After Jinniang entered Prince Rui’s residence, it was unlikely that she could leave the estate whenever she pleased. So how had she managed these shops?
After Steward Qian explained the situation, Xiao Yu finally understood.
Xie Jin had not actually handed complete control of the shops over to Jinniang. She was only responsible for providing the formulas and designs. As for the actual operation of the businesses and sale of the goods, Steward Qian handled everything himself.
Xiao Yu decided that she would visit these shops tomorrow and see for herself what made them so special.
“Steward Qian, I heard that your eldest son is the leader of the prince’s merchant caravan?”
Steward Qian nodded. At the mention of his eldest son, a hint of pride and satisfaction appeared on his face.
Seeing this, Xiao Yu knew that Steward Qian thought highly of his eldest son, so she decided to give him a word of warning.
“They went north after autumn, didn’t they? When are they expected to return?”
Steward Qian lowered his head and calculated the timing.
“They should return a few days before the New Year.”
“Oh. I heard that the northern region has turned cold unusually early this year. I suspect the snow may also arrive earlier than usual. You should consider sending them a letter and telling them to return earlier this year. They shouldn’t linger too long on the road. As I said, I’ve heard the cold came early in the north.”
Steward Qian was puzzled.
The merchant caravan followed a relatively fixed schedule every year. How could they simply return early?
If they did, wouldn’t they suffer losses?
However, Steward Qian was a man who had traveled extensively and had seen much of the world, so he naturally thought more deeply about such matters.
Xiao Yu would not have brought this up without reason.
With that thought, he considered her warning more seriously and nodded.
“I understand.”
Xiao Yu had already given him the warning.
Whether he acted on it would depend on how much he trusted her.
The next day, Xiao Yu took her servants out to inspect the shops.
After seeing them for herself, she realized that Jinniang truly was no ordinary woman.
Every shop was bustling with customers. Noblewomen and young ladies from prominent families throughout the capital came and went constantly. Some of the products were so popular that demand exceeded supply.
Xiao Yu had never seen anything like the fragrant perfume before.
It came in exquisite little porcelain bottles, each containing a different fragrance. A small amount could be poured out and dabbed onto the neck or wrists.
As the wearer walked, a delicate fragrance drifted around her, as though she were strolling through a garden filled with blooming flowers.
It was far more elegant than carrying an ordinary scented sachet.
There was also another version specifically designed to be worn like a scented sachet.
The fragrance was contained in a small carved wooden bottle with a wooden stopper and tassels hanging beneath it. When worn at the waist, it continuously released a subtle, pleasant scent.
It had to be admitted that young ladies absolutely adored such delicate little trinkets.
Even the young noblemen of the capital had begun hanging one from their waists.
Most importantly, the fragrance lasted for a remarkably long time and was utterly enchanting.
Then there was the ready-made clothing shop.
The garments had distinctive designs and innovative tailoring, giving people an entirely refreshing impression.
No wonder these businesses were so profitable.
According to the information Anxiang had gathered, both the perfume and ready-made clothing had become so popular that even people inside the imperial palace were talking about them!
Xiao Yu had vaguely heard others mention these products before.
However, she had just gotten married at the time and had been overwhelmed with her own affairs, so she had paid little attention to such novelties.
Only now did she discover that they had all come from Jinniang.
A woman with such an extraordinary talent for making money had actually chosen Xie Jin.
But after thinking about it more carefully, Xiao Yu understood why.
Xie Jin was a member of the imperial family. Aside from having Xiao Yu as his childhood sweetheart and fiancée all these years, he had been one of the most desirable choices among the imperial princes.
Jinniang was clearly capable.
Xiao Yu believed that as long as she was given the opportunity, she would undoubtedly climb to a high position and live an extraordinary life.
For the past several days, Xie Jin had remained by Jinniang’s side, comforting her over the loss of her child while also indulging in the happiness of their newly established union.
Xiao Yu considered the situation.
Jinniang had only recently suffered a miscarriage, so naturally she could not attend to Xie Jin in bed.
Xiao Yu remembered that Xie Jin once had a chamber maid named Meihong.
Meihong had previously served Dowager Consort Yu and was one year older than Xie Jin. She currently served in Xie Jin’s study, Qingying Pavilion.
After Xie Jin stopped sleeping with her, Meihong had been unwilling to become the subject of ridicule among the servants. Thus, she continued serving as his personal maid.
Now that Xiao Yu had become the Princess Consort, it was only natural that Meihong’s status should be elevated.
After thinking for a moment, Xiao Yu took out the bottle of medicinal ointment that Ninth Imperial Uncle had previously given her.
She gave Anxiang a few instructions.
Anxiang nodded and left.
Before long, Xie Jin stormed into the courtyard with the medicine in his hand, his face filled with anger.
Behind him followed an uneasy-looking Anxiang.
“What is the meaning of this? Ninth Imperial Uncle gave you this medicine, and now you’re bringing it to me just to show it off?”
“Your Highness, look.”
A smile appeared on Xiao Yu’s face.
She pointed toward her cheek before pulling her sleeve upward to reveal her arm.
“This medicine is extremely effective. I’ve only used it for a few days, yet the marks have already disappeared. I also feel somewhat responsible for Your Highness’s injury. After all, the wound is on your face, and it would be unfortunate if it left a scar.”
“Besides, your injury is related to me. Since I received something so useful, I could hardly keep it hidden away for myself.”
Xie Jin’s gaze followed her movements before finally settling on her face.
Although he was still irritated, Xiao Yu sounded completely sincere.
More importantly, the wound on his face truly did require good medicine.
Otherwise, it would almost certainly leave a scar.
Now Xiao Yu had lowered herself and voluntarily offered him the medicine Ninth Imperial Uncle had given her.
Although Xie Jin found the situation somewhat humiliating and irritating, he was still tempted.
After all, he knew that Ninth Imperial Uncle had exceptionally capable people around him.
“You’re being awfully attentive for no reason!”
Xie Jin spoke through gritted teeth.
Yet his hand holding the medicine dropped to his side, clearly indicating that he had accepted it.
“Your Highness must be joking. There is merely one matter I would like to discuss with you.”
“What is it?”
“I would like to elevate Meihong’s status.”
Xie Jin frowned, immediately feeling displeased.
Before he could speak, Xiao Yu continued.
“Meihong has served you intimately before. Now that I have entered the residence, it would hardly be appropriate to let her continue staying beside Your Highness without a proper status.”
“There are not many women in Your Highness’s household to begin with. Moreover, Meihong was someone Dowager Consort Yu personally left by your side. She can no longer marry another man, so we cannot allow her entire life to waste away like this. We should at least give her a proper future.”
Xiao Yu lowered her eyes.
A trace of sadness appeared on her face, as though she deeply sympathized with Meihong’s circumstances.
For a moment, Xie Jin suddenly felt that Xiao Yu and Meihong’s past situations were somewhat similar.
No wonder Xiao Yu had thought of her.
Meihong had always been a dutiful maid.
Even after Xie Jin stopped sleeping with her, she continued faithfully performing all the duties expected of a servant.
He had only occasionally heard that some of the other maids mocked her behind her back.
A man might have many women in his lifetime, but his first woman would inevitably hold a somewhat different place in his heart.
Seeing Xie Jin begin to waver, Xiao Yu added at just the right moment,
“Besides, Jinniang has now become a secondary consort, and she is still recovering from her miscarriage. If we elevate Meihong’s status now, the servants will also think that Jinniang is generous and tolerant—a mistress capable of accepting others.”
Xie Jin naturally understood what Xiao Yu meant.
Jinniang’s background was completely different from Xiao Yu’s.
Behind Xiao Yu stood the powerful Xiao family, as well as the Empress Dowager.
Jinniang, on the other hand, came from a humble family.
Therefore, if Jinniang wanted to win people over, she had to rely on her reputation for being gentle, considerate, and magnanimous.
Once she firmly established herself in the residence, she would finally have a chance to compete with Xiao Yu.
Xie Jin was so focused on considering what would benefit Jinniang that he completely forgot one thing—
As the principal wife, Xiao Yu did not need Jinniang’s permission to elevate a maid to the status of concubine.
“Handle it however you see fit.”
With that, Xie Jin left Qinglan Courtyard and headed directly for Jinxiu Courtyard.
Now that the matter had been settled, Xiao Yu formally elevated Meihong to the status of concubine.
She accepted Meihong’s ceremonial tea and assigned her a courtyard of her own.
Meihong had already held an excellent impression of Xiao Yu and regarded her as her true mistress.
Now, she felt even more grateful toward her.
“Meihong, you were His Highness’s first woman. Naturally, you hold a different place in his heart. You also know what my relationship with His Highness is like.”
“From now on, serve His Highness well. If you can give him an heir soon, no one will dare threaten your position.”
“Princess Consort, this servant will certainly try to persuade His Highness to treat you—”
Xiao Yu raised her hand, stopping her.
“Absolutely not. Don’t try to persuade him. Simply fulfill your own duties properly. Otherwise, you may only end up angering His Highness as well.”
Meihong’s eyes reddened.
She felt that Xiao Yu was genuinely looking out for her.
She nodded obediently, secretly making up her mind that she would find a way to help Xiao Yu in return.
Xiao Yu rewarded her with several sets of clothing and jewelry and even assigned a maid to serve her.
Meihong was no fool.
She had served beside Xie Jin for so many years.
Naturally, she knew all of his preferences better than almost anyone.