The Emperor's heart is won, she sits on the Phoenix Throne! The Divine Physician's Eldest

As darkness deepened, maggots proliferated.

As the sky begins to lighten with the first hint of dawn, maggots frantically burrow into their dark nests.

As the first rays of sunlight streamed into the room, Song Siyao slowly opened her eyes.

Another new day.

"Miss, what are your plans for today?" Yu Xiang asked as she helped Song Siyao get out of bed.

"To make money," Song Siyao answered without hesitation.

Yu Xiang asked curiously, "Miss, are you short of money?"

“Not bad.” Song Siyao said lazily, “I’m bored, so I’m looking for something to do to earn money and pass the time.”

“Miss, earning money is very difficult. Even if you do nothing all your life, the money in the manor is enough for you to live on for several lifetimes.” Yu Xiang was telling the truth.

"Yu Xiang, do you know the easiest way to make money?" Song Siyao asked with a smile.

"This slave doesn't know."

“It’s about making money from money,” Song Siyao said.

"Miss, are you planning to lend money at exorbitant interest rates?" Yu Xiang asked nervously, as that was illegal.

"I want to be a legitimate businesswoman, and I won't do anything illegal or disorderly." Song Siyao finished dressing and sat down in a chair, letting Yu Xiang comb her hair.

Upon hearing this, Yu Xiang's expression relaxed. "So, Miss, you want to open a money exchange?"

"No, Yu Xiang, do you want to make money?" Song Siyao asked.

"I want to, but I don't know how. I used to just look at the account books sent up from the estates and shops. I really don't know how the money is generated." Yu Xiang said somewhat embarrassedly.

"That's great. You don't need to figure out how to make money. That's my job. You just need to know how to read the books."

Song Siyao said, "After you've combed your hair and finished eating, I'll take you out for a walk."

"Yes, Miss." Yu Xiang's face was full of joy.

After breakfast, Song Siyao took Yu Xiang and went out. They didn't take a carriage, but strolled slowly down the street.

As the hour of Wei (1-3 PM) approached, Song Siyao was still empty-handed.

“Miss, we’ve been shopping for over two hours, walking through ten streets, and you haven’t bought a single thing.” Yu Xiang said, looking puzzled.

“We didn’t come out to shop today.” Song Siyao stood there, staring at the intersection ahead.

"What is that for?" Yu Xiang asked.

“Market research.” Song Si smiled. “For Yu Xiang, I’ve found a suitable location for the shop.”

"Where?" Yu Xiang didn't understand what Song Siyao meant by market research.

“There.” Song Siyao pointed to the intersection. “Look, that’s a crossroads. There’s Qingyun Academy on North Street, a clinic on South Street, wealthy and noble residents on East Street, and the busiest market on West Street, where there are the most customers.”

“Miss, but there are no vacant shops there,” Yu Xiang said.

“Let’s talk to him,” Song Siyao said as she walked toward the shop. “Do you see that incense shop? So many people are coming and going, but not a single one of them is looking into the shop. The owner is sitting there, looking worried and staring blankly at the passersby. Let’s go talk to him and buy his shop.”

"What if he doesn't sell?" Yu Xiang asked.

"How will we know if we don't try?" As Song Siyao finished speaking, the two of them had already arrived in front of the incense shop.

"Miss, what kind of incense would you like to buy?" The shop owner, who had been open for a day, finally received his first customer and his face was full of smiles.

“All of them,” Song Siyao said.

"All of them?" The boss was so shocked that his jaw dropped, his mouth agape wide enough to fit an egg.

……

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the boss handed the contract to Song Siyao with both hands, his smile even brighter than when he first saw her.

"Miss, from now on this shop is yours. I wish you great success in your business."

"Thank you."

Now, it was Yu Xiang's turn to be surprised.

"Miss, pinch me, am I dreaming?"

"Silly girl, this isn't a dream, it's real," Song Siyao said with a smile.

"Miss, if you were to become a lawyer, you'd probably win every case," Yu Xiang said with admiration.

Song Siyao smiled and said, "Let's close the shop first, and we'll clean it up later."

She wanted to renovate the shop according to her own style.

After locking up the shop, the two headed back.

"Miss, look, it's quite lively up ahead, would you like to go and take a look?"

When they passed by the entrance of Qingyun Academy, they saw that the entrance was crowded with people.

Sure enough, it's human nature to like joining in the fun.

“Okay.” Song Siyao moved over and heard people talking inside.

"This is a painting competition founded by the academy. Everyone is welcome to sign up and participate."

"The winner of the competition will receive an original painting by the master painter Rongyin, and the academy's top painter will take him as his last disciple."

"The one who came in second place..."

Before the rewards for the next few places could be announced, someone nearby shouted them out.

"I want to sign up!"

"I want to sign up too!"

"That's Master Rongyin, the painting god who is famous throughout the land. To be able to see his original work, I have no regrets in this life."

"Being the last disciple of the academy's top painter would be quite good."

"No, no, no, I want to own the original work of the master painter! I want to win it back and make it a family heirloom!"

"Haha! You'll have to win first!"

……

The number of participants was countless, and the discussions were like waves, one higher than the next.

"Miss, why don't you go and register too?" Yu Xiang said to Song Siyao.