Shuidong Street, outside a residence.

Two girls stood there—one with her head cocked arrogantly, arms crossed; the other obediently bowing her head.

The obedient one, Suo’er, looked up at the low wall, then at Xianjin, then at the dried vines climbing the bricks.

“…Weren’t we going to worship the God of Wealth?” Suo’er swallowed nervously.

The plaque above the door had only two characters. The God of Wealth Temple should have three. She couldn’t read, but she could count!

“Is this really the God of Wealth Temple?” She asked in confusion.

Xianjin smiled, gesturing with her lips. “To us, he’s the biggest God of Wealth there is.” As she spoke, she stepped forward and knocked on the latch.

A gatekeeper poked his head out. “Who are you?”

Xianjin smiled. “From the shop—here to pay New Year’s respects to Sixth Master.” She pulled out a red velvet-wrapped item from her chest and slipped ten copper coins into the gatekeeper’s hand. “You know how it is—New Year’s, we’ve got to be courteous.”

The gatekeeper gave her a once-over, shut the door, and ran off. Moments later, the door creaked open, and he led Xianjin inside. Suo’er followed nervously behind.

Just before entering the house, Xianjin paused and squeezed Suo’er’s palm, whispering, “If things go south, we leave immediately.”

She hadn’t planned to bring the girl—Nanny Zhang had insisted. Xianjin couldn’t explain, and couldn’t resist those puppy eyes. So she brought her. After all, this girl had dared to fight for her own survival in front of those two beasts at home—clearly not a coward.

Suo’er blinked and gave a confused “Ah?” before following her into the main hall. She barely held back a gasp—she’d never seen such a bright, luxurious room. Blue bricks everywhere, heavy tables and chairs that looked like they could crush someone, and a huge white windscreen covered in glittering, colorful decorations.

Xianjin’s gaze swept across the furnishings, then landed on the sullen face of Sixth Master Chen. She gave a polite bow, smiling. “Happy New Year, Master!”

Happy? Happy my foot! If you hadn’t come to bother me, I’d be eating well and feeling great!

Sixth Master Chen’s face sagged. “No need for your concern, Miss He. On the fifth day of the New Year, the old house always makes a grand offering to the God of Wealth, praying for good fortune. As the undisputed head of the Jing County workshop, you didn’t stir trouble at the old house—so you came here just to deliver a New Year’s gift?”

Xianjin casually dragged over a grand armchair and pulled a small stool over for Suo’er. “Suo’er, sit.”

She then turned to the mustached servant behind Sixth Master Chen. “Could you bring a pot of hot tea and two baskets of pastries? I only had an almond candy and a plate of melon seeds at noon—I’m starving.”

Sixth Master Chen nearly exploded. This little brat came here to order food?!

“Bang!” He slammed the table, ears turning red. “Say what you came to say! If it’s nothing—get out!” His face was gaunt, forehead dark, cheeks yellowish, lips tinged purple. Xianjin, familiar with chronic illness, could tell he likely had heart, liver, and kidney issues. His eyes were cloudy, with yellow bumps at the corners—probably high blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol.

High blood pressure and still so angry? Was he trying to meet the King of Hell faster?

Xianjin smiled even wider, leaning back with her hands on the chair. “You don’t hit a smiling face. I came to offer a gift—shutting your door to guests isn’t very gentlemanly.” She stretched her arms and chuckled. “With a temper like yours, how have you managed business all these years?”

Sixth Master Chen was fuming. This brat not only ordered food—she was mocking him!

He raised his hand, ready to curse her out—when she pulled out a tightly wrapped red cloth bundle and tossed it in front of him.

“I know I’ve offended you deeply. So today, I brought a gift to apologize.” Her smile faded slightly. She gestured to the servant. “Open it. See if you like it.”

The servant looked at Sixth Master Chen, who nodded.

Inside was a thick ledger.

The servant flipped through a few pages and gasped. “Master… it’s the ledger! The one Steward Zhu left behind!”

Sixth Master Chen felt a rush of foul air rise in his chest—metallic and bitter. He grabbed the ledger and skimmed it, ten lines at a glance. The more he read, the heavier the pressure in his chest. The metallic taste grew stronger.

Month by month, every entry matched, except the sales to Anyang Prefecture. He’d sold for 300 taels. Zhu only knew about 100. He’d pocketed the other 200… The ledger was real.

His hands trembled. He looked up to see Xianjin smiling calmly, waiting. Malice surged in his heart. He rasped, “Lock the gates… bring five strong men… now!”

Suo’er’s face changed. That look in his eyes—it was the same as when her brothers were about to beat her!

She instinctively stepped in front of Xianjin, fists clenched in her sleeves. Small as she was, her eyes were fierce—like a starving wolf staring him down.

Xianjin calmly pulled her back and chuckled, voice laced with mockery. “You’ve lost your mind.”

“You want to kill me in Jing County?”

Sixth Master Chen sneered. “No need to kill. Tie you two up—I’ll have my way first, then my men. Cut your tongue, break your limbs, strip you bare and toss you in the street. Even if you don’t die, someone will make sure you do!”

Suo’er shivered. Her eyes snapped open—no longer puppy eyes, but wolf eyes, full of deadly resolve.

Xianjin laughed softly, strolling to the window. “Think, Master Chen. Two girls dared come here alone—don’t you think we came prepared?”

Suo’er:? Prepared? All they did before coming was buy her a candied hawthorn stick. When did they prepare anything?

Xianjin suddenly shoved open the window and shouted, “Zhou Ergou and his brother, plus the four Zheng brothers, are all hiding outside! If we don’t come out in half an hour, Zhou Ergou will smash your gate with a timber beam. The Zheng brothers will report to the old house and the authorities. You think Third Master won’t intervene?”

Suo’er resisted the urge to peek outside. Please let there be people out there!

Sixth Master Chen glanced out the window. Snow was falling again. He slowly looked away, clutching the ledger tightly.

Wait—the ledger! If he destroyed it…

Xianjin’s voice rang out, perfectly timed. “I got that ledger on the 29th of the twelfth month. Plenty of time to copy it. The one you’re holding might be the copy. If we’re not out in half an hour, they’ll take the original and report it.”

Sixth Master Chen felt cornered, like a mountain goat trapped on a cliff. His thoughts raced— If she wanted to take him down, she could’ve just handed the ledger to Madam Qu.

Why come here? What did she want?

“You want money?” He shook his head. “No, you don’t want money. If you did, you’d have taken the silver Zhu and I offered you…”

“After the New Year, I’ll retire!” A flash of insight struck him. “I’m old—I’ll leave the workshop and never block your path!” He spoke faster and faster. “You’ll be the sole head of the Jing County workshop! Do whatever you want—no one will stop you!”

Xianjin shrugged. “That was going to happen anyway. If you refuse, I’ll just spend more time planning. It’s no trouble.”

Sixth Master Chen collapsed into his chair. “Then what do you want? Tell me—what do you want?”