The most dissolute couple in the capital

The turmoil surrounding the autumn hunt seemed to have subsided amidst a series of undercurrents.

As the weather grew colder, Cui Qingyi's attention returned to the shop she and Liang Wang were preparing for.

That morning, Li Chengjing excitedly ran into the main courtyard with a gold-embossed invitation.

"Your Highness, what do you think of the guest list I've prepared?" Li Chengjing slumped back in his armchair and handed over the folded book like a precious treasure. "Our shop's opening is naturally going to be a grand affair! My brother and sister-in-law may not be able to attend, but invitations must be sent, as well as a few of my nephews and nieces..."

"On opening day, we must build a three-zhang-high stage at the entrance, beat drums and gongs, and invite the best acrobatic troupe in Chang'an to let the whole city come and see our cosmetics shop!"

Cui Qingyi, reclining on the soft couch, didn't even lift her eyelids upon hearing this: "Are you opening a cosmetics shop or holding a coronation ceremony?"

"Don't talk nonsense!" Li Chengjing was startled and glared at her before saying, "Let's make a big fuss, who would dare not come and do us the honor? We'll hang the Liang Prince's Mansion plaque at the entrance, let's see who dares not come to buy things!"

"Your Highness, secrets are the best policy, while leaks lead to ruin. Once you submit this list, the shop will never have peace."

Li Chengjing hesitated, looking at Cui Qingyi: "What do you mean by that?"

Cui Qingyi sighed and patiently explained, "If you invite all the officials, they will openly show their support, but secretly, our shop will become the target of everyone's criticism. If the officials send congratulatory gifts, we have to return the favor; if the officials' wives come to buy cosmetics, should we charge them or not?"

"If we take the money, people will feel disrespected; if we don't take the money, are we running a shop as a charity? Besides, if you put up the Liang Prince's Mansion sign, won't those people who are envious of the formula be watching us and plotting against us every day? Moreover, didn't His Highness himself say that we should not compete with the people for profit?"

Li Chengjing was stunned: "Then... then what do you suggest we do? I've already booked the opera troupe and paid the deposit."

"Then go see the play by yourself, and come back when you're done." Cui Qingyi lay back on the soft couch, where Aunt Guan had given her a soft pillow, which was exceptionally comfortable to lie on.

Thank you, Aunt Guan! Thank you, Your Majesty!

Cui Qingyi casts another vote for the Empress!

Cui Qingyi appointed Xiao Mama's husband, Lao Xiao, as the manager of the new shop. He was originally a servant of the Cui family, who came with Xiao Mama as part of her dowry. He was honest and reliable, having worked as an accountant for half his life.

After a string of firecrackers crackled and popped, a simple black plaque with gold lettering was unveiled with red silk, revealing elegant and refined calligraphy, devoid of any artificiality.

"Agarwood Pavilion".

The shop wasn't large, but its interior decoration was quite ingenious. Unlike other cosmetic shops that used gaudy reds and greens, the walls were covered with light blue curtains.

No incense was burned in the shop; only a few fresh white magnolias were soaking in a basin of water, their delicate fragrance swirling in the air. The cosmetics on the counter were neatly arranged, all contained in small white porcelain jars, exuding a rustic elegance.

Shopkeeper Xiao, dressed in a respectable blue cloth gown, greeted guests from all directions with a smile. Although he didn't boast about it, his unpretentious and refined demeanor attracted the attention of many passersby.

There weren't many cosmetics on the counter; only three or five pieces of each type were displayed, each accompanied by a small silk book listing the name and usage instructions. They were quite expensive.

As noon approached, two magnificent white horses stopped in front of the shop. He Li and Wang Chengyuan dismounted one after the other.

Wang Chengyuan was dressed today in an extremely exquisite moon-white brocade robe, with a finger-thick mutton-fat jade belt around his waist, making him look like a big spender.

"This shopkeeper is quite interesting."

Wang Chengyuan walked to the counter, picked up a box of essential oils, opened it, and smelled it.

This is the jasmine and orange leaf fragrance. The slightly bitter orange leaf balances the sweetness of the jasmine, and at the end, it carries a very faint yet refreshing fruity aroma, which is elegant and unique, making one feel completely comfortable.

"Good stuff, shopkeeper, give me ten bottles."

Although King Liang didn't publicize it, as his good brothers, they naturally knew that today was the opening day of King Liang's cosmetics shop. They originally just wanted to make a brief appearance to show their support, but who knew that they actually had such excellent products.

Shopkeeper Xiao bowed slightly and pointed to an inconspicuous rosewood plaque beside the counter: "Young Master Wang, I'm truly sorry. Each person is limited to purchasing only one item of each type."

The wooden sign clearly stated in ink: "Due to limited resources, only one item of each type may be purchased."

"Our shop has just opened, and many of our ingredients are extremely precious and scarce. Furthermore, we have difficulty finding skilled chefs to work in the kitchen, so our production capacity is limited. We hope Mr. Wang will understand; after all, we must leave something for our distinguished customers who come later, right?"

Wang Chengyuan, feeling somewhat embarrassed, retorted, "Hey, I'm telling you, shopkeeper, you're just passing up profits. You'll never make money running a shop like this!"

Shopkeeper Xiao smiled ingratiatingly and casually pushed the price up. 99 taels.

Even Wang Chengyuan was shocked by the price. What kind of essential oil could sell for 99 taels of gold?

If Li Chengjing were standing here, he would just nod repeatedly, saying, "What excellent taste you have, brave man!"

To enhance the shine of this essential oil, he did add a small amount of crushed gold leaf, so that it would shimmer slightly in the sunlight when used.

"Cough..." Wang Chengyuan swallowed the word "robbery" that was on the tip of his tongue and forced himself to save face, saying, "Alright, one box it is. Things are valued for their scarcity, and I understand."

He Li glanced at the price, then shrank back. His monthly allowance wasn't as much as Wang Chengyuan's, yet he was using such a large sum of money to support Prince Liang.

It seems like the brotherhood isn't as strong anymore.

The two walked out of the store hand in hand, only to find the sunlight outside particularly dazzling.

Boss, you're making a fortune, why don't you take us with you!

No sooner had the two left than several more customers entered. The ladies and young women of the East Market were generally well-informed; when a new shop opened, there were always people coming to see what was new.

Some people came in, browsed the packaging, checked the prices, and hesitated to buy. Others were drawn in by the subtle fragrance, tried the face cream, and paid for it on the spot. But regardless of whether they bought anything or not, they all left with a slightly unsatisfied expression—

The feeling of being restricted from purchasing is actually more unforgettable than having spent the money.

-

On the second floor of the teahouse across the street, behind a half-open window, a woman wearing a gold hairpin and luxurious clothes was holding a teacup, her gaze falling on the newly opened shop through the crack in the window.

The maid beside her whispered, "Madam, that shop just opened, and business isn't very good yet. There are only a few people coming and going."

The decor, the furnishings, the calligraphy on the plaques... these are things that ordinary merchants could not afford.

What's even stranger is that she just saw the second young master of the He family and the young master of the Wang family come out from inside, one fuming and the other looking perfectly normal. Who in Chang'an doesn't know whose henchmen those two are?

"Go and find out," the woman said, her voice low but filled with a confident curiosity. "Who's behind this shop?"

"Yes, madam."

The maid turned to go downstairs, but the woman called her back: "Also, go buy me one tomorrow."