Volume 1, Chapter 9: The True Heiress is a Powerhouse

"Si Chengnian brought you back, you know."

"What did you say? He... he brought me back?! I wasn't drugged?"

[Of course not. With me, the System, here, who could possibly drug you?]

An Qianqian felt that something was off. Very off. Although she was laid-back, she was certainly not the type to trust anyone so easily. Furthermore, carrying her all the way from Si Chengnian's place to the Duke of Rong's mansion could not possibly have been done without making a sound.

"System, tell me the truth. How exactly did he bring me back?"

[His lightness skills are excellent; he returned in just a few leaps. You didn't resist at all, and you even slept quite soundly in his arms.]

As An Qianqian lay in bed muttering to herself, the voice of Cheng Mingyue suddenly drifted from outside the courtyard, clear and tinged with light reprimand: "What time is it already? Still lazing in bed? Did you stay up late again last night?"

Before the words had faded, footsteps approached the window. An Qianqian sat up sluggishly, only to see Cheng Mingyue entering, followed by a dozen maids, all around fifteen or sixteen years old.

"You're awake, Qianqian. Come and see the maids I've prepared for you. Each of them has their own specialty, and they will serve you personally from now on." Cheng Mingyue clapped her hands. "Get the young mistress ready."

As soon as she spoke, two maids brought in a copper basin, while two others held neatly folded nightclothes, their fingers pinching the fabric, their breathing soft and controlled. The head maid curtsied and said, "Young mistress, allow us to assist you with your morning ablutions."

Their movements were nimble yet unobtrusive, their eyes respectful and devoid of any overstepping—clearly, they were seasoned professionals who had undergone rigorous training. Cheng Mingyue watched from the side, a smile in her eyes. "They are all careful people; feel free to command them as you wish."

An Qianqian allowed them to attend to her, feeling not the slightest bit uncomfortable. "Keep them all."

Seeing that An Qianqian did not resist, Cheng Mingyue breathed a sigh of relief. She had been worried that the child, having come from the countryside and never having been served, might feel awkward and refuse her arrangements. If she had refused, and something went wrong at the recognition banquet the day after tomorrow, the snobbish people in the capital might look down on her.

"Qianqian, the day after tomorrow is your recognition banquet. Your father and I have already finalized the arrangements. At the banquet, we will change your surname back to 'An' and formally enter your name into the family register, letting all of the capital know that you are the eldest legitimate daughter of the Duke of Rong's mansion."

"Mm, that’s fine. Let's keep the name 'Qianqian'; no need to change it."

"Whatever you wish. Today, the Jinxiu Pavilion will send people over with hundreds of new fabrics to measure you for clothes. We need to rush out a few decent sets, both for the banquet and for daily wear. I cannot let my precious daughter be treated poorly."

"Whatever you decide, Mother. But is there enough time?" An Qianqian knew the efficiency of making custom clothing in ancient times; how could it be done in just one day?

"Don't worry, Qianqian. If ten embroiderers aren't enough, we'll use a hundred. It will be finished in time."

At that precise moment, the System issued today's task.

[As a young lady making her first public appearance, how can you hold your own without a few priceless, high-end garments and jewelry? Today's task: Spend one million taels of silver within two hours!]

[Upon completion, the rewards will be granted:]
[A set of Moonlight Dress made from Floating Light Brocade (shimmers in light, flowers bloom with every step)!]
[A string of East Sea Pearl necklaces (illuminates at night, warm in winter and cool in summer)!]
[Ten sets of pure gold headpieces inlaid with rubies (handcrafted by artisans, one of a kind)!]
[And ten thousand taels of gold, twenty commercial shops, and a thousand acres of fertile land in the suburbs—all yours!]

What a damn task! Couldn't it just let her lie in bed quietly for a day? She was already exhausted from shopping yesterday!

Seeing An Qianqian's face turn as dark as ink, Cheng Mingyue assumed she was worried about the banquet dress being finished in time. Just as she was about to offer words of comfort, she saw the girl grab a plain overcoat and wrap it around herself, ignoring the crooked collar, and dash out the door with such ferocity that it looked as if she were heading to the street to tear down someone's shop.

"Hey? Qianqian, where are you going?" Cheng Mingyue hurriedly stood up.

"Mother, I'm going out to spend money!"

Remembering that her daughter had bought a mountain of things yesterday, all of which were gifts for others in the house, with not a single item for herself, she wondered if today's outing was specifically for her own needs. "Then wait a moment, let the maids measure you first so the Jinxiu Pavilion doesn't waste a trip. Besides, I'll go to the counting house and get you some silver."

"No need, I have some!"

After letting the maids take her measurements, An Qianqian strode out of the courtyard. Cheng Mingyue couldn't stop her. Turning to see the dozen maids still stunned in the room, her face darkened. "What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and follow her to serve!"

Before the words were finished, the maids had already reacted and were streaming out to give chase. Seeing that she was being followed, An Qianqian didn't object. A million taels would take some time to spend, and having people along would be convenient for carrying things.

The faster maids had already notified the coachman, and by the time An Qianqian reached the main gate, the carriage was waiting.

"Young mistress, is there a specific shop you wish to visit today?" a maid in pink stepped forward and asked softly.

An Qianqian glanced at her. In the Duke's mansion, maids in pink were first-class. "What is your name?"

"This servant is Chun Tang."

[Host, why don't you consider going to a pharmacy first to buy some medicine for Si Chengnian? He refuses to tell you his wish now, surely because you aren't familiar enough yet. If you show him some care now, perhaps he'll be willing to tell you?]

An Qianqian thought about it and decided the System made sense. If Si Chengnian thought she was a good person, maybe they could become friends. Although, she didn't think she needed any friends.

"We're going to the pharmacy for now."

"Rongchun Hall on West Street is the largest pharmacy in the capital. Would you like to go there, young mistress?"

"Yes, let's go there."

Chun Tang hurried into the carriage after An Qianqian, sharing some important information: "Rongchun Hall is the private property of the Imperial Concubine, who is highly skilled in medicine. Even the powerful and wealthy in the capital love to go there for prescriptions and consultations. Also..."

"Is it expensive?" An Qianqian interrupted, having no interest in the details.

"It is considered the most expensive pharmacy in the capital. Some years ago, a thousand-year-old purple lingzhi appeared there, which Prince Qin bought for seven hundred thousand taels of silver."

Seven hundred thousand taels? An Qianqian's eyes lit up. If she bought one of those, plus some other medicinal herbs, wouldn't today's task be complete?

"Go! Buy it immediately!"

An Qianqian had planned it perfectly, but upon arriving at Rongchun Hall, she discovered that even century-old lingzhi were rare, let alone a thousand-year-old one.

"Then what other expensive herbs do you have here? Give me a portion of everything. Preferably something for bruises and injuries, and for nourishing the body. As for the price, it would be best if it added up to a million taels."

An Qianqian thought of Si Chengnian's scrawny frame; it looked painful just to look at.

The manager, who was checking the ledgers, thought he had misheard. He scanned An Qianqian up and down, looking at her as if she were a lunatic. "A million taels? Little girl, do you know how much a million taels is?"

He put down the ledger and signaled to his assistant. "Go, bring this 'honored guest' a bowl of calming tea. Don't let her be talking nonsense from heatstroke."

Chun Tang and the other maids felt their eyelids twitch uncontrollably. Was their mistress so long out of the countryside that she had no concept of the weight of silver?

Just as Chun Tang was wringing her handkerchief, looking for a way to smooth things over by saying something like "the young mistress is just joking," a shrill, biting wind blew in from the door.

"Heh, what kind of beggar dares to spout nonsense in Rongchun Hall? Dressed like weeds on a grave, and you dare mention 'a million taels'? I suppose you've gone soft in the head from listening to too many stage plays in the countryside, actually thinking silver is just dirt from the side of the road?"