Time never makes a sound, and life never answers.
As the weather grew colder, Zhao Shu received the Empress Dowager's permission to go to Chamei Mountain with Sun Yun and Huo Danlan to see the camellias.
Before she left, Xiao Guozi brought Fei Peng to find her. Fei Peng was no longer as naive as when they first met. He had matured a lot and looked like a person who could get things done, rather than a playboy who only talked and wrote all day.
The two men greeted Zhao Shu first, and Xiao Guozi handed over a land deed, saying, "Princess, Young Master Huo wants to invest. He has already paid the money for the shop. He said the Huo family wants three shares. If the money for the shop is not enough to invest in three shares, just go to the Huo family for more money."
Zhao Shu took the land deed, glanced at it, and thought that Huo Baichuan, that fox, must have seen the shampoo market in Dayong and was sure that she wouldn't dare to open a shop alone, so he had to bring in a partner, which was why he was so domineering in wanting to join.
However, she was more than happy to have the Huo family join her, but wouldn't a 30% stake be a bit too much? Sun Yun also wanted to invest, and the Empress Dowager also wanted to give some shares. If she wanted to support the Crown Prince to ascend the throne, she would have to provide timely help when he was still in a weak position. All things considered, wouldn't Huo Baichuan become the largest shareholder?
Zhao Shu had a gloomy face, and Xiao Guozi and the others felt uneasy. Was the princess unhappy? The princess's relationship with the Huo family had been the envy of many, so why was she unhappy?
"Alright, let's get ready and go take a look at the shop." Now that the shop is ready, the next step is decoration. She must design it well so that it will be unique and dazzling.
"Sigh." The two bowed and left, without Fei Peng saying a word.
After waving the two away, Zhao Shu went to find Sun Yun. Sun Yun was still drawing patterns, feeling that neither could highlight her mother's beautiful face nor show off her father's extraordinary handsomeness.
"Ah Yun, we talked about opening a shop last time. Now that we have the shop, would you like to come with me to take a look?" Zhao Shu asked.
Sun Yun immediately put down her pen, stretched, and said, "I should have gone out for a walk a long time ago." Once she arrived in Guanzhou, Sun Yun was like a wild horse that had broken free of its reins. Not to mention that the "Admonitions for Women" and "Rules for Women" could not control her, even the Heavenly King himself probably couldn't do anything about her.
Only Banshu silently shed tears in the middle of the night, trying to keep her leg from being broken and never informing the master and mistress in the capital. If they did, the young lady would not be someone to be trifled with.
Xiao Guozi acted quickly, and soon prepared a carriage. He led his people out of the palace in a grand procession, crossed the suspension bridge, and arrived at the most prosperous area of Guanzhou. The two lifted the carriage curtain and looked out. The people walking on the street were all quite wealthy, and there were quite a few like them sitting in carriages. The streets were very wide, and the people walking were very conscious of their image. The women all walked gracefully and elegantly, and the men were all humble and respectful gentlemen.
This is why Zhao Shu chose to open her shop in an area adjacent to aristocratic families. Regardless of their behavior at home, aristocratic families are often obsessed with saving face in public.
"Heads may be severed, blood may flow, but clothes must not be wrinkled"—this is a true reflection of most aristocratic families.
The carriage arrived at the newly purchased shop. It had three doors and two floors. The carvings on the building were also very exquisite. Although it was a commercial place, it did not have the smell of money. The beams and pillars were carved with flowers and plants that are often praised as elegant in poems and literature, such as plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo and chrysanthemums.
Zhao Shu glanced at the exquisitely beautiful building and exclaimed in admiration, "No wonder it's a property owned by a scholarly family."
“Ah Jun, you’re wrong. They originally wanted to carve the God of Wealth, but the statue was too complicated, so they changed it to simpler flowers and plants.” As Sun Yun spoke, he got off the carriage and walked into the shop.
Zhao Shu followed closely behind, saying, "We must put out a lucky cat to bring in wealth and treasures."
The furnishings were very orderly and elegant. Zhao Shu looked at them and said to Fei Peng, who was standing beside her, "This place needs to be changed. We'll tear it down first. We'll put tables and chairs here, large bonsai trees here, and this place..."
Fei Peng, who was standing to the side, remembered very quickly. He didn't understand what Zhao Shu was trying to do, but he was focused on remembering and not forgetting. He had an excellent memory, but he still had a good habit of writing things down in his notebook.
The group walked to the backyard, which was very spacious and could be renovated for many uses.
Sun Yun was not someone who had never seen the world. As the legitimate daughter of the Sun family, she had to learn to manage the household and shops from a young age. Although she was born into the fourth branch of the family and did not have the opportunity to occasionally manage the Sun family with the eldest daughter of the first branch, her knowledge was still far beyond that of the legitimate daughters of ordinary families, not to mention the illegitimate daughters.
The two exchanged a glance, both quite satisfied. The cost was high, but the price of the items was naturally not cheap either.
Just as the two were discussing how to renovate the courtyard, Wan Dong, who had stayed at the palace and had not come with them, hurriedly came over. "Princess, Princess, the things the Prince brought for you have arrived. Several carriages full, and a pair of parrots."
"Really?" Zhao Shu asked in surprise, already walking outside as she spoke. "Tell me quickly, what's there?"
"There are cooks, musicians, opera singers, and even storytellers. Our prince really dotes on the princess," Wan Dong rambled on, telling Zhao Shu the information she had gleaned from a cursory glance.
Sun Yun overheard this and immediately snuggled up to Zhao Shu, saying, "Ah Jun, I love being around only girls like you. I can take advantage of you, but let's make it clear first, you can't get angry if I do."
Zhao Shu, smug, retorted, "Who said they wouldn't take advantage of me?"
Sun Yun recalled her first visit to Prince Yong's residence and what she had said to Zhao Shu. She turned her head away shyly, but still snorted, "Hmph, the autumn wind is definitely coming."
Zhao Shu ignored her; her attempts to freeload were just a joke.
"Anything else? Anything else?" she asked Wan Dong immediately.
Wan Dong smiled and said, "Princess, you'll see when you get back. Those parrots can even talk." As for what they could say, Wan Dong dared not tell Zhao Shu.
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