novelraw Chapter 1261: 1260: Four Big-Headed Dupes
Chapter 1261: 1260: Four Big-Headed Dupes
Chapter 1261: Chapter 1260: Four Big-Headed Dupes
The Rouge and Powder Shop of Hongxiu Tianxiang opened, and of course, everyone at the Duke’s Mansion knew.
Last time, Wang Yongzhu mentioned that this shop had backing from Imperial Doctor Old Du, who is Wang Yongzhu’s mentor, which suggests a close relationship. Not to mention, the Song Family and the Lee Family also have interactions.
Moreover, Consort De from the palace is involved here, so who wouldn’t want to join the crowd?
Especially the sisters Song Chongjuan and Song Chongxiu, who have used these cosmetics before. They’re already coveting it.
The women in the Duke’s Mansion’s backyard have also seen the virtues of this rouge and powder, and there’s no need to say more. Everyone is thinking of attending the opening day to show support and buy some favored rouge to take home.
Lady Gao had been persuaded early, and on that day, the three wives of the Duke’s Mansion, along with three young ladies, all planned to visit the shop and show support.
However, Wang Yongzhu avoided it, claiming inconvenience, and went to accompany Old Granny Zhang at the Gu Family.
Old Granny Zhang heard about the opening of the rouge shop today, and all the younger female members of the Gu Family went to show support, except for the Lady of the Gu Family.
Seeing Wang Yongzhu arrive, she asked about the shop’s events: “As for the store, I heard a little; is it true that today only fifty guests will be received? And there’s a limit on purchases? If you’re late, you can’t even get inside? Is that true?”
Wang Yongzhu nodded: “Mother heard correctly; the rouge and powder were already in limited supply when we brought them to the capital. Although some more were sent from Jing County over the last two months, some stock must be prepared. If we don’t limit purchases on the first day and it’s all snatched away, what will the shop sell tomorrow?”
“Isn’t that akin to not opening for three months, and once opened, it sells for three months? That’s not a rouge shop—it’s an antique shop!”
Moreover, there are many complexities involved, and Wang Yongzhu gave a vague response.
Old Lady Gu and Lady Gu listened and laughed.
While others may not know, Old Granny Zhang certainly does, as the shop has a stake from our girl, hence the extra attention: “If that’s the case, the price can’t be too cheap. There’s the face of a palace consort involved and the prescription from your mentor. Too cheap, and we won’t make back the investment!”
Wang Yongzhu laughed: “Mother, rest assured! Ninth Young Master has already settled the price!” Then she gradually revealed the price of the rouge and powder.
Old Granny Zhang was drinking water, and upon hearing the price, she sprayed it out: “Good heavens! That boy, Ninth Young Master, looks gentle and sweet-talking, but this is a heavy-handed approach, right? What’s opened here isn’t a rouge and powder shop; it’s a shady business, isn’t it? It’s so expensive; the madams and young ladies of the capital aren’t fools, why would they want to be ripped off?”
Not to mention anything else, a single box of rouge is dozens of taels!
Not to speak of the countryside, where a moderately well-off family, with many laborers, can’t earn such amount even after toiling all year.
These dozens of taels can sustain a peasant family for years.
This rouge and powder are neither for eating nor for wearing; a set costs one hundred taels! Snowflake Silver!
Though Old Granny Zhang now has the dowry from the Gu Family, considered wealthy, after a lifetime of thrift, hearing such a cost is beyond her understanding.
Just after saying that, a maid outside announced: “Young Lady and the young ladies have returned!”
Raising the curtain, she saw Lady Lou and Lady An, along with two unmarried young ladies from the Gu Family, each smiling and carrying a petite basket.
Having entered, the Lady of the Gu Family first composed herself and then smiled: “Today, the four sisters are more graceful than flowers; are you using these new rouge and powder?”
Old Granny Zhang looked and realized that today, the four sisters indeed looked better in appearance, especially Lady Lou, whose pregnancy had not been a good one, turning her complexion yellow and blotched lately. She had to cover them daily with heavy Palace Powder, making her face seem ghostly pale.
Worried over it herself, even though the doctors said there was no remedy, only after childbirth could she regain her complexion. Yet which woman doesn’t desire beauty?
Due to this, she seldom goes out, staying in the courtyard, becoming somewhat quirky.
Today, it’s rare to see her with such good complexion, red and white, with spots almost covered, no wonder she was in high spirits.
As the Lady of the Gu Family, with her husband away from the capital, naturally she cared more for Lady Lou, and said: “Zihang’s wife, you’re pregnant now; it’s better to use less of this rouge and powder—”
Lady Lou’s smile froze slightly, and she softly said: “Aunt, I asked the maid and the shopkeeper, and this House of Hongxiu Tianxiang’s products can be used during pregnancy—”
The Lady of the Gu Family frowned, but before she spoke, the two young ladies and Lady An from the Gu Family quickly stood and explained for Lady Lou: “Mother (Aunt), Sister-in-law did ask, and the shopkeeper said that the rouge and powder here differ from others, using all premium ingredients, and the formulas were scrutinized by Old Doctor Du; it is safe to use during pregnancy.”
The Lady of the Gu Family turned to Wang Yongzhu: “Zhuzhu, you tell Aunt, is it really safe to use?”
Wang Yongzhu reassured: “Aunt, rest assured, this formula was indeed scrutinized personally by my mentor, containing herbs nourishing and beautifying, with no toxicity! Sister-in-law can use it without worry; even being pregnant, dressing beautifully brings joy, and it’ll please the little nephew inside too!”
This caused everyone to laugh, and the previous matter passed unmentioned.
Old Lady Gu then smilingly asked what they bought.
The four sisters joyfully displayed their purchases for review.
The Gu Family was quite affluent, and both Lady Lou and Lady An had impressive dowries when married, making their hands naturally abundant.
Even the two young ladies received allowances from the second family as parents, gifted during holidays, making none of them lack finances.
Each bought a set.
Lady An lamented a bit: “It’s a pity for the purchasing limit; each person can only buy one set, or we could have bought more to honor grandmother, mother, and aunt. Now, with only one set, don’t be upset, mother; daughter-in-law will first honor grandmother, and tomorrow at dawn, I’ll queue at Hongxiu Tianxiang to buy another set for aunt! The day after I’ll surely get one for mother!”
Hearing this, Lady Lou and the two Gu young ladies paused, having just been happy, but reminded by Lady An’s words that such good items should first honor elders.
Yet if they indeed honor upwards, there’s indecision at parting.
Ultimately, filial duty prevailed, as both young ladies of the Gu Family and Lady Lou declared they would utilize their purchases to honor the three elders.
Old Lady Gu and Lady Gu laughed: “We appreciate your filial piety. We’re old, no longer needing these; such rouge and powder are for you young ones. Applying them on us would make us ghoulish! Keep them for yourselves! It was hard to grab them early in the morning!”
Old Granny Zhang then realized she’d previously commented who buys such expensive rouge and powder must be foolish.
Irony! The Gu Family just produced four fools.
Altogether, they spent four hundred taels of silver!