Chapter 123
**Chapter 123: Finding a Tutor for My Brother**
Ye Qiushuang respectfully invited Zhao Yang into the shop, and Shen Wei followed her inside.
Zhao Yang was trying on makeup in a private room. Meanwhile, Shen Wei was surveying the shop's decor. The rouge and powder were neatly arranged, categorized by price, and mirrors were placed on the shelves. Three female attendants were busy introducing the unique features of each cosmetic and offering complimentary makeup services to customers.
Outside the rouge shop, a designated "parking area" was set up for carriages. Shen Wei was quite pleased with the shop's decoration. Ye Qiushuang truly was a business genius, meticulously arranging everything with great thoughtfulness.
After taking a quick look around, Shen Wei returned to the tea room in the shop. Sipping her tea, she patiently awaited Zhao Yang's makeup trial.
A passerby outside, likely an extra arranged by Ye Qiushuang, pretended to inquire, "What exactly is this Yu Yan powder? Is it really that good? Even the princess came to try it herself."
The well-trained shop attendant replied loudly, "Yu Yan powder is our signature product at Qi Xiang Zhai. It's finer than pearl powder, won't cause widespread redness when applied, and is resistant to water. It also has excellent concealing properties, covering spots and scars without leaving a trace."
The extra feigned surprise, "Really? How much is it for a box?"
The attendant responded, "Fifty taels of silver per box."
Gasps of astonishment filled the air. Fifty taels was certainly not something an ordinary person could afford.
The attendant added, "The raw materials for Yu Yan powder are expensive, and it's difficult to make. We only sell thirty boxes a month. We also have other cosmetics at more affordable prices..."
The attendant and the extra played off each other beautifully, showcasing their control of the situation. Shen Wei took a delicate sip of her tea, planning to position "Yu Yan powder" as a luxury item for the elite, selling it only to the wealthy. Once its reputation was established, she would produce a cheaper, lower-quality version for the general public.
As Shen Wei happily envisioned her beauty empire, her gaze suddenly halted. Outside the shop, she spotted a gray, ordinary carriage parked by the roadside.
The carriage curtain was lifted, revealing a stern, aged face. His hair was grizzled, and he appeared lean yet vigorous, curiously gazing toward the rouge shop.
Shen Wei set down her teacup, instantly recognizing him as Mr. Yang Xuanji. Dr. Yang was devoted to his wife, Luo Shi, and would go to great lengths to provide her with the best of everything, often buying her cosmetics. It was no surprise to see him at the entrance of Qi Xiang Zhai.
Dr. Yang seemed particularly interested in Qi Xiang Zhai. When he heard the attendant mention the phrase "excellent concealing properties," his murky eyes sparkled with intrigue.
A plan quickly formed in Shen Wei's mind.
With a smile, she thought, the tutor for Shen Xiuming was finally settled.
"Wei Wei, look at me!"
Zhao Yang joyfully emerged from the private room to find Shen Wei. She had removed her makeup, and Ye Qiushuang had personally applied the "Yu Yan powder," creating a trendy pearl look popular in today's Yan Jing.
The makeup was natural, enhancing Zhao Yang's beauty. Even with grand gestures, the powder remained intact, not a speck falling away.
Shen Wei sincerely praised, "You look stunning, Princess."
Zhao Yang beamed, turning to Ye Qiushuang, "I want two boxes. I'm going to the palace soon, and I need to bring one for Mother."
Ye Qiushuang was overjoyed.
If the Yu Yan powder could win the favor of the Empress, how could its reputation not soar? Ye Qiushuang personally fetched two boxes of the powder, placing them in two exquisite, ornate boxes, and respectfully handed them to Zhao Yang's maid, Yun'er.
Shen Wei added, "Shopkeeper Ye, I’d like to buy another box as well."
Ye Qiushuang paused for a moment, showing little surprise, and personally handed a box to Shen Wei. As they leaned closer, Shen Wei whispered in a voice only they could hear, "The Yu Yan powder will not be sold to Yang Xuanji of Luo Yue Lake for now."
Ye Qiushuang understood immediately, "Got it."
Princess Zhao Yang left Qi Xiang Zhai.
As soon as she appeared, her beautiful makeup caught the attention of many. Zhao Yang's fair, flawless complexion, with her blemishes concealed, left the crowd in awe.
Seeing is believing; everyone was amazed by the miraculous powder!
As Zhao Yang and Shen Wei departed in their carriage, wealthy customers immediately flocked to Qi Xiang Zhai. However, the wealthy were few, and not many could afford to buy the powder on the spot.
Ye Qiushuang announced loudly, "We currently have only twenty-five boxes of Yu Yan powder left in stock, and they are not in the warehouse yet; they are still out in the countryside waiting to be delivered. Interested buyers, please leave your names and addresses, and we will send someone to notify you when the powder arrives."
The buyers took turns writing down their names and addresses.
A round-faced servant wrote in the ledger: [Qing He, Yang Mansion, East Suburb of Luo Yue Lake.]
Ye Qiushuang raised an eyebrow; this must be the Yang Mansion the owner mentioned.
The round-faced servant slipped Ye Qiushuang a tael of silver and whispered, "Shopkeeper, my name is Qing He. My master really needs the Yu Yan powder. If it arrives at the shop, please let me know as soon as possible."
Ye Qiushuang returned the tael with a polite smile, "I don’t accept bribes. If we have enough stock, I will certainly inform the Yang Mansion promptly."
The round-faced servant sighed in relief and turned to leave.
He hurried out of the shop, excitedly telling Yang Xuanji in the carriage, "Master, I've registered us! Once we get the Yu Yan powder, Madam won’t have to worry anymore!"
Inside the carriage, Yang Xuanji rarely smiled, "Madam's birthday is next month. I’ll get her a box of concealer powder; she’ll surely love it."
Luo Shi had a scar on her right cheek from a burn. Although she used powder to cover it for years, the concealing effect was poor, and the dark scar was still visible.
This made Luo Shi feel quite self-conscious. Yang Xuanji noticed this and felt pained, having searched for good concealing powder over the years, but unfortunately, none had met his expectations.
Yang Xuanji stroked his grizzled beard, feeling quite pleased, "Let’s go to Wei Yan Ji and buy her two boxes of pastries. If she doesn’t get to eat her favorite treats tonight, she’ll kick me out to sleep in the study."
The round-faced servant covered his mouth, chuckling non-stop, "Only Madam would dare to kick you out, Master."
As the carriage curtain fell, it slowly rolled away, disappearing into the bustling streets of Yan Jing.
...
Princess Zhao Yang was the only princess of the Da Qing Kingdom, cherished by the Emperor and Empress. She was always the trendsetter among the noble ladies of Yan Jing, a beauty icon whose attire and makeup were often imitated.
A few years ago, after a night of drunkenness, a red plum blossom fell onto her brow while she slept in a warm chamber. Upon waking, she was inspired to create a new makeup look, painting a lifelike plum blossom on her brow and a few petals on her cheeks, naming it the "Plum Blossom Makeup."
Noble ladies quickly followed suit, and the Plum Blossom Makeup became a fleeting trend, showcasing Zhao Yang's influence.
Today, in a shop called "Qi Xiang Zhai," Princess Zhao Yang discovered a cosmetic called "Yu Yan." This powder, when applied, could even out skin tone, conceal imperfections, and was resistant to wear. News of this quickly spread throughout Yan Jing.
Yan Jing was not short of wealthy individuals; affluent matriarchs and young ladies sent people to Qi Xiang Zhai to purchase "Yu Yan powder."
After trying it, buyers found the results to be exceptional. Word of mouth spread, and the demand for Qi Xiang Zhai's "Yu Yan powder" skyrocketed, with prices soaring, making it a rare find.
A month later, Qi Xiang Zhai restocked with thirty boxes of Yu Yan powder, which were instantly snatched up.
At the same time, Shen Wei received news from Ye Qiushuang that Mr. Yang Xuanji of the Yang Mansion wanted to meet the mastermind behind the rouge shop.
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