Shen Zhi'an

Only when they drew closer did they realize that it was not a single vessel, but several boats moored in scattered clusters along the bank. Some were being loaded with cargo, while others simply lay idle.

The boats varied in size. The largest were comparable to warships and could easily accommodate forty or fifty people, while the smallest were mere ferries—though still more than enough to carry the two of them.

Ning Wanqin and Shen Moyan’s first thought was to take one of the small ferryboats. They were nimble and would make it easier to conceal themselves. Especially in the dead of night, it would be difficult for anyone to spot them once they disappeared into the vast river.

It was the best way for them to escape.

However, when they passed a large cargo ship, Ning Wanqin suddenly stopped. Her eyes lit up with delight at the sight of the character “Shen” fluttering in the wind.

“Could this be Sister Shen Zhian’s ship?”

She hurried over to ask.

The result was exactly what she had imagined. It was indeed a cargo ship belonging to Shen Zhian’s family.

Overjoyed, Ning Wanqin stepped forward and said, “I am a friend of Shen Zhian. My name is Ning Wanqin. Please inform her people at once.”

An elderly man dressed like a steward stepped out from among those loading the cargo. He first looked Ning Wanqin and Shen Moyan over before cupping his hands and saying, “Miss, my mistress is not aboard the ship and cannot come to receive you. I’m truly sorry.”

Ning Wanqin looked disappointed. “Sister Shen Zhian isn’t here? What a pity. I had hoped to take your ship across the Yangtze.”

The steward smiled. “Miss, you don’t look like someone who would lie. Since you are an old acquaintance of my mistress, how could this merchant ship refuse to carry you across the river?”

Ning Wanqin was delighted. “Then thank you so much.”

Before long, Ning Wanqin and Shen Moyan were brought aboard the merchant vessel. Along the way, Ning Wanqin chatted with the steward, speaking at length about Shen Zhian and the friendship between them. The steward’s attitude toward her grew increasingly respectful.

It was no great inconvenience to carry two extra passengers across the river. Even if they had merely been ordinary travelers, the steward would not have made things difficult for them. Now that he had confirmed they were friends of Madam Shen Zhian, he naturally had to treat them with the utmost hospitality.

The steward arranged for the two of them to stay in the ship’s guest cabin and had servants bring them everything they might need before saying, “Miss Ning, conditions aboard the ship are rather modest. If our hospitality is lacking in any way, I hope you will forgive us.”

Ning Wanqin repeatedly assured him that it was no trouble.

The steward continued, “The ship will be setting out shortly. You and this gentleman may rest aboard for a while. We will reach the opposite bank soon enough.”

Ning Wanqin quickly thanked him.

After seeing the steward off, she touched the two letters hidden against her chest and let out a long breath of relief.

This trip to the northern fortress region along the river had been far more eventful than she had expected. Lu Chaosheng had changed—so much so that she could hardly recognize him anymore. Fortunately, relying on her extraordinary intelligence and ability, she had obtained what she wanted, even though she had paid a price along the way.

With these two letters, Shen Moyan’s position under the Grand Commander would finally be secure.

It was such wonderful news that she could not stop herself from smiling.

Her face was radiant with joy.

Shen Moyan, sitting beside her, was somewhat curious. “Wanqin, who is this Shen Zhian? Are you very close?”

“You don’t know Shen Zhian?” Ning Wanqin said. “Along the Yangtze defense line, she owns businesses in many places. Every one of them is enormous and extravagantly furnished. She is a true businesswoman of extraordinary ability!”

Ning Wanqin seemed especially interested whenever she spoke of Shen Zhian. She turned to Shen Moyan and said, “Moyan, I told you before that I had gotten to know several remarkable women. We planned to join forces and accomplish something earth-shattering together.”

“Do you remember?”

Shen Moyan nodded. He remembered it quite clearly.

“The enterprise we plan to establish is led by Lord Gu Qingyue, who came from the capital. I am one of its leaders, and Miss Ruan Fei is another.”

“Sister Shen Zhian is also one of our leaders.”

Shen Moyan’s first thought was: There are so many leaders. Who will listen to whom in the future?

However, before he could say that aloud, Ning Wanqin continued excitedly, “Among these leaders, Lord Gu Qingyue has her authority because she is a powerful official from the capital. The Gu family’s former students and associates are spread throughout the Great Yu Empire.”

“She naturally deserves to lead.”

“Ruan Fei has the support of the Grand Commander, so she naturally deserves to lead as well.”

“As for me, I originally relied on my identity as Lu Chaosheng’s fiancée. But I possess unmatched strategic wisdom and act decisively. Now, everything I have rests on my own abilities.”

“But Sister Shen Zhian…” Ning Wanqin’s eyes shone with admiration. “From the very beginning, she relied solely on her own abilities!”

“She opened all kinds of shops, each one extravagantly furnished. Her businesses are famous throughout the Yangtze region. That alone is enough to make people look up to her. What’s more, Sister Shen Zhian provided Lord Gu Qingyue with vast amounts of money and provisions. Naturally, she deserves to be one of our leaders!”

At that, Shen Moyan remembered.

He had not been stationed along the Yangtze defense line for very long and did not know much about the area, but he had heard of Shen Zhian’s businesses. The largest seemed to be a martial arts academy, decorated with such extravagance that it practically glittered with gold and jade.

He had once caught a distant glimpse of it and had been stunned by its grandeur. With his salary and position as a naval officer, he had not dared enter, fearing he could not afford whatever was sold inside.

So that was the business Sister Shen Zhian had spoken of!

“That woman is incredible!”

“If I could get the chance to meet Sister Shen Zhian and win her heart, wouldn’t that be even better?”

Shen Moyan could not help imagining it.

After gradually accepting the fact that Ning Wanqin and Lu Chaosheng had become enemies, his opinion of Ning Wanqin had unconsciously declined. His attention had now shifted to Shen Zhian.

But then he suddenly remembered Shen Zhian’s martial arts academy.

“Although it looks impressive, there didn’t seem to be many customers… No, surely its customers are all people of tremendous status. They’re simply beyond my knowledge.”

With that thought, Shen Moyan’s heart stirred. Still, he had to clarify the matter that concerned him most.

“Wow, Wanqin. Now that you put it that way, Shen Zhian really is amazing. To build such a huge enterprise—she truly is a remarkable businesswoman.”

“However, to establish a business of that size, she must have needed support in the beginning, right?”

“Does her family have tremendous influence along the Yangtze defense line? Were they able to provide her with enough backing?”

Ning Wanqin immediately replied, “Of course not! Sister Shen Zhian built everything through her extraordinary business acumen. The only money she received was a small amount from her husband during the initial stages. Everything she has accomplished since then is entirely due to her own efforts!”

Shen Moyan froze. “Her husband? She relied on her husband?”

“What do you mean, ‘relied on her husband’?” Ning Wanqin said, displeased. “Her husband served in the military in his younger years and accumulated considerable property through his many military achievements. But his injuries were too severe, and he was forced to retire early and live at home. All he could do was live off his savings.”

“If Sister Shen Zhian hadn’t known how to make money work for her, how could her husband be enjoying such a comfortable life now?”

“Her husband should be thanking Sister Shen Zhian!”