The capital city?
Man Niang suddenly felt that she lacked perspective.
They're actually going to the capital to hold this tournament.
"So, if we go to the capital, don't we need to make some preparations?"
"There's no need to prepare too much. We just need to promote it at the teahouse. As for the competition, I don't want to hold a live competition. Our puppets are aimed at wealthy young ladies and wives. Asking them to show their needlework skills on the spot would be too much to ask. We can have the contestants participate anonymously."
"Anonymous participation?"
"Yes, as long as you register and pay the registration fee, that's fine." Gu An'an also wanted to earn this money. "Then, within the specified date, we'll teach this little yellow chick to the designated location, and finally let everyone vote to choose it."
When Man Niang heard this, she felt that it sounded familiar. After thinking about it carefully, she realized that this was just like the selection of the most beautiful courtesan in a brothel.
"Are the voters fixed, or...?"
"I think if someone is competitive, they might arrange for someone to vote. So, let's not announce the voting rules for now."
Manniang thought for a moment, "That's fine, but you still need to carefully draft the competition plan, sir."
Gu An'an had a clear idea of what was going on. "I was thinking that if the one who gets the most votes gets a monetary reward, they could also work at our puppet shop. However, it might not be convenient for a young lady from a wealthy family, so let's choose one of the two."
"Since it's an anonymous competition, I think we could select some entries from the submissions; maybe some of them will need this job?"
Man Niang's words pleased Gu An'an. "You're right, but most of these are girls from poor families, so they probably don't have much money to register. How about this, we set the registration fee at one tael of silver. If it really is those poor families who register, we can find a way to return the money to them later."
"The boss is truly kind-hearted."
She wouldn't say she has the heart of a bodhisattva, but this time Gu An'an's plan is to rob the rich to help the poor.
She never intended to make money off the poor; it was more appropriate to fleece the wealthy.
The regulations were quickly drafted, but this required someone to go to the capital to handle the matter.
Man Niang could go by herself, but this was a big deal, so Gu An'an felt it would be more appropriate for her to go with her.
She was discussing things with Manniang when Chen Shu and Feng Yue came over.
Seeing the two girls, Gu An'an suddenly had a new idea. "I'll go with you. Maybe our business will expand to the capital in the future, so it's necessary to go to the capital to familiarize ourselves with the environment first."
When Man Niang saw the two beautiful young women approaching, she immediately understood Gu An'an's meaning. "That's right. After all, it's the capital city, and there are many relationships to take care of. I'm afraid I can't go by myself. To be honest, I feel much more at ease with you, Master, accompanying me."
"What are you going to the capital for?" Chen Shu asked curiously. After asking around, she learned that Gu An'an was going to the capital to hold some kind of Little Yellow Chicken Tournament.
“Let’s go too.” Feng Yue was eager to try. She had just heard the competition rules and felt that she and Shu’er could participate.
Chen Shu hesitated slightly, "But if I do that, I'm afraid my father and mother will worry."
"Didn't your father send you his personal guards? Here's what we'll do: tell him we'll go to the capital with Manager Gu." Feng Yue was a person with her own opinions, and she felt even more eager when she saw the little yellow chick in the red dress in the shop. "Manager Gu, how about Shu'er and I help you with this arena competition? We're familiar with the capital, and with our help, we believe we can save you a lot of trouble."
Gu An'an's original intention was to lure the fish in, and now that Feng Yue had taken the initiative to suggest it, it couldn't be better. "Would your family agree to this?"
“There’s nothing I can’t agree to. A’Bei is studying at the Imperial Academy in the capital, and I’ll go visit him.” Chen Shu had already found a ready-made reason. “Sister Gu, when are you going to the capital? I need to go to my aunt’s house and arrange a carriage and such.”
Gu An'an coughed lightly, "In the next couple of days, I guess."
In fact, she was much more familiar with Zhao Qianqian than Chen Shu was with Zhao Qianqian.
...
The trip to Beijing was quickly finalized, and Jiang Mingzhu wanted to go along as well.
She recently felt that she had made some progress in martial arts and that going to the capital would allow her to protect her mother.
"Let Zhu'er go. It's a good opportunity for her to go to the capital and see what's going on."
Zhao Qianqian hoped that Jiang Mingzhu would go with her. Chen Shu and Feng Yue were as close as sisters, so she couldn't get involved. But she could bring Jiang Mingzhu along.
However, Gu An'an refused. Jiang Mingzhu's background was complicated, and Gu An'an did not have the ability to protect her at the moment. She did not want to take her to the capital for an adventure.
"How about next time? Someone always needs to be here at home. Can Zhu'er help her mother guard the rear?"
The young girl agreed somewhat reluctantly, after all, she really couldn't leave home. What if her brother fell ill and she wasn't home?
A sensible child is endearing, Gu An'an promised, "When Mom comes back, she'll bring Zhu'er a gift. Is there anything you want?"
Jiang Mingzhu didn't really have any requirements for gifts, "I just hope you come back safe and sound, Mother."
The little girl's request was very simple, which made Gu An'an feel a little sad.
This made Zhao Qianqian unable to stand it any longer, and she couldn't help but ask in the carriage, "Why didn't you let Zhu'er go with you?"
Actually, if you just tell Liu Jiuniang, she will take care of Jiang Mingyi and the others. Zhu'er is even younger than Jiang Mingyi, so why should she, as his younger sister, take care of her?
“It’s not too late to go another time.” Gu An’an didn’t explain the more specific reason. “Why don’t you go and play with Chen Shu and the others?”
“They’re so childish, talking about dressing up Xiao Huang. I don’t want to play with them.”
Gu An'an: "...It's like you haven't discussed this with me before."
The discussion was heated, but that didn't stop Zhao Qianqian from "looking down" on Chen Shu and Feng Yue. "Actually, I asked my father. My family has a business in the capital. We can just have the manager arrange it. We don't need them."
"Silly girl, your family are merchants, but Chen Shu is a noble lady from a prominent family. She has connections with many famous ladies in the capital. If we want to make money from these rich young ladies, we have to take advantage of Chen Shu and Feng Yue's connections."
Zhao Qianqian thought about it and it seemed to make sense, but her gaze towards Gu An'an was a little different. "If you take advantage of Chen Shu like this, be careful she doesn't get angry with you later."
"She won't."
"How can you be so sure? She's from a prestigious family, you said it yourself!"
Gu An'an looked at the person "spreading rumors" in front of her and said, "Yes, that's why she's so proud of her status that she won't stoop to my level. Besides, she needs my help."
"She needs your help? How could she possibly need your help?" Zhao Qianqian thought for a moment. "Could it be that she's taken a liking to some young man and wants you to act as matchmaker?"
A note from the author:
Gu An'an: Qianqian, don't you think you're overthinking it?
Zhao Qianqian: What? I just wanted to get a comment and a star for you.
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