08. Recipe of Fame

It was a few hours before sunrise and Linzhi found the mask man still sleeping, he was so dedicated to his role that he added another ribbon to tie the mask.

Linzhi didn't care whether he hid his identity or he had a scar on his face, Linzhi was wearing a veil for both reasons after all. She went to the Lins silk shop and did accounting on the second floor. The profit and operational fund already separated, but after counting Lin Rui's tuition and house's rent.. there's really not much left.

She was once famous in the capital and sooner or later, her embroidery could get into someone's eyes and ruin her entire plan. Robbing Zhang Siyuan's house seems like the only option left.

Talking about Zhang Siyuan.. that man's ambition was to make his cousin the crown prince. The king had 13 children and only five of them were male and among them, only the first and second prince was currently competing for the throne.

The first prince born prematurely and his mother was the noble concubine, if only his mother was the queen his status as an heir apparent would be undeniable. The second prince on the other hand got all the orthodoxy because his mother was the queen, but at the same time the maternal family - the Zhangs were warlords and the king was always on high alert with them.

In the capital city, people ranked based on their family background and wealth.

Linzhi ought Lin Rui to catched the Royal Teacher Feng Zibu to add luster to their name. Her plan was to make Lin Rui strong enough to have influence in the scholarly world. Rebellion was rampant and violence was everywhere, but even though the generals were respected, those civil officials still outnumbered them.. and in the name of being a wise leader, many kings were tiptoeing around the scholars. After all, once they're dead it was the historians that would put their life into history.

With Lin Rui as the spy in the literary world, she could pull some strings to block the second prince's way while sabotaging Zhang Siyuan's plan.

What a perfection.

The thing was.. Linzhi still needs to wait for it to happen, and in the meantime she must build their wealth. She couldn't expect for his glory to carry all the weight of their revenge. Besides, the price of officialdom was expensive.

Being a businessman, the easiest way to build connections was also through money. Unfortunately, with only a silk shop and a jewelry shop in the capital.. Linzhi almost couldn't hold it together. The only way a business flourish was either they had a strong foothold or a strong backing, the Lins currently had neither of those.

Linzhi just paid the pharmacy's clerk when she saw a group of children were flocking, feeding stray animals.

That's right, there's a shortcut to fame!

Liyao didn't reach his position today only by his martial arts, he was keen to change the mood changes around him. The moment the quilt and bed cushion got softer, his food became more pompous, and Linzhi practically surrendered her room to him and rang a danger alarm. After five days of good things, she finally made a move.

The man crossing his leg on the cushion, didn't make eye contact with the girl in the bed. "What do you want?"

"I know you're a smart person, I love talking to smart person," Linzhi took a box out to her bedside table. "I don't know who you are and what you're trying to do, but considering everything I did.. Can you do me a favor?"

It was silence, but he hadn't refused.

"I need you to lure a pet dog to near water and I'll pretend to rescue it. Can you do it?"

It was never a question of whether he can or cannot do it, it was whether he want or didn't want to do it.

"We will move the day after tomorrow, meet me in the lake on the outskirts. Also.. this box is some money for your emergency. My brothers are getting suspicious now, I hope you can leave immediately after the mission."

Liyao opened his eyes after the girl's steady breathing was heard.

What a heartless little thing.

But it was abrupt, she tolerated him for two weeks and didn't ask questions or drive him away. Every night they slept under the same roof while in the day, she let him stay inside to recuperate. She didn't short him food or medicine, purposely found a new set of male clothing and regularly changed his bedding.

She was either fearless or simply ignorant.

This little favor, Liyao could afford. Think of it as a thank you and farewell gift.

The man was surprised when he drew the connection between the pet dog and the grand scheme the girl actually wrote. Indeed, the capital was the land of the talented.

The pet dog was owned by Miss Ji from a smaller noble clan, Linzhi 'coincidentally' saved the pet and because she was drenched in the water the young lady had too extended some courtesy. Linzhi wasn't trying to make a connection with Miss Ji, but through Miss Ji.

The 13 years old Miss Ji was the playmate of the youngest princess - Princess Xu Yunfei. To show some favor, instead of crudely giving money Miss Ji would rather buy some things from the Lins' industry, after all the price of bolts of silks and some batch of jewelry was like a drop in the bucket for them.

Linzhi had calculated it well, she gave Miss Ji the rare materials and exclusive designs; meticulously crafted to accentuate the owner's beauty and different from the market's style.

It only took a week until the noble girls circle knew about this unique crafted jewelry shop and many of them placed orders. Of course, Princess Xu Yunfei, as the leader of the noble ladies couldn' sit still and watching more girls showing off in front of her. She placed an order and with this, Lin Jewelry got some splashed on the palace.

Checking the design one last time, Linzhi did a mental construction inside. The palace was big and Princess Xu Yunfei wasn't close to the queen. It was unreasonable for her to meet them here, but still.. Bad things happen all the time.

The carriage wheels slowly approach the giant gate.

Linzhi went in and out of the palace since she was young, she knew that for a businesswoman like her, unless she was invited by a royal invitation she wouldn't go through the main gate.

Linzhi was pleasantly surprised when she saw a woman with four maids waiting for her.

"Miss Lin."

"Female Officer."

Liuli had been the princess's attendant since she was born, she had met a lot of people during her years and truthfully.. this errand hurt her pride. Lin Zhi was just a small businessman, insignificant and had no remarkable background. She was the first class palace maid after all.

"The princess is waiting for you, Miss Lin."

"Please lead the way, Female Officer."

Being in the palace all her life and Liuli had seen a lot of guests, some businessmen couldn't wait to form connections and bribed the officers. Some ladies were impressed by how pretty and big the palace was, and some were outright rude and treated the female officers like servants.

Liuli's initial annoyance for the errand dissipated as she saw how impassive Linzhi was. She walked in perfect posture and pace, kept her eye level a little bit over the floor, being as quiet as ever. She didn't look around or be disrespectful to the entourage or annoyed by how many times the palace staff's greeting made Liuli have to stop or the other way around.

Linzhi didn't ask questions, look around, or show any disrespect. Liuli got a good impression on her and wouldn't mind talking to her more.

"I heard Miss Lin is new to the capital."

"Yes, Female Officer. We just moved half a year ago to prepare for my little brother's royal exam."

"Oh? Was Miss Lin's brother in the county list or already on the provincial list?"

"After our parent's death, there's too many things to handle so he didn't take the preliminary exam. This Royal Exam will be his first attempt."

"Then I wish your brother luck."

"Thank you, Female Officer. I hope you can come to our celebration later."

"Of course, of course."

Liuli covered her sarcasm, the champion of the county or province list wasn't even guaranteed a place in the royal list, but Linzhi was so shameless to say this. To be eligible to make a celebration they should occupy the top 10 list, considering the brother never took the county or province exam.. that would be hard. Linzhi was too naive.

"Miss Liuli, you're back."

A maid greeted them as soon as they entered the courtyard and came back after reporting the arrival.

"This Commoner greeted Her Highness the Princess."

Both hands on the right waist and slight bend on knees. It was a proper salute and perfect angle.

"You may rise."

"Thank you, Her Highness."

"Alright, we're done with the formality, hurry up and sit Lin Zhi. Show the princess your new designs!"

Ji Rulan was appreciative about the greeting. People knew just how unruly and free spirited she was, but her best friend was Princess Xu Yunfei - the most etiquette-abiding person in the entire young ladies' society.

Xu Yunfei nodded at the girl and she presented a box on the table.

"This is the new design and will only be produced one time, I hope there's something to Her Highness's liking."

Ji Rulan was more eager and hurriedly studied the designs, "Heavens! Look at this A Fei, this design suited you the best! It's simple, elegant, and only uses a few gemstones. You always hate those big and flashy accessories."

Xu Yunfei wasn't shocked, as a business person to research on the customer's taste was a basic skill and her preference was not a secret.