The emperor agreed to Jiang Mingzhe's suggestion to let the princes open shops so they could experience the real economy and learn about people's lives.

The princes were hesitant about which shop to open, wanting to try each one.

The noise was incessant.

Jiang Mingzhe simply wrote the shop's name on a piece of paper and let them draw lots.

Open a shop that corresponds to whatever you catch.

If you don't like something, you can exchange it with another person.

The starting cost for each person is 1000 taels of silver.

"The emperor is stingy and miserly. He made me pay the 6,000 taels of silver needed to open the shop," Jiang Mingzhe complained about the emperor.

Where did you get the money?

Jiang Mingzhe gave all his money to Ye Yunniang, and he only had one tael of silver for pocket money each day.

Where did Jiang Mingzhe get 6,000 taels of silver?

Li Ping: "Mom, men are good at hiding money. You have to keep an eye on Dad. He has power now, you absolutely mustn't let him have any more money, or he'll go astray."

"You've been hiding money from me?"

"Pingping told you." Jiang Mingzhe didn't need to think to know that Li Ping, that brat, couldn't stand seeing his own father doing well. He was always stirring up trouble behind Ye Yunniang's back, talking badly about him.

"You little rascal, your butt's itchy again."

"Never mind whether Pingping said it or not. Tell me first where you got the money?" Ye Yunniang stopped Jiang Mingzhe from changing the subject.

"The silver comes from the Emperor's private treasury."

The emperor wanted Jiang Mingzhe to pay in advance, but Jiang Mingzhe took out one tael of silver from his money bag and told the emperor that he had no money.

His wife at home kept a tight rein on him, and he had no money.

"You've already told me!" Ye Yunniang was anxious and scared. Would the Emperor think she was a shrew? How could she ever face anyone again?

Jiang Mingzhe grasped Ye Yunniang's hand and pulled her into his arms.

"The Emperor praised you. He said I married a wonderful wife."

"Don't lie to me." In the countryside, people would call her a tigress.

Jiang Mingzhe kissed Ye Yunniang on the lips, "When have I ever lied to you?"

"Did the Emperor really praise me?"

Jiang Mingzhe changed his name to "bite" because he didn't want to hear Ye Yunniang talking about other men.

"No, I have to get up early tomorrow."

"It won't be too late."

"You said the same thing yesterday." This morning she almost didn't get up to take Pan'er to the Imperial Academy.

"Jiang Mingzhe, no..."

...

In the morning, Ye Yunniang got up rubbing her back, cursing Jiang Mingzhe inwardly for breaking his promise.

Ye Yunniang got up; everyone else in the family had already left. She could only play with Yuanyuan for a while.

Ye Yunniang and Qiushuang arrived at Qianjin Pavilion by carriage.

Inside, in the display cases, hung beautiful wedding dresses.

Ye Yunniang and Qiushuang looked at each item one by one and picked out seven or eight that suited Qiushuang.

The young lady from Qianjin Pavilion, who was following behind the two, stepped forward to speak.

There are private rooms upstairs. You can go upstairs to rest and try on clothes for 3 taels of silver for tea.

Qianjin Pavilion also provides professional hairdressers to complement the wedding dress and the guests' own grooming.

The hairdresser wasn't free; her service cost between 1 and 10 taels of silver.

If you buy a wedding dress worth more than 100 taels, the cost of tea and the service fee for the hairdresser will be deducted from the price of the wedding dress.

Qianjin Pavilion is very good at business.

Ye Yunniang sighed, paid for the tea and the hairdresser, and arranged for her to try on the clothes.

Ye Yunniang sat and watched Qiushuang try on each piece of clothing.

The private room has a large bronze mirror, allowing the bride to see how her wedding dress looks on her.

Qiu Shuang tried on the fourth item with great enthusiasm, but then ran out of energy.

So tired.

"Madam, how about this one?"

Is it your favorite?

"No." Qiu Shuang shook her head; she didn't really like any of the four pieces she tried on.

"Try again."

You only get one chance in your life, so you should definitely choose what you like.

Qiu Shuang thought about it and agreed, and decided to continue trying.

After trying them all on, Qiushuang chose one that suited her.

Ye Yunniang liked it very much, and called the maid waiting outside to wrap up the wedding dress, saying she wanted it.

When it was time to pay, the woman did not accept the money.

"Madam, the master said it's a gift for you."

Who is your employer?

“It’s me.” Zhong Zhaoli walked into the private room.

"I left in a hurry yesterday without saying goodbye to Madam. It was my fault. Consider this wedding dress my apology."

Ye Yunniang refused, saying that the wedding dress was a wedding gift she wanted to give to Qiushuang, and she couldn't let Zhong Zhaoli pay for it.

Zhong Zhaoli asked Ye Yunniang to choose one item from Qianjin Pavilion as an apology.

Looking at the rows of wedding dresses, Ye Yunniang smiled and said, "There are none that I can choose from."

"Oh dear, how could I be so foolish?" Zhong Zhaoli invited Ye Yunniang to the shop next to Qianjin Pavilion, a gold and silver jewelry shop.

Qianjin Pavilion and the jewelry shop are both Zhong Zhaoli's businesses.

On Zhong Zhaoli's enthusiastic recommendation, Ye Yunniang selected a set of exquisitely crafted but inexpensive gold jewelry.

He also spent money to select a set of high-quality jewelry for both Cai Damei and Cai Shuyi.

Ye Yunniang also wanted to pick out a set for Qiushuang.

Qiu Shuang doesn't want it. The madam has already paid for the wedding dress, so she can't be greedy and ask for jewelry.

After buying the jewelry, Zhong Zhaoli and Ye Yunniang sat down to talk.

"Tong Mo came to my house to propose marriage this morning."

Congratulations! The lovers have finally become a couple.

“I didn’t agree.” Zhong Zhaoli’s answer was somewhat unexpected by Ye Yunniang.

Why?

"I've liked Tong Mo for 7 years and followed him for 5 years."

Zhong Zhaoli recounted the little things she had done for Tong Mo over the years.

Before yesterday, Zhong Zhaoli felt that these were proof of her love for Tong Mo, and something she was proud of.

But yesterday, Zhong Zhaoli knew that Tong Mo had feelings for her, but because of what happened in the previous generation, he dared not admit it.

From yesterday until now, Zhong Zhaoli has been holding back a lot of anger.

I feel terrible and want to vent, but I don't know how.

"You should torture Tong Mo more," Ye Yunniang suggested.

"I'm also afraid that Tong Mo will say that yesterday's idea was wrong."

"You should tell Tong Mo these things." Ye Yunniang felt that it was useless for Zhong Zhaoli to tell her these things.

Zhong Zhaoli knew she should be with Tong Mo. However,

After listening to Zhong Zhaoli's rambling on and on all afternoon, Ye Yunniang felt dizzy and disoriented.

Back home, Ye Yunniang leaned on Jiang Mingzhe's shoulder and complained about Zhong Zhaoli and Tong Mo.

Why torment her over their relationship?