Jiang Yuanxi sat on a chair as the Imperial Uncle’s daughter-in-law personally fed her, while the wife of the Assistant Minister of Personnel fanned her with care.

Madam Chen stared blankly.

She had expected her daughter to be well-liked, but not this well-liked.

It seemed that her own elevated status among these noblewomen was entirely thanks to Yuanxi.

Han Qianhua was pleased. “Look at that! There’s no need for us to worry about Yuanxi at all.”

A whole group of noblewomen from the capital were practically competing to serve as Yuanxi’s little maids.

Chen Shi wasn’t too concerned about that. What worried her more was—Yuanxi’s face was now covered in lipstick marks.

Sigh, her poor little Yuanxi.

Still, with so many people here, how could she bring up the topic of promoting her own lip balm?

Madam Zhou had been thinking about her treatment, but the commotion caused by Qian Rou earlier had disrupted everything.

“Yuanxi, you said my illness can be treated. Do you have a prescription?” she asked carefully.

“Yes!”

Jiang Yuanxi patted her chest confidently. “Leave it to me!”

Han Qianhua gestured for someone to bring over writing materials.

Chen Shi shook her head. The little one had forgotten—she couldn’t write yet.

Sure enough, the moment Jiang Yuanxi took the brush, she froze.

“Me…”

“What’s wrong, Yuanxi?” Shi Ruomei thought the little one had something difficult to say.

Madam Zhou’s heart skipped a beat. “Yuanxi, don’t worry. Whatever medicine you need, just write it down. I’ll pay whatever it takes.”

Seeing her hesitant face, the noblewomen who had consulted her earlier all reassured her.

“Yuanxi, just write it down. Madam Zhou has plenty of money.”

“That’s right, no need to worry!”

Jiang Yuanxi quietly put the brush down.

With a defeated tone, she muttered, “I haven’t started school yet.”

She tore off a corner of the paper and began ripping it into small pieces.

One piece, two pieces, three, four pieces…

She could understand writing, but writing it herself? That was another matter entirely.

Besides, she was only a little over a year old!

The noblewomen were momentarily stunned before bursting into laughter.

This brilliant little doctor… was actually illiterate.

Shi Ruomei laughed so hard she clutched her stomach.

“Oh my, my little sweetheart, how are you this adorable?”

If she could give birth to such a precious daughter, it would truly be a blessing from her ancestors.

No, she had to go home and burn more incense!

Madam Chen couldn’t help but smile.

Madam Zhou sighed in relief and waved her hand.

“I’ll write for Yuanxi! Everyone, line up!”

By the time they were done, some were overjoyed while others were left with lingering worries.

By noon, all the noblewomen had been seen.

Chen Shi felt sorry for her daughter.

She hadn’t expected so many people to show up today, and now she was worried that the prepared gifts wouldn’t be enough.

She was just about to pick up Yuanxi when she saw the little one pull out a thick stack of silver banknotes from her pouch.

Jiang Yuanxi, her face still covered in lipstick marks, turned her back to the crowd.

She licked her fingertips and began counting.

“One tael, two taels, three taels…”

The noblewomen were utterly charmed.

Since the aunties had given her money, she had to return the favor.

“Zhizhi, bring the gifts.”

Chunzhi hurriedly had the servants fetch the items from the carriage.

Jiang Yuanxi first approached Madam Zhou.

“Auntie, here’s a gift.”

No choice—Madam Zhou had given her the most money.

Every noblewoman who had given Yuanxi money received a gift in return.

The others weren’t envious.

After all, what could a barely literate toddler possibly give them?

Shi Ruomei curiously opened her package.

At the center was a white jade porcelain bottle. The moment she opened it, a delightful floral fragrance wafted out, fresh and lingering.

Inside was a bright red balm, clear and smooth.

Madam Chen smiled. “This is a lip balm we made at home. I hope the ladies won’t find it lacking.”

Shi Ruomei tested it on her hand and was pleasantly surprised—it was incredibly smooth and moisturizing.

“Madam Jiang, do you have more of this lip balm?” The other ladies who had received gifts suddenly had eager eyes.

Madam Chen replied, “This product is available at Lan Fang Pavilion. If the ladies wish to purchase more, you may find it there.”

Something that even the Imperial Uncle’s daughter-in-law was impressed by was surely an extraordinary item.

The noblewomen made a mental note of the shop, planning to visit later.

What they didn’t expect was that, soon after, Lan Fang Pavilion’s products would become impossible to buy.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yuanxi stuffed all the banknotes back into her little pouch.

“Mommy, let’s go home.”

She had earned enough money—now she could finally take a nap.

Madam Chen gave a subtle look, and Chunzhi picked up Yuanxi.

Just as Madam Chen was about to leave, she noticed Madam Zhou looking hesitant.

“Madam Jiang,” Madam Zhou said in a hushed tone.

The noblewomen, pretending not to listen, all perked up their ears.

“You were able to give birth to such an adorable child. You must have had some kind of method, right?” Madam Zhou asked curiously.

Madam Chen was stunned.

A method? Not really.

That period of time, she had simply been stressed by her mother-in-law and the second household.

Seeing her hesitate, Madam Zhou continued, “For example, what did you and your husband use?” She gestured vaguely with her hands.

Madam Chen’s face turned bright red.

Were noblewomen this open nowadays?

Even Shi Ruomei wanted to stand up and listen.

Madam Chen stammered, “M-more grapes… Eat more grapes!”

Then she quickly fled.

These noblewomen were too much! Like a pack of wolves!

---

Back at home, Chun Tao brought over the sales report from Lan Fang Pavilion’s opening day.

“Madam, sales were excellent. We sold out of everything. At first, there weren’t many customers, but suddenly, a large crowd arrived. We could barely keep up!”

Chuntao was still puzzled. Initially, there had been very few visitors. Then, out of nowhere, a whole group of people had shown up.

[Of course, that was thanks to my Beggar’s Sect! Those boys really know how to hustle.]

Beggar’s Sect?

Madam Chen was confused. What on earth is that?

Chun Tao was excited. “We made a total of one thousand taels today. If we produce more, we could earn even more.”

Madam Chen glanced at Jiang Yuanxi. “Ask her. See how much she made.”

Jiang Yuanxi immediately opened her pouch and showed off her earnings.

She’s only a year old. How much could she possibly have earned?

When Chuntao saw the thick stack of banknotes, she swallowed hard.

“Three thousand taels!” Jiang Yuanxi proudly slapped the banknotes onto the table, hands on her hips.

Starting today, she was rich!

Madam Chen suddenly spoke. “Yuanxi.”

Jiang Yuanxi was still grinning. With this much money, all the pork knuckles in the capital belonged to her!

Madam Chen picked up the banknotes. “Little children might lose money easily. Mommy will keep this safe for you.”

Jiang Yuanxi watched as her hard-earned silver was tucked into her mother’s sleeve.

“I-it’s fine.”

She waved her little hand.

“Money is for Mommy to spend. I can always earn more.”

But that night, she hugged her pet snake and cried for a long time.

That was her money.

And her mother took all of it!

Jiang Yuanxi swore that next time, she’d hide her earnings.

Late at night, when everyone was fast asleep, Jiang Yuanxi sneaked outside.

Hugging her little treasure chest, she went to the big tree by the wall and dug a small hole.

She buried her entire fortune—one hundred and fifty taels—so her mother wouldn’t find it.

Satisfied, she went back to bed.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yuancheng climbed over the wall, sneaking back home.

He lost his footing and fell.

“Oof—my poor back!”

Reaching out, he felt something.

“Who’s the idiot that piled dirt here?”

He dug it up and opened the chest.

“One hundred and fifty taels?!”

“A windfall! Looks like today’s my lucky day!”

He stuffed the money into his pocket and buried the box back in place.