Chapter 159 – A Helping Hand

  In Yunlai City, the City Lord’s Mansion hummed with relentless activity. The smell of ink and parchment filled the air, mingling with the faint aroma of tea that had long gone cold as it was forgotten for more pressing matters.

  Shen Ruolan sat behind a heavy, wooden desk in the main administrative hall, her brush moving swiftly over scrolls that were stacked almost to her shoulders as she read through them and either signed her name in approval or wrote in the margins for future clarification.

  The rhythmic sound of brushstrokes and the rustle of paper were nearly constant, while she added a tired sigh to occasionally accompany them.

  The sleeves of her dress, an elegant white and pink instead of the standard blue of the Tranquil Mountain that she had grown used to, were rolled up to her elbows. A stray lock of hair had escaped the hairpin that Jun De had gifted her, and it brushed against her cheek as she worked.

  All around her were what felt like mountains of documents, all waiting for her to review and sign, or pass off to one of the staff for follow-up and inquiry. There were purchase orders for supplies or materials, trade requests from other cities, Clans and Sects, merchant contracts, and shipments of valuable ores and herbs that required tariffs and taxes to be added.

  Normally, her father would hand this avalanche of paperwork with his usual efficiency honed through decades of training in the Shen Clan, and his work as the son-in-law of Han Zhengwu, the City Lord.

  But Shen Jiuyang was currently busy running the entirety of Yunlai City in her grandfather’s absence as he recovered from his injuries in secluded meditation. The burden of domestic affairs had fallen to his only daughter, Han Yueqin, with her father assisting as much as he could.

  Her parents were now forced to oversee all of Yunlai City, as well as seeing to its defences as the pair were at the peak of Foundation Establishment and amongst the strongest cultivators in the City.

  They had kept the knowledge of Han Zhengwu’s injuries to only their close circle of trusted advisors, and many people in the region were flocking to the perceived safety of Yunlai City even though the threat of the demonic cultivators had been eliminated.

  “Young Miss, the courier from the western caravans is waiting for approval on the ginseng shipment!” One of the Mansion’s stewards said as he approached her desk and bowed respectfully.

  Shen Ruolan replied without looking up from the document she was reading.

  “Tell the courier to wait. The shipment’s route passes through a contested region and will require an escort. I will authorize it once the guards have been arranged.”

  “Yes, Young Miss!” The Courier bowed again before rushing out of the room to carry her message.

  Shen Ruolan dipped her brush into the pot of ink and signed her name before stamping the City Lord Mansion’s seal in vermillion ink beside it and placing the paper with the others that had already been completed.

  The pile in front of her never seemed to shrink; it merely shifted from one side of her desk to another as an attendant came to drop off more scrolls and ledgers, picking up those that bore her signature and leaving again.

  Ruolan let out a long, slow sigh. Her spiritual energy was refined and calm, but even her patience had limits.

  “At this rate, I’ll be buried alive before grandfather emerges from seclusion.” She murmured to herself.

  Her mother, Han Yueqin, entered the chamber just then and happened to hear her comment. Her expression was both understanding and sympathetic.

  “Ruo’er, this is a good opportunity for you to learn how to manage a city and a household. With your talent, you will eventually be in a similar role in the future.” Yueqin said dryly.

  Ruolan gave her a weary smile.

  “I had hoped for a more gradual introduction. One that would take place far in the future.” Shen Ruolan added at the end, and her mother chuckled.

  “There is no ‘gradual’ when it comes to responsibility. Still, you are doing very well. Your grandfather will be proud.” Han Yueqin’s gaze softened.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  Han Yueqin sat next to her daughter at the desk and removed the old teacup and pot with a wave of her hand, replacing it with fresh tea that she promptly poured into two cups. She took a leisurely sip of tea as she studied her daughter over the rim of her cup.

  “Still, a clever young woman should know to delegate.” Yueqin said lightly.

  “Surely there is someone who could help ease the load on you. Perhaps…” Yueqin paused dramatically, and her tone turned playful and teasing.

  “That young man from the Tranquil Mountain Sect. Jun De, wasn’t it? He had proven himself to be quite capable.”

  Shen Ruolan’s brush paused in mid-stroke.

  Her mother chuckled softly at her daughter’s expression that had shifted to something similar to a startled deer.

  “If he were to visit Yunlai for a time, we could offer him every courtesy. I am sure that he would be happy to lend a hand, especially if the one asking is you.”

  Ruolan set her brush down carefully while composing her features.

  “Mother, he has been very busy. He only recently returned from the Ironvein Quarry Sect; there is no need to trouble him.” Ruolan explained, thinking of the message that she had received from him the day before.

  He didn’t write her as much as she would have preferred, but she understood that Jun De was being pulled in a dozen different directions at the moment.

  ‘As long as he isn’t spending all of his time with Lin Yue and Mu Yanyu.’ Shen Ruolan thought.

  “Busy, yes.” Han Yueqin mused, and her eyes glinted with mischief. If Jun De were here, he would recognize the same look as the one her daughter wore frequently when she was teasing him.

  “But even so, isn’t it the duty of a future son-in-law to share a little of the burden? Your father would certainly approve of such devotion.”

  “Mother! You speak too freely.” Ruolan’s cheeks coloured faintly, although she tried to hide it by arranging the scrolls in front of her. Before she had progressed her relationship with Jun De, she would proudly proclaim him to be her future husband.

  But after their intimacy aboard the Tranquil Mountain Sect’s Flying Ship, she didn’t want to speak too much about their relationship for fear her parents would find out about it. Teasing one was a thing, but they could be very conservative about their daughter’s behaviour.

  Han Yueqin laughed softly, clearly enjoying her daughter’s fluster.

  “Very well, I’m only teasing. But truthfully, Jun De is a young man worth keeping close. His cultivation progress alone speaks volumes about his talent. He is a perfect match for you in every way.”

  Ruolan hesitated, then spoke quietly.

  “I won’t be able to see him soon, even if I were to invite him here or return to the Sect early. Jun De will soon be entering seclusion for Foundation Establishment.”

  The teacup in Han Yueqin’s hand paused in midair as her eyes widened in shock.

  “Already?!”

  Ruolan nodded, and her tone was filled with pride.

  “Yes, he’s already broken through to the 10th Level of Qi Condensation. Uncle Shen Weifeng expects him to establish his foundation before the Inner Sect Ranking Competition next year.”

  For a moment, there was only silence between them before Han Yueqin exhaled slowly. Her expression was a mixture of astonishment and admiration.

  “To reach Foundation Establishment at such a pace, the heavens truly favour him.” Yueqin looked toward her daughter and smiled.

  “You’ve chosen well, Ruo’er.”

  Her mother, seeing how uncomfortable her daughter was becoming with the conversation, decided to change the topic.

  “Speaking of Shen Weifeng, the Clan sent a message to your father this morning. He will be returning to Yunlai City in a few days to meet with the Elders of the Clan.”

  Ruolan blinked, caught off guard.

  Her ‘Uncle’ Shen, who was a distant relation on her father’s side and not truly her uncle, hadn’t had much contact with the Shen Clan for decades. He had made it clear when they first met that he wouldn’t treat her any differently from other Disciples, especially because she was a ‘Shen.’

  “Uncle Shen is coming here? Jun De didn’t mention it in his letter.” Ruolan asked.

  “Yes. It seems something has happened to him that forced him to mend old wounds. With his advancement to Foundation Establishment, the Shen Clan is also eager for him to return to the fold.”

  “The Clan could hardly ignore Shen Weifeng forever, nor can he be apart from them as his status in the Tranquil Mountain Sect grows. Their Inner Sect can be difficult without proper backing, and it is no different for him either.”

  Ruolan frowned slightly, and she idly looked at a spot of ink on her finger as she thought.

  “So after all the disputes and talk of severed ties, they’re welcoming him back?”

  Han Yueqin looked at her daughter in amusement.

  “That’s how Clans are, Ruo’er. Principles yield quickly when strength and reputation are involved. Shen Weifeng’s status was not worth swallowing their pride when he was a mere Outer Sect Elder. Now that he has once again demonstrated that he has a future worth nurturing, the Clan is willing to compromise.”

  “You will be expected to visit the Clan as well while Shen Weifeng is here.”

  “Me?” Ruolan looked up, her eyebrows lifting in surprise. Her mother nodded, knowing how Ruolan felt about the Shen Clan.

  “There will be a gathering of the younger generation, and you are the Eldest daughter of the direct line. It would be unseemly for you not to attend.”

  Ruolan exhaled slowly.

  “Another family spectacle.”

  Han Yueqin laughed, covering her mouth with her hand as she did so.

  “You say that as though it will be a punishment for you! I could think of worse things than meeting your peers.”

  “It might as well be, if Shen Lianxue will be there.” Ruolan looked at her mother optimistically, but her hopes were dashed when her mother shook her head.

  “Your cousin will be attending from Snowcloud Pavilion. Lianxue may be proud of her accomplishments, but she is still family.”

  “Proud is a kind word, mother.” Ruolan said while pouting.

  “Regardless of how you feel about her, you will attend.” Han Yueqin said firmly, and Shen Ruolan sighed again. Whatever motivation she felt about completing her work had been crushed.