Spoiled and mad critic of powerful ministers

Shen Huaifeng snorted through his nose, his gaze sweeping over Pei Zhihui like a knife. "Who do we have here? It's the Pei family's literary star."

And so it begins.

Shen Qiongju felt a chill run down her spine and was about to speak up to smooth things over.

Pei Zhihui, who was behind him, stepped forward.

He wasn't angry, he didn't sneer, and even his pride seemed to have softened somewhat.

Pei Zhihui lifted his robe and respectfully performed a junior's bow, bending his waist very low, without the slightest fault.

"This junior, Pei Zhihui, pays New Year's greetings to my uncle." His voice was clear and gentle, and his posture was humble.

"All that has happened before was the fault of the Pei family. I have come today to apologize to my uncle and wish him good health and longevity year after year."

Shen Huaifeng seemed to choke, all the words he wanted to say stuck in his throat.

He originally wanted to give the Pei family a good dressing down, since none of them were capable and their household expenses were all covered by their daughter.

But you can't hit someone who's smiling. This kid has put on such a humble attitude, how can he possibly retaliate?

"Hmph, hypocrite!"

Shen Huaifeng turned his face away, like a spoiled old child, "Don't think that just because you say a few nice words, I'll forget how your family mistreated Qiongju!"

"Father!" Shen Qiongju tugged at his sleeve.

Pei Zhihui straightened up, his expression still calm: "Uncle is right. The Pei family will make amends for those mistakes in the future."

He waved his hand, and the servants of the Pei family behind him immediately presented a gift box. "This is old ginseng that my mother specially prepared for Uncle to nourish his body."

Shen Huaifeng glanced at the wild ginseng; its quality was indeed quite good.

His expression softened a bit, but he still maintained his airs: "Put it down. Since you're here, come inside and have a cup of tea, lest people say that the Shen family doesn't know how to treat guests."

"No need."

Pei Zhihui refused.

He looked at Shen Qiongju, his gaze lingering for a moment on her thin, turquoise cloak.

"It's getting late, and I still have some chores to do at home. Since you've already seen me off, I'll take my leave."

He bowed again, turned and left, decisively and without any hesitation.

Shen Qiongju watched his figure disappear into the wind and snow; he was slender, yet as upright as a pine tree.

A strange, indescribable feeling welled up inside her.

"Alright, stop watching!"

Shen Huaifeng's sour voice rang in my ears, "They're all gone!"

Shen Qiongju snapped out of her daze and looked at her father with amusement: "Dad, how old are you? You're still acting like a child."

"Who was I doing that for? It was all to get revenge for you!"

Shen Huaifeng grumbled and pulled his daughter into the house, saying, "Come on, come on, Daddy had someone prepare your favorite eight-treasure duck. Let's have a good drink together!"

In the Shen family's hall, the underfloor heating was even warmer than in the Pei family's. Shen Qiongju took off her cloak and felt all the chill in her body being forced away.

There were only the father and daughter at the dinner table.

Shen Huaifeng kept picking up duck legs and serving fish soup, as if he wanted to pile all the dishes on the table into Shen Qiongju's bowl.

"That's enough, Dad. I'm not a pig." Shen Qiongju said, both amused and exasperated.

After a few rounds of drinks, Shen Huaifeng put down his chopsticks, and a rare look of seriousness appeared on his usually cheerful face.

"Qiongju."

He twirled the walnut in his hand, lowering his voice slightly, "You've done a great job with Qionghua Pavilion. You've done a really good job. Even better than your mother did when she was young."

Shen Qiongju smiled and said, "It's all thanks to Father's good teaching."

"But……"

Shen Huaifeng changed the subject, his brows furrowing into a deep frown, "That's great, so great it makes people envious."

Shen Qiongju paused, the spoon in her hand still.

"What does Father mean?"

"The tallest tree in the forest is bound to be felled by the wind." Shen Huaifeng sighed, his eyes cloudy but shrewd. "We're too ostentatious. In the eyes of those officials, we're just fattened pigs that they can kill whenever they want."

He stretched out his slightly withered hand and pointed at Shen Qiongju.

"The strong liquor and that medicinal wine you're making now are incredibly profitable. Wu County is a small place, so it's fine for now. But if you open a branch in the prefectural city..."

"Qiongju, we can't hold out until the second son of the Pei family passes the imperial examination."

Shen Qiongju remained silent.

She looked at her father's hand; a finger was missing.

"Father is right, but with Zhao Qiyan as a shareholder in Qionghua Pavilion for the time being, no one should be able to touch it."

Shen Huaifeng put down his spoon, his eyes clear. "Even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake. That young Marquis Zhao will return to the capital sooner or later."

At this point, Shen Huaifeng paused, his eyes filled with complex emotions. "Daughter, tell your father the truth. Is it because Zhao Qiyan is helping Qionghua Pavilion so much, only taking 20% ​​of the profits, that she has designs on you?"

Shen Qiongju laughed, "Father, Zhao Qiyan is just a playful teenager, she doesn't have any other thoughts."

Shen Huaifeng sighed and didn't ask any further questions.

As long as my daughter doesn't suffer any loss, let her be.

"By the way, Dad."

Shen Qiongju suddenly reached out and gently grasped her father's crippled hand; it was rough and slightly cool.

"It's been snowing lately, does your finger... still hurt?"

Shen Huaifeng's body stiffened; this was phantom pain.

Since he got busy at the grain store, he often forgot about the finger that was no longer there, but whenever he thought about it, it would hurt like it was on fire.

But he never said anything, for fear of worrying his daughter.

"It doesn't hurt anymore. I've been so busy lately that I've completely forgotten about the pain." Shen Huaifeng casually pulled his hand back and picked up his wine glass to cover it up.

Shen Qiongju felt a pang of sadness as she looked at the white hair at his temples.

The Lantern Festival has just passed, and the festive atmosphere of the New Year in Wuxian County has not yet dissipated, but the streets and alleys are already filled with a somber mood.

Qionghua Pavilion's business is booming.

Even though it was past lunchtime, the lobby was still bustling with people.

Shen Qiongju stood behind the counter, her fingers fiddling with the abacus, the crisp clinking sound particularly pleasant amidst the noise.

"Shopkeeper, two more cups of 'Jingbian Spring,' pure!"

"Alright, please wait a moment, sir!"

The waiter jogged to the liquor cabinet to get the wine.

Shen Qiongju looked up, wiped the fine sweat from her forehead, and looked at the guests in the hall, but there was no joy in her eyes.

Her father's words that night were like a thorn stuck in her heart.

Everything went too smoothly.

"Bang!"

With a loud bang, the door was kicked open.

A cold wind, carrying snowflakes, swept into the warm lobby, instantly silencing the once bustling diners.

Two teams of soldiers in full armor filed in, their swords clashing against their armor with a sickening clang.

The man at the head, with a face full of scars, was none other than Zhao Meng, the personal guard captain of Hu Biao, the general of Wu County.

"Who's in charge?"

Zhao Meng looked around, his gaze fierce as a wolf.

Shen Qiongju's heart skipped a beat; her ominous premonition had finally come true.

She held back the shop assistant who was trying to rush out, straightened her clothes, and walked out from behind the counter.

"That is me, a commoner."

Shen Qiongju curtsied, her posture neither humble nor arrogant, and asked, "I didn't know you had the honor of visiting, sir. What brings you here?"

"What brings you here?"

Zhao Meng sneered and waved his hand, "Close this shop! Everyone, get out!"

"On what grounds?"

Upon seeing this, Shen Huaifeng, who was just coming out of the kitchen, threw down the tray he was holding and rushed forward, shouting, "We're doing legitimate business, what law have we broken?"

"What kind of law is this?"

Zhao Meng shoved Shen Huaifeng away with such force that Shen Huaifeng staggered a few steps and bumped into the corner of the table.

"Father!" Shen Qiongju exclaimed in surprise and quickly helped her father up.

Zhao Meng took out a token from his pocket and waved it in front of everyone.

"My eldest son drank at your place yesterday, and afterwards he started vomiting and having diarrhea, along with a persistent high fever! The doctor said he's been poisoned!"

"Bullshit!" Shen Huaifeng's beard trembled with rage. "My Shen family's wine has been sold for decades without a single problem! How come it's the only one that's poisoned after your young master drank it?"

"Whether it's poisonous or not, we'll find out by taking him back and interrogating him."

Zhao Meng's gaze fell on Shen Qiongju, his eyes filled with a nauseating stickiness and scrutiny.

"General Hu has ordered that Qionghua Pavilion be immediately shut down as it is suspected of murdering officials' families. Manager Shen is to be taken back to prison to await trial!"

"Wait!"

Shen Qiongju stood in front of her father, forcing herself to calm down.

"Sir, everything requires evidence. Young Master Hu did come yesterday, but the other gentlemen at the table also drank the same wine. Why is it that only Young Master Hu is in trouble?"

"Furthermore, this Qionghua Pavilion is not solely owned by the Shen family; the young Marquis Zhao Qiyan of the capital also holds a 20% stake. Shouldn't you, sir, consult the young Marquis before closing the shop and arresting people?"

She brought out Zhao Qiyan as a powerful figure.