In a two-story courtyard house west of Nanjing City, a woman had just finished washing and dressing, moved a small stool to face the window outside and started drinking.

  For more than a year, Qin Miao had been having trouble falling asleep and would often drink until he was slightly drunk before being able to fall asleep.

  The chrysanthemum wine in the cup was recently acquired at a hefty price, so she couldn't bear to drink it. Today, with her emotions somewhat turbulent, she finally had Xiaoyu bring out half a pot for herself.

  Although it's already March, the warmth and cold are still intertwined. Qin Miao pulled her clothes tighter around her body and stared blankly out the window. The person she bumped into at the entrance of Baifa Tower today looked exactly like Xie Yan, who often appeared in her dreams. Yet somehow, something didn't feel quite right.

  She subconsciously rubbed the edge of the cup, trying to recall what had happened in that instant. In her impression, his face seemed softer, and his eyes should be colder. But not like that person, when he collided with his own eyes, the expression in his eyes changed endlessly, and it was impossible to discern what kind of emotion it was.

  Very soon, half a jar of turbid wine had entered her belly, and she felt a bit languid. She shook her head helplessly, how could he appear here? The good Marquis was not supposed to be here in Xunyang. It must have been that she had dreamed of him before and mistakenly thought it was real due to the urgency of the situation.

  Qin Miao let out a long sigh, thinking that she still had to get up early and be busy the next day, so she didn't have any other thoughts. She slowly got into bed, wrapping herself entirely in the blankets. Even if she thought of him again, she fell asleep, and could see him in her dreams.

  Thinking of this, Qin Miao closed her eyes contentedly.

  The city of Wuchang was unusually busy in the early morning, with people rushing to the government office for their shift, gathering at the stalls waiting for freshly cooked rice noodles, spreading a layer of chili oil, a sprinkle of scallions, and a few pieces of cured meat, the aroma filling the air. The farmers outside the city carried their daily goods, setting up stands on the street, displaying the green and tender early spring vegetables one by one. The sundry stalls displayed some rough but affordable coarse ceramics, suitable for storing water or brewing wine at home.

  Qin Miao was always the first to leave the courtyard. She ran through two alleys and sprinted to the Lin family's rice noodle shop, where she gazed at the pot of boiling rice noodles that seemed to be churning like white waves, her stomach empty as can be.

  "Hey, Qin Yaotou is here. Still the same old style?" The fat uncle who was standing behind the big pot and stirring asked with a smile.

  Qin Miao swallowed her saliva, and impatiently curled up the corners of her mouth: "Uncle Lin, same as always!" After that, she stretched out her hand to flip over the pot beside that bowl of red spicy seasoning. Her little thumb picked up a pinch, smelled it deeply, and then licked it.

  "Sister, how is it? My new sauce!"

  First a pungent spiciness, followed by the fragrance of minced meat with a sweet and sour taste. "Wow! Your sauce is really flavorful!"

  Mr. Lin took a look at her, with a frightened expression and shining eyes, and knew that something was up. "Come on, it's time to get out of the pot! One serving for Qin family's servant girl!"

  Qin Miao smiled and took over the steaming rice noodles, finding a quiet corner by the street to eat. In these days since arriving in Xiangyang City, what comforted her most was this bowl of noodles early in the morning, warming both heart and stomach. Even if life got tougher, seeing Lin Da Shu and many others like him who worked hard to support their families made everything seem easy again.

  After finishing the noodles, Qin Miao and Lin Da Shu said goodbye and ran across two streets to their own shop. The sun was shining just right now, and the apprentices had already removed the door panels and started the day's business. On the signboard at the entrance, there were no gold-plated edges, but under the morning sunlight, the three words "Qing Feng Pu" looked good no matter how you looked at them.

  "The boss is here!" The young shopkeeper shouted in his native Xiangyang dialect.

  "Here! I just bought this powder and buns for you guys." Qin Miao put the breakfast in her hand on the table, and several colleagues came forward to eat after smelling the fragrance.

  "Master, you weren't in the shop yesterday. The third lady from the Fu Tai mansion sent someone to invite you several times."

  "Oh? What did I say didn't happen?" Qin Miao was busy setting up the fabric for Jin Se yesterday, indeed had no time to come to the shop.

  "The maid in the mansion said vaguely, didn't mention the style of flower head. Just said to hurry up and make spring shirts. Right, also said that you have some free time today, trouble going to another mansion."

  Qin Miao hastily went over yesterday's accounts, her brow furrowed in discontent. Although the reputation of Qingfeng Pu was established, the daily turnover was still much less than she had expected. The rent for the shop, her brother's medical expenses, and even her nephew's tuition fees for hiring a tutor in a year or two all required spending money. Every aspect cost money.

  "Jade Dew, wait a bit and tidy up, then come with me to pay respects at Duke Fu's residence."

  Xiao Yulu came out from behind the curtain and asked softly, "Miss, do you want to bring the embroiderer along?"

  Qin Miao thought for a moment, recently the workload has been heavy, and she needs to speed up her progress. It's better to let the embroiderer work steadily. After all, the threshold of that official residence is so high, and she doesn't expect to finish it in one or two attempts.

  Look at the sun rising high in the sky, Qin Miaocai had Yu Lu drive the carriage to Zhang's residence.

  "Miss, why do we have to leave so late? If we go earlier, we can visit more places." Nowadays, Xiaoyu Lu is no longer serving in the Qin family's backyard. Firstly, after the Qin family moved to Xunyang, they were short of money and couldn't afford as many servants as before. Secondly, Yulu was lively and clever, suitable for running errands and chatting with customers. So Qinyao transferred her to help out at the shop, and she followed her when going out.

  "You don't understand, do you? The third aunt of the governor's mansion is the most favored by the master and has a delicate temperament. If we go to their place too early, it's likely that she hasn't even gotten up yet. And besides, even if she has already woken up, what about her morning temper? So... let's just wait until she's all dressed up and ready before visiting, which would be the most opportune time."

  "Oh~~" So that's it. Xiaoyu nodded seriously and secretly memorized the move. Hehe, following Miss, there is always something new to learn.

  The Zhang residence was located in the eastern part of the city, in the best residential area of Xiangyang. As soon as the gatekeeper heard that they were guests of Third Aunt, he hurried inside to announce their arrival, and before long, he ushered Qin Miao and Yu Lu into the entrance hall with the hanging flowers.

  Today, coincidentally, this master is staying at San Niang's place, and has just finished having breakfast with his concubine.

  The third aunt half pushed and half leaned into Zhang's arms, and it wasn't until after a long while that she finished drinking the bowl of millet porridge. Upon hearing that Qingfeng had arrived at the East House, Zhang finally got up and let go of the beauty in his arms, and before leaving, he still couldn't help but steal a kiss on her lips.

  Qin Miao heard the noise inside and obediently waited outside the door. Just then, Zhang Fu came out from inside, rubbing his belly with a flushed face.

  Magistrate Zhang's face was flushed with a spring-like glow, clearly in high spirits. Suddenly catching sight of Qin Miao standing at the door, his eyes were momentarily blinded. A simple yet elegant cherry-red dress, like a jade orchid, pure and refined. Especially those eyes, clear and innocent, yet easily sparking lustful thoughts. Magistrate Zhang had been attended to for one night and one morning, should have been quite satisfied, but upon seeing Qin Miao, he felt his body heat up again. That small mouth was so enticing, even more alluring than his own precious third wife.

  Qin Miao didn't notice anything unusual at first, and it wasn't until she saw that the man was staring straight at her with his eyes wide open and without any reserve that she realized something was wrong.

  Fortunately, just as she was being stared at by the scorching and lustful eyes that made her feel extremely uncomfortable, the maid in the house came out to take her and Yulu inside.

  "Goodness gracious, Qin Niangzi, you're really a busy person. I've had people invite you several times, but it's never worked out."

  Third Auntie was not very old, looking to be around twenty years old. She was originally the daughter of a scholar in a town on the outskirts of Nanjing City. It is said that she was chosen by Master Fu at the age of fourteen and has been pampered until now. It can be seen that she has some means.