"This needs to be asked of those wrongful spirits who died unjustly, and their families." Manbao also glanced at the window, saying, "I think this shouldn’t be the result, but rather the cause. It’s the cause of the Empress Dowager assisting these poor folks; what kind of result it will yield in the future is unknown to anyone."
Bai Shan said, "But that’s not what she’s thinking."
Manbao just shook her head, saying, "She doesn’t have much longer to live, why argue over the long and short with her? If she gets angry and dies because of it, does it count as your responsibility, or mine?"
Regardless of whose responsibility it is, things won’t end well for either of them, so it’s better to avoid the topic.
Manbao didn’t accept it, and just pretended not to know the Empress Dowager’s intention to atone for her sins, simply acting as if she were doing good deeds for herself, which might lead her to do more good deeds.
"I wonder if the Empress Dowager has considered supporting the Heaven Master," Manbao said. "It’s really strange, why do the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and the Empress all believe in Buddha and not worship the Heaven Master?"
Bai Shan said, "Everyone is different, so don’t worship either, only kneel to heaven and earth, monarch and father, so there’s no need to force it. But while it’s fine for others, the Emperor shouldn’t show bias."
Manbao lanted, "It’s a pity Lord Wei hasn’t expressed his opinion on this matter."
Once this was ntioned, even Bai Erlang lifted his head. After the three exchanged a glance, they chuckled heartily, noting how peaceful New Year’s was this year; they hadn’t heard Lord Wei’s scolding.
After the Lantern Festival, Bai Shan and the others went back to the palace again, people returned to their studies or work, and Old Zhou and Zhou Dalang went back to the manor.
This ti Junior Ms.Qian stayed in the capital. After eating her cooking, Zhou Liulang felt their restaurant could improve further, so he brought her along to help at the restaurant.
Zhou Lijun was busy calculating with her abacus, her facial cream business was doing very well, already selling in Yongzhou, with monthly demand steadily rising, albeit slowly, a few jars at a ti, which was just within their handleable range.
After all, it’s not good to keep it too long once it’s made, it should ideally be used within a year.
Now Ms.Fang and Ms.Lu have specially cleaned out a room in the West First Courtyard for a pharmacy, specifically for storing their equipnt and materials for preparing the cream.
The walls inside were lined with shelves.
During the New Year, Manbao checked Zhou Lijun’s account books and realized this one item alone brought in more inco than the restaurant.
She then started searching in the Encyclopedia Pavilion, hoping to find so old formulas—um, they’re old formulas to Keke, but to her, they might be future formulas.
Once the formulas are found, they need to be researched. After making them, she would first use them herself, confirm there are no issues before selling them.
Changyu listened to her ntion the matter and said, "We were supposed to do this together, but in the end you alone get the credit."
Mingda, beside Manbao, explained, "Elder Sister envies you, she heard one jar of dicine can sell for one or two liang, and can bring in quite an inco annually?"
Manbao said, "The money matters are managed by my second niece."
She recalled what Lijun said, when the facial cream was first sold in Yongzhou City, it couldn’t be sold at all initially, and Zhou SiLang even had to face several reprimands because of it.
It was with the intervention of the Li Family’s Third Lady that many troubles were avoided, but their business in Yongzhou still faced many limitations.
Ultimately, it was because they grabbed soone else’s market; because of the facial cream, many families were already reducing or cutting off things like rouge and oils.
But who would think there’s too little money in this world?
Manbao said to Changyu, "Do you want to get into this business?"
Changyu sat up straight, looking at her with bright eyes, "Is it possible?"
Manbao nodded, "I don’t have any objections, but the business matters are handled by my niece, you’ll have to talk to her."
Manbao smiled and said directly, "But I think she’ll agree, you’re a princess, with your na, we can save a lot of trouble."
Mingda frowned slightly, she was rely jokingly probing Changyu’s mind, intending for Manbao to console Changyu, so she didn’t dwell too much.
But unexpectedly they directly reached a collaboration, contemplatively, Mingda couldn’t help but say to Changyu, "Elder Sister, we belong to the Imperial Family, it’s inappropriate to compete with the people for profit."
Changyu thought differently, "How am I competing with the people for profit? I’m not using my position to oppress others nor force buying and selling; the trading of goods is based on one’s own ability."
Mingda shook her head bluntly, "Elder Sister, you’re still in the palace, you shouldn’t ddle in business outside."
"Wait until I’m married to discuss it," she turned to Manbao and said, "You tell your niece to wait for ."
Mingda: ...
Manbao nodded, excitedly asking, "Is your marriage with Wei Yu settled?"
Changyu said, "During New Year’s, Father summoned him. On Lantern Festival day, Lord Wei also brought him to the palace. I heard he’s going to take the entrance examination for the Imperial Academy in February. According to Father, if he passes, the marriage will be imdiately settled."
Manbao curiously asked, "What if he doesn’t pass?"
"If he doesn’t pass, it will be postponed for two or three months before being settled."
Manbao: ...What difference does it make?
Mingda couldn’t help but laugh, "Father and Mother both favor Young Master Wei, they think he possesses gentlemanly qualities."
She thought of sothing, then turned to Changyu, "Elder Sister, if you marry into the Wei Family, this comrcial spirit might not be allowed, Lord Wei is strict in these matters."
Manbao then asked Mingda, "What about you, would you be interested in doing business?"
Mingda shook her head, "I’ll pass; I neither lack food nor clothing, nor am I short on money to spend, why compete for these profits?"
She said, "My Third Sister manages strictly; she’s lenient toward the people too. But even so, because she was involved in the timber trade, her manager did so forced buys and sells, and because of that, she knelt outside the Empress’s palace for half a day and cried for half a day."
Manbao asked, "Did she and her actions?"
"I heard she paid compensation, and that manager was dealt with, but her husband’s official position was removed, and even Third Sister was reprimanded by the Empress’s decree," she looked at Changyu and said, "That’s why I say it’s not worth the loss."
Changyu said, "We’re already princesses, why are we still so constrained? I have no intention of harming anyone, just want to earn so money from costics."
"That sounds so fake, don’t you as a princess lack costic money?" Mingda said, "I must say, your lifestyle is too extravagant. Last ti you requested stuffed eggplant, the imperial kitchen almost delayed Mother’s dishes because of it."
Changyu said nothing.
Mingda sighed quietly.
Changyu pointed to Manbao, "You ask her, who wouldn’t think there’s too much money?"
Manbao was contemplating Mingda’s words, when she heard "Hm?" and looked up, saying, "Indeed, no one would think there’s too much money, but I recall Scholarly Senior Brother Yang saying once, ’A gentleman loves wealth and acquires it in a righteous way,’ actually Mingda made a good point, you have power and influence, competing with the people for profit is indeed wrong."
Changyu didn’t expect her to switch sides, angrily stood up and asked, "So are you saying as royal kin, we can’t do business?"
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