Thinking of everything from his past life, Song Xizhi's eyes darkened for a moment: "The reason I invited you here is to discuss opening an incense shop together."
“I can provide the recipe and the shop, which will ensure that the incense will sell well. The shop is also in a popular location. However, because my husband is still bedridden, I don’t have the extra energy.”
Upon hearing this, Madam Xin's eyes lit up: "Originally, when you brought this up, my concern was about the prescription and the shop, but now that you have both, all the problems are solved."
"Now that I'm cured, my home is peaceful and quiet. It's boring to just stay idle in the mansion. Since you don't have time, then you can be the boss and I'll be the manager. I've been learning how to manage a household and shop since I was a child!"
Hearing that Madam Xin shared the same idea, Song Xizhi felt a little relieved. She turned slightly to the side and took Madam Xin's hand: "I want us to be bosses together."
“You’ll be in front, and I’ll be behind. You’ll be responsible for providing manpower, the remaining silver, and managing the shop, while I’ll provide the recipe and the shop.”
In his previous life, Song Xizhi was very suspicious and narrow-minded because He Yunze had just emerged from the shadow of his brother's dazzling brilliance.
When doing business, one inevitably has to socialize, and doing spice business means coming into contact with many famous literati and scholars, so she kept the fact that she was opening a spice shop a secret from him.
But little did anyone know that because of her concealment, Song Ruoan stole all the credit in the end. With the ancient prescription left by her mother, Song Ruoan had everything.
Even the many spices that Song Xizhi developed were mistakenly believed by He Yunze to be made by Song Ruoan, and were used to win over influential people.
In other words, she didn't profit from the spice business in her previous life, but Song Ruoan didn't get rich or start a business from it either. Instead, it all benefited He Yunce, making the incense he sent out a rare and unique item.
Madam Xin felt the warmth of his hand and looked into Song Xizhi's bright eyes, then remembered something: "Your idea is good too."
"It just so happens that my idle nephew is the organizer of the Huaijia School in the capital, which has many talented scholars and literary enthusiasts who are all scholars of this school."
"They often gather together, and besides studying literature, they are also passionate about appreciating fine tea."
Song Xizhi was very happy to hear this.
The reason why Qianweilou was so popular in the previous life was because a group of scholars from the Huaijia School gathered there by chance and composed an immortal poem.
After that, when students from all over the country passed through the capital, they would make a pilgrimage here to search for the original works of the timeless masterpieces. Later, it developed into an annual poetry competition.
At the annual poetry competition, literary figures and scholars come and go in an endless stream, producing many memorable lines that will be remembered for generations. Their profound cultural heritage surpasses even the currently popular Baifanglou.
Song Xizhi remembered that the founder of the Huaijia School was the nephew of Lady Xin's family, so he specially invited her to open this shop together.
Another reason was He Jingyan's health. She felt that He Jingyan's health was very strange. When she took his pulse, he seemed to have no problems at all, but Sanqi said that was not the case.
This also prevented Song Xizhi from finding so much time.
Thinking it over, Song Xizhi continued to say to Madam Xin, "Since you have your nephew, then there's no need to worry about customers. I'd like to change this spice shop from the traditional simple selling style into a spice-tasting pavilion where people can compose poems and exchange verses."
The more elegant the shop, the more it will be favored by high-ranking officials and nobles. Whether it is the imperial concubines or the literati of the world, they will flock to it.
Madam Xin found Song Xizhi's idea quite novel: "Your idea is good; this is a completely high-class approach. However, those pedantic scholars have very discerning tastes. If you want to keep them here every day, you'll need real skill."
Song Xizhi was very confident. She took out some incense and a note from a hidden box beside the soft couch and handed them to Madam Xin.
"Mrs. Xin can taste them first, rank them in order, and see if they match my guess. Then, make the best one the signature fragrance."
Even through the oil paper wrapping, one can vaguely sense the various aromas: the cool scent of cedar, as if embraced by a snow mountain goddess; and the refreshing woody fragrance, as if extracting the first dewdrop from the treetops at sunrise...
The various fragrances blended and dispersed, and Madam Xin took a deep breath, her mind instantly calming down.
“Brilliant, absolutely brilliant! Without further ado, I will now design the shop according to your idea, dividing it into one part for me and nine parts for you.”
Seeing Madam Xin's reaction, Song Xizhi tilted her head smugly, but when she heard Madam Xin's words, her eyes widened again: "I originally planned for you to have three and me to have seven, and I was afraid you wouldn't agree."
While ancient recipes are important, connections are even more crucial. If one can win over scholars and literati across the land through the Fragrance Pavilion, the value cannot be measured by any amount of money.
Madam Xin sniffed hard, her nose twitching slightly, her thoughts still immersed in the incense: "Then let's do 28, I'll do 28, you do 88, I absolutely cannot accept any more."
"I've heard that Prince Ning has recently returned to the capital. He's known for his love of incense, so we can't miss this great opportunity to make a name for ourselves!"
“Prince Ning?” Song Xizhi searched carefully through his long memory.
"That's His Majesty's own brother, the little prince uncle who's known to the world as a free spirit! He's unrestrained and loves these things the most."
Upon hearing this, Song Xizhi finally remembered this person.
Prince Ning was the youngest son of the late emperor and the emperor's most beloved younger brother. Before the emperor ascended the throne, he devoted himself to assisting his elder brother. After the emperor ascended the throne, he distanced himself from the center of politics and devoted himself to poetry and books.
He was also a participant in the Huaijia School, and made great achievements in the appraisal of antiquities and the writing of poems. In addition, he also had considerable research on spices.
After saying this, Madam Xin hurriedly wanted to leave. Having inquired about the quality of the incense, she knew that this was a sure-fire way to make money.
Seeing how anxious she was, Song Xizhi didn't keep her. After she left, he called Wu Mama in.
"Granny, I need you to go to the Song residence to do something for me."
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