As the conversation between Shi Zhengmao and Shi Zhenghe hit an impasse, it became clear that the matter of the pouches was completely off the table. Frustrated and helpless, they had no choice but to seek help from their mother, Lady Shi.
Already having cried to Lady Shi earlier, Shi Yuhua recounted the situation once again as Shi Zhengmao and the others approached her.
Seeing her children all flocking to her, Lady Shi rubbed her temples with a headache. She hadn't anticipated that such a simple matter would be turned into such a mess by her own children.
Watching her children eagerly wanting to use the pouches as a means of showing goodwill, Lady Shi couldn't help but feel disappointed.
Caught up in the minor details, they were losing sight of the bigger picture!
Were the pouches more important, or were the relationships with the ones crafting those pouches more important?
Sighing, Lady Shi decided not to bring up the pouches and instead asked, "Zhenghe, have you found a job?"
Shi Zhengmao spoke, "Brother said he has. He mentioned he found a patrolling duty at the North City Garrison." He paused for a moment and continued, "Mother, I've been working on a solution for Zhenghe's job situation."
"It's a busy time at the end of the year, and I can't spare the time right now. But once the year turns, during the personnel changes at the Ministry of War, I'll arrange a better position for him there."
Lady Shi interrupted her eldest son, "You don't need to tell me these things. Go talk to your brother about it."
Shi Zhengmao's expression faltered.
Lady Shi glanced at Shi Yuhua and the others, saying, "Alright, all of you came swarming in, giving me a headache. It's getting late, so go back now."
Seeing that Lady Shi wasn't bringing up the pouches, the group exchanged confused looks. However, seeing Lady Shi rubbing her temples, looking tired, they could only leave quietly.
But Shi Yuhua didn't leave. She went straight to the side room, showing a stubborn stance, as if she wouldn't leave until the pouches were obtained.
Seeing her behavior, the others frowned.
"Mother, are we going to get the pouches now?"
Meanwhile, the Seventh Master, who had received the pouches from Shi Zhengmao, immediately approached Shi Dingkai when he saw Lady Shi return.
Lady Shi gave her youngest son a stern look as she walked inside. While heading in, she scolded, "You, how could you give the pouches to Shaozhuo?"
Shi Dingkai appeared somewhat aggrieved. "Mother, wasn't it you who asked me to spend time with Cousin Shaozhuo and the others? He asked me for them, and I couldn't just refuse."
Entering the room, Lady Shi found her Third Master, Shi Dingkun, her Second Miss, Shi Fuyue, and her Ninth Miss, Shi Fuzheng, already there.
Shi Fuyue inquired, "Mother, I heard that Second Aunt is planning to stay at Uncle's residence tonight?"
Lady Shi sneered, "Since she didn't get the pouches, and thus can't fulfill her commitment to your uncle's family, she has no choice but to linger at Uncle's residence."
"But it's actually for the best. With your Second Aunt there, your grandmother won't be able to ignore it. As long as your Second Aunt gets her hands on those pouches, we won't be excluded."
Shi Fuyue sighed, "Second Aunt is really quite proud. I didn't expect her to be defeated by Uncle's family every time."
Lady Shi laughed, "Don't judge things solely by appearances. Your Second Aunt isn't as remarkable as you imagine. She's just pretending to be strong when she's actually not."
Seeing her daughter's confusion, Lady Shi explained, "When a woman marries, it's like a second reincarnation. If the marriage is good, she'll improve over time. If her life in her husband's family isn't pleasant, she'll become like your Second Aunt."
"Your Second Aunt used to be poised and gentle before marriage, but she's become like this now because she didn't marry well. You've reached the age of maturity this year. When you attend banquets and such, you have to be careful. You must find a good husband's family."
Shi Fuyue blushed slightly and lowered her head in embarrassment.
Since her son was present, Lady Shi didn't delve further into the matter. After giving them a few instructions, she dismissed them.
The next day, when Shi Fuxin and Shi Fuxin arrived at Qihua Pavilion, they heard about Lady Shi planning to dismantle a medicinal pillow to make pouches.
Shi Fuxin listened and then simply went about her business, ignoring the curious gazes of those around her.
Seeing Shi Fuxin's attitude, Shi Fuxin didn't say anything either.
However, during dinner that evening, Shi Zhenghe brought up the matter at the dining table.
Shi Fuxin smiled and said, "Father, grandmother is trying to show her motherly love to Second Aunt. Don't interfere."
Lady Jin looked at Shi Fuxin and asked, "So the pouches are really gone?"
Shi Fuxin smiled, "Mother, scarcity makes things valuable. When we gave away the pouches before, others didn't treasure them. Now they'll surely feel our heartfelt intentions."
Lady Jin decided not to say anything more and simply said, "Let's eat."
After Lady Shi's decision to dismantle a medicinal pillow spread, the members of the Shi family closely observed the reaction from Yigui Courtyard.
The pouches were highly valuable, and everyone naturally wanted to get as many as possible.
Unfortunately, the response from Yigui Courtyard disappointed them.
Shi Zhenghe continued his routine of leaving early and returning late, just as before.
When he paid his respects to Lady Jin, he seemed apologetic, but he insisted that the pouches were gone.
Shi Dingxuan and the other siblings attended their classes and studied as usual, completely distancing themselves from the situation, as if they were unaware.
Seeing the family unaffected, the rest of the Shi family couldn't help but feel restless.
Three days later, Lady Jin looked at her daughter who was staying at the residence without returning to her husband's family and sighed. She picked up a pair of scissors and personally cut open a medicinal pillow.
The pillow wasn't large, and it contained twenty pouches filled with herbs.
"Take these pouches back to your uncle."
Shi Yuhua accepted the pouch from Granny An's hand. Seeing that there was only one, she hesitated for a moment before mustering the courage to speak, "Mother, could you give me a couple more? For my father-in-law and mother-in-law..."
Her words trailed off as she met the disappointed gaze of Lady Shi.
Lady Shi said, "You only think about your in-laws, have you thought about your father and me?"
Shi Yuhua felt ashamed and stammered, "Mother, I..."
Lady Shi interrupted her, "Enough, there's only one pouch. Take it if you want, leave it if you don't."
Receiving only one pouch, Shi Yuhua felt somewhat resentful. However, she could tell that Lady Shi was firm and wouldn't give more, so she had to leave with a dissatisfied expression.
Before departing, she couldn't resist adding, "Mother, you're always thinking about Fourth Brother's family, but what about them? You cut open the medicinal pillows, yet they didn't offer to reveal the recipe."
She doubted that the specific herbs couldn't be obtained in the capital; it was more likely that Fourth Brother's family was just unwilling to share the recipe.
"Shut up!"
Lady Shi glared at Shi Yuhua, her disappointment evident. "Who forced me to cut open the pillows? Wasn't it you? Yet you still have the audacity to criticize others here!"
Shi Yuhua blushed from the scolding, clutching the pouch, and quickly left.
After she departed, Lady Shi shook her head in disappointment. When Old Master Shi emerged from his bedroom, he sighed, "The Fourth Branch is more stable than I imagined!"
Old Master Shi's expression changed slightly upon hearing this. "Stability is good, being rational rather than emotional is the key to handling matters."
Spreading the news about dismantling the medicinal pillows was undoubtedly a test of the Second Branch's reaction. The outcome was surprising yet unsurprising for the elderly couple.
Lady Shi fell into silence. Being rational rather than emotional was due to a lack of strong emotions.
The other members of the main residence realized that Lady Shi had indeed cut open the medicinal pillows, so the chance of obtaining pouches was completely gone.
The First Madam and others, who wished to show filial piety to their parents, could only return their own pouches to their natal families.
With only one pouch available, everyone was reluctant to part with theirs.
As Old Master Shi looked at the pouch in his hand, he hesitated and looked at the First Madam. "Do you think Fourth Brother's family genuinely can't produce pouches, or do they simply not want to?"
The First Madam fell into thought, and an image suddenly surfaced in her mind – Shi Fuxin smiling meaningfully at her. Now, thinking back, she felt that the smile held a deeper implication.
Intentional, perhaps. At the very least, that girl seemed intentional.
Setting aside the other matters, she couldn't help but wonder whether Shi Fuxin had really given away all the pouches she had collected. The First Madam found it hard to believe.
Old Master Shi sighed, "I'm giving this pouch to Assistant Minister Wang. Let our eldest son bring out his pouch."
The First Madam shot Old Master Shi a glance. "Our eldest son has his own parents-in-law, and our second son as well. We can only rely on Yao to bring out her pouch."
Old Master Shi wasn't entirely in agreement. "Yao wants to use the pouches to treat the pimples on her face." He harrumphed, "If our Lin had been more sensible back then and accepted the pouches, she could have shown her filial piety to her maternal grandparents now."
Seeing Old Master Shi defend their illegitimate daughter, the First Madam became displeased. "You're certainly attentive to Mistress Xue and her daughter. You even know about the pimples on Yao's face. If you care so much, then go to Mistress Xue's place."
Old Master Shi felt helpless. "Look at you, I just said a few words, and you're already getting agitated. Once Yao's face clears up, she'll find it easier to find a good husband's family."
Due to the shortage of pouches, the Fifth and Seventh Branches also quarreled over their distribution.
The pouches they had previously ignored had now become highly sought after, and everyone felt somewhat uncomfortable.
"Sister, did you hear? Fifth Aunt is taking Sixth Brother and Tenth Sister's pouches!"
Shi Dinghao quietly informed Shi Fuxin and Shi Fuxin about the news he had just gathered.
Shi Fuxin and Shi Fuxin were both taken aback.
Shi Fuxin furrowed her brows. "Those pouches belong to Sixth Brother and Tenth Sister. It's really unsightly for Aunt to take their things away."
Shi Fuxin sighed, "This is the sorrow of being illegitimate children. Their stepmothers can easily control them; they can't make decisions for themselves in anything."
She then looked at Shi Dinghao. "And what about Aunt at the First Branch and Seventh Aunt? Did they take their illegitimate children's pouches?"
Shi Dinghao replied, "Seventh Aunt did. However, she gave Eighth Sister and Eleventh Brother other things as an exchange. I'm not sure about Aunt at the First Branch."
Shi Fuxin clicked her tongue twice. "Survival of the fittest, huh?"
Shi Fuxin said somberly, "Enough, it's their family matter. Let's not gossip."
In response to the turmoil caused by the pouches, the First Branch, Shi Zhenghe's family, chose to ignore it. They continued with their daily lives as usual. However, it didn't take long for them to notice a subtle change in the attitudes of the other members of the Shi family towards them.
For instance, during classes, some students proactively approached Shi Dingxuan and his siblings to converse.
During greetings, the First Madam and others occasionally shifted the conversation towards Lady Jin.
Shi Zhengmao and Shi Zhengde began showing concern for Shi Zhenghe, asking if he needed any help.
These changes left Shi Zhenghe's family feeling reflective.
Indeed, one is valued when they can contribute to others.
"Sister, do you remember when we entered the capital, we passed through Desheng Gate?"
After entering the North City Barracks, Shi Zhenghe's family often accompanied Shi Fuxin to leisurely stroll around the North City when they had free time.
At this moment, Shi Fuxin held a notebook in her hand, walking and using a sharpened charcoal pencil to write and draw on the blank pages.
She was sketching a map of the North City!
With the assistance of her psychic power, the map she drew was much more accurate than the ones available in the market.
Her father's primary duty was patrolling various areas of the North City. The streets in the outer city were like a maze, with numerous hidden alleyways. Without familiarity with the layout, it would be challenging to apprehend criminals.
It was now late November, and the New Year was approaching. This was the peak season for petty thefts and crimes. She wanted to quickly complete the map of the North City to help her father memorize the routes.
This way, if they encountered criminals, they wouldn't get lost or lose their way, allowing the criminals to escape.
The more criminals they caught, the more credit they would earn, which could lead to their promotion from low-ranking constables to higher ranks.
"Sister, look, isn't that Gan Fanren, who showed us the way?"
Following Shi Dinghao's pointing finger, Shi Fuxin saw Gan Fanren and his accomplices working together silently to steal a middle-aged man's pouch.
Gan Fanren tilted the pouch in his hand, pleased with the substantial gain this time. When he looked up, he noticed Shi Fuxin and Shi Dinghao standing not far away, calmly observing them.
"Swish~"
Gan Fanren turned around and bolted, quickly disappearing into the alleys.
"Huff, huff, huff~"
After running through several alleys in succession, Gan Fanren plopped down against a wall, panting heavily.
Just when he thought he was safe, the sudden shadow cast over him from above made his face turn pale.
"I say, why did you run when you saw us? We're not tigers. Could we eat you?"
Shi Dinghao looked at Gan Fanren in confusion.
Gan Fanren swallowed hard, "You... Why are you following me?"
Shi Fuxin smiled mischievously, "I've taken a liking to you!"
Hearing this, Gan Fanren almost choked on his saliva. It was only after Shi Dinghao patted him on the back that he managed to catch his breath.
"Lass, I'm already married. Thank you for your..."
Before he could finish, Shi Dinghao slapped him on the shoulder, "Why are you blabbering? My sister is interested in you because you're familiar with this area. We want you to show us around."
Gan Fanren's face froze upon hearing this, but he then relaxed, "So, Miss wants me to be your guide."
Shi Dinghao was exasperated, "What else would you think?"
Gan Fanren chuckled awkwardly.
Shi Fuxin looked at him, "Do people like you have their territories divided?"
Gan Fanren hadn't expected her to ask this question. He hesitated before nodding vaguely.
Turning around, Shi Fuxin continued, "Let's go. Lead us around and give us an introduction to the forces you know about."
Her father was stationed in the North City, so he would inevitably have to interact with these people. Learning more about them in advance would be beneficial.
Gan Fanren's expression drooped, "Miss, what do you want me to do? I have my own rules."
Shi Fuxin said, "No one is asking you to break the rules. We just want to understand the situation. You only need to tell us about the various forces in the North City and their approximate locations."
Gan Fanren grew more hesitant, "What do you want to achieve with this information?"
Shi Fuxin smiled, "We're new to the capital and want to gain a deep understanding of it. Don't worry, we won't bring trouble to you." She glanced at Shi Dinghao.
Seeing this, Shi Dinghao took a silver ingot from his pouch and handed it to Gan Fanren.
Gan Fanren looked uncertain, "Are you really just trying to understand and not planning anything?"
Shi Fuxin asked with a grin, "What do you think my brother and I could possibly do?"
Gan Fanren thought about the scene where they had captured three river pirates earlier. He gulped again.
With no way to escape, Gan Fanren had no choice but to comply. He led the siblings around the various places in the North City, introducing them to the different forces.
With Gan Fanren as their guide and informant, the map in Shi Fuxin's hand grew more detailed.
In the midst of their conversation, the trio arrived at the street where they had encountered the river pirates.
From a distance, Shi Fuxin and Shi Dinghao could smell the rich aroma of Shuji Braised Delights.
"I really want to eat there."
Passing by Shuji Braised Delights, Shi Dinghao couldn't help but salivate, finding it difficult to move forward.
Shi Fuxin also had a hard time, but her self-control was better. She averted her gaze with difficulty. "Let's keep going."
Shi Dinghao followed with a bitter face.
At that moment, a boy of around twelve or thirteen years old rushed into the first-floor hall. "I heard that the imposter pretending to be Young Master has appeared. Get out of here, imposter!"