The shopkeeper stood by and didn't dare to breathe.
During the period of the palace coup, the capital was in turmoil and bloodshed. The rich and powerful did not leave their homes. The First Floor was even smashed and looted by the Xuan family in retaliation, making life extremely difficult.
At that time, Jiang Yuzhu was in Jiangnan waiting to give birth. The shopkeeper only reported good news and not bad news, and was determined to make back the large sum of money spent on renovating the first floor.
The Dequan troupe's new play has been revised, but the shopkeeper deliberately conceals it out of selfish motives.
"Boss, you are just a small-minded person who listens to the opinions of the onlookers..."
The shopkeeper winked at the accountant, who took out a thick stack of account books from the past few days.
There is always some false exaggeration in the performances of opera troupes, which creates gimmicks and attracts more audiences.
Jiang Yuzhu hesitated for a moment, then quickly came to her senses. After looking at the account book, she praised the shopkeeper and said, "You did the right thing. This lady will not go against money."
The troupe adjusts the performance according to the audience's preferences, and the money goes into Jiang Yuzhu's pocket, so she doesn't lose out at all.
As for what the world thinks, it doesn’t seem to be that important.
Although Jiang Yuzhu didn't care, the popularity of the new play still caused her some trouble.
After a few busy days, Jiang Yuzhu would take her maid to the shop to buy things, and would always be recognized by the ladies and young ladies who came to shop, and would be enthusiastically invited to come.
Ordinary families could not reach the status of the Xie and Jiang families, so they would wait on the road, looking for the carriages of the two families.
Several of her trips triggered large-scale blockades, and the people were also curious about what the woman looked like, whom the youngest prime minister of Da Qi held in his hands and risked his life to save.
"Madam, there are still people selling your portrait at high prices in shops in the capital."
The calligraphy and painting shops were selling them secretly. Ningxiang and Ningdong were not from the capital and had accents from other places. The two maids went to the calligraphy and painting shop to buy portraits. After asking around, the shopkeeper sold them a small portrait.
A small portrait costs two taels of silver, and larger ones are more expensive.
"Merchants in the capital are very cunning. When they heard that a calligraphy and painting shop had a portrait, they bought it and gave it to an embroidery workshop to embroider purses and sachets with your portrait on them..."
The sachet was bought by a servant who was unfamiliar with the family and asked for a higher price.
Hongli recounted her experiences at the market, then hesitated for a moment before adding, "Madam, you now have a nickname, the Moon Goddess."
"What do you mean?"
Who is selling her portrait?
Judging from the portrait, he is at least 70% similar to her, or at least someone who has seen her.
This great opportunity to make money was actually poached by someone.
Jiang Yuzhu took note of it and thought about finding someone to verify it.
Seeing his wife was interested, Hongli started blabbering, "They say you're more effective than Yue Lao. If I burn three sticks of incense to you every day, I'm sure I'll find a better match. That's why I call you Moon Goddess!"
Jiang Yuzhu: “…”
She was a living person being worshipped, were they sure they didn't want to send her away?
That night, when Xie Zhao returned home, Jiang Yuzhu took him aside to talk about what she had seen and heard at the market.
"Yuan He, nowadays people in the market are spreading rumors about me, making me look like a god."
Although Jiang Yuzhu is very good at bragging and fooling people, he is also a person who cares about his reputation.
Besides, are women destined to rely on men for a good life? She admitted that there was a reason for this, but she didn't completely agree with it.
After hearing this, Xie Zhao thought for a moment and asked, "Madam, is your husband not good enough for you?"
Jiang Yuzhu said speechlessly, "It's good, but there's still room for improvement. I want to find out who's trying to poach my girlfriend!"
There are people in the capital who are eyeing Jiang Yuzhu. How brave they are!
Xie Zhao coughed lightly twice, then hugged his wife and got on the bed, interrupting Jiang Yuzhu's wandering thoughts.
Late at night, in the imperial study.
Xiao She looked at the mountain of memorials and cursed, "Bullshit!"
The memorials submitted by officials from all over the country either boasted about their political achievements or asked for money.
"Building bridges costs money, disaster relief costs money, and building canals costs money. Even if I had a few gold mines, they wouldn't be enough to support these people's squandering fortunes!"
Over the years, there have been constant wars around Da Qi, and there is not much silver left in the national treasury to cover military expenses.
Every time Xiao She looked at the empty treasury, he felt indescribable sadness.
Eunuch Li held up the cards and asked, "Your Majesty, which lady will you be visiting tonight?"
There are more than a dozen concubines in the harem, and the position of queen is vacant.
These days, during the morning court sessions, the court officials argued endlessly about the Queen, more actively than Xiao She himself.
Thinking of Zhao Fendie, Xiao She felt a sudden pang of heartache for no reason. He asked calmly, "Who gave more silver?"
Forget about visiting, I'm not interested.
Whoever gave more money, Xiao She would pretend to go and take a walk around that person's bedroom.
Eunuch Li immediately understood, picked out the person who gave the most gifts and put him aside, and ordered someone to deliver the account book.
"Your Majesty, this was sent from outside the palace. Madam Xie's portrait has been selling like hotcakes lately, and the shopkeeper has started sending paintings to shops around the capital."
The shopkeeper has thought of almost everything that can be made and sold, including embroidered handkerchiefs, purses, sachets, porcelain bottles, and porcelain figures.
"Many ladies in the capital also come to buy them. Some are praying for children, and some are seeking love from their husbands. In short, they are selling like hotcakes."
In just a few days, the shop's business increased several times over.
Xiao She took the account book and said with a cheerful smile, "Jiang Yuzhu sold me the private soldiers she had swindled from Lu Yunxi at a high price. I can't afford to lose them in vain. I have to use her to make some money!"
It’s true, Jiang Yuzhu has some metaphysical knowledge and is indeed very blessed.
"yes."
Eunuch Li sighed secretly and stepped back.
After everyone left, Xiao She carefully took out the palace-made sachet embroidered with Jiang Yuzhu's portrait from his purse and whispered, "Moon Goddess, please bless Fendie to be safe in Su City. If she is willing to wait for me for a few years, I will definitely not let her down..."
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