordinary depilatories; once applied, hair fell off instantly and would not grow back for a while.
She first used the scissors to snip Shen Chong’an’s beard unevenly, giving him a chewed-up look, and chopped his hair haphazardly, making him look like he had a patchy scalp. Then she applied depilatory cream to Madam Liu’s eyebrows and sideburns, watching her eyebrows fall visibly. Shen Qinghuan’s lips curled, a teasing light in her eyes.
After finishing with Madam Liu’s courtyard, Shen Qinghuan headed straight for Shen Chong’an’s study.
From the Original Owner’s memories, there was a secret chamber in the study that contained evidence of his corruption and numerous illicit treasures.
The study’s door was heavy wood with a brass lock. Shen Qinghuan easily unlocked it with a silver needle.
Opening the door, the smell of ink and books wafted out. The study contained a massive bookshelf filled with volumes and a wide desk equipped with brush, ink, paper, and an inkstone made of top-grade Duan stone; the brush handles were of rosewood.
Shen Qinghuan ignored these for the moment and went straight to the bookshelf. According to the Original Owner’s vague memory, she pressed hard on a copy of the Analects on the third shelf.
With a soft “click,” the bookshelf slowly slid aside, revealing a hidden door.
Behind the door was a narrow corridor, dark and damp.
Shen Qinghuan drew an oil lamp from her space, lit it, and walked forward. After about ten paces, she reached the secret chamber’s door.
The door was stone, carved with intricate patterns. Shen Qinghuan noticed a groove on one side, resembling a keyhole.
She focused her mind into her space and retrieved a jade pendant she had previously swiped from Shen Chong’an’s waist. It had unexpectedly come in handy.
She inserted the pendant into the groove, and with a rumble, the stone door slowly opened.
Stepping inside, Shen Qinghuan was instantly stunned.
The chamber was small, yet its treasures exceeded those in the storage room!
In one corner, several boxes of gold bars glimmered brightly. Large chests held jewels—rubies, sapphires, diamonds, and various rare jades—dazzling and overwhelming.
Several boxes contained large-denomination silver notes, likely totaling over a million taels.
In addition, there were antiques and paintings, all priceless, even more so than those in the storage room.
In one corner rested an iron box. Opening it, Shen Qinghuan found Shen Chong’an’s ledgers of bribery and embezzlement.
They detailed every bribe received, every misappropriated public fund, and his collusion with other officials, recorded meticulously—including signatures and seals from numerous officials.
“Truly came without any effort at all,” Shen Qinghuan thought, a cold glint in her eyes. These items would later become the very tools to send Shen Chong’an to prison.