Chapter 36: My dear lover, is you very confident in my wife?
At one o'clock in the morning, the gate of Zhichunli opened wide, and the people invited by Lu Tingwan appeared one after another. According to the original guest arrangement, Cheng Xianzhi sat in the most distinguished seat on the second floor, where he was quiet and undisturbed.
Lu Tingwu sat at the same table with the young ladies of various families. The shopkeepers from Changqing Street and Fenglin Lane each sat at a table. Then there were the important members of the Weiyang Street Chamber of Commerce. These people were able to come because of Luo Yunchu's status as president.
Cheng Xianzhi sat in the guest seat. Compared with everyone else, Lu Tingwan specially separated a room for him with a screen because he liked quietness.
Han Zhou was beside him, having been specially called by Cheng Xianzhi.
"A small place like Zhichunli actually managed to invite our Cheng Pushe," Han Zhou observed his surroundings. "Even many young ladies from the imperial families of Kyoto came to congratulate us. Was this invitation made in the name of the Second Madam of the Cheng family or the Second Miss of the Lu family?"
Cheng Xianzhi looked up and saw Zhichunli bustling with people. He couldn't help but become alert. "The Empress Dowager has promised her to engage in business. But apart from Lu Mingqian's eldest daughter, the other young ladies from official families who have come here are of lower status. She knows how to retreat in order to advance, and how to make the best use of resources to maximize profits."
"Your words sound like a compliment, sir."
"Shouldn't I be praising her?" Cheng Xianzhi's eyes glared. "She wants to put on a show for the Queen Mother, so naturally she needs me to help her. Why should I refuse such a happy occasion?"
Han Zhou looked down at Lu Tingwan on the pillar downstairs with a sense of seeing through him, and he and Luo Yunchu were welcoming the incoming guests.
He said something with a hint of meaning: "Why does this feel like a wedding banquet for two people?"
Cheng Xianzhi's eyes flashed coldly as he watched the two people downstairs' actions. It was true that they did have that meaning.
Individual guests lined up downstairs, and Lu Tingwan walked to the center of the platform, stepping to the music, blooming like the rising sun, smiling like a flower.
She was wearing a red straight-sleeved feather dress with wide sleeves and a green shawl hanging from her arms. She wore a red hairpin of the unique style of Zhichunli, a long silver phoenix-carved hairpin, and double-sided gilt kingfisher hairpins. Her forehead was embellished with flower ornaments, and the tails of her eyes were outlined with alternating yellow and green rouge. She looked like a spirit deer that had sneaked down from the sky to enjoy the autumn, bold and unafraid, and every step she took was brilliant.
Every frown and smile seemed to touch the heart of the young man. Even Old Li, who was selling cakes on Changqing Street, couldn't help but sigh: "Who would have thought that the shopkeeper Jiang in Zhichun would be such a charming young lady? She is like a fairy descending to earth..."
Aunt Miao listened and teased, "Old Li, don't let your wife hear this."
The man next to him sighed deeply, as if it was a great pity: "If I hadn't married so young, I would have wanted to marry this shopkeeper Jiang."
"Come on, do you see Young Master Luo behind Shopkeeper Jiang? He's the president of the Chamber of Commerce. In a few years, he'll be able to get into the government with his qualifications and even get a position. He has a bright future. How can we be jealous of him?"
The man just now smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Go away, I'm just satisfying my desire to talk. If I could marry such a beautiful and capable woman, it would be a great honor for my ancestors."
There was a constant buzz of voices downstairs, and upstairs was no exception. Miss Guan and Lu Tingwu whispered, "Miss Lu, I heard that you have a close relationship with the owner of Zhichunli. Do you know who this owner Jiang is?"
Lu Tingwu half covered her face with a handkerchief, chuckled softly and said, "It's not really a relationship, it's just a close friend."
The ladies laughed happily after hearing this, "Indeed, this Shopkeeper Jiang has unique insights into rouge and powder."
Among them, the daughter of Minister Liu from the Ministry of Rites looked at Lu Tingwan downstairs. At a distance, and with their appearances and styles quite different, she hesitated and said, "This Shopkeeper Jiang does bear some resemblance to someone, and that person is also very skilled in applying rouge."
"Oh? Since Miss Liu knows this kind of person," Lu Tingwu inquired, "I'd like to get to know him."
Miss Liu thought hard and lowered her voice and said, "The second wife of the Cheng family is your concubine sister."
Lu Tingwu's heart trembled suddenly. Miss Liu continued, "That day at the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet, she sat next to me. We had a great chat. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, I wanted to send an invitation to the Cheng family to invite her out for tea, but the family said she had caught a cold and was still ill. That's why we haven't seen each other since."
Lu Tingwu's heart was at ease, and she pretended to be calm and said, "So that's how it is. Shopkeeper Jiang's features are somewhat similar to my sister's. Even I couldn't believe it when I first saw her. I wanted to invite my sister to come with me on the auspicious day for the launch of Zhichunli's new products, but she was still ill."
"It's okay, there's a lot of time to come." Miss Liu comforted her.
Behind the screen, Han Zhou listened with great interest, "I never thought that the Second Madam is still a popular figure in the eyes of the official's daughter."
"Later, this popular commodity will be fought over by thousands of people," Cheng Xianzhi said meaningfully.
The sound of laughter and chatter continued in the building. Lu Tingwan flaunted his sleeves, looking quite high-spirited. "Everyone, I've been waiting for a long time."
In an instant, the music and laughter stopped abruptly. Lu Tingwan walked to the center, bowed to the guests on all sides of the upstairs seats, and then bowed to the guests on the first floor.
"Today, we are honored to have you all come to visit Zhichunli's new product. Our shop has specially prepared autumn wine, brewed with the first petals of hundreds of flowers, and then sealed for 49 days before opening the jar. The taste is rich and mellow, and you will be drunk if you want." The waiters in the shop served the guests drinks and food according to the original arrangement.
"Mrs. Jiang is not only as beautiful as a fairy, but also has a clever mind and a kind heart. Her wine-making skills are also first-class. Don't you think so?" A man at the individual seats took the opportunity to make a fuss.
Lu Tingwan responded generously, "What this brother said really resonates with me. Feng Xin, remember this person. I'll give him some Zhichunli Yulu Cream as a token of my gratitude."
"Yes, boss." Feng Xin walked up to the man and wrote down his name.
Luo Yunchu stood behind him with a smile on his face, letting Lu Tingwan take control of the situation.
She was calm and composed. "I believe everyone who has come to Zhichunli today has heard of the Rejuvenating Cream. The reason why the Rejuvenating Cream has become so popular in Kyoto is because the ingredients are fresh and have different effects. From picking to making the Rejuvenating Cream and delivering it to you, the guests, it takes no more than three days."
"To ensure the best efficacy, we provide you with the freshest and highest quality products."
"Of course, Zhichunli's growing reputation in Fenglin Lane is inseparable from your support and trust. If there is no fair trading environment in the market, the Rejuvenating Cream will not reach you within three days and bring you satisfactory results."
"Once again, I, Jiang Yanli, would like to express my gratitude to our Lord Cheng Pushe on behalf of all the vendors, merchants, and businessmen in Kyoto, as well as all the people engaged in business." Lu Tingwan was full of sincerity and bowed deeply to Cheng Xianzhi who was sitting upstairs.
Everyone on and off the stage sighed at the mention of Cheng Pushe's name, and a flurry of discussion erupted: "Cheng Pushe? Because Cheng Pushe uncovered the conspiracy between the treacherous Sun Gui and the Minister of Revenue, the court praised him greatly. Manager Jiang is absolutely right, he should be thanked."
"Yes, yes, otherwise we flower farmers would have been out of options long ago." The person who answered was the flower farmer from the farm.
"Manager Jiang means that Lord Cheng also visited Zhichunli today?" Following the voice, everyone looked in the direction where Lu Tingwan was bowing.
The ladies and shopkeepers sitting on the second floor were no exception.
I saw a pine figure at the railing. The man stood with his hands behind his back. His face was cold, dignified and upright, which had nothing to do with the rumors of murder.
"What Manager Jiang said today is the responsibility of this official and the six departments. You don't need to worry about it. As an important official of the court, if I cannot fulfill my duties and protect the peace of the people, how can I enjoy the court salary and be respected by the people?"
"I have come here today simply to witness with my own eyes how the people are enjoying this fair market. This is also the prosperity that His Majesty and the Queen Mother hope to see. Please feel free to do as you please."
"Long live the emperor, a thousand years of life to the empress dowager, Cheng Pushe is indeed a good official who speaks up for the people." The crowd stood up and the guests in the building praised loudly.
Lu Tingwan was very satisfied. He felt that 30% of the purpose of holding this grand event today had been achieved.
Cheng Xianzhi saw the situation and added fuel to the fire, "Shopkeeper Jiang, today is the day when Zhichunli has new products. I came here just to find something nice for my wife. You don't have to worry about me. Let everyone see what good things Zhichunli has for everyone. It will be worthwhile for us to gather here."
After saying that, Cheng Xianzhi returned to his seat and disappeared from everyone's sight.
The young lady from the official family next door was still upset and kept discussing, "Was that Cheng Pushe just now?"
"Cheng Pushe has actually come to Zhichunli. This shows that the person behind Manager Jiang cannot be underestimated."
Fearing rumors would spread, Lu Tingwu quickly said, "Sisters, please don't make any assumptions. Just now, Minister Cheng said he was here today to pick out fine things for his wife. And Shopkeeper Jiang is a woman. Everyone in Kyoto knows the affection between Minister Cheng and his wife. If you want your father and brother to live a peaceful life in the court, it's best not to discuss it. It's best not to mention it once you're outside Zhichunli today."
Lu Tingwu reminded the young ladies from official families to keep quiet.
"The one who's speaking is Lu Tingwu, the eldest daughter of the Lu family." Han Zhou poured a cup of tea. "At the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, the Queen Mother arranged a marriage for us, and it was decided that we would be with the Jiang family."
"This Queen Mother Jiang really wants to tighten her grip on everything, forcing the Lu and Jiang families to marry into each other, keeping their relationship inextricably linked." Cheng Xianzhi took a sip. "Overreaching isn't necessarily a good thing. If she loses control, she'll be in big trouble."
"Like this Shopkeeper Jiang?" Han Zhou raised his eyebrows.
Cheng Xianzhi smiled, "Jiang Yanli? Not to be feared. If she wants to play, I'll play with her today."
Lu Tingwan got to the point below the stage. A maid was holding a tray with small aquamarine and ice-green porcelain jars neatly stacked on it. She picked up a jar with her slender fingertips and held it in her palm to show everyone.
"Huanyan Cream has helped Zhichunli expand its sales. Jiang Yanli would like to express her sincere gratitude to everyone for their support. Huanyan Cream is expensive, so its effectiveness is also good. However, Zhichunli's original intention of focusing on making high-quality products remains unchanged. As a token of gratitude to all our customers, we are inviting you today. Zhichunli will give you Jade Dew Cream as a gift. In the past, anyone who purchased five bottles of Huanyan Cream at Zhichunli would receive ten bottles of Jade Dew Cream as a gift."
"Jade Dew Cream?" The guests heard this name for the first time, and they were surprised and expectant.
"The food in Zhichun is always good." Someone in the crowd said, "I just don't know how this Yulu Cream tastes."
Someone else said, "Shopkeeper Jiang, the price of your Rejuvenating Cream has risen to dozens of taels per bottle. We ordinary people simply can't afford it. If the Jade Dew Cream is also so expensive, there's no need for us to come here to be spectators today."
Lu Tingwan remained calm and said slowly, "Don't worry, everyone. Jade Dew Cream has natural benefits. Kyoto's weather is hot and humid in the summer and dry in the winter. This Jade Dew Cream is the most suitable facial cream for Kyoto's climate. It can remove oil in the summer and moisturize in the winter. It can be used by men, women, young and old. The jar is exquisite and can be carried with you."
Following Lu Tingwan's voice, two rows of female servants walked slowly down the stairs to the first and second floors respectively, delivering the jade dew cream prepared in advance to each guest seat.
Lu Tingwan unscrewed the bottle cap, dipped a small amount of it with a scraper and applied it on the maid's cheek, while the maid standing at the guest table opened the Jade Dew Cream for trial, dipped a proper amount of it with a scraper and placed it on the porcelain stack for the guest to try.
"Elephant bile is used as the main ingredient, and then extracted through a special process to make Yulu Cream. It not only nourishes the skin, beautifies the complexion, moisturizes and whitens the skin, but can also be used to fade scars. If you suffer from sprains, frostbite, burns, abrasions, or ulcers, Yulu Cream can provide soothing relief."
"Is there such a miraculous effect?" Lu Tingwan boasted, and everyone thought it was too exaggerated.
Han Zhou said, watching a play, "Over-exaggerating the efficacy might be detrimental to Zhichunli. It seems that Manager Jiang has gained momentum this time."
Cheng Xianzhi said leisurely, "Elephant gallbladder has miraculous effects. Who knows where she found the talented person to really make it into something this good? Who knows."
"It seems that the Lord has great confidence in the Second Madam."
Cheng Xianzhi curled his lips and chuckled. Lu Tingwan handled everyone's doubts on the stage with ease, and Luo Yunchu behind her was like her backer, supporting her, with only Lu Tingwan in his eyes.
Perhaps sensing a sharp attack coming from somewhere, he looked upstairs warily, and his gaze happened to meet Cheng Xianzhi's in mid-air.
Luo Yunchu nodded slightly, and Cheng Xianzhi remained motionless. That was the momentum that a Prime Minister should have, and it seemed to overwhelm Luo Yunchu.
"That's Second Madam's lover, Young Master Luo." Han Zhou saw that Cheng Xianzhi was easy to talk to today, so he spoke more boldly.
lover?
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