Zheng Qian was not angry at all.
Her anger earlier had simply been a negotiation tactic.
Truthfully, she didn't know any other merchant with businesses across the entire realm. Many of her ideas would never sell for a high price elsewhere—certainly not as high as with Ancheng Junwang.
The moment she heard one hundred thousand taels, she knew there must be conditions.
Ancheng Junwang was no fool.
"…In the future, if Miss Zheng comes up with good ideas, sell them all to me," Xiao Mingyu said, stating his request.
"The future" was a very long time.
Who knew what would happen later? Perhaps Zheng Qian would have her own commercial network by then.
She preferred one-time deals.
"I cannot agree to that, Your Highness," Zheng Qian said.
Zheng Chi and the cat both looked at her.
Refusing one hundred thousand taels required serious foresight. Did she truly have more ideas?
Even Ancheng Junwang was surprised.
At that moment, he realized this woman had ambition—not something that could be bought with silver.
"Your Highness, don't worry," Zheng Qian continued. "My ideas are worthless without your shops. If I think of something else, I will naturally come to you first. Just don't make me wait seven days again."
Xiao Mingyu: "…"
Clearly she wasn't letting that go.
He shook his head helplessly.
In truth, he had underestimated her.
Even now he suspected someone else had taught her the mosquito coil formula.
The ingredients involved arsenic and realgar—dangerous materials that could easily kill someone during production. Rather than experimenting himself, he came directly to her.
But the silver he paid would return many times over.
For example, the abacus method she had sold him earlier had already earned him a fortune.
Mosquito coils were even more practical. Even common farmers would buy them if they could afford them.
Who wouldn't want a peaceful night's sleep in summer?
"Your Highness, does our deal still stand?" Zheng Qian reminded him when he remained silent.
"Of course," Xiao Mingyu said.
She handed him the formula. To show respect, he first gave her thirty thousand taels in banknotes.
Money for goods—fair and complete.
Zheng Qian tucked the notes away into her storage space, while Xiao Mingyu eagerly examined the formula.
After asking several questions, he took his leave.
He intended to gather master perfumers from his incense shops to mass-produce the coils before the peak of summer.
He also planned to visit the emperor and request an imperial monopoly, making anyone else producing the coils guilty of treason.
After Ancheng Junwang left, Zheng Qian remained seated.
Zheng Chi studied her, and she calmly returned his gaze.
They stared at each other for a long time.
Zheng Qian suddenly noticed her elder brother was actually very handsome.
His features were striking, his skin pale like glazed porcelain, his eyelashes dark and thick. Combined with his naturally cold expression, he looked handsome yet ruthless.
Zheng Chi, however, was puzzled.
Had someone replaced his sister?
He stared closely at her face, trying to find flaws.
If only he could touch it…
After a moment, Zheng Qian coughed lightly.
"Brother, I haven't had breakfast yet."
Zheng Chi called outside.
"Yuzhong, prepare food."
Soon breakfast was served.
Despite being disabled for years, the household never mistreated him. His meal was generous: millet porridge, beef buns, fried pastry rolls, almond tofu pudding, yam cakes, two small pickled dishes, and a plate of fresh vegetables.
Zheng Qian immediately pulled the vegetable dish toward herself.
Zheng Chi: "…"
She finished it, then ate the almond tofu pudding too.
"Every day I pay one tael for extra food," she complained while eating. "Yet they never bring me tofu pudding."
Zheng Chi replied coldly, "Did you ever consider it was made specially for me?"
"Really?"
"I like it. It's good for my health."
Zheng Qian felt no guilt at all.
"Tofu has many benefits, but you shouldn't eat it every day. Since you love your little sister, skip one meal."
Zheng Chi stared at her silently.
She really had changed.
Suddenly he reached out and ran his hand across her face, rubbing roughly as if trying to wipe something off.
Zheng Qian hadn't even reacted when her cat bared its teeth.
Afraid the cat might scratch him, she quickly grabbed it while allowing him to touch her face.
"Brother, what are you doing?" she asked.
"I thought someone replaced you," Zheng Chi said bluntly.
"Why would you think that?"
"You weren't like this before."
"People change," Zheng Qian said quietly. "You changed too. Mother changed too. Back then you used to hold me and read to me, teach me chess."
Silence filled the room.
After a long pause Zheng Chi said coldly:
"You may leave."
Zheng Qian's smile faded.
"If I didn't need something from you, do you think I'd bother coming?" she said softly. "Eight years ago you all abandoned me, letting me fend for myself in this household.
Today I only ask for one thing. It concerns my entire life. I never asked anything before—please help me just this once."
Her words were painful.
But Zheng Chi remained unmoved.
"You don't need to say it," he replied coldly. "I cannot help you with anything.
Just pretend your elder brother died long ago."