Jiang Yuancheng returned again, gently placing an object on the table before tiptoeing out and quietly closing the door.

Jiang Yuanxi immediately sprang out of bed.

On the table stood a palm-sized wooden carving. Jiang Yuanxi picked it up.

She scratched her head.

“Why would Fourth Brother give me a toad?”

With that question, she sought out Chen Xinwan.

“Mother, Fourth Brother sent me something—a big toad.”

Madam Chen sighed deeply and picked up her daughter.

Just as she was about to speak, she caught sight of the fluttering corner of a garment at the door.

“Yuanxi got lost, and your Fourth Brother has been wracked with guilt ever since. He sent you the wooden carving to make you happy—can you forgive him?”

The garment at the door shifted, revealing half a body.

Jiang Yuanxi blinked and said, “Mother, I ran out on my own. I don’t blame Fourth Brother—I like him.”

[Besides, I had so much fun in the village; why wouldn’t Fourth Brother be happy?]

Hearing this from outside, Jiang Yuancheng’s heart warmed.

He immediately ran in and knelt before his sister.

“So, does Yuanxi like the wooden carving your brother gave you?”

Jiang Yuanxi waved happily, “I like it!”

[The big toad really wins my heart!]

This must be a golden toad—symbolizing abundant wealth.

She wants to become rich.

Jiang Yuancheng looked dejected; what he had carved was clearly a jade rabbit gazing at the moon.

Jiang Yuanxi clutched the golden toad in Madam Chen’s arms and wouldn’t let go.

Previously, all the gifts given by the palace concubines had been snatched away by Mother at every opportunity.

Especially her most beloved golden phoenix hairpin, which Mother had placed on the offering table.

Every day, three incense sticks were lit and every three days a ritual was performed.

She could only gaze at it, never touch it.

This only strengthened Jiang Yuanxi’s resolve to work hard and earn money so that she could become a wealthy lady as soon as possible.

And she wished to grow up quickly, so that Mother wouldn’t take away all her money.

After this incident, Jiang Yuancheng completely resolved his inner conflict.

At least he would no longer secretly spy on his sister as before.

“What is Yuanxi doing?” Jiang Yuancheng stepped over.

Without looking up, Jiang Yuanxi replied, “Helping a little ant find its home.”

Jiang Yuancheng lowered his head and noticed his sister’s serious expression as she used a small stick to prod a tiny ant, trying hard to guide it to the entrance of a hole.

The little ant struggled continuously; every time it was placed at the hole, it would turn around and run away.

The little creature was very agitated.

“Why won’t it go home!”

Seeing that the hole was three times larger than the little ant, Jiang Yuancheng hesitated, “Yuanxi, could it be that there’s another hole?”

Jiang Yuanxi considered for a moment and followed her brother’s suggestion.

Sure enough, she saw the little ant hurriedly scurry into the hole.

The tiny creature happily shouted, “It really went in!”

Jiang Yuancheng sighed deeply—this wasn’t the little Song ant returning home.

It was as if the little ant were being sent to its death—a true little King of Hell.

Fortunately, he had come.

At that moment, the gatekeeper reported, “Fourth Young Master, the Young Master Wang has arrived.”

Jiang Yuancheng’s face darkened. “What is he here for!”

If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have become so addicted to gambling, and my sister wouldn’t have been lost.

Jiang Yuancheng now didn’t even want to see him.

“Send him away, send him away!”

The gatekeeper remained unmoved—that was the Young Master Wang, who couldn’t be dismissed so easily.

After a moment’s thought, Jiang Yuancheng said, “Forget it, please come in.”

He worried that the young man might cause trouble and get his father into trouble with the Imperial Uncle at court.

Young Master Wang entered and immediately saw the two crouching on the ground.

Upon seeing Jiang Yuanxi, Wang Hanqi felt a twinge of discomfort and instinctively moved a little further away.

“What are you doing?” he asked, crouching down beside them.

Jiang Yuanxi said, “Sending the little ant home.”

“Hahaha.” Seeing what she had done, Wang Hanqi burst into laughter.

“Are you a saint monk or the King of Hell? Look at this entrance—half of it has been gnawed away by a big ant, and yet you still send the little ant in.”

Wang Hanqi laughed uncontrollably.

Jiang Yuanxi suddenly stood up, glaring angrily at Wang Hanqi.

In his heart, Jiang Yuancheng silently lit a stick of incense for him.

Before Jiang Yuanxi could vent her anger, Wang Hanqi immediately pulled a hundred taels of silver notes from his bosom.

“Sister, please spare me,” he pleaded.

Jiang Yuanxi accepted them with a smile.

Jiang Yuancheng looked on dumbfounded, thinking that such a move was unexpected!

How had he not thought of that trick?

One swift move worth a hundred taels—truly befitting a Young Master Wang from the Imperial Uncle’s family.

Jiang Yuanxi glanced around hastily and quickly stuffed the silver notes into her bosom.

[With such generosity, maybe I should cast a divination for him?]

Jiang Yuancheng once again lit incense for Wang Hanqi.

Soon, Chun Zhi approached.

“Miss, Madam is about to leave.”

Jiang Yuanxi tossed aside the wooden stick, “Go, go—I’m coming too.”

Wang Hanqi sighed with relief, still feeling that something was off in the look Jiang Yuanxi had given him.

He truly clashed with her.

Luckily, Jiang Yuanxi was adept at using money; next time, she’d bring even more.

In the carriage, Jiang Yuanxi beamed with joy.

She was already planning which shop to visit for a meal later.

Chun Zhi and Chun Tao silently fretted for their mistress.

Ever since the reputation of Lanfang Pavilion had spread, Jiang Yuanfan had gradually opened many branches in other parts of Yufeng.

Madam Chen was receiving more and more invitations from the wives of various officials.

Every seven days, she had to go out and attend social gatherings.

This time, Madam Chen had especially brought Jiang Yuanxi along.

At Chun Manlou, many wives had gathered, chatting and laughing.

Among them, Madam Zhou was especially popular.

“Come on, tell us—how’s your condition these days?” Madam Zhou asked with a smile as she stroked her belly. “The doctor said it’s excellent.”

All the wives were filled with envy.

“I heard that today Xinwan will bring her daughter over.”

They were all secretly excited.

“What’s there to be excited about? She’s not even a proper princess of the royal family—just a wild princess. Yet so many people come to fetch her. Who knows whether her abilities will be any good?”

The remark came from Sima Pingting, the daughter of the Prime Minister’s wife.

Madam Zhou quickly put on a sour face; someone was speaking ill of her Zhou family’s little ancestor behind her back.

That couldn’t be tolerated!

“Yuanxi is personally conferred by the Emperor. If you say such things, aren’t you questioning the Emperor’s judgment?”

Madam Sima glared at her daughter, finding her remarks inappropriate.

“Ladies, please forgive me—it’s my own fault for not properly educating my daughter. I hereby apologize to you all.”

The other ladies quickly smiled and said, “Not at all, not at all.”

Madam Sima was a person of noble standing.

In Shengjing, who didn’t know her? Madam Sima was renowned for her gentle manners and courtesy, never putting on airs.

Therefore, she enjoyed a sterling reputation in Shengjing.

Even the Empress herself would praise her when they met.

Madam Zhou could only swallow her anger in silence.

All that talk about filial piety and courtesy from Madam Sima—it was all just a façade.

“Who is this person?”

“She’s the wife of the current Prime Minister. You’re late—perhaps you haven’t seen her before?”

“Our Prime Minister’s wife is the only conferrable wife in Yufeng, personally conferred by the Emperor.”

……

Madam Sima Zhao sat gracefully up front, listening to the murmurs below, and subconsciously straightened her spine.

Sima Pingting sat discontentedly beside her.

“Mother, if we need anything, just have it sent to our home so we can carefully choose; why do we have to go out like this?”

These people had no taste—just a bunch of commoners.

She found them repulsive.

Especially that Jiang Yuanxi—she had merely mentioned her name earlier, and the other wives immediately shot her unfriendly glances.

She was curious to see just what kind of person this Jiang Yuanxi really was.