Chapter 576 - 354: Truly a Bit Unlucky
Baozhuang Building had kicked up a storm in the Capital City before it even opened its doors. Everyone knew it was a shop the Emperor had established for Ming Fei.
Indeed, everyone was certain that with the upcoming selection of new court ladies, the Emperor was worried Ming Fei would be displeased and was doing this to placate his favorite beauty.
Song Yunzhao: ?
’Who spread this rumor?’
’It’s so ridiculous!’
The next time she saw Feng Yi, she immediately complained, "This is simply outrageous! How can they say such a thing? The truth is nothing like that at all."
She genuinely just wanted to give the concubines of the harem something to do to pass the time. And while she was at it, she hoped to start a business venture, see if she could earn some extra silver, and pay taxes into the National Treasury to support the Emperor.
’My intentions are so noble and upright, so how did the story get twisted into one about a foolish emperor and an Evil Concubine?’
Song Yunzhao was furious. Now she was determined to make a real success of it. At the end of the year, she would shut them all up with her tax revenue!
Her public image was already so-so. The "Evil Concubine" persona she’d cultivated had been a little too successful. Now, whenever anyone outside the palace mentioned Ming Fei, they’d say, "Oh, right, her. The Evil Concubine who has the Emperor completely wrapped around her finger!"
Seeing Song Yunzhao puffing her cheeks in anger, Feng Yi was greatly amused. It was strange. ’These aren’t exactly compliments,’ he thought, ’so why do they sound so pleasant to my ears?’
’A foolish emperor and an Evil Concubine... a match made in heaven. How perfect!’
But seeing Yun Zhao so furious, Feng Yi was tactful enough not to say this aloud. He comforted her instead, "These people don’t know how wonderful you are. Once your shop is up and running, things will slowly become clear. Don’t be angry; it’s not worth it."
Song Yunzhao said with a straight face, "Originally, I just wanted something to pass the time. But now, I feel I absolutely have to do this well. I’ll shut their mouths with facts. We’ll see who’s laughing at year-end when the tax revenue comes in."
Feng Yi: ...
’If she doesn’t make much money by the end of the year, how am I going to help Yun Zhao save face?’
’This is a bit worrying. I’d better start thinking about it now.’
Song Yunzhao was still fuming. That night, her anger fueled a surplus of energy between them under the bed curtains. On reflection, Feng Yi decided it wasn’t entirely a bad thing.
The date for the final review of the candidates was set for half a month later. Song Yunzhao scheduled the grand opening for three days before the review.
’People are naturally curious,’ she reasoned. ’New beauties are about to enter the palace, yet here she is, focused on opening a shop. Others will surely want to see what kind of business could command so much of her attention. It’s the bandwagon effect.’
Song Yunzhao was examining the samples sent over from the Six Departments. They were boxes for rouge and fragrance cream, all made from designs personally painted by Princess Consort Wan. They came in various materials—gold, silver, bronze, and jade—and were all available in large, medium, and small sizes.
She had given Princess Consort Wan a few suggestions, like creating themed series: one for the twenty-four solar terms, limited-edition gift boxes for the Mid-Autumn and Qixi Festivals, a "Beauties" series, and, of course, a "Handsome Men" series...
It was as if a whole new world had opened up for Princess Consort Wan; her inspiration flowed endlessly. The sample boxes piled up like a mountain in Yun Zhao’s quarters. With that level of efficiency, it would have been a crime not to give Princess Consort Wan a bonus.
So, she specifically asked Feng Yi to reward Princess Consort Wan with a silver tea set. Princess Consort Wan was absolutely delighted, and the look she gave Yun Zhao grew even more amicable.
Song Yunzhao decided to launch the "Beauties" and "Handsome Men" series first. She had to offer something no one else had. After all, who paints handsome men on a rouge box? How vulgar.
But Princess Consort Wan’s artistic skill was superb and full of charm. The handsome men she painted weren’t lewd, as one might expect, but rather looked like celestial beings descended to the mortal realm. Yun Zhao adored them so much that she secretly stashed a set for herself. When Feng Yi found out, he promptly dragged her into the bed curtains to assert his sovereignty.
The next day, her limbs feeling like jelly, a tearful Yun Zhao had the "Handsome Men" set sent over to Xie Linlang.
’I hear Ji Yunting has some criticisms about my shop,’ she thought with a huff. ’Hmph, it’s about time I taught him a lesson.’
The decor of Baozhuang Building was also one-of-a-kind, unlike any traditional storefront. It was a three-story building facing the street. The first floor was a tea-drinking area, which Song Yunzhao had designed as a Zen-themed teahouse. The air was filled with an aroma that blended the crisp scent of bamboo with a hint of sweetness. The clean, elegant environment was instantly comforting to anyone who walked in. A zither player strummed softly in a corner. Even the Shopkeeper and the attendants had received special training; their bearing was exceptional, and they greeted customers with a perfect mix of reverence and calm poise.
Song Yunzhao and Feng Yi observed quietly from a private room on the second floor. Feng Yi was astonished. He hadn’t expected Yun Zhao’s shop to be so distinctive. Whether customers bought anything or not was a separate issue; the immediate feeling upon entering was one of profound comfort.
Seeing Feng Yi’s surprised expression, Song Yunzhao said smugly, "Well? What do you think?"
Feng Yi nodded, praising her generously. "It’s truly excellent. Yours is the first shop of its kind in the Capital City. I imagine business will be quite good."
Song Yunzhao had been busy with nothing else lately. This was the culmination of her blood, sweat, and tears. ’If I want to carve out my own path,’ she thought, ’I naturally have to do something different.’
’Ambiance is something you can’t just talk about,’ she reflected. ’You have to experience it firsthand.’
’It’s just like those shops in a future life that sell memberships. Why do so many people spend a fortune on a whim? It’s all because the experience is just that incredible.’
’This is how you earn the money of noblewomen.’
Song Yunzhao saw Princess Fuke arrive with a grand entourage and couldn’t help but smile, pressing her lips together. ’She’s really here to show her support.’
Feng Yi smiled along with her. He glanced sideways at Yun Zhao, noticing how her eyes curved in delight. He suddenly felt that agreeing to let her open a shop had been the right decision. She had smiled more in the past half-month than in the several months prior.
The first floor quickly grew bustling. Since the Emperor was present, Song Yunzhao had no intention of making an appearance. If word got out that the Emperor himself had attended the grand opening, the flood of memorials from the Imperial Censors would likely call for her head.
’It’s like in a future life,’ she thought, ’if some mall had a top national leader attend its grand opening. It would scare people to death.’
No sooner had Princess Fuke arrived than the Head Madam followed. Arriving with the Head Madam was Song Yexi. Xie Linlang also made a grand entrance, surrounded by her entourage.
Song Yunzhao hadn’t seen Xie Linlang in a long time. ’Seeing her rosy complexion and high spirits,’ she thought, ’life in the Ji Family must be treating her well.’
’She’s a very clever woman—resourceful, calculating, knowing when to advance and when to retreat, when to give and when to take. A highborn lady like Madam Ji, who isn’t much of a schemer, was probably won over by her in no time.’
In any case, in all the time since Xie Linlang had married into the family, Yun Zhao hadn’t heard a single rumor of conflict between her and her mother-in-law.
Soon, Yun Zhao saw the Right Minister’s Wife, Mrs. Lu, Mrs. Feng, and Mrs. Han arrive one after another. Before long, the second and third floors were also buzzing with activity.
From behind a closed door, Yun Zhao heard a familiar voice. "I’ve used the products myself, and they are truly excellent. I heard the formulas were developed in the palace by Lady Wanfei and Lady Ming. Lady Wanfei was a renowned talent even before she married, and Lady Ming is a great beauty herself, so of course, anything she uses would be the very best..."
Song Yunzhao was a little surprised. It was the Marchioness Yongjia.
’How unexpected,’ she thought. Then her mind drifted to the Marchioness Yongjia’s unfortunate daughter. ’I wonder if Huang Mingxiu’s marriage has been settled yet. That girl really seems to be plagued by bad luck.’