Bai Ruozhu was a bit surprised in her heart, what was going on? Was it the previous beating that led to a shadow about makeup? But surely she wasn’t that afraid of her?
At this mont, Xin Nainai’s son spoke up, "Mother, it’s all in the past, Bai Daren is fair and just, she won’t bla you."
"Yes, mother, Bai Daren is a benefactor to our family, we shouldn’t hide from her." Xin Nainai’s daughter-in-law echoed.
Xin Nainai finally cald down a little and spoke, "Bai Daren’s husband is Jiang Daren, I suppose he already knows so of the inside story. I can’t hide any longer."
Then Xin Nainai began to tell her story. It turned out she had once served by Yang Fei’s side and had stayed in the Imperial Palace for a period. Her makeup artistry was learned in the Palace and had once been highly appreciated by Yang Fei.
Until once she applied makeup for Yang Fei, and that day Yang Fei accompanied the Forr Emperor to the Imperial Garden for a walk. Not wanting to suddenly pour down heavy rain, although the palace maid and eunuch quickly opened umbrellas, Yang Fei and the Forr Emperor hid in the Liang Pavilion to avoid the rain, but Yang Fei’s makeup was still washed away, looking very embarrassed.
The Forr Emperor might have been in a bad mood at the ti and said, "My love shouldn’t wear such heavy makeup, it lacks freshness and is too much of an artisan’s touch."
Yang Fei felt deeply ashad and had Xin Nainai beaten twenty tis when she returned, later demoting her to the Laundry Bureau. Afterwards, Xin Nainai was forgotten, and once she reached the age, she was released from the Palace.
Her hotown was in the Northwest, and when she returned to the Northwest, she found an honest man to marry and live her days. She used her learned skills to supplent her family. Unexpectedly, over the decades, her reputation for makeup artistry spread far and wide. Many families specifically sought her to apply makeup for their brides, but unexpectedly, she encountered the Zhang Family incident.
"Bai Daren, when my mother was demoted to the Laundry Bureau, Yang Fei had not yet had King Rui, and she had no idea about what Yang Fei did later. Moreover, she hasn’t had any contact with Yang Fei or King Rui for so many years." Xin Nainai’s son explained.
Bai Ruozhu observed his clear speech, speaking neither humbly nor arrogantly and asked, "What is your na? And what about your wife?"
"I’m Xin Quji, my wife’s maiden na is Li." Xin Nainai’s son answered.
"Xin Qiji?" Bai Ruozhu didn’t hear clearly, only feeling a bit tense, wondering why he was called Xin Qiji?
"It’s Quji, aning to get rid of illness. I was weak at birth, so my mother gave this na." Xin Quji responded.
Bai Ruozhu sighed in relief, thinking carefully about the Xin Family son’s situation, which indeed didn’t match Xin Qiji, except for the similar na.
"Seeing your current condition, you’re in good health, your parents have raised you well." Bai Ruozhu replied with a smile, then looked at Li Shi, "Your wife’s makeup is not bad, she’s quite handy."
Li Shi quickly bowed to her, "If Daren doesn’t mind, call this humble woman if there’s any need."
"Sure, there will truly be tis when we’ll need your help." Bai Ruozhu said with a smile.
After all, Xin Nainai had stayed in the Palace and could tell Bai Ruozhu intended to employ them, quickly kneeling and kowtowing, "Bai Daren is the benefactor of our family, as long as Bai Daren gives an order, the Xin family is willing to die a hundred tis over."
Bai Ruozhu didn’t want them to be so formal and said with a smile, "Is it that Nainai plans to pass on her artistry to her daughter-in-law and the Zhang family girl, and no longer apply makeup for others?"
Xin Nainai showed a grief-stricken look, "I just wanted girls to look beautiful when getting married, never expected to be accused of applying makeup with a curse, in the future, better not to rely on this for a living."
"The fault doesn’t lie with you, but it’s because you didn’t consider human nature. Imagine if the bride is too beautiful and the groom is even happier, but when she removes her makeup the next day, turning into an ordinary-looking woman, the groom might feel a significant psychological gap, and since the marriage is arranged without emotion, it’s even harder to get along later." Bai Ruozhu explained carefully, seeing Xin Nainai’s serious expression, genuinely absorbing the advice.
"So I think it’s better to teach a person to fish than to give them fish. If all won learn how to beautify themselves, would they make their husbands disappointed?" Bai Ruozhu continued with a smile, "Of course, outward appearance doesn’t define a person, won’s virtue is more important, but appearance is the first impression, so why not add so points for oneself?"
Xin Nainai’s daughter-in-law listened with brightened eyes. Being a young daughter-in-law, she understood this logic even better.
"So what does Daren an?" Xin Nainai was still sowhat confused.
"I plan to establish a bridal school, creating a learning opportunity for girls before marriage, where they can learn how to beautify themselves, manage a household, and even learn how to get along with their mother-in-law, appointing suitable female teachers to teach. Of course, our school isn’t targeting aristocrats; aristocratic ladies don’t need to learn outside. It mainly targets civilian girls, with affordable tuition, and the school’s profit forecast is modest, just wanting to help the girls have a better future."
Of course, Bai Ruozhu wasn’t running a charity school, her establishnt of this bridal school also had her own private motives, for it would always have a use in the future.
"I hope you can teach those girls how to beautify themselves. Not to teach them to the extre, but enough for them to learn a thing or two, especially how to beautify according to their personality and family situation, would you be willing?" Bai Ruozhu asked.
Xin Nainai felt a bit agitated, "At my age, can I still do it well?"
Bai Ruozhu laughed, "That’s why you have more experience than young people. I believe you can do it well."
"Okay, okay, I’m willing to do it!" Xin Nainai said happily.
Xin Quji and Li Shi joined in the happiness. Bai Ruozhu turned to the pair and said, "Xin Quji, looking quite clever, can help manage so affairs at the school, Li Shi can assist your mother-in-law, how about it? Your salaries will be included for all three of you."
The three could not believe their ears. They ca to express gratitude and offer gifts, but unexpectedly found employnt for themselves.
The three knelt together to thank, while Bai Ruozhu, unaccustod to this formality, quickly gestured for Min Xiang to help them up, gave them a few instructions, and then let them go ho to prepare for the early stages, waiting for her notice.
Once the Xin family had left, Min Xiang curiously asked, "Miss, will there be anyone going to the bridal school? Will no one sign up to learn?"
Bai Ruozhu gave her a look, "If no one is willing to learn, I’ll first send you and Min Ju to learn, it’ll be good training for you, so you won’t worry about marriage in the future."
Min Xiang blushed, not daring to ask further about this topic. She didn’t want to ntion anything about marriage.
In the evening, Bai Ruozhu told her brother about her plan, saying they would first find a small storefront, not needing a bustling location, but rather a cheaper one, as the Bai Family wasn’t as wealthy as before.
Bai Zehao didn’t question the feasibility of the matter and said imdiately, "Don’t worry, little sister, I’ll find a storefront for you tomorrow, guaranteeing your satisfaction."
"Brother, aren’t you afraid I might lose money?" Bai Ruozhu curiously asked.
Bai Zehao laughed heartily, "I heard people say that in business, six profitable deals out of ten is good, but little sister, your touch seems to turn stone into gold, even if you truly lose money once, it wouldn’t matter much. Of course, I still think whatever my little sister does, it’s been well considered, so it’ll surely work!"
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