Chapter 15
After the farcical "rebellion of the Heavenly Gang," Cui Yunshu locked herself in her room, not to wallow in self-pity, but to spend two whole days and nights undergoing a thorough, painful process of reflection and rebirth.
When the morning light of the third day once again illuminated her desk, the once lazy, charming, and aloof Miss Cui had completely died in the past. In her place stood a brand new soul with clear eyes, unwavering goals, and even a touch of cold ruthlessness.
She stopped dwelling on the dubious "book" and stopped trying to fight against the seemingly irreversible "plot." She accepted reality—the Cui family and the Eastern Palace, this seemingly glorious combination, were like two giant ships bound together and sailing into an unknown storm in the turbulent court.
Since we can't untie it, let's build the strongest hull for this ship, equip it with the most powerful engine, and stockpile the most abundant supplies.
She unfurled the original plan, "The Method of Making Ice with Saltpeter," which she had written solely to curry favor with the saint and gain fame. She dipped her wolf-hair brush in ink and began to write furiously. This time, her goal was no longer the elusive favor and reputation bestowed upon her, but rather the most tangible and tangible thing in her grasp—money.
It is enough money to pile up gold and jade, enough to make one richer than a country.
When she wrote the last word and blew the ink dry, a business plan that was more than a dozen pages thick, logically sound, and ingeniously conceived had taken shape.
Without the slightest hesitation, she abandoned her usual lazy ways and, without even having Ah Tao inform her, personally carried the plan to Fei Ge, where her mother, Song Shi, lived.
At that moment, Madam Song sat by the window, holding an account book in her hand, a faint trace of sorrow between her brows. Since the "Crown Prince Case," the festive atmosphere in the mansion had grown stronger day by day, but she alone maintained a clear-headed sense of worry. She knew that although the Cui family seemed to be enjoying boundless glory now, in reality they were already standing on the edge of a crumbling wall, and the slightest carelessness would lead to utter ruin.
"Mother."
Cui Yunshu's voice rang out from the doorway.
When Mrs. Song looked up and saw her daughter's face clearly, she was slightly taken aback.
The Cui Yunshu before me was dressed in a neat, plain-colored dress, her long hair tied up with a simple jade hairpin, all traces of her former naivety and languor. She stood ramrod straight, her eyes clear and resolute. The calmness and decisiveness she exuded were unlike that of a thirteen-year-old girl; rather, they resembled that of a seasoned general who had finally found the city she needed to conquer.
"Shu'er? You... have you figured it out?" Madam Song put down the account book, a hint of relief flashing in her eyes.
“Yes, daughter has figured it out.” Cui Yunshu walked up to her mother and solemnly placed the plan in her hand on the desk.
She didn't utter another foolish word about breaking off the engagement, but instead got straight to the point: "Mother, I've come today to discuss a business deal with you."
"Business?" Song was even more surprised.
“Yes, a deal that can build up the strength of our Cui family to withstand any storm.” Cui Yunshu’s eyes were piercing, and her voice was clear and powerful. “Mother is right. The emperor’s heart is unpredictable, and power is as fleeting as clouds. Since the Cui family is already tied to the Crown Prince’s chariot and has no way out, we can no longer entrust the fate of our family to the emperor’s favor and the Crown Prince’s future. We must have our own power, a power that does not depend on anyone and belongs only to ourselves.”
"And this power comes from financial resources."
Mrs. Song's heart skipped a beat. She stared at her daughter in disbelief, as if she were meeting her for the first time. These words, this insight, had actually come from the mouth of her youngest daughter, who had always only known how to eat, drink, and have fun!
Cui Yunshu didn't give her mother much time to be shocked. She turned to the first page of the plan and began to elaborate on her business idea.
"The core of my daughter's plan is this—the method of making ice with saltpeter. I do not intend to offer this method to the Sage again."
"Why?" Song asked instinctively. "A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime." If such extraordinary skills are not offered, it may bring disaster.
“It depends on how you offer it.” Cui Yunshu’s lips curled into a confident smile. “If we simply offer the method, at most we’ll receive some gold and silver rewards, and a hollow reputation for ‘wisdom,’ which is of no benefit to the overall situation. What I want to do is use this method as a foundation to create an unprecedented business empire. When we’ve grown big and strong, and achieved something that no one can ignore, then we can ‘make this method public.’ That would be a great merit that benefits the country and the people, and its significance is far greater than offering it today.”
Pointing to the business plan, she continued, "Our first step is to open a high-end dessert shop. My daughter has even thought of a name for it: 'Cloud Pavilion'."
“Yunjian Pavilion?” Madam Song murmured the name, a thoughtful look in her eyes.
“Yes, ‘Clouds Rising in the Sky’ signifies its high-end and noble status, beyond the reach of ordinary people.” Cui Yunshu’s fingers traced across the paper, her voice filled with infectious energy. “Mother, imagine, in this sweltering summer, when everyone is tormented by the heat and drenched in sweat, what a delight it would be to have a cool and elegant place offering refreshing and sweet treats! Which of the princes, noble ladies, and young ladies of the capital could resist such a temptation?”
"Our 'Cloud Pavilion' will only be located on Zhuque Street, the most bustling street in the capital. The shop's decoration will be done by the most skilled craftsmen, and the style will be a combination of elegance, tranquility, and luxury, so that everyone who steps into it will feel as if they are in a fairyland in the clouds, completely isolated from the mundane heat of the outside world."
"Our products will mainly consist of various frozen desserts. My daughter has already come up with more than a dozen ideas, such as jelly, smoothies, ice cream, milk tea... These are all novel foods that have never been heard of in Beijing. For each one, we will give it a poetic name and a touching brand story, so that our guests will not only be eating desserts, but also experiencing a taste and a sense of elegance."
“The most important point is our business model.” Cui Yunshu’s eyes gleamed with wisdom, and her words made even Song Shi, the matriarch who managed a vast household and was skilled in calculation, feel a chill.
"We will implement 'hunger marketing' and 'limited supply.' 'Yunjian Pavilion' will only open at fixed times each day, and each product will be produced in limited quantities, sold out on a first-come, first-served basis. To enter and consume, one must hold our specially made membership card. Initially, this membership card will only be awarded to the fifty most distinguished ladies and young women in the capital. In this way, having a 'Yunjian Pavilion' membership card and being able to enjoy an ice cream at 'Yunjian Pavilion' will become a symbol of status and prestige. Those who do not have a card will try every means to obtain one; and those who have a card will unconsciously promote us to show off their prestige."
Store location, interior design style, product positioning, marketing strategy, brand story...
Cui Yunshu spoke eloquently, clearly presenting a brilliant business blueprint brimming with modern business thinking to the Song family. That meticulous planning, that vision far ahead of its time, that precise understanding of human nature—where was this thirteen-year-old sheltered girl? She was clearly a shrewd business magnate, capable of strategizing and winning from afar!
The Song family was utterly shocked.
She stared blankly at her daughter, the account book slipping from her hands without her noticing. She had thought that her daughter's greatest growth was simply emerging from her naive fantasies after that ordeal. She never imagined that her daughter would be transformed overnight, becoming a phoenix about to take flight!
After the initial shock, what welled up in my heart was unparalleled relief and pride.
She knew that her daughter had grown up.
She instantly understood the profound, unspoken meaning behind her daughter's meticulous plan—to build a solid safety net for the family!
Yes, power may change hands, and imperial favor may shift, but the wealth and strength held in one's own hands are the most reliable support. When towering waves come, a sturdy ship laden with gold and silver is far more likely to save a family's lives than an empty promise of "the emperor's boundless grace."
"Well...well, what a brilliant 'Cloud Pavilion'! What a brilliant 'indirect approach' to 'save the country from its root'!" For the first time, a flame as burning as her daughter's ignited in Madam Song's eyes. All the worries and anxieties in her heart seemed to find an outlet at this moment.
She slammed her hand on the table, instantly revealing the decisiveness and boldness befitting the matriarch of the Cui family.
"Shu'er, your plan is approved by your mother!"
She stood up, went into the inner room, and took out a thick stack of house deeds and silver notes from a locked sandalwood box, slamming them heavily in front of Cui Yunshu.
"This is my dowry from back then, and also the private property I've accumulated over the years. The shop, the staff, and the start-up capital will all come from here. Go ahead and do it! Just tell me what you need! If you don't have enough money, your mother will find a way!"
“Mother…” Cui Yunshu’s eyes welled up with tears as she looked at the assets in front of her that could almost buy half a street.
“Silly child,” Madam Song reached out and lovingly stroked her head, her voice filled with unprecedented firmness and support, “You just need to focus on your wildest ideas and create those wonderful things that will drive the entire capital crazy. As for all the welcoming and sending off, managing relationships, dealing with troubles… all those things tainted by money and vulgarity, leave them to your mother!”
"From this day forward, you are the soul of 'Cloud Pavilion'; and I am your strongest support, the helmsman who will clear all obstacles for you!"
At this moment, the mother and daughter officially formed the most stable and unbreakable business alliance.
Looking into her mother's eyes, where she saw the light of complete trust, and feeling her mother's unreserved support and love, Cui Yunshu felt an unprecedented surge of warmth and fighting spirit.
She knew she was no longer fighting alone.
Her plan to become "richer than a country," her grand blueprint to build a "Noah's Ark" for her whole family, has finally taken its most solid and heartwarming first step at this moment.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
