As the month drew to a close, the matchmakers underwent rigorous training from Tian Sangui, becoming so proficient that they practiced their movements even in their sleep.
To keep the shop neat and tidy, Tian Sangui contacted a tailor shop half a month ago to rush-make gorgeous dresses for the matchmakers.
It's not that the clothes are particularly luxurious, but rather the fabric. The high-quality cotton and linen are soft and comfortable, making the garments look elegant and sophisticated. They are also soft against the skin and won't irritate it.
This was also for the benefit of the wealthy women. Ordinary linen fabric has many hard edges, and when the matchmakers were working, their clothes would inevitably touch the faces of the rich women.
It's really unacceptable to make a mistake over such a small thing.
Tian Sangui tried his best to avoid everything that could be avoided.
The shop was completed three days ago. Tian Sangui led the matchmakers to the shop to tidy it up and set up the shelves and rouge.
On the second floor, three different types of face masks for different skin types were placed and arranged in order.
Tian Sangui tested the water temperature. Two hot and cold iron pipes were hidden under the wooden floor, connecting to the boiler room in the backyard.
Four maids are needed to boil and serve water to ensure that there is enough water for washing upstairs on the second floor.
The matchmakers were seeing such a novel rouge shop for the first time, and their eyes were filled with surprises and unexpected delights.
While there was still time, Tian Sangui led them to quickly familiarize themselves with the two floors and the backyard.
In the afternoon, they took turns playing the roles of guest and matchmaker, getting familiar with the water usage on the face mask and the placement of each type of face mask.
Watching from the side, Tian Sangui saw that they were skilled and proficient in their techniques. They performed a facial cleansing routine cleanly and efficiently, with every detail done perfectly.
Tian Sangui nodded secretly, and at this moment he was somewhat relieved.
Tian Sangui selected two older matchmakers, one as the manager and the other as the manager of the backyard.
Hand over the shop keys to the front yard manager and the back yard keys to the back yard manager.
The two men were deeply grateful to Tian Sangui for his trust and support.
"We will certainly live up to the trust placed in us by the Third Manager and do our best to manage the shop for you."
"Get up and work hard! I won't let you down!"
Arita Mitsuki's words made the two stewards work even harder.
That evening, after everything was ready at the shop, Tian Sangui was picked up by Lan Juan and her brother in an oxcart.
I slept well all night.
As soon as it was light, Tian Sangui got up and went to the rouge shop.
Manager He, who manages the front yard, has already opened the shop door, while Manager Wang, who manages the back yard, is instructing Hongniang to boil water.
As Tian Sangui approached, Steward He and Steward Wang came to greet her.
Good morning, Third Manager!
"Hmm, is everything ready?"
Tian Sangui looked at the counter, which had been wiped spotless, and felt secretly satisfied.
Manager He replied with a forced smile, "Third Manager, rest assured, I have arranged everything properly!"
"Alright, let's light the firecrackers at Chenshi (7-9 AM) and officially open for business!"
Under the instructions of the two managers, the matchmakers busied themselves making final and thorough preparations.
Just as it was approaching Chen Shi (7-9 AM), Madam Zhang arrived with her sisters in a carriage.
With a light step, Madam Feng arrived right behind him.
Tian Sangui personally descended the steps to greet the ladies.
"Ladies, you've come at the perfect time! Let's witness the grand opening of Hefang Rouge Shop together!"
"Haha, that's exactly why we came!"
"please!"
After exchanging pleasantries, Tian Sangui invited the ladies into the shop.
He turned around and nodded to Steward He, who then quietly fell behind.
He ordered two strong matchmakers to hang the bright red firecrackers on bamboo poles and then stand them outside the shop.
Manager He lit the firecrackers himself, and they immediately crackled and popped throughout the East Market.
The bustling scene attracted many onlookers, and the huge, luxurious rouge shop officially opened for business.
Because the audience was limited, Tian Sangui stopped addressing the common people and instead had his steward arrange for the ladies to be invited to a private room.
The ladies with bamboo tokens immediately handed them to Steward He, and a matchmaker led them up to experience them.
Before long, Old Madam Shen, along with her second and third wives and Shen Xing'er, came to greet the He Fang Rouge Shop.
Tian Sangui immediately went out to greet him.
Helping Grandma Shen up, he said, "Be careful on the steps!"
Grandma Shen patted Tian Sangui's hand with a smile, her smile exceptionally kind.
"San Gui girl, where is this old woman resting?"
Grandma Shen jokingly asked Tian Sangui, because when Tian Sangui had invited her before, he told her to just relax and rest when she got up, and that she would be able to welcome back her beauty.
That's why the old lady asked that question.
"Grandmother, please come upstairs with me to the second floor, and let your goddaughter serve you personally!"
"Oh my, how lucky you are to be enjoying the filial piety of your goddaughter, hahaha!"
The two ladies behind him smiled broadly.
Tian Sangui carefully helped the old lady up to the second floor.
Manager He realized that the Shen family had a close relationship with Tian Sangui, so he immediately summoned three reliable matchmakers and led the ladies to a private room.
I thought the first floor would be quiet from now on, but before long, carriages started stopping one after another at the door.
The ladies and wives who came down went straight to the counter.
"I've heard that your rouge is different from other brands?"
A young lady asked Manager He in a slightly sarcastic and condescending tone.
"Yes, miss, our family's..."
"No need for nonsense, just wipe them one by one for me. I can tell at a glance whether they are good or bad. There's no need for you to brag in my ear."
Manager He was interrupted halfway through his sentence by her, who declared that she would try them all.
After saying that, the young lady stretched out her hand, her meaning clear.
Before Manager He arrived, Tian Sangui had already instructed that when encountering such a guest, one should not offend her, but simply follow her instructions.
Manager He smiled and, neither humble nor arrogant, ordered the matchmaker beside him to remove the rouge.
A trained matchmaker could tell at a glance that her skin was dull and lacked luster, and her face was oily.
The matchmaker naturally brought out a suitable sample and skillfully applied makeup to the arrogant young lady.
As soon as the foundation was applied, the originally dull yellow back of the hand instantly became white, bright, and smooth.
The young lady, who had never believed in superstitions, couldn't hide her joy at this moment and quickly grabbed the matchmaker's arm.
"What kind of rouge is this? I want it all!"
The young lady was so engrossed in her joy that she didn't see the embarrassment on Steward He's and Matchmaker's faces.
However, her maidservant, seeing that the two of them still hadn't moved, suddenly looked displeased with their indifference and asked them in a stern tone.
"Didn't you two hear what my young lady said? Go and fetch it!"
The maid's voice was loud, and the young lady, who was in a state of joy, suddenly realized what was happening and squinted at Steward He with displeasure.
"Miss, you may not know this, but every rouge in our shop is a special edition. Therefore, each customer is limited to purchasing only one set. You are not authorized to buy any more!"
The words of Manager He instantly ignited the young lady's anger. She stood up and angrily pointed at Manager He, cursing him in a tone like a shrew from the marketplace.
"You dog of a servant, you lowly maid, I'm only doing you a favor by coming to your shabby shop to buy rouge."
"How dare a lowly maid, who has just been defiled, speak so arrogantly as to say that I, this young lady, have no right to purchase this?"
"Okay, so you won't let me buy it?"
"Crispy Peach, smash this shabby shop to pieces! The capital city can't tolerate such a gaudy and shady business!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com