When her large eyes finally fluttered open, bright sunlight already filled the big room. The first thing Li Wei did was looked at herself in the mirror.

In the reflection, she still looked as she had at the age of sixteen. As unbelievable as it was, she stared at herself. Slap! The loud sound against her cheek broke the silence in the manor.

Li Wei eyed her hand that just hit herself. Her hand was still her hand and she was still herself. She had really gone back! Excitement travel throughout her body, causing her to jump up in happiness. Oh, there were so many things to do.

The first order of business was to change her room. She was an orphan, but Aunt Rin really spoiled the girl. Her bedroom was double that of the size of other young misses of wealthy families. She even had her own pottery gallery in the corner, where each piece was so expensive its value could last a commoner years of living expenses.

Not to mention the shelves after shelves of jewelries and clothes that even if she wore different ones each day, she still wouldn't be able to wear them all in the duration of a year.

If she was like before, she would've jumped out of bed and tried on the newest dresses and trendiest makeup. The girl knew she was a rare beauty and loved to show it off every chance she got. Perhaps it's because the soul inside Li Wei's body was older, but looking at all the abundance of items in the room made her feel sleepy again.

"San'er, come in here," Li Wei called out, knowing that as usual, her personal maid would be standing outside the door.

The doors opened as a young girl about age twelve entered. The young maid was slight trembling as she kept her head down and knelt in front of the young miss. In her mind, San'er wondered what she did wrong this time. The young miss really had a talent in finding faults.

One time, she had to kneel out in the sun for a whole day for not getting to the young miss' room fast enough. On another occasion, she had to clean the whole courtyard because she sneezed near the young miss. San'er mentally prepared herself to face punishment as the silence drew on.

Li Wei could see the fear in the girl's shaking body and only sighed in response. How horrible she was. San'er was her personal trusted maid who would actually be loyal to her for years to come.

"Miss, is there something this servant can do for you?" San'er almost whispered. She couldn't stand the silence anymore. Any punishment was better than being in a silent room with the young miss.

"San'er, how many summers am I this year?"

San'er only then realized that the young miss called her by her name. The young miss actually... knew her name. "Miss, you just turned sixteen summers last month."

Li Wei nodded. Her guess was correct, she had gone back to her sixteenth year. "Then, is my aunt home?"

"Reporting to young miss, Madam Rin is in the garden with an esteemed guest. She had requested there be no disturbance." San'er took deep breaths after informing the young miss. This was the longest conversation she's ever had with her in the two years she's worked at the Li Manor. In fact, she was only maid who lasted that long too.

San'er knew the young miss didn't care for her. Other servants pity San'er for she had it hardest, but she could still take it. The life she led prior to her servitude at the Li Manor was far worse.

Li Wei knew immediately who the guest was. In the business world, Master Mo was a highly respected figure. He was so successful that the emperor hired him to do international trades and secret missions with other countries. Aunt Rin was in talks to join Master Mo for the biggest merchandise exportation yet.

Li Fahrin, who could be a bit dramatic at times, was also just as amazing. Don't let her small appearance trick you because she was a genius in the business world. At the age of fifteen, she left her family of scholars to become a trader. She's made such a big name for herself that even though she remained unwed all these years, no one dared to say a word.

That summer, Aunt Rin was unable to get the deal with Master Mo because they couldn't reach the same terms. This caused Aunt Rin's business to suffer multiple losses. Afterwards, Master Mo joined with another business that was just newly established and brought them immense success and fame. If Aunt Rin got the deal this time around, her business would reach new heights and expand into international trades.

With this in mind, Li Wei smiled in excitement. "San'er, please pack all my dresses and potteries by this evening. I'm heading to the garden."

"But miss--"

Li Wei had already disappeared down the corridor. San'er glanced around the room and wanted to cry. But miss, which ones? If she couldn't guess the miss' preferences correctly, what kind of punishment would that entail...

----

Amidst the colorful blooms, the mood was gloomy. In the garden, two figures silently drank tea in an intense atmosphere.

Li Wei put on a smile before calling out sweetly, "Aunt Rin!"

The stubbornness on Li Fahrin's face vanished in a flash. "Li Wei, why aren't you taking a rest? You should be in bed, silly girl."

"Thanks to your care, I'm full of energy now." She walked up to the pavilion and gave a respectful bow. "Aunt Rin, this is...?"

At the mention of the man's presence again, Li Fahrin's expression dimmed. "Master Mo."

"Greetings, Master Mo," she spoke with a bright smile. Li Wei hadn't pulled off a sweet image in so long that this much already drained her. Ah, must remember to smile now and relax later.

Master Mo was frustrated, but he still had his manners. He gave a nod. "You must be Li Wei? It's been so long since the last time we met that the last image I remember of you was when you were seven."

"En, the naughty girl running freely on the streets was me," she confessed bashfully.

Master Mo smiled upon recalling the memory. "That's what a child ought to do."

Li Fahrin glanced at her niece. This girl ought to rest right now. "Mo Ying, it seems like we can't come to an agreement. I'm afraid we'll have cut the deal here."

"I understand you don't want to entangle other things with business. You've always done your deals cleanly and that's your trademark." Master Mo gathered his papers and stood up. "No harsh feelings, Fahrin."

"En, fine by me. No harsh feelings." Li Fahrin sat back, feeling more relaxed. "The empress' request is a bit complicated. Business should never cross with politics."

Li Wei glanced at the map on the top page of the pile in Master Mo's hands. She must interrupt before these two old classmates agreed to disagree. "Hai'an?"

"You've been there before?" Master Mo gave the young woman a second look. He didn't expect she'd recognize the kingdom from just a couple horrible lines.

Li Wei shook her head innocently, but her eyes held a deeper meaning. "I haven't been to Hai'an, but I've heard a few things about it."

Master Mo glanced from Li Fahrin to her niece, then sat back down with a new resolution. "Li Wei, what do you think about entering the business world?"