A Gift of Property Deeds

[No, this is too outrageous! Guagua, do you think I could sneak over and swipe that silver?]

Rather than leave the silver with that corrupt official, it would be better off in her hands.

Some of the others thought that made sense. Since they now knew where You Fengzhe's silver was, couldn't they go take it too?

Then they caught Jiang Yunsheng's gaze, and their plans wilted on the spot.

If nobody else had known, there would naturally have been nothing wrong with their idea. But now everyone in the Golden Throne Hall knew, including the emperor. There was no chance for them to get a share, was there?

[Host, I think we absolutely can! Bring Chunhua Qiuyue along, and we'll sneak over to get it. Then we can just stuff it straight into the system storage. At worst, we'll make a few extra trips. Hehe!]

Ever since the upgrade, Guagua's craving for gold and silver had been no less intense than Jiang Nuan's.

[Sigh, my schedule is just so packed. I still have to find a prescription for Chancellor Chi, go get the silver, and make little cakes for Fourth Brother.]

Jiang Nuan felt there simply wasn't enough time. Why were there only twelve double-hours in a day? If only there were twenty-four.

Hearing that he had a place in Jiang Nuan's thoughts, Jiang Yehua felt rather overwhelmed by the favor. She was going to make him a cake, which sounded like something to eat. Making food for him actually ranked alongside finding a prescription for Chi Hengji. How wonderful.

Seeing Jiang Yehua's rather smug expression, Jiang Yunsheng rolled his eyes inwardly. He had put up with Xiao Xiao and Jiang Chengze, but where had this fourth son sprung from? How had he managed to rank higher than Jiang Yunsheng in Jiang Nuan's heart?

[It's all right. Take your time, Host. Don't worry. There'll be a torrential downpour tonight, so we won't be able to go to Jingfan Temple. We can finish the first two things instead.]

Although Guagua was eager to get the silver, practical considerations still had to be taken into account.

After hearing that, Jiang Nuan relaxed. After all, one mouthful couldn't turn a person into a great big fatty.

Chi Hengji, meanwhile, quietly pondered the matter. The Ninth Princess seemed rather short of money. If she truly found a prescription that could cure him, how should he thank her? Giving her money seemed like a good choice.

That morning's court session passed with everyone feasting on gossip while distractedly discussing official business.

The moment court ended, Jiang Nuan darted over to Jiang Yehua.

"Hello, Fourth Brother. I'm your ninth sister, Jiang Nuan."

Remembering that her brother did not yet know her in this lifetime, she introduced herself first.

Jiang Yehua smiled and stroked her head. "Hello, Ninth Sister!"

That familiar presence lifted Jiang Nuan's spirits considerably.

"I heard from Father that you were returning to the palace today, Fourth Brother, so I prepared a surprise for you in the Hibiscus Pavilion. Would you like to come take a look with me?"

Knowing Jiang Yehua wasn't the sort to beat around the bush, Jiang Nuan simply asked him outright.

Jiang Yehua, who had already learned what the surprise was from Jiang Nuan's thoughts, put on a delighted expression. "Of course. Let's go!"

Once they reached the Hibiscus Pavilion, Jiang Nuan pressed Jiang Yehua into a chair. "Wait here for a moment, Fourth Brother. I'll be right back."

Then she rushed off to the kitchen like a gust of wind.

Inside, Chunhua and Qiuyue had already made the preparations and were only waiting for Jiang Nuan to complete the crucial steps.

She was clearly much more practiced the second time around. In just half the time she had taken before, Jiang Nuan made a whole batch of little cakes.

She called over a palace maid and instructed her, "Send this one to Father, this one to my brother the Crown Prince, this one to Mother, and this one outside the palace to my older sister..."

Jiang Nuan named everyone important to her.

Then she carried two little cakes over to Jiang Yehua.

Of course, she hadn't forgotten the people who had helped make the cakes.

"Chunhua Qiuyue, there are two more little cakes on the stove. Take one each!"

After hearing how many people Jiang Nuan wanted to give cakes to, Chunhua Qiuyue had assumed there would be none left for them. Now their eyes shone with delighted surprise.

When Jiang Yunsheng received his cake, he thought that Jiang Nuan had some conscience after all. At least she had remembered to give him one.

Jiang Chengze was deeply touched. After the fourth brother appeared, he had thought he would "fall out of favor" in Jiang Nuan's heart. Now it seemed she still had a place for him as her older brother.

After receiving her cake and tasting a bite, Xiao Xiao felt it was the best dessert she had ever eaten. Her first instinct was to make it for Jiang Nuan, but then she remembered that Jiang Nuan herself had made it. Her skills must be excellent, whereas Xiao Xiao's own cooking was hard to describe in flattering terms, so she abandoned the idea.

Never mind. With that time, I'd be better off embroidering two new outfits for Nuannuan.

An Yan was so moved when she received her cake that tears streamed down her face. This was the first time she had felt what it was like to have someone keep her in their thoughts. It was wonderful.

"Fourth Brother, this is called a cream cake. I made it myself, and I'm the only person in all of Great Xia who knows how to make it. Hurry and try some."

Jiang Nuan held the cake out before Jiang Yehua, her face full of anticipation.

Smelling its sweet fragrance, Jiang Yehua swallowed involuntarily. Under Jiang Nuan's expectant gaze, he took a bite, then gave her a thumbs-up.

"Ninth Sister, this cake you made is delicious. I've eaten so many desserts, and yours definitely ranks in the top five. Besides, I've never seen a dessert like this before. It would absolutely have everyone in the Capital City clamoring for it."

Jiang Yehua spoke with heartfelt sincerity.

Hearing that, Jiang Nuan thought it seemed like a rather good idea. In this world, only love and good food must never be let down. She knew so many novel dishes; it would be a shame not to make them and let everyone under heaven have a taste.

Seeing the tempted look on Jiang Nuan's face, Jiang Yehua did not dismiss her as a child fooling around. Instead, he took out several property deeds on the spot.

"These are a few shops I own in the Capital City. They're yours, Ninth Sister."

Afraid that Jiang Nuan might feel burdened, Jiang Yehua added, "It's all right. If it doesn't work out, your fourth older brother will cover your losses. And if it succeeds, I'll be counting on you to support me."

Jiang Nuan accepted the deeds and nodded solemnly, saying:

"All right. Thank you, Fourth Brother. These deeds will count as your investment. When I start making money, I'll give you a share!"

"All right. Then do your best, Ninth Sister."

At that moment, Jiang Yehua had never imagined how great a fortune awaited him. He was simply an older brother who wanted to make his little sister happy.

Jiang Nuan glanced casually at the deeds and discovered that all the properties were in prime locations. Among them lay the deed to the very shop she and An Yan had taken a liking to.

She had just been worrying about how to ask her fourth brother for that shop, and the next moment, he had handed it to her, along with several more. She was beginning to wonder whether her fourth brother was a roundworm in her belly, privy to her every thought.

Now that she had the shop's deed, it was time to stretch her limbs and show what she could do!

Jiang Nuan thought with boundless confidence.