Chapter 74: The Kitten (1)

In the days that followed, Shen Xiqing became increasingly busy.

She had much to learn, and the first task was reviewing account books.

The stack of ledgers brought back from the shop was nearly as tall as a person. Some entries were recent, while others dated back years. The newer records were relatively clear, but the older ones were faded and difficult to decipher.

Her maids knew their young mistress to be diligent. Back when she studied under Master Wang at the Qi estate, they assumed her hard work was driven by fear of his stern discipline. Now, without such pressure, they were surprised to see her push herself even harder than before.

That massive stack of accounts, spanning several years, she managed to review in just seven or eight days. As she read, she meticulously organized and transcribed the data, extracting monthly costs for raw materials, wages for the workers, and various other expenses. By the time she finished, she had compiled her own separate ledger.

She rose early each day to study the accounts, often working late into the night. At first, her maids thought her enthusiasm would wane, but instead, it only intensified. They took turns urging her to rest, but though she always responded gently with promises to do so, she continued burning the midnight oil, leaving them at a loss for what to say.

Once Shen Xiqing finished reviewing the accounts, she invited Mr. Ding to visit Fenghe Garden.

Mr. Ding was astonished to hear she had completed the task so quickly. Even more surprising was the detailed ledger she had compiled. Upon examining her work, he found it thorough and meticulous—clear evidence of her dedication.

Mr. Ding had initially been instructed by Second Master Qi to find a shop for Miss Fang to manage. As a servant, he hadn’t questioned the reasons behind this order but simply carried it out. When he met Miss Fang in person, he saw a delicate, half-grown girl who appeared too frail to take business seriously. He assumed she would treat the shop as a mere pastime. He never expected her to put in such effort, thoroughly studying the accounts.

Actions have consequences, and Shen Xiqing’s diligence earned Mr. Ding’s respect. Smiling warmly, he offered guidance: “It’s commendable that you’ve put in the effort, Miss. However, merely reading the accounts isn’t enough. To truly understand them, you must investigate further—visit markets, inquire about prices, and verify every detail.”

His jolly demeanor, reminiscent of a laughing Buddha, softened his words as he stroked his small mustache. Seeing Shen Xiqing’s puzzled expression, he elaborated: “For instance, the ledger might state how much silver was paid to silkworm farmers or spent on replacing weaving tools. Simply reading these figures won’t reveal much. To uncover the truth, you must personally inquire about market prices and consult the workers involved. Only then can you discern any discrepancies.”

Shen Xiqing’s eyes lit up, enlightened by his advice.

Indeed, to successfully manage the fabric shop, she couldn’t confine herself to its premises. She needed to familiarize herself with all aspects of the business.

With newfound clarity, she felt there was much to do. After thanking and seeing Mr. Ding off, she embarked on another wave of activity.

Shen Xiqing began making frequent outings.

Naturally, she informed Second Master Qi beforehand. Fortunately, he imposed few restrictions, allowing her freedom to come and go as long as she returned before the Hai hour curfew. For her convenience, he even assigned Liu Zi to serve as her carriage driver.

Liu Zi was delighted. Transferred from the gatehouse to Woyu Courtyard, his duties became lighter, and his monthly stipend increased. He congratulated himself on his earlier decision to ingratiate himself with Miss Fang, feeling certain of their shared destiny. Hoping for her success, he anticipated rising alongside her.

Shen Xiqing, however, harbored no such elaborate ambitions. Her sole focus was on her fabric shop.

Under Mr. Ding’s guidance, she began exploring related trades—mulberry cultivation, silk production, and even cotton, which had only recently gained attention. Determined to engage with merchants in these fields, she faced societal openness yet encountered prejudice due to her youth. Realizing she needn’t overcomplicate matters, she delegated negotiations to Liu Zi.

Liu Zi, quick-witted and charming, excelled in this role. He represented Shen Xiqing in meetings with merchants, relaying information and results back to her. Following her instructions, he conducted subsequent negotiations, repeating this cycle efficiently.

After weeks of such collaboration, Shen Xiqing deeply appreciated Mr. Ding’s earlier advice.

The shop’s accounts appeared impeccable upon multiple reviews. However, through her investigations, she began noticing discrepancies. For instance, the ledger stated tools were replaced every three years, whereas quality tools typically lasted five. This difference translated into significant savings. Additionally, purchasing raw materials out of season resulted in unnecessary expenses—an issue exacerbated over time.

Through discreet inquiries, Liu Zi confirmed that Manager Lu handled most procurement personally, suggesting possible tampering with the accounts.

Aware of these issues, Shen Xiqing hesitated to act impulsively. Besides addressing Manager Lu’s misconduct, she recognized the urgent need to tackle inventory overstock. Feeling overwhelmed, she decided to deliberate carefully before taking action.

Thus, time passed, and spring transitioned into summer.

The lotus flowers in Fenghe Garden began to bloom, hinting at the poetic charm of budding blossoms. The estate, already elegant, transformed further in early summer. Dragonflies danced above the ponds, and fragrant pink lotuses spread across the landscape, evoking the ethereal beauty of a painting—a serene retreat.

Unfortunately, the estate’s master wasn’t sharing in this tranquility.

Since learning from his grandmother about the incident and understanding the young girl’s nascent feelings, Qi Ying had resolved to distance himself from her. Initially troubled by how to navigate this estrangement, he soon discovered that before he could act, she had already begun withdrawing from him.

At first, Qi Ying attributed this change to her preoccupation with the fabric shop. With less free time, it made sense she would spend fewer hours with him. However, he later noticed that when encountering difficulties, she sought Mr. Ding’s advice rather than his own.

This was understandable—he wasn’t a merchant, after all—but Qi Ying’s sharp mind detected something amiss. Previously affectionate, the girl now rarely arose at the same time as him, seldom dined together, and the egg custard he once enjoyed regularly had disappeared from his table.

Even their shared reading sessions had ceased. Once fond of visiting Wangshi Study, she now avoided it entirely, despite having her own desk prepared by Qingzhu.

What troubled Qi Ying most were the subtle, unspoken changes. Her gaze, once filled with shy affection, now held only formal respect. Though not inherently wrong, this shift felt awkward—profoundly so.

Enduring this discomfort for some time, Qi Ying found it worsening rather than improving.

Initially planning to overlook her behavior, an encounter one day forced him to reconsider. Preparing to leave Fenghe Garden, he crossed paths with Shen Xiqing. In the past, she would have eagerly approached him, but this time, she pretended not to see him, turning abruptly to speak with her maid and disappearing around the corner.

Realizing the situation required attention, Qi Ying decided to address it directly. Calling Shen Xiqing to him, he intended to inquire about her studies and business ventures. However, her increasingly formal demeanor left him speechless.

Though still obedient and responsive, her rigid politeness only deepened his unease.

Even Qi Ying’s renowned composure faltered under her detached responses. Finding further conversation unbearable, he dismissed her promptly.

Yet, her departure did little to ease his frustration. Reflecting on her behavior, he likened her to a kitten—adorably clingy one moment, then swiftly distracted by novelty, abandoning its former attachment.

Uncertain how to interpret her actions—was she heartless, or simply entering a rebellious phase?—Qi Ying found himself perplexed and somewhat melancholic.

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Author’s Note: A man’s heart is truly an enigma.

Didn’t you originally plan to distance yourself from her? So why are you upset now that she’s taken the initiative to drift away?