Ever since Cui Xiaoxiao got one thousand taels of silver, he has been devoted to opening a shop to make money, and he is determined to show his talents.
She was determined to make some achievements, to show Wen Tingbo and Song Wanning that she was no pushover. She wanted to seize the housekeeping power of the Marquis's mansion in one fell swoop, and then she would be the legitimate mistress of the mansion. As long as she dismissed Song Wanning, she would be Wen Tingbo's only wife.
Cui Xiaoxiao even went around the capital, asking around to see what businesses were doing well in Shengjing. She happened to learn about the expensive rouge women were using, made from cinnabar. Cinnabar rouge was also known to be unsafe if used for a long time.
Cui Xiaoxiao remembers that lipstick was later made from cochineal insects found on cacti. Not only was it safe, but the colors were also beautiful. Cui Xiaoxiao even tried making lipstick from cochineal herself and it worked.
Cui Xiaoxiao thought about it carefully and decided to open a rouge shop, mix lip balms of different colors and sell them to women in the capital, and create her own beauty brand in Shengjing.
Cui Xiaoxiao immediately took action and rented a shop to make cochineal lipstick. She asked around in Shengjing for cacti and finally found one at the foot of a cliff in the suburbs.
She personally demonstrates each step and uses only the finest ingredients. Now, the only thing missing is beeswax, the most important ingredient, to start making lipstick.
Who would have thought that there wouldn't be so much beeswax in the whole of Shengjing.
Just when Cui Xiaoxiao was getting anxious, she happened to meet a beekeeper who was willing to sell beeswax to her at a lower price.
The steward mentioned the beekeeper and said happily, "Auntie, the beekeeper happens to be a relative of our Liu family. He heard that you are the second master's woman, so he is willing to sell the beeswax to us at a lower price."
"Really? That's great! God is really helping me." Cui Xiaoxiao looked at the housekeeper and said happily, "If that's the case, then where are the other people? Tell me the price quickly."
"That Liu Da said a pound of beeswax only costs one hundred coins. He has specially made a contract to do long-term business with you." The steward took out a contract from his sleeve and said to Cui Xiaoxiao, "Your Highness, all you need to do is put your fingerprint on it, and all your problems will be solved."
Cui Xiaoxiao glanced at the Liu family as she spoke. She wanted to take a closer look at the contract, but then she thought, what could possibly be wrong? Her husband was the legitimate son of the Marquis of Zhongping, so she had nothing to fear. With this thought, Cui Xiaoxiao touched the ink pad beside her and pressed it on the contract. "Tell Mr. Liu to send the beeswax over quickly. It's necessary to make lip balm."
"Don't worry, auntie. I'll do it right away." The steward said as he took the contract away.
As soon as the beeswax arrived, Cui Xiaoxiao watched the servants intently as they made lip balm according to the method she instructed.
Nowadays, all the rouge used by noble ladies in Shengjing is stored in small boxes, while the cochineal lipstick made by Cui Xiaoxiao is packed in a simple cylindrical tube. Its appearance is completely different from the popular ones in Shengjing now, but it is also quite novel.
After Cui Xiaoxiao opened her shop, she ordered people to draw a lot of lipstick brochures and set the price of each lipstick at one yuan.
The housekeeper beside Cui Xiaoxiao noticed that the price was not right and advised Cui Xiaoxiao, "Auntie, nowadays, good-quality silver in Shengjing costs five taels of silver. Our current price is too low. I'm afraid that the supply will not meet the demand and we will lose money."
Cui Xiaoxiao didn't care and waved her hand, "You know what? What I want to do is to monopolize the entire rouge market in Shengjing. I'll start a price war and force my competitors out of business. Then I can sell them for whatever price I want."
Seeing that he couldn't persuade Cui Xiaoxiao, the housekeeper no longer hoped to persuade her. He just lowered his head and did what he was told.
After a period of hype, Cui Xiaoxiao's innovative lipstick caused quite a stir. Princes and ladies of the capital vied with each other for it, and for a time, demand outstripped supply. The manager urged Cui Xiaoxiao to raise the price several times, but she remained unmoved, believing that the current situation was not a good opportunity.
Cui Xiaoxiao's business became more and more prosperous, and he soon made two hundred taels of silver.
Cui Xiaoxiao showed her results to Wen Tingbo, slapped the banknote in her hand on Wen Tingbo's, and said proudly, "Tingbo, I told you I could do it. See? I earned two hundred taels in just half a month. In a few months, I can help you earn back your capital."
"Xiao Xiao is really amazing." Wen Tingbai looked at Cui Xiaoxiao who was able to make money and was even more grateful that he had picked up a treasure. He quickly held her up and said, "What reward does Xiao Xiao want? I will buy it for you."
"I can earn my own money." Cui Xiaoxiao looked at Wen Tingbo and said coquettishly, "Didn't Tingbo say that as long as I can make money in business, he would talk to the old ancestor and give me the key to the housekeeper? I will be the housekeeper in the future, and I will definitely lead the entire mansion to live better and better."
As soon as Cui Xiaoxiao mentioned the housekeeper's power, Wen Tingbai began to hesitate.
Not to mention that Cui Xiaoxiao was a concubine's housekeeper. If the news got out, he would lose face in front of his colleagues. It wasn't easy for the Guanhou Mansion to manage such a large family. Wen Tingbo whispered, "Xiaoxiao, why don't you wait a little longer? You can learn how to be a housekeeper first, and then you won't make any mistakes."
"I don't care. You promised me, how could you go back on your word?" Cui Xiaoxiao heard Wen Tingbo's regret and immediately burst into tears. Her tears were so tender and pitiful. "How could you go back on your promise? Wen Tingbo, I've finally figured it out. All your words were lies. You said you'd be with me forever, but you already have a wife at home, and I can only be a concubine. You said you'd make me your wife, but now it seems like that's a long way off. I've even settled for the right to be a housekeeper, and yet you're still going back on your word."
Cui Xiaoxiao said, turning around and going into the house to pack her luggage, "In that case, I might as well go back to my farm. At least no one will lie to me."
When Wen Tingbai heard Cui Xiaoxiao say this, his heart felt like it was frying in a frying pan. He quickly stopped Cui Xiaoxiao and said, "Xiaoxiao, since I promised you, I will give it a try. Don't talk about going back to the manor anymore. If you say it again, I will be really unhappy."
"You're not trying to fool me?" Cui Xiaoxiao's eyes were red with tears, and she snuggled in Wen Tingbo's arms. "You said you would give me the housekeeper power, you can't go back on your word."
"Why would I regret it?" Wen Tingbai said, patting Cui Xiaoxiao on the back. "Just wait for me to go and discuss with the old ancestor and ask him to give you the management rights."
"I'll go with you." Cui Xiaoxiao said, and followed Wen Tingbai to the yard where the old lady was.
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