The capital’s commerce is bustling, with four renowned markets: the Jiankang Grand Market, the Xianggong East Market, the Guishan North Market, and the Maling Douchang Market.

Manager Du brought Zanying to the most lively of them all, the Grand Market.

The market was filled with shops and people.

Due to the popularity of Buddhism in the Southern Dynasty, and the numerous temples nearby, including Jianchu Temple and several smaller ones, the market was always crowded with travelers.

Madam Du and Madam Ren flanked Zanying, guiding her to Tang Ji’s shop, and Manager Du said as they walked,

“I intended to clear out the inner area of the market to avoid any confusion and crowding for the young lady, but I thought she might enjoy the lively atmosphere, so we did not mobilize the guards. If you feel uncomfortable, please let me know.”

Zanying was surprised and looked at the endless market before her. “With so many merchants and visitors, can it really be cleared out?”

Manager Du smiled, “It’s a simple matter.”

Zanying, with her round eyes, gazed at the bustling scene and murmured, “There’s no need to go to such lengths. I like it just as it is.”

She did not particularly enjoy the hustle and bustle; it was just that in the oppressive palace, everyone around her had been cautious and whispered, as if living on a high tower where loud sounds could disturb the gods, and big steps could lead to a fall into an abyss.

She liked the vibrant and lively world.

Entering the first store, she saw a clay statue of a bearded old man under a hanging cloth on the south wall.

Manager Du explained to the young lady, “Many merchants offer tribute to the clay statue of Fan Li, but Tang Ji is different; we honor our business ancestor Bai Gui. Bai Gong, from Luoyang in the Warring States period, is said to have studied under the Ghost Valley Master and obtained a volume of the Ghost Valley Book. He then became prominent in business and is revered as the ancestor of all merchants.”

Upon hearing this, Zanying promptly removed her veil and handed it to Awu.

With a serious expression, she offered three sticks of incense in front of the statue.

Seeing her earnest demeanor, the other managers behind her couldn’t help but laugh.

Zanying noticed the laughter and, feeling somewhat embarrassed, asked softly, “Did I do something wrong?”

The people from Tang Ji, who had traveled with Tang Su, still revered the young lady’s soft and noble demeanor, and dared not mock her.

They quickly said, “No, no, it’s just that our old master your mother never really bowed to Bai Lao’er like this. When things went wrong in business, she would just touch Bai Gong’s forehead and say, ‘Old man, you’ve had enough incense, don’t just nap, you must bless your descendants.’”

Zanying, imagining the lively figure of her late mother from their words, couldn’t help but smile.

Looking closely at the statue, she indeed saw that the hat was shinier than the surrounding areas.

Her eyes, sparkling with a smile, were slightly puzzled as she asked, “She?”

“Oh, no, no,” said a manager in a hemp robe, “Please don’t misunderstand, we used to joke about how our old master was indeed as beautiful as the heavens, not old at all.”

This was another jest, and Manager Du pretended to scold them, “Alright, enough with the nonsense in front of the young lady.” He then led Zanying to rest on a mat.

Zanying saw that the discussion about her late mother was not filled with sorrow but with vibrant recollections, and she knew her mother was truly loved and respected.

She understood that the affection she received from these uncles and aunts was due to her mother’s legacy rather than her own merits, but she still felt fortunate.

After all, once a person is gone, it’s like a lamp extinguished—few have a second chance.

She was already quite fortunate.

At that moment, a somewhat rough voice came from the doorway, “Make way, Lao Yue, you’re blocking the path.”

The managers at the door, who had been packed tightly, instinctively made way.

A ruddy-faced man with a beard stepped in, holding a white silk handkerchief and carrying a bowl of ice cream.

He approached Zanying, carefully handing the ice cream to a nearby maid and then stepping back, his large hands rubbing the handkerchief.

He said with a grin, “I heard the young lady loves ice cream. This is our Grand Market’s specialty, not worse than the West Market’s. Please give it a try.”

Zan Ying quickly thanked him and asked, “What is your surname, Manager?”

The bearded man grinned, “My surname is Lu. Just call me Old Lu.”

Zan Ying addressed him as Manager Lu and asked, “How did you know I love cheese?”

Manager Lu was pleasantly surprised and smiled, “A few days ago, the Grand Marshal used to ride a fast horse to the West Market every day to buy cheese for the young master. It’s known all over the capital—people talked about how he rode like the wind and left everyone in the dust. I wish I could have seen it myself. But honestly, the cheese from the West Market is only famous for its name; it might not be as good as the cheese from our market. If you don’t believe me, just try a bite.”

Manager Yue cleared his throat from behind, “Alright, that’s enough.”

Talking is one thing, but why tease the child?

Everyone knew that Old Lu was known for his sharp bargaining and tough negotiating outside.

Yet, in front of the young lady, he had smiled three times and had his big mouth open like he was about to devour someone.

Luckily, the young lady had the courage to speak to him politely.

Feeling somewhat jealous, Manager Yue stepped forward, pushing Manager Lu aside, and took out a bag wrapped in exquisite paper containing sesame candy. “My little girl likes Cao’s candy. Hearing that the young lady was coming, I prepared a portion. It’s just a small gesture. Please don’t mind.”

He had initially hesitated to bring it out, as the young master came from the palace and had surely seen better.

He worried that this small gift might seem trivial and that the young master might not be accustomed to such things.

But since Old Lu had brought his ice cups with such courtesy, he felt he should not fall behind.

Once he took the lead, others began to bring out the small gifts they had prepared earlier—fresh and ordinary items, none of which were expensive but had a homely touch.

As they were revealed, there were mutual surprises: “Oh, you prepared something too,” and “I didn’t know you had this up your sleeve.”

Soon, the table in front of Zan Ying was piled high with these delicate and charming little items.

She looked at the finely prepared small gifts and then at the affectionate expressions of the uncles and aunts surrounding her.

She looked at the ice cheese in Ah Wu’s hand, and at the beads of sweat on Manager Lu’s forehead.

Warmth spread through her chest, and she suddenly realized she had misunderstood earlier.

Perhaps everyone wasn’t just being polite because of her mother.

A table full of fresh toys and treats was a luxury only a child would receive.

“Did I come here before?” she asked softly.

She didn’t remember anything before the age of five, but she could have visited the market around the age of three when her mother was still around.

“Ah, so you remember,” Manager Yue replied with a smile. “The master wasn’t the kind to spoil his children. I recall when young lady was around two or three, the master would often bring you here to play.”

He continued, saying that the young master’s appearance as an adult, especially those bright eyes, was not much different from when she was a child.

Back then, when she was held by the master, they all adored her.

Now, the young lady had become much more reserved.

Even if Zan Ying didn’t remember, it didn’t matter much.

Manager Du guided her around, showing her one shop after another.

In the middle of the seven connected halls, there was a large iron-colored meteorite stone tablet.

When Zan Ying approached, she saw the inscription:

“To the people of the world, gather the wealth of the world; trade and depart, each to their own.”

“This is my mother’s handwriting,” Zan Ying said, recognizing the writing from her father’s books.

Like a child longing for home, she reached out to touch it.

The stone, heated by the sun, seemed to emit tiny, harmless thorns that pricked her skin, as if in response.

Manager Du nodded with a smile.

As they entered the room, Zan Ying saw a pair of couplets hanging on the pillars:

“Accounting is not a matter of quantity; such a family is bound to fail.”

“Calculation is not left to a single detail; successful management results.”

The horizontal inscription on the plaque had only two words.

Zanying, with a puzzled look, turned to Manager Du and read aloud, “What does it mean to be able to ‘forbear’?”

Manager Du, seeing her with her head tilted like a lost deer, couldn’t help but chuckle.

He explained, “To be able to ‘forbear’ means to accumulate resources and amass wealth.”

“In business, there are two fundamental principles,” he continued. “One is hoarding and cornering the market, and the other is following market trends. The first involves anticipating demand, stockpiling goods, and making a significant profit when the market is scarce. The latter means following the prevailing market prices, selling at the same price as others to avoid disputes and problems.”

“But,” he said, stroking his beard and winking, “Tang Ji is the leader in the market. We set the standards that others follow. In the end, it’s about seizing the opportunity and making things scarce.”

Zanying listened carefully to Uncle Du’s business wisdom, making mental notes and thinking quietly.

Suddenly, an idea struck her, and she stopped. “I understand now.”

Manager Du asked, “What do you understand, young lady?”

Zanying had been troubled by how to use the influence of her family to counterbalance the royal family and protect herself after leaving the palace.

Especially after her uncle’s warning, “Beware of the Wang family using you,” she was determined not to be manipulated by the Wang family.

Manager Du’s words helped her see clearly.

If the Wang family wanted to use her, it meant they had a demand.

If they had a demand, they would cater to her preferences.

Therefore, her demands from the Wang family would turn into a form of acceptance.

So, she realized she wasn’t unable to be used by the Wang family.

On the contrary, she needed to show signs of flexibility to give them an “opportunity.”

As for who would be the buyer and who the seller, that depended on the subsequent negotiations, which was still unknown.

Zanying, pondering, said slowly, “Instead of seeking others, one should make others seek them.”

Thus, she could agree to the Wang family’s invitation and meet with them to understand their intentions.

Manager Du smiled and said, “Indeed, our old master used to say, ‘It’s not a transaction if you’re chasing after someone.’”

Zanying, with bright eyes, gave Uncle Du a respectful salute, a gesture she had just learned from Mr. Lu, and it looked particularly innocent and adorable. “Thank you for your guidance, Uncle.”

Manager Du mischievously winked, “I don’t quite understand what you mean by that.”

On the way back, Zanying felt more relaxed, having understood the matter.

The fresh gifts from Tang Ji’s uncles and aunts were naturally taken along in the carriage.

Before leaving the market, Mr. Lu suddenly asked,

“Little Miss, are you really not going to use the aristocratic status?”

Zanying’s rupture with the Fu family was already well known among the keen-eyed managers.

They had spent the whole day cheering up the young lady, not daring to bring up the matter.

Now, with Mr. Lu’s sudden question, everyone’s hearts sank.

“Old Lu, shut up.”

“If you don’t speak, no one will take you for a mute.”

Zanying, however, smiled with relief and politely said goodbye to everyone. “It’s just an aristocratic status. What’s the big deal?”

As the carriage went far away, the well-rounded figures of the managers stood by the gate, watching in silence, lost in thought for a long time.

Then, someone suddenly said, “Do you remember?”

Another responded, “I remember.”

They recalled how many years ago, when the Empress was conferred the title of “Countess of Xinchang,” and the edict was delivered to Tang Su, their master had merely glanced at it and set it aside, saying, “Just a county count, what’s the big deal?”

Then, he had spread out the map and called them to discuss the route to the Western Regions, accidentally smearing ink on his sleeve.

As the carriage passed by Zhuque Bridge, Zanying, as she had on the way there, ordered the carriage to stop and lifted the veil to gaze quietly for a moment.

Today, Chunjin stayed home to help with the accounts, and Awu, the little maid who had taught her about the five-zhus coin in the palace and was two years younger than Zanying, accompanied her.

Awu, thinking Zanying enjoyed the scenery of the Qinhuai River, said with innocent enthusiasm,

“Little Miss, if you like it here, you can come and visit often in the future.”

Zanying responded with a hum, her eyes reflecting the shimmering water of the Qinhuai River.

Zhuque Bridge, among the twenty-four bridges on the Qinhuai River, was the most famous.

It was not an actual bridge but a series of boats connected together, floating on the river.

In the past, during the chaos of war, it was here that the enemy troops entered the city, crossing the river and burning the bridge.

A figure suddenly flashed through her mind.

Could it be him?

A harsh, hoarse voice interrupted Zan Ying’s thoughts. “I only wish to meet Lord Zhongzheng today.”

She looked in the direction of the voice and saw several tall-walled official residences across the Suzaku Bridge.

In front of one of the courtyards, a young man in a green robe stood at the base of the steps, carrying an old bamboo pole and rope on his shoulder.

On the bamboo pole were several scrolls of bamboo slips, and an elderly man dressed in rags lay on the slips, using them as a pillow.

Inside the threshold stood a purple-robed clerk, looking down with amusement at the impoverished mother and son.

“Shen Jie, you’re not qualified, and you can’t hold a position. Go and ask the elders of your hometown. How dare you come here to pester our lord? If everyone who failed the exams came to make a fuss, would our lord have time to do anything else?”

The tall but emaciated figure stood still, like a bamboo stick rooted in place.

The voice clearly stated, “I have passed the local evaluations; both my status and rank are in order, rated as an eighth rank. Why is it that when I come to this small Zhongzheng, I am dismissed? It’s just because I have a personal grudge with the Shao family’s Fifth Young Master, and Lord Zhongzheng is close with the Shao family.”

By now, a crowd had gathered in front of the main gate, watching and pointing.

The clerk quickly interrupted, raising his voice, “Stop talking about grievances. Do you think highly of yourself? I ask you, have you ever claimed that Shao Wulie was unworthy, lacking in virtue and talent? Not to mention a third rank, you wouldn’t even be fit to grind ink for it, let alone talk about a ninth rank official. Such arrogance—you could be thrown into jail for just these words. Our lord spared you because of your old mother. Don’t mistake kindness for weakness.”

The young man in the green robe said slowly, “I have ten volumes of strategy books.”

The purple-robed clerk sneered, “Do you think you’re Su Qin or Zhang Yi reincarnated? If you want to treat your mother’s illness, don’t rely on becoming a small official to get a salary advance. Go to Baima Temple to copy scriptures and earn some money faster. Maybe the abbot will have compassion and even provide a simple coffin for you.”

Seeing the young man’s clenched fists and his face lowered to offer his own half, the clerk mocked, “Go ahead, hit the court officials, and expect to end up in jail. Your old mother will die without anyone to bury her. Hurry up and hit them.”

“Yuer, let it go,” came a weak and broken murmur from the bamboo pole.

Zan Ying frowned as she watched this scene from the carriage.

Until the gate was shut, the young man’s fists remained unclenched.

As the onlookers dispersed, the young man stood upright in front of the tall gate for a long time, then slowly knelt in front of the bamboo pole, bowing his head and pressing his fingers hard against the sharp edges of the low-quality bamboo slips.

“Ah Wu,” Zan Ying lowered her lashes, “take some money.”

Before she could finish speaking, a low, sinister voice came from the stone steps outside the street, “Once in power, kill all who wronged me.”

The venom in the words seemed to ooze from between clenched teeth.

Zan Ying’s heart skipped a beat, and she looked intently at the young man in the green robe.

He was still kneeling there, his old green clothes exposed to the scorching sun like spilled ink, but his back remained rigid and unyielding, as if tightening with every inch.

“This person is quite frightening,” Ah Wu thought as she heard the chilling words.

It was clear that only a person with a ruthless disposition could say such things.

Holding a package of money wrapped in a handkerchief, she was unsure whether to give it away.

She looked hesitantly at the young mistress.

“Give it to him.”

“Ah, the young mistress has a kind heart.” Ah Wu wrapped the money and got out of the carriage. She then heard the young mistress call her softly, “It’s not charity money, it’s for the strategy books. Since he has ten volumes, bring them all here.”

Ah Wu was confused.

The young man in the green robe was also puzzled when he saw a young lady in a green skirt walk up to him, placing a green-wrapped package in his hand.

Soon after, a servant from someone’s household moved the strategy books to a carriage across the street.

“This Servant Name Shen Jie, may I ask…” Just as he began to speak, the carriage had already left with a rumble.

Manager Du had always followed the young mistress’s instructions without question.

Whatever she wanted, he would get it for her without asking for details.

After completing the task, the procession returned to Wuyi Alley.

Inside the carriage, the bamboo slips were piled beside Zan Ying, but she did not open them to look.

She was somewhat puzzled herself.

She had yet to finish reading her father’s books, and she wasn’t ready to look into unknown strategy books.

Her earlier reaction might have seemed rather strange.

However, when she got out of the carriage in front of the mansion and suddenly saw Li Jinghuan, looking at his face, Zan Ying felt a sudden clarity.

Some oppressions occur in broad daylight, under public scrutiny, yet no one comes to the victim’s aid; while others happen in dark corners, and even when spoken of, they are disbelieved.

Some powerless hatred can be openly expressed, no matter how harsh or frightening, it’s only words; while other hatred cannot even be spoken, only deeply hidden in the heart, like a thorn in the throat.

But the injustice, the hatred, the suffering, and the ambition are all the same.

Li Jinghuan walked over, trying to put on a gentle and sunny smile, reminiscent of how he used to look when he came back to the palace from school, just as the little child he once knew.

When he was close, he softened his brows and whispered gently, “A Ying, calm down.”