novelraw Chapter 1260 - 1259: Grand Opening
Chapter 1260 - 1259: Grand Opening
It’s unclear how Ninth Master Lee managed to persuade Consort De in the palace, but within two days, true to predictions, the calligraphy from Consort De arrived.
Consort De was once a renowned talent in the Capital City, her fine small cursive writing with floral hairpins was unrivaled. With her inscription, it naturally caused the official family females of the Capital City to eagerly plan a visit on the opening day.
Yet Ninth Master Lee proclaimed that the rouge and powder of Hongxiu Tianxiang were not only made with rare ingredients but had long production cycles and limited quantities; on the opening day, only the first fifty customers would be served.
Afterwards, each day would serve only ten guests, and each guest would have a purchase limit, unable to buy more than two sets of products from the store.
The news spread and caused a stir. Some were dissatisfied or from rival Rouge and Powder Shops, criticizing Hongxiu Tianxiang for being elitist; wasn’t this looking down on people? It was simply a big shop bullying customers; how could business be done this way?
Many laughed, considering there were plenty of Rouge Shops in the Capital City, and no matter how good Hongxiu Tianxiang’s rouge and powder were, with such rules, which official’s madams and young ladies would accept such an affront? Who would still go there?
All were waiting for the opening day to see the joke unfold.
On Hongxiu Tianxiang’s opening day, early in the morning, the shop was adorned with red and green decorations. When the auspicious hour arrived, firecrackers resounded in great splendor.
Many gathered in the street, some were there for the spectacle, others for the mockery.
Of course, more were the madams and young ladies from various families, who, despite saying that a mere Rouge Shop acting so arrogantly could easily be ignored, arrived early in carriages waiting at the door.
The Rouge Shop was not on the main street but rather its entrance was on a side alley beside the main street. The alley was cleaned early in the morning and was quite spacious.
At the alley entrance facing the main street, a man-height fence was erected, with climbing rose vines and buds subtly emerging among the leaves.
An archway was left between the fences for carriages to pass, and at the door stood two upright young servants keeping watch.
The madams and young ladies of various households arrived in carriages, alighting quietly without any collisions or disturbances.
Though adjacent to the main street, it offered a sense of tranquility amidst the bustle, especially as those walking outside could vaguely see the movements inside but couldn’t see clearly.
Notably, beside the archway stood a sign reading: "No Male Guests Allowed Inside."
The shopfront was not large, elegantly petite, with several pretty maids at the entrance wearing faint smiles. Upon seeing guests, they approached to gently guide them forward.
Upon entering the shop, it was clear there was a whole new world inside.
The interior was vast; past a screen wall lay a spacious hall where a variety of rouge and powder was displayed, each stored in pure white jade-like porcelain boxes. The boxes were painted with different floral patterns and adorned with small characters, subtly showcasing a hint of luxury.
On both sides of the hall, several small rooms lined up in a row, each with a maid stationed at the door.
The visiting official’s madams and young ladies were knowledgeable, having seen countless Rouge and Powder Shops in the Capital City, but had never seen anything like this?
They were momentarily stunned.
It was the maid beside them who thoroughly explained that these rooms on both sides were for esteemed guests to try on makeup. After choosing a product from the hall, they could go to the corresponding room to test if it suited them.
If it was not suitable, there was naturally no obligation to purchase.
In the makeup testing rooms, hot tea and fresh snacks were offered, and if guests were tired, there were soft couches available for a brief rest.
Hearing this, the official’s madams and young ladies were highly intrigued, especially those who had previously tried the powder from Wang Yongzhu. Last time, they only got single items, but today, seeing a complete range available, feared if they waited too long they would be gone.
They couldn’t care much more, calling the maid to follow. At the counter, they had those items they tried before packed, and for those they hadn’t tried, they selected several to be taken by the maid to the makeup testing room for trials.
Once tried, there were none who didn’t want to buy; it was as if this one looked good, that one was great; they wished they could sweep them all home at once.
Unfortunately, the maids said, the shop’s rules were such, asking guests for understanding. If truly fond, please return on another day.
Some official’s madams and young ladies wished to assert some authority, but the maid only smiled slightly and gestured towards the sign at the door.
These madams had no choice but to abandon any tantrum they might have considered throwing.
It was well known the Lee Family was formidable, not to mention the backing involved with Consort De.
In today’s palace, Consort De enjoyed unwavering imperial favor, and from these prospects, perhaps she would be titled Empress in the future. Offending Consort De would be a dire error, wouldn’t it?
Each one acquiesced, begrudgingly letting go.
In their hearts, they swore to themselves, tomorrow they must return earlier to secure those unbought sets.
Such heartache was almost suffocating when it came time to pay.
Everyone guessed the rouge and powder wouldn’t be cheap, but they never imagined it would be this costly!
A box of rouge was forty-five taels, a powdered jade stick thirty taels, a small bottle of hair oil, twenty-five taels! A complete set amounted to one hundred taels gone!
In today’s market, even the best rouge paste was at most twenty taels per box. This was simply!
Quite a few madams and young ladies looked at the price and felt like retreating.
Spending one hundred taels just to buy such a set was too expensive!
Mind you, the typical monthly allowance for young ladies was only two or three taels of Silver a month. To buy a set meant saving for many years.
Though household madams might be a bit more affluent, those truly willing to grit their teeth and buy were indeed not many.
But having entered the shop, then not buying, wouldn’t it be too embarrassing?
Especially in front of so many, who didn’t know who?! To leave Hongxiu Tianxiang empty-handed today would become a joke across the Capital City by tomorrow.
Therefore, regardless of whether each was willing or not, bleeding internally or not, they bought with gritted teeth.
Upon paying, it was then seen, the maids of Hongxiu Tianxiang put the rouge and powder into a beautifully carved box, then placed the box in a small basket woven from willow twigs or bamboo, with a freshly picked flower stuck beside the basket, which was respectfully handed over to the customer.
Seeing this exquisite packaging, the pain of those paying female customers lessened a bit.
Especially when carrying this basket out, seeing those outside the fence wall watching with eager eyes, everyone felt a subtle pride and a sense of superiority.
The heartache vanished as each lady cautiously carried the basket, slowly got onto carriages, and departed amidst envious gazes.
Furthermore, as the carriage slowly exited, the young servant at the door was heard stopping guests who wished to enter: "Apologies, today we are full, please esteemed guests arrive early tomorrow—"
The feeling was sublime, and that sense of having what others don’t caused many to change their minds, planning to come again several times in the future—