HBWMA -Chapter 415 What Does the Maiden Desire?

“Aunt Feng, make me a bowl of knife-cut noodles.”

Shen Rang and Shen Jiao returned to Winter Garden one after the other. Aunt Feng had just stepped out of her room when she heard Shen Rang’s gruff shout.

Shen Jiao kicked off her high heels and lazily collapsed onto the sofa. “If you want to eat, go back to your own courtyard.”

Shen Rang acted as if he hadn’t heard her and added, “Add two eggs.”

Aunt Feng smiled and agreed, then turned to Shen Jiao. “Miss, would you like some as well?”

Shen Rang poured himself a cup of hot tea. “Have a little. You didn’t eat anything at dinner just now.”

Shen Jiao pressed her fingers to her temple and shook her head. “I don’t have an appetite.”

Aunt Feng said nothing more and went to the kitchen to prepare the meal.

Seeing this, Shen Rang got up and poured her a cup of tea. “What’s wrong? Still worrying about Shanshan and Sui’er?”

Shen Jiao’s fingers paused. She raised her eyes coldly. “There must be a mole in the Shen family.”

Shen Rang’s expression changed slightly, but he didn’t respond. He lowered his head and pushed the teacup toward her.

Shen Jiao frowned and studied him. “Any leads on the sniper who ambushed us at the International Trade Center two years ago?”

Shen Rang shook his head. “The Dark Hall has investigated for two years. All we found was the corpse of a foreign man. The other side was clearly guarding against us.”

Disappointment filled Shen Jiao’s eyes. “Even the Dark Hall couldn’t find anything… Could it really be someone right under our noses?”

Shen Rang took a sip of tea. “Thinking about it now won’t help. I’ve already discussed it with the old master. We’ll transfer a team of shadow guards from the Dark Hall to protect Shanshan and Sui’er at all times.”

Shen Jiao’s expression eased slightly.

Soon, Aunt Feng brought in a steaming bowl of lamb knife-cut noodles.

Shen Rang had been hungry all evening and couldn’t resist the fragrant dish. In no time, he finished both noodles and broth completely.

Shen Jiao looked at him with disgust. “Don’t dirty my cashmere carpet.”

Shen Rang didn’t mind at all. Laughing, he stood up. “You’re rolling in money now and still nitpicking with me over this? Oh right—I came today to discuss something. The joint government of Country F has already dissolved. Now the local military government of Jiji Island is in charge. Previously, we secretly helped them seize power and supplied quite a bit of arms. Commander Jiji has agreed to sell us the main mountain mining area of Country F and the territory of the Black Triangle.”

Shen Jiao waved her hand. “I don’t handle those matters. If you need money, bring me the general accounts. If it’s not too much, I’ll transfer it to you first.”

Shen Rang nodded. “Alright. I’ll come back later.”

After finishing business, Shen Rang said a few more words of comfort, but Shen Jiao found him too talkative and directly kicked him out.

Aunt Feng came in to clear the dishes.

Shen Jiao sat up. “Aunt Feng, have someone check what Fifth Brother has been doing recently.”

Aunt Feng was startled. Regaining her senses, she quickly turned and shut the main hall doors. “Miss, you suspect the young master?”

Shen Jiao showed no hesitation. “No. I suspect everyone in the Shen family. But… start with Fifth Brother.”

Aunt Feng felt a pang of reluctance. Madam Li had once saved her life. Shen Che and Shen Rang were both Madam Li’s sons—she didn’t want to see the siblings turn against each other.

Shen Jiao sighed softly. “All these years, Fifth Brother and I have shared both fortune and hardship. Our interests are inseparable. He knows exactly how much wealth I have.”

“I truly don’t want to judge my own brother with the darkest suspicions. But the current situation doesn’t allow me even a moment of hesitation. Shanshan and Sui’er’s lives can’t withstand any turmoil. If I can’t protect them, what’s the use of mountains of gold and silver?”

“Find out the truth about Fifth Brother. If I’ve wronged him, he can punish me however he wants. But if I’ve truly misjudged him, I can’t afford to keep making mistakes.”

Aunt Feng wiped the corner of her eyes. “Yes.”

At this moment, the atmosphere in the main hall was completely different from before. Shen Zhuang smiled warmly at his three granddaughters.

“You’ve all been frightened by what happened at the villa. To make it up to you, Grandpa will grant each of you one request. You can ask for anything.”

Fu Sui’er’s eyes lit up. “Really? Grandpa, I want to participate in the Youth Cup organized by the Jinggang government. My mom won’t let me register—can you help me sign up?”

The Youth Cup was an annual forum for outstanding young talents organized by the Jinggang government. Each year, elites from various fields were invited to guide public reflection on social issues through debates and speeches.

Fu Sui’er had mentioned wanting to participate before, but Shen Jiao had refused all her social activities for safety reasons.

This request surprised Shen Zhuang. After a moment’s thought, he nodded. “Alright, I’ll register you.”

In recent years, Fu Sui’er had grown remarkably. Among the three granddaughters, she was the only one who chose a military-political academy. Once stepping into that field, it essentially meant committing to an official career path.

Before this, Shen Zhuang had never considered handing power to a girl. But watching Fu Sui’er steadily climb higher, he finally realized how narrow-minded he had been.

Shen Mianzhi hesitated for a moment, then gathered her courage. “Grandpa, I want to learn shooting and free combat.”

“Learn what?” Shen Zhuang suddenly regretted speaking so generously earlier.

Shen Mianzhi continued, “If possible, I also want to become a branch hall leader.”

Shen Zhuang fell silent.

Two years ago, she had asked him for a fair chance to compete. He had thought she would back off after encountering the Dark Hall—but instead, she had only grown more determined.

Shen Zhuang frowned. “Learning skills and becoming a branch leader are two different things. You can only choose one.”

Shen Mianzhi thought for a moment, her eyes flickering. “Then I’ll be a branch leader. If I become one, I’ll have to learn the skills anyway.”

“…”

Shen Zhuang couldn’t help but laugh, then turned to Jiang Huashan. “Xiao Hua, what about you? Don’t make things difficult for Grandpa again.”

Jiang Huashan grinned. “I don’t want anything. I just want Grandpa to be safe and healthy.”