“Wen He, I know you resent me. All these years, I had no choice – the family business still relies on your legal mother’s family. Your brothers’ studies and imperial examinations also depend on their support in the future. I know I’ve neglected you over the years, and the family separation has indeed been unfair. But I’ve long planned how to compensate you. These fifty thousand taels in banknotes were originally prepared for you. Since you insist on leaving the house with nothing, I’ll add another fifty thousand and convert your rightful share of family property into silver. And these – these are my private businesses that even your elder brothers don’t know about. I’m handing them all to you now. I understand your concerns, and perhaps this is for the best. I’ve heard the Wang family (Madam Shen’s maiden family) has become involved in the royal matter of establishing the crown prince. No one can predict whether this will bring good or bad fortune. Cutting ties with us might be wise – at least if disaster strikes, you can be kept out of it. This way, my bloodline won’t be completely severed.”
That evening, Master Shen summoned Shen Wenhe to his study and presented him with the prepared items.
“Father, I don’t want your possessions. I have some businesses of my own, enough to live on.” Shen Wenhe hadn’t expected his father to prepare so much silver for him. It would be untrue to say he wasn’t moved.
“Take it. This might be the last time your father can help you. Take the money and go live elsewhere. I’ve been feeling uneasy lately, as if something bad is about to happen. Later, I’ll draft a document severing our relationship and file it with the magistrate tomorrow. That way, even if trouble comes, you won’t be implicated.” Master Shen sighed heavily.
“Father…” Shen Wenhe looked at his father, his heart aching. Though merely twenty years old, it would be false to claim he didn’t yearn for paternal affection. After so many disappointments over the years, he had stopped expecting anything. He never imagined his father still cared about him.
“Ah, take care of yourself from now on, and live well. When you go to a new place, keep a low profile. It would be best to have several children.” Master Shen’s heart was equally heavy.
“I understand, Father. By the way, have you noticed the unusual weather recently? Summer is half over, yet we’ve had only two light rainfalls. The crops in the fields are already wilted from drought. If this continues, I fear there will be no harvest this year. Our family should make preparations early.” Shen Wenhe revealed the impending drought.
“I’m aware. Not just here – I’ve received news that several other prefectures are also suffering drought. Moreover, those feudal princes have been making constant covert moves. I fear troubled times are coming. In a few days, we’ll move to the capital. Being at the emperor’s feet, the capital should remain relatively stable even if other places descend into chaos. What about you? Would you like to come to the capital with us? The family could support each other.” Master Shen proposed.
“I won’t join you. I need to stockpile more grain during this time. If disaster truly strikes, we shouldn’t go hungry.” Shen Wenhe declined.
“That’s reasonable. In that case, I’ll give you another manor with a warehouse containing grain. No one else knows about this property – it was prepared as the family’s retreat.”
“The estate is quite remote, located right at the foot of the mountain. If anything goes wrong, you can always flee into the mountains.” Master Shen said, taking a land deed from his desk drawer.
This time, Shen Wenhe didn’t refuse. He thought his father made a good point – if chaos broke out outside, going into the mountains would indeed be a good option.
“There’s also a secret room in the estate with some gold and silver that I stored there previously. Take it all for your use. If possible, you should exchange these banknotes for gold and silver to store away. After all, if true chaos erupts, only real gold and silver will be useful. Banknotes can sometimes be inconvenient.” Master Shen added.
“Yes, I’ll remember that.”
The two continued discussing other matters until late at night when Shen Wenhe finally returned to his own courtyard.
“What’s the matter? What did your father want with you?” Bai Nianqing, who had been waiting up for him, asked from their room.
Shen Wenhe didn’t speak but handed over the box in his hand.
“What’s this?” Bai Nianqing asked as she opened the box.
“Wow! Where did you get so much money? Did you rob someone?” Bai Nianqing exclaimed in surprise.
“Father gave it to me, along with an estate. We’ll move to the estate tomorrow.” Shen Wenhe said somewhat sadly.
“What does your father mean by this? Doesn’t he want you leaving the house with nothing?” Bai Nianqing asked.
“No, Father said…” Shen Wenhe repeated Master Shen’s words: “The world is likely to become unstable. The madam’s family has gotten involved in the princes’ struggle for the throne. Father is afraid that if anything happens, the Shen family might be implicated. By separating me from the family, at least we can preserve the Shen family’s last lineage.”
“Is that so? Then wouldn’t it be more dangerous for them to move to the capital, right under the emperor’s nose?” Bai Nianqing said.
“Who knows? This might be the madam’s idea? After all, she has always taken great pride in her maternal family. Including Shen Wenbo and the others – they particularly worship their maternal grandfather’s family. Hmph, they don’t stop to think – that family has its own sons and grandsons. Even if there are benefits to be had, would they really go to people with different surnames?” Shen Wenhe held particular contempt for his elder brothers.
“Well, perhaps they think they can gain some advantage? Little do they know that by going there, they might accidentally become cannon fodder. And your father too – he clearly knows the capital is like a dragon’s pool and tiger’s den, so why must he go anyway?” Bai Nianqing couldn’t understand Master Shen’s decision.
“He probably has no say in the matter. Our family has always been ruled by the madam.” Shen Wenhe said with a sarcastic expression.
“Enough about them. Let’s talk about us. Who are we taking with us when we move out tomorrow? And are we moving all the things in our rooms?” Bai Nianqing said.
“We’ll take everything from our courtyard – these were all left to me by my mother. As for people, only Changle will come. He’s my study companion who has been with me since I was five. The other servants’ contracts belong to the main house. In other words, those people all belong to the madam. Even if we wanted to take them with us, they wouldn’t follow us.” Shen Wenhe said.
“That’s even better. We don’t need servants who are disloyal. Besides, the days ahead won’t be easy, and it’s not suitable for us to bring too many people anyway. I only have one maid, Xiaochun, who usually takes care of Nianchen.”
“Nianchen originally had a wet nurse, but she returned home last year due to family matters,” Bai Nianqing said.
“Mm, two people are enough to take along. You have secrets—having too many people around isn’t good. After we move out tomorrow, I’ll go purchase supplies. From what Father implied, I’m afraid it’s not just natural disasters we should worry about. It’s never wrong to be more prepared.”