Before Gao Mu could even take out a dismounting stool, Du Yutong grabbed Jiang Shuyue's hand and hurriedly climbed onto the carriage.
If it weren't for Pearl pushing her from behind, she wouldn't have been able to get up there on her own.
Gao Mu: "..."
Fortunately, there weren't many pedestrians on the road, otherwise Ms. Du's doggy-style boarding would have been seen by others.
Zhu'er was much stronger than Du Yutong. She braced herself on the carriage shaft with one hand and jumped up to sit on it.
Qiuju waved to her: "Zhu'er, come in quickly, the carriage is spacious."
Pearl thanked him and entered the carriage.
Seeing the two of them panting heavily, Jiang Shuyue asked, "It snowed again last night, and there's still snow on the streets. You two didn't even bother to call a driver before you went out."
“Father and elder brother are off today, so I sneaked out. I didn’t dare ask the steward for a carriage.”
Jiang Shuyue raised an eyebrow: "You're grounded again?"
Du Yutong shook her head: "Nothing like that. I just angered Father and Mother, and they made me reflect on my actions in the courtyard."
"A few days ago, a matchmaker came to propose marriage. The suitor was the son of the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Madam thought he was a good match and suggested that they meet privately. Miss insisted on seeing the matchmaker off, pretending to be a cripple."
As luck would have it, the eldest young master saw it and told the master and mistress about it. The master and mistress then told the young lady to rest in the courtyard.
Pearl explained the whole story in a rapid-fire manner.
"Pfft! Hahaha..."
Pearl's words made everyone laugh so hard they bent over.
Qiuju suppressed a laugh and teased, "Miss Du, that's not considered house arrest, it's more like being confined to your room for reflection. By the way, if you run out and get caught, will you be punished?"
Pearl shook her head confidently and said, "We won't be discovered. We slipped out through the side gate of Grandma's courtyard."
"So you even had Aunt Du cover for you."
As Jiang Shuyue spoke, she took Du Yutong's small hand and asked with an "I understand you" look, "So, tell me? This time, let me help you write down what kind of illness can scare the other party away. Is it polio or rheumatoid arthritis?"
Du Yutong tilted her head and leaned on Jiang Shuyue's shoulder. "You know me best, Sister Yue'er. I'm too embarrassed to ask you to help me fool others this time. The matchmaker saw that I couldn't walk properly, so she naturally won't come again."
"You! With your outburst, you've probably scared away half the matchmakers in the capital." Jiang Shuyue chuckled and gently patted the back of her hand.
Du Yutong revealed a triumphant smile: "Sister Yue'er, how about we discuss a business deal?"
"When did Miss Du start doing business? Are you saving up for retirement?" Qiu Ju teased.
Jiang Shuyue and Qiu Ju covered their mouths and chuckled.
Du Yutong said in a serious tone, "That's right, saving money for retirement is just helping my aunt save money for retirement."
She then gave a general overview of her plans for the incense shop.
Jiang Shuyue pondered for a moment and nodded, "Of course, cooperating with Aunt Du is no problem. But if you don't want me to invest money, then I'll have to think carefully about how to make the incense sell well without investing any money."
There were more incense shops than restaurants in the capital. Some women who knew how to make incense made it themselves, but didn't have a shop at home, so they made it and sold it on the streets and alleys at a price that was 10% lower than that in the shops.
Many of the dowries of noble ladies in the capital included incense shops, and many of them were still operating at a loss, which shows how fierce the competition was in this business.
"Sister Yue'er, I knew you would have a way." Du Yutong was overjoyed to receive confirmation.
"I need to think about it carefully. Everyone is selling the same incense, so it's impossible to stand out. I only have a superficial understanding of fragrances. I'll discuss it with Aunt Du in detail once I have an idea."
Jiang Shuyue never speaks without certainty, much like a monk who does not lie.
Du Yutong said, "I know that Sister Yue'er has a lot of things to do. There's no rush. We can do it when Sister Yue'er has an idea. Fortunately, Aunt's incense shop is making a little profit, which is enough to support the people under her."
Along the way, the group chatted amongst themselves, and Du Yutong noticed that Qiuju's expression when she talked about barbecue was practically drooling.
With eyes full of anticipation, she said, "The day Juxian Pavilion sells barbecue, I'll have a servant in my mansion buy some to try."
"I'll write down the barbecue ingredients and recipe for you in a bit. The kitchen staff will be able to figure it out at a glance; it's very simple."
Before Jiang Shuyue could finish speaking, the carriage stopped, and Gao Mu called out from outside, "Miss, we've arrived at the restaurant."
The group got off the carriage one after another. Qiuju said to Gao Mu, "Go to the stables at the back gate. There's a stove in the gatehouse at the back gate."
"Okay, I'll listen to you."
Gao Mu's honest smile radiated happiness.
"Ahem! Sister Qiuju, Brother Gao must be a good husband. Look at him, he treats your words like imperial edicts. Such a person is truly rare." Zhu'er, who was walking at the back, coughed twice and teased.
"Sister Zhu'er is clever and beautiful, and she will meet her ideal husband in the future."
As the wedding date approached, Qiuju, having heard her friends' teasing so much, began to grow thick-skinned.
The little girl felt embarrassed after Qiuju said that.
She glanced at her young mistress's back and said, "Young mistress hasn't been engaged yet, so Zhu'er will stay with her."
Hu Qing welcomed the group into the hall, and after they sat down, a waiter served them hot tea.
Hu Qing asked with a smile, "Miss, the bok choy is selling very well. Some managers from other restaurants want to buy some to boost their business. We're short of stock ourselves. I'll tell them I'll ask the owner and get back to them."
Jiang Shuyue thought for a moment and said, "Next time we have stock, we can share some with them. Doing exclusive business can easily arouse jealousy."
Jealousy arises when people in the same industry cannot make money together; such people exist in every era.
It's better to offend a gentleman than a petty person; everyone understands this principle.
Jiang Shuyue looked out the window and said, "After the rabbit meat arrives, set up the barbecue grill outside. You can decide on the price. Many passersby will buy a few skewers to try it out."
Jiang Shuyue also explained to Hu Qing about her intention to give up the barbecue recipe.
Hu Qing nodded respectfully, "Miss, I admire your generosity in benefiting the people. Please rest assured about the pricing; I will simply add 30% to the cost."
"Let's include all the labor and miscellaneous expenses," Jiang Shuyue said calmly.
Barbecue is a highly profitable industry in modern times, so adding 30% is indeed too little.
After deducting all expenses and adding 30%, other people who want to start a barbecue business will also have room to make money, so as not to disrupt the market price and make others work for nothing.
After listening to Hu Qing's arrangements for the restaurant, Jiang Shuyue said with satisfaction, "You can contact Zhang Cai to handle anything from now on. I'll go see what Nangong Zeyue is busy with."
"Are you having lunch at the restaurant today, Miss? I'll reserve a private room upstairs for you."
Jiang Shuyue stood up and waved her hand, "No need, I'll leave in a bit."
When Qiuju saw her young mistress stand up, she followed her.
Jiang Shuyue glanced at Du Yutong and said to Qiuju, "It's warm here, you two can have some more tea, I'll be right back."
"Sister Yue'er, you go ahead and do your work. We'll wait for you to come back." Du Yutong smiled gently.
Upon arriving on the second floor of the inn, Jiang Shuyue headed towards the accounting office.
As I passed a guest room, I heard a familiar voice coming from inside.
Jiang Shuyue: "..."
I didn't check the almanac before going out today, and I was forced to watch the drama unfold...
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