Chapter 43: Promise!

Before they even reached the inner quarters, they saw a young man dressed as a dandy approaching them, apparently about to head out.

“Hm?”

The young man, dressed in flamboyant attire, stopped them and questioned, “Xiao Yuhong, didn’t my sister say she wouldn’t receive any visitors lately? Why are you bringing outsiders into the house?”

Xiao Yuhong lowered her head and explained, “Young master, this is Brother Shen, a close friend of the young mistress—not an outsider. The young mistress sent me to escort him so he could visit the master.”

“Oh?”

Hearing this, the young man snapped his folding fan shut and, as if transformed, cupped his hands with a smile. “If you’re a friend of my sister, then you’re a friend of mine as well. I am Pei Hongyu. A pleasure to meet you.”

Liu Shen, observing the man’s flashy attire and the way his attitude shifted so quickly, was reminded for no particular reason of Zhang Shichen, whom he’d dispatched a few days prior. He lost all desire for idle conversation with this sort and simply returned the greeting. “I’ve heard the old master is gravely ill, and I must go pay my respects. I won’t keep you, young master.”

With that, he shot Xiao Yuhong a look, signaling her to lead the way.

Pei Hongyu, feeling his warmth met with cold indifference and noticing the other hadn’t even bothered to ask his name, was clearly disgruntled by the slight. His face soured, but as the two walked away, he gave a dismissive snort and, remembering the silver he had coaxed from his sister—enough for another round of gambling—he grinned, unfurled his fan, and strode out the door.

“Brother Shen…” Xiao Yuhong glanced back to make sure Pei Hongyu was gone, then whispered, “The young mistress’s brother is no good.”

“Oh?” Liu Shen raised an eyebrow. “Why do you say that?”

“He’s addicted to gambling…” she murmured. “In just the few days he’s been here, he’s already asked the young mistress for money several times in private.”

“And she gave it to him?”

“The young mistress is kindhearted, and with so much to deal with these days, plus the fact that he’s her own brother, she can hardly refuse him. She only tries to persuade him to keep away from gambling. He always promises, but I know every time he leaves with her money, he heads straight for the gambling den.”

“I see,” Liu Shen nodded thoughtfully. As they entered the inner quarters, he added softly, “Don’t speak of this to anyone else. If the young mistress doesn’t ask, just pretend you never saw anything.”

“Mm.” Xiao Yuhong nodded obediently.

Liu Shen entered the old master Song’s chamber, where the first thing he saw was Pei Xueyan’s haggard face. At her side sat a middle-aged couple—her family, by the look of them.

Doctor Zhang was at the bedside, taking the old man’s pulse, while Yuan Xiaofei stood awkwardly behind.

Song, lying in bed, already looked ghostly—sallow-skinned, his eyes dull and sightless, his frame withered to skin and bone.

“Brother Shen…”

Yuan Xiaofei kept glancing at the doorway, and on seeing Liu Shen, reflexively called out, then realized and quickly covered his mouth, signaling for silence.

Pei Xueyan’s expression was a mixture of joy and grievance when she saw Liu Shen; she gave a soft huff and turned her face away.

Her parents, curious, looked Liu Shen over but said nothing.

Liu Shen knew this wasn’t the time to explain things to Pei Xueyan. He went over to Doctor Zhang and asked quietly, “Doctor Zhang, how is the old master faring?”

Doctor Zhang only glanced at him, sighed, and shook his head.

Looking at the old master, gaunt as a skeleton, Liu Shen understood—age had caught up with him, and the end was near.

Just then, the old master, as if sensing something, turned his head toward Liu Shen and tremulously grasped his hand, lips moving as if he wished to speak, yet the effort was too great; he could not utter a word.

Seeing Liu Shen’s confusion, Doctor Zhang explained softly, “The old master is already blind, and he has hardly any strength left to speak.”

A pang of sorrow rose in Liu Shen’s heart. Since the old man seemed to have something to say, Liu Shen bent down, putting his ear close, and finally caught a faint, thread-like whisper: “Is… is that Quan’er?”

Liu Shen’s nose stung. Even at the end, the old man was thinking of his departed son. He could hardly bear to break the old man’s illusion.

When Liu Shen didn’t answer, the old master stroked his knuckles, lips trembling. “You… you are Liu Shen?”

“Yes,” Liu Shen replied with a gentle smile. “It’s me, old master—your disagreeable junior come to visit you.”

The old master let out a breathy laugh and seemed to recover some spirit, wheezing, “Ask… ask the others to leave. I have something to say to you.”

“Of course! Please wait a moment.”

Liu Shen turned and met Pei Xueyan’s gaze. Their eyes met, and it seemed understanding passed between them.

Pei Xueyan rose and said, “Father, Mother, Doctor Zhang, Xiaofei, Yuhong—let’s go out for a moment. The old master wishes to speak with Liu Shen alone.”

Pei Xueyan, Doctor Zhang, Yuan Xiaofei, and Yuhong all knew Liu Shen well and had no objection. Her parents, though curious, knew they were outsiders and that the old master was not yet gone, so they said nothing.

The group left, closing the door.

Liu Shen leaned in beside the old master and spoke softly, “Now it’s just the two of us, old master. Whatever you wish to say, please tell me.”

With the others gone, a look of indignation and loathing flashed across the old master’s face. He tried to speak, but the words caught in his throat—his breath short, his voice failing him.

The more he struggled, the more agitated he became; the more agitated, the harder it was to speak.

“Don’t rush, old master. Take it slow, take it slow…”

Seeing the old man’s struggle, Liu Shen quickly tried to steady his breathing. “If there’s something you wish to entrust to me, I can probably guess what it is. Let me try: if I’m right, just nod; if I’m wrong, shake your head. That way, you won’t have to strain yourself. Is that all right?”

The old master nodded slightly and stopped struggling to speak.

Liu Shen was relieved and leaned in to ask quietly, “Is what you wish to entrust related to the Song family’s estate?”

The old master first nodded, then shook his head.

Liu Shen understood and glanced toward the door before asking, “You nodded and then shook your head—does it have to do with the young mistress?”

The old master nodded.

“Does it concern her family?”

Again, the old master nodded.

“Are you worried that the Song family’s estate will be seized by her relatives?”

The old master nodded emphatically, gripping Liu Shen’s hand even tighter. Clearly, Liu Shen had spoken his deepest fear.

“Don’t worry, old master,” Liu Shen said, patting the old man’s hand in reassurance. “If even you, bedridden as you are, can sense their designs on the estate, how could I, Liu Shen, not see it as well?”

At this, the old master shook his head sorrowfully, as if something else pained him, and clutched Liu Shen’s palm all the tighter.

Liu Shen, seeming to guess his meaning, sighed and asked, “You’re worried about the young mistress, aren’t you?”

The old master nodded forlornly.

“Rest assured,” Liu Shen said with a long exhale. “The young mistress is kind, and kinship binds her, making her easy prey for their deceptions.”

He paused, then continued with renewed resolve, “What you may not know, old master, is that just a few days ago, the Red Water Gang was wiped out. I killed Zhang Shichen, Zhang Wannian’s son, with my own hands.”

“And now, I am the deputy hall master of the Green Sand Gang’s dock division, and my martial skills are nearing the second tier…”

“I don’t tell you this to boast, but to assure you that I now have the strength to resolve the concerns that weigh on your heart. All you need do is rest easy—do not trouble yourself further.”

“To coerce with brute force is ignoble; to dominate with power is heroic!”

“I learned this from you, old master, and I will never forget that lesson!”

“Rest easy, old master…”

“As long as I, Liu Shen, draw breath, not a single inch of the Song family’s property will be stolen from the young mistress by her scheming relatives!”