The mask concealed his face, obscuring his features, leaving only a clean, sharp jawline and pale lips. His entire demeanor was calm, almost frighteningly so.
The longer he looked, the more intense that inexplicable sense of familiarity grew in his heart.
So intense that he nearly blurted out a name.
His throat tightened slightly, but he suppressed the surging emotions and finally asked the question that had lingered in his mind for so long, his voice low and steady: “Shen Gongzi, have we met somewhere before?”
The air grew still for a moment.
Shen Miao raised her eyes. The silver mask hid all emotion in her gaze, but the corners of her lips lifted slightly, forming a perfectly measured, polite, and distant smile.
“No.” The reply was crisp and clear.
Xiao Jingyuan’s eyes darkened slightly.
Having dealt with countless people, he could instantly discern the subtle condescension and distance behind such an attitude.
Yet, the more composed and unruffled the other party appeared, the more his own suspicions seemed to have nowhere to land, forcing him to temporarily hold them back.
He slowly withdrew his gaze. When he spoke again, his tone had noticeably softened, shedding its usual cold severity and oppressive air, replaced instead by a deliberately measured attempt at persuasion: “Shen Gongzi, you are widely praised by the people of Jiangnan, and the Water Transport Guild holds you in high regard. For someone so young to possess such skill and influence—I, the Marquis, am impressed.”
Shen Miao picked up her teacup, took a light sip, and replied in an even, unemotional tone: “You flatter me, Marquis. I am merely a merchant seeking a peaceful life and dare not accept such praise.”
Her response was neither humble nor arrogant, neither cold nor warm—perfectly balanced.
Shen Miao looked at him, her gaze steady. “May I ask why the Marquis sought me out today?”
A deeper smile flickered in Xiao Jingyuan’s eyes as he cut straight to the point, laying out his offer: “Shen Gongzi is a smart person, so I won’t beat around the bush.”
“Trade in Jiangnan—grain, cotton, silk—all hold immense profit.”
“In my hands, I have connections in the capital, official channels, and trade routes across the nation.”
“And in your hands, Shen Gongzi, you have the people’s trust, craftsmanship, and deep roots in Jiangnan.”
“If we join forces and do business together…”
“The profits—whether a sixty-forty split or fifty-fifty—are open to discussion.”
“From now on, with me by your side, no one in Jiangnan would dare to bully you again.”
“Nianqing Ge could expand nationwide, and the name Shen Gongzi could resound throughout the capital. Wealth, glory, power, and status would be within easy reach.”
These words were sincere, and the offer was staggering.
Any merchant would find it impossible to refuse.
Xiao Jingyuan was brimming with confidence, certain that the other party would immediately bow in agreement, full of gratitude.
But he never expected…
Shen Miao merely lifted her gaze slightly. Behind the silver mask, her eyes remained calm and unreadable. Her tone was light, yet carried an unmistakable, resolute finality.
“No need.”
Two words, spoken lightly, yet they completely shut down all of Xiao Jingyuan’s attempts at persuasion.
The smile in Xiao Jingyuan’s eyes stiffened. “Shen Gongzi, won’t you reconsider?”
“Every merchant has their own path,” Shen Miao set down her teacup, her voice clear and cool. “I only wish to guard Jiangnan and Nianqing Ge. I have no desire to be drawn into the conflicts of the capital, nor do I wish to collaborate with the Marquis’s Mansion.”
“I must ask the Marquis to seek someone else.”
The dismissal was direct and unequivocal.
Xiao Jingyuan’s expression darkened slightly, but he ultimately did not lose his temper. Instead, he gave her a deep look, suppressing his displeasure as he stood up and said, “Since that is the case, I will not force the matter.”
“I will be staying in Jiangnan for a few more days. Shen Gongzi may take your time to think it over.”
With that, he turned and left.
The sound of his footsteps faded away at the end of the staircase.
…
The private room returned to silence.
Zhao Chengyu leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping idly on the edge of the table. His handsome features carried a hint of careless roguishness, and his tone was relaxed:
“This guy sure knows how to paint a pretty picture.”
“Channels in the capital, trade routes across the country—he makes it sound like money is falling from the sky.”
Shen Miao glanced at him, her tone also easing considerably: “He thinks all merchants in the world are profit-driven and forget their principles.”
Zhao Chengyu leaned in a little closer, a mischievous glint in his eyes: “That’s because he hasn’t met someone like you—someone who keeps accounts in her heart and hides a knife in her gaze.”
Shen Miao curved her lips faintly, no longer beating around the bush: “Since he’s the one who brought up business and trade in Jiangnan… I’ll grant him his wish.”
Zhao Chengyu raised an eyebrow, immediately perking up. His posture remained casual, but his eyes brightened: “Oh? Is our Ah Shen about to dig another pit for someone?”
Shen Miao lifted her gaze, looking out the window at the bustling traffic on Zhuque Street. A cold, sharp smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
“Isn’t he the one who wants to do business?”
“Then I’ll give him a helping hand.”
“He thinks I’m a merchant, valuing profit over sentiment, easy to manipulate.”
“Then I’ll let him taste what it means to lose both the battle and the spoils.”
Zhao Chengyu straightened up slightly, his smile fading a little, but his tone remained as casual as ever: “Go on, tell me what you need me to do.”
“The Water Transport Guild’s waterways, manpower, and information—use whatever you need.”
Shen Miao’s voice was light but clear, every word distinct: “Use the Water Transport Guild’s waterways to spread false news. Say that Jiangnan’s cotton production will plummet next month, and out-of-town cotton merchants are about to raise prices. Hoarding will bring huge profits.”
Zhao Chengyu pondered for a moment, then instantly understood. He chuckled softly, a cold, roguish edge to his voice: “Brilliant.”
“He’s just arrived in Jiangnan, eager to establish his authority and prove himself. Once he hears prices are about to soar, he’ll definitely go on a buying spree.”
“Once he’s filled his warehouses, we’ll turn around and crash the market…”
“This blow will hurt him for half a year.”
Shen Miao gave a soft “Mm.”
Zhao Chengyu looked at her, suddenly serious for a moment, though his tone remained light: “Don’t worry, Ah Shen. Leave this to me. I’ll make sure it’s airtight.”
After a pause, he leaned in again, lowering his voice with a mix of probing and gentle certainty: “I can tell that Xiao Jingyuan’s interest in you isn’t just about business.”
Shen Miao’s fingers paused slightly.
Zhao Chengyu didn’t press her, just leaned back again, smiling with a roguish yet open-hearted expression: “If you don’t want to talk about it, I won’t ask. But remember…”
“When I say I trust you, it’s not just empty words.”
“Whatever you want to do, I’ll be there with you.”
“Whatever revenge you want to take, I’ll help you.”
A warmth stirred in Shen Miao’s heart. She looked up at him, her tone softening slightly: “When the time is right, I’ll tell you about the grievances between him and me.”
Zhao Chengyu grinned, revealing a hint of his small canine teeth, looking both roguishly handsome and pure: “Alright, I can wait.”
“I’ll go make the arrangements now and come back later for tea.”
“Alright.”
Zhao Chengyu turned and headed downstairs, his steps casual, carrying an air of the jianghu, yet his actions were steady and reliable.
Shen Miao’s gaze fell in the direction Xiao Jingyuan had left. Beneath her silver mask, her eyes were as cold as a frozen pond.
Xiao Jingyuan.
In the past, I clung to you, and you cast me aside like trash.
Now that I’ve distanced myself from you, you want to win me over again.
Some people truly are shameless beyond compare.
…
Three days later, the cotton market in Jiangnan was already in an uproar.
From the streets and alleys to the merchant houses and teahouses, the same news was spreading everywhere—cotton production in Jiangnan was about to plummet, and prices were certain to skyrocket next month.
Many cotton merchants and wealthy households could no longer hold back, rushing to stockpile goods, creating a bullish trend in the market.
The scout sent by the Marquis of Jing’an hurried back to the courier station, darted into the study, and bowed to report.