Chapter 28: The First Pot of Gold

Luoyang and Jiangnan were far apart; a round trip by fast horse would take over a month.

Tang Zhao naturally could not afford to wait idly. During this month, she had written another dozen or so chapters of storybooks.

"Miss, Lady White revealed her true form and scared Xu Xian to death. What will happen to Lady White and the child in her womb?" Qiu Yu fretted deeply on Lady White's behalf.

Tang Zhao ignored her, focusing intently on drawing her bow and shooting arrows.

A few days ago, while reorganizing the storeroom, she discovered several types of weapons suitable for women among the dowry items sent back by the Ministry of Rites. After testing them one by one, Tang Zhao ultimately chose the bow and arrow.

In her previous life, to integrate into the social circles of the upper class, she had spent a fortune hiring professional archery and riding instructors. With three hours of fixed training every week, she had achieved significant results after three years.

At this moment, Tang Zhao had ordered someone to make a straw man and was practicing archery fifty meters away.

*Swish!*

The arrow embedded itself into the floor tile in front of the straw man without fail.

She lacked sufficient strength. Gu Ci, standing by the window, called for Chao Hui, and a moment later, Chao Hui delivered two miniature stone locks.

Tang Zhao:...

Tang Zhao turned around, only to see the study window wide open and empty. She rubbed her arms, which were numb from the vibration of the bowstring, and with a mournful expression, began throwing the stone locks under Chao Hui's "friendly" guidance.

Dong Mei was very happy, following behind her mistress and practicing with great vigor.

By the end of the day, Tang Zhao felt as though her arms no longer belonged to her.

Meanwhile, a letter from the Ming family in Jiangnan was delivered via fast horse to Qingmo Hall.

After reading the letter, Lady Ming felt greatly reassured. Upon returning to the Princess Consort of Xuan's manor, she brought the contract that had been sent along with the letter to Bidan Courtyard.

Tang Zhao braced her exhausted body to welcome her client.

Lady Ming had heard rumors of Tang Zhao practicing archery; Nanny Ming had even whispered many inappropriate things in her ear because of it. Seeing her haggard appearance now, Lady Ming felt that Nanny Ming's words might have held some truth.

"Why do you make things so difficult for yourself, sister-in-law?" Lady Ming advised. "The Prince's manor has nothing else in abundance but guards—every single one is a top-tier expert. Besides, your fifth brother is here; he will surely protect you."

Tang Zhao accepted the sentiment but did not follow the advice.

Seeing that she could not be persuaded, Lady Ming turned to business. "I received the letter; my father and brothers are very supportive of this matter."

Tang Zhao's spirit lifted, and her physical aches seemed to lessen. "Then it's settled. Let's sign the contract."

Tang Zhao's eyes gleamed as she stared at Lady Ming. Lady Ming chuckled, and Feng Qi presented the contract. After checking that there were no issues, Tang Zhao briskly signed her name and pressed her thumbprint.

With this, the first transaction was officially completed.

Qiu Yu reluctantly handed the completed storybook to Feng Qi; she had only read it for the eighth time.

Feng Qi almost failed to catch it.

"I will write the subsequent parts faster—at least ten chapters a month," Tang Zhao said, possessing a strong sense of contractual spirit.

"I naturally trust you, sister-in-law, but although coarse paper is cheap, the ink bleeds too much," Lady Ming recalled the instructions from her family. "It is better to use Xuan paper."

With a wave of Lady Ming's hand, another maid behind her presented a thick stack of Xuan paper.

"From now on, every month, a scribe will come to deliver manuscript paper to you. There is no need to be frugal."

Tang Zhao accepted with a smile.

"Do you prefer silver bullion or banknotes?" When the topic turned to money, the two women chatted even more harmoniously.

"Silver bullion!" Tang Zhao said decisively.

"Then I shall send someone to the silver shop to exchange it tomorrow," Lady Ming opened a chest to count. "Including the volume in my hand, that makes seventeen chapters in total, amounting to one hundred and seventy taels of silver."

Tang Zhao nodded like a chick pecking at grain.

Lady Ming rose. "I will ensure it is delivered to you before tomorrow's lunch."

Tang Zhao warmly saw her out of the courtyard. Had Lady Ming not repeatedly declined, she would have wanted to escort her all the way back to Qingmo Hall.

One must be this respectful to a "Client Daddy"!

The next day, Tang Zhao received a chest full of silver ingots exactly as scheduled.

She took a deep breath. This was the scent of money.

Perhaps Tang Zhao was exceptionally lucky today, as her annual salary, which had been overdue for a month, also arrived.

A full three hundred taels of silver.

Thank heaven, thank earth, and thank fate for granting me such wealth!

The wealthy Tang abandoned her usual stinginess and, with a grand gesture, bought over a hundred catties of peanuts and melon seeds, stir-frying them into different flavors with seasonings. Everyone in Bidan Courtyard received a large bag.

When Gu Ci touched one, *crack!* The soft peanut shell split open, revealing the plump white kernel inside.

Salty, crunchy, and a rich aroma exploded on his tongue.

*It is quite delicious,* Gu Ci thought, but then he glanced at the cloth bag at Chao Hui's waist, which was a full size larger than his own, and his mood instantly soured.

This woman doesn't even understand the principle of equality, yet she can actually write books?

It was a miracle.

Tang Zhao could not hear Gu Ci's inner monologue, and even if she could, she wouldn't care: with a brainless romantic like him, the only reason she shared with him was out of pity!

If not for the system's restraint, she would have wanted to kill Gu Ci with a single strike to end it all.

Tang Zhao spent her days writing storybooks, throwing stone locks, and practicing archery; her life was very fulfilling.

In the blink of an eye, March arrived, and spring came.

Lady White successfully emerged from the tower. After attending her son's wedding banquet, she, Xu Xian, and Xiao Qing attained enlightenment and ascended to heaven.

Tang Zhao personally wrote down the pen name "Liaozhai Resident," handed the final volume to Qiu Yu to deliver to Qingmo Hall, and successfully received the final payment.

Tang Zhao did a quick calculation. She had written a total of fifty-two volumes of *The Legend of the New White Snake*, with one volume per episode, earning her five hundred and twenty taels of silver.

Thank you, Lady White.

As Tang Zhao's fingertips brushed over the shining silver ingots, she silently planned how to use the money.

"Miss, we are losing out," Qiu Yu said. Ever since she was tasked with gathering intelligence at the teahouse, she had been unconsciously stopping by to listen in every time she left the manor, making her exceptionally well-informed. "The *Legend of the New White Snake* is selling like crazy in Jiangnan. I heard it's being resold for three taels per volume, and even so, it's hard to find a single copy."

"We write for a whole day, and they make back what we earn by selling just two books."

"Who told us we have no shops, no connections, and no channels?" Tang Zhao admonished. "If you don't have the skills, don't take on the work. Envy is a disease; get it treated early."

Qiu Yu did not dare complain further.

However, there was one more thing. "On my way to Qingyin Pavilion today, I saw Steward Tang from the Duke of Wei's front courtyard. I secretly followed him and saw him go to the residence at the very end of Yidai Alley."

"There are few people in the alley, so I didn't dare get too close, but I inquired and found that Yidai Alley is a famous 'mistress alley' in Luoyang. Most of the residences there belong to the mistresses kept by high-ranking officials and nobles."

"Miss, do you think Tang Wen is keeping a mistress?"

"You said it yourself—high-ranking officials. Can a servant like Tang Wen afford such a thing?" Chun Feng's observation was piercing. "In my view, the only person in the Duke of Wei's manor who could command Tang Wen and has the ability to acquire a residence in the mistress alley..." she said cautiously, "...is likely the Duke himself."

"Are you sure you didn't see wrong?" Tang Zhao asked.

Qiu Yu swore, "I saw him when I returned to the Duke's manor; I certainly wouldn't mistake him."

"How long did he stay?"

"Less than the time it takes to burn an incense stick."

Tang Zhao gripped the silver ingot in her hand. "Go, to the study!"

(End of Chapter)