Silla stood at the grand desk in the Lee family's treasury, her fingers hovering over the well-worn ledger that once held the wealth and security of her family. The soft glow of candlelight illuminated the pages before her, casting long shadows on the once-proud records of prosperity.
The wealth that had been entrusted to her family was no more. The records were disjointed, many accounts showing alarming discrepancies. She could feel the weight of the mismanagement, and the more she turned the pages, the clearer it became: the Konga family had siphoned off funds for years. Substantial amounts were missing—shuffled into accounts no one else knew about, hidden in plain sight, and only now uncovered by her sharp scrutiny.
The realization stung. But it also steeled her resolve. The Lee family had been reduced to a shadow of its former glory, but it would rise again. She would ensure it.
Rebuilding the TreasurySilla was no stranger to wealth management. In her previous life, her sharp business acumen had been honed in a modern world of finance and commerce. Now, with this knowledge of the past at her disposal, she knew how to re-establish the Lee family's financial security. But it wouldn't be done through the same old means.
She immediately began reviewing the family's expenses. Lavish expenditures—particularly those involving Konga's influence—were cut. She made ruthless decisions to streamline operations, directing funds away from indulgences and unnecessary luxuries. But she also knew this wasn't enough. To truly rebuild the Lee family's wealth, she would need to do something groundbreaking.
A Revolutionary Idea: Luxury CosmeticsSilla's thoughts turned to the skills she had from her modern life, specifically her deep knowledge of modern medicine and Chinese medicine, which her family had taught her from an early age. She had learned so much about herbal remedies, skincare, and medicinal compounds in her past life that now, with the wealth of this knowledge, she saw an opportunity no one else could.
There was a growing interest in beauty treatments and skincare among the noblewomen in this time period. However, there was nothing truly revolutionary on the market—no luxury products that combined both the elegance of the court and the advanced medicinal ingredients known to modern practitioners.
With her past life's knowledge of modern skincare and Chinese herbal remedies, Silla could create a line of products that would stand out. Her knowledge of medicinal herbs, ancient formulas, and her understanding of how these could be combined to form luxurious creams and potions would give her the upper hand. She would blend the finest traditional Chinese ingredients with cutting-edge techniques she had learned in her past life.
The thought of creating a line of luxury skincare—something akin to the "Clinique" or "La Mer" of her previous world—excited her. These products wouldn't just be about beauty; they would carry the weight of the Lee family's name, and the power of ancient wisdom, perfectly blending the past and the future. They would symbolize not just wealth, but also knowledge and prestige.
The Royal ConnectionSilla's family had connections that were crucial to her plan. Her maternal grandfather was the royal doctor, a prestigious position that gave him access to the most rare and valuable medicinal herbs and secrets of the imperial court. With his knowledge and resources at her disposal, she could create treatments that would rival anything seen before in the kingdom.
Her aunt, married to the Prime Minister, had strong ties to the emperor's court, and while Silla knew that she would have to tread carefully in the political landscape, her aunt could be a valuable ally. If she could navigate the court and secure the right connections, Silla could ensure that her products would be distributed among the wealthiest, most influential women in the land.
The First Steps Toward Her VisionSilla immediately began gathering her resources. She enlisted trusted servants and family members to quietly gather rare herbs and ingredients—ginseng, orchid, lotus, and the finest oils. She began working with the royal physician to gain access to rare formulas used in the imperial court, blending these with her own knowledge of modern skincare methods.
Her first challenge was finding someone skilled enough to craft the formulations. While chemists didn't exist in this world, she knew how to approach the problem. Drawing on her previous life's experience, she sought out herbalists and skilled apothecaries who could help her create the potions and creams she envisioned. They were skilled in their craft, but Silla's guidance would push them to new heights. She would teach them to blend traditional ingredients in ways that had never been done before—creating products that could both heal and beautify, bringing new life to their skin and restoring their youth.
But it wasn't just about making products; it was about branding. The packaging, the presentation, the story. She envisioned her line as something exclusive, elegant, and royal. Silla knew that to succeed, her products would have to embody the highest status. Her cosmetic line would cater to the aristocracy, the ladies of the court, and anyone seeking to elevate their beauty while keeping the Lee family name at the forefront of luxury.
Investigating the CorruptionWhile her mind raced with ideas for the luxury cosmetics line, Silla knew she couldn't neglect the task of rooting out the corruption that had bled the family dry. She began to scrutinize every transaction, every ledger entry, every deposit and withdrawal. It was a painstaking process, but her sharp mind never faltered.
She uncovered more details about Konga's treachery. Not only had she siphoned funds, but there were whispers of embezzlement within the lower ranks of the household. It seemed as though every corner of the estate had been infiltrated by those seeking to line their pockets at the Lee family's expense.
Silla began making moves to reclaim what had been stolen. She discreetly sent messages to key allies, trusted servants, and even to her aunt, to gather information about the full extent of the corruption. She would expose the truth and restore the Lee family's wealth, but for now, her main focus was on securing the resources to launch her new venture.
A New BeginningWeeks turned into months, and slowly, Silla's vision began to take shape. The first batch of luxury skincare products was ready for trial. With the help of her grandfather's connections, she was able to source rare ingredients from the royal doctor's archives. The formulas were tested, tweaked, and perfected under Silla's watchful eye.
The Lee family's fortune was on the verge of being restored, but Silla knew that this was just the beginning. The real work was still ahead of her. She had to ensure the cosmetics line succeeded, navigate the dangerous politics of court, and uncover the full extent of the Konga family's betrayal. But with her intellect, knowledge, and unyielding determination, Silla was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
As she stood in front of her mirror, gazing at the first batch of products lined up on her table, Silla couldn't help but feel a sense of triumph. The Lee family would rise again—not just with wealth, but with a renewed sense of power, purpose, and legacy.