Chapter 37

Wang Yuan’er was still lost in her grand plans to make a fortune when she was startled by a shout. She looked up and was momentarily dazzled by a radiant smile that nearly blinded the rider.

Startled, she noticed the two tall horses stopping right before her. The horse’s nose was so close it almost touched her own, scaring her into instinctively leaning backward. Her reflexive reaction drew hearty laughter from the rider on horseback.

Wang Yuan’er calmed herself, realizing she had overreacted. Blushing, she glared at the laughing rider, taking the opportunity to observe him more closely.

The man with the uninhibited laughter had a charming baby face, slightly upturned peach-blossom eyes, and vividly red lips. He was dressed in a short purple jacket, draped in a silver-trimmed cape, and wore satin boots that exuded nobility.

The man riding a black horse beside him caught her attention, leaving her breathless. His thick eyebrows and large eyes were complemented by sun-kissed skin and a ruggedly stern face. His pursed lips formed a tight line, adding to his cold and aloof demeanor. Noticing Wang Yuan’er’s gaze, his piercingly sharp eyes turned to meet hers, scaring her into quickly lowering her head as her heart raced.

Compared to the cheerful man, this one’s presence was far more imposing, demanding respect and making him impossible to overlook.

These two men were clearly not ordinary people, especially the one on the black horse. His aura was regal, and every inch of him emanated an unapproachable air. Wang Yuan’er stole another glance at him out of the corner of her eye.

Around his waist was a silver belt that gleamed even more strikingly under the reflection of the snow. No—it wasn’t a belt. It was, in fact, a legendary flexible sword that some people used as a belt.

Having done business by the pier, Wang Yuan’er had encountered all sorts of people and knew better than to act foolishly in front of them.

Thinking this over, Wang Yuan’er became even more cautious as she looked at the two men. Who knew where they came from? If she accidentally offended them, it wasn’t impossible they might draw their swords and slit her throat. In this hierarchical world, the lives of commoners were no different from those of ants in the presence of nobility.

“Hey, young lady! I’m talking to you!” The cheerful baby-faced man called out again. “What business are you in? Is it food?”

Wang Yuan’er hurriedly replied, “Sir, these are my family’s secret recipe five-spice tea eggs.” As she spoke, she scooped out a fragrant, dark-colored egg with a spoon.

“Let’s just keep going,” the stern man in the brown clothing glanced at the egg with disdain.

“Hey! We’ve ridden over a hundred miles! Even if you’re not hungry, I am. I don’t want to starve to death on horseback.” The baby-faced man snorted. “Give me two to try.”

Wang Yuan’er quickly handed them over. The man took them, peeled one, and popped it into his mouth. Chewing, he nodded approvingly. “Not bad. Give me two more—and peel them for me.” Turning to the brown-clothed man, he added, “We’re not far from the capital. Let’s at least take a breather.”

The other man pursed his lips tightly, took the peeled eggs Wang Yuan’er offered, and swallowed them whole before letting out a huff and riding off.

“Hey, Jing Wu, wait for me!” The young man hurriedly shoved another egg into his mouth, threw some silver coins at Wang Yuan’er, and rode off in pursuit, shouting, “Jing Wu, you ice shard! Wait for me!”

Wang Yuan’er caught the silver and stood there, dumbfounded, watching the figures disappear before her. Completely stunned, she thought to herself—Jing Wu, the “ice shard.” Wasn’t that the future emperor?

Chapter 38

At thirteen, the fifth son of the current emperor entered the military camp and displayed remarkable prowess in battle and strategy, earning universal respect. By the age of sixteen, he was granted the title of King, with the honorific “Jing,” and spent most of his years living in the barracks. People referred to him as “Jing Wu.” Due to his cold and aloof nature and his taciturn personality, he was also called the “Ice Shard.”

This was something Wang Yuan’er had heard in her past life as gossip among the servants of Landlord Li’s household. It was said that when King Jing returned to the capital after victorious battles to receive his rewards, the long Chang’an Street leading to the palace would often be packed with people, and many bold young women would call out his nickname, Jing Wu, to express their admiration.

In her past life, when the crown prince staged a rebellion, King Jing led the troops to suppress the revolt. He was then placed on the throne by the ministers, opening the imperial examination system, improving canal transportation, emphasizing agricultural policies, and leading the country into a new golden age of peace.

And now, Wang Yuan’er had actually seen the true face of the future emperor?

Wang Yuan’er clutched the silver in her hand, frozen in astonishment, until the sharp pain from her palm snapped her out of her daze. She had seen the future emperor!

Hahaha!

A passerby on the street glanced at the young woman jumping and laughing in the snow, shaking their head and sighing, thinking she must have lost her mind.

It took her quite a while to regain her composure. Wang Yuan’er then looked at the silver in her hand—a small piece of silver, nearly one tael in weight. Such generosity!

Ah, today really was a lucky day!

Unfortunately, she hadn’t gotten even the slightest token from the future emperor. Otherwise, in the future…

But she quickly dismissed the thought, shaking her head with a laugh. Even if she had gotten something, who would believe her if she claimed it was from the emperor? It might even bring her trouble.

After all, she was just an ordinary commoner.

Still, while she couldn’t hold onto the emperor himself, at least she had seen his true face and had even fed him her tea eggs. This may have marked the start of a string of good luck!

Shaking off the unrealistic thoughts, Wang Yuan’er redirected her focus to her earlier plans for making a fortune. She glanced again at the silver in her hand and decided to close her stall early today and head home to prepare fermented bean curd.

With that thought, she tidied herself up, picked up her carrying pole, and headed toward Madam Bai’s house. In the entire town of Changle, the tofu from the Bai family was the best.

When she returned home carrying the pole, Madam Zhang noticed the white tofu on it and said, “You’ve got good timing. Your second uncle just brought back a five-kilogram grass carp and was thinking of making fish head soup with tofu.”

“Aunt, hold on,” Wang Yuan’er stopped her and grabbed the white tofu from her hands. “This tofu has a specific purpose. It’s not for cooking.”

Madam Zhang’s face fell as she replied, “What’s this? Asking for a little tofu from you is like asking for your life! This whole family eats from the same pot, and you’re being so selfish. Also, you’re a girl who’s about to get engaged. Being this protective over food—what kind of respectable wife will you make in the future?”

Hearing the mention of engagement, Wang Yuan’er couldn’t help but think back to her previous life and the mess her marriage had been, all thanks to this very woman.

“Aunt, what engagement? I’m still in deep mourning. Don’t talk nonsense. This tofu is genuinely needed for something important, and I can’t give it to you.” Wang Yuan’er took the tofu, avoided her aunt’s gaze, and placed it in the eastern room.

“You—just wait! Don’t come asking for any of that fish head soup later!” Madam Zhang stomped her feet in anger.

“What’s all this noise? Are we going to make breakfast or not?” Grandma Wang stepped out of the kitchen, casting a frosty glare at Madam Zhang.

Recalling a recent scolding from Grandma Wang, Madam Zhang quickly quieted down. Forcing a smile, she said, “Mother, I’ll get to it immediately.” In her heart, however, she cursed both Wang Yuan’er and Grandma Wang to no end.