Fang Li sat in a small teahouse by the roadside, scanning the passing pedestrians for his next target.

The last girl from Yin Manor had earned him a tidy profit, but this time, he was aiming for a fat sheep— something big.

At the thought, a smug smile crept across his face. Women really were fools. Just a little finger twitch was enough to have them dancing in the palm of his hand.

As if the heavens had sensed his thoughts, a figure clad in pink stumbled into his line of sight.

Fang Li’s eyes lit up. What a pretty girl!

“Are you blind?! Do you even know how to walk?!” The woman in pink staggered down the street, her mind clearly elsewhere as she bumped into passersby. Suddenly, a little boy came running from a distance, holding a pinwheel in his hand. He crashed straight into the woman, sending both of them tumbling to the ground.

The boy quickly scrambled up and ran off again with his pinwheel, while the woman’s bundle fell to the ground, spilling gold and silver jewelry all over the street.

Fang Li stared at the scattered treasures, his eyes glued to the glinting metal. Heaven really was favoring him. What a gorgeous, juicy lamb it had sent his way.

The woman absentmindedly gathered her belongings, stuffing them back into the bundle. Suddenly, a pair of white cloth boots appeared in front of her. She looked up and met a refined, delicate-looking face.

Hah, Yin Yin sneered inwardly. With a face like that, he could probably trick a fair number of women.

“Miss, do you need help?” Fang Li crouched down and offered her a tender smile.

Yin Yin blinked at him, then nodded. “Thank you, kind sir.”

After Fang Li helped her pack up her things, he said warmly, “My name is Fang Li. Might I have the honor of treating you to a cup of tea?”

Yin Yin hesitated briefly, hugging her bundle to her chest, but eventually followed Fang Li into the nearby teahouse.

Fang Li poured her a cup of tea and asked, “Forgive my impertinence, but have you encountered some kind of trouble?”

That question struck a nerve. Yin Yin’s tears fell like beads on a broken string.

Fang Li grew anxious. “Miss, please don’t cry. Whatever it is, tell me. If there’s anything I can do, I’ll do it without hesitation.”

Through teary eyes, Yin Yin looked at him and said, “To tell you the truth, my name is Zhang Qiao’er. I am the daughter of Master Zhang from the neighboring county. I came to Shuntian to see my cousin. He and I were engaged as children. Now, my father is gravely ill and wishes to entrust both me and our family business to him. But my cousin…… he……” Her voice broke, and she could no longer speak. Fang Li patted her hand gently in comfort. “What about him?”

“He has taken a fancy to the eldest miss of Yin Manor. He says he wants to marry her and refuses to leave with me.” Yin Yin wiped her tears and continued, “Though our Zhang family can’t compare to the Yin family’s wealth, we still have land and property. If not for my father’s deteriorating health, I wouldn’t have humbled myself like this to plead with him. I only blame myself for not being born a man. I can’t inherit the family business and ease my father’s burden.”

Fang Li was inwardly jubilant. What a windfall! This pie had landed right in his lap!

“With Miss Zhang’s background and appearance, you won’t have trouble finding a good husband.” He said softly, still putting on a gentle front while laughing inwardly.

Yin Yin sighed. “My mother passed away early, and my father has always doted on me. Even now, he refuses to entrust me to just anyone. Only my cousin, whom he raised himself, had his full trust. Who would’ve thought my cousin would become a different man after just one year in Shuntian?”

Fang Li took her hand, his eyes full of tender affection. “Forgive my boldness, but I fell for you the moment I saw you. I cannot bear to see you in such sorrow. May I offer my help in sharing your burdens?”

“You?” Yin Yin pulled her hand back, a blush rising on her cheeks. “We’ve only just met, Sir. I wouldn’t dare trouble you.”

Fang Li sensed an opportunity and pressed on, his voice full of sincere emotion, “Miss, do you believe in fate? From the moment I laid eyes on you, I felt you were destined for me.”

Yin Yin blushed even deeper and stammered, “Such matters aren’t for me to decide alone. I must consult my father first.”

Fang Li gave her a harmless smile. “Then let’s ask Uncle Zhang to decide.”

────ρя

This translation is by Pocketrobbin at S h a n g h a i f a n t a s y . c o m

Fang Li followed Yin Yin to Master Zhang’s residence.

Zhang Manor was built beside a river, surrounded by peaceful scenery. Instead of taking him through the main entrance, Yin Yin led Fang Li through a small side gate into the estate.

Fang Li looked puzzled. “Why not go through the main gate?”

Yin Yin lowered her gaze bashfully. “I’m still unmarried. It wouldn’t be proper to bring a gentleman in through the front gate.”

Fang Li nodded understandingly. “Miss Zhang is thoughtful indeed.”

“Miss, you’re finally back!” A maid came running out of the house, shouting in a panic.

Yin Yin was surprised to see the other party. “Xiao Cui, what’s the matter?”

“Miss, the master’s condition is getting worse. I fear…… I fear……” Xiao Cui trailed off.

Yin Yin grabbed Xiao Cui’s arm. “Take me to him now!”

Xiao Cui quickly led the way toward the inner chamber, with Fang Li hastening to follow.

Inside the room, another maid stood by the bed. It was actually Sang Mei in disguise. And the man lying on the bed wasn’t Master Zhang at all, but the Daoist priest. Of course, Fang Li had no way of knowing any of this.

“Father, how are you?” Yin Yin rushed to the bedside. The Daoist priest coughed weakly, his face pale. “Qiao’er, you’ve finally come back. I thought I might never see you again.”

“Don’t talk nonsense, Father!” Yin Yin gave the ‘invalid’ a pointed glare.
The Daoist priest coughed a few more times and asked, “Where is your cousin?”

The moment Yin Yin heard the words ‘cousin’, her gaze dimmed. “He’s fallen for someone else.” She said quietly.

Upon hearing that, the Daoist priest’s face turned a few shades paler. “That ungrateful wretch! We didn’t treat him poorly back then, and now he’s cast us aside the moment someone new appears!”

“Father, please don’t mention that heartless man again.” Yin Yin said, her eyes welling up with tears.

Taking advantage of the moment, Fang Li knelt down. “Master Zhang, please grant me Qiao’er’s hand in marriage!”

The Daoist priest glanced at the kneeling Fang Li and asked, “Daughter, whose son is this?”

“This young man’s surname is Fang, given name Li. I met him on the road. He’s looked after me with great care.” Yin Yin replied, lowering her gaze shyly.

The Daoist priest examined Fang Li a few more times and said, “Daughter, poor men like him can’t be trusted. They only approach us for our family’s wealth. How can I rest easy handing you over to someone like that?”

Fang Li responded sincerely, “Master Zhang, I have not the slightest false intention toward Qiao’er. I truly care for her.”

The Daoist priest snorted. “I’ve seen too many like you. Which of them wasn’t after our fortune?”

Fang Li, neither humble nor arrogant, replied, “Master Zhang, though my family can’t compare with the Zhang family in wealth, we’ve managed a small business for years and have savings of a few thousand taels. If Qiao’er marries me, I promise she won’t suffer in the slightest.”

Damn.

Yin Yin couldn’t help but curse inwardly. How could he lie so smoothly, making himself sound like some rich merchant?

Blushing, Yin Yin turned to the Daoist priest and said, “Father, I believe in Young Master Fang’s character.”

“Qiao’er……” The Daoist priest still wanted to say more, but suddenly broke into a violent coughing fit. Sang Mei hurried forward to support him.

Taking the handkerchief Sang Mei handed over, the Daoist priest covered his mouth, coughing nonstop. Sang Mei gently soothed his back.

“Father, are you alright?” Yin Yin stepped forward in concern. When the Daoist priest lowered the handkerchief, a blotch of bright red blood stained the cloth.

“Master, you’re coughing up blood!” Sang Mei stared at the blood in shock. Yin Yin’s face paled. “Xiao Cui, hurry and fetch the physician!”

“Yes, Miss!”

“Wait!” The Daoist priest called out to Xiao Cui. “It’s no use. I fear I don’t have much time left.” He turned to Fang Li with a complicated expression. “Young Master Fang, if not for my failing health, I wouldn’t be in such a rush to marry Qiao’er off.”

Fang Li asked, “Master Zhang, what would it take for you to believe in my sincerity toward Qiao’er?”

After a moment of silence, the Daoist priest said, “Very well. Bring a proper betrothal gift tomorrow and formally propose. Let me see your sincerity.”

Fang Li beamed. “No problem!”

────ρя


The very next day, Fang Li arrived at Zhang Manor full of joy, bringing the betrothal gifts.

Since Master Zhang had specifically instructed that his illness be kept secret, Fang Li kept a low profile, bringing only a few gift boxes and coming alone.

Xiao Cui had been waiting by the back gate. Upon seeing Fang Li, she quickly greeted him, “Young Master Fang, apologies for having you use the back door. If word got out that the master is gravely ill, suitors would probably flood Zhang Manor.”

Fang Li didn’t mind. “It’s fine. Please take me to Master Zhang.”

Xiao Cui took the gift boxes from Fang Li and led him skillfully to ‘Master Zhang’s’ room.

The door opened from the inside. Sang Mei stepped aside and said, “Young Master Fang, the master and miss are waiting for you inside.”

As soon as Fang Li entered, a strong medicinal scent hit his nose. A bowl of half-finished herbal soup sat on the table.

The Daoist priest looked even paler than the day before, lying weakly on the bed as if at death’s door.

“Is Master Zhang alright?” Fang Li asked with concern.

Yin Yin shook her head gloomily. Her eyes were red, as if she had just finished crying.

Looks like Master Zhang really doesn’t have long, Fang Li thought to himself.

Xiao Cui placed the gift boxes on the table and began checking them.

Besides some gold and silver jewelry, there was also a banknote worth five thousand taels.

Fang Li said, “I know this money may be insignificant to the Zhang family, but it represents my sincerity toward Qiao’er.”

The Daoist priest glanced at the boxes and nodded weakly. “Young Master Fang, I feel your sincerity. Since my daughter also favors you, then come and marry her tomorrow.”

Fang Li grinned so wide his eyes nearly disappeared. “I’ll be here first thing in the morning.”

Yin Yin cast a bashful glance at him, lowering her head, her face glowing red.

Seeing this, Fang Li’s heart raced wildly. I’ve really struck gold this time. Not only will I gain the Zhang family’s fortune, but I’ll also win the beauty’s heart.

After Fang Li left, the Daoist priest suddenly sprang up from the bed, full of energy. “Heavens! If everyone were this easy to trick, I’d be a rich man by now!”

Yin Yin sneered inwardly. This scheme was actually simple. If Fang Li hadn’t been so greedy, it wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.

Over the past few days, she had been preparing this setup. Aside from that, her mind had been preoccupied with one thing— what color were Ji Ting’s clothes?

After pondering that for three whole days without reaching an answer, Yin Yin finally blamed it on a memory lapse.

She pulled out a hundred-tael banknote and handed it to Xiao Cui. “I’ll trouble you to handle the rest.”

Xiao Cui accepted the money with a smile. “No trouble at all. If there’s ever another deal like this, be sure to call me again.”

The Daoist priest also took a hundred-tael note and walked off cheerfully.

Yin Yin turned to Sang Mei and said, “Miss Sang, let’s return to Shuntian first.”

Sang Mei responded with a nod, packed up their belongings, and followed Yin Yin out of the city.