My Husband Never Oversteps The Bounds Of Propriety - Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Rising Winds

The dismissal and investigation of Manager Hu sent no small ripple through the Su Manor.

However, these ripples were deliberately diluted by the festive busyness of the approaching New Year. On the surface, no one dared to openly discuss the matter, but in the shadows, whispers were omnipresent, and everyone felt an inexplicable unease. The various branches of the family seemed to have added a layer of caution, even though they maintained a facade of harmony.

The Qiyun Pavilion, where the Third Branch resided, had its gates tightly shut for several days. The atmosphere there was somber, and even the servants treaded lightly.

Shen Jiuyuan was well aware of this but acted as if she knew nothing. She continued her daily rounds between Yuanlan Pavilion and the Meditation Courtyard, burying herself in increasingly tedious ledgers and year-end household affairs.

Su Jin’s visit to Yuanlan Pavilion that day had been only their third meeting since the wedding. His few words had been like an invisible boundary, defining the scope of what she could currently touch. Although Shen Jiuyuan was diligent and dutiful, her husband Su Jin’s intentions remained unclear and his attitude cold; he seemed to dislike her interfering too much in business matters.

Consequently, she restrained her sharp edges slightly, burying certain doubts deep in her heart, only becoming more meticulous when auditing accounts, not letting a single potential clue slip by.

However, the tree desires stillness, but the wind does not cease.

Tonight, the wind was piercingly cold, swirling large snowflakes that battered against the window frames with a rustling sound. Inside Yuanlan Pavilion, the candles burned brightly. Shen Jiuyuan was auditing the New Year gift lists for various noble houses. The charcoal in the brazier glowed red, occasionally popping with a spark. Under the lamplight, she was focused and free of distractions.

Suddenly, a rapid and somewhat panicked knocking sounded at the courtyard gate, exceptionally jarring in the silent, snowy night. The night-watch matron grumbled as she went to answer. A moment later, the sound of footsteps accompanied by low whispers drew near.

Lily pulled back the curtain and entered, her face somewhat pale. She whispered:

“Young Lady, it is a junior accountant named He Jun, who previously worked under Manager Hu. He says he has urgent business and begs to see you. He is soaked through by the snow and looks very frightened.”

Shen Jiuyuan’s hand holding the pen paused slightly.

Someone under Manager Hu?

To visit late at night in a blizzard at a time like this surely meant something unusual was afoot. An instantaneous unease rose in her heart, but she showed none of it on her face, saying flatly: “Invite him to wait in the side hall. I will be there immediately.”

Donning a lotus-green cloak, Shen Jiuyuan stepped into the side hall.

She saw a thin young man wearing a worn gray cotton robe standing uneasily in the center of the room. Snow-water dripped from his hair and shoulders. His face was frozen to a blue-white tint, his lips trembled incessantly, and his eyes were filled with terror and despair. Seeing Shen Jiuyuan, he thudded to his knees and kowtowed repeatedly.

“Eldest Young Grandmother! Eldest Young Grandmother, save me! I beg you to save my life!” His voice was miserable, tinged with a sob.

Shen Jiuyuan took the main seat. Her tone was peaceful yet carried an innate power to reassure: “Accountant He, there is no need for this. Rise and speak. Whatever the difficulty, tell me slowly.”

He Jun refused to rise. He lifted a face smeared with tears and snot, trembling as he said:

“Eldest Young Grandmother, please see clearly. Regarding Manager Hu’s affairs, I do know some inside details, but I would never dare participate in them. The deficit in the accounts was mostly the work of Manager Hu and those above him. But now that Manager Hu has been taken, they… they likely want to find a scapegoat. I… I fear for my life!”

He Jun spoke incoherently, but his meaning was clear. He knew there was someone behind Manager Hu, and now those above wanted to silence him.

“Those above?” Shen Jiuyuan’s gaze narrowed. “Do you know who it is?”

He Jun shuddered. He looked around in terror as if a man-eating beast lurked in the darkness. He lowered his voice, the words nearly squeezed through his teeth:

“I… I dare not speak recklessly. I only accidentally heard Manager Hu mention it while drunk. It is a very ‘dignified master’ in the manor. It involves… involves business dealings with the Qin family in the West. The waters are too deep…”

At this point, He Jun stopped abruptly. His pale face grew even whiter with terror. Whether from the cold or the fear, his entire body shook uncontrollably.

Although He Jun only spoke half of what he knew, the implication that a master of the house was involved sent a jolt of coldness through Shen Jiuyuan’s heart. Not only was a Su Manor master involved, but also the Qin family of the Western Border. If He Jun spoke the truth, this matter was becoming gravely serious.

Shen Jiuyuan’s heart sank slowly. This aligned with her previous suspicions; the Third Branch’s involvement seemed increasingly likely.

“Accountant He, do not be flustered. Tell me everything; do not let yourself be dragged into the abyss first.” She spoke slowly, measuring her tone.

“Eldest Young Grandmother, I want to speak out, but… but I am of low status. I fear that if I say too much, I won’t even be able to keep my life.”

Hearing this, Shen Jiuyuan understood his current predicament. She remembered how she had mentioned the silk shop account discrepancies to her husband, Su Jin, two days ago, and his reaction suggested he thought she was meddling too much. Since He Jun had actual information regarding Manager Hu’s case, should she first report this to the Eldest Young Master, Su Jin?

“Accountant He, since you know the truth, why have you not sought the Eldest Young Master? Or informed the Mistress?” she asked noncommittally.

He Jun looked miserable, rubbing his face with his palms and sighing. “The Eldest Young Master uses thunderous methods. I fear I wouldn’t be able to explain clearly and would be treated as an accomplice.

The Mistress usually doesn’t involve herself in external business, and my status is too low how could I even see her? After thinking it over, I heard that the Eldest Young Grandmother audits accounts meticulously and acts fairly even the Old Madam praised you. I could only risk my life to come here and beg the Eldest Young Grandmother to point out a path to survival.”

As he spoke, he tremblingly took a worn, tattered ledger from his tunic and presented it with both hands.

“This… this is a record I kept privately of some… some unclear transactions and the names of those who handled them. Perhaps it will be useful to the Eldest Young Grandmother. I only beg for your protection.”

Shen Jiuyuan looked at the crumpled, snow-soaked ledger and the shivering He Jun. Her mind raced. Accepting this ledger meant she would be officially drawn into the center of the Su Manor’s whirlpool, with no way out. But if she did not accept it, He Jun would likely meet a cruel end, and this clue leading to the truth would be severed.

Risk and opportunity often coexist.

She remained silent for a moment and finally reached out to take the ledger. It felt cold and damp, yet as heavy as a thousand tons.

“I am aware of this matter,” her voice remained steady. “Return for now. Do not mention tonight’s events to anyone. I will find a way, but whether I can protect you depends on the opportunity.”

He Jun felt as if he had received a grand reprieve, kowtowing repeatedly. “Thank you, Eldest Young Grandmother! Thank you! I will keep my mouth tight, absolutely tight.”

As he swore his oaths, his face gradually softened and his terror faded. He stood up unsteadily, bowed deeply several times, and was led out quietly through the back door by Lily.

Silence returned to the side hall, save for the crackling of the charcoal. Shen Jiuyuan sat alone, the ledger in her hand. She did not open it immediately. Outside, the wind and snow grew more violent, the snow slamming against the window paper as if countless restless souls were shouting.

She knew that from the moment she took this ledger, her struggle with the hidden forces of the Su Manor had officially begun. This was no longer watching a fire from across the river; she was deep within the game.

Yet, she still held doubts. Why did this man named He suddenly seek her out at this time and deliver such a ledger? Was it a sincere desire for the truth, or did he have other motives?

And who was that “dignified master”?

It couldn’t be… Eldest Young Master Su Jin?

This sudden thought gave her a violent shock. She gripped the ledger tightly, staring out into the boundless darkness and snow, feeling a sliver of trepidation. In this massive family, she was always just herself, facing a multitude alone.

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