Volume One, Chapter 11: The True Heiress is a Powerhouse

But when Cheng Mingyue shifted her gaze to the table, her pupils instantly dilated.

“Qianqian... is this... the ginseng you mentioned?”

“Yes.”

It was truly strange—after all, it was just something grown in the fields. What was there to be so surprised about?

“Chuntang, go prepare tea for madam.”

Before Cheng Mingyue could fully regain her composure, An Qianqian had already broken the ginseng, which had cost over a million taels, into several pieces and tossed one into the teapot.

Cheng Mingyue watched the ginseng being broken apart, her lips twitching in pain. She reached out to stop her but failed to do so.

Watching helplessly as a piece was thrown into the teapot, her voice trembling, she said, “Qianqian! Do you realize what this is? This is a thousand-year-old wild mountain ginseng! A precious treasure that can extend life— even the imperial consorts might not be able to obtain one!”

An Qianqian was not ignorant; she had seen plenty and certainly knew what this was.

Holding the remaining ginseng pieces, her fingertips trembling, she said, “This is precious, it should be kept in a brocade box, and only sliced thinly during festivals to stew in soup—enough to last half a year’s worth of tonic! How could you... just break it like that?”

An Qianqian sipped the freshly brewed ginseng tea without a flicker of expression. “Wasn’t it bought to be eaten? What difference does it make if I drink it now or later? Do you expect it to bloom if left alone?”

Cheng Mingyue was rendered speechless, staring at the ginseng chunks swirling in the teapot, her heart pricked as if by needles.

This wasn’t brewing tea—it was steeping gold!

“But this is a thousand-year-old...”

“A thousand-year-old ginseng is still just a ginseng,” An Qianqian interrupted, handing another piece to her. “Here, you’re not busy, take it and brew some tea yourself for nourishment.”

Cheng Mingyue cradled the ginseng piece, looking at her daughter’s matter-of-fact expression, and eventually said no more, only sighing inwardly.

Her beloved daughter had truly never seen the world; she would have to teach her more in the future.

Since it was already brewed, she might as well drink a few sips.

Who knew when the next time would be.

[Dear host, would you prefer your reward to be placed directly into your space, or delivered to your doorstep?]

“You can even deliver it to my door?”

[Of course, you spend so much silver daily; there has to be a source.]

“Heh, let’s see what identity you’ll invent for me.”

An Qianqian chatted calmly with the squanderer system.

After sharing the ginseng tea with Cheng Mingyue, An Qianqian threw all the remaining ginseng pieces to her.

“I won’t drink the rest—it smells too medicinal and tastes awful. I’m tired from today’s stroll; I’ll head back first.”

“Go ahead.”

Cheng Mingyue tenderly gathered all the ginseng pieces in her hands and had the maid place them in a box.

What a spendthrift, what a spendthrift! She didn’t even know who had mistaken the ginseng for radishes and sold it to her daughter. She had to figure out how to make up the silver.

Before she could summon Chuntang or others to inquire, the three daughters-in-law had already caught wind and rushed over.

A thousand-year-old wild ginseng suddenly appeared in the household—how could they not come see if they could get a piece?

Of course, they didn’t arrive empty-handed; each brought a box of gifts carefully selected from their dowries.

“You may come for tea, but if you want a piece of the ginseng, you’ll have to ask your sister. Although the money came from the family, it’s considered hers.”

Cheng Mingyue always maintained clarity. The daughters-in-law were not short of money, and judging by the boxes they had their servants carry, they intended to trade.

Wu Miaomiao and An Qianqian had spent the day together first, so she asked her maid to open the box for Cheng Mingyue’s inspection.

“Mother, of course we’re sparing no effort. I’ll have the servants carry this box to my sister’s courtyard immediately.”

The eldest daughter-in-law Qin Wangshu and the second daughter-in-law Wang Xiaoyue also opened their boxes at once.

Qin Wangshu said, “Mother, we’ve prepared some gifts too. Please help us see if they’re appropriate.”

Cheng Mingyue examined the contents carefully; indeed, they were all fine quality.

“Not bad. Your younger sister just returned home. Although she might not recognize these items, she shouldn’t be fooled. She’s currently in the courtyard; you should go ask her.”

When the three arrived at An Qianqian’s courtyard, she had just taken off her outer garment and was ready to nap again.

Knowing their purpose, she casually selected one item from their boxes that looked decent and agreed.

It was just ginseng after all—nothing to fuss about.

“I’ve already given them to Mother. It’s family property now; use it as you please.”

An Qianqian only wanted to sleep—she hadn’t rested well yesterday.

Once awake, she still had to find Si Chengnian to ask about her wish.

The sooner it was done, the sooner this world would end.

Qin Wangshu hesitated slightly and tentatively said, “Qianqian, my grandmother is very old and suffered many ailments from her time on the battlefield. I want to take a piece back to help restore her health.”

Only then did An Qianqian recall that Madam Wu had told her Qin Wangshu’s grandmother had fought alongside Duke Rongguo and was the only female general in Shangguo.

With that in mind, An Qianqian reached beneath her pillow and pulled out a jade vial, tossing it to Qin Wangshu.

“Those who fought for the country deserve the best resting place. This is a Guiyuan Pill, even better than ginseng. Take it with the ginseng back to her.”

Guiyuan Pill?!

Qin Wangshu’s eyes instantly reddened.

This legendary pill was so rare even the royal family possessed but one. She hadn’t expected her little sister to just give it away on a whim.

“This... this is too precious...”

“Anyway, it’s all for consumption. What’s precious or not?”

An Qianqian just wanted to sleep and shoo them off.

“Second sister-in-law, third sister-in-law, the ginseng is with Mother. You can get it yourself. I’m going back to nap.”

Wang Xiaoyue and Wu Miaomiao thanked her and left the remaining gifts behind.

An Qianqian gave the Guiyuan Pill to the eldest sister-in-law, and they were not displeased.

Qin’s grandmother was a general who defended the homeland—a paragon among women, truly deserving the best.

Holding the jade vial, Qin Wangshu glanced at An Qianqian as she rolled over and covered her head, feeling warmth and affection swell in her heart.

Though her sister seemed indifferent, she was more perceptive than anyone.

Ordinary noble ladies treated rare medicinal herbs as treasures, but she nonchalantly said, “It’s all to be eaten,” giving away the legendary Guiyuan Pill, recognizing only “those who fight for the country” and “family” as matters of principle.

Such openness and candor were far more endearing than the endless scheming and petty calculations in the household.

Qin Wangshu quietly slipped away, already resolved.

From now on, she would protect this sister well—no one must bully her.

[Dear host, where did that Guiyuan Pill come from?]

The system was baffled. When had a Guiyuan Pill been placed under An Qianqian’s pillow?

“It was there all along.”

[Impossible! Something so valuable wouldn’t just be casually placed under your pillow!]

“What’s impossible about it? Maybe Father and Mother pitied me and put it there for emergencies.”

“Is... is that so?”

“Of course. They care for me so much; it’s only reasonable they prepare such things.”

An Qianqian spoke earnestly, leaving the system uncertain.

Could it be that Cheng Mingyue had placed it there without it noticing?

But where would Cheng Mingyue have gotten a Guiyuan Pill?

Unable to figure it out, the system gave up—so long as the host completed the task.

“By the way, did you find out what’s wrong when you went back for tests?”

“Nope. I probably didn’t bind to the wrong person. I’m just a hungry village girl. The person I’m supposed to bind with is definitely me.”

“See? I knew I had a good eye. It was early spring, and who would be lying on the lawn in thin clothes, barefoot, but someone starving and freezing?”

The system considered itself very clever. As for those books An Qianqian brought out, they must have been Si Chengnian’s secret stash. Men are naturally fond of slightly risqué novels.

Without the system’s interference, An Qianqian quickly fell asleep.

Until the sun set, the whole family returned home and heard An Ruowei complaining.

“Father, Mother, it’s all my fault. I’m useless. At Rongchun Hall, I explained everything to my sister. This is Prince Chen’s most beloved Heqin Princess, but my sister just laughed and said, ‘Don’t know any princess,’ then told the princess, ‘No silver, don’t pretend to be wealthy’...”

“That wild ginseng, the princess stared at it for a long time, saying she wanted to give it to Prince Chen to save his life. I tried to persuade my sister to give it up, but she slapped down a silver note on the counter and forcibly took it—not only that, she demanded the princess pay two million taels in exchange.”

“The princess was so upset her voice trembled, saying our Rongguo Duke’s mansion was bullying others. I knelt quickly to apologize for my sister, but the princess had no outlet for her anger and slapped me across the face...”

“My sister just stood by and watched, not even saying a word to stop it, then turned and left with her maid, as if my being hit didn’t matter at all...”

“It’s all my fault; I’m so incapable. I knew the princess was seeking medicine for her father. I knew my sister was new and didn’t understand the rules. Why didn’t I hold her back tightly?”

“If I had, my sister wouldn’t have said those hurtful words, and the princess wouldn’t have been so upset as to strike.”

“Now that’s spread around, people will only say our newly returned young lady robbed the prince’s life-saving medicine and even dared to slight a princess...”