Perhaps it was truly a good omen from the lamp’s flame – their journey to the capital went exceptionally smoothly.

By the time Lu Tong and her companion arrived in Sheng Jing, a month had already passed.

Yin Zheng handed their entry documents to the city guard, then followed Lu Tong through the city gates. As soon as they reached the street, she was captivated by the capital’s prosperity, softly sighing: “This truly is Sheng Jing!”

Passing through the inner city gate, the scene before them suddenly became lively. Large and small restaurants were everywhere, with teahouses visible at every turn. Women in red silk dresses were selling peach blossoms, their fragrance permeating the air. The whole city bustled with noise and shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. Under the lanterns hanging from the restaurants, delicate pearl curtains sparkled with crystalline light in the sunlight.

The weather was fine, the clouds had cleared, the streets were prosperous, and the population was flourishing – it was truly a mesmerizing display of wealth.

While Yin Zheng was still marveling, Lu Tong had already withdrawn her gaze, saying: “Let’s find an inn to stay first.”

In the capital where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold, room rates naturally rose with the tide. The two found a relatively clean small inn to stay in. Yin Zheng went to inquire about meals at the inn while Lu Tong went downstairs first.

The inn was located in the western part of the city, some distance from the most prosperous South Street, so the room rates weren’t too expensive. Most guests staying at this inn were traveling merchants doing business in Sheng Jing.

Lu Tong walked to the front counter where the innkeeper, a middle-aged man wearing a brown straight robe, was busy with his abacus when he suddenly heard someone ask: “Innkeeper, are there any places nearby that sell porcelain?”

The innkeeper looked up to see a young lady standing before him.

Women in Sheng Jing were typically tall and radiant, but the young lady before him was much more petite. She had an oval face, bright black eyes, and extraordinarily fair skin. She was very thin, appearing frail and delicate, wearing a white silk dress that was quite plain. Her black hair was braided diagonally, with only a frost-white silk flower pinned at her temple. Standing there, she was like a lotus emerging from water, graceful and beautiful.

Such a beauty was like a jade person nurtured in mountains and clear waters, exquisite and translucent.

The innkeeper smiled and said: “Miss isn’t a local, right? You look like you’re from Southern Su?”

Lu Tong neither confirmed nor denied, only smiling as she said: “I’ve heard the Ke family’s porcelain in Sheng Jing is excellent. Innkeeper, do you know where one needs to go to buy Ke family porcelain?”

As soon as these words were spoken before the innkeeper could answer, a guest eating in the main hall behind them called out: “The Ke family? What’s so good about Ke family porcelain? They just got lucky, happened to catch the right moment, that’s all!”

Lu Tong turned around to see the speaker was a man dressed as a merchant. She paused, then asked: “Brother, what do you mean by that?”

Hearing himself addressed as “Brother,” the merchant was willing to explain: “Previously when the Ke family sold porcelain in the capital, nothing was outstanding about their craftsmanship, their reputation was ordinary. But a year ago, somehow they got lucky when servants from Grand Tutor Qi’s mansion came to buy cups and dishes for the old madam’s birthday celebration. Madam Qi’s birthday celebration was grand, and the Ke family’s reputation rose along with it. Since then, many official households in the capital have been buying porcelain from the Ke family, and their name became well-known.”

At this point, the merchant took a sip of his crude tea and continued angrily: “These days, the Ke family has practically monopolized the porcelain business in Sheng Jing, not leaving even a bowl of porridge for others. Now in the capital, those in the porcelain business only know of the Ke family, who else has any share?”

Perhaps this merchant was also one of those left without porridge due to the Ke family’s influence. Seeing Lu Tong’s contemplative expression, the merchant advised further: “Sister, don’t bother going to buy porcelain from the Ke family. Now they only sell to official households, they look down on small business – why seek disappointment?”

Lu Tong’s tone remained gentle, but the smile in her eyes faded as she said softly: “After hearing my brother’s words, I’m even more curious. I want to see what kind of exquisite porcelain could move the Grand Tutor’s mansion, which is accustomed to fine things.”

“If Miss truly wants to visit the Ke family, it’s not difficult,” the friendly innkeeper smiled and gave directions to Lu Tong, “The Ke family is in the south of the city. Follow this street straight ahead until you see the Falling Moon Bridge. Just follow the bridge, and at its end, there’s a Fengle Tower. Below it there’s an alley, go through the alley, and you’ll see the Ke family mansion.”

Lu Tong thanked the innkeeper and the merchant before returning upstairs. Upon entering the room, Yin Zheng had already set out the meal and urged: “Miss, please eat first.”

Lu Tong sat down at the table and picked up her chopsticks along with Yin Zheng. Yin Zheng tentatively began: “Miss, I just heard you asking about the Ke family’s residence downstairs…”

Lu Tong said: “Let’s eat first. After the meal, I need to make a trip to the Ke family.”

According to the merchant, the Ke family’s fortune changed a year ago – the same time Lu Rou passed away.

It was truly difficult not to think more about this connection.

…

South Street was much more lively than the western city.

On Falling Moon Bridge, people flowed like silk, and the river wind passing through the city carried the fragrance of powder and rouge. Many ox-horn lanterns were tied under the bridge railings. It was said that on clear nights, the lanterns glowed like fireflies, and when the silver new moon fell beneath the bridge, moonlight filled the entire city.

Passing through the small alley below Fengle Tower, at its end stood a tall entrance gate. The door plaque read “Ke Residence” – this was the Ke family’s newly purchased mansion.

It was exactly noon and a servant in blue was dozing by the main gate. Although the Ke family was wealthy, the masters were strict and stingy with their servants. With few gatekeepers, those who worked at night still had to work during the day, inevitably becoming negligent.

Just as he was nodding off, he suddenly heard someone speaking before him: “Young man, is your household’s young master Master Ke Chengxing?”

The gatekeeper startled awake to see two young ladies standing before him, one wearing a veil.

He said: “Yes, you…”

“My lady is the former madam’s cousin from her maiden family. We request to see your household’s Old Madam Ke.”

…

In the Ke family garden, the peonies were in full bloom.

Old Madam Ke disliked simplicity. As a businesswoman, she always preferred vibrant liveliness. After buying this residence, she had the few clusters of green bamboo from the original residence dug up, then filled in the small pond, renovating it into a flower garden. The garden bloomed year-round, a profusion of brocaded flowers.

At this moment in the main hall, Old Madam Ke was sitting on a long couch watching a maid embroider a fan’s face. On the table were some honey orange cakes and boiled chestnuts, which she would occasionally pick up to eat while complaining that today’s pastries were too bland.

The gatekeeper came in and said quietly: “Old Madam, there are people outside requesting to see you, saying they’re cousins from the former madam’s maiden family…”

Old Madam Ke’s expression changed, her voice involuntarily becoming shrill: “Whose cousin?”

The gatekeeper shrank back: “The former madam’s…”

Old Madam Ke’s brows furrowed: “Isn’t the Lu family all dead? When did we hear about any cousins from her maiden family?”

The nanny at her side said: “They must be some distant poor relatives who don’t know about the Lu family’s situation, coming to ask for handouts.”

Old Madam Ke thought for a moment and instructed the gatekeeper: “No need to bother with them, just send them away.”

The gatekeeper accepted the order and left, but shortly returned.

Old Madam Ke said impatiently: “They haven’t left?”

“No…” the gatekeeper seemed troubled, “The visitor said she was close to the former madam’s family, and hearing that the Lu family had fallen, she came to retrieve the former madam’s dowry…”

“Dowry?” Old Madam Ke’s face immediately turned ugly, “What ignorant poor relative is this, dowry? What dowry did she Lu have!”

The gatekeeper swallowed and carefully spoke: “The person said that if she couldn’t see Old Madam, she would sit on a stool outside the door and ask all the neighbors. Old Madam, with people coming and going, if word spreads it might not sound good…”

Old Madam Ke’s face turned iron grey. After a long while, she squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth: “Tell her to come in!”