My Husband Never Oversteps The Bounds Of Propriety - Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Opportunity

As dusk fell, the lights were lit early within Yuanlan Pavilion.

Shen Jiuyuan dismissed her attendants and sat alone by the window. The poisonous tea at the spring banquet, which had nearly touched her lips, served as a chilling wake-up call. It was clear that she not only had to navigate the Su Manor with startling caution, but even in the eyes of other noble families, there were those who envied her existence and were plotting ways to harm her.

Although Su Jin said he would investigate thoroughly, it was not a matter that could be resolved in an instant. Some crises, in the end, she had to face alone. On the other hand, she believed that with Su Jin’s usual methods, the foul play that occurred at the Commissioner’s estate could not be hidden from him.

However, once the truth was uncovered, would it be a thunderous rage with blood spilled in five steps, or a temporary forbearance to draw the snake out of its hole? Shen Jiuyuan leaned toward the latter. Su Jin was not a reckless man; the Qin family was powerful and deeply rooted. Before having concrete evidence and full confidence to uproot them, he would not easily tear off the mask of civility. Today’s poisonous tea was less a killing blow and more an insidious test and warning.

While she was lost in thought, Lily entered quietly and whispered, “Young Lady, Rong San is here. He says Master Jin requests your presence at the outer study.”

Shen Jiuyuan nodded. The outer study was Su Jin’s private quarters within Moyun Studio, where he handled major affairs. To ask for her now meant something extraordinary was afoot. She straightened her attire and followed Rong San into the heart of the Su family’s power.

The study was brilliantly lit. Su Jin was not at his desk as usual; instead, he stood before a massive map, his gaze heavy, fixed on the vast region between the Western Border and Jinling. Hearing footsteps, he slowly turned around. Under the candlelight, his face appeared somewhat fatigued, his eyes bloodshot from days of toil, but the sharp light within them was colder and more piercing than ever.

Seeing her enter, a touch of warmth surfaced on his face, and he nodded. Even at night, Su Jin was elegantly dressed in a pale purple brocade robe with exquisite gold patterns on the sleeves and a translucent mutton-fat jade button at the collar, which emitted a cold yet warm glow under the firelight.

His features were exceptionally striking; his brows were like distant mountains, and his deep, shifting eyes commanded respect. His lips were moist even when still, and his aura was overwhelming.

“Sit.” Su Jin pointed to the chair by the desk, his voice a bit muffled.

Shen Jiuyuan sat as instructed and looked at the man opposite her. She could see his raven-black hair cascading over the shoulders of his purple robe, partially veiling his peerless face, making him look like a being from a celestial realm beautiful to the point of being androgynous. She took one look and quickly averted her gaze, waiting for him to speak.

Su Jin paced to the back of the desk. He did not immediately mention the poison but pushed a neatly transcribed document toward her. “Look at this.”

She looked down; it was a summary of the cargo transactions between the Su family and several merchant houses in the West over the past six months. Unlike the ledgers she had seen before, this list excluded all problematic deals handled by the Third Branch, retaining only the core parts directly controlled by Su Jin.

“The Qin family has operated in the West for years and has deep foundations, especially controlling several key trade routes to the Western Regions,” Su Jin’s voice rang out in the silent study, steady and calm. “If the Su family wants to maintain its advantage in the Southern silk, tea, salt, and iron trade, our cooperation with the Qin family cannot be completely severed in the short term, even knowing they harbor evil intentions.”

His words were rational and cautious. It was clear he had brooded over this many times. The Qin family was deeply rooted in Jinling; for now, it was indeed unwise for the Su family to face them in direct hostility.

In fact, Shen Jiuyuan had anticipated these points. This was reality. Interests were intertwined, and moving one thread would affect the entire web. Su Jin’s purge of the Third Branch was excising rotted flesh, but to completely break with the Qin family or launch a counter-strike required timing, strength, and leverage.

“What is Husband’s intention in showing me this?” she asked, looking up at him.

Su Jin met her gaze. “The vacancy left by the Third Branch needs filling. The pattern of maintaining a facade of cooperation with the Qin family while being secretly vigilant also needs someone to help manage it. My mother is aging and her energy is flagging; the Second Branch is quick-witted but lacks steadiness.” He paused, his tone deepening. “Will you help me?”

His eyes, hidden partly behind his dark hair, held a warm expectation, and his usual coldness had vanished. This was not a question or a test, but a straightforward invitation and entrustment. Tonight, in this vital stronghold, he was exposing core business secrets to her and expecting her to share the burden of dealing with the Qin family.

It was an immense level of trust. Her heart skipped a beat. This far exceeded the scope of inner-court affairs; it was authority touching the very lifeblood of the Su family. Risk and opportunity had never been presented so nakedly and massively, causing her to hesitate slightly.

Su Jin’s gaze fixed on her. Tonight, his wife appeared as delicate as a flower in her soft green silk blouse and pleated skirt. His heart seemed to be pulled by a string, and a spark of light flashed through his eyes. He had never been this close to her, not even on their wedding night.

That night, he used the excuse of being drunk to stay in the outer study, leaving her to guard an empty room alone. Because of this, he felt a deep sense of guilt. Sometimes, when alone, he wondered if she hated him for it.

“That night… do you hate me?” Su Jin asked suddenly, rising to move closer to her, the words escaping him almost involuntarily.

Shen Jiuyuan was stunned. That night?

He meant their wedding night the red candles, the high hall. She hadn’t even seen his face; she had removed the red veil and the phoenix crown herself. She had sat alone on the bed in Yuanlan Pavilion, anxious and hoping for someone to lean on that person being her future husband. Yet, he had been cold and distant, never stepping foot in the bridal chamber.

However, she did not hate him. She did not look up, but whispered: “Husband had affairs to attend to; how would I dare to have extravagant hopes? Thus, I never hated Husband, and feel it is better to let nature take its course.”

Hearing this, Su Jin’s brows furrowed slightly. He seemed disappointed yet somewhat relieved; a sour feeling rose in his heart.

“Then… is the Lady willing to lend me a hand?” he asked again.

Shen Jiuyuan was silent for a moment—not out of hesitation, but to weigh the burden she could carry. Finally, she looked up with a calm face, her breath like the scent of magnolias: “Since Husband trusts me so, how would I dare not follow your command?”

A faint smile crossed Su Jin’s eyes, and he nodded. “Good.”

He walked around the desk to stand before her, his commanding presence looming over her once more. “Regarding the events at the Commissioner’s estate, there are already clues. The one who administered the drug was a third-class maid responsible for spices; she received ‘incense money’ donated by an anonymous Taoist temple outside the city.” His voice was flat but held a piercing chill. “That temple has suspicious dealings with a certain villa owned by the Qin family in Jinling. The maid has already ‘accidentally’ fallen into a well; the lead is broken.”

As expected. Shen Jiuyuan’s hands tightened in her sleeves. The Qin family acted ruthlessly and meticulously, leaving no traces.

“Their move was a test and a warning,” Su Jin continued, his eyes sharp as a hawk’s. “Testing your depth and warning you warning the Su family not to go further. Unfortunately…” Coldness curled his lips. “…they miscalculated.”

He leaned down, so close that she could see the candle flames dancing in his eyes and feel his breath. “Since they have made a move, it would seem cowardly if we did not respond. It is time to open the Ding-No. 3 warehouse.”

Shen Jiuyuan’s face changed color slightly. What was hidden inside was likely not just contraband, but ironclad evidence sufficient to drag the Qin family and their backers into the abyss.

“When does Husband plan to act?” her voice sounded different than usual.

“Three days from now, at the Hour of the Zi (midnight). I will lead the men personally. Someone must stay to guard the manor, to prevent the enemy from acting out of desperation and causing trouble in the inner court.” Su Jin looked at her with unprecedented gravity and trust. “At that time, the safety of the manor is entrusted to you.”

The safety of the entire inner court. She felt a massive weight drop onto her shoulders. This was not a joke; this was entrusting her with their lives. She took a deep breath, rose, and performed an exceptionally solemn bow: “Jiuyuan will not fail your trust.”

Only six words, but they were as heavy as a mountain. Su Jin watched her thin yet straight back, and a very complex emotion flashed in his eyes admiration, calculation, and perhaps a touch of being moved that he hadn’t noticed himself.

“Rise,” he reached out to steady her. “For these three days, everything in the manor remains the same on the outside, but tight on the inside. Matron Yan will assist you, and you may deploy the manor guards using my token.”

Su Jin placed a black iron token engraved with the Su family crest on the desk. Shen Jiuyuan took it; it was cold and heavy.

“Go back and rest early.”

Su Jin turned back to the massive map, his silhouette tall like a mountain yet carrying a hint of the loneliness of a lone soldier. Holding the token that still seemed to carry his warmth, Shen Jiuyuan gave his back a deep look and quietly withdrew.

The night was thick and the wind piercing. As she walked back to Yuanlan Pavilion, every step was exceptionally steady. The token pressed against her palm, a reminder of the coming storm.

The storm was approaching, and dark clouds weighed heavy on the city.

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