Qi Daiyu chuckled lightly, "Your Majesty may not know, but this concubine actually applied makeup today."
"Hmm?" The Empress studied her carefully. Upon closer inspection, she could indeed see traces of makeup on Consort Hui's face, though the powder was so fine it was nearly imperceptible. Had Qi Daiyu not mentioned it, the Empress would never have noticed.
Puzzled, the Empress suddenly thought of something. "Did you use lead powder?" But that didn’t seem right—the lead powder distributed in the palace wasn’t this refined. Yet she couldn’t think of anything else.
The Empress spoke earnestly, "Though lead powder can enhance one’s appearance and whiten the skin, I’ve heard that excessive use is harmful to the body. You are already so beautiful; there’s no need for further embellishment..."
Lead powder, or "qianhua," was known to be harmful. Commoners might not be aware, but noble families like the Jiang Family, with their long-standing traditions, had inevitably discovered its dangers. Thus, the Empress rarely used it on her face.
Qi Daiyu felt a warmth in her heart. "Your Majesty need not worry. This concubine did not use lead powder but something I developed myself—'foundation.' It contains no trace of lead. Your Majesty may recall that a few months ago, I borrowed a waist token from you to visit the Zhaoren Hall for books. It was there that I found some references and decided to experiment. To my surprise, I succeeded."
"I first tested it on my maid’s hand, and there were no adverse effects. Then I had her try it on her face, again without issue. Only then did I dare use it myself."
The Empress was momentarily startled by Qi Daiyu’s explanation but soon relaxed. Each imperial consort had her own talents, and Consort Hui, due to her family background, had never discovered hers until now.
"It’s wonderful that you’ve achieved this," the Empress said, her eyes betraying a hint of longing.
No woman could resist such a harmless and effective cosmetic.
Qi Daiyu glanced back at Shiliu, who immediately retrieved a small white jade container from her sleeve and presented it to the Empress.
With a smile, Qi Daiyu said, "This concubine made extra. If Your Majesty does not disdain it, please accept it. However, since everyone’s skin is different, I recommend testing it on your hand first. If there’s no discomfort after twelve hours, then you may use it on your face."
The Empress did not refuse. "You are most thoughtful."
She had no suspicion that Consort Hui would add anything improper to the mixture. Not only did Qi Daiyu lack the audacity, but the Empress would also have it inspected by imperial physicians and tested by her maids beforehand.
Still, the small container held so little. If she let her maids test it, how much would remain? The Empress already felt a pang of regret before even experiencing its effects.
"You call this 'foundation'?"
Qi Daiyu nodded. "Yes. It originates from face powder but serves as the base layer of makeup, hence the name."
"The base layer?" The Empress was taken aback. "Does that mean more must be applied afterward?"
"This concubine is still unskilled. Though this product can brighten the complexion, its effect lasts only a few hours. If the face becomes oily, the duration shortens further. To prolong its wear, additional steps are needed, but I haven’t yet figured them out." Qi Daiyu forced a rueful smile.
The Empress consoled her, "To have created this is already remarkable. In my opinion, even the artisans of the Imperial Jewelry Workshop pale in comparison. Even the rouge from Jinxiang Tower in the capital can’t match your results."
Jinxiang Tower was the largest cosmetics shop in the capital, its products adored by noble ladies and coveted by commoners alike.
Qi Daiyu’s eyes sparkled—her opportunity had arrived!
"Truly?"
The Empress’s words were meant as encouragement, though they also carried a subtle critique of the Imperial Jewelry Workshop. She didn’t genuinely believe Jinxiang Tower’s products were inferior to Qi Daiyu’s foundation—after all, she hadn’t even tried it yet. Even if it worked, the quantity was minimal, while Jinxiang Tower offered a vast array of cosmetics.
But seeing the hopeful look on Consort Hui’s face, she couldn’t bear to disappoint.
"Of course."
Unexpectedly, Qi Daiyu ventured, "Then, Your Majesty, what if we were to sell this foundation?"
The Empress, sharp as ever, immediately grasped her implication. She arched a brow. "You wish to go into business?"
Qi Daiyu hadn’t expected the Empress to see through her so quickly. She decided honesty was best.
"Your Majesty, this concubine does have such an intention. I thought—if something so beneficial is only for my own use, it would be a waste. All women cherish beauty. If others could also benefit, wouldn’t that be a wonderful thing?"
"Is that truly your thought?" The Empress was astonished. Most would hoard such a secret formula, especially one that enhanced beauty—a priceless asset in the harem, where looks were the sharpest weapon for winning favor. Just look at Concubine Shu: after her stunning appearance at the New Year’s banquet, half the Emperor’s visits were to her palace.
Yet Consort Hui didn’t keep it for herself but wanted other women to use it?
The Empress fell into deep thought.
Gifting a small container to her, the Empress, could be seen as a gesture of respect.
But selling it publicly?
Qi Daiyu surely had profit in mind, but that couldn’t be her main motive. If she used it exclusively to outshine other consorts, the Emperor would surely notice her more. And sustained imperial favor would bring treasures far surpassing what business could offer.
The Empress’s eyes flickered as she recalled Qi Daiyu’s past actions—throwing herself in front of the Empress years ago and saving the Eldest Princess last winter.
She had always known Consort Hui was kind-hearted, but she hadn’t realized her compassion extended so selflessly.
At this moment, the Empress gazed at Qi Daiyu with profound warmth.
Yet she remained pragmatic and cautioned her about the challenges.
"Though the palace doesn’t forbid consorts from managing private enterprises, the rule of 'nobility above commerce' still stands. As an imperial consort, excessive involvement in vulgar matters like money is frowned upon. Moreover, society is already unkind to women. Some officials and pedantic scholars still petition to restrict consorts’ contact with the outside world. Fortunately, the late Emperor was benevolent and reasonable, so such bans were never fully enforced."
"Even so, there’s an unwritten rule: a consort may own only one business, with no more than three branches." Even the Empress adhered to this—most of her ventures were registered under the Jiang Family.
"Since you are now part of the imperial family and enjoy wealth and privilege, engaging in commerce to earn gold and silver may also invite accusations of exploiting the common people. Therefore, all members of the imperial family must pay fifty percent of their business profits as taxes to the national treasury, to benefit the people. Moreover, you must operate under an assumed name and never reveal your true identity," the Empress explained one by one.
There was more she left unsaid.
For instance, Qi Daiyu had no connections, and her maternal family was of little help. Opening a shop would only bring her endless difficulties. The local officials would not go out of their way to protect her, since the fifty percent tax went to the Ministry of Revenue for the national treasury, not to them. Why would they care about her shop? And with an anonymous identity, rival merchants wouldn’t know who she was, making it easy for them to compete against her without restraint. Meanwhile, as a consort confined to the palace, she would often be powerless to intervene from afar.
"Besides, the shop’s manager and employees should ideally be your own trusted people. How will you find them while living in the palace?" The Empress looked at Qi Daiyu with pity. As far as she knew, the Qi family had few members, leaving Qi Daiyu with no one to rely on.
In contrast, the Empress’s own shops were managed by members of the Jiang Family, so she never had to worry about loyalty.
The Empress listed many hardships, hoping to dissuade Qi Daiyu from her plan. Yet, to her surprise, Qi Daiyu shook her head and then gazed at her with bright, eager eyes.
"So, Your Majesty, this is why I wish to open a shop with you!"
"Hmm?" The Empress was taken aback. "With me?"
Qi Daiyu nodded. "Yes. I have no experience in running a business, nor do I understand its intricacies. The most I can contribute is creating this foundation powder. But Your Majesty, you are knowledgeable and experienced. If we work together, wouldn’t all those worries disappear?"
The Empress suddenly laughed. By now, it was clear—Consort Hui had come today with this very purpose in mind.
Qi Daiyu continued persuading her. "I understand your concerns, Your Majesty. Please try this foundation powder first and see its effects before giving me your answer. And I’ll be honest with you—this isn’t the only product I’ve developed. I also have toners and creams that, with long-term use, can smooth the skin, remove dullness, whiten, and soften. And that’s not all. I plan to create more—rouge, face powder, lip tints, and beyond. I have full confidence in this."
Qi Daiyu was painting an extravagant vision for the Empress, and then she delivered her final pitch.
"If you agree, after taxes, you’ll take thirty percent of the profits, and I’ll only keep twenty."
She didn’t mind taking less because her contribution was simply repackaging cosmetics she bought online—practically earning two-tenths for free.
The concessions in profit would shield her from most troubles.
Admittedly, the Empress was tempted.
It was easy to imagine the uproar Qi Daiyu’s products would cause in the capital if they truly delivered the promised effects. Even merchants from other regions might flock to buy them.
Thirty percent of the profits… The Empress’s breath hitched. What she didn’t mention was that, as the Empress, her own shops were exempt from the fifty percent tax. If she got involved in Qi Daiyu’s venture, it likely wouldn’t be taxed either—meaning even greater dividends…
Still, the Empress didn’t agree immediately. Her position demanded long-term consideration.
"I’ll give you my answer in a few days. But first, I must confirm—are you truly willing to share the formula for this ‘foundation powder’?"
Qi Daiyu shook her head. "Your Majesty, what I’m offering isn’t the formula, but the finished product." She had no formula to give.
"Finished product?" The Empress frowned. "Do you know how many people live in the capital? If it relies solely on you, how many jars could you produce in a year? You might not even earn enough to cover the shop’s rent."
But Qi Daiyu smiled slyly. "Your Majesty, who said our foundation powder is meant for commoners? There’s no place with more nobles, aristocrats, and officials than the capital. Those ladies and young misses spend fortunes on cosmetics every month, while commoners might not even afford a single box of rouge in a year."
"Our foundation powder is exceptional—its price must reflect that. If only the wealthy can afford it, why not set it higher? So high that even they hesitate."
"At such a price, will anyone buy it?" The Empress didn’t follow.
"If the results are undeniable, they will." Once the Empress and Qi Daiyu themselves glowed with radiant skin, curiosity would spread. A little promotion—letting it be known that even palace consorts used and praised it—would ensure demand.
"Not only must the price be high, but supply must be limited. Only thirty jars per month, with a limit of one per customer," Qi Daiyu declared firmly.
Luxury goods paired with scarcity—what better recipe for profit?
