Rebirth: Making a Fortune in Ancient Times

Even in these unstable times, people can't resist their gossip. Suddenly, the wealthy lady who had just arrived in the city became the center of everyone's conversation.

Some were amazed by her audacity, daring to act so arrogantly in such chaotic times. Others were astonished by her wealth; it was said that when she entered the city, her maid casually tossed out silver ingots worth dozens of taels as a reward. They also heard that the innkeeper's waiter said he received a few gold leaves as a reward simply for carrying two buckets of hot water for the nobleman. Furthermore, it was rumored that the nobleman praised the pastries made in the inn's kitchen, and the cook received a silver ingot as a reward. The cook wouldn't say the exact value of the ingot, but everyone guessed it was at least ten taels.

Hearing the various stories circulating in the inn about the wealthy patrons casually scattering money, many people wished they could be in their place, hoping to be one of the waiters or cooks. That way, the tips from those generous patrons would be enough to feed their families for years.

Thus, a strange phenomenon appeared in Dingcheng. A large number of hangers-on began to loiter outside the inn where the noblewoman was staying. Businesses in the city had been slow lately, and hangers-on were rarely seen on the streets. Her arrival brought a breath of fresh air to this somewhat stagnant city. Like an ink painting suddenly gaining its own color, countless hangers-on emerged again, bustling about the city, busy making a living for their families.

Mei'er is now living a very prosperous and glamorous life by Mr. Hua's side, and everyone calls her Madam Mei. Many wealthy families in the city are eager to curry favor with her, hoping to speak with Mr. Hua through her and thus get on the good side of Prince Ding'an. Prince Ding'an's 100,000-strong army is currently stationed in Dingcheng, where he is practically the local tyrant. For the safety of their families, many people are racking their brains to ingratiate themselves with him.

But Prince Ding'an was a man who valued his life highly. Ever since that incident, he rarely left his residence, and even when he did, he was always surrounded by a large group of guards, and no one could get close. Now, Mr. Hua, whom Prince Ding'an trusted most, had suddenly taken a beautiful concubine and doted on her. Those who wanted to curry favor with Prince Ding'an swarmed around Mei'er like flies to a rotten egg, hoping she would put in a good word for them with Mr. Hua.

That day, Mei'er went to Cuihua Tower to look at jewelry at the invitation of Madam Lu, the wife of the garrison commander of Yuanding City. However, after the two got out of the carriage at the entrance of Cuihua Tower, they were stopped by two pretty maids.

"My wife is shopping for jewelry here. Cuihua Restaurant is closed to the public today, so you may go back now."

Mei'er was furious when she heard her words. She hadn't expected that even now, there were still doors in Dingcheng that she couldn't enter. Just as she was about to explode, she saw the manager of Cuihua Tower running towards her.

A fawning yet awkward smile graced his face.

"This humble servant greets the two ladies," he said, rubbing his hands awkwardly. He turned to look at the shop, then at the two maids standing like guardian deities at the entrance. Although he really didn't want to speak, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and open his mouth.

"Ladies, I'm unavailable to serve you today because of some business at my shop. How about I have some newly made jewelry delivered to your residence for you to choose from?"

"Bring out all the newly made jewelry designs so I can see them!"

Before the two people blocked at the shop entrance could speak, a gentle female voice came from inside the shop.

The shopkeeper gave a bitter smile, thinking, "My goodness, please don't add fuel to the fire." He glanced back at the two ladies at the door; their expressions were indeed even darker. The shopkeeper's heart trembled. These were people he couldn't afford to offend; neither of them was someone he could afford to provoke!

Madam Lu's expression was also unpleasant, but she was the one who invited Madam Mei out to look at jewelry today. If this matter wasn't handled properly, her family would inevitably suffer as well. Although she, as the principal wife, looked down on Madam Mei, the concubine, deep down, the man Madam Mei served was capable, and the Prince trusted him. If she wanted to live peacefully in Dingcheng in the future, she would have to cultivate a good relationship with Madam Mei; otherwise, Madam Mei's whispers in Mr. Hua's ear would be enough to make her family miserable!

"Shopkeeper, who is talking inside? Dingcheng is so small, everyone probably knows each other." Madam Lu suppressed her anger and tried to keep her voice calm.

"Yes Yes…"

"Do you think you can inquire about my wife's affairs? I advise you to leave quickly and not disturb my wife's jewelry selection."

Before the shopkeeper could even stammer out a word, the pretty maidservant guarding the door spoke up with an arrogant air.

"You...you...whose maid are you? How dare you be so rude? Do you know who I am?" Madam Lu was so angry that she was trembling all over, and her hand pointing at the maid was shaking uncontrollably.

"How would I know who you are? You don't even know who you are. And you come to ask me? It's laughable." The maid who had spoken earlier continued to provoke her, seemingly unafraid of death.

"How dare you! I am the wife of the garrison commander. How dare you, a mere maid, insult me ​​like this? Guards, seize her!" Madam Lu felt like she was about to faint from anger. She didn't care who the person inside was or whether she could afford to offend them. She shouted and tried to arrest the annoying maid.

"Wait...!" Suddenly, a gentle yet authoritative voice came from inside the shop. Then, everyone saw a woman wearing a veil walk out. Her face and figure were not clearly visible because the veil on the veil was so long that it completely enveloped her.

Although she couldn't see her attire clearly, Madam Lu gasped at the sight of the light veil on her hat. She recognized the veil; it was called Moonlit Veil. This Moonlit Veil wasn't just expensive; it was something that even money couldn't guarantee you could buy. At first glance, the veil appeared moon-white, but it displayed strange colors under different lighting, shimmering and reflecting the moonlight, hence its name, Moonlit Veil.

She only had a handkerchief made of moon-white gauze, which her mother had painstakingly obtained through countless connections when she got married. It was specially included in her dowry to enhance her image. Now, the woman opposite her used so much moon-white gauze on just one hat? What was her true identity? For a moment, Madam Lu wanted to turn and leave, but a glance at Madam Mei's face, as black as the bottom of a pot, gave her some confidence.

The woman glanced at the two people blocking the doorway and said in a very insincere tone.

"My maid is rather blunt, so please don't mind. Feel free to choose whatever you like; consider it a gift from me to you ladies as an apology to this maid."

"May I ask how you are addressed, madam? My husband is the garrison commander here, surnamed Lu. This is Mrs. Mei, the wife of Mr. Hua."

“Madam Mei…” The lady in the hat turned her gaze to Mei’er’s face and murmured softly. She smiled and said…

"I heard that Mr. Hua is over fifty years old. I didn't expect his wife to be so young and beautiful? Is Mrs. Mei his second wife?"

These words were incredibly rude, and Mei'er's face turned deathly pale with anger, her chest heaving rapidly. Everyone here fawned over her, yet this woman dared to speak to her so disrespectfully.

The scene became somewhat awkward, and no one dared to answer the lady's question. Everyone in Dingcheng knew that the so-called 'Madam Mei' was merely Mr. Hua's concubine. Only because the first wife wasn't present, and because Mr. Hua favored her, did everyone respectfully address her as 'Madam'; otherwise, she would be nothing more than a lowly concubine. Now, this lady dared to speak out in public, and while those around her were astonished by her audacity, they also felt a chill for her sake.