Three days later, the downpour arrived as expected.
At Jinjiang Wharf, the wind howled and waves surged violently, crashing against the shore. Countless cargo ships that had delayed their departure were overturned, shattered, and swept away by the towering waves, leaving the coastline in utter chaos.
Overnight, many merchant houses were ruined, their cries and wails echoing across the wharf.
Only the ships of the Water Transport Guild, having rerouted in advance, remained completely unscathed.
As soon as the news spread, the entire Jiangnan water transport community was astir.
Everyone speculated whether the Water Transport Guild had simply been incredibly lucky or if some mastermind had secretly guided them.
Only Zhao Chengyu knew the truth clearly in his heart.
It was the woman he had rescued from the city moat whose single warning had saved the entire Water Transport Guild.
…
Jiangnan Wharf.
Shen Miao, dressed in neat men’s attire with half her face concealed behind a cold silver mask, had quietly blended into the crowd under the identity of “Shen Gongzi” since setting foot in Jiangnan.
She had once “foreseen” that the downpour three days later would destroy the Water Transport Guild’s cargo ships. At the time, Zhao Chengyu had still been skeptical.
But now, the chaos left by the storm and the sheer fortune of avoiding disaster had transformed into an irrepressible admiration and deep curiosity in his eyes.
“How did Shen Gongzi come to know such precise weather phenomena?” Zhao Chengyu’s gaze was intense, his tone tinged with disbelief.
He had already asked this question once before. Repeating it now showed just how unfathomable this matter was to him.
Shen Miao chuckled lightly, her tone carrying a hint of distant detachment. “Perhaps it would be better to leave that for next time, Young Master Zhao?”
Zhao Chengyu understood her reluctance to elaborate and immediately shifted the topic, speaking bluntly. “Shen Gongzi shared such a secret with me. Surely it wasn’t merely to repay the debt of saving your life?”
His gaze darkened as he asked directly, “What do you want?”
Shen Miao lifted her eyes, her gaze stretching far toward the capital in the north. Her tone was as calm as water, yet within it lay a sharp edge of immense ambition.
The faint, lingering pain deep in her abdomen seemed to constantly remind her of the sea of blood and vengeance buried in the capital.
“I want… all the trade routes in Jiangnan.”
The Water Transport Guild controlled water transport, which did not conflict with the overland trade routes she sought.
Precisely because of this, the Water Transport Guild would be her first chosen ally.
Zhao Chengyu did not answer immediately, nor did Shen Miao press him—she was certain he had no reason to refuse.
“One more thing,” she said calmly. “Regarding my identity, I ask Young Master Zhao to remain silent. Shen will remember this favor.”
Given her current means, her favor carried significant weight.
In truth, even without her reminder, Zhao Chengyu would never speak of it.
He trusted her and understood that she must have her reasons.
Zhao Chengyu’s expression turned solemn. “Shen Gongzi can rest assured.”
“Thank you.”
Shen Miao stood with her hands clasped behind her back at the ship’s edge, watching the turbulent waves on the river. Her cool eyes held a hatred colder than the river waters.
Zhao Chengyu looked at her slender silhouette from the side. With just one glance, he felt a slight ache in his heart.
He dared not imagine what kind of grace lay beneath that mask or what scars it concealed.
Thinking of how she had forced herself to endure all along, he finally couldn’t help but speak. “Shen Gongzi has just arrived in Jiangnan and must have had a tiring journey. Perhaps I could arrange a place for you to stay and assign two people to attend to you closely?”
He didn’t dare explicitly suggest she rest, only offering this gentle approach, carefully protecting her pride.
Shen Miao fell silent for a moment.
Jiangnan’s scenery was picturesque, but every single task she intended to undertake was fraught with danger.
Being alone would ultimately be inconvenient in many ways.
She raised her eyes to meet his clear phoenix-like gaze. “I accept Young Master Zhao’s kind offer. Thank you.”
“You agreed, that’s good.” Zhao Chengyu felt a slight relief in his heart.
After spending several days together on the journey, he understood all too well how independent her nature was and had already prepared himself for rejection.
…
Later, Zhao Chengyu summoned two of his most loyal guards.
One was Zi An, whom Shen Miao had met before.
The other was named Zi Yu, a shadow guard who kept his abilities hidden.
One in the open, one in the shadows, to protect her completely.
Looking at the two before her, Shen Miao understood clearly.
Zhao Chengyu was sincerely seeking an alliance with her.
When a person is useful, regardless of their status, there will always be those who wholeheartedly befriend and assist them.
…
The boat docked steadily at the pier, and Shen Miao did not pause for a moment.
After bidding farewell to Zhao Chengyu, she turned to Zi An beside her and said, “Please take me to the most famous silver house in Jiangnan.”
Zi An was momentarily taken aback, but in an instant, he bowed and replied, “The most famous silver house in Jiangnan is Jufu Silver House.”
“Then to Jufu it is. Lead the way.”
Zi An had been startled just now because Jufu Silver House was, in fact, an enterprise of the Water Transport Guild.
He wanted to offer a few words of caution, but seeing her hurried steps and resolute expression, he ultimately swallowed his words and followed closely behind.
…
Inside Jufu Silver House.
The shopkeeper was bent over, fiddling with an abacus. Hearing the sound, he looked up and, upon seeing Zi An, immediately broke into a smile and hurried forward, thinking their young master had arrived in person.
But catching the hint in Zi An’s eyes, the shopkeeper quickly composed himself and turned his gaze to the plainly dressed, silver-masked young master behind Zi An.
Before the shopkeeper could speak, Shen Miao stepped forward directly and uttered a single word calmly, “Sell.”
She took out the few remaining personal pieces of jewelry she had on her.
The eastern pearl earrings were round and lustrous, the mutton-fat jade hairpin exquisitely carved—each piece was a top-grade treasure.
The shopkeeper’s eyes lit up, and he hurriedly took them to examine closely, his tone tinged with regret. “Young master, these are all rare treasures. Selling them outright would be a great loss. If you’re short on funds, pawning them would be more cost-effective.”
Shen Miao stood before the counter, her posture upright, her tone as calm as still water. “No need to pawn. Sell them all. I want cash.”
What she needed was capital she could use immediately, leaving herself no room for retreat.
Seeing her determination, the shopkeeper offered no further persuasion and swiftly weighed and exchanged the items for cash.
Before the two left, Zi An gave a slight nod to the shopkeeper.
Not daring to delay, the shopkeeper carefully stored the jewelry Shen Miao had just sold and hurried to Zhao Mansion.
…
Shen Miao carried the heavy money pouch, the weight of the silver slightly straining her shoulder.
Zi An stepped forward and said softly, “Shen Gongzi, shall I help you carry it?”
“No need, I can manage.” Shen Miao shook her head gently.
It wasn’t a matter of distrust, but this pouch of silver—she would carry it herself.
This was the first capital for her revenge, the first step toward shattering Jing’an Marquisate.
She needed to remind herself constantly that what she carried on her shoulders was a sea of blood and vengeance.
…
Zhao Mansion.
The shopkeeper, holding the brocade box, hurried all the way to Zhao Mansion without delay.
Zhao Chengyu had just returned to Zhao Mansion from the Water Transport Guild and hadn’t yet changed out of his white robes when he saw the shopkeeper rushing in. He raised an eyebrow slightly. “What is it?”
“Young master.” The shopkeeper bowed and respectfully presented the brocade box with both hands. “These are the personal pieces of jewelry that Shen Gongzi just sold at Jufu Silver House. I didn’t dare make a decision and specifically brought them for you to see.”
Zhao Chengyu’s fingers paused slightly. He stepped forward slowly and gently lifted the lid of the box.
In an instant, a soft glow filled the room.
A pair of round and translucent eastern pearl earrings, a delicately carved mutton-fat jade hairpin, and several small yet exquisitely crafted pearl ornaments lay quietly upon the velvet cloth.
Each piece carried the gentle warmth of having been worn close to their former owner’s body, far from ordinary or common items.