Chapter 48: The Human Heart

In the mourning hall...

Pei Xueyan, clad in mourning attire, kept vigil over the spirit of the departed. Beside her, a pampered young gentleman with slicked hair and powdered face hovered, eager to please.

This young man was Xu Shizhong, the second son of the Xu family, prominent rice merchants in Heyang County. He had accompanied his father to pay respects to Master Song, and after finishing the rites, caught sight of Pei Xueyan in her mourning dress. From that moment, he could not tear his eyes away, as if his soul had been snatched by her presence.

It is said that nothing is more alluring than a woman in mourning.

Pei Xueyan’s beauty was remarkable to begin with, and now, dressed in white, her weary countenance lent her a fragile charm unique to women, making one want to embrace and comfort her.

Xu Shizhong’s father was a shrewd man. He quickly discerned his son’s intentions and was well aware that all of Song family’s assets now rested in the hands of the young mistress. He thought to himself, if his son could win her, the entirety of Song’s estate would become her dowry! Compared to such a fortune, the stigma of her being a widow seemed insignificant.

Thus, he feigned ignorance and proceeded to the courtyard for the banquet, leaving his son to woo her.

Pei Xueyan, noticing the visitor’s ostentatious manner, felt uncomfortable, but since he was a guest come to honor the master, and given the solemnity of the occasion, she refrained from harsh words, offering only perfunctory responses.

“Young mistress, please accept my condolences…”

Xu Shizhong gazed at the lovely widow, greed practically materializing in his eyes, yet he feigned a sorrowful demeanor, comforting her, “Master Song and my father were old friends. Now that he’s gone, as a junior, I feel the loss deeply.”

Pei Xueyan thought to herself that during Master Song’s days of illness, the Xu family had never visited, but now, after his passing, they claimed to be old friends. She found it thoroughly hypocritical.

Annoyed by his pestering, she managed a polite reply, “Master Xu, your concern is enough.”

“Concern alone is not enough…”

Xu Shizhong put on a smile he believed to be gentle and said, “With Master Song gone, you are left alone to manage this vast estate, which surely brings many inconveniences.”

He paused, then hinted, “The Xu family has long had business dealings with the Song family. As a junior, I am not an outsider. If you don’t mind, I could visit more often, so our families may look out for each other.”

Pei Xueyan’s objection had yet to be voiced when a voice, tinged with anger, came from outside the mourning hall: “I’ll speak for her—she minds!”

The voice was sudden and unexpected…

Xu Shizhong, his words interrupted and his intentions bluntly dismissed, frowned and turned toward the speaker.

Pei Xueyan, seeing the figure stride in from outside, allowed a subtle smile to curve her lips.

The newcomer was robust, and the fierce look in his eyes unsettled Xu Shizhong.

“And you are…”

“What do you think this place is?”

Liu Shen cut him off, pointing at the coffin in the hall and barking sharply, “Spare me your nonsense. I asked you—what is this place!?”

“This… this…”

Xu Shizhong looked into the newcomer’s eyes and felt a strange sense of peril, as if the man might kill him. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he answered, “This is Master Song’s mourning hall…”

Smack!

Before his words had finished, Liu Shen slapped him across the face with swift, decisive force. The sound echoed loudly, leaving both Pei Xueyan and the attendant Hu Qiang momentarily stunned.

Xu Shizhong staggered back several steps, clutching his burning cheek, dazed and aggrieved.

“You have some nerve!” Liu Shen, seeing his pathetic state, grew even more furious. He seized Xu Shizhong by the collar and scolded, “You dare harass the young mistress of the Song family in the mourning hall? Hm?”

“I…”

Xu Shizhong tried to speak, but Liu Shen raised his hand again, delivering another slap. The words died in his throat.

His head buzzed, his face swelling on both sides as he grimaced in pain.

Liu Shen dragged him out of the mourning hall like a dead dog. He understood the ways of the world, but Master Song had been gone only a few days—his bones not yet in the earth—and such a character dared covet Pei Xueyan already. How could he not be enraged?

Liu Shen tossed Xu Shizhong outside, his expression fierce. “If not for Master Song’s funeral today—ill-omened for blood to be spilled—I’d have you kneel outside and smash the bricks with your head!”

“You…”

“Get out!”

Xu Shizhong’s face turned pale at the rebuke, and whatever harsh words he had held back. He knew he was no match for the robust man and dared not argue further, fleeing with his swollen face.

Watching his retreat, Hu Qiang sidled up to Liu Shen and whispered, “Master Liu, that fellow’s from the Xu family in the west of town—they’re in the rice business.”

“The Xu family?”

Liu Shen nodded thoughtfully, “Do we have any dealings with them through the Green Sand Gang?”

“I’m not sure…” Hu Qiang chuckled, “But you needn’t worry, Master Liu. In Heyang County these days, even the magistrate gives the Green Sand Gang some respect, let alone the little Xu family.”

He paused, hinting, “I hear the Xu family keeps some thugs, and that kid doesn’t seem to know his place. He’ll likely come back with reinforcements. Want me to call some sharp brothers from the nearby hall?”

“That’s fine.”

Liu Shen nodded, instructing, “If he’s foolish enough to come back for trouble, take some men and block them on the road. Don’t let them disrupt Master Song’s funeral.”

“Heh, leave it to me.”

Hu Qiang grinned, saluted, and slipped out.

In a blink, only two remained in the hall…

Pei Xueyan watched Liu Shen’s actions, a smile lingering at the corner of her eyes. She asked, “Did you strike him for my sake, or for the master’s?”

“Is there a conflict?” Liu Shen snorted, curling his lip. “Even I wouldn’t dare flirt in Master Song’s mourning hall. Who does he think he is?”

“How bold you’ve become.”

Pei Xueyan laughed, though still worried, chiding, “The Xu family is wealthy in Heyang County. You struck their second son—they won’t let this go easily.”

She had been busy with the funeral these past days, and Liu Shen had never spoken to her about his affairs at the docks. She didn’t know that in just a dozen days, Liu Shen had gone from dock laborer to deputy hall master of the Green Sand Gang.

Moreover, Hu Qiang had whispered, so although she saw them talking, she didn’t know what they discussed.

“There’s no need for you to worry…”

Liu Shen was about to explain that he no longer feared the little Xu family, but before he could, Pei Yingli hurried in.

“Xueyan…”

Pei Yingli glanced warily at Liu Shen before asking, “I heard from the servants someone was harassing you in the mourning hall?”

“Why look at me, Master Pei?”

Liu Shen, seeing his cautious demeanor, smirked inwardly and feigned innocence, “Do you suspect me of harassing the young mistress?”

“Father, don’t misunderstand…”

Pei Xueyan quickly explained, “The one troubling me has already been chased away by my friend here.”

“That’s good, that’s good…”

Pei Yingli, relieved, sighed, “The human heart is unpredictable. Xueyan, you are pure of mind—don’t let yourself be deceived by outsiders.”

‘Don’t be deceived by outsiders? So you, as her father, are free to deceive her, is that it?’

Liu Shen laughed inwardly, recognizing Pei Yingli’s veiled warning.

With half the piglets already slaughtered, he had no desire to continue exchanging empty pleasantries. He bowed and took his leave, stepping out the door.