Ji Ying was stunned - this was the first time she had encountered such a question.
She had seen handsome men and beautiful women desperately trying to become famous, but never someone who asked her why they wanted to become famous in the first place.
Wasn't it good to become famous?
Ji Ying hurriedly explained, "Once you're famous, you can earn a lot, a lot of money!"
Earn money?
Gu Nanyan didn't understand. "I'm not short of money, and isn't there an easier way to earn money?"
She had studied the ways of making money in this era and read a few books on finance. In this age, earning money was too easy.
She could simply offer a few prescriptions, write a few songs, calligraphies, paintings, or participate in competitions. She was proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, and could even try stock trading.
Earning money was so easy, so why bother becoming famous?
Moreover, Gu Nanyan didn't feel she lacked money.
"Go tell your Mother-in-law that I need some money," Gu Nanyan said to Zhan Yiran.
Zhan Yiran immediately thumped her chest. "Sister-in-law, if you need money, you don't have to ask my mom. I have some."
With that, she scurried out and came back holding a large stack of bank cards.
She pushed the cards toward Gu Nanyan. "Sister-in-law, take them all!"
Holy cow, so many cards!
Ji Ying's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, and she was about to exclaim in surprise.
But then a stern voice came from the doorway. "Stop this nonsense! Put your cards away."
Ji Ying turned to see Zhan's Mother standing at the door, frowning sternly.
Oh no, Ji Ying worried for Gu Nanyan. She had heard that wealthy Mother-in-laws were very difficult to get along with, especially for celebrity wives who married into wealthy families - they were often unwelcome.
Ji Ying was worried that Zhan's Mother would scold Gu Nanyan, and she was thinking of how to speak up for her when she witnessed an unbelievable scene.
Zhan's Mother actually took out a black card and handed it to Gu Nanyan with a loving smile. "Use this card. Yiran's card has a small limit, what if it's not enough?"
Then she glared at Zhan Yiran. "You're being silly. Your card has a limit, but Nanyan is the daughter-in-law of the Zhan family. When she goes out, she represents our family's reputation. What if her card limit isn't enough when she needs to use it? How embarrassing would that be?"
Zhan Yiran hurriedly nodded. "You're right, you're right. I forgot about that. Mom, you're so thoughtful. But isn't this your card? If Sister-in-law uses your card, won't others laugh at her?"
"Don't worry, this card belongs to Nanyan. I had your brother get her a supplementary card, and it just arrived today."
"Mom, you're amazing! You really think of everything!"
...
Ji Ying was completely dumbfounded.
Whatever happened to the difficult, infamous wealthy Mother-in-law? Whatever happened to the eternal conflict between Mother- and Daughter-in-law?
This Mother-in-law was better than a birth mother!
After Zhan's Mother left, Ji Ying noticed that while Gu Nanyan had a black card, Zhan Yiran did not.
Even wealthy younger Sisters-in-law could be difficult to get along with. Although Zhan Yiran seemed close to Gu Nanyan now, who knew if she would feel jealous or resentful inside?
Ji Ying pulled Zhan Yiran aside, wanting to counsel her. "Third Miss, are you feeling jealous that the Old Madame gave Nanyan a black card but didn't give you one...?"
Before she could finish, Zhan Yiran cut her off. "I am jealous."
Hmph!
Zhan Yiran clenched her fists, looking resentful.
Ji Ying was nearly frightened to death, thinking of how to console Zhan Yiran and prevent her from envying Gu Nanyan.
But then Zhan Yiran said, "I'm still young and don't earn much money. But when I earn a lot in the future, I'll definitely get Sister-in-law a black card too. I love Sister-in-law the most - more than anyone else!"
Ji Ying: "..."
Something seemed off. After all that, Zhan Yiran wasn't jealous of Gu Nanyan, but of her own mother.
"You see how easy it is to get money?" Gu Nanyan showed Ji Ying the black card in her hand.
Zhan Yiran quickly chimed in, raising her hand. "In the future, I'll earn money for Sister-in-law to spend too."
Gu Nanyan patted her head. "Good girl."
Praised by her Sister-in-law, Zhan Yiran was as happy as a little kitten, practically ready to roll over and expose her belly to Gu Nanyan.
Ji Ying was speechless, but becoming famous wasn't just about earning money. "It's also about letting more people see you and like you."
"Like me?" Gu Nanyan scoffed. "That shallow 'like' brought about by marketing and packaging is as flimsy as the mist in the mountains - a mere breeze can blow it away."
She had no regard for such superficial 'likes.'
In the Great Qi Dynasty, she had lifted taxes and fought off the barbarians, keeping the people safe and allowing them to live in peace and prosperity.
The commoners' liking for her in Great Qi was true liking - a sincere respect from the bottom of their hearts that could last for ages.
After being reborn, Gu Nanyan had read the historical records. They said: "The Elder Princess of Great Qi passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of twenty-eight. The people of Great Qi grieved immensely, and officials of the court all wore mourning clothes. The vassal states came to pay their respects..."
That was the kind of admiration Gu Nanyan wanted.
Ji Ying was deeply shaken, her heart pounding with excitement as she grew even fonder of Gu Nanyan.
This Gu Nanyan had such charisma that one couldn't help but submit and admire her.
Ji Ying clutched her chest. She had suddenly found her life's purpose - to compose songs for Gu Nanyan, to let her voice echo across the lands, for all to hear her songs.
Ji Ying would show the world what a truly good song was!
She tightly grasped the lyrics and melody Zhan Yiran had given her, trying to contain her excitement. "Give me a few days. I'll finish the composition and then go to the recording studio."
Ji Ying's compositions required great inspiration. Without an appealing voice or melody, she couldn't complete them.
Now that she had met Gu Nanyan, her inspiration was gushing forth. She immediately went home and locked herself indoors for three days and nights. Combining Gu Nanyan's voice with various suitable instruments, she successfully finished her composition.
Ji Ying hadn't been to the company for a few days, worrying her little admirer Qiao Qiao, who came looking for her at Ji Ying's home.
When the door opened, Qiao Qiao saw Ji Ying with bloodshot eyes, utterly exhausted.
"Master Ji, what happened? Did that Zhan girl give you trouble?"
Qiao Qiao's eyes instantly reddened. She had never seen Master Ji so fatigued before. It had only been three days, but Ji Ying looked like a different person. She had heard that the Zhan girl had a terrible temper and was a spoiled young miss who must have made things difficult for Master Ji.
Ji Ying's eyes shone brightly as she pulled Qiao Qiao inside and showed her the composition she had finished.
"No one gave me trouble. I was composing music. Come here, let me play it for you. This song is incredible - this time, I'm sure I can create a miracle."
Miracle? Qiao Qiao was infected by Ji Ying's emotion and looked at her expectantly.
Ji Ying cleared her throat, pressed the accompaniment, and sang the song called 'Clear Heart'.
The melodious song entered Qiao Qiao's ears, making her unable to resist being intoxicated.
How lovely it sounds!
Qiao Qiao couldn't help but be mesmerized.
Ji Ying, however, frowned slightly, feeling that she sang too poorly compared to Gu Nanyan, one in the heavens and one on the earth.
"I can only sing one-tenth of the charm of this song. It has to be her singing, Qiao Qiao. When you hear her voice, you'll know what a celestial song sounds like!"
If Ji Ying, who sang so beautifully, could only sing out one-tenth of the charm, how wonderful it would be at its fullest!
And who is the 'her' that Ji Ying mentioned?
