Spoiled and mad critic of powerful ministers

Two aunts from a collateral branch burst in. The one in the lead looked anxious, her eyes fixed on the land deed on the table, filled with jealousy.

"This is the last bit of wealth the Pei family has left! How can we hand it over to an outsider, especially... and a jinx who killed Zhi Chao!"

Another chimed in shrill voice, "That's right, sister-in-law! We all saw it. Yesterday she was seen arguing and making out with some random guy at the back door, all shady and unclear!"

"Who knows what she's up to? What if she runs off with the land deeds? How are we supposed to survive?"

Liu followed behind them, her face full of difficulty and conflict, wanting to stop them but not daring to.

Pei Junlan's face instantly darkened.

She didn't even get angry; she just gave the two women a cold glance.

"Tell me then," Pei Junlan said coldly, "who paid for the old man's funeral?"

"Zhihui had a persistent high fever; who stayed up all night keeping watch over him?"

"The hall is full of guests waiting for the banquet to begin, but the rice bins in the kitchen are empty. Who is it that has contributed their own money to allow the Pei family to save face?"

"Besides gossiping and spreading rumors, what else can you do?"

"If your family suffers a disaster, is there anyone in your family who can support you?"

A barrage of questions made the two women blush deeply.

Liu lowered her head in shame.

Pei Junlan stopped looking at them and pushed Tian Qi towards Shen Qiongju again.

"Take it."

Her tone left no room for argument.

"After the New Year, you will go to Shenjia Village to inspect the fields and collect this year's winter rent. I will also have the shopkeeper come to see you."

Shen Qiongju took a deep breath and met Pei Junlan's gaze.

She did not refuse again.

She stretched out her hands and solemnly accepted the two thin, yet incredibly heavy, land deeds.

"Yes, Qiongju obeys."

The two aunts' eyes reddened as they watched this scene, but they dared not utter a single word.

Pei Junlan waved her hand, as if shooing away flies.

"Get out, all of you."

The two left reluctantly.

The room returned to silence.

Pei Junlan watched as Shen Qiongju carefully put away the land deed before a faint smile appeared on her face.

"Go ahead," she said. "Come back soon."

Shen Qiongju stood up and gave Pei Junlan a curtsy.

"Take care, Aunt."

After saying that, she turned and walked out of the main room.

The sunlight under the eaves filtered through the sparse branches, casting dappled shadows on her plain blue dress.

Her steps were steady, her back slender, but she no longer showed the weariness of yesterday.

As Shen Qiongju stepped out of the Pei family's gate carrying the small blue cloth bundle, the daylight was just right.

The snow reflected the warm winter sun, so bright it was almost dazzling.

She didn't take a car; she walked back to the Shen family home in the south of the city step by step.

The closer she got, the stronger the familiar smell, a mixture of fermented liquor and smoky aroma, became, finally allowing her nerves, which had been tense for several days, to slowly relax.

The courtyard gate was ajar, and she gently pushed it open.

Who is it?

Shen Huaide's slightly wary voice came from the courtyard, and then his thin, wrinkled face peeked out from the backyard.

Upon seeing that it was Shen Qiongju, he was first taken aback, then a smile of surprise and delight spread across his face.

"Qiongju! Why are you back? Have you finished things with the Pei family?"

"I came back to see Father." Shen Qiongju smiled at him, then looked past him toward the main house.

The curtain to the main room was lifted by a large, broad hand, and Shen Huaifeng walked out.

He was wearing a worn cotton robe, and his hair was neatly combed, but his temples were already gray.

That face, which used to always have a kind and gentle smile, was now tense, its lips pressed into a stubborn line.

He had lost weight and looked haggard.

"Father." Shen Qiongju's nose tingled with emotion, and she quickly stepped forward.

Shen Huaifeng looked at her, without moving or saying anything.

His gaze slid from her thin, pale face to the small bundle at her feet, and finally back to her face. His eyes held heartache, anger, and an barely suppressed awkwardness.

"So you know to come back?" he finally spoke, his voice full of energy.

"You still acknowledge me as your father?"

Shen Qiongju put on a charming face and went over to help him with his arm.

Shen Huaifeng subtly shifted his body to the side, avoiding it.

"Of course I acknowledge him, he's my biological father!" Shen Qiongju said loudly on purpose.

"Hmph." Shen Huaifeng snorted coldly, turned around and walked into the house. "The Pei family is so good, why come back? You should die there, that's what it takes to have backbone!"

As Shen Qiongju watched her father's retreating figure, a sudden surge of grievance welled up within her.

Shen Huaide, standing to the side, grew anxious and quickly tried to smooth things over: "Hey, brother, what are you saying! Qiongju finally came back, and you..."

"Don't try to persuade me!" Shen Huaifeng shouted without turning his head. "All you do is try to smooth things over."

Shen Huaide was momentarily speechless, then awkwardly shut his mouth, only casting a helpless look at Shen Qiongju.

Shen Qiongju sniffed loudly, picked up her bundle, and followed him into the house.

A charcoal brazier burned inside, making the room warm and cozy.

Shen Huaifeng sat in the main seat with his back to her, picked up his teacup and drank tea, the lid clinking against the rim of the cup, making a crisp sound.

"Father, I brought you some pastries from Yuexianlou." Shen Qiongju placed the bundle on the table, took out the pastries wrapped in oil paper, and spoke in a soft, ingratiating tone.

Shen Huaifeng ignored him.

"Dad, does your hand still hurt? I made some frostbite cream myself, and I made some for you too. It's good for wounds in winter because it promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis."

Shen Huaifeng still ignored him.

Shen Qiongju had no choice but to move a stool, sit next to him, and look up at him.

"Father, please don't be angry. I know I was wrong. I should have come back to see you sooner."

She reached out and gently tugged at her father's wide sleeve, shaking it just like she did when she was a child.

Shen Huaifeng's tightly clenched lips finally relaxed slightly.

He glanced at his daughter, noticing her reddened nose and the glistening tears in her eyes, and his anger subsided considerably, though he still couldn't hold back his words.

"Wrong? Where did you go wrong?" He put down his teacup, his voice still stiff.

"You're right! You're a very capable person. You survived in the Pei family's den of dragons and tigers, and you managed to run the Pei family in such an orderly manner. As your father, I should kowtow to you!"

That's so sour it makes your teeth ache.

Shen Huaide, who was standing nearby, couldn't stand it anymore and couldn't help but speak up again: "Brother, yesterday you were praising the Pei family for being so lucky to marry such a good wife as Qiongju. If it weren't for her protection all the way, the Pei family would have died in Dabao Village long ago."

"You know how much suffering Qiongju endured in exile. Now that she's back, you're filled with hatred and want to criticize her." As he spoke, Shen Huaide's voice grew softer and softer, and he began to mutter to himself.

It would have been better if he hadn't said anything, because once he did, Shen Huaifeng's temper flared up again.

"You still know I'm your biological father?" Shen Huaifeng slammed his hand on the table.

"My daughter! My daughter, Shen Huaifeng's daughter! Why should she suffer like that in the Pei family? Her husband died, she was almost drowned, and she was exiled and forced to work like a beast of burden. She finally came back, and instead of coming home to see her father who has lost a finger, she goes to serve their whole family!"

"Are the Pei family even worthy of it?"