The Second World in Ancient Times

Word of Si Qing's heroic feat of subduing the bullies spread like wildfire throughout the surrounding area. From the bustling port city to the surrounding towns and villages, and even to the bustling cities farther afield, people were talking about this miraculous young woman. In the tavern, drunken sailors slammed their tables and recounted with rapt excitement how Si Qing had subdued the bullies with her clever strategy and fearless courage, embellishing every detail with even greater panache.

At the village market, women chattered as they selected goods. "Did you hear? That love-making girl was truly remarkable! Like a fairy descended from the sky, she saved the people of the port." An old man nearby nodded in agreement, "Yes, such a righteous act! I haven't seen one in ages."

In the city square, storytellers wove Si Qing's story into captivating melodies, captivating crowds of listeners. "See that young lady, Si Qing, wielding a longsword, with a heroic presence, undaunted by the bullies. Her gaze was like lightning, her swordsmanship like the wind. The bullies were like chickens and dogs before her..." Children listened with rapt admiration, their eyes twinkling with admiration for Si Qing. Adults, too, were engrossed in this tale of justice, as if they were there themselves.

Both high-ranking officials and ordinary people alike praised Si Qing with utmost praise. Commoners viewed her as the embodiment of justice, a hero who protected them from oppression. A poor craftsman excitedly exclaimed, "If only there were more people like Si Qing in the world, poor people like us would have a way to survive." Before setting out to sea, fishermen prayed to the sea god, blessing Si Qing with safety and success, as she brought them hope and courage.

Literary scholars praised Si Qing in poetry. One young poet wrote, "Si Qing's courage is like the blazing sun breaking through the fog; her wisdom is like the stars illuminating the sky. She points her sword at the evil, yet her heart cares for the people. She is truly a heroine." These poems circulated among literary circles, allowing even more people to understand Si Qing's greatness.

Even the usually arrogant nobles had to give Si Qing a thumbs-up. One old noble sighed, "Although Si Qing is a woman, her achievements surpass those of countless men. Her courage and wisdom are the treasures of our time." Si Qing's name became a hot topic at social gatherings among the nobles, and everyone was proud to talk about her.

Si Qing's fame attracted the attention of local dignitaries, who invited her to attend their banquets, some of which were extravagant palace banquets, and some were elegant private dinners for nobles.

A powerful duke personally sent someone to deliver an exquisite invitation, which read: "Dear Miss Siqing, your heroic deeds are well-known. I sincerely invite you to attend my banquet and join the elites from all walks of life in celebrating this occasion." The handwriting on the invitation was glittering with gold and decorated with gorgeous patterns, showing the duke's sincerity.

An important official in the palace also extended an invitation: "Ms. Si Qing, your actions have brought glory to our country, and His Majesty has also heard of your deeds. On behalf of the court, I hope you can come to the palace dinner and let us see your style." This is undoubtedly a great honor, which means that Si Qing has been recognized by the court.

Faced with these invitations, Si Qing felt somewhat apprehensive. She knew these banquets were important venues for the socializing of the powerful, but she didn't want to become overly embroiled in these complex social interactions. However, she also understood that appropriate participation might be helpful to her overseas trade plans, so she carefully selected the banquets she would attend.

At banquets, Si Qing always became the center of attention. She wore simple yet elegant clothes and didn't dress up deliberately, but her temperament was like the brightest star in the night sky, attracting everyone's attention.

At a palace banquet, the hall was resplendent with gold and jade, crystal chandeliers shimmered with dazzling light, and the nobles wore gorgeous gowns and precious jewels. When Si Qing walked into the hall, the originally noisy scene suddenly quieted down, and everyone's eyes were cast on her.

Si Qing nodded slightly, saluted everyone, and then calmly walked to her seat. At the banquet, nobles came to talk to her one after another. A young nobleman exclaimed, "Miss Si Qing, your story of subduing the bully is truly amazing. I always thought such things only existed in legends, but I didn't expect you to actually do it."

Si Qing smiled and replied, "That was just my instinctive reaction when I saw the people suffering. I believe anyone would stand up in that situation."

Her humility and sincerity earned her even greater admiration from the nobles. During the banquet's performance, Si Qing also showcased her talents. She played a beautiful guqin piece, the melodious sound resonating throughout the hall, transporting everyone to a tranquil and beautiful world. Everyone present was captivated by her talent and showered her with praise.

Si Qing's reputation also attracted the attention of many businessmen. They saw the business opportunities behind Si Qing and hoped to cooperate with her.

A wealthy silk merchant approached Si Qing and said, "Miss Si Qing, your fame is at its peak. We could collaborate to create a silk product featuring you. For example, we could embroider a pattern of you subduing a bully, or even a portrait of you. I'm sure it would be a huge hit."

Another spice merchant suggested, "We could create a fragrance called 'The Fragrance of Love' and promote it as a symbol of justice and courage. With your reputation, this fragrance will surely find a home."

Even some foreign merchants have shown interest in Si Qing. One businessman from a distant country told Si Qing through an interpreter, "In our country, people also value justice and bravery. If you can work with us and spread your story to our country, our products will surely sell well."

Si Qing carefully considered these business partnership proposals. She realized they presented a valuable opportunity to promote herself and her family, but she also didn't want to overly commercialize her image and jeopardize her reputation. She decided to approach business partnerships with caution, choosing projects that aligned with her values.

Si Qing's name has become a legend, passed down from mouth to mouth. Children imitate Si Qing subduing bullies during playtime, idolizing her. In school, teachers use Si Qing's story to teach students to be brave and just.

Her story was adapted into a play, performed in theaters across the country. Actors on stage vividly portrayed Si Qing's deeds, and every performance was packed. While watching the play, the audience sometimes worried about Si Qing's dangerous predicament, and sometimes cheered for her victory.

Among the people, there are also some magical legends about Si Qing. Some say that Si Qing is a messenger sent by heaven to save the people and that she possesses magical powers; others say that Si Qing's wisdom is bestowed by the gods, which is why she can come up with such ingenious methods to subdue bullies. Although these legends are absurd, they reflect the people's admiration for Si Qing.

However, when Si Qing became famous and highly praised, some people became jealous of her. These jealous people watched Si Qing in the dark and tried to find opportunities to discredit her.

In the aristocratic world, there was a young lady who always held herself in high esteem. She was once the center of attention, but since the appearance of Si Qing, her limelight has been completely stolen. Jealous, she spread rumors behind her back: "Hmph, that Si Qing, who knows if she has some ulterior motive. Maybe she's in cahoots with those bullies, deliberately staging this drama to gain fame."

Some businessmen whose businesses were influenced by Si Qing also joined the ranks of those who slandered her. They secretly hired people to spread negative news about Si Qing in the market: "Don't be fooled by her. She is colluding with the powerful and has no interest in the people."

These rumors began to spread in some corners, but most people did not believe them. They had deep trust in Si Qing, but as the rumors continued to spread, they still brought some trouble to Si Qing.

Si Qing quickly became aware of these rumors and slander, but she was not affected by these negative messages. She knew that in this world, there would always be some people who did immoral things out of jealousy.

She remains humble and kind, and continues to participate in socially beneficial activities. At a charity event, Si Qing personally distributed food and clothing to underprivileged children. She also provides support to families who have lost loved ones, helping them get back on their feet.

Faced with those rumors, Si Qing chose not to remain silent. She said in a public event, "I know there have been some false statements about me recently, but I don't care. I only do what I believe is right. My original intention is to help the people and protect justice. I believe that the truth will eventually come to light."

Her words won more support and trust from people, and those who were originally skeptical of the rumors began to side with Si Qing. The jealous people, seeing that their plot had failed and Si Qing was even more popular, became even more resentful, but they no longer dared to slander Si Qing easily.

Under the spotlight from all sides, Si Qing faces unprecedented opportunities and challenges. Her fame has opened many new doors for her, providing her with more development opportunities in social, business and cultural fields.

Socially, she made the acquaintance of more powerful and influential people, which provided strong support for her development in the local area. Through these connections, she could better understand the local political and economic situation and obtain more information for her overseas trade plans.

In the business world, her partnerships with numerous merchants allowed her to continuously increase her wealth. She could use this capital to expand her trade and purchase more and better goods. At the same time, she could also promote her family's products to a wider market through business partnerships.

However, as her fame grows, she also needs to be more careful about her words and actions. Any small mistake could be magnified and have a negative impact on her. Moreover, she also has to deal with complex interpersonal relationships and conflicts of interest, which is a huge test of her wisdom and emotional intelligence.

Si Qing knows that her reputation is not only an honor, but also a responsibility and mission. Her every move may affect countless people, so she must act more cautiously.

In response to various invitations and collaborations, she always put the interests of the people first. She rejected projects that might harm them, even if they could bring her immense wealth. She knew she had earned her reputation by protecting the people, and if she betrayed them for personal gain, she would lose everything.

In her social activities, she actively advocates for the values ​​of justice, fairness, and kindness. She hopes to use her influence to draw more people's attention to social issues and contribute to improving the social environment. Like a beacon, she illuminates the world around her with her own light, guiding people towards a better future, while also spreading her fame.

Si Qing began to think about how to better integrate her fame with overseas trade, and she realized that her legendary story could become an important element of the family trading brand.

During negotiations with foreign businessmen, she told her story to help them get to know her and her family better. They were impressed by Si Qing's courage and wisdom, and believed that doing business with such a family with a strong sense of justice was more reliable.

Si Qing also leveraged her fame to promote her family's products in overseas markets. She held trade shows in various foreign cities, using her story as a platform to promote her family's products. The shows showcased exquisite silks, ceramics, spices, and other products, while also featuring stories of Si Qing subduing bullies. This unique promotional method attracted significant international attention, and sales of her family's products in overseas markets gradually increased.

As Si Qing's fame spread, it also promoted exchanges between different cultures. In the process of telling his own story, Si Qing also introduced his family's culture and the customs of his hometown.

Foreign businesspeople have developed a keen interest in the culture of Siqing's hometown, and have begun to learn about its traditional festivals, customs, and art forms. Inspired by Siqing's story, some international artists have created Siqing-themed paintings, sculptures, and other works of art. These works, incorporating elements of local culture and Siqing's hometown, have become a new highlight of cultural exchange.

At the same time, Si Qing also absorbed nourishment from foreign cultures. In her interactions with foreign merchants and nobles, she learned about their etiquette, art, and business culture. This mutual learning and exchange of cultures broadened Si Qing's horizons and provided her with more ideas for her overseas trade plans and future development.

When faced with the complex situation brought about by the attention of all parties, Si Qing demonstrated extraordinary wisdom and strategy.

When interacting with the powerful, she maintained a proper distance, neither distant nor flattering. She respected their status, but also adhered to her principles. At banquets, she skillfully navigated various political topics, avoiding unnecessary involvement in power struggles.

In business partnerships, she carefully scrutinizes every contract clause to prevent being exploited or trapped. She established her own business team, letting professionals handle business matters while she manages the overall direction.

She adopted a strategy of using gentleness to overcome hardness in response to those who envied her and slandered her. She used her actions to prove her innocence, while avoiding direct confrontation to avoid further complicating the situation. She knew that time would prove everything, and as long as she stood up for what was right, the rumors would eventually dispel themselves.

Despite the numerous attention, opportunities, challenges, and complex situations that come with fame, Si Qing has not forgotten her original aspirations and dreams. Her goal remains to complete her overseas trade journey, open up a new path for her family, and bring justice and hope to more people.

She continues her journey, bearing both her fame and her responsibility. Every time she reaches a new place, her story spreads, opening up new avenues for her. But she knows this is just the beginning; there are still more unknowns to explore and more difficulties to overcome.

On the sailing ship, Si Qing looked at the distant sea, his heart full of expectation and determination for the future.