TRBDM -Chapter 198 Behind-the-Scenes Boss

Shen Zhizhi hadn’t eaten breakfast that morning; she only took a sip of tea here. The hot weather made her chest feel tight. She had just stood up from the chair when a sudden dizziness hit her.

“Madam, are you alright?” the maid asked, supporting her.

Shen Zhizhi’s father and mother had already left the house and didn’t notice that she was unwell.

After a short delay, her mother called from outside the door, “Zhizhi, hurry up and go!”

Shen Zhizhi took a moment to steady herself, waiting for the dizziness to pass, and only then did she step out with the maid’s support.

Along the way, the elderly Shen couple kept nagging the carriage driver to go faster.

As the carriage sped up, it inevitably jolted.

It was exhausting for Shen Zhizhi, carrying six months’ pregnancy, moving cautiously to avoid jostling her belly.

Luckily, the shop wasn’t far from the Shen residence; in the time it took for an incense stick to burn, they arrived.

The rough ride left Shen Zhizhi’s back aching, and when she got out of the carriage, the maid had to support her for quite some time before she could walk normally.

The shop was a rice store. Since the door had been broken by Shen Tianci, a carpenter was repairing it.

“Zhizhi, go on in,” her mother pushed her.

The Shen parents were domineering at home, harsh with her behind closed doors, but outside, they couldn’t show face.

Feeling guilty, they didn’t dare confront anyone at the shop—they only urged Shen Zhizhi forward.

Shen Zhizhi had once managed the affairs of the Marquis residence and was worldly; a small rice shop didn’t intimidate her.

But she had always been in a position of power before. Others would seek her help—but now her position was reversed. She had to approach others for favors, which bruised her pride.

“Go on, quickly!”

With her parents’ urging, Shen Zhizhi had no choice but to grit her teeth and step inside.

She forced a smile and asked, “Excuse me, is the shop owner here?”

“Yes, madam. Are you buying rice?”

The shopkeeper came out from behind the counter, all enthusiasm.

“Um… no. I’m Shen Tianci’s sister. I’d like to speak with the owner about something.”

The shopkeeper’s face immediately fell. “Oh, so you’re the thief’s sister, huh?”

Shen Zhizhi frowned. She hated the word “thief.” Shen Tianci had made a mistake, but there was no need to call him a thief.

“Excuse me, is the owner here?” she asked again.

“No, the owner’s very busy,” the shopkeeper said, not wanting to deal with her, turning back to the counter.

Shen Zhizhi pressed on boldly, “My younger brother has done wrong, and I’m here to apologize on his behalf. He’s now been taken by the authorities, and our parents are very worried. I came today firstly to sincerely apologize, and secondly to ask the rice shop owner for leniency, to spare my younger brother.”

Seeing her poised demeanor, her sincerity, and the way she carried her pregnant belly, the shopkeeper hesitated before asking, “You’re his biological sister?”

Shen Zhizhi nodded.

“I’ll send someone to fetch the owner, but if he doesn’t come, there’s nothing I can do,” he said.

“Thank you, thank you,” Shen Zhizhi replied, having her maid slip some small coins to him. The shopkeeper’s expression changed immediately.

“Please sit for a bit. It’s not easy being pregnant,” he said, and sent someone to fetch the owner while pouring tea for Shen Zhizhi.

She was extremely thirsty and nearly finished the cup in one gulp.

Seeing this, the shopkeeper poured her another cup.

Outside, the elderly Shen couple grew anxious, craning their necks to look inside.

The shopkeeper glanced out, and the couple quickly retracted their necks.

He understood now: the Shen son had caused trouble, and since they dared not intervene themselves, they sent the heavily pregnant daughter forward. Who knew what trouble that could bring?

After about half an hour, Shen Zhizhi had drunk several cups of tea, and finally, the true owner behind the rice shop arrived.

A luxurious carriage stopped at the shop entrance, and Nanny Zhang was the first to get out.

“Madam, please take it slow. I’ll support you.”

Dou Shuyao stepped down from the carriage. The manager and clerks of the rice shop immediately rushed outside to greet her.

“Madam, you’re here! Please, come in.”

A faint smile tugged at Dou Shuyao’s lips. “Thank you for your hard work, manager. I brought some cold drinks for you—take them and enjoy.”

“Oh, thank you so much, Madam! Every time you come, you never forget to bring us food and drinks. We look forward to your visits every day.”

Dou Shuyao chuckled softly. “I’ve been busy lately. By the way, who wanted to see me?”

“The sister of the thief caught last night.”

“Hmm, let her come in.”

The manager immediately led Dou Shuyao into the shop.

The elderly Shen couple, seeing the carriage arrive, quickly hid inside their own carriage.

Peeking through the curtains, they suddenly realized that this rice shop actually belonged to the Mingde Marquisate.

Madam Shen patted her chest. “Thank heaven. Everything’s fine now—Tianci must be safe.”

Mr. Shen nodded happily. “No need to pay even one hundred taels, let alone two hundred.”

“Yes, yes,” Madam Shen agreed.

The old couple thought they could finally relax, but inside, Shen Zhizhi was uneasy and restless.

How could this rice shop belong to the Mingde Marquisate? She had managed the estate’s stores before but had never heard of the Marquisate running a rice shop.

As soon as Dou Shuyao entered, she noticed Shen Zhizhi’s extremely sour expression.

It didn’t take much for her to realize: the thief from last night was Shen Tianci.

Dou Shuyao knew perfectly well about all the trouble Shen Tianci had caused in the past. The branch family splitting from the main house had been closely tied to him.

And now, so soon, he had caused trouble again.

The crime of theft could easily be redeemed with some money, yet Dou Shuyao couldn’t understand why Shen Zhizhi had to appear in person to plead with the boss behind the scenes.

“Madam, our boss is here. Say what you need to say directly.”

The manager’s words forced Shen Zhizhi to lift her head.

She couldn’t even manage a fake smile and said dryly,

“Sister-in-law… what a coincidence to see you again.”

The manager froze at the term. Sister-in-law?

He immediately looked at Shen Zhizhi. Could she really be the second madam of the Mingde Marquisate?

Dou Shuyao sat down opposite Shen Zhizhi, calm and composed. “Second sister-in-law, it’s good to see you again.”

Shen Zhizhi fidgeted with her handkerchief, unwilling to stay even a moment longer.

But with the Shen parents waiting outside, even if she left, they would push her back inside.

She regretted her foolish plan—she had walked straight into the fire herself.

Dou Shuyao remained silent, quietly sipping her tea.

Finally, Shen Zhizhi spoke. “Sister-in-law, when did the Marquisate acquire this rice shop?”

“Half a year ago.”

In fact, the rice shop didn’t belong to the Marquisate—it belonged to Dou Shuyao.

Since taking over household affairs, Wei Zhaorong had quietly gifted her many things, including this rice shop.

All profits from the shop went to Dou Shuyao personally; it had nothing to do with the Marquisate.

But she didn’t clarify, fearing it would hurt Shen Zhizhi’s pride.

Shen Zhizhi’s jealousy had already flared up. If the branch family hadn’t left the Marquisate, the boss behind the shop would have been herself—no need to beg anyone.

At this point, all she could do was swallow her pride.

“Sister-in-law, I have nothing to hide today. Tianci did wrong last night and was taken by the authorities. Could you please, for my sake, let bygones be bygones?”