mtl008 Chapter 216 Night Party with Xiao Yuheng
Chapter 216 Night Party with Xiao Yuheng
Gu Hanjiao returned to the embroidery building, where Qiushuang and Hongqiao were taking care of her things. Qiushuang was a person who rarely spoke, so Hongqiao was the one directing everything inside and outside.
The boxes were all neatly arranged, and Qiu Shuang followed beside her, taking notes with a pen and ink.
Gu Hanjiao was quite satisfied with this scene.
"Autumn frost".
"Oh, Miss is back."
"Hmm, I came to ask you, how's things going at our cosmetics store? Has it been affected?"
Upon hearing this, Qiu Shuang frowned and lowered her head, saying, "I'm sorry, Miss. I've been following you around and busy with things in our courtyard, so I haven't had a chance to go out and check on the business of the cosmetics store."
"Has no one from below come to report?"
Qiu Shuang thought for a moment, then shook her head and said, "No, Miss, no one has come to report on the matter of the Makeup Pavilion yet."
"Well, no news might be good news. After all, we have Consort Yu behind us. As long as Consort Yu is alright, the Makeup Pavilion will be fine."
In order to make the cosmetics store famous and improve its business, she gave a portion of her shares to Consort Yu and used Consort Yu's name to sell the products. Sure enough, the results were excellent.
In fact, there were only a few types of skincare products in ancient times, nothing fancy. Just think about how Consort Yu lived in the palace, she didn't experience any wind or rain, let alone sun exposure. Moreover, she didn't have to worry about food, drink, or daily necessities, and she didn't have to do anything herself. Naturally, she had delicate and tender skin.
In addition, Consort Yu was a natural beauty, blessed by God, so even without using cosmetics from the makeup store, she was still incredibly beautiful.
However, what those noble ladies didn't know was that most of them had never seen Consort Yu, and even if they knew, it was only through hearsay. To be able to win the Emperor's heart and become a Consort, she must have been exceptionally beautiful.
Consort Yu has two children and is not that old, yet she is still so popular. This can only mean one thing: Consort Yu knows how to take care of herself, which is why everyone is so eager to buy products from the cosmetics store.
Who wouldn't want their husband or sweetheart to never forget them and to always feel a sense of novelty?
Hongqiao listened intently, her eyes darting around. She stepped forward and brought Gu Hanjiao a cup of cool tea, saying, "Miss, is there a problem with the business outside? Should I go and take a look for you? I used to help Madam with the business, following Xue Niang around."
Gu Hanjiao glanced at Hongqiao, feeling somewhat displeased with her. She disliked people with quick wits, especially opportunistic people like Hongqiao. She had no choice but to take her in now because she needed people, but once things stabilized, she would definitely marry her off or get rid of her, otherwise she would be a troublemaker sooner or later.
"No need. I still need you to take care of things in my yard. There's nothing going on outside. We can maintain the status quo for now. You can go and get busy."
"Yes, Miss. Please feel free to give me any instructions."
After Hong Qiao swayed away with her slender waist, Gu Hanjiao narrowed her eyes. Sure enough, she was a restless person.
"Chunlu, go and send a message to the Third Prince's residence. Tell him that I will be waiting for the Third Prince at the Makeup Pavilion tonight and ask him to come."
Chunlu thought for a moment, then quickly agreed. Without saying much, she ran out the back door to deliver the message.
"Qiushuang, I'm going out tonight. Dress me up a bit later, but don't be too conspicuous."
"Miss, if you go out so late at night and get caught, wouldn't that be..."
“At a time like this, who cares about us? Father doesn’t even know if he’ll wake up tonight. As long as we’re careful, we’ll be fine. Besides, we’re not going to be away all night. I’ll be back soon. You stay home. First, keep an eye on Hongqiao and make sure to register everything that’s been packed. Second, help me guard the courtyard. If anyone comes looking for me, just say I’ve already gone to sleep.”
"Don't worry, Miss, I will definitely do my best to fulfill your request."
"Good girl, you are the most steady one. Your good days are yet to come."
Night fell at the Prime Minister's residence, and it was different from usual. In the past, although it was quiet, there was still a sense of life. Now, with so many people dead in the residence, there were even night owls howling at night, which made people feel a chill down their spines.
Wearing a black cloak, Gu Hanjiao hurriedly left through the back door under the cover of night.
"My lady, you'd better come back soon. If the master finds out, he'll beat me to death," the old woman guarding the gate whispered.
"Thank you so much, Mom. My mother's body is still warm, and I'd like to go and pay my respects. I'll be right back."
"Alas, Madam has been kind to me. Very well, Miss, don't waste any more time. Go quickly and come back soon. I will wait for you at the door."
Thank you, Mom.
When Gu Hanjiao arrived at Caiyi Pavilion, it was already closed, and all the shop assistants had gone home. Only the shopkeeper was left waiting at the back door with the lamp lit. When he saw Gu Hanjiao, he quickly went to greet her. He cautiously looked behind Gu Hanjiao before following her inside.
"Shopkeeper, how have you been lately?"
"Thank you for your concern, Miss. This old man is still in good health and can work hard for you for a few more years without any problem."
"You've been working so hard lately. Has the cosmetics store been affected in any way?"
"Miss, let's talk as we walk. Tea, pastries and other refreshments have been prepared. You've come all this way in a hurry, so please take a rest."
"It's alright, I'm just worried about our shop." Gu Hanjiao followed the shopkeeper inside.
"Miss, don't worry. It's impossible to say there's no impact. These past two days, because of Madam's matter, our cosmetics store's business has suddenly decreased a lot. But fortunately, we still have some member customers. Although they don't come in person, they will send their maids to secretly pick up the goods. Our goods are all good stuff, and no one would want to make things difficult for themselves."
Gu Hanjiao nodded. The original idea behind this method was to bind the nobles in the capital to the city, encouraging them to spend money in advance, buy cards, and top up their accounts. This way, they would keep coming back, and no matter if they were rich or poor, they wouldn't give up such a good deal.
"It's okay if we have fewer customers, as long as our main source of customers isn't affected."
Seeing the shopkeeper's hesitant expression, Gu Hanjiao put down her teacup and asked, "What's wrong? Has something happened?"
"It's not really a big deal. It's just that a more affordable shop recently opened in the entertainment district. It's in the same industry as us. Because it's newly opened, it has a considerable number of customers. The customers we lost have all gone there."
"The brothel district? Do those women from the rouge shops there even dare to go? Aren't they afraid of what the men will say?"
"Who says otherwise? But this place is indeed quite ingenious. I've been there myself. It's located on the main street outside the entrance to the entertainment district. You can walk a few steps and turn a corner to reach the entertainment district, but if you don't turn, you'll be on our Yong'an Avenue. Its location is no worse than ours."
Yong'an Street is a bustling street with many shops and businesses. If the location of Caizhuangge is a place frequented by the upper class, then Yong'an Street is a place loved by both ordinary people and the upper class, and it is not far from here.
What kinds of things did they buy?
"I sent someone to check, and they were just some very ordinary rouge and face powder. However, the shopkeeper's skills are superb. She can not only create exquisite makeup but also style unique hairstyles. This shopkeeper mainly does makeup for the girls in the brothel. If you want to see her outside, you have to make an appointment in advance."
"Don't worry, maybe they're just an ordinary cosmetics shop. Besides, they serve some low-class places, not respectable. I don't have time to deal with them right now. The important thing is to run our cosmetics store well."
"What about our new products recently..."
"There aren't any new products lately. I'm getting married soon and don't have time to research these things. Have you found the people I asked you to find? You can ask them for ideas to research new products."
"Yes, Miss, we found some, but the finished products don't reflect your heartfelt intentions."
"Alright, alright, let's keep a low profile for now and just operate as usual. I originally planned to launch a bridal makeup look for my wedding to make the makeup shop famous, but now..."
The shopkeeper had naturally heard that Gu Hanjiao had been demoted from the position of principal wife to a concubine. Since the young lady herself said it was fine, he, as a servant, naturally dared not agree.
"Chunlu, bring out the bridal makeup booklet for the shopkeeper."
Chunlu took out several flower albums from the basket in her hand and said, "These were all painted by Miss with painstaking effort and sleepless nights. These makeup looks are guaranteed to be unique in the world."
The shopkeeper looked through the items, his eyes suddenly lighting up: "Miss, this is simply..."
Seeing the shopkeeper's reaction, Gu Hanjiao maintained a calm demeanor on the surface, but inwardly she was secretly pleased and proud.
"Alright, alright, it's not a big deal. When you have some free time, go and meet with the managers of Duobaoge and Caiyige to see if we can launch a joint series. This would benefit both of us."
“Miss’s idea is indeed good, but I am only the manager after all. If the owner needs to make the final decision…”
"It's alright. Go talk to them first. If their boss wants to see me, just come and report it. You can't go to the Prime Minister's residence now. I'll have Chunlu tell you where to go later."
No sooner had she finished speaking than the Third Prince arrived. He walked into the room and frowned as he looked at Gu Hanjiao, who was sitting there talking.
"What do you want with me, a prince, in the dead of night?!"
Gu Hanjiao noticed that Xiao Yuheng was unhappy, so she waved her hand to dismiss Chunlu and the shopkeeper. Laiwang, who was beside Xiao Yuheng, also left as well.
Only the two of them remained in the room. Gu Hanjiao's eyes were filled with tears, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall. She said, "Brother Heng, do you hate Jiao'er? Jiao'er has embarrassed you."
Gu Hanjiao was already a beauty, and now she had lost even more weight. Under the cloak, she looked frail and pitiful, and Xiao Yuheng's heart softened as expected.
"Sigh, what can I say? It's impossible not to be angry. Look at what's been going on in your family lately, it's a tangled mess. Now your father has lost his official position, which greatly diminishes my power in court, do you understand? My mother has also been quite prejudiced against you lately, do you know what your future holds..."
“Brother Heng, I understand. Now I no longer hope to be able to stay with you forever. Even if I could become your concubine, it would be an insult to you.”
"It's not that serious. Why did you ask me to come here today? I heard that the Prime Minister's residence is in complete chaos."
Gu Hanjiao wiped her face with a handkerchief and said, "Originally, I thought there was no point in living anymore. My mother left because she was labeled as unclean, and my brother left in a pathetic way. Although I survived by chance, my reputation has been ruined. My father... Although my father loves me, I can't bear to make things difficult for him."
"What do you mean?"
“Brother Heng, I have prepared a cup of poisoned wine to send myself on my way. But I am reluctant to leave you before I go. I want to see you one last time before I can go in peace. Also, this makeup shop is my life’s work, and it is also your and the Imperial Concubine’s life’s work. I can’t bear to see it decline, so I have found a way out for it.”