The affairs of the Jing'an Marquis Manor split cleanly into two camps.
The masters mourned their losses—each one clutching their silver as if their hearts had been carved out along with it. Meanwhile, the servants buzzed with awe, marveling at the eldest young lady's miraculous skill. And above all, one question lingered:
Now that the eldest young master could stand again… would the marquis restore his heir status?
The news spread beyond the estate, but those who heard it scoffed.
"Exaggeration. Must be. Probably just a wooden prosthetic—won't last more than a few days."
"They keep praising the eldest young lady—what for? Why not boast about their young master instead? Don't they already have a famous second young lady?"
By the next morning, the storm had passed, leaving behind a blazing sun. The heat surged back with vengeance, steam rising from the ground.
Zheng Qian frowned slightly. "If only we could make ice…"
Unfortunately, there was no saltpeter in the capital.
"When we have our own residence, we should build an ice cellar," she said casually to her maids and nurse.
They were used to her talking about "their own estate" by now. No one even blinked.
Nearby, the cat crouched, staring at the raw beef Zheng Qian had sliced for him.
As a cat, the scent should have been irresistible.
As a man… absolutely not.
He meowed.
Zheng Qian glanced over. "Don't like it raw? Fine, we'll cook it."
Soon, he was enjoying properly cooked beef instead. Much better.
Life at Zheng Qian's side was… comfortable. Meat, milk, strength returning to his body—he felt lighter than ever, almost capable of scaling rooftops again.
And then it struck him.
His master—the old general—had returned to the capital.
Most likely because of him.
He needed information.
Taking advantage of Zheng Qian's distraction, the cat slipped away.
—
Moving like a shadow, he darted through the streets, agile and silent.
His thoughts flickered briefly to Zheng Chi's prosthetic.
He had seen it clearly this time—it had appeared out of nowhere.
She really might be… something more than human, he thought.
A celestial maiden? Or perhaps a disciple of the Bodhisattva herself…
—
He arrived at the imperial study.
Originally, he only intended to scout the place.
But inside, there were no ministers.
Instead—
An Cheng Prince Xiao Mingyu.
"…This is mosquito coil," Xiao Mingyu was saying. "It contains trace amounts of arsenic and realgar. I tested it—two cats, two dogs, two servants, sealed rooms, three coils burned over twelve hours."
"No harm done. Observed for seven days afterward—still no issue."
"Small amounts of both substances are medicinal. This kills insects, nothing more."
"Very good," the emperor replied. "I'll try it tonight. The mosquitoes have been unbearable this summer."
Xiao Mingyu continued, "I intend to sell it to Chu and Qi. Their climates are more humid—better markets."
"That is acceptable."
The cat stilled.
Chu and Qi—two great rival nations. Trade between countries had long been banned due to spies infiltrating merchant caravans.
Yet Xiao Mingyu had already extended his business into their territories.
So he's grown this capable…
"…This mosquito coil," Xiao Mingyu added, "was also sold to me by the Zheng family's eldest young lady."
The cat's ears perked sharply.
Zheng Qian.
"She also created that prosthetic," Xiao Mingyu continued. "Lightweight, flexible—unbelievable craftsmanship."
The emperor paused. "Bring Zheng Chi tomorrow. I will see it for myself."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After a moment, Xiao Mingyu spoke again. "The Ministry of Rites has an opening. May Zheng Chi be appointed?"
The emperor smirked. "So all that praise was to secure him a post? Or… have you taken a liking to the Zheng family's eldest daughter?"
On the rooftop, claws tightened involuntarily.
Xiao Mingyu laughed lightly. "You jest. Even if I had, she is already betrothed."
The emperor chuckled, pleased by the familiar tone. "If Zheng Chi truly walks again, a sixth-rank post is nothing."
Then, as if recalling something—
"This Jing'an Marquis Manor… it was the family of Noble Consort Zheng, wasn't it?"
"Yes."
Old grudges surfaced. Old stories of palace intrigue, of debts half-remembered and loyalties twisted by time.
"After her death," the emperor said casually, "my mother suppressed the Zheng family. Their decline was inevitable."
A faint smile.
"No wonder that eldest daughter had to turn to trade. Desperation breeds ingenuity."
Xiao Mingyu smiled but said nothing.
Then he asked, "Would you like to meet her?"
"The one who made the prosthetic."
The emperor waved a hand dismissively.
"No need. At most, she's just a clever merchant woman."
—
On the rooftop, something snapped.
Rage surged through the cat's chest, sharp and uncontrollable.
If not for caution, he would have leapt down then and there.
"A mere merchant woman?"
You dare—
He turned away, leaping silently from the roof.
One day… you may be the one begging her.
Without another thought, he sped back toward Zheng Qian.
Toward the one person who had already begun to overturn everything they thought they understood.