The shopkeeper’s expression turned somewhat awkward.
“The boss treats people well, but business in the shop hasn’t been good…”
Duoduo understood.
“Then do you earn ten taels of silver a month for your wages?”
The shopkeeper stammered, “When business is good, I do.”
Duoduo nodded. It seemed this shopkeeper earned more commission when business was better.
“Honored guest, would you like to pick something else?”
“Perhaps you could look at this stone.”
The shopkeeper pointed to a piece of jade rough that had already been polished to reveal a window.
“This stone has excellent color, and it’s guaranteed to yield jade. If you take it home to make bracelets or pendants for your family, it would be quite presentable.”
Earlier, when Lüdou had paid, she had accidentally revealed the corner of a banknote.
The shopkeeper, sharp-eyed, immediately recognized that the young lady before him was a major client.
Naturally, he stopped recommending cheap items.
Duoduo glanced at the jade stone the shopkeeper had recommended.
It gave off a warm, yellowish glow—acceptable, but not extraordinary.
“But your price is too high!”
Duoduo shook her head after checking the price.
The stone was priced at fifty thousand taels.
“Honored guest, don’t let the price discourage you. From my experience, this stone can yield more than a dozen bracelets.”
“The leftover scraps can be made into pendants, earrings, and ring faces.”
“If planned well, the jade from this stone can at least double your money.”
Seeing the shopkeeper’s firm assurance, Duoduo grew curious.
“Do you say this to every customer?”
The shopkeeper paused. “No. Some customers know their jade and don’t need my introduction.”
“Others are looking for bargains and wouldn’t buy this anyway.”
Duoduo looked at the jade stone again and then suddenly asked the shopkeeper,
“Would you be interested in changing bosses?”
As soon as Duoduo finished speaking, the shopkeeper’s mouth dropped open.
He stared at the guest, who barely reached his waist, now looking at him with utter seriousness.
The shopkeeper initially felt the young lady was joking.
But when he saw the earnest expression on Duoduo’s face, somehow, he believed her.
He bowed deeply to Duoduo.
“Thank you for your appreciation, miss. But my current boss has treated me well, and I cannot be ungrateful.”
Duoduo nodded approvingly.
“Fair enough. If you ever change your mind, go to the newly opened jade shop at the front and ask for the manager.”
“Tell him you agree to my offer. He will take you to me.”
The shopkeeper’s face showed surprise.
“Does your family also deal in jade? I’ve been blind not to notice.”
Duoduo waved her hand.
“They are their own. My business isn’t jade.”
“Still, if you want to keep selling this, I can put in a good word for you. But their shop already has a manager.”
Duoduo didn’t continue. Some things must follow their own course.
Though she thought highly of this shopkeeper, you can’t force what isn’t meant to be.
Still, the fact that he hadn’t immediately accepted her offer actually made Duoduo breathe a sigh of relief.
She wanted precisely this kind of person: loyal, faithful, one who doesn’t complain or resent, who gives his best even in hardship, and doesn’t abandon his boss at the first chance of wealth and glory.
In the end, Duoduo didn’t buy the jade stone. She left with Lüdou and the others.
The shopkeeper stood at the door, watching them depart.
Once they were a good distance from the shop, Lüdou caught up to Duoduo, full of curiosity.
“Your Highness, were you trying to hire that shopkeeper just now?”
Duoduo nodded.
“But you don’t have any business needing a manager,” Lüdou said, confused.
Duoduo turned her head, her eyes gleaming as she looked at Lüdou.
“Lüdou, haven’t you always wanted to open a pastry shop?”
Lüdou didn’t react at first. She nodded.
“Didn’t you say the time wasn’t right?”
Duoduo flashed a row of small, white teeth, her face alight with excitement.
“Isn’t the time right now?”
Duoduo pointed to the box Lüdou was holding against her chest.
Lüdou remembered the enormous stack of banknotes inside and finally understood.
“Your Highness, you mean you’re planning to open a pastry shop?”
Duoduo shook her head.
“Not me. You!”
“That shopkeeper has good character. When the time comes, you’ll make the pastries, and he’ll greet the customers.”
“Shitou and Liqing can help out in the shop too.”
Duoduo had already thought it all through while gathering information earlier.
Lüdou suddenly felt the pressure.
“Your Highness, I don’t know if I’m up to it.”
“Besides, that shopkeeper earns ten taels a month!”
“How many pastries would we have to sell just to cover their wages?”
“Who said he earns ten taels a month? He said that’s when business is good.”
“When your business is good, you won’t be earning just ten taels, right?” Duoduo analyzed with Lüdou.
Lüdou shook her head. “Of course not. If I only earned ten taels, I’d be losing money!”
Duoduo nodded with a smile.
“So you see, you’ll definitely be able to afford it.”
“And even if worst comes to worst, you still have your share from Aunt Xu’s shop.”
Lüdou’s eyes lit up.
“Your Highness, does that mean even if I open my own shop, I’ll still keep making pastries for the barbecue place?”
Duoduo nodded.
“Of course. Why would you turn away money? You’d be a fool not to!”
The exchange between mistress and maid stirred envy in Qingliu, who stood behind them.
Lüdou was thrilled by the grand vision Duoduo painted.
“Your Highness, should we rent a shop in the West Market too?”
“I heard from Lady Li that rents there aren’t expensive.”
“And there’s plenty of foot traffic. Business would definitely be good!”
But Duoduo opposed the idea.
“Lüdou, I think we should look for a shop in the East City.”
Lüdou’s mouth fell open in surprise.
“Your Highness, shops in the East City are too expensive!”
“Even a small shop costs nearly a thousand taels a month in rent!”
“For the same price, you could rent a large shop in the West Market!”
Seeing they were about to return to Xiao Yi’s jade shop, Duoduo stopped.
“Lüdou, the West Market already has Aunt Xu’s shop. If we open another one there, we’ll be competing with ourselves for customers.”
Duoduo recalled the business lessons Li Jin had taught her.
“We can expand to the East City, South City, and North City.”
“Of those three, I lean toward the East City. The rent may be high there, but so are the prices!”
The East City, near the imperial palace, was home to nobles, officials, and the most famous academies.
These were exactly the people who would buy pastries.
Lüdou looked worried. “Your Highness, several of the capital’s oldest pastry shops are already in the East City.”
“How could my skills rival theirs?”
“What if the pastries don’t sell, and I end up losing your silver?”
Duoduo reached out and took Lüdou’s hand. “It’s too early to worry about all that now.”
“Focus on making good pastries for now. Don’t fret about anything else.”
Li Jin, hearing the report from his assistant, came out.
“Your Highness, why are you standing outside talking in this heat? Come inside!”
“Teacher, there’s something I need your help with!”
