The next morning, Su Xiaoqi stretched lazily in bed. Her injuries had healed considerably.
This was the medicine she had personally concocted, most effective for dispelling bruises and relieving pain.
In just one night, she had regained her vigor. She thought of Du Yiyi, wondering how she was doing and considering sending her a bottle as well.
Shen Yun entered from outside and saw Su Xiaoqi sitting on the bed, lost in thought.
He had been practicing a set of grappling punches outside and was covered in sweat. Knowing Su Xiaoqi preferred cleanliness, he didn't approach her in that state, calling out a greeting before heading into the inner room to bathe and freshen up.
He soon emerged, having changed into different clothes, and sat at the desk by the window, writing a letter in the early morning sun.
Su Xiaoqi had also tidied herself up. Seeing him writing, she curiously leaned closer. "What are you writing?"
"A letter," Shen Yun replied concisely.
Su Xiaoqi, thinking of something, asked, "To Mr. Gu?"
Shen Yun turned slightly, his handsome phoenix eyes narrowing, and corrected her, "Niángzǐ, since you have already performed the ceremony, you should address him as God-father."
"Uh, then are you writing to tell God-father that we can only return in early September?" Su Xiaoqi followed his suggestion readily.
Clever as she was, she knew better than to argue with Shen Yun on such minor matters.
Besides, he did have a point.
The ancients placed great importance on ethics and morals.
She had just not become accustomed to it, and found it hard to say.
She always felt she was taking advantage of Mr. Gu and Madam Yu.
She truly didn't know what she had done to earn their favor, to be granted such a respectable status.
She knew how to show gratitude. Since they had elevated her, she naturally couldn't disappoint them.
She would treat them even better, showing filial piety.
Shen Yun nodded, stating that the results of the imperial examinations were scheduled to be released on the first day of September.
They would not be able to make it back by the end of August as previously agreed with her teacher, so he had to write to explain the situation.
He also needed to write to his young uncle, asking him to relay the message back to the village, so his mother wouldn't worry.
Su Xiaoqi nodded repeatedly. Shen Yun had always been methodical in his affairs, so there was no need for her to fret; she just needed to listen.
After the young couple chatted for a while, Aunt Li brought their breakfast.
After they ate, Su Xiaoqi remembered that she was supposed to meet the estate's farmhands that day.
She had heard from Old Li and his wife that these farmhands were hereditary servants of this estate.
They had been bought to tend the fields and mountains since the estate's inception.
Therefore, most of them were relatively easy to get along with, but some might be different.
After all, one could never fully know another person's heart.
But Su Xiaoqi couldn't back down; she had to go.
This was because, while reviewing the accounts, she had discovered a very serious problem.
This problem was the direct reason for the estate's losses and even its deficit.
Su Xiaoqi hesitated on how to deal with them.
This hesitation kept her pacing back and forth at the doorway.
Shen Yun, who was focused on writing his letter, looked as Su Xiaoqi stood at the door, her feet stepping in and out of the threshold.
Hesitantly, she moved back and forth. He gave her a dark look, then put down his brush, stood up, walked over, took her hand, and said, "Let's go together."
Su Xiaoqi flashed a sweet smile. She had never managed an estate before, nor had she ever bought farmhands. She truly didn't know how to face those who had lost their freedom, hence her hesitation.
"Alright." Shen Yun's timely intervention dispelled Su Xiaoqi's last trace of hesitation.
With him around, those farmhands wouldn't be able to cause trouble.
In the main hall, a group of farmhands dressed in coarse linen tunics had already gathered at Li Zhong's summons.
They already knew that their eastern estate had been sold by its former owner.
The buyer was a young lady not yet sixteen years old.
Some among them couldn't help but harbor a sense of disdain.
As everyone gathered in the main hall, various dismissive remarks were made.
"What's the point of a meeting? It's just the new master showing off their authority."
"Who knows? Do you think that delicate young lady can even tell us what to plant?"
"Wang Dazhu, mind your words. It's the master's intention to hold this meeting in the hall today. We have signed indentures as estate farmhands. We must do as the master says, and we shouldn't gossip about the master's actions in private."
"Exactly, exactly. Let's say less. The master should be here soon," someone tried to smooth things over.
"Hmph, so what if we sold our indentures? The previous master always listened to us anyway." Wang Dazhu was the estate steward and quite arrogant, his hands clasped behind his back, acting like he was the king of the world.
Before Su Xiaoqi had even entered, she recognized this steward named Wang Dazhu.
She frowned and flicked the ledger in her hand.
It was evident that Wang Dazhu was inextricably linked to the matters recorded in this ledger.
Shen Yun noticed the issue, took the ledger, flipped through it casually, then closed it quickly. He held Su Xiaoqi's hand and entered the main hall. Without a word, he sat in the main seat, scanned everyone, and let out a cold snort.
His voice was clear and cold, carrying an indescribable nobility. The crowd immediately quieted down.
They all scrutinized the two young people in the main seats.
The man wore a moon-white round-collared robe, with a piece of white jade at his waist.
The crimson cord formed a stark contrast with the white, directly catching everyone's eyes.
Even more stimulating than the jade pendant was his refined and handsome face.
His tall and upright posture, like that of pine and bamboo, exuded an aura of dignity as he sat there.
The woman beside him wore a lake-blue skirt embroidered with orchids. Her eyebrows were like willow leaves, her bright eyes sparkling, and her pink lips curved into a smile. She looked gentle, polite, and approachable.
Wang Dazhu, who had been momentarily stunned by the cold snort, straightened his back to show his defiance.
Su Xiaoqi glanced at him. He was short and stout with dark skin.
His eyes were not large, but they darted around, gleaming with intelligence, clearly the type to harbor many subtle thoughts.
Considering what he had done, his appearance was quite fitting.
Su Xiaoqi instinctively disliked him and didn't mince her words. She spoke directly:
"You are the former steward of this estate, Wang Dazhu?"
She deliberately emphasized the word "former."
"That is correct. I am the steward of the East Estate," Wang Dazhu replied, patting his chest, completely unfazed by the implied meaning in her words.
How arrogant.
Su Xiaoqi frowned, wondering what gave him such confidence.
But she soon found out. It turned out Wang Dazhu wasn't truly brainless.
His arrogance stemmed from his considerable prestige among the farmhands.
Even with her, the new owner of the estate, present, a mere look from him caused all the farmhands to freeze, not daring to utter an extra word.
Su Xiaoqi's dislike intensified, and she secretly planned that she couldn't wait any longer; she had to deal with him now.
Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to quell the anger in her heart.
Shen Yun clasped her hands, his gaze taking in all her thoughts.
He nodded at her, indicating that everything would be handled by him.
Su Xiaoqi agreed. She naturally trusted Shen Yun's capabilities.
With him in charge, none of these people would be able to act presumptuously, or they would face a grim fate.
Su Xiaoqi asked everyone to come forward and introduce themselves.
After a perfunctory round of introductions, she pleaded tiredness, leaned back in her chair, and drank her tea in silence.
As Su Xiaoqi settled down, Shen Yun scanned the room, his expression suddenly turning grim.