Chapter 1: My Name is Bao Mianmian

During the Spring Equinox, the weather was mild and sunny.

Carrying all her worldly possessions on her back, Bao Mianmian strode purposefully down the bustling main streets of Fuyang City.

You know, why is being a person so difficult?

She had endured nine years of compulsory education and three endless, dark years of high school, only to fail to get into university.

Gritting her teeth, she endured it; wanting to learn a specialized skill, she applied to the New North Culinary Arts Academy.

After finally fighting her way through two years of meat, poultry, fish, salt, acid, bitterness, and spice, she graduated with the excellent grades of a top student.

On graduation day, Bao Mianmian stood on the playground, holding her certificate high, wanting to shout at the top of her lungs

"I am going to make something of myself!"

As it turned out, a sudden bolt of thunder struck right on target, and she honorably transmigrated.

It didn't matter that she transmigrated to ancient times.

It didn't matter that she transmigrated to a place she had never even heard of.

It didn't even matter that she transmigrated into a fifteen-year-old orphan with no father or mother.

With tears streaming down her face like wide noodles, Bao Mianmian thought very clearly.

As long as there are people, there will be mouths to feed.

She was very glad she hadn't chosen to major in excavator operation back then.

Her specialized skill hadn't been learned in vain; she had to find a suitable job to support herself.

For a modern person to starve to death in a place filled with people in ancient costumes would be very embarrassing.

She would be failing her alma mater.

Though her body had become smaller, her culinary skills remained unchanged. As a Bao Mianmian who could cook any dish, there could only ever be one Cooking King!

The Imperial Palace—that was a place that ate people without spitting out the bones; she couldn't go there.

The brothels—she valued her chastity and stayed away from scum; she couldn't go there.

She thought for three days and three nights, running around the village to ask for information.

In summary, the nearest prefectural city to the village was Fuyang City, two hundred miles away.

Thus, ignoring the advice of her fellow villagers, she sold two small houses and half an acre of thin farmland.

With high spirits and great courage, she marched forward toward Fuyang City.

She wouldn't dwell too much on the bitter tears shed along the way. After paying the city gate tax, Bao Mianmian stepped into Fuyang City.

Very good, her decision was correct.

The prefectural city was indeed grand, indeed had many wealthy people, and indeed had prices that were frighteningly expensive.

After walking two hundred miles, Bao Mianmian discovered that the money she had on her wasn't even enough to stay at an inn.

Seeing that dusk was approaching, she nearly burst into tears.

Was this the rhythm of sleeping on the streets?

Clearly, she still had grand ambitions; Bao Mianmian was not someone who gave up so easily!

Standing in front of a restaurant that she couldn't afford even a single meal at, she put her hands on her hips and took a deep breath.

Think of a way, think of a way, think of a good way to save yourself.

Bao Mianmian spun around in a full three-hundred-and-sixty-degree circle, her gaze locking onto a pure white stallion charging toward her not far away.

Seeing that a collision was imminent, Bao Mianmian's legs went weak, and she found herself unable to move an inch.

A traffic accident is about to happen, help!

Before the three words could leave her mouth, the white horse came to a steady halt right in front of her.

On the horse's back, a handsome young man leaped down. Without even blinking, he brushed right past her.

Bao Mianmian was furious. I'm a grown person, and I was almost scared into losing my ability to speak.

You didn't say a single word! You—are your eyes growing on top of your head?!

She wanted to rush forward, grab his sleeve, and demand justice, but then she heard the young man speak.

"Everyone out. I am booking the entire place today."

Bao Mianmian picked her ear, took a large step back, and looked up.

A three-story restaurant, booked out just like that? What a rich man!

But the restaurant's business was so good; there had to be at least thirty or fifty people inside.

"This... this might not be quite appropriate."

The shopkeeper came forward, rubbing his hands to smooth things over: "How about tomorrow..."

The young man raised his right hand high, and more people arrived.

Two servants huffed and puffed as they carried in a large chest. He raised his chin arrogantly.

When the chest opened, Bao Mianmian's eyes went wide.

White and glittering—it was all silver.

With the ingots stacked neatly, Bao Mianmian couldn't help but swallow hard.

She had heard people talk about "gold masters" before, and today she was seeing a living one.

"Whoever is willing to leave will receive ten taels of silver each."

His voice wasn't loud, yet why did the eardrums of everyone present ring?

Ten taels of silver—forgetting about eating a meal here, it was enough to support a whole family for half a year.

At a time like this, anyone who didn't leave was a fool.

Bao Mianmian squatted on the ground, desperately pinching her own hands and pulling her own hair, feeling utterly regretful.

If she had known this would happen, she would have rushed in earlier to eat a bowl of the cheapest plain noodles; ten taels of silver would have fallen easily into her pocket.

How could she not have thought that someone would come to a restaurant just to scatter wealth?

With a rush, the customers from all three floors vanished at top speed.

Every single one of them had the frantic look of someone terrified that the silver might fly away on its own.

Hiding in a corner, Bao Mianmian gnashed her teeth. These people had no self-respect at all.

For ten taels of silver, they didn't even stop to think.

Why wasn't there even one person who would heroically refuse, so that she could step up and fill the vacancy?

Not even one; they all ran.

What kind of people were these?

"I will return in one hour. I expect everything to be settled; I shouldn't have to waste my breath, should I?"

The shopkeeper nodded vigorously, his head nearly hitting the ground. Bowing and scraping, he escorted this great benefactor all the way to the door.

Bao Mianmian stood up abruptly. The force was too much, and she felt dizzy, nearly collapsing to the ground.

A kind-hearted middle-aged woman nearby, who was currently stuffing silver into her bosom, gave her a steadying hand and looked at her with pity: "New to Fuyang City?"

"How did you know!"

"If you were a local, seeing Prince Cheng riding over, wouldn't you hurry into the shop and sit down? Is it easy for ten taels of silver to fall from the sky?"

"It's not easy."

"Exactly."

Bao Mianmian heard something—Prince Cheng, the name of that benefactor!

She lunged forward and grabbed the woman's arm, her eyes sparkling with a light that seemed to illuminate the woman's entire body.

"Who is Prince Cheng?"

"I knew you were from out of town if you didn't know Prince Cheng. Prince Cheng is the Emperor's nephew, and Fuyang City is his fiefdom."

"Auntie, Auntie, where does Prince Cheng live!"

"Doesn't Prince Cheng live in the Prince Cheng Mansion?"

The woman pointed toward the back, and Bao Mianmian followed her gaze.

"See that? The most grand courtyard in Fuyang City, the Prince Cheng Mansion."

What Bao Mianmian saw was silver; the entire courtyard emitted a brilliant white light.

"Auntie, your answer is too important to me."

Bao Mianmian gripped the woman's hand tightly: "Auntie, if one day I make something of myself, I will definitely treat you to a grand feast!"

"Feed yourself first. You're so thin and sallow, looking like you haven't eaten or drunk for days. You're talking nonsense."

The woman quickly pulled her hand away and walked off without looking back.

"Auntie, please remember my name! My name is Bao Mianmian! Bao as in steamed bun, Mianmian as in little lamb!"

She shouted after the woman's retreating figure, still refusing to give up.

Prince Cheng, the Prince's Mansion... Very good, that's your home.

Bao Mianmian patted the bundle on her shoulder. It was time to bring out her trump card.