Before going to the capital, she had many things to do. After several days of inquiries, Tian Yu successfully rented a shop on South Street. She found decorators to renovate according to her requirements and entrusted Qiu Ju to oversee it. She also asked Yu Niang to help recruit some workers, preferably those with incense-making experience. Tian Yu inquired and acquired several small incense workshops. As her expenses increased, she ran into cash flow problems. When Madam Li learned that Tian Yu wanted to open a shop, she took out all her savings. Tian Yu dared not accept them, but Madam Li insisted on giving them to her. Finally, she agreed to treat it as an investment, and only then did Tian Yu accept the money.

After a busy day, Tian Yu hesitated for a moment when she passed by Gongye Ming's gambling den. Remembering she hadn't heard from them in a long time, she steeled herself and went in. She explained her purpose, and the waiter led her to a private room in the back. Upon seeing the masked man, Tian Yu's first question was, "I came to ask how Chen Chong is."

"It's been so long, he should have arrived by now. Hasn't he written to you?"

"No!"

“That’s right. We’ll escort him to the border of Chen and then we’ll part ways. That means we’ve completed the task you assigned us.”

"That's good. I'll pay you back the money I owe you as soon as possible."

"No."

"Why?"

"You don't know yet, but your lord has already paid it off for you."

"You mean Zhao Moyan paid it off for me!"

"Yes, I only found out when I got back. He sent someone to settle the IOU and take it away before he left."

"Thank you! I understand, farewell!" Tian Yu said, bowing and hurriedly leaving the gambling den. On her way back, Tian Yu looked at the passersby and thought about what she had just learned. More than two months had passed. How much had Zhao Moyan done for her? If she wasn't the one who wanted to kill her, then who was? More and more questions arose, and the only answer she could get was from him!

To avoid overthinking, Tian Yu busied herself with opening the shop and managing the records of the planted rice, constantly running between the two. Under Li Xingyun's guidance, the workshop in Lao Zhao Village was now fully operational. Tian Yu also used her modern knowledge to improve and upgrade the cosmetics and face powders of this era. She developed five shades of lipstick alone, and added two more shades to the powder: natural and ivory, no longer offering a uniform white. After two months of this hectic schedule, the new shop finally opened, named "Rouge Workshop."

After a busy summer, the opening of Rouge Shop was quite successful. Socialites and noblewomen from the mountain city came to support it, mainly because they trusted the Li family's medical skills. Madam Li also invited her old friends to support the business, so the sales on the first day were quite optimistic.

Everyone else had already gone home that evening, and Jifeng had been sent by Tian Yu to help out in Lao Zhao Village. Only Tian Yu was still in the shop, busy checking the day's sales figures. Gongye Ming appeared in Tian Yu's shop at some point, startling her. Tian Yu patted her chest and asked, "Young Master Gongye, is there something you need?"

"Can't I come over if there's nothing wrong? I heard there's a young master named Tian who owns a cosmetics shop. I guessed it was you, so I came to check it out and support you!"

"Young master, please feel free to choose whatever you need. Everything is 20% off today." Tian Yu was still calculating the bill at the counter when she looked up and said with a smile.

"These things!? I don't need them, so forget it." Gongye Ming said, standing in front of Tian Yu's counter after browsing around the store.

"Then please make yourself at home, young master. I'm closing up shop soon."

"Is Young Master Tian trying to kick us out?"

Tian Yu looked at him, put away the account book she had finished calculating, and said, "It's not that I want to kick you out, it's just that it's already dark and I have to close up shop. If you need anything, please come again tomorrow."

"Don't you use an abacus to do your accounting?"

"No need, I prefer mental arithmetic and written arithmetic."

"That's strange, you're the first person I've ever met who does accounting like this."

"What's so strange about that? I'm the one who's wondering about you."

"You find me strange?"

"Hmm! Aren't you hot wearing a mask all day? Are you too ugly, or have you done something shameful?"

"Take a guess?"

“I’m too busy, but haven’t we met somewhere before? I feel like we’ve met before,” Tian Yu said, staring into Gongye Ming’s eyes.

"I can only tell you that I've seen it; the rest is up to you to figure out."

"Were you the one who was chased by the soldiers that night?" Tian Yu asked, looking into Gongye Ming's eyes.

"You remembered so quickly!"

"So, I actually saved your life."

"I guess so."

"Then why did you charge me so much money!"

Public matters are public matters, and private matters are private matters.

"Alright, alright, I'm closing now, you should go." Tian Yu said, pushing Gongye Ming out of the shop, locking the door and preparing to return to the clinic.

"Let me take you!"

"No need! It's more dangerous for you to come with me."

"That day was an accident."

"I don't care about any accidents or not, I'm going back now. You should go back soon too! Goodbye!" Tian Yu said and left.

Before Gongye Ming could say anything more, he stepped forward and grabbed Tian Yu, but Tian Yu angrily shook him off, saying, "Young master, please have some self-respect!"

"You saved my life, so we can be considered acquaintances. Can't we talk properly?"

"Know me?! You know me, but I don't know you. I don't even know what you look like."

Upon hearing Tian Yu's words, Gongye Ming reached out and removed his mask, revealing his true face. Tian Yu cursed inwardly, "How come all the men here are so handsome, while I, a woman, am relegated to the bottom of the list? Another enchanting beauty! No wonder she always wears a mask; look at that androgynous face, that lip color is far more beautiful than any lipstick in my shop." Tian Yu waved her hand casually and said, "You should put your mask back on!"

"What's wrong? Didn't you want to get to know me?" Gongye Ming said with a smile.

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