Chapter 100: A Quiet Week Unfolds

A new week kicked off, with nothing out of the ordinary happening—except for a small fundraising event the school organized on Wednesday.

After Jiang Qian made her donation, the homeroom teacher was stunned by the amount and pulled her aside after class to ask about it.

Lin Zheng Ran happened to walk by and overheard the conversation.

“Jiang Qian, are you sure you want to donate two pianos to our school?”

Jiang Qian replied with a blank expression: “Yes, I’m sure. But after I donate them, I hope the school will let me practice on them during my free time.”

The homeroom teacher marveled at how kids from wealthy families always did things differently and chuckled:

“I’ll make sure to report this to the higher-ups. We haven’t had many cases like this before, but I think your small request should be fine.

Either way, let me thank you on behalf of the school for your generous contribution. And that donation amount for the underprivileged areas—you alone covered what several classes would contribute. Thank you.”

Jiang Qian responded: “No need to be so polite, teacher. I’m just doing my part to help out.”

Few people knew the real thoughts of this second miss, but Fang Meng figured it out after hearing about the piano and donation during class.

Jiang Qian wasn’t the type to take losses or waste family resources; she always acted with an eye for gain.

For instance, donating the pianos served two purposes: one, to let her practice whenever she wanted; two, to ensure the school would overlook any minor mistakes or requests in the future, since the pianos were just the start of her contributions.

Over the next three years, there would be plenty more fundraisers, and Jiang Qian would keep providing resources to the high school.

As for the cash donation, she always handled that—it came with being the future heir of the Jiang family, not just for herself.

Donating generously might not earn praise, but as the second miss of the Jiang family, skipping it would leave a bad impression. Besides, the money was pocket change for her, so why be stingy?

On Thursday afternoon after school, the teacher called Jiang Qian aside and handed her the key to the school’s new piano room:

“Here’s the key to the piano room. The director said you can use it anytime on weekends or during free periods to practice.”

Jiang Qian smiled as she took it: “Thank you, teacher.”

At that moment, Lin Zheng Ran was heading to the cafeteria when Jiang Qian stepped in front of him: “Class monitor, meet me in the piano room tomorrow after lunch. I have something for you.”

With that, she walked away, leaving Lin Zheng Ran watching her go.

[A month ago, while traveling, you received a confidential letter from home. It revealed that centuries ago, the Lin family patriarch was close friends with the current imperial family’s rulers. Recently, during a meeting with an imperial envoy, they discussed an old engagement you had with the imperial princess.]

[The envoy mentioned that the princess is now wandering the northern continent. If you encounter her, you’re to meet and remind her of the engagement.]

[Soon after, you did cross paths with the imperial princess during your travels. She has a striking, aloof presence and exceptional talent, but she seems unaware that you’re her intended husband.]

[Even so, through battles and entanglements, she’s developed a strong interest in you without knowing your true connection.]

[Today, she invited you to meet at the Hall of Melodious Sounds tomorrow at noon, saying she has a treasure to give you.]

[You don’t know what the treasure is, but going could bring an unknown opportunity—or you could choose to skip it.]

After listening to the system’s description, Lin Zheng Ran smiled and headed to the cafeteria.

An opportunity like that was too good to pass up.

In the system’s view, Jiang Qian was truly the princess. No wonder her sister, Jiang Jingshi, was labeled as the empress of the imperial city.

That night, Jiang Qian and Fang Meng rode home in the car.

Jiang Qian had piano lessons twice a week, with two highly professional tutors coming to the house for private sessions.

In the villa’s piano room, Fang Meng prepared fresh fruit and brewed hot tea before bringing it in.

Jiang Qian’s playing was elegant and stately, her fingers dancing rhythmically across the keys.

The two tutors clapped: “Excellent! Second Miss, your piano skills have improved a lot lately. This piece is notoriously difficult—most people need extraordinary talent to play it flawlessly.”

Despite the praise, Jiang Qian stared at the piano, her face expressionless.

She was thinking again about that day when Lin Zheng Ran practiced—it was on a completely different level from her own.

Fang Meng noticed Jiang Qian’s subtle expression and set the fruit plate and tea aside: “Take a break if you’re tired, Qian Qian, and you too, teachers—have some tea.”

The teachers thanked her.

Out of nowhere, Jiang Qian said: “I’d like to try ‘Viewing the Snow’ now, even though it’s scheduled for next year.”

The two tutors looked at Jiang Qian.

“‘Viewing the Snow’?”

“Viewing the Snow” was famous in music circles for its extreme difficulty, with melodies that soared and plunged at high points—only a steady hand could pull it off without stumbling.

As soon as Jiang Qian spoke, Fang Meng fetched the sheet music and placed it on the piano.

Jiang Qian’s fingers moved lightly at first, the rhythm fairly smooth from years of practice, but she faltered at the first high point and completely messed up the transition at the second.

She stopped playing, yet the tutors still applauded.

“Impressive, Second Miss! Getting this far on your first try is already great. With more practice, you’ll master it.”

Jiang Qian started over, but ran into the same issue—piano didn’t forgive mistakes; you either nailed it or you didn’t.

One tutor stepped in to guide her, but Jiang Qian frowned slightly as she listened.

It left her more shocked—not at the tutors, but at how Lin Zheng Ran had taught her before.

What they said made sense, but it didn’t hit like the sudden insight she’d felt with Lin Zheng Ran.

Jiang Qian grew more puzzled about Lin Zheng Ran’s skill level. Could he be better than these tutors who’d been in the field for over thirty years?

She stood up: “Please, play it for me so I can listen.”

The tutors nodded with a smile: “Sure, we’ll demonstrate for you, Second Miss.”

As Jiang Qian watched their elegant motions, the first tutor stumbled once, improving on the second try.

Even when they played it through smoothly, Jiang Qian’s brow furrowed deeper.

She was certain these tutors were skilled, but…

They probably couldn’t match Lin Zheng Ran.