"Girl, girl, good news!"
Xiao Cui ran into the study room excitedly, "Miss, the Marquis of Lu's mansion has invited a matchmaker to propose marriage."
ah?
This news shocked everyone in Zhilan Courtyard.
Qingmei pulled Xiaocui, "Really? Tell me what happened?"
"The Marquis of Lu's Mansion came to propose marriage, so the girl will have to marry into the Marquis of Lu's Mansion. Compared to the third girl's marriage, the Marquis of Lu's Mansion seems better." Qingzhu was happy for Gu Jiu.
Gu Jiu rubbed her eyebrows. She was shocked when she heard the matchmaker coming to propose marriage.
She was the legendary sickly girl, yet no one came to propose marriage to her. Could it be a mistake?
But when she heard that the proposal came from the Marquis of Lu, Gu Jiu knew she was right. However, the first thought that came to her mind was that this marriage might not go so smoothly.
"Xiao Cui, you speak."
Xiao Cui took a breath and then said, "Just now, Sister Chunhe sent Matchmaker Li away. I've inquired and learned that Matchmaker Li was sent by the wife of the Marquis of Lu to propose a marriage. She said she was proposing a marriage for the Marquis of Lu's youngest son, and that was the girl. The Marquis of Lu's youngest son will be seventeen at the beginning of the new year, making him the perfect age for the girl."
"Congratulations, young lady. Congratulations, young lady." Qingzhu smiled.
Gu Jiu sneered, "Don't be so quick to congratulate me when we haven't even started yet."
Qingmei asked, "Are you worried that this marriage won't be successful?"
Gu Jiu said, "The Marquis of Lu's Mansion is not an ordinary noble family. The Marquis of Lu himself commands a large army, and the palace is wary of him. Other noble families are also wary of him and try to win him over.
Do you know what this kind of family means? It means high risk.
The master always seeks to be cautious, so I'm afraid he won't easily agree to this marriage. And as for the mistress, will she allow me to marry someone better than her precious daughter?
"We'll have to wait and see. This marriage may or may not be finalized. So don't be too happy, and don't shout about it. Don't let it end up not happening and people laugh at you."
Qingmei agreed, "Don't worry, young lady. I will keep everyone under control and stop them from talking nonsense outside. Xiaocui, please keep an eye on the movements in the mansion. If there are any comments that are detrimental to young lady, please report them immediately."
Xiao Cui said, "Don't worry, Sister Qingmei, I know the seriousness of this matter."
Qingzhu asked, "Miss, is this marriage really impossible?"
Gu Jiu put down the book and said, "The master hasn't expressed his opinion yet, it's too early to say anything now.
I heard that a big case happened in the government office recently. The master goes out early and comes back late every day, and he is busy with the case and cannot get away.
Qingmei, tell Li Chuan to keep an eye on what's happening outside the mansion.
As for Erzhuang, we also need to pay more attention to the movements in the capital. We are in the inner courtyard, and although it is inconvenient to go out, we can't be blind. "
"I understand. I will go find Li Chuan and ask him to go out of the house and inform Er Zhuang."
Qingmei responded and continued, "Erzhuang has said several times that he wants you to find him a job. He's been sitting idle all day, and he's been feeling very anxious."
Gu Jiu laughed, "They are all people who can't sit still. Ask Er Zhuang if he likes the shop he asked him to look after."
Qingmei said, "Erzhuang has looked at many shops, but the rents are too high. The shops with low rents are not in good locations. Miss, may I ask what kind of business you want to start?"
Gu Jiu said, "With limited capital, we can only do some small business. Think about it, what kind of business is easy to do?"
Qingzhu was the first to say, "Let's make something to eat."
Qingmei shook her head. "Erzhuang can't handle the cooking alone, so we have to hire someone. It would be best to start a business that Erzhuang can handle alone, such as selling some pearl flowers and small accessories. The girls from small families in the capital are also very particular. They have some money in their hands. As long as the pearl flowers are beautifully made and the price is not expensive, many people will definitely buy them."
Xiao Cui suggested, "Why not sell some pickles? Small families need pickles all year round."
Qingmei shook her head. "Many families make their own pickles, but that kind of business doesn't make much money in a year, and it's time-consuming and labor-intensive. Plus, the pickle jars take up space, and that's just extra rent."
I'd still rather sell pearl flowers. You don't need a big shop, just choose a place with cheap rent and serve the women of small families.
Besides, we servants can help with this kind of business. On weekdays, when we have nothing to do, we can also make some handicrafts and sell them in the shop.
In a couple of years, when we make some money in the Northwest and have more money, I'll open a big jewelry shop, specializing in serving the ladies of wealthy families."
Gu Jiu looked at Qingmei and really didn't realize that Qingmei was quite business-minded.
She said, "You all should use your brains to think about it. You all have a stake in this business."
Qingmei said hurriedly: "We servants don't want any contribution, as long as we can help the young lady share her worries, we will be satisfied."
Qingzhu also said, "I receive a monthly allowance, so you don't have to pay us a share. Besides, you don't have much money, so you have to save it for future use. If something happens, at least you have some money to pave the way."
Gu Jiu laughed, "You guys really underestimate me. Am I the only one who can live on this little money in my hand?"
Qingzhu said: "The girl is naturally capable. But making money is not something that can be achieved overnight. You must have some backup just in case."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Alright, I understand what you mean. We can talk about the share later, let's settle the business first. What do you think of the pearl flower business that Qingmei mentioned?"
The maids exchanged glances with each other and nodded in unison.
"I think what Sister Qingmei said makes sense. Erzhuang can handle the pearl flower business all by himself. Moreover, Erzhuang is handsome, and young ladies and wives like him, so the business will definitely be good. Let's make some more fashionable styles and patterns. I don't believe that young ladies and wives in the city will not like to buy them."
When talking about the excitement, Xiao Cui laughed, as if she saw a scene of booming business.
Gu Jiu nodded and said, "The pearl flower business is indeed viable, but there's a problem you've all overlooked. Small accessories like pearl flowers are easily imitated."
Once people see that Erzhuang is doing well, they will definitely follow suit, producing the same style of beads, or even changing the designs to offer more and better varieties than we do.
By then, Erzhuang’s business will probably plummet.”
"Ah, what should I do then?"
"Miss, you are right to worry. Pearl flower is not a big business and it doesn't require much capital to start. As long as Erzhuang's business is successful, there will definitely be many people who imitate and follow suit. Miss, what should we do then?"
Qingmei was very worried. She didn't want the business she had worked so hard to build to be taken away by someone else.
Gu Jiu laughed, "But we have an advantage that all small merchants don't have. Don't forget, the master is the prefect of the capital.
The backers behind Erzhuang are the Gu Mansion and the Hou Mansion. With such backers, don't worry, the business will definitely continue.
The small merchants in the capital were very sensible. Seeing that Erzhuang had a backer, they would not go too far. Erzhuang ate the meat and they drank the soup, and everyone was happy.
Even so, you can't be complacent. You need to be more creative and come up with more fashionable styles. We can even come up with some new designs ourselves and bring them to market.
As long as the market response is good, we can make a fortune. No matter if it's a few dozen or a hundred taels, as long as I can make money, this girl won't mind the money being too little."
Several maids laughed.
Qingmei joked, "The girl is obsessed with money."
"The girl is clearly a money-grubber."
Gu Jiu's eyebrows curved, "I hope to become a truly wealthy woman one day. So everyone should work hard."
"Don't worry, young lady. We servants won't let you down."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Tell Erzhuang to find a shop quickly and give me the dimensions of the shop. I will think about how to decorate the shop."
"Girl, you have to be frugal. You don't have much money left." Qingmei reminded her.
Gu Jiu felt depressed and asked Qingmei quietly, "Good Qingmei, tell me, how much money do I have left?"
Qingmei took out the account book and picked up the abacus, and started to calculate the accounts a little clumsily.
Gu Jiu watched Qingmei settle the accounts without saying a word, nor did he show any disgust.
Qingmei and the others need exercise, and this is a rare opportunity to do so.
There weren't many accounts, so Qingmei figured them out in no time.
She told Gu Jiu, "Miss, you still have 221 taels and 5 qian of silver, and 300 copper coins. You also have five gold and silver coins left."
Gu Jiu sighed. Of the several thousand taels of silver, only about two hundred taels were left.
She has to seize the time to increase revenue and reduce expenditure.
Gu Jiu said, "The New Year is coming soon, and everyone will have some pocket money. Ask Er Zhuang if it is possible to open the shop before the New Year?"
We will prepare the goods first, and as soon as the shop opens, we will send the goods out and let Erzhuang sell them quickly.
If the demand is large in the future, we can directly find someone to make beads and various small accessories.”
Gu Jiu had already thought of breaking down the pearl flower into multiple steps and operating it according to the assembly line model.
In this way, there is no need to worry about those people learning to start a new business and steal business.
Although pearl flower making is a small business, it still requires everyone's hard work.
Gu Jiu thought about it and decided to buy a shop in the most prosperous area of the capital, open a jewelry store, sell the most expensive jewelry, and make money from rich people.
Days like that must be wonderful.
Gu Jiu was also afraid of being poor.
After traveling through time, except for a few days of wealth, she was a poor person most of the time.
It’s so scary to have no money!
In life, you can have nothing but money.
Gu Jiu is determined to become a wealthy woman, so she starts working hard from now on.
Qingmei went to find Li Chuan and asked Li Chuan to pass a message to Erzhuang.
Qingzhu, Xiaocui and Wang Yi took out the scraps and various small things they had saved up and prepared to make bead flowers.
Gu Jiu’s hands-on ability is average, so she just watched everyone do it first.
Simple bead flowers are easy to make, they just require a little effort to create the shape.
This did not pose a problem for Gu Jiu, and she learned it quickly.
Complex beadwork is more expensive and takes more time.
Gu Jiu said, "At present, we only make simple bead flowers. Bead flowers like this, which can be formed by a few concave strokes, are the most suitable.
After all, our target customers are women from small families with limited purchasing power.
If this batch of pearl flowers sells well, we will add some more varieties and sell some expensive pearl flowers for everyone to choose from.
Also, we only make twenty pieces of each style of beaded flowers. Even if the quantity increases in the future, it cannot exceed two hundred pieces."
"Girl, why only twenty pieces?"
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "As I said before, once the business is established, there will definitely be many people following suit. How do we differentiate ourselves from others? We just sell in limited quantities."
Other brands may have unlimited supply of the same style, but our brand has limited supply of each style of beaded flowers.
If you were to buy pearl flowers, you would want to buy the ones that are everywhere and everyone has one.
Or do you want to buy a limited edition beaded flower that only a few people have?"
Xiao Cui said first: "Of course, buy the limited edition beads."
Qingzhu was a little worried. "But girls like to compare themselves with others and follow trends. If we limit the sales, won't we lose some customers?"
Gu Jiu nodded and said, "We will definitely lose some customers, but in the long run, this kind of sales will establish our unique style.
From now on, whenever young girls and wives want to buy beads or other accessories, the first thing they think of is definitely our store, and then other small merchants.
Maybe one day, our pearl flowers will become a must-have accessory for young ladies getting married.”
"That's great." Xiao Cui clapped her hands and laughed.
Gu Jiu added, “When we have money in the future, we will open a jewelry store and specialize in serving the wealthy.
I've already decided that all the jewelry in the jewelry shop must be unique. Any jewelry that costs over a thousand taels must only have one of each style."
"Wow, girls from wealthy families would definitely fight over jewelry."
Xiao Cui said exaggeratedly.
Ha ha……
Everyone laughed.
Gu Jiu picked up his pen and sketched a few new patterns.
"What do you think of these patterns? Do they look good if I make them like this?"
Xiao Cui came closer and took a look. "The pattern you drew is really beautiful. If I make a beaded flower according to the pattern, it will definitely look great."
Qingzhu said, "I will try to make one first."
Qingzhu was very skillful, and she quickly made a pearl flower by following the pattern.
The beaded flower made from leftover red silk cloth looks like a blooming rose.
“It’s so beautiful!”
Xiao Cui liked it very much and said, "Sister Qingzhu, can you put it on my head? This pearl flower will look very beautiful on my head."
Qingzhu asked Gu Jiu for his opinion. Seeing Gu Jiu nod, Qingzhu put the pearl flower on Xiao Cui's head.
Xiao Cui looked excited. "How is it? Does it look good?"
"Come and look in the mirror."
Wang Yi brought a bronze mirror.
Xiao Cui looked at herself in the mirror, left and right, with a silly smile on her face.
"I like this pearl flower, it's so beautiful. Sister Qingzhu, you have such a skillful hand."
Qingzhu smiled and said, "It's the flowers you drew that look beautiful."
Gu Jiu said, "No matter how beautiful the pattern is, it needs to be made with skillful hands. If you think this kind of beaded flower is beautiful, then make more."
"It looks great, it looks great, I must make more. This will definitely sell well."
Xiao Cui was the most excited.
Everyone is full of energy and looking forward to the day when business will be booming.
When some people are happy, naturally some people are depressed.
When Gu Yue heard that the Marquis of Lu had come to propose marriage, and that the person mentioned was Gu Jiu, she opened her mouth wide in disbelief.
"How is that possible? What's so good about Gu Jiu? Madam Lu Hou is not blind, how could she fall in love with her?"
"Miss, this is absolutely true. It has spread throughout the mansion."
Gu Yue snorted, "I don't believe Gu Jiu could be so lucky. How can I be inferior to her? There are so many noble families, but not a single one came to propose marriage for me. Why did Gu Jiu get the favor of Lady Lu? Is it just because she's good at calculating?"
Gu Yue was filled with resentment and said to her maid Grape, "Come with me to see Mother. I want to have a serious talk with her and tell her that this marriage must not be agreed to."
If Gu Jiu married someone better than her, she would be so embarrassed.
So no matter what, we must stop Gu Jiu from marrying into the Marquis of Lu's Mansion.
Gu Yue hurried to Furong Courtyard.
As a result, the maid stopped her from entering.
Gu Yue was furious. "Get out of the way! Who gave you the courage to block my way?"
Guo Taohua trembled with fear and said cautiously, "Third Miss, the Madam has ordered that no one is allowed to disturb her. Unless it is the Master who comes. I dare not disobey the Madam's order. Third Miss, please go back."
"How dare you! You're just a little maidservant, and you dare to stop me? Do you know that I can send you to the laundry room and do hard labor for the rest of your life with just one word?"
Guo Taohua shivered twice, but she still firmly stopped Gu Yue.
"Even if the Third Lady wants to punish me, I cannot let her in. This is Madam's order. No one can go in without Madam's permission."
Gu Yue was furious. "You slut, how dare you..."
"The third young lady is here. Who did I think was making such a noise? I almost woke up the mistress."
Chunhe heard the noise, came out of the house, and looked at Gu Yue with a smile.
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