Chapter 161: Moving into the Shen Residence

  Big snowflakes fell down one after another, and the sky and earth became a vast expanse of white in an instant.

  Shen Muqing instructed Mingxia with some concern: "Tell the wives to send more charcoal to Xiao Gongzi's side - the west wing doesn't have a fire wall, and the brazier needs to be burned brighter!"

  Mingxia, who was sitting on the edge of the kang and doing needlework, quickly put down her things, smiled and stood up: "Auntie, I'll go and report!"

  Shen Mu nodded slightly and lowered her head to embroider the shoe surface - she was making shoes for Da She.

  Heavy snow fell for seven or eight days, and the weather became extremely cold. Coincidentally, Xiao Xiao had been inviting people from the Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of War, and the Five Armies' Headquarters to dinner for several days, often returning home in the middle of the night with a strong smell of wine on him.

  I don't know how things went either?

  Although they lived in the same courtyard, Xiao Xiao was either out on errands or Shen Zhen was writing in his study room. The two rarely spoke to each other and even seeing each other's faces was a rare occurrence.

  Shen Muqing suddenly thought of his own "plan book".

  I don't know when I can show it to Xiao Sa.

  If Xiao Sa also thinks it's good, when Jing Shu comes, she will have more confidence to discuss with her - after all, Xiao Sa understands this world better than herself.

  After a while, Mingxia came back with a smile.

  "Auntie, Xiao Gongzi has just returned!"

  "Today is so early?"

  Ming Xia smiled and said: "It was supposed to be an invitation for the Minister of War, Mr. Wang, to have dinner, but in the end, Mr. Wang had something urgent come up and couldn't go, so he returned early."

  Shen Mu nodded quietly, looked at the early sky, picked up the "plan book" and got off the kang: "Let's go take a look at Xiao Gongzi!"

  Ming Xia responded promptly and called a young maid to fetch a cloak and an umbrella, accompanying Shen Muqing to Xiao Sa's residence.

  Yu Liang was sweeping snow when he saw Shen Muqing and was startled. He hastily went forward to pay his respects, saying: "Young Master has been summoned by the Old Master to the study."

  Shen Mu Qing softly sighed.

  Shen Zhen's precautions, Ying Fen and others' diligence, where can Shen Muqing not feel?

  But she has her own knot in her heart.

  This world is too lenient towards men and too harsh on women... Let's not mention that she can't shake off a suffocating marriage, and doesn't want to jump into another one with all the constraints. Simply because the object of her affection is Xiao Sa, she wouldn't consider it - not because he's not good enough or excellent enough, but rather the opposite. When facing Xiao Sa, whom she has feelings for, she can't possibly view some inevitable problems in marriage with a normal heart. For example: sharing a bed. Or taking concubines.

  There is also Li's previous reminder.

  There is no disappointment because there is no hope.

  Because there is no love, so there will be no heartache.

  She's really afraid that when the time comes, she won't be able to hold back and will hysterically find Xiao Sa to cry and make a scene...

  Or maybe she's just selfish!

  Just want to protect myself from getting hurt again!

  A thought flashed through his mind, and Shen Mu Qing couldn't help but smile bitterly.

  When one has no desires, he is naturally at peace with himself. Having abandoned that idea, one can also become more open-minded.

  "Let's go, we're going to Old Master's study." Shen Muqing smiled and instructed Mingxia, "I just so happen to have something to look for Young Master Xiao about."

  Mingxia had been serving Shen Muqing for many years, and she could sense some of the changes in him.

  Before Xiao Gongzi came here, Auntie's concern for him was always implicit, but after Xiao Gongzi arrived, Auntie seemed to suddenly become straightforward.

  Is this good or bad?

  Akira instinctively felt uneasy.

  She carefully followed Shen Muqing to Shen Zhen's study.

  The study was quiet, with a few wisps of smoke rising from the incense burner, and the room was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood.

  In front of a large painting case, Shen Zhen was writing with abandon, while Xiao Xiao held a paint tray and served beside him.

  Shen Mu Qing walked in calmly and got a nod of acknowledgement from Shen Zhen who didn't stop writing, nor did he look at her even once.

  Xiao Xiao had been hanging out with Shen Zhen for a few days, and he was very sensitive to the fact that Shen Zhen didn't like him being in contact with Shen Muqing.

  Is it related to etiquette? Or is there some other reason?

  He has been thinking about this matter all along.

  So in front of Shen Zhen, he just smiled silently and nodded slightly towards Shen Muqing.

  Shen Muqing's expression suddenly cleared up as he smiled and bowed slightly towards him, politely calling out "Xiao Gongzi".

  Xiao Xiao glanced at Shen Zhen who was concentrating on her painting and politely called out to her, "Miss Shen".

  Shen Zhen suddenly stopped writing and looked up at Xiao Sa with a glance.

  Xiao Xiao dodged Shen Zhen's gaze and looked down at Shen Zhen's unfinished painting.

  Shen Zhen's eyebrows furrowed slightly, almost imperceptibly.

  Shen Muqing saw it clearly, and sighed slightly in her heart. She had to pretend not to notice, and walked to the front of the painting table with a smile: "What is Master painting?"

  Shen Zhen put down his brush and smiled: "Yuan Yu's birthday is in two days, I'll paint a picture as a gift for him. Take a look, how's my painting?"

  He painted a picture of plum blossoms in the snow.

  Two pieces of Taihu stone are arranged in a harmonious manner, with several branches of curly red plum blossoms stretching out beside them.

  Others say that calligraphy and painting are inseparable, but Shen Zhen is an exception. His calligraphy is excellent, but his paintings are not worth complimenting.

  Yuan Yu was a famous painter in the Great Zhou, and on his birthday, many people would send him gifts of calligraphy and paintings. Most of those who attended were renowned scholars and poets from all over the Great Zhou.

  "Sir, the layout is a bit stiff, especially these two stones under the plum blossom, lacking the rugged beauty!"

  Shen Zhen put down his pen and let out a long sigh.

  Xiao Xiao saw Shen Zhen originally had some nervous emotions, but due to a sentence from Shen Muqing, he became very disheartened. He hurriedly smiled and said: "How about we move a Taihu stone here and paint according to it?"

  Shen Zhen didn't say a word, put down his pen and went to sit in the drunken old man's chair to drink tea.

  What an attitude!

  Shen Muqing felt a bit embarrassed and glanced at Xiao Sa, who was calm as usual. He smiled and helped to ease the situation: "Lord Yuan has helped me a lot in the past. It's his birthday, I should make an effort too. Sir, I'll draw a picture, can you help with the inscription?"

  "Never mind." Shen Zhen said somewhat gloomily, "I was never good at painting flowers and birds anyway, this is just a practice of my brush. On Yuan Yu's birthday, I will write a calligraphy piece to give to her!"

  Although it is said so, there are still a few points of depression in the tone.

  This matter has come to this, and it can be said that a decision has been made. Suddenly, Xiao Xiao jumped out, rolled up his sleeves, and smiled: "I'll go to the garden to move a Taihu stone for you..."

  Shen Mu Qing stared at him: "On such a cold day, what's the point of bringing this Taihu stone? Besides, Chinese painting is about capturing the spirit, not realism."

  Xiao Xiao ignored him and walked straight out: "I'll be fine soon!"

  Shen Muqing was about to say something when he suddenly realized that Shen Jian had been silent all along!

  That is to say, he did not object to Xiao Sa's decision to go move stones!

  She stared at Shen Zhen in some astonishment.

  Shen Zhen's mouth corners slightly raised, his expression serene as he flipped through the Buddhist scriptures beside him.

  Is it because you're used to being an official... and from time to time need people to wait on you?

  Or is it just to make things difficult for Xiao Xiao?

  Shen Muqing was secretly worried in her heart and helped Shen Zhen put away the painting paper on the painting case.

  Shen Zhen was chatting with Shen Muqing.

  "What are you doing here?" with a hint of suspicion in his tone.

  Shen Mu Qing pouted and smiled: "I'm here to find Xiao Sa."

  "Oh?" Shen Zhen sat up straight in surprise, "What are you looking for him for?"

  Shen Muqing then told Shen Zhen about his idea of letting Xiao Sa help him plan how to run a tea house, and also showed him the "plan book": "...I'm just a scholar who has never been in business before, he comes from a merchant family, let him take a look, I'll feel more confident."

  Shen Zhen opened up the "plan book" and looked at it carefully.

  Shen Zhen's expression was initially somewhat dismissive, but gradually became solemn.

  It can be seen that Shen Muqing has put a lot of heart and soul into this aspect, some measures are even quite bold, which is an unprecedented method for predecessors.

  Shen Zhen may not understand business, but he understands politics and has a politician's vision and strategy.

  He quickly scanned through this plan book.

  If she helps Shen Muqing, she may become a successful businesswoman as a result, but what if she really does business and steals the limelight from men, wouldn't it be even harder for her to get married?

  Shen Zhen hesitated, and Xiao Xiao had already moved a Taihu stone in.

  "Uncle, where do you think it's better to put it?"

  The snowflakes that fell on his face turned into water stains, and the snow on his hair and shoulders began to melt as it met the warm air in the house. His whole body looked wet and soggy, with his hands wrapped around the Taihu stone turning bright red.

  Shen Zhen slowly stood up, hesitated and said: "Let me see, where should I put it? In front of the desk? It's blocking the way. On the desk? The painting is too far away. Where should I put it?"

  At this moment, Xiao Xiao was hugging that piece of Taihu stone and standing there with a smile.

  "Put it in the corner!" Shen Muqing couldn't help but speak out, "You put it in the corner! It won't take up space and can also be stacked into a shape."

  Xiao Xiao gazed at Shen Zhen.

  Shen Zhen didn't make a sound, walked over to the corner of the wall and took a look. He said: "Isn't there a tall flower table placed here?"

  "There's nothing on the flower table anyway." Shen Muqing walked a few steps forward and pulled the flower table to the side of the bookcase, calling out to Mingxia: "Take it to Auntie and have her put it away in storage."

  That is a high flower table made of purple sandalwood.

  Ming Xia responded promptly and hastily called a young maid to pull out the flower table.

  Shen Zhen glanced at Shen Muqing, whose face had turned slightly pale, and nodded silently for a moment before turning to Xiao Sa: "Put that Taihu stone in the corner of the wall!"

  Xiao Xiao hastily responded with a "yes" and put the Taihu stone in the corner of the wall.

  He was about to get up and move the second one, when Shen Muqing said: "Wait!"

  Xiao Xiao stopped and looked at Shen Muqing.

  The eyes were very calm, without resentment, nor dissatisfaction.

  Shen Mu Qing pursed her lips, looked at the place where the Taihu stone was placed, and said: "Move it out a bit, put it one foot away from the wall. Later, I'll move a smaller Taihu stone over and stack it on top of this one against the wall. Then I'll have Bai Mu bring in a pot of golden money tree to place beside the stone, barely making a decent view."

  Xiao Xiao didn't respond, but instead looked at Shen Zhen.

  Shen Zhen turned his face away and hummed softly: "You go get another one and bring it in!"

  Xiao Xiao glanced at Shen Muqing and left immediately.

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  Chapter 161: Moving into the Shen Residence