Rebirth: Making a Fortune in Ancient Times

Upon hearing Consort Lu's words, Madam Wang's eyes flickered, and she smiled in agreement.

“My sister is right. A prince who is destined for great things should not be bogged down in details.” After saying this, he looked at the shopkeeper who had been standing bowing to the side and gave him instructions.

"Bring out a few more sets of jewelry for Her Highness to choose from, and put them on my tab."

"Sister, you're right. You've given me so many things lately, and today I have a gift for you."

After speaking, he glanced at the shopkeeper, who understood and turned to leave. However, he quickly returned carrying a brocade box that was one foot tall and five inches wide. He carefully placed the box on the table and prepared to open it.

"Hey, wait a minute." Consort Lu suddenly spoke up, stopping his actions.

"You can go out first, let me talk to my sister."

"Yes"

After the shopkeeper left, Madam Wang glanced at the brocade box on the table and asked in confusion.

"Little sister, what's wrong?"

"Sister, why don't you open it yourself and see if you like it?"

Lady Wang didn't understand what she was doing, but she still reached out to open the brocade box.

When the lid of the brocade box was opened and the contents were revealed, Madam Wang's eyes instantly welled up with tears. Inside was a statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, carved from a single piece of mutton-fat jade. The jade was plump and warm, radiating a lustrous, almost translucent quality. The Guanyin's face was full, her eyes lowered as she gazed at the infant in her arms, a slight smile playing on her lips, embodying a compassionate and benevolent spirit.

The jade carvings are all exceptional; it's clear that a lot of thought and effort went into them.

Seeing that Lady Wang's eyes were brimming with tears, Consort Lu reached out and took her hand.

“Sister, although you don’t say it, I understand your suffering. This Guanyin statue was specially brought back by the prince and me. I heard it was consecrated in front of the Buddha and is especially efficacious.”

Madam Wang tilted her head back and wiped her eyes, proudly refusing to let a tear fall.

"Little sister, thank you so much. I will remember your friendship with the prince. If you or the prince have any difficulties, just tell me, and I will help you if I can!"

Hearing her words, Consort Lu's eyes crinkled with laughter.

"I've remembered what you said, sister. When I come to you for help, please don't bother me!"

The two chatted and laughed, yet each harbored their own thoughts. Finally, at Madam Wang's insistence, Consort Lu chose two more sets of jewelry and left happily.

After watching Consort Lu's carriage disappear into the distance at Cuihua Tower, Lady Wang returned to her inn with her maid.

Da Niu fiddled with the money box Xia Yu had given her, looking at her with a hint of resentment.

"Miss, the heavy boxes are almost empty. Shouldn't we wrap this up now?"

This was the first time Xia Yu had seen Da Niu so distressed about the money. Although she found it somewhat amusing, she knew Da Niu was worried about the money on her behalf, so she tried to comfort her.

"It'll be soon, it'll be soon. We're just waiting for news from the capital, aren't we? Let's wait a few more days. Besides, didn't we receive a great gift today? That Guanyin statue that grants children isn't cheap; we'll give it to you as part of your dowry when you get married."

When Da Niu heard Xia Yu talking about marriage, she blushed, a rare occurrence for her, and muttered...

“Miss, I will not get married. I will follow you and serve you for the rest of my life. With my appetite, no matter which family I marry into, they will complain that I eat too much and I will go hungry. It is better to stay by your side.”

"Big Sister, you're not just trying to serve the young lady, you're determined to live off her for the rest of your life, aren't you?"

Nineteen, who had just entered the room, laughed and teased Da Niu when she heard her words.

"You little brat, you've gone bad too! Now that your own sister is here, you don't even respect me anymore. How dare you talk about me like that!" Da Niu was so angry when she heard her say that she was about to pinch her face.

"Good sister, I was wrong, please forgive me..." The two of them laughed and joked in front of Xia Yu. Xia Yu was happy to see them like this; things here were finally coming to an end. She could finally go home.

A few days later, the Prince of Ding'an finally couldn't hold back any longer and personally asked Lady Wang to lend him some money.

Upon hearing Zhou Ji's request, Madam Wang did not immediately agree. Instead, she remained silent for a long time, seemingly hesitating, before finally asking.

"How much silver does Your Highness require?"

Zhou Ji had been observing her expression. If she had agreed immediately, he would have been suspicious. After all, the cost of a war was considerable. Seeing her struggle now, Zhou Ji's suspicions lessened somewhat.

"One million taels," Zhou Ji said, estimating the other party's financial resources.

"One million taels?" Madam Wang couldn't help but raise her voice when she heard his outrageous demand.

Seeing her so distraught, Zhou Ji unconsciously frowned. A merchant is a merchant; there's a difference between her and a girl raised in a wealthy or official family.

Realizing she had lost her composure, Madam Wang quickly rose to apologize.

"This humble woman has lost her composure; please forgive me, Your Highness!"

"Madam, there's no need for apology. It was my rudeness," Zhou Ji said gently, then turned to Madam Wang with a pained expression.

“Madam, the imperial court is currently in disarray. As a descendant of the Zhou family, it is my duty to uphold the Zhou dynasty’s rule. However, I am currently facing difficulties, and I hope that you, Madam, will generously rescue me from this perilous situation. I will never forget your great kindness today.” After saying this, Zhou Ji stood up and bowed deeply to Madam Wang.

Seeing his reaction, Madam Wang was so frightened that she jumped up from her chair and avoided his advances.

"Your Highness, you are too kind to me. However, one million taels is simply too much. I cannot make the decision on my own. I must discuss it with my family first."

“Madam, this silver is a loan from me. I will repay you with interest once the matter is settled,” Zhou Ji quickly assured her.

"Your Highness is joking. How could our Wang family possibly charge your interest? It's just that this one million taels is indeed beyond my expectations. I will send a messenger to Jinling shortly to explain the matter to my family."

"Madam, I believe it would be better to send this letter to the Xie family rather than the Wang family!"

"Hmm?" Madam Wang didn't understand.

"I've heard that there seems to be some hidden reason behind the Lady's trip, so..." You yourself are not even firmly established in the royal family, how can you persuade your family members to help me?

Hearing him say that, Madam Wang felt embarrassed and her face flushed with shame and indignation, and her eyes also reddened.

Zhou Ji turned around and saw her angry expression, and was momentarily stunned, staring blankly. Madam Wang, seeing her staring at her so brazenly, felt even more ashamed and indignant. But unable to reprimand her, she could only flick her sleeves, get up, and leave the flower hall, riding away in her carriage with her maids.

Mr. Hua, who had been keeping an eye on things, heard that Madam Wang had already left by carriage, so he hurried over to inquire about the outcome of the matter.

As a result, when he entered the flower hall, he saw Zhou Ji staring blankly at one spot.

"Your Highness, is everything settled? Has she agreed?"

"Huh?" Zhou Ji turned around and looked at Mr. Hua with some confusion, not quite understanding what he meant by the question.