Old Lady Qin disdained ordinary shops but found the high-end ones too expensive. She led her two daughters-in-law through more than ten shops. Entering the last shop, she told her daughter-in-law, “I’ve been to this shop before. The manager is a fool and easy to bargain with.”
Ye Hui followed behind, appearing uninterested. This body was only fifteen, with a pure face that would be tarnished by cosmetics. The best way to maintain soft skin was to massage with honey morning and night.
Old Lady Qin entered the shop and saw a new manager, not the previous one, and felt disappointed.
The manager was over fifty, with an honest appearance, sitting with a worried expression, concerned about the slow business. Seeing their attire, he thought they were big customers and warmly welcomed them, only to discover Old Lady Qin was picky and reluctant to pay, realizing she was stingy.
Powder boxes were spread across the table, and the manager’s face turned green several times as she picked up and put down various items.
Old Lady Qin examined a box of Jade Maiden Peach Blossom Powder, reluctant to put it down but complaining about the price: “This box of peach blossom powder costs five silver taels. It could buy so much rice, so many chickens – enough for a family’s expenses for a month. Is this how you do business?”
The manager tried to be diplomatic, smiling: “Madam, the Jade Maiden Peach Blossom Powder contains pearl, which is very beneficial for the skin, so the price is naturally higher.”
Old Lady Qin knew the powder contained pearl but loved the name, always feeling it returned her to her youth when using it.
Uncle Wang, I’ve told you many times that this shop is open for your entertainment, with profits being secondary,” the young gentleman, seemingly protective, did not criticize the manager but coldly said to the elderly woman: “If this madam is not satisfied with the store’s operations, she may leave. If she continues to speak rudely, beware that I’ll report you to the authorities for a beating.”
The elderly woman leaped up: “Where did this little monkey come from, lying still inside and coming out to argue with his mother?”
The young gentleman’s eyes flashed with anger: “Uncle Wang, go find some people to drive this unreasonable shrew out of the shop.” Being of high status, he would not personally deal with a street woman.
“Yes, young master, I’ll go find people right away,” the manager, having received his master’s order, went outside.
“Hah, getting cocky now, are we?” The elderly woman sat down on the ground, slapping the floor and wailing: “This is outrageous, this is clearly a black shop, the shopkeeper wants to harm and kill people. In broad daylight, under heaven, is there no justice? Oh, life has become unbearable…”
The young gentleman, of noble birth, was usually surrounded by refined people, and those beneath him were always respectful. He had never encountered such a vulgar and hysterical woman, and was momentarily at a loss.
“Please forgive us, sir. My mother has a hot temper and speaks harshly. We will leave your esteemed shop immediately,” Ye Hui, who had seen all kinds of people in her previous life, recognized from the young gentleman’s demeanor that he was not to be provoked. A wise person knows not to suffer immediate losses, and if the manager brings reinforcements, it would be troublesome.
She signaled to her sister-in-law, and they moved to support the elderly woman, but she was stubborn and remained seated: “Why are you pulling me? They are in the wrong. If I argue, I might even get compensation for two boxes of powder.”
“Mother, their powder is of poor quality. I’ll bring you two boxes of good powder later. I brought a box of pearl powder from my parents’ home last time, which is far superior to theirs.”
“That’s right, mother,” her sister-in-law smiled kindly, “You see the manager has gone to find help. Men are like wolves and tigers. If we women stay, we might suffer.”
“Hurry and leave?” The young gentleman’s calm tone carried an air of authority, staying far away as if they carried a virus, disdaining to come near.
Ye Hui felt a slight annoyance, but having passed the age of impulsiveness, she and her sister-in-law pulled the elderly woman, about to exit the shop, when a group entered.
They really brought reinforcements! The elderly woman’s previous arrogance vanished, muttering “Amitabha” and fearing being taken to the authorities for punishment.
The entering group consisted of men and women, led by a dignified woman around forty, wearing a phoenix crown and a floor-length phoenix robe, exuding an innate noble air, with a flirtatious and charming glint in her eyes.
Ye Hui was startled, seeing two armed guards blocking the entrance.
She pulled the elderly woman with her left hand and her sister-in-law with her right, retreating to the curtain separating the hall. Unnoticed, she quickly lifted it, hiding in the inner hall. She signaled silence to her companions and slightly parted the curtain to observe the outer hall.
“Li Weichen pays respects to Princess Baohua,” the young gentleman bowed before the elegantly dressed woman.
“Rise,” the noble woman sat in a grand chair by the counter, looking around with a hint of mockery: “Instead of residing in the mansion of a Golden Purple Official, you choose to live in such an unremarkable shop. Li Weichen, you are indeed interesting.”
“This is my personal matter and does not concern the princess,” Li Weichen’s tone was calm, standing respectfully yet with no trace of genuine respect.
Princess Baohua waved her attendants outside. Ye Hui immediately understood the following conversation was important and not meant for outsiders. Tense and careful not to make a sound, the elderly woman and her daughter-in-law, hearing a royal princess had arrived, were already paralyzed with fear.
She felt that staying any longer would be meaningless, stomped her foot, and turned to walk out of the shop.
Hidden in the inner hall, Yi Yehui saw the room had calmed down and let out a long sigh, her palms full of sweat. Looking around, she saw Qin Lao Niang and her daughter-in-law standing in the middle of the room, trembling all over with a dazed expression.
She walked over and pulled at them: “Mother, don’t worry. Princess Baohua has already left, we are safe now.”
The three women came out of the inner hall. Li Weichen was still standing by the window, silent. Wang Guanshi had returned at some point and was standing to the side in a daze.
Yehui thought he would be angry with them, but Li Weichen just glanced over and then turned away.
Wang Guanshi took out two boxes of cosmetic powder from the counter and handed them to Qin Lao Niang: “Consider this an apology from this old man to this elderly woman. Hurry and leave, we’re about to close the shop.”
The three women arrived on the street. Qin Lao Niang carefully examined the powder boxes, delighted: “Oh my, these are pearl powder, worth at least fifteen taels of silver. Tell me, why won’t Li Gongzi from the Jin Ziguanglu Daifu’s family even want to be a royal consort? Has his brain been stuffed with dough?”
Yehui recalled Princess Baohua’s appearance, who was at least forty years old. What man with any pride would want her?
Returning to the Qin residence, Qin Lao Niang immediately called for Fu’er to prepare a calming medicine, as she was frightened and shaking uncontrollably. Qin Da Sao was in no better condition, returning to her own courtyard to have a servant prepare calming medicine.
Yehui calmly returned to her Green Qi Pavilion.
I bought several and brought them back. My parents and elder brother and sister-in-law all got a share. Don’t worry, wife, I won’t cause you any trouble.
