Xiao Ruqiong was harshly scolded by Xiao Hui. After reflecting, she concluded that women’s money was the easiest to earn. So she opened a cosmetics shop. The décor, female clerks, and business style were distinctive, and it soon gained fame in the capital.
Xiao Yunzhu immediately followed suit. She copied the distinctive features but refined them, making them more exquisite and appealing—surpassing the original. Her cosmetics formulas were far superior to Xiao Ruqiong’s, because she had carefully studied and synthesized recipes from various classical texts. They were genuinely effective. And they were unique—no one else could imitate them.
Now, Xiao Ruqiong’s cosmetics shop had faded into mediocrity, while Xiao Yunzhu’s Yuyan Pavilion was thriving, beloved by noblewomen and young ladies.
Later, Xiao Ruqiong tried to brew strong liquor. But she only knew the theory, not the practical steps. She taught the method to a brewer, Master Liu. He tried several times without success and suspected her method was flawed. She grew angry, calling him stupid as a pig.
Master Liu was not a servant. Provoked, he publicly revealed her distillation method, inviting all the capital’s wineries to try it, to prove the fault lay not with him but with the method itself. He dared to reveal it because he didn’t know Xiao Ruqiong’s identity—otherwise, he would never have risked offending her.
Xiao Ruqiong had learned from the teahouse incident and kept her identity even more secret.
Yet the capital’s brewers did not respond to Master Liu’s call.
First, distillation had existed in ancient times, but the method was long lost. No one believed a mysterious woman could possess it.
Second, Master Liu was already the best brewer. If he couldn’t succeed, others lacked confidence and didn’t want to waste grain.
Colleagues all said Master Liu had been duped by a fraud, and Master Liu himself came to believe it.
In the entire Great Qi dynasty, the one who believed in Xiao Ruqiong most was Xiao Yunzhu—perhaps even more than Xiao Ruqiong herself.
After Xiao Ruqiong abandoned the matter, Xiao Yunzhu secretly invited Master Liu, offering heavy rewards, sparing no expense to test again and again. She also hired craftsmen to improve the distillation apparatus. In the end, they truly succeeded in brewing strong liquor.
Now, Xiao Yunzhu’s *Liuling Winery* had become the largest in the capital region. Its brands *Immortal’s Drunkenness* and *Spring in a Pool* were even sold beyond the frontier.
She was earning a fortune. But that wasn’t all—the distillation apparatus could also be used to steam fragrances, very conveniently. So she expanded into scented waters: osmanthus, rose, jasmine, camellia, pine, and more, in varying strengths, suitable for both men and women.
She earned even more.
Every time she collected money, she silently thanked Xiao Ruqiong.
She had many people to support. After her father and brothers passed away, some of their followers were officials with positions, and the court arranged placements for them—for example, Uncle Ling.
But others had no office or title and were distrusted by the second branch. They had to fend for themselves, living in hardship. One by one, she sought them out and gave them livelihoods to settle and survive. She didn’t think of herself as particularly kindhearted for doing this. She simply felt that “when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter” was too pitiful.
Her father and brothers would never have wanted their loyal men to end up destitute.
Thanks to Xiao Ruqiong’s inspiration and guidance, she succeeded in every trade she tried, ensuring that people had food and clothing and growing ever more prosperous. That was why she paid close attention to her Fourth Sister’s every move.
From Xiao Ruqiong’s perspective, this must have been terrifying—someone always silently watching her.
But in Xiao Yunzhu’s heart, Xiao Ruqiong was like a great treasure chest. Inside it lay both gold and mud. With enough patience and care, one could sift out the mud and uncover the gold.
The process was fascinating.
She remembered clearly: when *Liuling Winery’s* strong liquor first went on sale, Xiao Ruqiong smashed the furnishings in her room in fury, cursing Master Liu for being faithless, even wanting to cause trouble for the winery.
But *Liuling Winery* had powerful backing and remained untouched, and Master Liu was unharmed.
That backing was not her—she was only a minor support.
The true patron was someone else.
Xiao Ruqiong had her father, Earl Xingyuan, as her protector. Xiao Yunzhu had none, so when she opened *Guangmao Pavilion*, she found one for herself. So far, it had proven reliable.
What would Xiao Ruqiong do next? Xiao Yunzhu was eager to see.
But for now, Xiao Ruqiong’s most pressing matter was surely breaking off her engagement. She likely had no time to think of new ventures.
In the afternoon, Madam Huang sent a maid to say that in three days it would be Madam Xu’s birthday, and invited Sixth Miss to attend the banquet.
This Madam Xu was the principal wife of Duke Ning—Xiao Ruqiong’s future mother-in-law.
Xiao Yunzhu gladly accepted. Sometimes Madam Huang took her out, sometimes not. When not, she never argued or resented it. After all, Madam Huang was only her second aunt, with no obligation to show her the world. When she was taken out, she behaved properly, never disgracing her parents’ names. She wanted people to see that Xiao Yun and He Caiwei’s daughter was poised and dignified, no less than anyone.
On the appointed day, the entire second branch of the Xiao family set out. Xiao Yunzhu was arranged to ride in the same carriage as Xiao Ruqiong, while Xiao Ruxiu and Xiao Ruwen rode in another.
After examining Xiao Yunzhu’s makeup and attire, Xiao Ruqiong felt a faint pang of sourness and smiled. “Sixth Sister truly is a beauty—whether with heavy or light makeup, it suits you perfectly!”
She prided herself on her own beauty, yet Xiao Yunzhu was no ordinary girl either—comparable to her. In terms of complexion, Xiao Yunzhu even seemed superior: fair, delicate, flawless, translucent like polished jade, soft as cream.
It wasn’t exactly jealousy, but Xiao Ruqiong felt that since the Xiao household already had her, Xiao Yunzhu ought to be more ordinary.
Xiao Yunzhu modestly replied, “Fourth Sister flatters me. Everyone knows you are both talented and beautiful, the famous ‘Qiongyao of the capital.’”
Xiao Ruqiong’s expression stiffened slightly. She did not like that nickname. But in this era, “Qiongyao” meant fine jade, symbolizing beauty and elegant poetry or things of excellence. She was beautiful and talented, and since her name contained the character “Qiong,” the Third Prince had given her the title. Because of his noble status, she could not ask him to change it.
About half an hour later, they arrived at Duke Ning’s residence, where many carriages and sedan chairs were already parked at the gate. As the Xiao family were in-laws, they were quickly welcomed inside.
The Duke’s mansion was even grander and more splendid than the Xiao residence. Passing through several courtyards and long corridors, they finally reached the flower hall where Madam Xu was receiving guests.
Madam Xu sat at the head, speaking with several ladies. Though it was her birthday, her face showed little joy, her brows clouded with a trace of sorrow that would not fade. And understandably so—her only son was gravely injured, destined to spend his life in a wheelchair. How could she be happy?
The ladies were tactful; none mentioned Xu Hengce.