A family with three widows, after severing ties with relatives, she became wealthy and married into

Chapter 259 Whose Girl Is She?

"Mmm..." she stammered, her eyes widening. "Mmm, mmm..."

The ribs were so tender they practically fell off the bone; she just pressed them together and the bones came right out.

"It's delicious!"

Seeing this, Master Wan also picked up a spare rib. It was indeed quite good, with a very obvious tea aroma. "The taste is not bad."

It's novel enough; no wonder so many people come to eat here.

The family wasn't in a hurry; they ate slowly, watching as the side rooms next to them were all full of people.

Downstairs... it was also bustling with activity, a lively scene.

People kept going up to the third floor...

"This shop can make quite a bit of money in a day." Master Wan himself was a businessman, so this was the first thing he thought of.

"These people... have already collected at least three thousand taels."

His words did not attract Wan Xinran's attention, but Madam Wan was very surprised, "Can you really earn that much?"

Wan Xinran looked over with some doubt, "Is three thousand taels a lot?"

She remembered her family's account books; every single income entry was substantial. Compared to those figures, three thousand taels was a very, very small number.

“Xinran, you don’t understand.” Madam Wan held Wan Xinran’s hand. “Our family is in the gemstone business. It looks like every transaction brings in a lot of money, but in reality, the profit from each transaction is just average.”

"But running a restaurant is different."

"Her main costs are ingredients and labor."

Wan Xinran understood immediately upon hearing this.

How much do these ingredients cost? How much do the gemstone raw materials cost?

"So that means Princess Fufeng's shop... might be making more money than ours?"

Master Wan shook his head again, "Not necessarily."

Wan Xinran was puzzled.

Master Wan chuckled, "Your father owns a lot of shops."

Wan Xinran suddenly realized, "That's right, her family owns three shops in the capital and three shops in the two neighboring prefectures."

With a total of six shops, that's definitely more profitable than Princess Fufeng's single shop.

She blinked. "However, I think... if Princess Fufeng were to sell that treasure that can cover up scars, she would definitely earn more than our family."

Even though she has a large scar on her face, that's why she desperately needs such a treasure.

But as far as she knew, none of those young ladies and girls had truly flawless faces.

Even someone like Princess Fufeng, whose skin was a shade darker than other noble ladies in the capital, was the one who needed that little box.

Wan Xinran was quite certain that as long as Princess Fufeng took that thing out and opened a shop, it would definitely be a huge success.

*

"It's just building a pond, planting some bamboo, and letting some water flow down. Is it really necessary to exaggerate it so much?"

"I think she's just trying to attract attention."

"I heard that the Emperor and Empress both praised her."

"Just some clever trick, nothing to brag about..."

Qi Wanqing listened to the maid's words with a disdainful smile, but inwardly she was quite impressed.

Just as her maid said... making a pond, planting some bamboo, and having flowing water... that's indeed a clever trick.

But this sea of ​​clouds, layer upon layer...

It's not something that can be done with just a little cleverness.

At least... she thought about it for a long time but still didn't know what the key was.

"She's a princess of the royal family, yet all she knows how to do is fiddle with these things..."

“What’s the difference between them and those merchants who reek of money?” The maid finished speaking, and her eyes met Wan Xinran’s as she looked over.

"Ew." She turned her face away in disgust, and reminded Qi Wanqing, "Miss, don't look, that ugly girl from the Wan family is here."

Wan Xinran opened her eyes wide, lifted her skirt, and rushed to the maid.

"Who are you talking about?"

The maid scoffed dismissively, "Just say whoever is ugly."

She rolled her eyes and hung up into the sky.

Wan Xinran sneered, "You think you're so pretty? Look how disgusting you are when you talk about Princess Fufeng behind her back!"

"Princess Fufeng was personally appointed a princess by the Emperor, yet you slander her behind her back, comparing her to a money-grubbing merchant!"

"It seems you look down on the Emperor's edict?"

"Whose maid are you?!" Wan Xinran crossed her arms, but her eyes were fixed on Qi Wanqing standing to the side.

Although there are many noble ladies in the capital, and you can find them everywhere on the Imperial Street, she still recognized Qi Wanqing.

Qi Wanqing is the granddaughter of Grand Tutor Qi and the niece of Princess An.

People always say that she will marry the Crown Prince and become his wife.

That's why many people fawn over her.

This is why the maidservant beside her was so smug.

Wan Xinran had been told off by this maid several times, but she hadn't taken it to heart in the past.

But now, when it comes to Princess Fufeng, she won't allow it.

"I'd like to see which family would tolerate their maidservant slandering a royal princess like this!!"

The people in the other rooms were talking amongst themselves.

"Who doesn't know that this Tea Fragrance Pavilion is owned by Princess Fufeng?"

"I heard that the Emperor and Empress came to show their support on the opening day."

"How dare they slander Princess Fufeng..."

“I know her; she’s Grand Tutor Qi’s granddaughter.”

"Grand Tutor Qi's granddaughter, oh, no wonder..."

"The Grand Tutor is the Emperor's teacher."

"The Grand Tutor is the Emperor's teacher, but that doesn't mean his granddaughter can discuss royal affairs."

"If this gets to the Emperor's ears, the Qi family will be in big trouble."

"Then Qi Wanqing can forget about marrying the Crown Prince."

Qi Wanqing's expression changed, and she turned to scold the maid, "Lihua!! What nonsense are you talking about?!"

"She was a merchant when the Emperor conferred the title of Princess of Fufeng."

"She must have extraordinary abilities to be granted such an honor by the Emperor."

"Don't talk nonsense again!!"

Pear Blossom pouted, "Yes, Miss."

Seeing the two about to leave, Wan Xinran stopped them, saying, "What? You think you can just leave after saying a few words?"

"Don't think I can't tell. Didn't you just say that Princess Fufeng was a merchant?"

"Doesn't your Qi family own any shops outside?"

"Didn't your mother and your aunt, Princess An, run the Brocade Embroidery Shop? And the Ruyi Embroidery Shop, and..."

As soon as Tian Tian entered the shop, she heard arguing on the second floor. Just as she reached the stairs, she heard Wan Xinran's voice.

Qi Jia?

Jinxiufang and Ruyixiufang? Are they both related to the Qi family?

Qi Wanqing's face flushed red and then turned pale. Indeed, as Wan Xinran said, how could the officials in the capital afford enough food and clothing for their households with their meager salaries?

Everyone tries to open a shop outside to increase their income.

Her family was no exception.

Moreover, the Qi family's shops... all have pretty good business.

But this is something that everyone can keep quiet about, but we can't let it get out of hand and cause a big fuss!

"The princess is here."

Someone spotted Tian Tian.

Qi Wanqing turned to the side and slapped Lihua across the cheek.

"You ignorant and arrogant lackey!! How dare you spout such nonsense about Princess Fufeng?!"

"Hurry up and apologize to Princess Fufeng!!"

"If the princess doesn't forgive you, then you shouldn't go back to the Qi residence."

After she finished speaking, she looked up at the person who had come.

Tian Tian walked up the stairs, her ordinary dress unable to conceal her beauty.

Qi Wanqing was also slightly taken aback for a moment.

She imagined a merchant from a small county town to be a... weathered, disheveled, and wretched woman.

But I never expected it to be like this...

She wasn't much different from those noble ladies who grew up in the capital.

this...

This shouldn't be the case.

Qi Wanqing tried her best to hide the surprise on her face, "Princess Fufeng."

Tian Tian turned her head to look at her, and said with some doubt, "Miss Qi, this princess is new to the capital and doesn't know many of the rules..."

She didn't continue speaking, but just looked at Qi Wanqing.

Qi Wanqing's lips twitched, and she reluctantly gave a slight curtsy, "Qi Wanqing greets Princess Fufeng."

Before Tian Tian could tell her to get up, she got up on her own.

Tian Tian didn't say anything more to her.

With so many people watching, whether or not there are rules will naturally spread.

Tian Tian looked at Li Hua, who was already kneeling on the ground.

Pear Blossom noticed everyone's gaze and immediately grabbed Tian Tian's hem, "Princess, please, spare Pear Blossom."

"Princess, Pear Blossom was just saying that casually..."

"Princess, the news about you opening a shop in Baishi County has already spread throughout the capital..."

"I only heard about Pear Blossom from others..."

Tian Tian curled her lips coldly. This maid, even at this point, still kept emphasizing that she was a businesswoman.

"Everyone in the capital knows that I am a merchant's daughter, so there's no need for you to keep emphasizing it, little maid."

"I thought...the prominent families in the capital were all very rule-abiding..."

She clicked her tongue twice and looked at Wan Xinran, "Miss Wan, thank you for standing up for me. Today's meal is on the house."

Wan Xinran stuck out her tongue. "Thank you, Princess."

Tian Tian was too lazy to look at Qi Wanqing anymore, so she turned around and walked towards the room where Master Wan and Madam Wan were.

"Junior Tian Tian greets Master Wan and Madam Wan."

Master Wan and Madam Wan dared not accept her greeting. "No, no, we should be the ones greeting the Princess."

Tian Tian sat down next to Wan Xinran. "Miss Wan and I are friends, so you and your wife don't need to be so polite."

Mr. and Mrs. Wan laughed heartily upon hearing this.

For a merchant like them to be able to establish a relationship with the princess and become friends with her was an honor.

Behind her, Qi Wanqing bit her lip resentfully, having lost all interest in continuing to eat.

"What are you still kneeling for? It's embarrassing!" She glanced at Pear Blossom and, without waiting for Pear Blossom to follow, stomped downstairs.

Tian Tian only glanced back.

“Princess, the thing you used to smear me yesterday, even my parents didn’t notice anything amiss.”

“I was just telling my parents that if you take that thing out and open a shop, you’ll definitely be able to sell it like hotcakes in the capital.”

After speaking excitedly, Wan Xinran finally remembered the purpose of her visit today.

"Princess, could you sell me a box of that stuff?"

She didn't care much about the scars on her face, but she knew her parents cared a lot.

From then on, she would apply that magical stuff every morning to cover the scars, and then wipe it off before going to bed at night.

In this way, her parents would see a daughter with a flawless face.

They will definitely be happy.

Tian Tian took out the concealer she had used on her yesterday from her sleeve. "This is the one you used yesterday. Here, take it."

Wan Xinran took it in surprise, "Really?"

Tian Tian nodded, "However, I still need to teach you how to use it."

Wan Xinran nodded, "Okay, okay."

"Then...come to my residence tomorrow, I'll be waiting for you there." Tian Tian made an appointment with her.

Wan Xinran arrived at the princess's residence early. Tian Tian took out all of Wan Xinran's skincare and cosmetic products and taught her how to use them one by one.

"I didn't expect you to have so many treasures here, Princess. You should definitely put them up for sale. They'll surely be a hit in the capital."

Wan Xinran stroked each of them one by one, showing them great affection.

"Princess, the people from Ruyi Embroidery Workshop have come to deliver clothes." A maid's voice rang out from outside the door.

"Ruyi Embroidery Workshop?" Wan Xinran looked up in surprise. "The princess's clothes were made at Ruyi Embroidery Workshop?"

Tian Tian put down the brush in her hand. "Yes, it's been twenty days already."

"Twenty days?!"

Wan Xinran suddenly stood up. "So long? Didn't they say they could finish it in ten days?"

"It must be Qi Wanqing who's behind this, deliberately delaying your time."

Tian Tian smiled and pulled her excited figure back, "It all happened twenty days ago, it shouldn't be her doing anything."

But actually... Tian Tian wasn't entirely sure either.

Wan Xinran muttered, "It must be her!!"

"It's either her or her mother, or it's either her mother or her aunt."

"Anyway, they all have the surname Qi."

Tian Tian and Wan Xinran went to the front yard together...

The owner of Ruyi Embroidery Workshop personally delivered the clothes, saying, "Princess, your clothes are finished."

Tian Tian gestured for him to put the clothes down...

The shopkeeper placed the twelve pieces of clothing on the table, and then, without Tian Tian's prompting, he took out a silver note.

“Princess, this time… it’s ten days late. Here is two hundred and forty taels.”

Two hundred and forty taels was exactly the amount of money she had paid for making the clothes.

In other words, she didn't spend a single penny of her wages.

"Let it go this time, since it didn't delay my business."

"Thank you for your understanding, Princess!"

They exchanged pleasantries back and forth, while Wan Xinran approached the clothes and asked, "These clothes were made to the size of the princess and her family, right?"

"Please rest assured, Your Highness, the measurements were taken according to the measurements taken twenty days ago," the shopkeeper hurriedly replied.

"Twenty days? If you're greedy, it can grow quite a bit in twenty days, but the size will be different," Wan Xinran continued.

The shopkeeper felt a chill run down his spine. "The styles the princess chose are all relatively loose, so it won't have any impact."

"Hmph." Wan Xinran snorted.

Even after the shopkeeper left, Wan Xinran still seemed unwilling to give up.

This surprised Tian Tian.

"Do you have a grudge against the Qi family?" Tian Tian asked.

If there was no grudge... she really didn't know why Wan Xinran was so angry.

Wan Xinran put her hands on her hips and walked back to the courtyard. She only spoke when no one else was around.

“There are rumors that I go to Yun Jin Ge every month to buy fabric for the young master of Yun Jin Ge,” she said.

Tian Tian recalled that the shop assistant at Jinxiufang had indeed said that that day outside Jinxiufang.

"It was Qi Wanqing who spread these words." She gritted her teeth in resentment.

“I’ve always bought my fabrics from Yun Jin Ge since I was a child. But because her family and Princess An jointly owned Jinxiu Fang, and we didn’t buy our fabrics from Jinxiu Fang, she started gossiping about me behind my back.”