I Was Supposed to Be the Villainous Consort

Baozhuang Building had certainly created a sensation. Noble ladies particularly adored the shop’s decor and furnishings. The products sold there not only had beautiful packaging but were also genuinely effective. Add to that the fact that the sign was inscribed by the Emperor himself, the shop was opened by Ming Fei, and she was supported by numerous concubines in the harem... even if the products had been useless, people would have still flocked to buy them.

Even in ancient times, there was a market for fashion.

The successful opening delighted Song Yunzhao and the others. Consort Shu, in particular, was beaming with joy. ’See? The people I picked are perfect,’ she thought. ’Having them in the shop to greet customers is so respectable.’

Princess Consort Wan didn’t let it show on her face, but inwardly, she was quite proud. She had personally formulated the recipes. Given how picky Song Yunzhao was, always finding fault, she had adjusted and re-adjusted the formulas several times. ’How could they not be good?’

’Success is built on a solid foundation,’ she mused. ’It’s because my products are good that they’ve won everyone over.’

Wang Zhaorong had no intention of claiming credit. With business booming, she was busy calculating how much Silver she would get as her share. The thought alone was delightful. ’If only all that shiny silver could grow wings and fly right into my bowl.’

She could wake up laughing from her dreams.

Han Jinyi and Feng Yunjin were much more low-key. They didn’t have the status of Consort Shu or Princess Consort Wan, so they simply did as they were told. How could they compete for credit with concubines of such high rank? In any case, they had contributed, and Ming Fei would surely remember their efforts and not treat them unfairly. ’Why fight tooth and nail just to make a fool of ourselves?’

Zhang Maoquan walked with a swagger these days. With Lady Ming’s shop taking off, he, the one in charge of procurement, had suddenly become a hot commodity. Countless people came to his door with their goods, hoping Baozhuang Building would use their materials.

He was now too busy to handle everything himself, so Lady Ming even had the Emperor assign him a few more assistants. He was so imposing now; Xu Sixi’s eyes were red with envy.

’That bastard thought he could push me aside in Taixi Hall just because he earned great merit for saving the Emperor once,’ Zhang Maoquan fumed internally. ’Good thing I saw which way the wind was blowing and immediately pledged myself to Lady Ming. Here in Yaohua Palace, I’m the most capable eunuch by Her Ladyship’s side.’

’Sure, Xu Sixi managed to push me out, but now he has to cower under Meng Jiuchang’s thumb.’

’And for an old fox like Meng Jiuchang, keeping him down is child’s play. Back when I had Lady Ming’s support, Meng Jiuchang had to tread carefully around me, not daring to make any major moves.’

’That Xu Sixi... he just doesn’t get it.’

’Does he really think saving the Emperor’s life once is enough to let him soar? Bah!’

Meanwhile, Song Yunzhao discussed the matter of the Treasure Pearl Building with the two high-ranking concubines. Princess Consort Wan had no interest in such things; she was currently fascinated with various cosmetic formulas. Song Yunzhao’s constant stream of imaginative ideas, in particular, made her itch with curiosity, eager to create them and see what they were like and how well they worked.

What kind of shop to open, who to hire—she had no interest in any of it.

Consort Shu’s first reaction was that she would have more people to manage. But when she heard this shop was for commoners, she looked at Song Yunzhao and said, "Can a shop like this even make money? Don’t you go losing all the money from Baozhuang Building on this venture, or it’ll all be for nothing. You’re still hoping to pay taxes to the court at the end of the year to gain some prestige. You’d better not end up losing face instead."

Song Yunzhao then explained the concept of small profits and quick turnover to Consort Shu. Consort Shu didn’t quite understand these things, but Song Yunzhao was full of clever ideas. Judging from the success of Baozhuang Building, it seemed like this new plan might just work.

But since she didn’t understand it and didn’t know if it would succeed, she maintained a neutral stance, neither supporting nor opposing it.

Song Yunzhao was overjoyed. Not being opposed was the greatest victory.

Given that Consort Shu had no interest in the Treasure Pearl Building, Song Yunzhao took the opportunity to suggest that Feng Yunjin take it over. Consort Shu agreed at once.

Song Yunzhao was thrilled. Objective achieved.

’A talent like Feng Yunjin is wasted on just administrative tasks,’ she thought. ’Talented people should be put in positions where they can truly shine.’

Princess Consort Wan casually wrote out more than a dozen formulas for the Treasure Pearl Building. The raw materials for these were slightly cheaper than those for Baozhuang Building; after all, if the costs were too high, the price couldn’t be kept down. However, according to Princess Consort Wan, their effects were still quite good. Her own Palace Attendants were using them.

Song Yunzhao once again started working on a promotional plan with Wang Zhaorong. ’Life isn’t easy,’ she thought, feeling as though she were single-handedly commanding an entire army.

Wang Zhaorong was now very interested in what Yun Zhao called "promotion." The massive success of Baozhuang Building had greatly boosted her confidence. She knew that taking the commoner route would surely be different from the noble lady route.

Song Yunzhao told her they should focus on a single slogan: Every girl deserves to have her own beauty.

The main theme was affordability for the common folk, letting people know that the Treasure Pearl Building was a charitable shop opened by Ming Fei, so that every girl could afford Rouge.

Wang Zhaorong was deeply moved. She looked at Song Yunzhao and said with sincerity, "Your Ladyship is truly too kind-hearted. If we do this, I’m afraid the shop won’t make much money."

Song Yunzhao hadn’t been able to calculate the exact costs yet. She figured Zhang Maoquan should be able to get a lower price. After all, with their large order volumes, the suppliers ought to reduce their selling price.

But since the prices weren’t finalized, she couldn’t calculate the costs. She figured they wouldn’t make any Silver in the first month; they’d be lucky to break even. But once the prices were negotiated and their reputation was established, the profits would snowball.

Grateful for Ming Fei’s benevolence, Wang Zhaorong naturally played this point up as much as possible when doing the promotions.

They were all in the same boat now. If Ming Fei’s reputation improved and the shop made money, everyone would get a piece of the pie, and they could also earn a good name for being both beautiful and kind.

Unlike Baozhuang Building’s grand opening, the Treasure Pearl Building opened quietly. Many people were watching from the sidelines, wondering if the shop’s products were really as affordable and accessible as claimed.

Song Yunzhao completely understood their hesitation. ’I used to be someone who didn’t dare set foot in a luxury store for fear of being looked down on,’ she recalled.

Although the Treasure Pearl Building wasn’t a luxury shop, its sister store next door was genuinely glittering and glamorous. So, she had the Shopkeeper hang up a specially made price board with everything clearly marked. Honest prices for all.

A box of rouge and powder for only twenty copper coins?

A small box of lip color for fifteen copper coins?

The fragrance cream was a bit pricier, but still only fifty copper coins!

The moment the price board was revealed, the hesitant crowd outside immediately surged forward.

In less than half a day, they were out of stock. They had no choice but to close the doors and hang up a notice announcing they would reopen upon restocking.

Song Yunzhao hadn’t expected to sell out after being open for only half a day. She had originally estimated that was enough stock for two or three days. It looked like the workshop would have to work through the night, and they would probably need to hire more people.

Previously, the artisans in the workshop had been assigned by Feng Yi. Now, she no longer needed Feng Yi to bail her out. If she just put out word that her workshop was hiring, countless artisans would be scrambling to get in.

Besides, the date of the final review was fast approaching. She didn’t have the time or energy to handle these things herself, so she had to choose someone else to do it.