Volume One, Chapter 13: Welcome to the World of the Wealthy

The entire Song family was immersed in joy, paying no mind to matters concerning the Jiang family or their own. Song Shouyi gazed at the gleaming silver coins and other imperial gifts, smiling as he instructed Lady Xiao to place the imperial edict upon the ancestral shrine. "Let the ancestors see that the Song descendants have truly prospered!"

Lady Xiao responded happily, "Very well, I shall place the edict before the ancestral tablets immediately."

Song Shouyi nodded with a smile. "You three—mother and daughters—use this silk to make yourselves some beautiful clothes."

"Didn't you say that in a few days you'd bring the grandmother to the capital? Make two sets for her as well," Lady Xiao said, beaming.

Song Shouyi’s gaze softened even more as he looked at Lady Xiao. "You always think of everything so carefully, my dear."

Then, picking up the shining silver coins, he handed them to Song Shuning and her sister. "You two have been cooped up inside the house these days, unwilling to face the world because of all those distressing matters. Today, take this money and go out for a proper stroll. Buy yourselves some head ornaments. Look at the silver hairpins you wear—do they look like what young ladies should have?"

Song Shujun spoke softly, "Ning and I are not going to those noble gatherings. Why would we need head ornaments?"

Song Shuning nodded in agreement. "Yes, I don't really like going out. I'd rather stay home and read medical books."

"Whether you like it or not, you will go buy them," Song Shouyi said sternly. "From now on, your father will serve diligently, striving to gain the emperor’s favor so that one day you may be admired noble ladies of a distinguished family!"

He then took more silver coins from the tray and handed them to the two sisters. "I heard there’s a place in the city called Wan Jin Tower that specializes in head ornaments and jewelry. You two go and choose whatever you like."

He feigned severity. "You’re not allowed to come back until you’ve spent all this money!"

Song Shuning looked at her father’s expression, her eyes suddenly moist, her throat tightening with emotion.

She had been an orphan before, never knowing the warmth of family—so this was what familial love felt like.

“What are you two still standing there for?” Lady Xiao stepped forward, patting the sisters on their shoulders. “Go on now. I’m going to place the imperial edict.”

The sisters were gently pushed out the door. The Song residence was near the western part of the city, though not in the truly affluent western district but toward the northwest. Still, compared to the southern and eastern parts, this area was much better.

The two sisters climbed into a carriage heading toward the western city.

Neither Song Shujun nor Song Shuning had ever been to the western city before, and Shuning felt a bit uneasy.

Inside the carriage, Song Shujun grabbed Shuning’s hand and asked, "Why do you think the emperor suddenly investigated the battlefield affairs and even issued an edict to reward our father?"

Knowing that Shen Qiyuan had been behind the scenes all along, Song Shuning smiled faintly. "If you don’t even know that, how would I? If you asked me what good licorice is for, I might be able to answer, but this—this is just making things difficult for me."

Song Shujun studied her for a long moment.

Feeling a bit guilty under her sister’s gaze, Shuning wondered what that look meant. Did she not believe her?

"Do I have anything on my face?" Song Shuning touched her face and asked, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Ning, that day, how did you get to the Starry Pavilion?" Song Shujun looked at her solemnly. "Lin Shaoyan was very certain that the person lying with Lin Shaoxuan was you. Why was she so sure?"

Song Shuning’s heart sank as she met her sister’s gaze. Why was she only mentioning this now?

Indeed, the original heroine in the book was clever—able to figure things out quickly. It seemed she too had realized that day was a trap set by the Lin family against them.

Shuning suddenly felt a heavy weight in her chest. Had the original heroine also suspected they had been set up?

Why hadn’t she tried to save the original heroine?

"What do you think, sister?" Song Shuning asked Song Shujun. "I wasn’t there and don’t know the details. Why do you think Lin Shaoyan said that?"

Song Shujun saw no trace of panic on Shuning’s face and frowned slightly. Perhaps she had overthought it—maybe Lin Shaoyan hadn’t really targeted Ning, and Ning wasn’t clever enough to escape and turn the tables. Maybe it was all just coincidence.

"I guess I’m overthinking," Song Shujun said, patting Shuning’s hand. "That day, I lost track of you, and that’s why you got separated. From now on, stay close to me. Don’t wander off. This western city isn’t like other places—if we get lost, it’ll be hard to find each other."

Song Shuning smiled and nodded. "Alright."

When they reached the bustling market, they got off the carriage. Shuning’s eyes sparkled as she took in the dazzling array of goods and the variety of clothes worn by passersby.

Qi Kingdom.

This was a fictional dynasty with attire and hair ornaments somewhat reminiscent of Tang and Song dynasties, but not quite the same.

Judging by the customs, it seemed fairly open-minded.

It was also Song Shujun’s first time walking through the streets like this. Seeing soldiers in armor patrolling, her gaze deepened. She grabbed Shuning’s hand and whispered, "Ning, do you know Princess Taiping?"

Shuning looked puzzled. "Who’s that?"

She shook her head.

Song Shujun spoke softly, "Princess Taiping is the younger sister of the founding emperor. She once took the battlefield in his place and is Qi Kingdom’s only female general, as well as its longest-lived woman. She’s still alive today."

"And?" Shuning tilted her head, "What does that have to do with us shopping?"

"I have some skills," Song Shujun’s eyes gleamed. "Maybe I should ask father to get me a position in the military bureau. If I join the army, I might have a chance to go to the battlefield someday. Who knows..."

"Wow, sister, look! That must be Wan Jin Tower! It’s so tall!" Shuning exclaimed, running a few steps forward and pointing to a five-story building with the characters Wan Jin Tower inscribed on it.

Song Shujun frowned slightly as her sister’s thoughts wandered, but not wanting to dampen her enthusiasm, she smiled and nodded. "Yes, let’s go in and have a look."

Shuning breathed a sigh of relief that Shujun wasn’t going to dwell on earlier questions. If her sister wanted to share some gossip or girl talk, she could listen. But workplace advice? Better not.

She wouldn’t dare give advice casually.

She was just a background character, after all. How could she give the heroine advice?

Not daring.

Besides, the original heroine ended up working under Shen Qiyuan. If she carelessly gave advice and ruined the heroine’s opportunity, that would be unforgivable.

Stepping into Wan Jin Tower, Shuning’s eyes were immediately drawn to the glittering head ornaments and jewelry.

Who doesn’t love beauty?

Before, she had no means to buy herself pretty clothes, bags, or jewelry.

But now...

She wanted to buy all of it!

Her eyes sparkled as she looked at the pieces displayed on trays.

Oh my!

So beautiful!

Some even set with precious stones!

Just as Shuning was entranced, a maid approached her with a smile. "Young lady, you have excellent taste. This set of gold-inlaid ruby head ornaments is a new arrival, just put out today."

Shuning nodded. "Really?"

"Yes," the maid said with a smile. "The design centers on a butterfly, perfectly matching a lively young lady like yourself. It only costs eighty taels of silver. Young lady..."

"Eighty taels of silver?" Shuning quickly calculated in her mind and widened her eyes. Did this set cost over fifty thousand in currency?

Page end.