Chapter 569: My Mind is Full of Business [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

What do you need these two things for?

For the first time, she realized that her imagination was not enough.

Chen Zhi twisted the handkerchief between her fingers, not entirely confident: "I overheard that it's Commandant Bai's birthday in a few days, so..."

"Is Shao Xuan's birthday in a few days?"

Shen Tang really didn't know.

Not only Bai Su, but she didn't know anyone else either. This group didn't have the habit of throwing birthday parties, and she didn't even know when to give them gifts. Of course, perhaps they knew she was short of money, and they were too embarrassed to invite Shen Tang, so they simply didn't hold a party?

It's not impossible.

Shen Zhi nodded gently: "Mm."

"Shao Xuan likes beeswax and flower seeds?" Shen Tang was fine if she didn't know this, but now that she did, she should prepare something out of courtesy. However, when she carefully recalled Bai Su's preferences, she found that the latter only had sparring and training with her soldiers, besides cultivation.

Shen Zhi hurriedly explained, "No, no, it's just that Commander Bai is usually too plain, so I wanted to make some rouge and floral dew to give to her..."

Actually, she initially wanted to cater to his interests by finding some rare minerals or copying some rare military books. However, her ideals were far from reality—neither minerals nor rare military books were easy to obtain, which troubled her greatly.

Embroider a handkerchief?

Make a garment?

Make a money pouch?

Unfortunately, she had already delivered it before.

If I send it again, wouldn't it seem like she's not thoughtful?

After much thought, he decided to use rouge and floral dew. No one dictates that a martial arts master must always be disheveled, unkempt, and unkempt. Using rouge and floral dew wouldn't diminish his strength or diminish his heroic spirit; it was simply for his own pleasure.

To put it another way, many male scholars or warriors also paid attention to their appearance, wearing flowers and applying powder, and meticulously grooming their beards and eyebrows.

Why wouldn't this work for a female martial arts expert?

Everyone has a love for beauty, regardless of gender.

Shen Tang: "Shao Xuan should like it."

I have some unspeakable feelings about this.

She remembered that Shen Zhi had always mistaken Bai Su for a man. To express his admiration, he had given her many personal items such as handkerchiefs, clothes, and money pouches. Bai Su did not think there was anything wrong with it—she only thought that Shen Zhi was trying to express his gratitude for saving her life and his care for her afterward.

After having his fill of gossip, Gu Chi privately remarked to Shen Tang with a hint of sourness, "Our Commandant Bai is really popular."

Shen Tang felt there was something wrong with what Gu Chi said at that time.

[Shao Xuan is a treasure; it would be strange if he didn't cherish him.]

Gu Chi suppressed a laugh: "It's not that it's rare, it's just that Commander Bai's luck with women is a bit too strong, one after another."

Shen Tang: [? ? ?]

Gu Chi shared some gossip: "That Lady Shen Zhi has probably been secretly in love with Commander Bai for a long time, otherwise why would she be sending him so many things? Does the lord think needlework doesn't take time?"

It is precisely because I like it that I am willing to put in the effort.

The hero rescuing the damsel in distress is indeed a powerful tool for winning a beauty's heart; even though the plot has been overused, it remains a favorite in popular folk tales.

Shen Tang: [...But, Shao Xuan is a woman...]

Gu Chi countered, "Does that Lady Shen Zhi know?"

Even though Bai Su didn't deliberately hide her gender and there were many flaws, Shen Zhi never suspected that she might have mistaken her gender due to the ingrained belief that "a woman cannot be a martial artist".

Even if they find the slightest clue, they will still be able to justify their actions.

This is similar to how Qi Shan and the others initially did not believe that Shen Tang was a woman, because it was too difficult to break through the ingrained perceptions accumulated over the years.

Shen Tang: [...]

She pondered for three seconds and made a decision.

Despite Shen Zhi's heavy body, they enrolled her in the academy ahead of schedule as a transfer student, leaving the rest for her to learn on her own.

Chen Zhi has come to understand.

But the gift-giving only stopped for a few days before starting again.

Perhaps because they were of the same gender, and because she was a bit older than Bai Su, Chen Zhi lost her previous shyness and restraint. After they became familiar with each other, she referred to herself as "elder sister". When she learned that Bai Su had a pitiful background, her maternal love overflowed and she became even more enthusiastic.

Whenever they have free time, they ask after each other's well-being.

Shen Tang had been secretly observing the two of them for a long time.

If she hadn't subtly inquired and confirmed that Shen Zhi didn't mean it that way, this situation would truly be considered—[a great opportunity for Tachibana].

Beeswax and flower seeds were not hard to find; Ning Yan had already agreed before Shen Tang arrived. Shen Zhi bowed contentedly and withdrew.

After Shen Zhi left, Ning Yan noticed that Shen Tang still seemed a little dazed: "Does the lord dislike her contact with Commander Bai?"

Are you worried about interfering with Commander Bai's cultivation?

Shen Tang quickly shook his head: "As long as it doesn't affect official business, who you're on good terms with in private, and how good your relationship is, is none of my business. As for rouge flower dew, although I don't know how to make it, I've seen what it looks like. Beeswax is fine, but what use can these flower seeds have?"

She was completely baffled.

Until Ning Yan revealed the answer.

"This is so that it can facilitate the growth of all kinds of flowers."

Shen Tang paused in her steps.

"To induce the growth of a hundred flowers?"

Ning Yan said with a hint of regret, "It's a pity that she's older and has been confined to the inner quarters since childhood, which has worn away most of her innate spiritual energy. She has no resonance with ordinary words of power and is unlikely to be able to follow the path of a strategist. Instead, she is more compatible with some words of power related to romance and nature."

Why can the same words of power have different effects in the hands of different people? Because everyone's understanding and preferences are different.

The younger you are, the easier it is to shape your body.

Chen Zhi had already grown up.

Born a concubine's daughter, she grew up amidst the intrigue and power struggles of the inner quarters, vying for favor daily. She also had to learn the skills expected of a young lady of the house, such as managing household affairs and servants. Every spring she would come to admire the flowers, and every winter she would enjoy the snow…

Playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting are merely ways to cultivate one's character.

Over time, it has become fixed.

If one has never witnessed the clash of swords and the thunder of horses, and has no ambition or aspirations, how can one resonate with the wisdom and spirit of military strategy?

Shen Tang wasn't disappointed: "I've said before that I don't expect them all to be capable of becoming high-ranking officials. As long as they can find their own niche and make the most of their skills, that's a success. Since her literary talent can make flowers grow, wouldn't it be good if she could cultivate flowers peacefully after she develops her literary mind?"

Ning Yan finally managed to utter a sentence after a long pause.

"gardener?"

Shen Tang stroked her chin and thought for a moment: "Hmm, it doesn't necessarily have to be a gardener. Maybe in the future, there will be someone who shares her vision and together they can expand this business and even turn the rouge and dew into a commercial chain, and develop a second industry of dyeing? The more stable the situation and the more prosperous the economy, the more money the common people will have after they have enough to eat and wear, and they will naturally pursue other needs."

Ning Yan: "..."

This was a line of thinking she hadn't considered.

Then the lord said, "I remember someone saying that women and children are the easiest to make money from, and the most profitable. For example, the best rouge and flower dew can sell for hundreds or even thousands of coins."

"Just this small box..."

Shen Tang gestured with her fingers to indicate the size of "a box".

He shook his head and sighed at the end.

"Everyone has a love for beauty, regardless of gender or wealth. The common people are poor now, but they will become rich one day. We can sell expensive rouge and perfume to the wealthy, and affordable ones to ordinary people. We can also focus on colors and packaging, creating limited editions for holidays and series... If everyone, regardless of wealth or status, can afford their favorite rouge and perfume..."

Shen Tang seemed to see countless gold and silver coins flying into her pockets, and she couldn't stop them at all.

He patted Ning Yan's shoulder lightly: "How can a woman's dressing table be without such a powerful tool? This Chenzhi has a very promising future!"

(ノへ￣、)

I have to go to the First Affiliated Hospital for a prenatal checkup during the day, and I have to sign in at 8 a.m.... which means I have to get up at 6:30 a.m., which is going to kill me.

PS: October 31st. Today's prenatal checkups were exhausting. I went to the obstetrics, hematology, and rheumatology departments. Just registering and waiting in line took several hours. I had my blood drawn three or four times in the ER. This time my D2 level was a little lower than last time, but they found a clotting disorder, which is terrifying. They prescribed two weeks' worth of heparin sodium. I think I might lose my arm ┭┮﹏┭┮. There might be no update today, so everyone go to sleep early. Don't wait for an update.

(End of this chapter)