Qian Tong, true to her name, was the daughter of a wealthy merchant from Yangzhou. At her one-month-old celebration feast, a fortune-teller predicted her destiny:
—This girl is destined for either great wealth or exalted status.
Qian Tong didn’t believe it. As the saying goes: “Wealth never survives three generations; poverty never lasts beyond five.” The Qian family had reached its third generation with her. Upon learning her family intended to marry her off to the Prefect’s youngest son with a literal “gold mountain” as her dowry, Qian Tong decisively refused. She went to the docks herself, scouted out the shabbiest-looking young master she could find, and bagged his head with a sack.
Believing in being prepared for danger in times of peace, she planned to sacrifice herself by marrying a pauper, thereby dampening public resentment towards the rich.
—
Song Yunzhi, the only son of the current Emperor’s elder sister (the Grand Princess), memorized the Three Character Classic at three, could compose poetry at ten, and went to the battlefield to kill enemies at sixteen. A prodigy celebrated for both literary and military prowess from a young age, he felt he had reached the pinnacle of life. After toiling day and night for the Emperor for four years, he was given a mission: investigate the audacious wealthy merchants of Yangzhou incognito.
No sooner had he arrived in Yangzhou, than a sack was thrown over his head. When he saw daylight again, a young woman emerged from a golden glow, squinted at him with a smile, and asked, “Young Master, how about I guarantee you a lifetime of glory and riches?”
The first time Song Yunzhi saw Qian Tong, he sneered inwardly, “You’re exactly the one I’m here to investigate!”
The second time he saw Qian Tong: “Extravagant and unscrupulous, a typical cunning merchant. Investigate thoroughly!”
One month later: He gradually began to question his life.
Six months later: “Qian Tong, where’s my belt…”
On their wedding night, Song Yunzhi sat until midnight amidst a pile of gold. Finally, he picked up his brush and wrote a letter to the Emperor: “The situation is complex. To uncover the truth, your nephew has decided to settle here for now and will not be returning to the court.”
(Credit : Null Translation)
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