Of Wealth and Nobility

Qian Tong-her name literally means Money Copper-is the beloved daughter of a wealthy merchant family in Yangzhou.
At her full-month banquet, a fortune-teller read her fate:

- This girl will be either wealthy or noble in the future.

Qian Tong didn't believe it.

There's an old saying: wealth doesn't last past three generations, and poverty won't last beyond five kinship ranks.
The Qian family was exactly at generation three with her.

After learning that her family planned to marry her off with a dowry like a mountain of gold-betrothing her to the prefect's youngest son-Qian Tong decisively refused.
She went to the docks herself and picked out the most shabby, penniless-looking young gentleman there... and threw a sack over him.

Better to prepare for danger in peace.
To dilute the world's hatred of the rich, she planned to sacrifice herself-marrying a poor lad to lower her family's "rich target value."

The only son of the reigning Princess Royal, Song Yunzhi, could recite the Three-Character Classic at age three, write poetry at ten, and fought on the battlefield at sixteen.
Brilliant in both civil and military arts, famed in his youth, he believed himself to have reached the peak of life.

After four years of risking his life for the emperor, he received a new mission:

Yangzhou's merchant clans were growing rampant.
He was to investigate covertly.

The moment he arrived in Yangzhou-
A sack fell over his head.

When he saw the light again, a little lady peeked at him through golden sunlight and narrowed her eyes in a smile:

"Sir, I promise you a lifetime of wealth and glory. How about it?"

First time seeing Qian Tong, Song Yunzhi sneered inwardly: "The one I'm here to investigate... is you!"
Second time seeing Qian Tong: "Extravagant, immoral, every merchant is a crook. Investigate thoroughly!"
One month later: begins doubting life.
Six months later: "Qian Tong... where's my belt..."

ORIGINAL TRANSLATION