All the businesses that were summoned to the palace had to prepare their own colorful lanterns and other festive items to decorate their stalls and enhance the festive atmosphere in the palace.
Cheng Tingrui handed He Youyou a list of all the goods: "I don't like to show my face in public. The Cheng family business will have a manager leading the team, so I won't go. As for Youruitang, Xiao Qianshan will be with us. He's very efficient. If you have any questions, just consult him."
He Youyou took the order: "Don't worry, it's fine. We have connections in the palace."
Cheng Tingrui's expression froze.
“You forgot, the King of Yue is here,” He Youyou said smugly. “Hanzhang said he’ll be in the palace that day. If I run into trouble, I can always turn to him. You raise an army for a thousand days to use it for one day, and you build connections to solve problems. With our long-standing friendship, it’s just a small favor for him to help me.”
After hearing this, Cheng Tingrui lowered his eyes, concealing the dark light in them.
The day to enter the palace arrived quickly.
He Youyou was wearing a dress made of Youruitang fabric.
Brocade, scattered flowers, shawls, layers upon layers of ribbons and skirts.
It was an elaborate style she had never worn since she arrived here.
As a modern person, she lacked the refined elegance of ancient ladies.
However, her advantage lies in her outstanding temperament.
Years of experience in the business world have given her an aura of authority.
Confident, courageous, visionary, imposing, composed, and insightful.
The elaborate and gorgeous clothes worn by her only accentuate her powerful aura, rather than suppressing it.
As originally planned, He Youyou's carriage was to go to Yourui Hall first, meet up with the people from Yourui Hall, and then enter the palace together.
Unexpectedly, Cheng Tingrui appeared at the entrance of Youruitang.
"Minzhi, what are you doing here?"
Cheng Tingrui smiled and said, "I'll go with you."
As he spoke, he climbed onto her carriage, sat down beside her, and quietly straightened his clothes.
He Youyou asked, puzzled, "Minzhi, didn't you say you didn't like being in the public eye? Why are you going again?"
Cheng Tingrui looked at her with a smile: "Because I just received news that the Prince of Yue is probably too busy to take care of you today. I was worried that you might have trouble and not be able to find anyone, so I had to come by myself."
"What's wrong with Hanzhang? Why is he so neglected?"
Cheng Tingrui smiled sincerely: "Speaking of which, we should congratulate him. I heard that Her Majesty the Empress held a palace banquet today, inviting all the noble ladies of the city, in order to choose a consort for Prince Yue. Prince Yue probably has too many eyes to look at today, how could he have time to care about you? Therefore, I came in person."
"Choosing a concubine..."
He Youyou recalled that she had talked to Zhao Changqing that day about asking him to find an older female relative to help choose a princess. It seemed that he had taken her advice to heart.
She felt very gratified.
Well, this person is at least willing to listen to advice.
However, there was no one to show her around the palace today, which was a little disappointing.
Seeing the regret on her face, Cheng Tingrui felt a pang of bitterness in his heart.
He then changed the subject: "Youyou, I've already looked at the account books you sent."
He Youyou realized that he was referring to the account books of the King of Qi.
"So? What problem did you see?"
"There are quite a few problems."
Of course, there are many problems; otherwise, such a profitable business wouldn't have turned out this way.
"Don't worry," He Youyou comforted him. "After the Lantern Festival, I'll go to Prince Qi and we'll deal with things one by one."
Cheng Tingrui's gaze was fixed on her face.
Whenever she talks about business, she exudes a dazzling brilliance that makes it impossible to look away.
Confident and fearless.
The carriage entered the palace.
The stalls and colorful lights of each shop were quickly set up.
Although Cheng Tingrui was nominally still the head of the Cheng family business, he could only work at the Cheng family business's stall.
He Youyou stayed at Youruitang and watched as the manager and other managers, along with the shop assistants, arranged the goods.
Because this is a special night market, the stall area is limited, and the goods are mainly small trinkets and exquisite finished products.
Fabrics in large bolts are not suitable for display; they take up too much space.
Instead, small items such as handkerchiefs, scarves, and shawls were made into finished products.
In addition to these, Yuruitang also displays some rare and precious items.
Such as spices from overseas, gemstones, pearls from the South China Sea, and giant clam shell necklaces...
The sky gradually darkened.
As the palace lights began to illuminate the night, the colorful lights of this night market also gradually lit up.
In an instant, the lights were as bright as day.
The palace banquet at the Empress's side was just coming to an end.
The noble ladies of the various families, with the Empress's permission, were allowed to stroll and play in the palace's night market.
The Imperial Household Department also hired a variety show troupe, storytellers, and opera singers to perform in the night market.
So that the heavenly family and the people may share in the joy.
With the manager and staff looking after Youruitang, He Youyou went out for a stroll by herself.
Compare the goods at the various stalls, watch the acrobatic performances, and admire the lanterns.
The surrounding area consisted of palace courtyards and palace walls.
Its flying eaves and brackets make it much more magnificent than folk architecture.
As they passed the stalls of the Cheng family's shop, Cheng Tingrui came out and walked alongside her.
"Youyou, do you like the palace?"
He Youyou thought for a moment.
She once said that marriage and family are like an operating system. The fewer people involved, the simpler the interface, and the easier it is to operate.
Life in the royal palace must be the most complex operating system.
There are too many people, the operation is too complicated, and the operating logic is too rigid.
"I like the architecture of the palace."
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