Wang Hanqi didn’t take Jiang Yuanxi’s words seriously and continued doing as he pleased.

That very day, after returning home, Wang Hanqi was beaten by his mother, and his backside bled.

The reason?

She had galloped his horse through the streets and collided with a noble.

Wang Hanqi was utterly confused until she suddenly recalled Jiang Yuanxi’s final warning.

Could it be…?

That rascal Jiang Yuancheng and his sister—since when did they become nobles?

He was supposed to be the most noble one!

..

Meanwhile, Jiang Yuanxi bounced home carrying a heap of food.

Behind her, Jiang Yuancheng followed timidly, looking hesitant.

“Blackie, come out!” Jiang Yuanxi ran to the snake’s nest and pulled out a coiled black snake.

“Look!” She lifted another snake from behind her—it was about the same size, but its body was covered in intricate patterns, like a theatrical mask.

She had spent a hefty sum at the market to buy this colorful and adorable creature.

Before Blackie could even take a proper look, Jiang Yuanxi forcefully pressed its head against the patterned snake’s, making them “kiss.”

The book said that affection is nurtured through kisses.

Since Blackie was too shy, she had to take the initiative!

She was truly a good person.

As Blackie finally realized what was happening, it immediately gagged.

Too ugly!

Damn it, this was a male snake!

Ah! It was defiled!

Blackie started thrashing on the spot, acting as if it had been poisoned.

Finally, it shot a furious glare at Jiang Yuanxi before slithering back into its nest.

Jiang Yuanxi looked dejected.

Madam Chen, her mother, grew concerned. “Yuanxi, what’s wrong?” she asked gently.

Jiang Yuanxi lifted her head. “Mother, Blackie doesn’t like it.”

She held up the patterned snake, which was rolling its eyes in distress.

Madam Chen clutched her chest, taking a long moment to recover.

Why did it feel like her sweet little daughter was growing up the wrong way?

Should a young girl really be playing with venomous snakes?

Madam Chen could only console her. “Blackie is still too young. He’s not ready for a wife, just like your older brother.”

Upon hearing that, Jiang Yuanxi’s eyes lit up.

“Then can I give the nest to Brother so he can find a wife?”

Behind her, Jiang Yuancheng shook his head frantically.

Madam Chen: … That’s not quite what I meant.

At the very least, the wife should be a human being.

Jiang Yuanxi temporarily set the matter aside, remembering her “Beggar Gang.”

“Mother,” Jiang Yuanxi hugged Madam Chen, “Brother is pitiful. His legs are hurt.”

Madam Chen was confused.

Chunzhi, the maid, explained, “Miss saved a beggar on the street today. He was injured, and his leg might never heal properly.”

[Those poor children—starving, freezing, unable to make a living… sigh.] Jiang Yuanxi sighed in her heart. Being the gang leader was tough.

She swore to make money—lots of it.

How did the heroine in the book make money again?

Oh right, cosmetics and jewelry!

With that thought, she drifted off to sleep.

Madam Chen’s heart softened after hearing the story.

“Chunzhi, take some people over and send them to the Jishantang charity hall in the east of the city.”

Jishantang had been established by Chen Shi’s parents when she was born, and it was now in her care.

Suddenly, she recalled something her daughter once said:

Give a man a fish, and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he eats for a lifetime.

“Send some teachers and embroidery masters there as well.”

“Madam, do you mean to…” After all, hiring teachers and embroidery masters to train the children of Jishantang would be quite expensive.

Chen Shi looked at her sleeping daughter, gently stroking her round little face, her expression filled with warmth.

“Consider it a blessing for the Chen family and Yuanxi.”

…

Since Jiang Qisheng’s arrest, Jiang Ruowei had grown more anxious by the day.

Ever since the first branch of the family left, the Guogong Manor had been declining.

She had used every trick in the book to gain the Old Madam’s favor.

But how long could that last?

Her mother, Concubine Hua, had also run out of money, and their situation worsened with each passing day.

“Ruowei, come eat,” called Concubine Hua.

“Why is it plain porridge with pickled vegetables again?” Jiang Ruowei complained. “Mother, I want crystal crab lotus root.”

Concubine Hua was helpless.

Ever since her daughter had woken up from her fall, she had become increasingly picky about food.

She even demanded dishes she had never heard of—things like “Heavenly Snow Jade” and “Crystal Crab Lotus Root.”

When she sent people to inquire, she found out these were dishes from the imperial palace.

Back when they still had money, she had tried making some for her, but now, they were broke.

“My dear, your father is in prison. We only have his monthly allowance now. We must be frugal,” Concubine Hua patiently explained.

“I don’t care! I want it!” She had been an empress in her past life—how could she tolerate such humble food now?

Concubine Hua was at a loss.

Jiang Ruowei suddenly recalled that in her past life, after taking over Madam Chen’s shops, she had made a fortune by developing cosmetics and jewelry for women.

“Mother, I’m not hungry anymore.” Jiang Ruowei excitedly ran back to her room to plan.

Concubine Hua shook her head—she had lost her appetite too.

She only hoped her daughter would be more considerate and stop causing trouble.

She needed to focus on preparing for marriage.

The next day, Jiang Yuanxi found Jiang Yuanran.

With only a month left until the imperial exam, Jiang Yuanran was working tirelessly, adopting a “live for the exam, die for the exam” attitude.

Chen Shi felt sorry for him, so she had been preparing the best possible food for him.

“Wow, it smells amazing!”

Jiang Yuanxi sniffed the air and finally found her target on the table.

Seeing her fourth brother’s serious expression, the little girl suddenly had an idea.

She dragged over a small stool, climbed onto the table, sat down, and hugged a clay pot. She grabbed handful after handful, stuffing her mouth full.

“Oh no, my little lady!”

Chunzhi rushed in and was horrified.

The tiny girl sat on the table, clutching the pot, a half-eaten ginseng slice in her hand.

The third young master studied diligently and had a weak constitution, so all these nourishing foods were meant for him. How could a child handle such potent supplements?

She hurriedly called for the servants to clean up.

Jiang Yuanxi ate until she was full, burping contentedly.

ChunvZhi wiped her face and hands, while Jiang Yuanran remained engrossed in his book, unaffected.

“Miss, do you feel unwell?” Chunzhi asked cautiously.

Jiang Yuanxi scratched her head and thought for a moment.

Actually, yes.

She patted her round stomach.

“My tummy… is too full!”

Then, she suddenly felt an itch under her nose.

To Chun Zhi’s horror, Jiang Yuanxi rubbed her hand under her nose.

Her palm was covered in bright red blood.

Oh… so that’s what it was.

She held up her hand and grinned.

“ Zhi zhi, look! Blood!”

Why did her head feel dizzy too?

The next moment, Jiang Yuanxi collapsed.

When she woke up, the sun was shining through the window, stinging her eyes.

Seeing her awake, the Jiang family rushed to block the sunlight.

“Yuanxi, how do you feel?” Madam Chen’s eyes were red, clearly having just cried.

Jiang Yuanxi suddenly found the scene oddly familiar.

[I was going to talk to my second brother about making money—why am I in bed?]

Jiang Fengyuan: “Quick, call Doctor Sun!”

Doctor Sun examined her pulse. “She overdid the supplements. No need to worry—she’ll recover in a few days. I’ll prescribe some medicine.”

Jiang Yuanxi sat up, ignoring his words.

[How should I tell my brother that the female lead made a fortune selling cosmetics and jewelry?]