Chapter 35 Invitation to do business as a woman
The imperial physician had lived in the palace for a long time and had seen all kinds of punishments. When he saw the injury on Lu Tingwan's arm, he guessed it immediately. He didn't ask too many questions. He just understood the symptoms and gave Feng Xin a few words of advice. Feng Xin patiently wrote them down, and then the imperial physician prescribed a prescription.
Lu Tingwan thanked him, "Thank you, Doctor He."
"No need to thank me. It was Cheng Pushe who sent me here. I'll go back and make a scar-removing cream for you, Madam, and have it delivered to your residence. The wound will begin to scab over in a few days. Remember not to get it wet, and avoid stimulating, cold, or spicy foods."
Lu Tingwan originally thought that it was Gongsun Xue who sent him, but unexpectedly it was Cheng Xianzhi.
After a moment's thought, he came back to his senses and said, "Okay, I'll definitely follow the doctor's instructions. Feng Xin, I'll take good care of you."
Cang Shu sent Imperial Physician He off from Yansheng Hall and returned to the study to report to Cheng Xianzhi. Cheng Xianzhi was holding the policy paper and reading it intently. Cang Shu lowered his voice and said, "Master, the Imperial Physician has already left."
"Well, how is it?"
Cang Zhu didn't know who he was asking for a moment. After a moment's thought, he replied, "Madam, you feel much more energetic after taking the medicine."
Cheng Xianzhi didn't hear the answer he wanted, so he stopped flipping through the book on the desk and raised his eyes and asked, "How are the people from Yansheng Hall?"
Cang Zhu was sweating and said intermittently: "This, uh..."
Cheng Xianzhi glanced at Ni with a sharp gaze, and Cang Zhu immediately said, "It shouldn't be serious, just an external injury, and it will be fine with medicine."
Seeing Cheng Xianzhi's expression unchanged, Cang Zhu changed his words: "Doctor He has already prepared scar cream based on Second Madam's injuries. It will be sent to the mansion after it is prepared."
"When I first entered Yansheng Hall, the Second Madam was still admiring the scenery by the window. I think she's fine now. My Lord, there's no need to worry."
Cang Zhu naturally didn't know where Lu Tingwan got injured, and didn't dare to ask more.
Worried? When did he ever say that he was worried?
"Yeah." Cheng Xianzhi responded vaguely before returning to the official business at hand.
Due to injury, Lu Tingwan could not leave the house for a few days. Every day, he sent Feng Xin to Zhichunli to bring back the account books to be calculated in front of her. She would point out any mistakes.
"Zhichunli's accounts this month have increased several times compared to last month. The expenditure category has added several items from the farm. The revenue is good. The supply of rejuvenating cream has increased many times compared to last month. The number of customers who come to customize it every day has been lined up for two months later." Feng Xin talked about the store situation.
Lu Tingwan's shoulder and back injuries had healed a lot, and she could barely lean on a soft pillow. Feng Xin then piled a few soft pillows on the recliner for her to lean on.
"If there are any orders for custom-made rejuvenating cream tomorrow, tell the maid in the store not to accept them for now." Lu Tingwan said leisurely.
"Why?" Feng Xin was puzzled.
"When my wound heals, I will be reborn. I want Zhichunli to reach a higher level. Even though it may not be as good as those shops on Weiyang Street, it will still stand out among the best on Fenglin Lane and Changqing Street." As she spoke, her movements were too large, and she became quiet after pulling her wound.
"Madam, can you explain it more clearly?" Feng Xinbigan scratched his head, confused.
"I plan to put the farm's batch of Jade Dew Cream on the market in half a month. By then, it will be refreshing and eye-catching." Lu Tingwan turned the scar removal cream sent by the imperial physician in his hands, and the porcelain jars clattered against each other. "I don't want to run this business as a man anymore."
She seemed to have made some kind of decision.
"What?" Feng Xin was shocked.
"The Queen Mother and Cheng Xianzhi both know my identity as Zhichunli. There is no need to hide it anymore. Now I don't have to worry about others finding fault with Zhichunli." She seemed to have something in mind.
"Then Madam, are you planning to make the identity of the Cheng family's second wife public?"
"No, it will still be Jiang Yanli, but we can invite the dignitaries of Kyoto to attend the ceremony, and have Aunt Miao invite more sisters from the neighborhood to come as well."
"We have to invite both dignitaries and common people. It seems that these two things cannot be integrated together." Feng Xin murmured as he took notes.
"The Jade Dew Cream wasn't developed specifically for officials and their families, or the wealthy. I wanted ordinary people to be able to afford it, so I specifically had the matchmakers make it."
"Of course, the rich and powerful, proud of their superiority, might not want to sit with the common people, so we'll have separate tables. The first floor is for individual customers, and the maids will guide them through the purchase process based on their spending power. The second floor is reserved for distinguished guests. As long as they pay the right amount, no matter their status, they can have a custom-made gift box custom-made for them, plus a bottle of Zhichunli Rejuvenating Cream."
Lu Tingwan briefly explained her plan. She also had to work on drafting the effects and promotional words of the Jade Dew Cream, and let the servants and maids in the store memorize them by heart.
Every time she came up with endless ideas, Feng Xin couldn't handle it at first, but gradually he could handle it and keep up with her. Lu Tingwan used this capable assistant very well.
"Then we need to lay out the details. Feng Xin will start working on it in the next two days. Madam, please feel free to give us your instructions."
Lu Tingwan stood up and took the pen from Feng Xin's hand. Feng Xin made way for her, "This is what I want to discuss with you in detail..."
The candlelight in Yansheng Hall was not extinguished until after midnight. Early autumn arrived quietly. A cold wind blew at night. The windows in the inner room were closed, blocking the strong wind that was wandering in the yard. The withered vines on the grape trellis rustled. Accompanied by the sound, Lu Tingwan gradually fell asleep.
Half a month later, Zhichunli was busy preparing for the launch of the new product Yulu Cream. Seven days as early as the beginning, Lu Tingwan designed the instructions and sent people to print them before distributing them on the streets.
This is all thanks to Aunt Miao. Every guest entering and leaving the restaurant is given a leaflet, and with this leaflet, those who stay in the restaurant and dine there can get discounts.
Similarly, on the day Zhichunli opens, it will introduce guests to the restaurant where Aunt Miao works, which is mutually beneficial.
As a result, the news of Zhichunli's new product launch spread like wildfire in Kyoto.
Seven days before the opening, Lu Tingwan went to Yingyue Pavilion to discuss with Cheng Xianzhi.
Cang Zhu told people in the study that Cheng Xianzhi had just showered and washed his hair. His black hair was scattered like a waterfall, showing his casualness and laziness, which was different from the solemnity that people usually saw. However, that coldness made people dare not blaspheme.
His long, distinct knuckles stroked the bamboo slips. They were ancient tome that Han Zhou had recently found for him. Cang Shu called out from outside, "Master, the Second Madam wishes to see you."
"What's the matter?" The voice was as cold as ever.
"He said he had something important to discuss with the Lord, and I'm sure you'll be interested."
Cheng Xianzhi didn't know what she was up to, so he said, "Let her in."
Since the two of them met once in Yansheng Hall that day, they have not seen each other for more than half a month since they recuperated in the mansion.
Lu Tingwan was busy launching new products, so he went out of the city twice, went to Zhichunli three times, and went to Weiyang Street twice to see Luo Yunchu.
She invited Luo Yunchu to be the guest of honor on the day of the new product launch, and attended as the president of the Chamber of Commerce and the second owner of Zhichunli. Luo Yunchu laughed at her careful calculations, and Lu Tingwan did not hide it either.
No matter what, Luo Yunchu's attendance will only benefit him and not harm him.
Lu Tingwan appeared from behind the screen, holding an invitation in her hand. She saw Cheng Xianzhi sitting at the desk, dressed a little too casually.
She quickly hid her scrutiny and said, "I'm sorry to bother you so late at night. I didn't know you've already..."
"If you have something important to say, just say it directly. This is not the first time you and I have been frank with each other. There is no need to pretend to be good in front of me. I have seen you, Jiang Yanli, being outspoken before." Cheng Xianzhi put away the bamboo slips and his eyes fell on her.
He stared at her arms so brazenly that Lu Tingwan noticed his gaze and quickly handed them over: "Tomorrow, Zhichunli will launch its new products. I'd like to invite you to attend and take my place. I wonder if Cheng Pushe would be so kind as to do me the honor?"
Cheng Xianzhi didn't answer, his eyes still on her arm, "I guess the injury is healed?"
"Thanks to you, sir, for asking the imperial physician to see me, my injury healed quickly." Lu Tingwan said politely.
"Why should I take your place?" He responded with a cold refusal.
"Will you give me half of the money you earn?"
"Huh?" Lu Tingwan had never thought that he, the dignified Minister of State, would argue with her over that little bit of silver. "Of course, it's not right for me to take advantage of you, sir, but I don't want to give you this silver."
Lu Tingwan is very honest and doesn't want to hide anything.
Cheng Xianzhi looked indifferent and ordered the guests to leave, "Cang Shu, show me around."
Before Cang Shu even stepped into the room, Lu Tingwan hurriedly said, "Sir, please don't rush to chase me away."
Cangzhu retreated again.
"Your Excellency is in a high position, how could you look down upon my meager coins? Besides, you have not gained nothing by inviting me to attend Zhichunli."
Cheng Xianzhi narrowed his narrow eyes and said with interest, "Oh? Then I have to thank you, Manager Jiang, for inviting me, right?"
"You don't have to be so polite." Lu Tingwan smiled, her upright facial features bright and lively. That smile could quietly strike people's hearts, and even Cheng Xianzhi would awkwardly avoid her sight.
"Your Excellency, please consider this. First, your previous investigation into the property tax case involved merchants in the flower market undercutting farmers. It was you who turned the tide and cleaned up the market. It was also thanks to you that you restored a sanctuary of fair trade for merchants and the people."
"The vendors all praise your reputation behind your back. If you can support Zhichunli, it will let the people know that the court officials are good officials who can speak for the people, and Cheng Pushe is not the living devil that everyone says he is."
"Living King of Hell?" Cheng Xianzhi interrupted her.
Lu Tingwan smiled awkwardly and changed the subject. "Secondly, if this matter gets to the court, it will be beneficial to you, right? The Queen Mother promised that I can continue to do business, and you will take charge of the situation for me. If the Queen Mother knew, she would also know that I have gained your trust, and it would be easier for her to deal with you in the future."
Seeing her eloquent and reasonable words, Cheng Xianzhi agreed and said, "What about the third one?"
Lu Tingwan was stunned for a moment, then tried to come up with the so-called third reason. "Well, the third reason is that you can go to Zhichunli and personally select new products and give them to the Madam. If the Madam is happy, isn't that also very important?"
Cheng Xianzhi looked at her and reluctantly accepted her reason.
Thirdly, it can naturally bring endless publicity to Zhichunli. Cheng Pushe personally sits in Zhichunli. Whoever dares to find fault with Zhichunli in the future will be shouting at Cheng Pushe. Even if his colleagues have powerful backers, can they be more powerful than him?
Lu Tingwan was secretly pleased with himself, with a hint of expectant smile on the corner of his lips.
Cheng Xianzhi took the invitation and accepted it. "I hope the Queen Mother won't suspect that you and I are in collusion. If I give you a beating next time, I won't hire an imperial physician for you again."
Lu Tingwan smiled sweetly, "No, thank you for your kindness, sir."
A breeze blew into the hall, blowing up Cheng Xianzhi's loose hair. Lu Tingwan accidentally glanced at the neck exposed above the lapel. The lines of her neck were like those of a beauty. This man was beautiful, but not feminine, and his temperament was comparable to the moonlight.
The invitation was casually placed somewhere, and he picked up the bamboo slips to look at them carefully. Long after Lu Tingwan left, Cheng Xianzhi, who had put down the bamboo slips, spread them out and carefully read the invitation inside. He raised the corners of his mouth as if nothing had happened, and his bright eyes were filled with unfathomable depth.
The next morning, at dawn, Lu Tingwan had already left Cheng's house, and the axle of the carriage was rolling towards Zhichunli.
This was the first time she stepped into Zhichunli dressed as a woman. The shop assistants were fascinated by her and at first went forward to greet her, thinking that it was a young lady who went out at this time.
It was Lu Tingwan who spoke first, and Feng Xin followed behind. After hearing the familiar voice and face, he was sure that it was their shopkeeper Jiang Yanli.
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