Chapter 39 039 I'm so angry.
Anjia cosmetics shop has stores in both the East and West markets, with the East market stores mainly stocking high-quality goods for wealthy and powerful merchants.
Xie Lanzhao didn't need to worry about the Xie family's food, clothing, and daily necessities; the housekeeper's wife would handle the purchasing. However, after receiving a message from the An family, Xie Lanzhao still decided to make the trip herself. After all, the "soap recipe" was bestowed by His Majesty.
The Sogdians were quite famous among the non-Han peoples, and when people talked about non-Han merchants, they mostly meant Sogdian merchants. An Yuchan began traveling around with caravans when she was a teenager, and twenty years have passed in the blink of an eye. She has no intention of starting a family; all her energy has been devoted to business, and she has become one of the wealthiest people in Chang'an. She has already registered her household in Dayong and can speak fluent Dayong Mandarin. Unlike most of her fellow clansmen who are devout Zoroastrians, she is a devout Buddhist.
Whether it was An Yuchan herself or the fine goods sold by the An family, their reputation among the noble families of Chang'an remained strong. Upon hearing that the shop had new arrivals, the wealthy and powerful would send people to buy them without even asking any questions, or perhaps they would come with friends and relatives to browse and pass the time. Xie Lanzhao had only been at the shop for a quarter of an hour when she saw several familiar faces.
Besides An Yuchan, Mu Lu was also in the shop. Xie Lanzhao knew her background, but wasn't familiar with her and didn't recognize her face until the other introduced herself. She then returned the greeting with her hands clasped. She hadn't come to the shop for cosmetics, but to inquire about "soap." Xie Lanzhao observed the bustling activity in the East Market, but what she saw in the West Market—
“Although it doesn’t cost much, ordinary people should save money wherever possible, at least that’s how it is now.” An Yuchan’s emerald eyes were like a pool of lake water as she laughed heartily, “They plan to give it away for a few days first, so that some people can know how good the soap is. As for the money, you don’t need to worry, our An family will cover it.”
The An family had its own skilled artisans, who weren't simple-minded; quick thinking and problem-solving were fundamental to their abilities. After seeing the soap recipe, they began conducting various experiments. Even before fully studying the formula bestowed by the palace, they had already spawned many interesting little products. An Yuchan, being a businesswoman, naturally knew the enormous business opportunities hidden within. Just establishing a connection with the palace was enough to cost her half her fortune, not to mention that the An family wasn't actually losing money; there was substantial profit to be made.
Xie Lanzhao also knew that the An family could profit from this matter, and since the An family was willing to pay, she didn't stand on ceremony with An Yuchan.
After chatting briefly with An Yuchan about soaps and perfumes, Xie Lanzhao did not stay long.
But as soon as she stepped outside, she encountered a familiar face.
She was sulking, and no one knew who had upset her.
Amidst the comings and goings of people, Xie Lanzhao swallowed back the word "Your Majesty." She bowed slightly and asked Zhao Jialing, "What brings you here?"
"I went to my older sister's place for a while and wandered around a bit." Zhao Jialing stared at Xie Lanzhao and then exclaimed in surprise.
With no Xie family servants behind her and her hands empty, what was she going to buy rouge and powder for? Could it be that Gao Shao was trying to trick her? But since he was indeed there, she decided not to argue with Gao Shao.
Zhao Jialing then asked, "Why are you empty-handed? Didn't you bring any money or silk?"
Xie Lanzhao said, "I just have something to discuss with Madam An."
Zhao Jialing leaned closer to Xie Lanzhao and continued to press, "Which Lady An? Do I know her?"
Ah, there's no one with the surname An among the court officials. Could it be a female member of their family? But among the noblewomen, she doesn't quite remember anyone named An. Zhao Jialing glanced at the plaque, and suddenly a flash of inspiration struck her. The An family, Madam An—it's An Yuchan, the Hu merchant she'd been introduced to before, her moneybags!
Zhao Jialing immediately felt relieved, a satisfied smile spreading across her face. She glanced at the young women walking hand in hand on the street, blinked, and then quietly took Xie Lanzhao's arm. "I misunderstood you."
【Third Sister, aren't you all-knowing? Why didn't you remind me? I almost thought she had betrayed me and was having an affair.】
Xie Lanzhao: "..." Her slight confusion vanished along with the voice she heard, leaving no trace. Looking down at her arm that was being held, she tried to pull away slightly, but failed, so she simply let it be. It hindered her movement a little, but it wasn't a problem.
"You've come to buy rouge?" Xie Lanzhao started the conversation.
Zhao Jialing shook her head. The palace wasn't short of such things; they even bestowed lip rouge, face cream, and bath powder upon ministers during festivals. She said to Xie Lanzhao, "My elder sisters are bullying me, and I can't stay here any longer. I originally wanted to go to your house, but they said you weren't there."
Xie Lanzhao frowned slightly when she heard the word "bully." Princess Jinxian was indeed someone no one could handle when she got into a tantrum. Suppressing her emotions, she first asked, "Is there something important?"
Zhao Jialing tightened his grip on her arms. She stopped moving, glaring at Xie Lanzhao with a long face, her expression clearly showing her displeasure.
Why is she so indifferent when she hears others bullying me? I can't stand seeing anyone bully her! How despicable!
The streets are bustling with carriages and crowds; I'm sure I'll run into a few familiar faces. If I make a scene, no one will criticize me; the censors will only impeach Xie Lanzao.
Xie Lanzhao remained silent.
What a load of nonsense.
She rubbed her ear with her free hand, sighed, and said, "How did I bully you?"
Zhao Jialing wanted Xie Lanzhao to ask, but when Xie Lanzhao actually asked, she stammered and couldn't answer.
[My elder sister boasted about her successful seduction of Gao Shao, mocking me for failing to force Xie Lanzao into bed. Should I tell her that directly? But doing so would make it seem like I still hold a grudge about what happened back then. I don't care! Besides, unlike my elder sister, I'm not a reckless person.]
Xie Lanzhao lowered her eyelashes.
Her Majesty's behavior was not exactly reckless, but her inner thoughts were quite turbulent, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call her "frivolous" or "lecherous."
But what could she do about His Majesty?
"Never mind." Zhao Jialing sighed sadly, gazing at Xie Lanzhao with a melancholy look. "Anyway, you won't make decisions for me."
Xie Lanzhao's eyelids twitched at the sight of that pitiful look—a mix of grievance, stubbornness, and unspoken words.
A familiar feeling resurfaced, and those deep-seated memories surged forth like water released from a dam.
Among the late emperor's sons, Your Majesty is the youngest, and she is the only one born to Empress Dowager Huan. She also dislikes studying and is inevitably looked down upon by her older siblings. Your Majesty's methods of retaliation are quite childish; she grabbed an earthworm and tried to drag it into her siblings' books. All of this must remain a secret, so Xie Lanzhao is the only one who can do it.
Xie Lanzhao naturally disagreed.
Then the little emperor looked at her with a pitiful expression.
Xie Lanzhao could only try to get revenge for her.
As for the means—it was to crush the late emperor's sons in their studies.
Her unusual flamboyance earned her praise from the academics and a sharp rebuke from her mother.
A tree that stands out in the forest will surely be felled by the wind.
She needs to conceal her sharpness and remain calm and composed.
Xie Lanzhao snapped out of her reverie and stared intently at Zhao Jialing: "What should we do?"
Zhao Jialing blinked, somewhat surprised.
What else can one do but "never hide the good in others, and speak of the Jialing River to everyone one meets." ①
[Third Sister, she's being very agreeable today, isn't she? Does that mean I can push my luck?]
Wise Ruler System: [How to push your luck?]
Zhao Jialing boldly imagined: "It's so sweet, it must be so easy to kiss."
Wise Ruler System: 【…Don't learn anything indiscriminately.】
The system's mission is to cultivate wise and benevolent rulers for all time, not greasy and incompetent ones!
Xie Lanzhao remained completely unmoved.
Let alone just his innermost thoughts, even if His Majesty were to come to me in person right now—
The thought abruptly stopped. Xie Lanzhao frowned, forcefully interrupting her thoughts that had been inexplicably led astray.
Xie Lanzhao said, "You should go back now."
"Hmm?" Zhao Jialing blinked, her displeasure vanished, and she smiled with her eyebrows curved as if she had truly succeeded.
Although he had imagined the scene of "whispering sweet words on a mountain pillow, the fragrance of lip rouge" in his mind, Zhao Jialing never actually stepped into the cosmetics shop.
Mu Lu will send over the profits from the soaps and balms later.
Zhao Jialing did not return to the palace directly. Instead, she followed Xie Lanzhao back to Wubenfang. However, an unfortunate event happened right before her eyes.
The wide streets were bustling with carriages, and those who could afford to travel by carriage were mostly wealthy and powerful, whose backgrounds were evident. Not far from Zhao Jialing, a blue-curtained carriage was quite low-key, but Xie Lanzhao recognized the driver. She whispered, "From the Cao Prince's Mansion."
The Prince of Cao was the late emperor's unfortunate younger brother who fell from his horse and fainted. Most of his children died young, except for Princess Zhao Huarong of Wannian County, who grew up. The person sitting in the carriage was either the Princess of Cao or Zhao Huarong.
Encountering a member of the imperial family was nothing unusual. The carriage moved slowly down the street when a drunken, richly dressed young man, oblivious to the danger, rode out from the side and blocked the carriage with his whip. Zhao Jialing initially thought the man didn't know whose carriage it was and was just drunk, but then the wind carried the young man's arrogant and domineering voice, clearly indicating that he was deliberately blocking the way.
"What has the county princess decided? Many years have passed since the death of the Prince of Cao, and the Prince of Cao's mansion is now just a facade. In the end, she is still an orphan. The county princess is now twenty years old, well past the age of marriage. If she delays for a few more years, she may only be able to choose a widower. My Duke of Yan's mansion is not bad either, and can be considered a good match."
Princess Wannian in the carriage had no intention of paying attention to the young master, but the young master from the Duke of Yan's mansion was not going to let her go. Emboldened by alcohol, he waved to his attendants to stop the carriage.
Zhao Jialing was stunned for a moment, then his face darkened.
From the Duke of Yan's household? Duke Zhang Fen of Yan doesn't even have any official position; he's just a duke in name only. Is his son really that arrogant? What kind of madman is he?
[Host, the prologue to "Qi Family" has been completed. The main quest "Qi Family I: The Virtue of a Gentleman" has been unlocked.]
Zhao Jialing ignored the system; her expression was unfriendly.
Why is it that every time I go out with Xie Lanzhao, some unlucky thing ruins my good mood? Is the system going to any lengths to trigger missions? She said coldly, "Hit him! I don't want to see him still able to walk!"
Zhao Jialing cursed inwardly: [Useless trash, idiots, bastards, all of you, die!]
This wasn't a mere formality like the Imperial Academy disciplining a child. The young master of the Yan State Duke's family was old enough to take responsibility. This was a threat to break his legs! The guards following Zhao Jialing understood immediately, clasped their hands in a fist salute, and then stepped forward.
Xie Lanzhao stood with her head bowed, her expression stern, and showed no intention of stopping her.
Inside the car.
Zhao Huarong frowned, her heart filled with restlessness. She had gone to Princess Jinxian's residence without bringing many people with her, never expecting to run into Zhang Fen's son, Zhang Luoji. The Duke of Yan's mansion had indeed sent someone to propose marriage, but her mother had already rejected it. She never imagined that Zhang Luoji would inexplicably come and pester her.
"Can we get through?" Zhao Huarong asked.
The maid lifted the carriage curtain, her pupils contracted sharply, and she instinctively pulled the curtain back down, stammering in fear, "They're fighting—"
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