Chapter 52 Talking Business
After Aman returned, the long-silent courtyard was filled with joy once again. Fortunately, thanks to Old Master Cheng's help in recuperating, Aman fully recovered within two days, and Fu Yunxiu did not notice anything amiss.
During her stay at the clinic, Aman temporarily put her rouge business on hold. Now that she has some free time, she naturally wants to get started on preparing for it.
Although she had told her regular customers that she would be taking a few days off, after such a long period of closure, Aman didn't know if business would be as booming as before, so she didn't dare prepare too much floral dew.
Aside from the twenty bottles that others had previously ordered, Aman only brought fifteen extra bottles.
The new packaging has led to a price increase for the floral water, and I don't know if it will sell well.
When Aman left home in the morning, she was full of worries, but it was clear that she was overthinking it.
During the days she was away, many women came to her stall specifically to look for her, and some even came from other counties, all of whom had heard that her floral dew was effective and came to buy it.
Therefore, as soon as Aman opened for business today, all fifteen bottles of floral dew were snapped up instantly, and many who arrived late and missed out were still complaining.
"Young lady, why are you only bringing this little bit of stuff to your stall?" Someone who didn't manage to snag any flower dew complained, feeling dissatisfied.
She's been here for two whole days.
Aman hadn't expected business to be so good today. Seeing that they had all come for nothing, she felt a little guilty. "I really didn't expect business to be this good."
"My young lady is getting married soon, and she's looking forward to using your floral dew to nourish and whiten her skin," the man chattered on. Aman then realized that a woman who had previously bought her floral dew had married into a neighboring county. She had taken several hanging incense burners with her when she left, to distribute as gifts to her husband's sisters.
Those young women used the floral dew and found it to be very effective, so they recommended it to others. Word spread quickly, and even people in neighboring counties knew that a woman in Yongzhou City was selling floral dew with excellent whitening effects.
Seeing that she was really in a hurry, Aman promised that she would definitely arrange it for her tomorrow and would not let her make a wasted trip.
Over time, Aman made as many as eighty bottles of floral dew that others had pre-ordered, not to mention the new customers who came every day.
With such a large quantity, it was naturally impossible for Aman to complete it alone. Thus, you could see that the eldest son of the Marquis's mansion, who was always seen as a man of great literary talent and self-importance, was now tending a winnowing basket, picking flowers and leaves, and working as a laborer for others.
"Clean this place, and this place too." Aman stood in the middle, hands on her hips, pointing and gesturing, looking every bit like a landlady.
Seeing her like that, Fu Yunxiu couldn't help but smile slightly. But his worry remained undiminished.
As the saying goes, "A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime." With Aman's business so booming, it's bound to affect the business of other cosmetic shops.
He was afraid that someone would be jealous and cause trouble.
Fu Yunxiu's guess was indeed correct. A few days later, many unfamiliar faces appeared around Aman's stall, wandering around without buying anything, just staring at it.
Aman didn't take it seriously until one day when he was stopped in the alley on his way home.
"Miss Aman, my young master invites you." The man, dressed as a servant, bowed slightly and spoke in a fairly polite tone.
However, Aman did not recognize this person, so how could she easily go with him? Aman asked with a wary look, "Who are you? How do you know my name?"
“Of course it was my young master who said so, Miss Aman, please.” The man gestured for her to proceed, but Aman did not accept his gesture.
“I don’t know your young master. Since he’s looking for me, then let him come see me,” Aman said.
Aman looked around, searching for a way to escape.
“Miss Aman, my young master is easy to talk to, but if you refuse to drink and have to drink the penalty wine, then don’t blame me for being impolite.”
"What, do you intend to kidnap me?" From this person's attitude, Aman could roughly tell that he wouldn't hurt her, so she spoke more boldly: "I'll say it again, if your young master wants to see me, let him come by himself, I'll be waiting here."
"You..." The servant was taken aback; he hadn't expected this person to be so ungrateful. But his young master had told him not to frighten her.
The servant glared at Aman, gritted his teeth, and said, "Fine, then I'll go and invite my young master over. You'd better not try anything funny."
"Go ahead, I'll wait here."
Seeing that Aman agreed, the man looked at her with some doubt for a few moments before turning and leaving.
Seeing that the person had gone a little further away, Aman seized the opportunity and ran home as fast as he could.
Just wait there obediently, do you think she's stupid?
Ah Man ran as fast as he could, carrying his bundle, until he got home and closed the door, only then did he have a chance to catch his breath.
"What happened?" Mantou came out of the pavilion and saw Aman panting like a cow, so he went up to him and asked with concern. Aman waved his hand, unable to speak for a long time, only panting.
After a long while, she finally felt a little better. "Don't mention it."
Aman walked into the pavilion, picked up a cup on the table and drank two cups of water in one gulp before plopping down on a chair.
When Fu Yunxiu saw that she was holding the cup he had used, he opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he didn't say anything. He just asked, "What happened?"
"On my way home, someone blocked my way. Luckily, I was quick-witted and managed to fool that person and run back." Aman carefully told Fu Yunxiu the whole story.
Fu Yunxiu frowned as he listened, looking thoughtful.
This way of handling things is so much like that person's.
"Mantou, you'll be setting up the stall with Aman tomorrow," Fu Yunxiu instructed.
"No, no, young master." Aman shook his head like a rattle-drum to refuse. "Tomorrow I will not take the side roads, but only the main roads. They won't dare to do anything in public. Besides, I don't think they have any ill intentions."
Aman whispered.
If there is malicious intent, the other party may kidnap him when he refuses.
“I know,” Fu Yunxiu said.
Knowing this, sending Mantou was also a warning: "This matter is settled, no need to say more."
After saying that, Fu Yunxiu turned his wheelchair and went back to his room, not giving Aman a chance to refuse.
Aman looked at the closed door, then at the steamed bun, feeling extremely annoyed.
If she had known this would happen, she wouldn't have said anything. If Mantou follows her, what will happen to the young master?
The next day, Ah Man set up his stall as usual.
The weather wasn't very good today; it was foggy this morning, all gray and gloomy, which looked rather depressing.
It looks like it's going to rain!
When Aman arrived at the stall, she laid out all the floral dew and rouge she had brought. Just as she finished preparing, someone came to her door.
"Just take a look and see if there's anything you like..." As she spoke, Aman looked up and saw someone who shouldn't have been there.
Mantou was also taken aback, then realized, "Second Young Master."
"Hmm." Fu Changze nodded at him, then looked at Aman, "Miss Aman, isn't it a bit inappropriate to break your promise?"
Aman was somewhat confused about what he was saying, and frowned as she asked, "What do you mean by that, Second Young Master?"
“Miss Aman, are you asking a question you already know the answer to? Yesterday I sent my servant to invite Miss Aman for a chat, but not only did she refuse to do me the honor, she also pretended to deceive me, leaving me empty-handed.”
Aman then understood, "Were those your people yesterday?"
“That’s right,” Fu Changze said frankly. “I originally wanted to invite Miss Aman to catch up, but I didn’t expect her to refuse. Today I have come here by myself, so please don’t refuse.”
"Between you and me, there's probably nothing to reminisce about," Aman said, not wanting to go.
She had never liked this second young master from the beginning, and now that he had suddenly approached her, she wondered what his intentions were.
"If we have nothing to reminisce about, we can talk business. I happen to have a business deal that I'd like to discuss with Miss Aman."
"What kind of business?"
“Miss Aman will know when she goes.” Fu Changze’s tone was firm, clearly not giving her a chance to refuse.
Aman could probably guess that the business he was referring to was her floral dew, since quite a few people had come to him in the past few days, saying they wanted to cooperate with her.
"OK!"
"Aman." Mantou was a little worried and tugged at his sleeve, telling her not to agree. Before leaving, the young master had instructed him to keep an eye on Aman and not let her out of his sight.
Although he didn't think the second young master was a bad person, the young master said that no one could be trusted.
“It’s alright,” Aman shook his head, indicating that he didn’t need to worry. “I’ll be right back. You watch the stall for me.”
"In that case, Miss Aman, please." Fu Changze nodded in satisfaction, and the two left together. Mantou was about to follow when she was stopped by Fu Changze's servant, "Young Master said you should wait here."
The two were talking in a restaurant diagonally opposite Aman. The second floor was a large hall with open spaces on all sides, and from Mantou's position, he could just see the two of them take their seats.
Upstairs, Fu Changze first poured Aman a cup of tea before slowly saying, "I invited Miss Aman here today because I heard that she has developed a unique floral dew that is one of a kind in the entire Yongzhou."
As I guessed, she really was after the flower dew.
Aman didn't respond, waiting for him to continue.
“I have a collaboration opportunity here. I wonder if Miss Aman would be interested?” Fu Changze said.
"What kind of cooperation?" Aman asked.
"There are many cosmetic shops in Yongzhou, but only Lirenfang is the best in the industry. Miss Aman, why don't you give this flower dew recipe to Lirenfang for research and sale, and split the profits 30/70?"
"30/70 split?" Aman raised an eyebrow. Previous buyers, even the worst ones, only split it 40/60. He was asking for an exorbitant amount.
“Miss Aman is dissatisfied.” Fu Changze slowly sipped his tea. “Lirenfang is not an ordinary cosmetics shop. Its daily turnover is equivalent to the annual income of some wealthy families. This flower dew is merely icing on the cake for Lirenfang. But the dividends that Miss Aman receives are more than she could earn in a lifetime. Miss Aman should think it over carefully.”
Seeing his impolite manner, Aman naturally didn't tolerate it and said, "I've already thought it through. Since my flower dew is considered a nice addition, I suppose it won't have any impact on the Beauty Pavilion without it. In that case, I'll take my leave."
After saying that, Aman was about to get up and leave, but Fu Changze stopped her: "Aman, if you don't cooperate with my Lirenfang, you won't be able to keep this formula. You must have heard the saying 'possessing a treasure is a crime,' right?"
This can be considered a warning, or even a threat.
Ah Man, a young girl with no connections, is running this lucrative business. Sooner or later, someone envious will snatch it away. If not Fu Changze, then someone else will.
Relatively speaking, it's more reliable to choose someone you're familiar with.
Aman naturally understood his meaning, but at the moment, she had no intention of giving up the flower dew recipe.
"Thank you for your concern, Second Young Master, but these matters are not for you to worry about. Thank you for your hospitality, Second Young Master. I'll take my leave now." After saying this, Aman went straight downstairs. Fu Changze watched the direction she left in, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked.
If this floral dew hadn't been so detrimental to the shop's business, why would he have bothered to condescend and come in person to negotiate?
These days, nine out of ten customers who come to the store ask if we sell floral dew, saying that it has beauty, skin-whitening, and skin-care effects.
That's utter nonsense.
He didn't take it seriously at first, but it wasn't until the store's business became much quieter that he understood the implications.
This beauty salon is his cash cow; he can't afford to make any mistakes.
He sent someone to investigate and learned that the person selling the flower dew was Aman.
This young concubine is truly talented; she just finished selling vegetables and is now tending to flowers.
He sent someone to buy a son from Aman for two hundred taels, which wasn't cheap, but she refused. Left with no other option, he went himself, only to find her so ungrateful.
Since she wouldn't agree, he had no choice but to talk to his older brother.
Aman left the restaurant and went straight to the stall. Mantou noticed that she didn't look well and asked her what had happened.
"It's nothing, it's just that the second young master wants to do business with me," Aman said.
"Doing business?" Mantou frowned, then understood. "It's this floral dew... So you agreed?"
“No.” Aman shook his head and chuckled. “He said I should give him the recipe, and we would split the profits 30/70. Everything would be handled by Lirenfang, and I wouldn’t have to do anything but wait for my share of the profits.”
"Then what did you do?" Mantou wanted to say, "Then why didn't you agree?"
Lirenfang is the largest rouge shop in Yongzhou, encompassing almost all rouge businesses, making it a leader in its field. Although the second young master proposed a 30/70 split, the profit was actually quite substantial, far exceeding what Aman could earn by working tirelessly from dawn till dusk.
Aman understood what Mantou meant, and she believed that Fu Changze had come to her to discuss the matter with her for the same reason.
Putting everything else aside, Aman's initial idea wasn't just to make money; she wanted to own her own cosmetics shop. Moreover, she always felt that this second young master was not someone to be trifled with, and as a newcomer, she knew she was no match for him in terms of cunning.
If she were to hand over the entire recipe for the floral dew to him now, and one day he were to kick her out of the game, she would have nowhere to turn to cry.
It's better to stay like this. It may be tiring every day and I may earn less, but at least I have everything under my control and I don't have to depend on others.
Sometimes, being self-reliant is more stable than depending on others.
The recipe for the floral dew belonged to Aman, and since she was unwilling, Mantou couldn't say anything more.
The weather was bad today, and there weren't many people on the street. After selling the floral dew that had been ordered yesterday, Aman saw that the weather was getting more and more gloomy and it looked like it was going to rain, so he simply went home.
It was fortunate that the two of them were quick on their feet; otherwise, they would have been soaked in the rain.
Back home, Aman went to see Fu Yunxiu first. On rainy days, the young master was always unwell. Aman knocked on the door and went in, only to see Fu Yunxiu sitting at the table, his brows furrowed, looking deep in thought.
Ah Man smelled something unusual and noticed the used cup on the other side of the table. He immediately understood.
"Did someone come to visit?" Aman asked.
Seeing Fu Yunxiu look up at her, she asked again, "Is it the Second Young Master?"
Fu Yunxiu nodded. "Yes, he said he wanted to talk to you about a business deal, but it didn't work out, and he hopes I can give you some advice."
"I knew it." Aman looked knowing, then raised an eyebrow. "Did the young master agree?"
“Since this flower dew is from your hand, it is naturally your responsibility. How can I interfere?” Fu Yunxiu said.
This is also what he said to Fu Changze.
"The second young master wants my floral dew recipe, saying that everything will be handled by Lirenfang, and all I have to do is wait to collect the money. But I always feel that this is a bit risky..."
“I understand,” Fu Yunxiu nodded, “so I refused him outright, thinking he won’t bother you again.”
"So easy?" Aman was somewhat surprised. She thought Fu Changze would at least keep pestering her for a while longer.
After all, the fact that the Second Young Master personally came to see her shows how much her floral dew has affected the business of Lirenfang recently.
Faced with Aman's questioning gaze, Fu Yunxiu did not answer directly, but gave an ambiguous answer: "I think so."
The reason Fu Changze clung to the Lirenfang business so tightly was simply because Lirenfang was his cash cow; he needed to use that money to cultivate relationships and gain power.
He simply made him skip the step of exchanging money for power.
Fortunately, she was a useless person who was about to die, and Fu Yunting was single-mindedly determined to take the imperial examination and become an official. Among the direct descendants of the Marquis's family, it seemed that only Madam Fu was clinging to the empty title of Marquis.
We also hope that he will keep his word and protect Aman from being harassed by other businesses.
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