Chapter 284 - 283: Raking in Gold Every Day
Main courtyard.
The concubine daughters, who usually remain unseen, were all gathered together this time.
The eldest branch of the family had many concubine sons and daughters.
The concubine sons had already been settled by Princess An He, leaving five unmarried concubine daughters.
They were all roughly the same age, already reached the age of maturity, ready for marriage at this prime age.
However, last year with the passing of the Old Lord, the children needed to observe mourning, delaying any marriage discussions.
Following this event, all concubines who entered the mansion afterwards were given infertility soups by Princess An He, and the eldest branch no longer expanded its family.
The second branch had three concubine daughters, all younger than Yun Ling, the youngest only eight years old.
Several concubine daughters sat on both sides, leaving room for Mingzhu and the visitors.
Princess An He sat at the headmost seat, noticing Mingzhu’s entrance, she signaled her trusted maid.
The maid immediately went to support Mingzhu, saying, "Madam, there are many people today, please watch your step and be careful not to fall."
With such an arrangement, Liu Xu quickly understood the reason.
The Lord and Duchess had been married for many years but hadn’t had any offspring yet.
She had heard about Princess An He’s character.
For the Commandery Princess to be so concerned, it seems the Duchess might be pregnant.
On her visit today, she brought gifts for the main ladies of the mansion.
Coincidentally, the lip balm she prepared was homemade, not only looking beautiful but also safe for use by pregnant women.
Collecting her thoughts, Liu Xu stepped forward and greeted each lady.
"I feel deeply honored to teach the young ladies some skills today. My rouge shop recently developed a new lip balm with sixteen shades, not yet publicly sold, please graciously accept."
As someone of royal descent, Princess An He was used to the best cosmetics and paid little attention to such trinkets.
However, observing Liu Xu’s proper demeanor, unlike those pretentious concubines in the backyard, she was willing to give some face.
After all, Lan Ci showed great potential and even Ah Zhen regarded him highly.
The regions were currently short on manpower, and the Emperor, in seeking talents, had uncharacteristically added an extra examination this spring.
Instead of waiting for Lan Ci to be recruited by others after the exams, she felt it better to show them some favor.
Should Lan Ci truly prove himself and become a rising star in the court, it would be advantageous for the Duke Mansion.
Thus, even if she disdained Liu Xu’s merchant style, Princess An He refrained from any sarcasm.
She invited her to sit, "You’ve brought chefs, so you won’t need to demonstrate yourself. Please sit and enjoy some tea."
Liu Xu nodded, personally presenting gifts to the ladies before taking a guest seat.
On a first visit, bringing too many gifts might cause mistakes.
Therefore, Liu Xu prepared gifts only for three main ladies and the elderly matron.
The matron’s gift was conventional, premium bird’s nest, and since she wasn’t present, Lady Guan would pass it on her behalf.
Xie Yunling sat beside Mrs. Guan.
Her attention was entirely on Liu Xu. Observing her calm demeanor and thorough etiquette, she felt increasingly anxious.
If this Miss Liu also had designs on Lan Ci, Xie Yunling doubted she stood a chance.
Though... she had no interest in competing for a man.
Yet, Miss Liu presented herself as someone seasoned by storms, her aura revealing an undeniable truth.
Though she was female, from a humble background, without family support.
However, Xie Yunling had an intuition that this Miss Liu was not easily provoked.
Fortunately, there was no hostility from her, allowing her to keep observing for now.
Should there arise any competitive tendencies, no matter Lan Ci’s talents or handsome appearance, she wouldn’t be interested.
Sensing Xie Yunling’s gaze, Liu Xu returned it with composure.
With a warm smile, she said, "I have long heard of Miss Xie’s elegant and intelligent presence at the Duke Mansion, and upon meeting today, it truly is so."
The other was fifteen years younger, prompting Liu Xu to unconsciously soften her gaze towards Xie Yunling.
Though she had traversed through time for over a decade, her mindset hadn’t completely shifted.
When seeing Lan Ci and Xie Yunling, she instinctively regarded them as young ones.
Under Liu Xu’s "affectionate" gaze, Xie Yunling blushed slightly.
Hastily, she replied, "I’ve heard of Madam’s business acumen, you truly are an extraordinary woman."
To carve out a realm with one’s own hands, Xie Yunling felt this Madam Liu more formidable than many men.
Regardless of her feelings for Lan Ci, this fact remained unchanged.
Liu Xu also flushed from the praise, modestly saying, "Expertise has its limits. Outside of commerce, I might not excel at other tasks."
"Madam, don’t underestimate yourself. Many excel in multiple fields, with enough resilience, anything can be achieved."
Young as she was, Xie Yunling could utter such words.
Not dampening spirits, not dishearteningly, highlighting her pleasant nature.
Having interacted with numerous individuals, Liu Xu prided herself in discerning characters. This Miss Xie was genuinely outstanding.
No wonder Lan Ci thought of her often after merely seeing her a few times.
Receiving the invitation, despite his usual aloofness, he unwontedly visited a tailor shop for new attire and a new headpiece...
He attended the banquet ostentatiously dressed like a peacock in display.
Liu Xu subtly lifted the corners of her mouth.
Considering the setting unsuitable for jest, she exchanged pleasantries and awaited the host’s arrangements.
Princess An He concerned herself solely with discerning any inappropriate intentions Liu Xu might hide.
Anything beyond that, she wouldn’t bother herself with.
After all, Yun Ling wasn’t her own daughter, the decision-making lay in Mrs. Guan’s hands.
Ms. Guan continuously observed Liu Xu, mindful that relationships require reciprocity.
Liu Xu gave them lip balm, hence she decided to present Liu Xu some face.
She thus opened the elegantly packaged gift box on the table.
The wooden box inside bore exquisite carvings, with high-quality materials, chic and grand, a worthy gift.
The box revealed sixteen porcelain bottles arranged neatly within.
Each bottle adorned with unique patterns.
Clearly designed with great care.
Even someone who had seen countless fine cosmetics, Mrs. Guan couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.
Such exquisite packaging sparked an immediate desire to purchase.
No wonder Madam Liu excelled in business, not everyone possessed such refined taste.
After seeing the packaging, Mrs. Guan grew curious about the lip balm inside the porcelain bottles.
Eager to see if the colors were as vibrant as hoped.
"Madam Liu, may I open this here?" Mrs. Guan asked with a smile.
Liu Xu gestured slightly, "If there’s anything lacking, please advise, so I can improve further."
Mrs. Guan chuckled, "An outsider like me wouldn’t dare to offer pointers. What if I make a fool of myself?"
Liu Xu mused, "You’re the user, it’s your opinion on whether it’s good that counts."
Thus, turning to Mingzhu, Liu Xu said, "In the capital, I have several friends, one of whom was pregnant last year, lamenting how family elders restricted her lip balm use, worried it might harm the fetus. Hence, this lip balm uses healthy ingredients and can be used safely when you and the Lord expect a child."
With that, Mingzhu genuinely became intrigued.
She urged Mrs. Guan to open the porcelain bottles, "Aunt, let’s have a look too."
"You child, more impatient than I am?"
With that, Mrs. Guan opened each porcelain bottle one by one.
The lip balm was fine and smooth in texture, with shades varying from deep to light, suitable for both glamorous and subtle makeup.
Mrs. Guan praised, "These colors are truly beautiful, with a faint scent, Madam Liu, might you have a secret recipe?"
Liu Xu smiled and nodded, teasingly remarked, "Indeed it is a secret recipe. If the esteemed ones find it appealing, I will rely on this for prosperity."
Mingzhu, with sharp eyesight, despite the distance, could clearly see the vibrant colors in the porcelain bottles.
She felt the lip balm was excessively beautiful.
Sincerely, she said, "Madam Liu is bound to earn a fortune!"