The matter of jointly operating a shop still needed further discussion, and there was no rush. The Empress needed to verify its authenticity, and Qi Daiyu also required time to produce some finished products.
After returning to Yanqing Residence, she instructed Putao to transplant some medicinal herbs from the greenhouse into the residence when she had time—plants like gotu kola, purslane, and alfalfa, as many skincare products contained extracts from these plants.
Qi Daiyu didn’t actually know how to make them, but she had to put on a convincing act, making outsiders believe she truly possessed some "beauty recipes."
To this end, she downloaded numerous tutorial videos—"DIY Cosmetics Steps," "Cosmetic Repair," "How to Transfer Powder Compacts," and the like—and watched them whenever she had free time.
Fortunately, she was quite skilled with her hands. Aside from some initial wastage due to unfamiliarity, she quickly mastered the techniques.
But there was more to it than that. Many tools and items needed to be acquired, the most important being the packaging.
For her personal use, she simply transferred the products into plain little jade jars. But if she were to sell them, they needed distinctive packaging—something fresh and eye-catching, yet still aligned with contemporary aesthetics.
Since Qi Daiyu wasn’t adept at this, she gave Little Cheng ten taels of silver, briefly explained her requirements, and sent him to the Imperial Workshop to find a craftsman skilled in design to draft a pattern.
Before she could receive any news from the workshop, the Emperor arrived.
When Jiang Yuan came, Qi Daiyu was in her study, following a tutorial video and practicing her techniques, her low table cluttered with various tools.
Unbeknownst to her, a smudge of foundation had ended up on her face.
"Your humble consort greets Your Majesty."
She looked up, only to find the Emperor staring intently at her face.
"Is there something on my face?" Qi Daiyu instinctively touched her cheek, but before she could raise her hand fully, a large, slightly calloused palm covered hers.
Jiang Yuan’s thumb brushed lightly over the spot, then he showed her the dried, skin-toned residue on his finger.
"Your face is more smudged than a tabby cat’s," he remarked coolly.
Even after several encounters with the Emperor, Qi Daiyu still felt somewhat uneasy in his presence. Hearing his teasing words now, she flushed with embarrassment.
She couldn’t quite grasp the Emperor’s intentions.
He had clearly seen through her previous pretense, and after his last visit, he hadn’t returned to Yanqing Residence. Putting herself in his shoes, she reasoned that if she were an all-powerful emperor and a concubine acted one way in front of her and another behind her back, she’d certainly be displeased.
She had assumed Jiang Yuan had grown utterly disgusted with her—hence her urgency to secure the Empress’s favor and establish her own business. If she truly fell out of favor, at least she wouldn’t be financially destitute.
Yet here the Emperor was today, seemingly not angry with her at all.
Could it be that his peculiar preference was for "unattainable women"?
Qi Daiyu nearly choked on her own thoughts, barely managing to keep her expression neutral.
Meanwhile, Jiang Yuan had already stepped into the study.
Taking in the slight disarray, he said nothing, simply seating himself on the daybed and quietly sipping his tea.
Only when Qi Daiyu began to fidget did he finally speak.
"The Empress told Us you wish to open a rouge shop."
Qi Daiyu: "This consort…" She hadn’t expected the Empress to even mention this to the Emperor.
Jiang Yuan noted her fluster. "Your idea is quite bold! Extracting silver from noble families and high-ranking officials—only you could conceive of such a thing." A tiny box of rouge, priced at ten taels? That wasn’t earning money—it was outright robbery!
The Empress had deemed the plan too risky, but knowing Jiang Yuan’s long-standing desire to curb the influence of noble families, she had brought it up during his visit to Kunning Palace.
Upon hearing it, Jiang Yuan’s first question was, "How effective is that so-called ‘foundation’?"
The Empress had already had the small jar Qi Daiyu gifted her examined by the imperial physicians. While they couldn’t identify all its ingredients, they confirmed it was harmless. Following Qi Daiyu’s instructions, the Empress had a maid with dull, rough skin demonstrate its use for Jiang Yuan.
The moment the foundation was applied, the maid’s complexion brightened instantly. Though not as flawlessly blended as Qi Daiyu’s had been that day, the effect was far superior to traditional lead-based powders.
Jiang Yuan was less astonished by the foundation’s efficacy than by the fact that Noble Consort Hui possessed such skill.
Suddenly, he smiled.
"We believe Noble Consort Hui’s idea has merit." Not only could it be applied to a rouge shop—inns, tailor shops… many businesses could establish exorbitantly priced, ultra-luxurious branches. A ruler well-versed in political maneuvering proved no less shrewd than a cunning merchant, instantly extrapolating the possibilities.
Weakening the power of aristocratic families had long been Jiang Yuan’s goal. While a few shops wouldn’t shift the balance, any additional drain on their wealth pleased him.
The Empress was momentarily speechless, then laughed. "In that case, why not invest a few shares yourself, Your Majesty? Consider it a reward for Noble Consort Hui’s ingenuity." She seized the chance to secure benefits for Qi Daiyu—with the Emperor’s involvement, taxes would be lighter, and many concerns would vanish.
Thus, Jiang Yuan came to Yanqing Residence today.
And there he found Noble Consort Hui surrounded by molds and crushed, unidentifiable substances in her study—clearly hard at work.
Jiang Yuan declared, "We will have a shop purchased for you in the capital. The Empress will arrange for a manager and staff. Run it as you proposed—one-tenth of profits to the imperial treasury, one-tenth for operational costs, two-tenths each for Ourselves and the Empress, and the remaining four-tenths for you. We have only one condition: ten taels per box is too low. Make it twenty!"
Qi Daiyu’s eyes widened.
She truly hadn’t expected the Emperor to be even more ruthless than her.
Twenty taels! That was enough to sustain an ordinary family of three for a year—now the price of a single box of rouge…
Admittedly, twenty taels meant little to noblewomen, but the most expensive rouge at Jinxiang Pavilion cost only three taels. This was nearly seven times that price—would there really be such gullible buyers?
What thrilled Qi Daiyu most, however, was that she had originally hoped for only two-tenths, yet now the Emperor was granting her four! Her excitement nearly made her agree on the spot, but at the critical moment, she regained her senses. "With such steep pricing, this consort dare not take four-tenths. How about this: I retain only two-tenths, and the remaining two-tenths can be donated to orphanages—to buy millet for the hungry, medicine for the sick, and blankets and charcoal for winter. What does Your Majesty think?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone unreadable. "Noble Consort Hui, are you certain? If your shop thrives, twenty percent of the profits would likely surpass your annual stipend as a noble consort for several years. Are you truly willing to part with it?"
Qi Daiyu remained composed, smiling lightly. "This concubine lacks for nothing in the palace. What need do I have for so much silver? It would be better to offer what little help I can to those in hardship, as an act of kindness—to accumulate virtue for His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress."
"Then We ought to have the Empress issue an edict praising your generosity."
Unfazed, Qi Daiyu shook her head. "If it is to accumulate virtue, how can it be broadcast? This concubine cares not for such things."
Jiang Yuan toyed with the teacup in his hand. Just as the Empress had said, Noble Consort Hui's intention in opening a cosmetics shop was to allow more women to use the foundation, not for wealth or fame.
Suddenly, Jiang Yuan found Qi Daiyu more agreeable.
He hadn’t visited Yanqing Residence in some time, partly to teach Noble Consort Hui a lesson.
He was never short of women, but in the palace, once a concubine lost favor, life became difficult. Even if the Empress shielded Noble Consort Hui, she had her own duties and couldn’t keep watch over Yanqing Residence at all times.
Jiang Yuan wanted Qi Daiyu to understand that within these palace walls, he alone was the most exalted.
To disregard him—was she blind?
A thought struck him, and he abruptly changed the subject. "The imperial selection is in a few days. We recall you visited the temporary palace recently. What did you think of the candidates?"
Qi Daiyu was taken aback. "This concubine... found them all quite lovely, each with their own charm."
She didn’t understand why the Emperor was asking her this, so she chose her words carefully.
Jiang Yuan’s expression darkened. "Is that all?"
Qi Daiyu thought harder. "I heard some of the candidates possess remarkable talents. Surely Your Majesty will be pleased."
Jiang Yuan’s mood soured completely. He set down his cup and stood to leave, pausing halfway.
Turning back, his gaze was heavy as he said, "Regarding the shop, We and the Empress will handle the storefront and personnel. The rest is up to you. By early April at the latest, We expect news of its opening."
What? It was already late February! April was barely a month away—the packaging hadn’t even been finalized yet. How could it be done in time?
Qi Daiyu wanted to negotiate for more time, but the Emperor left without another glance.
Her maids, including Shiliu, entered anxiously. "Mistress, will His Majesty not stay at Yanqing Residence tonight?" They were worried—he usually did. Had their mistress angered him?
"It’s nothing." The Emperor had thrown her a challenge; she had no energy to spare for his moods.
But some things couldn’t be rushed. The artisans’ workshop had yet to deliver, and the imperial selection was imminent.
On the second day of the third month, the candidates entered the palace, and the selection began at Yanhui Pavilion. The Emperor, Empress Dowager, and Empress presided, while the candidates entered in groups of five. Those chosen received a hairpin of approval, while the others were gifted silver.
The concubines couldn’t attend, so Consort Shu invited them all to Chenggong Palace to await updates. Each time a hairpin was bestowed, the eunuch Kefu would report:
"Zhaorong, daughter of the Grand Princess, has received a hairpin of approval!"
"Nie Zhiyu, daughter of the Left Vice Minister of Works, has received a hairpin of approval!"
"Feng Qi, daughter of the Jiangxi Regional Military Commander, has received a hairpin of approval!"
"Ye Qiong, daughter of the Jizhou Vice Prefect, has received a hairpin of approval!"
With each announcement, the concubines’ expressions darkened.
For them, every new consort meant another rival. The Emperor’s visits to the rear palace were already scarce—some could count their nights with him on one hand in a year. With new faces entering, their chances would dwindle further.
Many eyes drifted to Concubine Mei—specifically, to the slight swell of her belly.
How fortunate, to conceive just before the new consorts arrived.
Noticing the stares, Concubine Mei lifted her chin proudly.
Consort An’s gaze flickered, glancing subtly toward a certain direction.
