Lucky Farmer Girl: I rely on metaphysics to support my family

Tang Bojun briefly explained to Wang Shi the reasons for his hesitation, mainly the risks that the identity of the War King might bring, but there was another reason that he did not tell Wang Shi in detail.

Wang, however, tossed and turned, unable to sleep because of Tang Bojun's hesitation.

The next morning, Tang Wan went to pay her respects to Madam Wang and mentioned her plans: "Mother, I'd like to go out for a walk and see the famous cosmetic shops in the capital."

Tang Wan explained naturally and with great interest, "Since you're going to open a shop, you have to see how others do it first. What kind of goods sell well, what prices are reasonable, how to arrange the shop, how the shop assistants greet customers—you have to know all of these things."

After all, this is the capital city. Although I am confident, I still need to know myself and my enemy in order to win.

When Wang heard Tang Wan say this, she also felt that it made sense.

Yesterday's conversation with her husband had left her feeling somewhat heavy-hearted, but seeing her daughter so concerned about her business made her feel a little relieved.

“We should go and take a look.” Madam Wang nodded. “But I’m worried about you going out alone. Take a few more people with you.”

Tang Wan didn't plan to go alone today, and bringing a few more people wouldn't be a problem, so she readily agreed: "Yes, daughter will listen to mother."

So this time, she took Zhuxi, Erya, two sturdy old women and two clever servants personally selected by Wang Shi with her. The group of people escorted Tang Wan's carriage and headed to the most prosperous East Market in the capital.

She first went to "Yunxiangzhai", the most famous restaurant in Dongshi.

This shop specializes in all kinds of cosmetics and perfumes, and it is said that they even source them for the palace. It is highly prestigious among the noble ladies in the capital.

Tang Wan led Er Ya inside, while Zhu Xi and the old women and servants waited outside.

The shop assistant immediately came over to greet her attentively and led her to examine the goods carefully at the counter.

While listening to the shop assistant's introduction, Tang Wan carefully observed the shop's merchandise display, price tags, the shop assistant's sales pitch, and the customers coming and going, memorizing everything.

She picked out a few of the best-rated cosmetics and had the shop assistant pack them up. She also inquired about other things, such as which ones sold best, which ones were new, and whether there were any special skincare methods.

Seeing that she asked detailed questions, the waiter assumed that she was a young lady from some wealthy family who wanted to learn how to dress, and he introduced her even more enthusiastically.

After leaving Yunxiangzhai, Tang Wan went to the nearby Ningxiang Pavilion and Yurongfang.

She went into each place carefully, bought a few things, and asked the questions she wanted to ask.

She looked no different from any other young lady browsing a shop.

I spent half a day shopping, bought quite a lot of things, and was quite tired.

Tang Wan looked up at the sun; it was already mid-morning. So she instructed them to rest at a nearby teahouse.

This is a two-story teahouse facing the street, quiet and elegant, with a view of the street from the window.

Tang Wan requested a private room by the window, and had the servants have some tea and snacks in the lobby on the first floor. She then took Er Ya and Zhu Xi upstairs.

As soon as the door to the private room closed, Tang Wan sat down by the window and gestured for Er Ya and Zhu Xi to come closer.

She first looked at Zhuxi and whispered, "When you were browsing the shops just now, did you notice how the shop assistants greeted customers?"

Zhu Xi nodded and recounted everything she had observed.

Tang Wan asked with a smile, "If I asked you to open a Qiongzhen Pavilion in the capital, would you be confident?"

Zhu Xi said confidently, "This servant is confident in making Qiongzhen Pavilion a success. We spent the whole morning looking at rouge shops, and not only are their rouge and face powders not as good as our Qiongzhen Pavilion's, but their business model is also unique in the entire capital."

Tang Wan was satisfied with Zhu Xi's answer and replied with a smile, "It's good that you have confidence. I already mentioned the matter of reopening the shop to my mother yesterday. Once we find a suitable shop, you will be in full charge of the shop." Zhu Xi was very happy to hear Tang Wan say this and replied with a smile, "Don't worry, Miss, I will do my best to make the shop a success."

Tang Wan nodded slightly, pointed to the snacks and tea on the table, and said, "Please rest for a while and have some tea."

Zhu Xi and Er Ya exchanged a glance, then sat down to drink tea and eat snacks.

Zhu Xi had been with Tang Wan for a long time, so naturally she did whatever her master told her to do. Moreover, Tang Wan would occasionally ask her to sit with her, so she didn't hesitate too much.

Er Ya was completely obedient to her master, doing whatever she was told. Moreover, when they were in the space, she often ate at the same table as Tang Wan, so she had no mental burden.

The three of them ate and chatted.

Tang Wan took out a silver note from her sleeve and handed it to Er Ya, lowering her voice to say, "Take this silver and go find Shi Lei later."

Er Ya took the silver and immediately moved closer.

“Tell him,” Tang Wan lowered her voice even further, “that he should take some brothers who drive the carriages or know about horses to the carriage market and carefully select a few mule carts. Our caravan needs carts to get going. Our yard is spacious enough to accommodate them. Tell him to be careful, not to be greedy for cheap deals, and not to get ripped off. Once they’ve bought them, put them in the yard first, and I’ll come back to check on them.”

Er Ya listened attentively and took notes.

Seeing this, Tang Wan instructed, "Eat something first, then go later, but don't let the servants see you. After you're done, come straight back here and say you went to buy some snacks."

Er Ya agreed, waited a while, and then got up and left the private room.

Tang Wan picked up her teacup, gazed at the street scene outside the window, and slowly took a sip.

Sending Er Ya would be quick and less likely to be discovered.

Another half hour passed before Er Ya returned to the private room.

Tang Wan poured her a cup of tea, which Er Ya took and drank in one gulp before lowering her voice and saying, "Miss, it's done."

Tang Wan gestured for her to continue.

Er Ya lowered her voice and said, "After hearing Miss's instructions, Brother Shi immediately took Zhao Da and another brother who knew about horses to the carriage and horse market in the west city."

Tang Wan was very satisfied with their efficiency.

Seeing this, Er Ya continued, "I went with them. They looked at several shops and finally chose three sturdy and durable mule carts. They were all made of good wood, the axles were new, and the prices were fair. Brother Shi said to buy three to try them out first, and then add more once they are familiar with them. The carts have already been driven back to our courtyard. He asked me to tell Miss that you can rest assured."

Tang Wan made up her mind and nodded slightly.

It seems I was right about Shi Lei; he's steady, reliable, and knows his limits. He can be entrusted with important responsibilities in the future.

"Okay," she said softly. "You rest for a bit, we'll go down in a little while."

Er Ya agreed and sat down to eat some snacks.

Tang Wan was thinking about the caravan. The group of people had almost gotten along well, and they had already bought three mule carts. They would probably buy a dozen more later.

The caravan had just been formed, and they couldn't get so many carts all at once. They were also short-handed, and with the last one they bought, they only had thirteen people in total.

Just as Tang Wan was pondering this, she suddenly heard a shrill voice from the next private room ask, "What's going on?" (End of Chapter)