Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 166 Taking Over the Mansion
Soon after, Tan Huaike and Shen Tuzhuo moved into the old house that was surrounded by the residences of the powerful and wealthy.

After renovation and cleaning, the once desolate and terrifying mansion was transformed, becoming spacious and bright. The uncle, aunt, and Pei'er didn't occupy much space, so the back courtyard and side rooms were left empty. Even so, Pei'er alone couldn't manage such a large house. Shen Tu Zhuo had official duties, and Tan Huai Ke was busy with his business. After careful consideration, they hired several servants and maids to share the work.

Now that Shentu Zhuo has received his salary, Tan Huai Ke is much more financially comfortable and no longer needs to scrimp and save. He lives a more comfortable and refined life. Pei'er has also learned a lot from her mistress and has become the head housekeeper of the mansion, ordering several servants and maids around and arranging the master's daily life perfectly.

During his break, Shentu Zhuo sat in the pavilion brewing and sipping tea, and couldn't help but sigh, "Although it's still far from the glory of the past, it can be considered a partial restoration of our family's reputation. I never thought that one day I could come back here and relive the days of my youth. Back then, I thought it was just an ordinary place, but now my feelings are completely different."

Tan Huaike comforted him, saying, "If Uncle Jun is watching from heaven, he would be proud of you two brothers."

Shentu Zhuo sighed: "Grandpa probably disliked my mischievous and unruly nature, and always placed high hopes on my elder brother. If my brother could have finished what he hadn't accomplished, I imagine he would have achieved even more than me, but alas..."

Tan Huaike refilled his teacup: "It's a pity that the dead cannot be brought back to life. Take it easy and don't dwell on those irretrievable karmic connections. If your brother hadn't died in vain on the battlefield, you wouldn't be so resentful and have desperately tried to squeeze into the court."

“The deceit and treachery you are facing right now are no less than what your elder brother faced, yet you are able to deal with it calmly and even have the energy to secretly investigate your uncle’s case from back then. That is already quite remarkable.”

"You really think so highly of me?"

"Of course," Tan Huaike said with a smile. "Everyone says that officials and businessmen collude. You are my most solid backer in the officialdom. Please help me make more money. You must not fall."

"Hmm, that makes sense. Then you'd better flatter me." Shen Tu Zhuo, having gotten the better deal, still acted innocent. "Come on, I want Boss Tan to personally serve me a jujube cake."

"Don't you have hands?" Tan Huaike refused to indulge him.

"If you feed me one, I'll use my connections with officials and businessmen to tell you some good news."

"Really?"

"When have I ever lied to you?"

Tan Huai Ke immediately rolled up his sleeves, picked up a whole jujube cake and stuffed it into his mouth, then hurriedly asked, "What good news?"

Shen Tu Zhuo was choked and couldn't speak: "Ugh, you're just...feeding me like this? Trying to...choke me to death?" He poured himself a mouthful of tea, and after finally swallowing it, he said under Tan Huai Ke's urging, "The good news is that in the draft document on the western border trade routes, I suggested that Huaqi Street in Zhangye County be renovated and replanned, abandoning the original shady trades that were actually conducted under the guise of sheltering refugees, and establishing it as a new base for normal border trade."

"Huaqi Street!" Tan Huai Ke exclaimed incredulously, "Huaqi Street is going to be renovated? That means that the owners there won't be considered to be involved in illegal businesses anymore? And they can regain their eligibility for selection as imperial merchants?"

"If this advice is adopted, the qualification will surely be restored, and that place will become a vital area for border trade in the future. Why worry about not doing business? The shop prices will probably increase several times over."

"That's wonderful!" Tan Huai Ke could hardly contain his joy. "It's good to earn more money, but it's even better to regain the qualification for the Imperial Merchant Selection! You don't know, there's news in the Chamber of Commerce that merchants will be registering for the Imperial Merchant Selection at the beginning of next month. I was just worrying about what to do with Huaqi Street, and I was even thinking about asking Miss Tao to help me take it over first..."

"Tao Ying? When did you two get together?" Shen Tu Zhuo was afraid Tao Ying would say something inappropriate, making his path to marrying her even more difficult. "That's none of your business." Tan Huai Ke was still immersed in joy. "Wait, will your advice work? When will a decree be issued to officially recognize Huaqi Street?"

"This matter has been approved by the King of Qin and is being handled by the Grand Herald. If nothing unexpected happens, it will be promulgated in a few days."

“Okay, then I’ll make some preparations early.” Tan Huaike suppressed his excitement and made the gesture of praying to Mohe, “I pray for the protection of the god Monroe and hope that everything will go smoothly.”
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The two, having a rare moment of leisure, chatted for a while longer.

Before moving into the mansion, they had already searched every nook and cranny where things might be hidden during the renovation, but still found no clues related to the missing plan.

After moving in, they searched repeatedly. Tan Huai Ke even asked Shen Tu Zhuo to send a message to Yan Sha, inviting him to the mansion for a meal and to search together, but they still found nothing.

From then on, the clues to that case from back then were once again cut off.

However, Shen Tu Zhuo was not entirely discouraged: "It's alright, let's think of another way. Recently, I have been secretly looking for Aweng's former colleagues, including those officials who have already retired. Perhaps there will be other clues."

Tan Huaike nodded: "You should also be careful and not be hasty in dealing with things, lest you give others a handle to use against you."

Pei'er prepared a list of furniture and household items and asked the two masters if they had anything else to add. Tan Huai Ke glanced at it and asked Shen Tu Zhuo, "Now that we've settled down, should we bring Jun Gu to Andu to live with us? After all, this is the hometown where she grew up, and she'll definitely feel some attachment to it."

Shen Tu Zhuo shook his head: "Mother will not want to come back. Her family was also involved in my grandfather's case back then, which led to the destruction of the family and the death of many people. I secretly entered officialdom through the recommendation system without her knowledge, which went against her wishes. Mother has not replied to a single letter I sent to Zhangye earlier. She is probably still angry right now and will definitely not come."

“Well, Aunt Jun has suffered a lot in her life.” Tan Huai Ke said with a sense of sympathy.

“Don’t worry about it. My mother is much stronger than you think. Besides, she has lived in Zhangye for more than ten years and has long been accustomed to the local customs and culture. Although it is remote, it is more comfortable and secure than living in An.” Shentu Zhuo teased, “Sister-in-law, you can stay here in peace. In this way, you will be the rightful queen here, and you will be in charge of all the household affairs in my Shentu mansion.”

"Oh, then who is the male ruler of this mansion?"

“Then it’s naturally me…” Shen Tu Zhuo answered quickly.

"Naturally, it's my late husband?" Tan Huaike joked. "My uncle truly respects and loves his elder brother; it's truly admirable."

"..." Shen Tu Zhuo could only swallow his bitterness.

The search for Shen Tu Jianzhi's missing bamboo slips had made no progress when, on this day, while Tan Huaike was checking the accounts at the incense shop, he suddenly received some terrible news.

Pei'er rushed in with the news: "Madam, something terrible has happened! The Second Young Master has been arrested!"

Tan Huaike's hand trembled slightly as he manipulated the abacus beads, and he suddenly looked up.
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Next chapter: Convicted and imprisoned.