Chapter 168 Prince Ding’s Dream
Xu Ying did regret it.
Shen Qingbai has only been in the Imperial College for a month, but he is already very famous. He is talented, handsome, and has Prince Ding as his backer... Even the chosen ones in the capital are polite to him.
Seeing Shen Qingbai living alone in such a big house in Yongxingfang, Xu Ying would be lying if she said she had no other thoughts.
Although she is now in the Xu family, to put it nicely, she is Xu Wanqing's playmate, but to put it bluntly, she is actually not much different from a servant. Her concubine sister Xu Ya is willing to be a half-servant, but Xu Ying can't stand it.
At the beginning, Xu Wanqing promised her that she would find a good marriage for her after bringing her to Beijing and make all the arrangements for her...but that was not the case.
Moreover, over the past month, Xu Ying has also seen clearly that what Xu Wanqing said about finding a good family for her is simply impossible.
The affairs of the Xu family in Pingning had long been spread to the capital, which meant that even the wealthy and powerful people in the capital knew that she had been repeatedly abused by those lowly and disgusting slaves.
Perhaps this was why Xu Wanqing, who had said she would arrange a good marriage for her, actually set her up with the guards of the Xu Mansion.
The guard was born into an ordinary family and lived in a small, shabby courtyard in Nanfengfang, the most remote and poorest area in the capital. He also had an old mother and a young sister at home... Xu Ying simply couldn't accept it.
Is this what Xu Wanqing calls a good marriage?
What made it even more difficult for her to accept was that the lowly guard actually declined Xu Wanqing's matchmaking.
Xu Ying was angry and embarrassed, but she also became more and more aware of her situation... It was also at this time that when she learned that her brother Xu Shuo came to find Shen Qingbai, an idea came to her mind.
Shen Qingbai had proposed to her in the past. Even though she was no longer a chaste woman, it would still be okay for her to be a concubine without any official status, right?
She knew Shen Qingbai's character, and knew that even if she was a concubine, she would not be treated harshly in the future. Considering Shen Qingbai's talent and appearance, this was definitely better than being randomly matched by Xu Wanqing.
That is why, even though Xu Ying hated Shen Ning for not saving her, she thought about her current situation and realized that she would never have the chance to seek revenge on Shen Ning. So, for realistic considerations, Shen Qingbai was indeed a good choice.
Without the ability to seek revenge, one can only endure and plan for the rest of his life.
That was why she let go of her reserve and took the initiative to talk to Shen Qingbai.
But then she saw Shen Qingbai opposite her with a very surprised expression.
"Miss Xu, you're joking. Qingbai has never had any other thoughts about you. I hope you don't misunderstand anything."
Xu Ying was a little incredulous. Her face turned pale and she asked in a trembling voice, "You were able to ask for my hand in marriage back then, and now you're my concubine... but you can't even be my concubine? Are you really so flattering and looking down on the weak?"
Shen Qingbai frowned and said seriously, "Miss Xu, you have indeed misunderstood. Qingbai has never had any intention of proposing marriage. It was Brother Xu who initially concealed this from me in an attempt to introduce us. After he found out, I explained it clearly to him. Miss Xu, you can ask your brother tomorrow."
Xu Ying was so ashamed and angry that she wanted to speak, but Shen Qingbai said coldly: "Siyue, get out."
The expressionless young guard raised his hand: "Miss Xu, please."
Xu Ying bit her lip, looked at Shen Qingbai deeply, flicked her sleeves, turned around and walked out...
It was not until a few days later that Shen Ning found out that Xu Ying had actually gone to see Shen Qingbai. For a moment, she was both angry and amused.
When she was in a high position, she treated her brother with great contempt and humiliation. Not only did she mock him in person, she also insulted him behind his back. Now that her family has fallen on hard times and is no longer in a position to rely on others, she wants to look for her brother again. What does she think of her brother?
What's more, although Xu Ying had a miserable experience, she herself was not a person of good character.
Chen Ning instructed Siyue, who came to help greet the opening, "Keep an eye on her and don't let Xu Ying get close to Qingbai. She has a bad heart and might cause trouble."
In April, you should be respectful.
At this time, Sanyue came over and whispered, "Miss, Xue Surong is here. She is in the shop in front."
Shen Ning was stunned for a moment, then raised her eyebrows and almost laughed out loud.
Xue Surong, Shen Xiuhe's concubine, Shen Nian's biological mother... and also the shopkeeper Xue who manages the property for Old Madam Shen, finally couldn't help but show up.
On the third day of Huayingxue's opening and trial operation, the store was packed with people. The female waiters, dressed simply and neatly, were smilingly entertaining the ladies and daughters of wealthy families. At the door, a middle-aged woman wearing a lake green long skirt, with a pretty face and still retaining charm, was supported by a maid and came in. She looked around at the layout inside Huayingxue.
The decoration style of Jingcheng Huayingxue, from the counter to the store, is very similar to that of Pingning's store, except that the space is larger, the decoration is more exquisite, and there are more goods on the counter.
Currently, these are the goods that Chen Ning brought to Beijing from Pingning by boat. Construction has also started in the farm outside the city. It won’t be long before new supplies are available.
Thanks to the fame created by Pingning Huayingxue, there was no free trial promotion for this opening. Instead, all items were 20% off for purchases of three or more items in the first three days, which was already a huge profit. That was why the ladies and rich girls in the harem who had known about Huayingxue for a long time came directly to make large purchases.
Xue Surong came here just to see how the business of the eldest daughter of the Shen family was going and whether the signboard of "Huayingxue" was worthy of its name.
After entering the shop, the first thing you see is a plaque facing the main door. On the plaque are four big characters: "National Beauty and Heavenly Fragrance", and they are written by the emperor himself.
Those four big characters could not match the elegance of the handwriting of others, but the style was gorgeous and very harmonious with Hua Yingxue's style.
The waitress next to him was very sweet. While recommending, she said, "Our philosophy at Hua Yingxue is that women are like flowers, each with their own beauty. As long as you find your own style, no matter how much makeup you wear, you will be a beauty..."
Xue Surong secretly sighed, finding that these female servants were quite talkative.
The maidservant next to her whispered, "Boss, I've already inquired. Huayingxue has only been open for three days, and it's packed every day. We don't know the exact cost, but just looking at the daily revenue, the profit will not be less than this number..."
The little maid gestured a number, and Xue Surong took a deep breath. Even though she was reluctant, she had to admit that this Miss Shen was indeed good at making money.
This shop alone can probably generate almost 30% of the profits of the entire Shen family industry... Not to mention that this is only the revenue from the shop. Add to that the sales of goods from the farm, the profit is really unimaginable.
Xue Surong walked around and bought a few things at random. She frowned because they were so expensive, but they were almost snatched away by others.
By the time she paid and left, one of the counters had been locked. The waitress said with an apologetic smile that the items at that counter were sold out, and someone nearby was shouting in dissatisfaction, asking for more stock.
Xue Surong took the maid away from Hua Yingxue. As she walked out, she thought to herself that she had to get Hua Yingxue in her hands.
Let alone anything else, just look at the daily turnover... If it becomes the property of the Shen family's grandfather, the old lady will definitely hand it over to her to manage. By then, she can make a lot of money by any trick she uses.
I have to go and discuss it with the old lady. I have to take action early while this little guy has just arrived in the capital and hasn't established himself yet, and he probably doesn't feel confident yet. If I wait any longer, it will be difficult.
Soon, July came.
"Miss, Xue Surong has left, but Prince Ding has arrived and is heading back."
Xiao Nanchen?
Shen Ning was a little surprised at what he was doing there, and the next moment, he had already entered the house.
"Anan."
Shen Ning had tea served and asked with a smile, "Why are you here?"
"Take a look at what you have here. By the way... I want you to help me pick out some things to take back to the palace. My mother wants them."
Huayingxue was packed with people as soon as it opened. No matter how powerful or powerful one was, one had to queue up. The Queen naturally couldn't bring herself to let people buy things, and Chen Ning's status was not high enough to give gifts to others, so her son Xiao Nanchen stepped forward to buy things for his mother.
Shen Ning laughed, and then immediately asked someone to bring some items from the warehouse to choose.
"What does the Empress like? What color rouge and lip balm do you like?"
His Royal Highness Prince Ding's eyes were blank...
Shen Ning laughed: "I forgot, you probably don't understand these, it doesn't matter, I'll try the colors for you, you choose."
Xiao Nanchen nodded: "Okay."
Soon, the things were delivered.
It was something for the queen, and it was also Xiao Nanchen's biological mother, so Shen Ning naturally wouldn't be stingy. She even took out those bottles of unique perfume. She chose two bottles that she thought were suitable for the queen's status and said to Xiao Nanchen, "Put your wrist out, I'll apply it and you can smell which one is better."
His Royal Highness Prince Ding was somewhat resistant, with a straight-man expression: "No need to go through so much trouble, just choose."
Shen Ning was somewhat helpless and could only apply it to her wrists, then smelled both sides... Just as she was undecided, she heard His Majesty the Emperor, who had just looked disgusted, suddenly speak.
"Let me smell it."
Shen Ning laughed and stretched out her hand.
Looking at the fair and slender wrist, Xiao Nanchen pursed his lips, lowered his head and moved slightly closer... A faint warm fragrance came over him, and for a moment, he almost couldn't help but hold the hand directly.
"Which side smells better?" Shen Ning asked.
"left."
Xiao Nanchen said something randomly, and then saw Shen Ning suddenly smile: "What a coincidence, I also think the left side is better."
His Royal Highness Prince Ding's already restless heart became even more agitated.
"Rouge shouldn't be too thick. This color is suitable. Lipstick is the main thing...why don't you take all the colors back and let the queen choose the one she likes?"
The scent test just now seemed to have suddenly enlightened His Royal Highness Prince Ding. He looked away and pretended to be calm, saying, "My Queen Mother doesn't like waste. Just pick three."
"Oh, that's fine."
"The Queen is so elegant and graceful, a bright red would be more suitable..."
As she spoke, Shen Ning wiped off the lipstick on her lips, then applied a bright red lipstick. After spreading it evenly with her fingertips, she looked at Xiao Nanchen and said, "How do you like this color?"
Xiao Nanchen raised his eyes, his gaze fell on the bright red, plump lips, and his Adam's apple moved.
"Fine."
"How about trying another one...this one?"
“…Alright.”
"I told you, a bright red color suits the Queen... Look at this..."
When they walked out of Huayingxue, His Royal Highness Prince Ding felt that he had actually held back. When Shen Ning repeatedly tilted her head back and even pouted her lips to ask him what was wrong, he actually restrained himself from kissing her directly.
It’s worthy of him!
However, that night, His Royal Highness Prince Ding had another dream... but compared to the previous few days, the location of the dream had changed to the house in Hua Yingxue's backyard.
Shen Ning, with her lips painted red, looked up and asked him how it was. He raised his hand and pulled her into his arms and kissed her with great force, as if he wanted to crush her.
She called him "Anan" in a panic, her deer eyes full of water.
Even in his dream, Xiao Nanchen tried hard to restrain himself, but ultimately he couldn't. His sword-wielding hand ruffled her dress and slid across her jade-like skin, startling him awake to her soft moan of panic, joy, and delight...
Clothes are sticky, breathing is frantic...
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