Chapter 97

Yao Niang was bewildered by her actions, but this was a painting she had meticulously crafted; how could she let someone take it away so easily? So Yao Niang dashed forward and grabbed her sleeve: "What are you doing?"

Han Ruohua seemed to come to her senses quickly and had already prepared an explanation: "When I was young, Cousin Yi saved me from the water. I also want to hang one at home as a tribute."

"You want to? That's your business, but this isn't yours." Yao Niang immediately tried to snatch it back.

But Han Ruohua held on tightly. Yao Niang, fearing that the painting would be damaged, began to pry her fingers open one by one, noticing her knuckles turning white. Yao Niang didn’t care and finally managed to retrieve the painting, only then realizing something was amiss.

Shen Linfeng quickly put both paintings away and said to Yao Niang, "I think these two paintings are excellent and don’t need any changes. With these portraits, the underworld officials won’t dare to fool around."

"I agree." Yao Niang suddenly thought about Han Ruohua’s secret liaisons with Shen Bangyan. Could it be because of Shen Linyi? Otherwise, why would a well-bred lady disregard her reputation so much?

The others naturally saw through it but remained silent. Han Ruohua also regained her composure and said, "Aunt often speaks of Cousin Linyi. If she sees it, she will be overjoyed."

Yao Niang glanced at her sideways, "Third Sister-in-law, Mother is old. Old people fear extreme joy or sorrow. Don’t you know that?"

Today, everyone came to see the paintings and discovered Yao Niang’s strong character. When someone tried to take something, she would directly pry their fingers apart. Master Shen Er looked at Shen Linfeng, wondering if he was dead, not even speaking up.

Shen Linfeng often acted like this. Not only did he not smooth things over, but he said, "My dear, we owe you a great deal for this. You are our family’s benefactor, and I don’t know how to thank you."

"Thank me for what? It’s my duty. The Cold Food Festival is coming soon. We can’t let Brother starve in the afterlife. In our household, you are his only blood brother, and it’s commendable that you have such thoughts." Yao Niang humbly replied.

Han Ruohua didn’t get angry; instead, she recalled the portrait she had just seen, feeling as if she were looking at Cousin Yi himself.

Lady Shen Er, however, thought that perhaps she could have someone paint a portrait of her son, Bangxing. Therefore, after returning from the main house, she called Shen Bangyan back.

"Bangyan, paint a portrait of your brother. I also want to offer it during the Cold Food Festival, so the underworld officials don’t deliberately let your elder brother go hungry," Lady Shen Er said.

Shen Bangyan naturally agreed, but after painting several portraits, Lady Shen Er became increasingly dissatisfied: "This portrait doesn’t look like your brother at all. Who can recognize him? The posture and appearance are all wrong, and the clothes are not right either."

"Mother, you should find someone more skilled. I was very young when Brother died, and I remember little," Shen Bangyan, who had studied painting, believed he was quite good, but his mother was never satisfied.

Lady Shen Er was taken aback: "Do I have no choice but to ask her?"

Shen Bangyan, quick-witted, immediately asked, "You mean Eldest Sister-in-law?"

Lady Shen Er nodded: "I think she’s the only one, but I don’t want to ask her."

"Why don’t you talk to Elder Brother and have him ask Eldest Sister-in-law?" Shen Bangyan suggested.

Lady Shen Er found this reasonable. She remembered the jade pendant of Shen Linyi she had encountered last time, which must have been part of their efforts to gather items for the portrait. The clothing in the portrait was what Shen Linyi often wore in life.

Shen Bangyan told Master Shen Er, who then summoned Shen Linfeng, hinting that they wanted Yao Niang to help paint Shen Bangxing.

"Uncle, anyone with talent has a temper. Even Commander Liu would have to reward her. Besides, whether she agrees is not something I can persuade her to do," Shen Linfeng said.

Master Shen Er understood: "I’ll have your aunt prepare a generous gift. After all, Bangxing is also a pain for us. If he had grown up, he would be about your age, leaving us with a memory. As the saying goes, children shouldn’t speak of strange and supernatural things, but our thoughts align with yours."

In fact, Shen Linfeng had always suspected there might be more to his brother’s death, so he wanted to test Lady Shen Er. Dropping the jade pendant was the first step, and having the portrait painted was the second.

However, Lady Shen Er’s demeanor was too composed, while Han Ruohua was more agitated, causing much gossip.

Now, hearing Master Shen Er’s words, Shen Linfeng replied, "Uncle, you’re right. I’m afraid that as I grow older, everyone will forget my brother. But she has just finished two portraits, exhausting her energy. Let’s discuss this matter later."

Seeing Shen Linfeng agree, Master Shen Er nodded.

On the way back, Shen Linfeng told Yao Niang, "I’ve declined for now. Don’t agree to it in the future."

"I've long known that neither of us believes in ghosts and spirits, yet you asked me to paint and fabricate those ghost stories. It turns out you were testing the Second Lady. You overestimate people's conscience. That Qing Grand Lady incited Jiang Second Lady, nearly causing her miscarriage, but later acted as if nothing happened. How could those who do wrong feel guilty? If they're caught, they only think they made a mistake or had their reasons, so they don't see any harm in hurting others." Yao Niang had long noticed.

Qing Grand Lady's tactics in the inner chambers were not obvious to others, but Yao Niang was not foolish.

Time and again, it was Qing Grand Lady who suggested Shao Shi reconcile with her, clearly fanning the flames. This person, from the moment she entered, was one who liked to dig pits. Suddenly acting like an elder sister, offering kindness without reason, must have ulterior motives. The reason Shao Shi miscarried was because she had already bribed Wang Gu, who naturally revealed everything.

Shen Linfeng grew up in a large family, thinking he knew all the secrets, but he never imagined there were still so many things he didn't know. He felt somewhat disheartened: "Why do those who do wrong feel no remorse?"

"The Second Lady may not necessarily be the mastermind. Without evidence, many things are hard to say. The priority now is to find the two maids who were sent away. Don't assume servants will never betray their masters," said Yao Niang.

Shen Linfeng nodded: "So you mean we shouldn't test her anymore?"

"Isn't that right? If she can really do such things and still eat well and sleep soundly, testing her won't elicit any reaction. The priority is to investigate. As an official, would you convict someone based on mere speculation and supposed guilt?"

Yao Niang's words enlightened Shen Linfeng; expecting the Second Lady to confess was unlikely.

Investigation was still needed to find evidence. Even if past matters were cleared up, there might still be loose ends. No matter how difficult the path, what else could be done?

"Alright, I'll write to Zhou Sun now," said Shen Linfeng.

Zhou Sun was Zhou Mama's son, and Zhou Mama was a top confidant of Shen's wife. Yao Niang looked at him: "Is Zhou Sun your man?"

Shen Linfeng smiled: "Yes, although Rong An is my servant, Zhou Sun used to be my personal attendant. Later, I had him manage the rent for two seasons."

"I see," thought Yao Niang, recalling her grandfather's teaching to be cautious. Why did Shen Linfeng tell her everything?

He even told Yao Niang about his deliberate act of dropping a jade pendant at the Second Lady's feet using the Su Mu Zhe method. Yao Niang was stunned: "That's impossible, you were with me the whole time when the Second Lady left."

"No, I left for a moment," Shen Linfeng laughed.

Yao Niang shook her head: "Impossible, you just went to the inner room to fetch tea, it took no more than a breath."

Shen Linfeng replied: "I learned the step-over technique, isn't that enough?"

Yao Niang finally understood: "No wonder you're so good at polo, you even learned the step-over technique."

Shen Linfeng then said: "Human hearts are far more unpredictable than I thought. Now, I need to investigate while also doing my duty properly."

"That's the right approach," Yao Niang approved.

They also discussed Han Ruohua's recent outburst. After returning home, she fabricated a story, claiming Shen Linyi had saved her life, and wanted to honor him. This led Shen Sanlang to ask Shen Linfeng for a painting, which he naturally ignored.

Because he had already had the two paintings copied, intending to send them home so Shen's wife could see what Shen Linyi would look like when grown, and also hoping Shen's father would help find the culprit.

Yao Niang asked: "Aren't you afraid your mother will be heartbroken?"

"What difference does it make if she is? My elder brother should have been protected by our mother. Even if she didn't give him a concubine, what difference would it make? Or perhaps if Mother cared more about my brother and didn't entrust the household to outsiders, none of this might have happened. Regardless of whether the two maids were instigated by others, they were chosen by Mother, who didn't even know their backgrounds. Shouldn't she be heartbroken?" Shen Linfeng even recalled that his mother wanted him to marry Han Ruohua without investigating her background, and previously wanted him to marry Yan Ningxin without checking her background either.

Shen Linfeng's words were firm and decisive. Seeing his determination, Yao Niang couldn't help but say: "It's good that you think this way. Tomorrow is the Cold Food Festival, let's enjoy it first."

"Of course, I should go to bed now. I'm going to sleep, and I have a big surprise for you tomorrow morning. Look forward to it," Shen Linfeng said, falling asleep immediately, leaving no time for Yao Niang to react.

Seeing him snore, Yao Niang teased: "Even a pig doesn't fall asleep as fast as you." But then she thought about what Shen's mother would think upon receiving the two paintings. What would happen when her mother-in-law saw them?