HBWMA -Chapter 46 Congratulations, Binding Successful

The mids were completely unaware and continued gossiping.

“Right! That little girl is really pretty.”

“Not just that—she’s kind-hearted too. This morning she didn’t even eat breakfast, she just started helping me with work, and even fed all the koi in the pond. At dawn she dragged Steward Shen down the mountain to feed stray cats and dogs.”

“Exactly, exactly! That girl really has a good heart. A sparrow fell from a tree this morning and she even bandaged it herself. No wonder the old master likes her so much—who wouldn’t like such a cute girl?”

Shen Guiling thought for a moment, then walked toward the pavilion.

The maids were chatting so enthusiastically that none of them noticed someone had approached.

Shen Guiling lightly coughed.

Everyone was startled—like they had been caught doing something wrong—and scattered in an instant.

The plump maid was the most embarrassed. She rubbed her dry palms together and laughed awkwardly.

“Young Master.”

Shen Guiling nodded slightly, his tone gentle. “Auntie, is… Miss Jiang unwell?”

The plump maid had originally been worried that he might think they were slacking off, but upon hearing this, she relaxed immediately and explained enthusiastically:

“She was unwell yesterday, but after taking Dr. Meng’s medicine, she’s fine now. Don’t worry, Young Master A-Ling. Dr. Meng’s medicine is extremely rare—Miss Jiang was already lively and energetic last night.”

Shen Guiling: “Allergy?”

“Yes.” The plump aunt, completely unguarded, glanced around cautiously and lowered her voice with a hand over her mouth. “Young Master A-Ling, please don’t mention this to the old master later. Miss Jiang doesn’t want him to worry, so she told us not to say anything.”

“……”

Shen Guiling tilted his head slightly and rubbed his faintly buzzing ear. “Alright, I understand.”

“What’s it that I’m not allowed to know?”

The old master entered the flower hall with his walking stick, looking full of energy. The moment he saw Shen Guiling, his eyes grew even warmer.

“Oh? A-Ling is here?”

“!” The plump maid panicked instantly, her eyes darting everywhere. It’s over… it’s over… if the old master finds out, Miss Jiang will definitely know she’s a big-mouth…

Shen Guiling glanced at her without drawing attention, then turned and walked toward the flower hall.

“Grandfather.”

The old master had only caught bits and pieces from afar—something about Dr. Meng and Miss Jiang—but nothing clear. He smiled and looked at Shen Guiling.

“What were you all talking about just now?”

It’s over! Looks like I can only betray Miss Jiang… The plump maid was sweating nervously.

Shen Guiling’s expression remained gentle as he handed over the plant in his hands.

“Grandfather, could you take a look at this? It’s already drooping after just one day.”

Ah—so there was a secret being covered up. The old master saw through it but didn’t point it out. His gaze flicked between Shen Guiling and the plump maid, and he gave Shen Guiling a knowing look.

“Come with me.”

The two walked to the flower rack. The old master pointed at a red sandalwood stand.

“Put it there.”

Shen Guiling did as told.

The old master patted his shoulder. “Want to learn gardening?”

Shen Guiling nodded.

The old master studied him for a moment. “With so many things to learn, why this one in particular?”

Shen Guiling replied, “To cultivate patience and discipline.”

“Hmm?” The old master raised a brow. He didn’t quite understand—this child already had such a calm temperament, why would he need that? Still, he said nothing more. He lowered his walking stick and pinched a handful of soil.

“The soil is waterlogged. Did you water it morning and night after bringing it back?”

Shen Guiling nodded.

The old master picked up a small trowel and began loosening the soil while patiently explaining.

“When it comes to raising plants, you mustn’t rush. You have to give them space to grow on their own. If the surface soil is dry, check underneath—if it’s still wet, then wait. The seedlings are at the stage where they’re developing roots; too much water does more harm than good.”

Shen Guiling listened thoughtfully.

Seeing his serious expression and earnest attitude, the old master went on to explain fertilizing, temperature control, and other details. Though the process was long and tedious, Shen Guiling listened attentively and even asked questions in between.

After the exchange, Shen Zhuang grew even more fond of this grandson he had picked up by chance.

The plump maid had been hiding in the pavilion watching for a long time. Seeing that Shen Zhuang no longer questioned anything, she clasped her hands together in silent gratitude.

Young Master A-Ling really is like a living Bodhisattva compared to the other young masters of the Shen family—handsome, kind, and gentle. No wonder even the picky old master likes him so much.

“Oh dear~ I’m exhausted.”

Jiang Huashan rubbed her arms, her legs barely able to carry her anymore.

“Steward Shen, are you sure you’ve gathered all the cats and dogs within a ten-mile radius?”

“……”

He wasn’t sure.

Shen Zhi truly felt like he was seeing the world anew today.

Early in the morning, he had already been dragged by Jiang Huashan to feed stray cats and dogs. At first, he thought this Miss Jiang was just having a sudden burst of compassion. But he didn’t expect her to be completely out of her mind—she had people gather all the stray cats and dogs in front of her and personally interrogate them one by one: “Are you the little poor thing?”

How could those cats and dogs possibly answer?

Unable to get a response, she even ordered her bodyguards to follow the animals back to their territories and drag over their companions as well, then proceeded to question them again through coercion and temptation: “Are you the little poor thing?”

It wasn’t an exaggeration—by now, the entire foothill area’s stray cats and dogs had already spread the word. There was a foolish human with too much food looking for a “little poor thing.” No need for capture anymore; packs of cats and dogs were actually coming over in groups to try their luck.

If they hadn’t run fast earlier, they would have already been surrounded by the “feline and canine army.”

Shen Zhi still had a tuft of dog hair on his head, panting heavily. “Miss Jiang, what exactly does the ‘little poor thing’ you’re looking for look like? Why don’t you just tell me directly and I’ll have them help you find it?”

Jiang Huashan weakly waved her hand. If she knew, things would’ve been simple.

Old Master Shen was chatting with Shen Guiling about how to prune leaves when he overheard their conversation. The corners of his mouth lifted unconsciously. He put down his scissors at once and teased Jiang Huashan with a smile:

“What did you do with Shen Zhi early this morning? He’s followed me for forty years, and even during the Nanhai Bay war he’s never looked this disheveled.”

Only then did Jiang Huashan and Shen Zhi notice that both Old Master Shen and Shen Guiling were also in the flower hall.

Shen Zhi quickly composed himself. “Old Master.”

“Grandpa~” Jiang Huashan’s eyes curved as she bounced over toward him.

Old Master Shen glanced at Shen Guiling, then tapped her forehead and raised his chin slightly.

Jiang Huashan’s smile instantly disappeared. She turned expressionless and looked at Shen Guiling. “Yo~ Shen Guiling~”

Shen Guiling: “……”

Old Master Shen laughed and sighed, half amused, half exasperated. “Didn’t you promise Grandpa yesterday?”

Jiang Huashan immediately put on a standard customer-service smile. “Brother A-Ling.”

Shen Guiling smiled faintly, his eyes gentle like a spring breeze. “Good girl.”

Jiang Huashan’s smile cracked instantly. Just as she was about to explode…

Suddenly, a mechanical voice echoed in her mind—

【Do you want to bind the current character—‘little poor thing’?】

“!”

Jiang Huashan froze for a few seconds, then suddenly sprang three meters backward, her gaze darting between Old Master Shen and Shen Guiling.

All morning she had fed fish, saved birds, and helped stray cats and dogs, but this prompt had never appeared.

Old Master Shen was startled. He frowned. “Child, why are you acting like a startled cat?”

Jiang Huashan didn’t respond. Her expression turned deep as she rapidly processed everything.

The old master was the undisputed authority of Lian City—there was no way he was the “little poor thing.”

So…

Her eyes locked onto Shen Guiling.

No way.

“……”

Shen Guiling felt his scalp tingle under her stare. That gaze was even more unsettling than the drugging incident last night. What kind of scheme was she plotting now?

Jiang Huashan stepped closer.

Shen Guiling frowned and leaned back cautiously.

Jiang Huashan pressed one hand against the flower rack. If she were taller, this would have looked like outright harassment.

“Li—”

At that moment, a small turtle climbed out of the fish tank on the flower rack and, by sheer coincidence, fell onto Shen Guiling’s hand.

Jiang Huashan froze. She looked at the turtle, then at Shen Guiling, then back at the turtle again.

Finally, she closed her eyes, squeezed herself into his arms, quickly grabbed the little turtle, and silently thought:

“Bind.”

Her heartbeat rose to its peak.

It felt like an entire century passed.

Finally, she heard the voice of salvation.

“Congratulations, binding successful.”