Jiuzhenfang has two storefronts, which are divided into a kitchen and a warehouse. Only one storefront can be used to store pastries.
The interior furnishings are simple, with a row of wooden cabinets placed against three walls, displaying various pastries.
Among them, the pastries that taste better when cooled, such as sugar snowballs and peach crisps, are on the left-hand side when you enter, while the glutinous rice and jujube cakes, which are best enjoyed fresh and hot, are on the right-hand side.
The middle section is rather unusual; apart from a plate of Zhao's chestnut and lotus seed paste cake, there's nothing around it, making it practically empty.
Coupled with the large characters below, it truly takes eye-catching appeal to the extreme.
Many customers who enter the store can't help but glance at the pastries before buying their favorites.
But no one asked.
In the back kitchen, Zhang Xianglian looked worried. "The door has been open for half an hour, and everyone is just watching without asking any questions. This isn't a solution."
Since no one asked, Jiang Sheng had no way to answer.
Without answering this question, we can't promote the family-branded pastries, and all our efforts will have been in vain.
Jiang Sheng remained calm and said with an air of composure, "Aunt, don't worry. Think about the circumstances under which you might see something new and interesting, but refrain from asking about it."
Zhang Xianglian was taken aback and stammered, "When...when I can't afford it."
That solves the problem.
It was only during this time that Jiang Sheng realized that when you are at your wit's end or stuck in a rut, thinking about it from a different perspective might lead to some surprising discoveries.
Take the chestnut and hibiscus cake in front of us as an example. The common people who only dared to glance at it but not ask clearly guessed the high price of the cake. Because they were short of money, they dared not inquire, which was equivalent to filtering out unsuitable customers.
Half an hour later, a long queue formed in front of the roasted chestnuts, with servants from various households mingling among them, doing their utmost for their masters.
Jiang Sheng spotted Zhao Yuan in the crowd with her sharp eyes, quickly reviewed the postures she had practiced diligently, and waited at the entrance of Jiuzhenfang.
The moment Zhao Yuan stepped in, she straightened her back, bowed, and said, "Greetings, Young Master Zhao. Jiuzhenfang welcomes you."
Zhao Yuan was quite startled and instinctively tried to support her, saying, "No, no, no, please don't bow to me. If Brother Xu sees this, I won't be able to explain."
Jiang Sheng coughed and gave a wink.
Although Zhao Yuan didn't understand, he at least withdrew his outstretched hand.
"Young Master Zhao, the unique pastry you ordered a few days ago is ready. Please come over and see if you are satisfied." Jiang Sheng spoke slowly and deliberately, making sure that every person who was listening could hear her clearly.
Zhao Yuan was led to the chestnut and hibiscus cake in a daze.
This pastry is made from chestnut meat. Its square, light yellow shape is printed with lifelike pink hibiscus flowers. Its appearance alone is eye-catching. When Zhao Yuan saw the "Zhao" character with a swimming snake printed below the hibiscus flower, he could no longer describe his surprise as mere delight.
"These...they're free?" he stammered. "If this were at Youranju, they'd sell for at least two taels of silver."
“Not only is it free, but from now on, only the Zhao family can buy this pastry.” Jiang Sheng said confidently, “Brother Zhao Yuan, please try it.”
Unfortunately, there's no transparent parchment paper; even the prettiest pastries can only be wrapped in butter paper.
Fortunately, he had accumulated enough novelties beforehand. As soon as Zhao Yuangang walked out of Jiuzhenfang carrying the pastries, some acquaintances approached him to chat, and he reciprocated by showing off his wares.
Zhang Xianglian was overjoyed, "It was truly worth it for us to give away this first batch of pastries for free."
My aunt is so easily satisfied.
Jiang Sheng tilted her head and looked over, a smug glint in her eyes as she smiled.
This is just the beginning; relying solely on Zhao Yuan will fall far short of the desired outcome.
After a heated discussion with Fifth Brother, Jiang Sheng devised a backup plan.
She turned her head and touched her little tuft of hair in front of the crowd.
Upon seeing the coded message, the shill immediately jumped out and shouted, "What kind of pastries did Young Master Zhao buy just now? Can I have a serving too?"
"Give me one too." This isn't a shill.
After a moment of stunned silence, Jiang Sheng quickly recovered and explained loudly, "This guest, the pastries that Young Master Zhao just took were custom-made and exclusively for the Zhao family. They are not sold to anyone else."
"What if we want to do that too?" the toddler asked dutifully.
"Yes, so how do we buy it?" the imposter asked.
Jiang Sheng smiled slightly, ignoring her plump figure, and she really did have the demeanor of a well-bred lady. "Of course it was made to order. But the pastries ordered by Vancl are all unique, and we don't sell them to anyone but you."
The servants in the roasted chestnut queue were a little agitated, and even the ordinary people stared wide-eyed.
This is a pastry unlike any other in the world; it is truly something never seen or heard of before.
If we really want to find out, it's probably only the emperor who could enjoy this unique pastry.
Thinking about it this way, it would be really nice to be able to enjoy the treatment of an emperor by spending a little money.
Just as everyone was discussing this, a young gentleman walked in, lightly flicking his folding fan, exuding elegance. "I'd also like to order a portion of this one-of-a-kind pastry."
It was unmistakably the voice of the imposter.
Jiang Sheng glanced discreetly at the corner opposite the shop. Zhen Tuo had already received the money from Chang Yan and left gracefully.
Pretending, oh no, the young master was still striking a pose with an air of nonchalance, waving his folding fan despite the bitter cold of deep winter—typical behavior of a young master from a prominent family in Fengjing.
But no matter what, guests are always welcome.
Jiang Sheng immediately stepped forward and respectfully asked, "What kind of design would this young master like, and what name would you like to have engraved?"
"The design is up to you, but the surname Jiang will be engraved." As soon as the young master said this, the gazes of the surrounding people changed.
The Jiang family.
Even the Jiang family, a first-class aristocratic family in Fengjing, has come to order pastries from Jiuzhenfang.
While surprised, Jiang Sheng realized that this was the best opportunity for publicity, and quickly agreed, "Please come and pick it up in three days, Young Master Jiang."
The young man nodded proudly, waved his sleeves, and left with an air of nonchalance.
With Zhao Yuan from the Zhao family ordering pastries first, and Jiang Gongzi ordering pastries later, Jiuzhenfang's custom-made surname pastries became famous at this moment.
Excited, Jiang Sheng didn't even have time to rest. She picked out a lotus flower painting, added the character "Jiang" in a flamboyant style, and handed it to the carpenter.
That's why she didn't see the young man walk to the corner, close his folding fan, and stop in front of another young man in a crescent-colored robe.
“The pastries have been ordered,” he said. “I just don’t quite understand why my brother ordered these strange pastries. The Jiang family has no shortage of master pastry chefs.”
"Most importantly, why don't you go yourself, brother? Why do you have to make me decide?"
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