As time passed, the rumors that a "celestial abode" had descended upon the Fifth Prince's residence were completely confirmed. In this chaotic world, not to mention ordinary people, even the wealthy and powerful did not have an easy time.
Because of social unrest, you couldn't buy anything even if you had money. Now, things are different; there really is a place where you can buy plenty of food and drink.
Although it required spending money, it was still better than holding gold nuggets and not being able to exchange them for a single grain of rice. So many people who had initially doubted Guanwang couldn't wait to come to his door the next day.
The stewards and servants of the various mansions were making a big shopping spree in the food sections on the first and second floors. The wealthy young ladies and wives were so engrossed in the cosmetics and toiletries that they couldn't tear themselves away.
I've lived for so many years and only now do I realize that there are so many kinds of cosmetics, with lipsticks alone having dozens of colors.
Feminine hygiene products, especially those used during menstruation, have opened up a whole new world for women. They've discovered that women can experience their periods comfortably and hygienically. Those with a little personal savings are stockpiling without hesitation.
The logistics team of the Trading Bureau probably anticipated that this kind of product would sell very well in ancient or other worlds, so they prepared a whole large storage bag with a full range of sizes for both daytime and nighttime use, including panty liners and sleeping pants.
Women's underwear is something that ladies and wives both love and feel ashamed of; it's a true anti-exposure wonder, and wealthy women would love to buy enough to last a lifetime.
Some small accessories also broadened their horizons, especially the mirrors of all sizes that could clearly reflect a person's image, which were truly amazing.
Lin Qianqian has already raised the prices of mirrors significantly. Those small, round plastic mirrors that you can buy wholesale at the commodity market for just a few cents are now selling for a tael of silver. Not to mention the larger and prettier dressing mirrors, which are priced ridiculously high.
When she changed the price, Lin Qianqian felt like a heartless and unscrupulous merchant.
But any young lady or woman with a little money would tighten her belt to buy one. Not to mention the wives and daughters of wealthy families, who would buy a full-length mirror, a half-length vanity mirror, and several portable makeup mirrors.
If you don't have enough personal savings, no problem, the shop owner said you can barter. Jewelry, fabrics, guqin (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument), and the Four Treasures of the Study can all be exchanged, but unfortunately, they don't accept antiques or calligraphy and paintings.
Otherwise, by holding their husbands hostage, they could paint a few landscape paintings and write a few calligraphy pieces overnight and exchange them for quite a lot of things.
The lucky kids who were brought to the mall lingered in the toy section, unwilling to leave. They had never seen toys like these before, and it truly opened the door to fun for them.
If their parents don't buy it for them today, they'll throw a tantrum and refuse to leave, seeing who can outlast whom!
Even if I have to eat stir-fried bamboo shoots with pork when I get home today, I'm not afraid! I have to get my hands on these fun and beautiful toys!
Many students gathered in the stationery section, examining the snow-white paper, the pens of different styles but very practical, and the tapes, erasers, compasses, and correction tapes in various packaging. It was truly an eye-opening experience.
Why do we need so many strange and unusual tools to read books?
Busy until noon, Wen Mingyue set out the food in the restaurant. Today was the first day of business, and the staff meals were served at a banquet, not boxed lunches. She had the maids and guards take turns eating on the fifth floor.
These people lived in ancient times when food and clothing were scarce, and they were people of the present day. They had never eaten such luxurious and delicious food before. Some of them were so moved by the food that they almost cried!
In the afternoon, Lin Qianqian had the guards at the door post the opening hours, telling customers not to queue up when it was almost time.
She needs to leave work on time.
The maids and guards could take turns working, but there were only four employees in the mall, and they couldn't handle working consecutive shifts. Although they weren't ordinary people and their bodies could endure it, their mental strain couldn't keep up.
Besides, we have two months this time, no rush! Take your time.
Lin Qianqian closed the mall's doors at the appointed time. Guards patrolled the area in shifts at night, and the maids lived on the fifth floor of the mall.
The three suites on the fifth floor are all two-bedroom, one-living room layouts. Lin Qianqian and Wen Mingyue share one room, while Zhang Laodao and Luo Zexuan share another, with one person sleeping on the bed and the other on the sofa.
The other two suites, in addition to the double bed in the bedroom that can sleep two or three people, also have sofas in the room and living room that can be used as sleeping areas, and the floor can be covered with mattresses and blankets to accommodate more than ten people.
And that meeting room, which already had carpet on the floor, became a makeshift dormitory after the tables, chairs, and bedding were put away. It could easily fit thirty or forty young girls, though the conditions were a bit harsh.
But these girls didn't feel bitter at all; it was much more comfortable than the dormitory-style beds they slept in.
They learned to use toothpaste and toothbrushes, and to use the toilet and shower, from Wen Mingyue. It was the first time they had ever washed their hair with such fragrant products, and the first time they had ever taken a bath in a smooth bathtub. They could also squeeze onto the sofa or sit on the floor covered with thick blankets to watch TV.
They are so lucky to have been chosen to do this job!
The next day, as soon as the back gate of the Prince's Mansion opened, the waiting crowd filled the entire street, mostly wealthy people who had servants and servants to ride in carriages and lead horses.
Seeing this scene, Lin Qianqian frowned and exchanged a glance with Wen Mingyue and Luo Zexuan.
At this moment, the Fifth Prince, accompanied by his confidants and steward, carrying a large box of compiled martial arts manuals, stepped into the mall again.
The reason they only came today is because Lin Qianqian said they could make a copy of all the books to keep as a keepsake. That's why they didn't deliver them immediately, but instead copied them first.
It took several days of copying to gather this large box. Now, all the literate people in the manor are working overtime to copy it, and it will be sent over gradually as it's finished. The martial arts manuals, secret formulas, and ancient texts gathered from the fiefdoms are also being sent here at top speed.
Before the Fifth Prince arrived, he had urged the Grand Steward of the Imperial Household Department to quickly organize the national treasury and the imperial palace's treasury. Although the national treasury had been depleted of gold and silver after several years of internal strife, the emperor's treasury still contained some jewels, and the imperial library held many secret manuals and formulas.
Yesterday, those old ministers stubbornly refused to exchange money from the national treasury and the imperial treasury for goods. But last night, they came to him on their own initiative, urging him to exchange goods. They're truly a bunch of cunning old foxes who won't act until they see a profit.
That's only because he hasn't ascended the throne yet; otherwise, they wouldn't have the right to complain.
Xiao Die and another maid named Xiao Yun were originally guiding customers on how to pay their bills near the cashier.
Yesterday, Wen Mingyue specially took some time to teach Xiaodie how to handle the cash register, just so that someone could cover for her if needed. So today, after the Fifth Prince arrived, Wen Mingyue handed over the cash register duties to Xiaodie. She and Zhang Laodao followed Lin Qianqian upstairs to discuss the deal with the Fifth Prince.
Old Master Zhang was in charge of examining the ancient books and secret formulas brought by the Fifth Prince. Wen Mingyue discussed with the Fifth Prince how much they could exchange for each other, while Lin Qianqian listened and made the final decision.
Just as Lin Qianqian was getting bored, a commotion arose below. She frowned; something was wrong. Who dared to cause trouble in the mall?
Lin Qianqian told Zhang Laodao and Wen Mingyue to continue their work while she went down to see what was going on. Seeing her pale face, the Fifth Prince handed the matter over to his trusted aide and then followed her down.
Two unfamiliar security guards lay collapsed in front of the cashier on the first floor, seemingly knocked down by the mall's security system. They must have been trying to attack mall employees. Only Luo Zexuan was left on the first floor before; where was he?
Thinking of this, Lin Qianqian quickly stepped out and saw that not far from the entrance, the guards who were helping to maintain order in the mall were being forced to kneel on the ground by another group of guards, and almost everyone of them was injured.
Xiaodie's left cheek was swollen high, and she was in critical condition with a guard choking her.
Meanwhile, Luo Zexuan was fighting with three or four people...
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