In the early hours, a heavy rain swept through the courtyard. Tree branches were bent and broken, flower pots toppled, and the garden lay in disarray.
By morning, the sky cleared, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of rain-soaked earth, invigorating and calming.
In the courtyard, the older servants and maidservants were sweeping away debris. Upon seeing Zheng Qian, they bowed respectfully. "Young Mistress."
These women were from the Jing'an Hou Mansion, unlike Madam Dai and her people, who had been retained by Zheng Qian's late mother. In the past, they had not treated the young mistress with much respect.
Now that she had come into wealth, they received bonuses, higher monthly pay, and extra meals from her generosity. They were all well-fed and financially comfortable, treating her almost like a deity.
Especially the two junior maidservants assigned to manual work—they now earned as much as third-tier maids and strutted around proudly.
"Continue with your work," Zheng Qian said with a smile. She then called to Hongluan: "Go to the kitchen for our breakfast, and get beef stew and fresh milk for Achou."
Hongluan nodded and picked up a paper umbrella to shield herself from the morning sun. As she prepared to leave, a small servant hurried toward Huining Garden.
Before speaking, he smiled. "Sister Hongluan."
Hongluan recognized him—he was Yuzhong, a servant of the eldest young master. His round face always carried a smile. Quick-witted and generous, he was well-liked in the mansion.
"Why are you here so early? Visiting our courtyard, or just passing by?" Hongluan asked.
"I'm here for the young mistress," Yuzhong replied.
"What is it about?"
"The eldest young master wishes to speak with the young mistress," Yuzhong said.
In the Zheng family, sons and daughters were ranked separately. If combined, Zheng Qian would be the fourth daughter—her elder brother and two male cousins were all older.
"Wait until after breakfast," Hongluan said. She disliked Yuzhong because she also didn't favor the eldest young master. During the family's hard times, he had never helped.
Yuzhong smiled awkwardly. The young master's past negligence was now catching up to him.
"Elder Sister Xiuzhu," another maid appeared, dressed in green. "The young mistress asks why you're making noise outside so early."
Recognizing her, Yuzhong explained, "The eldest young master sent me. He requests the young mistress."
Xiuzhu glanced at him. "Come inside."
Hongluan protested but Xiuzhu silenced her with a glare and a slap on the back. "Being noisy so early is unlucky."
Inside, Zheng Qian greeted Yuzhong, letting him speak standing up rather than kneeling.
"…Is it urgent?" she asked.
Yuzhong hesitated, then said, "Young Mistress, it's actually Lord Ancheng, the Marquis of Cheng, who has come."
Zheng Qian understood immediately. Lord Ancheng's early visit must be important. He had come directly to Zheng Chi's courtyard to avoid disturbing the rest of the Jing'an Hou Mansion—a clever move.
She stood. "Very well, I'll go with you."
She told the maids to stay behind: "Bring back breakfast for yourselves and feed Achou. I'll eat with my brother, so you needn't serve me."
Achou, the cat, leapt into her arms. Zheng Qian laughed, "Stay home and eat, alright?" But the cat clung stubbornly, so she had no choice but to take it with her.
At her elder brother's courtyard, Ancheng Junwang waited at the gate, greeting her from afar.
"Miss Zheng…"
"Your Highness, did you come so early because of the mosquito coils?" she asked with a smile.
Last night, Lord Ancheng had tested the coils himself. They produced no foul smoke like burning mugwort and were astonishingly effective at killing mosquitoes, even in the heavily infested Qinglian Pavilion.
Opening the window and lighting a coil left the pavilion mosquito-free, ventilated, and cool—a true treasure.
Early that morning, he had come without even breakfast, indicating urgency.
Zheng Qian teased, "It's been seven days, and you only now come to try the coils? Were they not effective?"
Lord Ancheng looked gentle in his eyes, even when being stingy or calculating.
"I didn't say they were ineffective," she replied, straightening her expression. "I gave them to you. You didn't care, so I found another buyer."
She turned to leave, but he bowed quickly, blocking her path. "Miss Zheng, I was wrong. Please forgive me for any offense."
Zheng Chi was slightly taken aback. Ancheng Junwang was never this humble. Zheng Qian had changed too—no longer the fawning little girl; she now carried herself with poise and authority.
"What coils?" Zheng Chi asked.
"Something to repel insects. Very effective," Zheng Qian said.
"How effective?"
"You already know," she smiled. "Otherwise, you wouldn't have come so early."
Zheng Chi went silent, unable to argue with her pride.
Lord Ancheng stayed to negotiate the price. When he asked her asking price, Zheng Qian replied, aiming for comfort in her daily life and to cover repayment to the Wen family: "Thirty thousand taels."
Zheng Chi raised an eyebrow. Last time, she sold similar items for twenty thousand. She was asking more now?
Ancheng Junwang interrupted, "Miss Zheng, I'll give you one hundred thousand taels. I only ask one favor in return. Will you agree?"
Zheng Chi blinked. One hundred thousand? She could hardly believe it.
"What favor?" she asked.