Chapter 47: The Fallen Mask

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Shen Jifeng awoke once more, greeted by the sight of a grand bed carved in purple-red wood—this was the outer residence near the mining site. Her gaze drifted downward to see Jin Chai’s pair of bloodshot eyes, swollen eyelids, tear-streaked cheeks yet still wet, and fingers red and swollen like water-soaked radishes.

“What time is it?” she asked.

Jin Chai wiped her tears, her voice hoarse, “June sixteenth, the hour of Wei.”

Shen Jifeng had gone nearly five days without food and had just suffered a high fever; even breathing was a struggle. “These seven days have felt like nothing at all. Dear Jin Chai, I’m starving—I need to eat.”

On the table was a charcoal stove gently simmering a pot of meat porridge. The doctor had said that after such a long fast, something easily digestible was essential, and meat porridge was ideal.

Jin Chai ladled a bowl of porridge, blowing on it softly and stirring continuously with a spoon. Amid the rising steam, her tears fell heavily into the bowl.

Shen Jifeng struggled to sit up. “I’m fine, truly. To survive such calamity is a blessing. Our fortune lies ahead.”

Jin Chai, who had been silently weeping, could no longer contain herself and burst into loud sobs. “I only left for a moment to fetch your raincoat, and you went down to the mine... I, I...”

Her voice choked and broken, she clutched the bowl, weeping bitterly.

Shen Jifeng gently tugged at Jin Chai’s collar. “Good sister, stop crying. If you keep crying, this porridge will turn salty.”

Jin Chai lifted her head, wiped her face, cautiously scooped a spoonful, blew on it gently, and brought it to Shen Jifeng’s lips. “Eat slowly—you can’t eat too much at once.”

Shen Jifeng sipped the warm porridge; the comforting heat slid down her throat, and a long-missed warmth spread through her stomach. She exhaled softly and looked out the window— the rain seemed to have stopped, sunlight breaking through the clouds, casting mottled shadows on the window frame.

“How is the mine?” she asked quietly.

Jin Chai paused, her eyes flickering before she forced a light tone. “Don’t worry about those things. Director Li and the others have arranged everything. Your health is the priority now.”

Shen Jifeng fixed her with a steady gaze. “Jin Chai, you know hiding it from me won’t work.”

Jin Chai bit her lip and finally whispered, “The rain was heavy, the mountain collapsed, blocking the mine entrance. Fortunately, you ordered everyone out in advance—no one was hurt. But... but...”

“But what?”

“The No. 6 shaft was flooded, and the entrance is still blocked by the landslide. It will be a while before mining can resume.” Her eyes reddened again. “My lady, please don’t be anxious. Once you’re well, we’ll find a way…”

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Shen Jifeng was silent for a moment before suddenly smiling. “No one was injured—that’s what matters. Less than two months remain until the ninth of August. The mine can be dug again, silver can be earned again, but if people are lost, that’s truly gone.” She paused, took another sip of porridge, her gaze growing resolute. “Once I can get out of bed, we’ll go see for ourselves. There must be a way.”

Jin Chai looked at her pale but determined face, tears welling once more. This time she didn’t cry aloud but nodded firmly. “Yes, I’ll accompany you. From now on, I won’t leave your side.”

Shen Jifeng smiled and suddenly recalled a voice from before being rescued. “Has Ma Yao returned?”

Jin Chai’s hand holding the spoon froze for a moment. “My lady, Ma Yao is General Wei.”

Shen Jifeng was startled. “General Wei?” she murmured, frowning slightly. “You mean our neighbor, the commander of the Southern Garrison Army... Wei Xiao?”

Jin Chai nodded. “That’s him. When the mine collapsed, trapping you inside, it was General Wei who organized the rescue. He ordered the digging of a ventilation shaft and didn’t sleep for days.”

Ma Yao—put together, it spells ‘Xiao’.

No wonder before she left the palace, Grandfather instructed her to seek General Wei at the Western Capital camp in emergencies—he must have known Ma Yao was Wei Xiao.

Though the Western Capital Silver Mine lay over two hundred miles from the palace, nothing escaped Grandfather’s notice.

A proud Southern Garrison General wouldn’t serve as her escort without reason. What did he want? Shen Jifeng knew Wei Xiao bore her no ill will; on the contrary, her life had been saved by him several times. It had to be about the military funds.

“Is General Wei here? I want to see him.”

“He is. Since bringing you back, he’s been waiting in the courtyard.”

Shen Jifeng ate a bowl of porridge, regaining some strength, then leaned back on the bed to await Wei Xiao.

According to Danning customs, unmarried women could not meet men in their chambers, but Shen Jifeng, who dared enter the male miners’ dormitories, naturally paid no heed to such proprieties.

“A gentleman is open and straightforward—who says a woman cannot be one?”

“General Wei, you’ve saved me again. How can I ever thank you?”

Wei Xiao wore a set of Dongyang clothes that looked slightly small on him, making him appear even taller. His face bore the fatigue of several sleepless days, and a stubble shadow covered his chin, lending a ruggedness absent from the stern man Shen Jifeng recalled.

“My lady, for the past three years, anonymous donations of military funds have been sent to the Southern Garrison Army each year. The most recent was late last year. The sender wasn’t anyone else but Director Li Leqi of the mine. Before coming here, he was the chief steward of the Shen Trading Company.”

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Shen Jifeng blinked innocently. “Uncle Li is indeed the chief steward of Shen Trading, but I don’t understand—what does that have to do with you being my escort?”

Seeing her feign ignorance, Wei Xiao explained more clearly. “During his time at Shen Trading, Director Li’s main contact was you, my lady. I wanted to find the benefactor who supported the Southern Garrison Army, my lady…”

“So you thought I was the one donating silver?” Shen Jifeng pointed at herself and burst into laughter.

“Oh, don’t tease me. I wish I had that much silver.” She curled her fingers, beckoning Wei Xiao closer.

“You must keep this a secret.” Shen Jifeng wore a bright smile that inexplicably quickened Wei Xiao’s heart.

“I do have ties to Shen Trading, but not much—just a 2% stake. Of course, I communicate frequently with Uncle Li. It was through him that I cooperated with Shen Trading. As for the military funds, you should ask Uncle Li directly.”

“You’re not lying?” Wei Xiao searched her eyes for a flaw.

Shen Jifeng met his gaze calmly, smiling warmly. “You came looking for a benefactor, not an enemy. If it were me, why would I hide it?”

“Or…” Shen Jifeng paused. “If you can’t find the real benefactor and insist on finding someone, I wouldn’t mind standing in.”

“If the lady is a shareholder of Shen Trading, and the funds come from Shen Trading, then calling you a benefactor of the Southern Garrison Army wouldn’t be wrong.”

As he spoke, Wei Xiao suddenly knelt on one knee, clasped his fist, and bowed. “On behalf of the hundred thousand soldiers of the Southern Garrison, I thank you, my lady, for your great kindness.”

Shen Jifeng was startled by this unexpected grand gesture and quickly waved him off. “Please, no need. I love silver, but I don’t like being treated ceremoniously. You should find your true benefactor. I only started cooperating with Shen Trading last year. The silver has been donated for several years.”

“How well do you know the head of Shen Trading?”

Shen Jifeng shook her head. “Not well, never met him. All my dealings have been through Uncle Li.”

Wei Xiao regarded her thoughtfully, recalling that during the previous night, she had not spoken so openly with Li Leqi. She was deliberately concealing her relationship with the head of Shen Trading.