Five days after Shen Xian moved out, relatives showed up.
This was Shen Zhou‑shi, Third Aunt, Shen Heling’s biological younger sister.
Married into the Zhou clan of the neighbouring county, she lived by the motto “A thick face feeds a big belly”.
She brought her only son Zhou Baocai and a gift box of pastries — the pastries weighed less than the straw‑paper padding underneath.
“Ah, Xian‑ge!
At last I get to see you!” Her voice boomed before she even stepped through the secondary gate.
“Heard you’ve made good for yourself, living in such a fine courtyard!
Auntie has come to visit you!”
Shen Xian was reclining in a chair in the middle of the yard, not even lifting his eyelids.
“Wangcai, bring stools.
Lai Fu, boil water.”
Shen Zhou‑shi strode into the courtyard, her eyes sweeping over the two‑compound residence like scanning paper for misprints: newly‑pasted window paper, brand‑new tables and chairs, half a side of pork stacked against the corner — which Shen Xian had bought the previous day.
“Good gracious!” She slapped her thigh.
“Boy, eating half a pig all by yourself?
Mind you don’t get indigestion!
Baocai, go help your cousin divide this meat!”
Zhou Baocai, a burly man in his early twenties, rolled up his sleeves and headed straight for the pork.
“Stop.” Shen Xian finally opened his eyes.
“That pork is mine.”
“Pfft, among family why speak of yours and mine!” Shen Zhou‑shi smiled benevolently.
“Your cousin is still growing…”
“He is twenty‑three years old.” Shen Xian sat upright.
“What he is growing is a taste for easy riches.”
Zhou Baocai flushed red.
“Cousin, you should not speak so! Visit g.com for the full chapter.
My mother is your elder relative after all…”
“Quite right, an elder relative.” Shen Xian nodded.
“When elders come to call, a nephew ought to show respect.
Wangcai, take their gift box.”
As Wangcai received the box, Shen Zhou‑shi was just about to smile when Shen Xian kept speaking.
“According to Great Jing customs, an elder visiting ought to bring four kinds of fruit gifts and a bolt of fabric.
Auntie, all you brought is straw paper.
Very well, I shall accept the straw paper.
Later I will send four kinds of fruit over to your household.
I shall write two gift receipts: one for my uncle, and one to file with the county magistrate.
It will state: kin exchanging courtesy gifts.”
Shen Zhou‑shi’s smile froze on her face.
“Why file a record with the magistrate?”
“To prevent people accusing me of bribing my relatives.” Shen Xian spoke with a perfectly earnest expression.
“We had a case in the manor not long ago, and I learned a lesson.
A gift witnessed by officials is a true gift.
Without official witness, it is merely leverage.”
Silence fell across the courtyard.
Zhou Baocai whispered: “Mother… perhaps we ought to head back.”
“Head back?” Shen Xian chuckled.
“Don’t go just yet.
Sit down, the water is already boiling.
As a matter of fact, I have a few questions for you, Auntie.”
“…What questions?”
“On the day I moved out, the gate maids told me you ‘borrowed’ two bolts of cloud‑patterned brocade from the manor, supposedly for my cousin’s wedding.” Shen Xian drawled. This story is hosted at novelping . com.
“But if I recall correctly, my uncle has been planning that wedding for three years, and it still has not happened.
Auntie, if you keep borrowing brocade like this, with compound interest, you will owe four bolts by now.”
Shen Zhou‑shi’s face alternated red and white.
“Who‑who has been spouting nonsense to you!”
“Who told me matters little.” Shen Xian waved a hand.
“What matters is that Second Aunt now manages the household accounts.
She notices even a stray thread missing from the ledgers.
Auntie, imagine what would happen if I sent a ‘greeting letter’ mentioning those bolts of brocade…”
“How dare you!”
“I would not dare.” Shen Xian smiled sincerely.
“That is why I have not written it.
Tea is ready, Auntie, please drink.”
She stared at the teacup as though it held poison.
After less than a quarter‑hour sitting, she did not even dare take her pastry box back, and dragged Zhou Baocai away.
At the gate, Zhou Baocai craned his neck, staring longingly at the half‑side of pork.
“Don’t stare,” Shen Xian called after him.
“Cousin, go home and eat proper meals.
You cannot seize what you want by force.”
Once the gate closed, Lai Fu drew near.
“Young Master, what do you call that trick?”
“Reverse filial piety.” Shen Xian lay back in his chair.
“She plays the part of the dignified elder, and I play the dutiful nephew.
Until she no longer dares claim me as her nephew.”