In the imperial garden, noble ladies gather together, their skirts are dancing, and the flowers are blooming, showing their splendor.
Zhuang Qiao'e came from a rather low background, and was very well-behaved and not sociable. Her well-dressed outfit did attract a lot of people's attention, but the only people who took the initiative to talk to her were only two or three of her usual friends. She didn't feel disappointed, but she was afraid that it might not meet Su Rong's original expectations. If she came in person, the situation would be completely different. Although Su Rong's character is not popular among noble ladies, her dress is a fashion that all ladies are eager to follow.
However, just before the banquet ended, Zhuang Qiao'e unexpectedly received the queen's praise for being "original and thoughtful". Eight simple words, but Zhuang Qiao'e was flattered and the girls really noticed her.
The name of Yunrong Xiuzhuang has been successfully remembered by the ladies.
Qi Surong was very happy when she received Zhuang Qiao'e's letter. The first step was to go out, and the rest was to run the business well. Although a Yunrong Xiuzhuang cannot completely improve the Qi family's predicament, it can at least ensure a stable life and does not have to fall into the dilemma of raising money from everywhere.
She mobilized everyone in the family to process and make various trinkets and replenish supplies, making the house look like a small workshop, which made Qi's father quite dissatisfied. He despised the behavior of these busy traders the most, feeling that it was shameful and unseemly.
How could their Qi family be in such a state of decline? God really has no eyes to see. Thinking of this, I started to feel sorry for myself. I spent the whole day with wine and lived in a muddleheaded way.
It was at the beginning of his business that Qi Surong was too busy to notice anything unusual about his father. It wasn't until three days later that Qi's father used alcohol to beat a civilian man who accidentally bumped into him, almost crippling him, and he was rushed home by a group of civilians, that she had to face this problem.
Qi's father relied on his status and disdained to argue with them, and directly promised to give them three hundred taels as compensation.
Three hundred taels? Qi Surong really wanted to cry but had no tears. That man's trauma was a bit serious. He needed a doctor. Plus the medical expenses and additional compensation, it would cost him five or sixty taels at most. The father asked for three hundred taels as soon as he opened his mouth. In one word, all the hard work she and her mother had done these days were wasted.
The only thing she was glad about was that her father didn't kill anyone, otherwise it would have been really troublesome. But if this continues, something will happen sooner or later.
Qi Surong recalled that in his previous life, his father also lived in drunkenness and dreamed of death. In the end, due to alcoholism, his martial arts skills were completely ruined. He also passed away shortly after the death of his mother.
She couldn't just watch her father follow in the footsteps of his previous life, but what should she do? Although life has improved now, it can only be enough to support the family. He couldn't afford to spend a lot of money, let alone clear his father's reputation.
Should I find something for my father to do, so that he won't be sad all day long and drink to drown his sorrows? But my father has no other talents except martial arts... Martial arts? Qi Surong's eyes lit up, yes, martial arts is not an advantage? My father would definitely not do things like escort people or protect their homes. But what if a martial arts hall is opened to teach martial arts? The so-called preaching and teaching, whether civil or military, is also highly respected by the world.
Qi Surong did not ask her father to make money, but only wanted him to cheer up.
So Qi Surong told Qi's father about this plan. After hearing this, Qi's father pondered for a moment and did not answer.
"Dad, the Qi family should not act rashly at the moment. Why don't you recruit a few disciples and teach them martial arts. If you can teach a martial arts champion in the future, it will be a good thing and will be of great help to the Qi family."
Qi's father's expression changed slightly when he heard the words "Martial Champion".
Qi Surong kept up his efforts: "Dad, Subao loves literature more than martial arts. He will definitely study literature in the future. Surong is a female and cannot inherit dad's mantle. Do you really want to have no successor with your martial arts skills?"
Qi's father finally felt a little moved and said relentingly: "Okay, everything is fine. It doesn't hurt to have a few apprentices."
Finally, he added: "I don't want anyone with poor qualifications."
Qi Surong smiled bitterly, Dad, whether I can receive a disciple is still a question. Can you please stop being picky
After convincing Qi's father, Qi Surong began to deal with the matter. She cleared out the backyard and used it as a place for martial arts training. In order not to disturb the female relatives in the front yard, she also asked someone to make a pergola to separate the front and back of the house. She planted loofahs and grapes, just in time to add some food to the family. . In the future, the front yard should also be used to grow some easy-to-live vegetables and fruits, which can save a lot of household expenses.
In order to avoid causing unnecessary trouble, Qi Surong only asked people to post a few notices in nearby alleys, mainly recruiting civilian teenagers. There was no special requirement for the severity of the gift. Even if someone came with a basket of eggs, Qi Surong also welcomed him very much.
Gu family.
Gu Jinyun walked into the room and handed Gu Yufeng a piece of paper.
Gu Yufeng opened it and asked strangely: "This is General Qi's notice to recruit disciples. What are you doing for me?"
"you go."
"Ah?" Gu Yufeng opened his mouth wide, pointed at himself, and said with a horrified look on his face, "You want me to go?"
"Your martial arts skills are loose, so you should go and hone yourself under General Qi."
"Brother," Gu Yufeng retorted, "our father was also a general before. Why should we look for outsiders to learn martial arts? Even you can teach me enough!"
"Dad, how can I teach you because my legs and feet are inconvenient? As for me, do you really want me to teach you?" Gu Jinyun stared at him intently.
Gu Yufeng felt a chill in his heart and remained silent.
"Go?" Gu Jinyun asked again.
"Can... not go?" Gu Yufeng struggled.
"Starting from tomorrow, follow me and never leave."
“…”
"go?"
"Go, go, go." Can you not go? If you follow him, doesn't he think your life will be long? Gu Yufeng gave in sadly and angrily under someone's coercion.
"Very good." Gu Jinyun turned over his robe and left gracefully.
Gu Yufeng looked at his back and muttered: "Brother, why are you so concerned about the affairs of the Qi family? If you are interested in the eldest daughter of the Qi family, why not marry her into the family as soon as possible so as not to trouble others... "
The recruitment of disciples went more smoothly than Qi Surong imagined. There were five young men in total, ranging from eleven to sixteen years old. Although they were basically from poor families and their qualifications were also uneven, they were strong and healthy.
What surprised Qi Surong was that she discovered Gu Yufeng among these people? Her former brother-in-law and Gu Jinyun's biological brother.
She was a little depressed. What on earth was Gu Jinyun thinking? Why is today's development so different from the past? In her previous life, she had never interacted with him before the official meeting between the Qi and Gu families. Now he is sending plasters and lotus seed soup, and he is also sending his younger brother over. What does this mean
Qi Surong didn't believe that he fell in love with her at first sight and fell in love with her at second sight, so she would not marry Fei Qing. Gu Jinyun is indeed a cold-faced and warm-hearted person, but he is not easily emotional. The reason why I am willing to marry her is not only due to responsibility, but also a bit of compassion.
But this kind of responsibility and compassion, after the two got married, was gradually consumed by prejudice, alienation, estrangement, contradictions, and the frame-up of villains. Qi Surong felt that he had never actually loved her, and although she was tempted, she was unwilling to be honest with him. She always maintained that ridiculous pride, forcing herself into a dead end and pushing those around her into despair.
This time, she didn't want to marry Gu Jinyun again, she just wanted to give him peace for the rest of her life.
After Qi's father accepted a disciple, his alcoholism improved a lot and he became energetic. He was very busy training his disciples every day, as if he had returned to the military camp again and felt more at ease.
Qi Surong was relieved and once again focused on the affairs of Yunrong Xiuzhuang.
After that birthday party, the Queen's eight words made Yunrong Xiuzhuang famous, attracting many ladies from famous families, and successfully received several large orders.
Qi Surong asked Qin Xiang to write down the names of all major customers and their preferences so that he could cater to them and better meet their needs.
In addition, small items from Yunrong Xiuzhuang also sell well. It stands to reason that most noble ladies will look down on cheap silk flowers or gold and silver jewelry of ordinary quality. The sales of these items will only make a small profit at most. They will never be as popular as they are now, at least in Yunrong Xiuzhuang. Not until the capital gains its name.
What exactly is going on
Qi Surong didn't know that after Gu Jinyun bought all the silk flowers and embroidered handkerchiefs that day, he used them as gifts to all the customers who spent money at the Gu family's major shops. The appearance of the gifts would be different depending on the amount of consumption, and The name of Yunrong Xiuzhuang was reported.
Although the Gu family is new to the capital, they have extensive contacts in the capital. They have opened teahouses, restaurants, inns, chess rooms, rouge shops, silk and satin shops, grain and oil stores, grocery stores, etc. Although they have shortcomings compared to the wealthy businessmen in the capital, they are still better. Considered quite wealthy.
His act of sending out gifts not only attracted customers to his shop, but also gave Yunrong Xiuzhuang a large-scale publicity.
Qi Surong's life was going smoothly, but some people couldn't bear to see it easy for her.
Before the Queen's birthday banquet, they did not dare to be too presumptuous. Now that the birthday banquet was over, they could finally take care of someone.
Liu Qian'er's plan was supposed to be foolproof before, but Qi Surong got the news from nowhere and actually saved his father from this disaster.
"Did one of us leak something?" Luo Yanyi looked around with suspicion in her eyes.
The women she scanned all said that they never leaked anything.
Liu Qian'er said: "Okay, don't make random guesses. I believe that none of us can secretly disrupt the situation. Qi Surong used to be so arrogant and arrogant. Is there anyone here who has not been humiliated by her? Chan Ning, I remember that you were once wetted by her clothes in public, without any regard for your face; Zhisu, you are timid and introverted and not good at words, but she asked you to sing a song for her at her birthday party, and you changed to Playing the piano, she was ridiculed by saying, "I'm just a master of a skill"; Yi'an... "
Liu Qian'er recounted Qi Surong's rude behavior one by one, and with each additional sentence, the faces of everyone present became more indignant.
Finally, she added: "We have to take back all the insults she has done to us. The failure of the last plan is nothing, just consider her lucky. We have plenty of time and energy, and we will always find a way to make her family no longer peaceful." , life is worse than death, to relieve the anger in our hearts."