Chapter 38 Snacks that Appear Seven Years Ago

These thoughts flashed through Shen Wantang's mind in an instant, and she quickly forgot about Xiao Qingyuan.

She picked up a cloth bag that she had prepared beforehand and handed it to Dujuan: "Have someone deliver this to your cousin, and also give him the silver notes I gave you yesterday. Tell him that it's time for our shop to expand."

Du Juan was still immersed in anger and grievance when she heard Shen Wantang change the topic so quickly and with such a big leap. She almost choked on her own saliva!

"Princess Consort, why is your mind so focused on business? Don't you want to win the Prince's heart? If you win his heart, you'll have a steady stream of money. Isn't that better than running a business? With your abilities, it shouldn't be difficult!"

"It's not difficult, but it's unnecessary."

Looking at the bright sunshine outside, the luxurious surroundings, and the lavish clothes she was wearing, Shen Wantang smiled and said, "What would I do with the prince's heart? It's not made of gold. I reckon it's probably made of wood. That's why Chu Yanluo likes it, but I don't."

"Besides, relying on a man to get money is not as reliable and secure as earning money yourself. Chu Yanluo may have won the prince's heart, but do you see if she has any money to spend? She can't even afford a bowl of bird's nest soup, and she didn't even have the money to call the imperial physician when she was bleeding profusely after her miscarriage! The prince's heart is of no use."

"Dujuan, remember this: don't take men too seriously. Just coax them a little when you need to. They're actually quite simple-minded and easy to fool. The most important thing is to hold onto the power of managing the household and be able to earn your own money. Haven't you already seen it? When I have money, even someone as proud and noble as the young master has to smile and bow his head?"

"The reason why this world doesn't allow women to hold official positions or show their faces in public is to stifle women's abilities. Otherwise, men wouldn't be able to rule the world, and they certainly wouldn't be able to so confidently have concubines and maids."

"So, there's no need to think too highly of them or that they're too powerful, and there's no need to waste time on them. Wouldn't it be better for me to use that time to make more money?"

Du Juan was stunned. She thought her mistress had gone mad. Women shouldn't show their faces in public, wasn't that the proper way? Men should have three wives and four concubines, wasn't that natural? It's always been like that since ancient times!

If word gets out that what my master said, I'm afraid he'll be seen as a freak!

However, she inexplicably felt that what her master said made a lot of sense. At least, she felt that her master was actually much smarter and more capable than the prince. If her master were a man, he would definitely be able to be ennobled and appointed as prime minister!

After teaching the maid the principles, Shen Wantang took out her book and continued to circle, mark, and draw.

Du Juan had been taught to read by her master, but she still couldn't understand his books. Her master never read idle books like storybooks, and she didn't read the "Admonitions for Women" or "Instructions for Women." She read books like "Wooden Architecture," "Bridge Classics," and "Weaving."

The mistress is drawing bridges again now. Anyone who didn't know better would think she'd give up being a proper princess consort to build bridges and roads!

But sometimes, the less you understand something, the more sacred and sophisticated it seems.

Bright sunlight streamed in through the sheer curtains, illuminating Shen Wantang and bathing her in a pale golden glow.

Looking at her master in the halo, Du Juan felt a surge of heartfelt respect and devotion. Regardless of what others thought, she was determined to follow Shen Wantang for the rest of her life.

Afraid of disturbing Shen Wantang's painting of the bridge, she silently took out a box and put all the silver notes inside into the cloth bag that Shen Wantang had given her.

The bag wasn't empty; it was filled with scraps of cloth, all of which Shen Wantang had cut piece by piece from the large bolt of fabric last night.

Du Juan tied the bag tightly, then took the bag and went outside.

Both the silver notes and scraps of cloth should be given to the young master. The young master will follow the instructions on the scraps of cloth to personally go to Jiangnan to place a large order for goods, and then transport them back to the capital by waterway to earn silver. At the end of the year, the two will split the profits, with Shen Wantang taking 70% and the young master taking 30%.

However, it wasn't until Shen Wantang's husband that the young master was willing to work for her so readily. It was only after Shen Wantang proved her ability time and time again, showing that only the goods she chose could make money while the goods the young master chose always lost money, that the young master finally obeyed her completely and no longer had any objections to the profit sharing.

A few days later, the young master sent word that he had acquired several of the best-located shops in the capital and was preparing to set off for Jiangnan. Once he returned, the shops would open immediately, monopolizing all the fashionable patterns and fabrics.

Shen Wantang even informed her mother-in-law and went out to see the shop that her cousin had taken over, accompanied by her maids and nannies.

These are indeed prime locations, surrounded by renowned cosmetics and jewelry shops in the capital. After buying cosmetics and jewelry, the wealthy ladies would naturally not miss the clothing shops, making their business exceptionally good.

Shen Wantang was very satisfied and in a good mood, so she took her maids and nannies to Qingyunlou, the largest restaurant in the capital, booked a private room, and had lunch there.

However, a snack at the restaurant caught her attention.

The snack is called Fruit Cheese Ice Bowl, which is made by mixing various fruits with milk and honey, and adding some crushed ice.

You can choose your favorite fruit yogurt, such as peach yogurt, grape yogurt, pear yogurt, etc. It tastes sweet and sour, has a rich milky aroma, and is very refreshing, making it a delicious treat to beat the summer heat.

The problem is, this snack shouldn't be here at this time!

In my previous life, this snack appeared seven years later, introduced by a foreign merchant.

But now, that foreign merchant has not come to the capital at all!

Who taught the chefs at Qingyunlou Restaurant how to make this snack? Shen Mingxuan?

Shen Wantang gave the waiter a tael of silver: "Waiter, call your manager over. I have something to ask him."

The waiter was overjoyed to receive the silver, grinning from ear to ear: "Please wait here, I'll go and call the manager right away!"

The manager arrived quickly. He was much more perceptive than the waiter and immediately recognized Granny Chai, who was serving Shen Wantang. Naturally, the young woman being served by Granny Chai was the subject of much discussion in the capital: Shen Wantang, the heir apparent of the Prince Ning's mansion.

He smiled broadly and spoke respectfully: "I was unaware of the Crown Princess's presence. Please forgive any neglect."

Shen Wantang didn't waste any time with him and directly pointed to the fruit yogurt bowl, asking, "I find this taste quite unique, but it seems your restaurant didn't have this snack before. When did it start?"

"You like this too, Princess Consort? No wonder you haven't tried it before. It's a new little treat that our restaurant has introduced these past few days, and everyone who's tried it says it's delicious!"

"Did your chef come up with this himself?"

"Well... not really. It was made with the guidance of an expert, and the chef experimented several times before finally getting around to it."

"What kind of expert?"