Chapter 145: Shi Shaohua's Scheme

For a moment, Shen Zhifeng hesitated. He still remembered this man—wasn’t he the one in Lady Jiang’s chamber that day? But with Consort Wang and Shen Qingyun at the Duke’s residence, there was no way he could enter. At this moment, only this man was willing to trust him.

To be safe, Shen Zhifeng instructed Shi Shaohua to inform Jiang Lin, then gathered a few men to head to the countryside to rescue someone.

Shi Shaohua frowned. “The heir of the Jiang family went out on official business with the Third Prince and won’t return for several days. Besides, I’m just a distant relative living off the Duke’s household, with little influence. Take me to see for yourself first.”

This coincided with what Lady Jiang had said earlier.

Shen Zhifeng lowered his guard slightly. He thought Shi Shaohua could handle an old woman easily enough. After being out for a day, he was indeed anxious about whether his son had been born safely.

So Shen Zhifeng took Shi Shaohua to the countryside.

Shi Shaohua rented a simple carriage, but awkwardly, once they left the city, Shen Zhifeng realized he no longer remembered the winding route he had taken.

Shi Shaohua looked doubtful. Were it not for secret information he had received, he wouldn’t have believed this man before him.

Shen Zhifeng grew anxious. “I took a detour when I came, in a rush to return to the capital. Wait, I’ll ask around—I’ll definitely lead you there.”

Shi Shaohua nodded, and Shen Zhifeng breathed a sigh of relief. After asking around, they finally heard from a farmer that the village midwife had gone to assist with a birth yesterday.

Overjoyed, Shen Zhifeng quickly followed the direction the farmer pointed and found the midwife, who confirmed it was a son. He hurried back to the courtyard with the surprised Shi Shaohua.

The courtyard was silent. The two slipped in quietly and saw Lady Jiang cradling her swaddled child, asleep on the bed. The old woman was nowhere to be found.

“Weiwei, I’ve come to save you,” Shen Zhifeng gently shook her awake.

He glanced at the child—a tiny, wrinkled face that looked like a little monkey, but the more he looked, the more he adored him.

This was his son!

Lady Jiang slowly woke, and upon seeing Shen Zhifeng, nearly screamed, then tearfully grasped his hand. “Master, you’ve finally returned.”

Her voice woke the child, who suddenly began to cry.

Shi Shaohua picked up the baby, gently rocking and soothing him until he quieted.

Shen Zhifeng’s face was full of gratitude as he said to Lady Jiang, “Where is that old woman? We should leave quickly.”

Lady Jiang stared at Shi Shaohua in disbelief and murmured, “Shaohua, why are you here?”

Could she be dreaming?

Shen Zhifeng briefly explained the situation. Lady Jiang’s expression grew complicated as she glanced at Shi Shaohua. “The old woman said they were out gathering firewood. Perhaps she thought I wouldn’t run off alone with the child.”

Shi Shaohua nodded. On the way, he had listened as Shen Zhifeng gave a brief account. “If that’s the case, then let’s leave immediately.”

Without packing anything, Shen Zhifeng supported Lady Jiang, and together with Shi Shaohua, they climbed into the carriage. Sitting there, Lady Jiang felt as if awakening from a nightmare, finally escaping that dreadful place.

However, both she and Shen Zhifeng were disheveled, and returning to the Duke’s residence abruptly seemed unwise. Shi Shaohua found an inn where they could stay and freshen up before planning their next move.

Throughout the journey, Shi Shaohua kept his eyes on the child.

He hadn’t expected Lady Jiang to have actually given birth after disappearing. He had originally intended to kill the child to prevent future trouble and avoid Jiang Miaodan finding out. But now, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

This was his child, after all. Besides, wasn’t there Shen Zhifeng, the unlucky fool, still around?

So he restrained himself.

After discussing with Lady Jiang, Shen Zhifeng decided to wait until her confinement period ended and her condition stabilized before returning to the Duke’s residence.

Shi Shaohua would first visit the Marquis’s residence to contact the matriarch. If she learned Shen Zhifeng was alive, she would surely provide money and help.

Grasping Shi Shaohua’s hands, Shen Zhifeng’s face was full of gratitude. “Shaohua, rest assured, I will reward you handsomely.”

Lady Jiang’s face flushed awkwardly, and Shi Shaohua smiled without replying.

The next day, Shi Shaohua arrived at the Marquis’s residence, respectfully presented a visiting card, then went to a teahouse to wait.

At noon, someone entered the teahouse—but it was not the matriarch; it was Shen Qingyun.

Shi Shaohua bowed. “County Lord, welcome.”

Behind Shen Qingyun were Pearl and Han Shuang, silently standing at the door.

She wore a pale blue long dress, a white veil covering her face, her eyes calm and unreadable.

Only after she sat did Shi Shaohua take his seat opposite her.

Seeing Shen Qingyun quietly watching him, Shi Shaohua got straight to the point. “County Lord, you’ve sent me messages several times. What would you have me do?”

Shen Qingyun had some admiration for Shi Shaohua. Though his status was low, he was clever and bold, seizing opportunities to climb higher. Such a person should not be underestimated.

She said nothing at first, instead replying coolly, “Mr. Shi, you wouldn’t want Miss Jiang to discover your secret, would you?”

Shi Shaohua’s face stiffened; his composure vanished.

He had figured out from Shen Zhifeng that Shen Qingyun was the mastermind. After weighing the risks, he realized following Shen Zhifeng was unlikely to succeed, so he came directly to Shen Qingyun, but hadn’t expected her to know all his recent affairs.

The young woman before him appeared serene and indifferent, yet her demeanor exerted an inexplicable pressure.

It was as if everything was under her control.

Shi Shaohua quickly composed himself, seeing this as proof he had made the right bet.

He lowered his head slightly and spoke earnestly, “Yes, I don’t want Miss Jiang to learn my identity. I am willing to serve the County Lord—only ask you to show me the way.”

After a moment, Shen Qingyun spoke. “Mr. Shi, you must have profited somewhat from Miss Jiang and Lady Jiang. Now you’re trapped. If you don’t want to sink deeper, I advise you to leave soon to escape unscathed.”

Shi Shaohua frowned, unable to resist asking, “County Lord, don’t you wish to bring your younger brother back? If the Marquis’s residence has no heir, it won’t benefit you.”

Shen Qingyun looked at him coldly. People like this, once greedy, often meet ruin.

Shi Shaohua didn’t yet know that Consort Wang was pregnant. He hoped Shen Qingyun would take Lady Jiang’s child back so that when the child grew up, he could quietly claim kinship.

A faint smile curved Shen Qingyun’s lips. “Mr. Shi, surely you know whose child that is?”