Chapter 12: The Six Rakehells

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The moment Sheng Xingye left, there was no longer any reason for the Xiang family to stay, and the General’s Mansion finally fell into peace.

Shu Qi came over to report to Yun Chuchu: “Young Master Xiang took the cloud-patterned vase from the main hall, and Miss Xiang Lian took one of Madam’s gold hairpins...”

Yun Zhaozhao was speechless.

They say a thief never leaves empty-handed, but the Xiang family were even craftier than thieves.

“Jinchui, why didn’t you stop them?”

Jinchui replied indignantly, “Shu Qi wouldn’t let me.”

“Sis, those are just some trivial, not very valuable trinkets. If it earns our General’s Mansion a good reputation, it’s worth it.”

Yun Zhaozhao remained noncommittal.

Reputation, nowadays, is worthless, but in ancient times, people valued it more than their lives.

“Fine, it’s your call.”

In the afternoon, the three women chatted a while longer before Yun Liu began to send them away.

“The sky’s getting late. Zhaozhao, you should head back.”

“Ah? But I haven’t had enough fun yet.”

For Yun Zhaozhao, “fun” specifically meant teasing the little ones.

Yun Liu shot her a reproachful glance. “If you want to play, go have your own kids.”

Yun Chuchu reluctantly escorted her to the main gate, hesitating before saying, “Sis, my brother-in-law… may not be the husband you idealize, but his character is… decent. You…”

Yun Zhaozhao raised her hand and gave her a gentle tap on the forehead.

“Enough. Don’t worry about me—I know what I’m doing. Worrying only ages you. Kids should act like kids!”

...

Backyard of the Yincui Teahouse.

Sheng Xingye pushed the door open. Qin Tianbao, who had been grumbling moments before, immediately brightened and greeted him enthusiastically.

“Sixth Brother, you finally came!”

The others quickly followed, warmly greeting him.

“What are you all talking about? I could hear Qin the Youngest shouting from outside.”

Sheng Xingye asked casually, but the atmosphere suddenly stiffened.

Qin Tianbao was the most impatient. “It’s nothing but…”

“We’re discussing profit shares,” Shi Jinyuan cut in first, then pulled out the ledger and silver notes. “Here’s the profit from the past six months. We specifically called you here for this.”

Qin Tianbao shot Shi Jinyuan a resentful glare.

How bold, stealing his thunder!

Shi Jinyuan smiled apologetically, not minding Qin’s grudge.

Xin Xuetong, Kang Yi, and Song Qiming exchanged glances and said in unison, “Yes, that’s what we’re talking about.”

Sheng Xingye gave the three a strange look. “Since when did you three become so synchronized?”

The three smiled sheepishly.

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Kang Yi: “Hasn’t it always been like this?”

Xin Xuetong: “Sixth Brother, have some tea.”

Song Qiming was at a loss, unsure if he should say something too, but thankfully Shi Jinyuan saved him.

“Everyone can look over the ledger first. If there are no issues, we can distribute the money now.”

Sheng Xingye tossed the ledger back to Shi Jinyuan. “No need. You handle it.”

With Sheng Xingye’s word, the others naturally had no objections.

Yincui Teahouse was Shi Jinyuan’s private property and served as the meeting place for the six prodigals: Sheng Xingye, Qin Tianbao, Xin Xuetong, Kang Yi, Song Qiming, and Shi Jinyuan.

Among them, Qin Tianbao held the highest status, Shi Jinyuan was the eldest, but Sheng Xingye was the leader.

Because among them, he was the sharpest and most loyal brother.

Qin Tianbao was the only son of the Marquis of Xuanping, with eight older sisters.

His mother was a low-status courtesan, and fearing she would be discarded, she raised him disguised as a girl.

It wasn’t until he was seven that his true gender was discovered.

The Marquis, who had been childless until then, wept with joy.

He immediately registered Qin Tianbao under the legitimate wife and petitioned to pass the title to him last year.

So now, Qin Tianbao was a proper young marquis.

Because of his mother’s low status and being raised as a timid girl, Qin Tianbao was often mocked and bullied by noble sons.

After Sheng Xingye helped him once by chance, his life took a sharp turn.

Since then, he clung to Sheng Xingye, following him loyally.

Xin Xuetong was the legitimate second son of the Censor’s family.

The family was strict, and the Censor was rigid and rule-bound.

Perhaps as a reaction, Xin Xuetong was a rebellious son full of defiance.

He was often disciplined by his father, once nearly beaten to death.

Until he met Sheng Xingye.

Since then, whenever his father tried to punish him, Xin Xuetong could justify his stance and stop him, causing the Censor more frustration than success.

Kang Yi was the legitimate eldest son of the Minister of Public Works.

Unfortunately, his birth mother died young, and his stepmother was treacherous, basically neglecting him.

Among the six, he was the true prodigal.

But also a clear-headed one.

When he realized his stepmother was deliberately suppressing him, he had already developed a lazy and pleasure-seeking nature.

So he just continued living as a prodigal.

Song Qiming was the legitimate son of the secondary branch of the Marquis of Anyuan.

His mother came from a merchant family.

Though the Marquis’s household used her dowry, they constantly oppressed her and her son.

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Shi Jinyuan was his cousin.

Three years ago, Shi Jinyuan came to the capital.

Partly to expand his commercial empire in the capital, but also to protect Song Qiming and his mother and find new allies.

Because the Marquis of Anyuan was no longer satisfied with just appropriating the Shi family dowry.

They wanted to treat the Shi family as a cash cow to exploit at will.

To find a way out, the Shi family sent their most commercially capable eldest son, Shi Jinyuan, to the capital.

Unfortunately, as merchants were low status, Shi Jinyuan met obstacles everywhere.

Later, through Song Qiming, he met Sheng Xingye and the others.

Luckily, Sheng Xingye’s friendships were based on affinity, not status.

With his approval and Shi Jinyuan’s own tact, he gradually integrated into the group.

Yincui Teahouse was the first teahouse Shi Jinyuan opened after arriving in the capital.

Last year, he proposed that if anyone had spare money, they could entrust it to him for management, sharing profits twice a year.

Today was the second profit distribution.

Sheng Xingye took five thousand taels from the profit, hesitated, then returned two thousand, and pushed twelve thousand taels back to Shi Jinyuan.

“Help me convert this into good farmland or shops.”

“Sixth Brother, why the sudden interest in investing in property?” Qin Tianbao asked in surprise.

Kang Yi was curious too. “Didn’t you put all your private funds into Shi’s business? Is three thousand enough for six months’ expenses?”

Enough my foot!

Sheng Xingye gave Kang Yi a sharp glare, inwardly frustrated.

“You forgot, Sixth Brother just got married and must have received a big red envelope. He’s not short of money.”

Xin Xuetong, rarely showing wit, quipped.

Sheng Xingye said nothing, cursing Yun Zhaozhao a thousand times in his heart.

“Let’s go to Ruyi Lane. I promised to treat you all yesterday.”

Sheng Xingye said, standing up to leave.

The others immediately panicked.

“Wait, Sixth Brother. It’s too late today. Let’s do it another day.”

Xin Xuetong spoke first, and the others quickly agreed.

Sheng Xingye glanced at the sky, then at their exchanged glances. “Speak. What’s going on?”

Two quarters of an hour later, Sheng Xingye and his group arrived at Ruyi Lane.

Just then, they unexpectedly crossed paths with Kong Wenjun and his party leaving Ruyi Lane.