The Tofu Queen: A Modern Woman's Ancient Kingdom Journey

To outsiders, Qin Ziqin's reputation as a frivolous playboy seemed convincing. But in truth, it was a facade—designed to mislead those who might see him as a threat. He cared little for how unrelated strangers perceived him and even less for indulging in improper conduct with women.

He understood Li Qingruo's affections for him all too well, but his heart remained distant. After all, when the Qin family fell and every male member perished on the battlefield, friends who once spoke fondly of their camaraderie vanished overnight. Even relatives who had been close grew colder than ice. Though Qin Ziqin was still a child at the time, he remembered their callousness vividly.

His indifference toward Li Qingruo wasn't her fault; it was a byproduct of the bitterness he harbored toward her family's opportunism. And while she herself wasn't guilty of any wrongdoing, she represented ties to a family that had thrived on power plays and alliances. To Qin Ziqin, his fellow soldiers—the brothers-in-arms who had stayed loyal—mattered far more.

These days, with the emperor calling all his generals back to the capital, Qin Ziqin had little time for personal matters. He understood the monarch's intentions: through strategic marriages between his daughters and trusted generals, the aging ruler hoped to consolidate power and maintain stability. Two princesses had already been betrothed to commanders within the week, leaving Qin Ziqin grateful to escape the matchmaker's scrutiny. With no eligible princesses left for him, he didn't have to worry about being yoked to someone whose ideals clashed with his own.

Still, he mused wryly, whoever ended up married to him—a so-called "useless marquis"—would surely think they'd drawn the short straw.

As he strolled through the bustling streets of Qinghua Street, he realized Li Qingruo was still trailing after him. He arched a brow and said bluntly, "I'm heading to Zhaoyue Tower for some wine and a good time. Are you sure you want to follow me there?"

Li Qingruo froze, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I… I forgot Feixue was waiting for me," she murmured.

"Then you should go," Qin Ziqin replied lazily, waving her off without much care. He snapped open his folding fan, his relaxed, confident gait catching the eyes of many young women as he walked away.

Li Qingruo stared after him, a pang of unease tightening in her chest. She turned away, heading toward her rendezvous with her friend, Murong Feixue.

Inside Jingyou Tower, Li Qingruo joined Murong Feixue at their reserved table.

"I saw the woman you mentioned earlier," Li Qingruo began hesitantly, her brows furrowing in thought. "She's beautiful… striking, really."

Murong Feixue's expression remained calm as she sipped her tea. Hiding the disdain in her eyes, she set the cup down with an almost maternal air of concern. "You're a renowned beauty yourself, from a distinguished family. A woman like her? Rest assured, she can't compare. She's been cast off, bringing a child with her. The marquis would never stoop so low as to favor someone like that."

Li Qingruo shook her head, conflicted. Seeing Jiang Huaiyu in person had left her shaken. There was something about the woman—her poise, her clarity, her quiet yet fiery presence. It was unlike anything Li Qingruo had encountered before.

"She's… different," Li Qingruo admitted softly.

Murong Feixue's eyes narrowed slightly, though her voice remained composed. "If that's true, it's even worse," she replied.

"What do you mean?" Li Qingruo asked, confused.

"Think about it. Someone like the marquis—always surrounded by refined, polished women—might find such a free-spirited outcast alluring. Men can be drawn to their false appearances of warmth and charm. Mark my words, this Jiang woman is likely as manipulative as she is shameless."

Murong Feixue's soft features twisted momentarily as she spoke, her words dripping with venom.

Li Qingruo frowned at her friend's harsh judgment but couldn't help feeling that the seeds of doubt had been planted. "Let's not dwell on this. The Autumn Winds Poetry Gathering is soon. You should prepare—don't let me down!"

Murong Feixue smiled sweetly, though triumph gleamed in her eyes. "Of course. You have my word."

Meanwhile, back at her courtyard, Jiang Huaiyu had just returned home. After washing up, she immediately scooped up her son, Tangbao, into her arms.

Tangbao gave a soft, sleepy protest, which only made Jiang Huaiyu's heart swell with affection. She adjusted his position, kissing the top of his head. "There we go. All better now."

"Madam, you're back!" Xiao Cao greeted her with a cheerful grin. She'd just finished tidying the servants' quarters. "Shall I pour you some tea?"

Jiang Huaiyu shook her head with a laugh. "No need. Today wasn't too exhausting. The shop's settled, and I'll be arranging renovations this afternoon. After that, I'll need to find a manager to oversee it all."

"So quickly?" Xiao Cao exclaimed, her admiration clear. "Madam, you're truly decisive!"

Jiang Huaiyu smiled. "In the future, when the shop brings in good money, we'll hire more people to help around the house. And if you're interested, Xiao Cao, I could teach you a thing or two about running a business."

Xiao Cao's eyes widened in surprise, her cheeks flushing. "Madam, I only wish to serve you. I'd only make a mess of things!"

"Nonsense. I didn't know the first thing about business either. I learned on my own, and you can too," Jiang Huaiyu said warmly. "Besides, saving up some money for yourself is never a bad thing. A little nest egg could make all the difference when you're ready to get married one day."

Xiao Cao's face turned as red as an apple, her bashful delight evident.

Jiang Huaiyu spent the rest of the day playing with Tangbao while waiting for Steward Lin's visit. When Lin arrived, she listened intently to Jiang Huaiyu's requests: contacting spice merchants for a steady supply, locating a workshop on the outskirts of town, and coordinating delivery logistics with the soap factory. Lin promised to handle everything swiftly and efficiently.

As the steward left, Jiang Huaiyu couldn't help but marvel at Qin Ziqin's knack for surrounding himself with capable people.

That evening, with Tangbao freshly bathed and asleep, Jiang Huaiyu leaned back in her chair under the porch. Her damp hair fell in soft waves over the backrest, her face relaxed in the moonlight.

"Life doesn't get better than this," she sighed contentedly. "A good meal, a hot bath, and some well-earned rest."

Xiao Cao chuckled as she gently rocked Tangbao's crib. "For me, there's nothing better than serving Madam and Little Master."

Jiang Huaiyu wrinkled her nose playfully. "You're ruining the moment, you know. Stop putting so much pressure on yourself. You're a good kid. I can see that clear as day."

Xiao Cao's smile grew, though she quickly masked it, returning to her task with renewed focus.