Chapter 19

Chapter 19: Good Things Cannot Be Kept to Oneself

Shang Xiu Yuan’s handsome face tightened upon hearing these words.

However, Shang Hang Yu’s eyes sparkled brightly, [Indeed, she is still the same as before, sharp-tongued and irritating, her words always piercing the most tender spots.]

“No need for apologies,” Shang Hang Yu interrupted, “I’ll just let my Elder Brother settle the silver ingots I owe to the various teahouses.”

Shang Xiu Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.

Solving issues with silver was always preferable to losing face.

Meeting Shang Hang Yu’s gaze, Sheng Zhi Wan saw those beautiful, slightly raised peach-blossom eyes blinking swiftly. Somehow, she had a feeling he was setting a trap for Shang Xiu Yuan.

“In that case, let us do as the Second Young Master Shang wishes.”

After leaving the Gathering Worthies Teahouse, Sheng Zhi Wan did not immediately return home. She had something more important to do today.

She instructed the carriage driver to head toward the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

“Princess, didn’t you already check the accounts here yesterday?” Ting Lan asked, confused.

Sheng Zhi Wan merely smiled without explaining.

When she got off the carriage, Shopkeeper Lin immediately welcomed her inside. This time, Sheng Zhi Wan brought Ting Lan along as well.

“Did you find the person I asked you to look for yesterday?” Sheng Zhi Wan asked.

“Replying to Princess, we found them.”

Shopkeeper Lin was a bit plump, around thirty years old, with small but lively eyes. He was thorough and meticulous in everything he did. All of Sheng Zhi Wan’s private properties and shops reported directly to him before he delivered the summaries to her.

However, today, this usually capable and clever Shopkeeper Lin seemed a bit uneasy, especially recalling the scene he witnessed yesterday.

He took a deep breath, carefully chose his words, and replied, “Carved Figurines went to Alley Gate as instructed by Princess. Indeed, he found Lord Duke’s personal servant boy, Sun Feng, standing guard outside.”

“Carved Figurines waited until nearly sunset before someone emerged. Although the man was thoroughly disguised, and even switched carriages and clothes at a nearby teahouse, he was undoubtedly Lord Duke.”

Sheng Zhi Wan smiled faintly.

[As I thought, the rumors from my previous life about Madam Tao were not groundless. Perhaps her death wasn’t so simple after all.]

“Carved Figurines was concerned about mistaken identity, so he disguised himself as a street vendor and learned from local residents that the woman’s surname is Tao, and she has been living in Alley Gate for seven or eight years.”

“They say Lady Tao is exceptionally beautiful and gentle. Although she rarely goes outside, she has an excellent relationship with her neighbors. She claims her husband is a cloth merchant surnamed Sun.”

“Moreover, the neighbors mentioned the couple is extremely loving. To protect Lady Tao while he’s away, the husband hired seven or eight guards stationed inside and outside the house.”

Indeed, Shopkeeper Lin was the most thorough among her shopkeepers. Sheng Zhi Wan had merely asked him to find someone, yet he uncovered their background so thoroughly.

He even discovered that Lady Tao had been seeking various medical remedies for fertility over the past few years.

Shopkeeper Lin fell silent, waiting respectfully beside her.

The Qi Dukedom had indeed fallen on hard times after Old Duke’s death, but one thing remained widely admired among the capital’s nobility—the household’s moral reputation.

Old Duke Qi and his wife met when they were young and humble. He remained loyal, marrying no other woman throughout his life. On his deathbed, he had even left behind a strict instruction: husbands must respect their wives, and wives must be virtuous. The Qi family men must cherish their spouses above all.

Though Duke Qi had taken two concubines after marrying Madam Cui, it was at her urging during her pregnancies. After Madam Cui gave birth, Duke Qi rarely visited the concubines. Thus, he was considered a model husband by many ladies in the capital.

Yet now, this “model husband,” Duke Qi, was secretly keeping another woman outside the household.

If news spread, the reputation of Duke Qi’s household would suffer greatly.

The Princess cared deeply for Heir Apparent Qi, who was just starting to gain recognition. Could it be that the Princess intended to do something to Lady Tao?

Shopkeeper Lin felt his scalp tingle at the thought.

Just as he was pondering how he might handle the situation if the Princess gave a harsh order, Sheng Zhi Wan spoke again, “Spread a rumor soon that Merciful Creek Hall has a renowned fertility doctor. Ensure Lady Tao hears about it. When she visits, send word to the Duke’s residence.”

Merciful Creek Hall was another of Sheng Zhi Wan’s private properties.

Hadn’t Madam Cui said a woman’s duty was to bear children for her husband? Hadn’t she claimed that raising Meng Yang’s child herself was doing her a favor? Hadn’t she said it was a great blessing to become a mother without suffering childbirth?

If so, such blessings naturally shouldn’t be exclusively hers as a daughter-in-law!

She wondered whether Madam Cui would weep with joy, or simply weep, upon learning the news.

Sheng Zhi Wan’s lips curved into a gentle smile.

“How about the other matter?”

“Replying to Princess, as per your request, we had it written overnight. But… you should see it for yourself first.” Shopkeeper Lin hesitated slightly before handing over a manuscript.

Sheng Zhi Wan quickly glanced through it.

“Very good!”

“Deliver these stories to a few storytelling masters in the teahouses around Cangnan and Jin City, and have them spread it widely.”

“But Princess,” Shopkeeper Lin finally couldn’t hold back, “The characters in your story are too similar to Heir Apparent Qi. There’s even a village girl involved… Aren’t you just helping her gain fame?”